Author's Note: Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your
perspective), many of the events in Order of the Phoenix have negated
events in the original version of this fanfic. Because this story was only
half-finished, I have decided to rewrite it from the beginning. The
general storyline and most of pairings will remain the same.
Spoilers: All seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, up to and including the series finale, and through Harry Potter and the Order or the Phoenix (book five).
Disclaimer: All that is Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Fox, UPN, and a whole host of others who are not I. All that is Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling and a whole host of others who are not I. I am merely playing with their characters and settings for my own amusement.
****************
Blood of Enemies, Blood of Friends
Chapter 1 - The Battle Won
The Scoobies clustered at the edge of the large crater that was, but a few short hours ago, the town of Sunnydale.
"Looks like the hellmouth is officially closed for business," Dawn confirmed.
"There's another one in Cleveland - not to spoil the moment," Giles informed the Scoobies.
"We saved the world," Xander said. He felt numb. Anya was dead. He couldn't seem to get his head around the idea. They had had their problems, but he never stopped loving the ex-demon. He knew that he never would. What he didn't know was how he would live without her.
"We changed the world," Willow corrected her friend. She turned to Buffy. "I can feel them, Buffy. All over, Slayers are awakening everywhere."
"We have to find them," Dawn replied.
"We will," Willow assured the teen.
"Yes, because the mall was actually in Sunnydale, and there's no hope of going there tomorrow," Giles noted.
Dawn spun toward Giles. "You mean we destroyed the mall? I fought on the wrong side."
"All those shops gone - the Gap, Starbucks, Toys-R-Us - who will remember all those landmarks unless we tell the world about them?" Xander quipped, seeking a solace in his joking.
"We have a lot of work ahead of us," Giles informed the group.
"Can I push him in? I just want to sleep for like a week," commented Faith.
"I guess we all could, if we wanted to," Dawn added.
"Yeah, the First is scrunched. So, what do you think we should do, Buffy?" asked Willow.
"Yeah, you're not the one and only chosen anymore. You get to live like a person. So whatcha gonna do now?" asked Faith.
"Yeah, Buffy, what are we going to do?" asked Dawn.
For the first time in months, Buffy felt a sense of calm. She surveyed the crater that was once the hellmouth that she was sworn to guard, and a smile slowly crept across her lips. For the first time since she was called at the young age of fifteen, she believed that she possessed a future of endless possibilities. Though for some reason that she could not quite explain, Buffy felt that they were still needed for something big.
Buffy turned to her friends, realizing that her role as leader was not yet over. "First, we need to get some medical attention for the injured. Then we need to find a place to stay for at least the night. Does anyone even have any money for a hotel?"
The group quickly realized that not only were they homeless, but they also had lost all of their possessions.
"There has to be some place we can stay." Buffy looked to Giles for answers.
"I am sure that we can access some Council resources, but not until tomorrow morning," Giles replied.
"Oh, we could go to the Hyperion," suggested Willow. "Angel has plenty of room in that big hotel of his."
Buffy smiled. "The Hyperion, huh? Well, I did promise Angel that I would call when the battle was over, and since one of those ubervamps crushed my cellphone, the next best thing is to call on him in person."
"Well, I guess it is time to turn myself back in anyway," mumbled Faith.
As the Scoobies returned to the bus, Buffy held back Faith. "Faith, maybe you should hold off on turning yourself back in. You can just lay low at the Hyperion for a few days."
"It isn't worth putting off the inevitable, B."
"Look, don't say anything to the others. I can't explain it, but I don't think we stayed entirely off the radar this time. Faith, if there is something else coming, then I need you available to fight."
Faith felt more tired than she had ever felt in her entire life. Going back to the quiet routine of prison life seemed almost enticing, but she was not about to leave if she was needed. "Sure, B., a few days shouldn't matter. Besides, it will give me a chance to spend some time with Robin before I go back to prison."
****************
Albus Dumbledore addressed The Order of the Phoenix. "The events of these past few days have greatly changed our situation. Unfortunately, I do not believe that the Ministry of Magic alone can defeat Voldemort, nor do I believe that our numbers are sufficient to defeat him. The wizarding world may now accept the return of Voldemort. However, few have stepped forward to aid in the fight. People are scared, which is more than understandable. Also, we have lost some of our own. We need more help than we currently possess."
"But Albus, we're tapped out. Where can we find additional help?" questioned Mad Eye Moody.
"I am sure that you have all heard of the Slayer, one girl in all the world with the strength and skill to kill the vampires."
There was murmuring among the group. Remus Lupin spoke the words that they were all thinking. "But how can one girl, regardless or her abilities, help to defeat Voldemort and his Death Eaters?"
"Ah, but there is no longer only one girl," replied Dumbledore. He placed a crystal ball on the table. "These events took place only a few short hours ago." Dumbledore tapped the crystal ball with his wand, causing images to emerge.
The group was awestruck, as they watched the battle play out. They saw the power called by the white-haired witch, the realization of full Slayer power within each of the potentials, the driving back of evil, the ultimate sacrifice and redemption of the vampire with a soul, the absolute obliteration of the town once known as Sunnydale, and the final sealing of the hellmouth.
The group sat silently as the images dissipated. Dumbledore spoke. "The Slayers and their friends would be powerful allies for us in the fight against Voldemort. As you have seen, this unlikely group of heroes has won their battle against the First Evil. They have saved the world for others. Yet, they have lost the world in which they had once lived. I believe that we can offer them a sanctuary in which to rest and rebuild."
Professor Dumbledore's eyes sparkled as the Order worked out the details of a plan.
****************
Angel paced back and forth across the lobby of the Hyperion. Wesley sighed and looked up from his work. "Angel, please do stop pacing. She will call."
"What if they didn't succeed? What if she died, again? I promised to fight this thing if she failed. Maybe we should begin preparing for battle."
"It hardly feels like the world is about to end - for a change. I am sure, you will hear from her soon."
Angel was about to resume his pacing when the door opened and a large group of people entered. At first he was confused by the presence of so many teenage girls, but then he saw the petite blonde. "You did it. You survived."
Buffy smiled at him and asked, "So you got some spare rooms for us? We would have gone back to my house, but Sunnydale, no longer on the map."
Wesley looked up at her, unintentionally clutching the large map he had been studying. Buffy shrugged at him. "Well, maybe it is still technically on the map, but in the real world Sunnydale is now just a big crater. I always knew that town was going to hell."
Angel walked over to her and gave her a hug. "I was so worried."
She returned the hug quickly and spoke, "Between the Scoobies and all these new Slayers, the big bad didn't stand a chance." She lost her smile as she continued, "We would have been here sooner, but we needed to make a stop at the hospital. There were some pretty bad injuries." She swallowed back the start of a sob, then continued speaking in a near whisper. "Everyone didn't make it - some of the Slayers, Anya, and Spike."
"Spike's dead? Are you sure?" questioned Angel. He wasn't entirely sure why he cared. Spike had always irritated him to no end, but that didn't mean that he wanted to see the other vampire dead.
"He died saving the world. He was the champion for which the amulet was meant."
Angel was surprised. He never would have expected his grandchilde to fight for the light. But then again, one hundred years ago, no one would have expected it of him either.
Angel wrapped his arms around Buffy. He could feel her sobbing against his shoulder. He released her, after she had regained her composure. Angel looked to the others, his eyes meeting Xander's.
"Deadboy," greeted Xander.
"Xander, I am sorry to hear about Anya."
Xander mumbled a "thanks." Willow put her hand on his shoulder. She knew how hard it was to lose the one you love. When they had insisted on joining the battle against evil on that day long ago in the Sunnydale High School library, neither could have known the price they would be forced to pay.
Angel turned back to Buffy, "Wait a minute, did you say new Slayers."
"It is a long story, but Willow did this spell that . . ." Before Buffy could finish explaining the activation of the potentials, her attention was captured by a large snowy owl that had swooped into the room and deposited a letter at Giles' feet. Everyone stared at the envelope in awe and confusion. It was addressed in emerald green ink to, "Rupert Giles, Lobby of the Hyperion Hotel, Los Angeles, California, USA."
Giles recognized the seal on the envelope instantly - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his alma mater before his dark days with Ethan and his subsequent return to the light to train as a Watcher. His tenure at Hogwarts was one of the best times of his life, and a time, which he had never mentioned to the Scoobies. They knew that he practiced magic, but they never knew he had been formally schooled in it. They didn't even know that a place like Hogwarts existed.
Buffy asked what they were all thinking, "Giles, what the hell is that?"
"It is a letter from Hogwarts," Giles replied.
"What's a Hogwarts?" asked Dawn.
Giles was quiet for a moment, thinking about the best way to explain Hogwarts to everyone. Wesley interrupted Giles' thoughts with an answer to the group. "Hogwarts is the preeminent school of witchcraft and wizardry in England." Giles' was a bit taken aback by Wesley's quick response. Giles supposed that he shouldn't be surprised, considering quite a few of the British Watchers had attended the school in their youth.
Willow looked stunned. "There's a real school that teaches kids how to do magic?"
"Yes, there are several actually," replied Giles.
"Why didn't I ever get to go to one?" Willow asked.
Giles honestly didn't know the answer to that. He was sure there must be a similar school in the states, but he didn't know anything about their policies. "I don't know, Willow. Maybe your magic came to you too late, or maybe the mystical energy of the hellmouth obscured you in some way."
"That sucks. I feel cheated," pouted Willow.
Buffy was listening to the exchange between Willow and Giles. Formal schooling would have been good for Willow. It may have prevented her from losing control. Then again, if she were at a magic school, she never would have met Buffy. Buffy spoke her thoughts aloud. "Or maybe someone knew that you were needed here to help fight all the hellmouthy stuff. There were many battles, especially this last one, that we would not have been able to win without you."
Giles realized that sometimes Buffy could be very insightful. "I believe Buffy may be correct. There are many divination experts in the wizarding world, and they may have seen the need for you to stay here." Willow looked pleased with that explanation, though she still thought it would have been cool to go to a magic school.
Buffy still wondered one thing. "Giles, how do you and Wesley know about this Hogwarts place? Did you read about it in one of your old books? I mean, we all know about a lot of weird stuff, but a school for magic? Wouldn't you think we would have heard about it before now?"
"In my youth, I attended Hogwarts - Gryffindor class of 1973," replied Giles.
"Ravenclaw, class of 1985," added Wesley.
Buffy, Willow, and Xander all looked stunned. Buffy was annoyed. Giles had always expected her to tell him everything, but he never told her about anything about his past until it became an issue. She hoped this wasn't another Eygon thing, "How come you never mentioned this to us before?" Buffy asked.
Before Giles had a chance to answer, Dawn stepped closer to see the envelope. As usual Buffy and Willow had gotten them off topic. Besides, the last thing that they all needed was to witness yet another Buffy-Giles blow out. Dawn still had questions. "Um, guys, the magic school thing is interesting and way cool that Giles went there, but what do they want from us?"
Shannon, one of the new Slayers, who had become close friends with Dawn in the days leading to the battle with the First, stepped up along side Dawn. "Good question, Dawn. So, Mr. Giles, what does the letter say?"
Giles opened the letter and began to read aloud.
Dear Mr. Giles,
Many of us in the wizarding world have been watching your progress in the fight against the First Evil.
Faith interrupted, "Nice of them to watch. You think they would have, oh I don't know, helped."
Giles glared at her and continued to read.
I congratulate you in your victory, while mourning the loss of so many in the battle against evil. We would have sent aid, but as I am sure you know, we are currently entrenched in our own battle against evil. Voldemort has once again risen to power.
Xander cringed a bit, "Oh great, more evil. I don't feel like I have any fight left in me."
There was a grumble of agreement from the rest of the weary warriors. Giles ignored them and continued.
I realize that you are all currently without a place to call home. I believe that we may be able to help each other. I would like to extend an invitation to you all to join me for dinner in the lobby of the Hyperion Hotel tomorrow evening.
With highest regards,
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"So who is this Foleywart guy?" asked Buffy.
"Voldemort," replied Giles with a shiver, "is one of the darkest wizards to ever walk the earth. The wizarding world thought that he had been destroyed thirteen years ago, but apparently he was only biding his time."
"The wizarding world fears him to such an extent that they do not even speak his name," added Wesley.
"Sounds like this V-guy may be our newest big bad," commented Xander.
"Yes, well, it is not worth worrying about until we speak with Professor Dumbledore tomorrow evening," replied Giles.
"Well, in the meantime, I am exhausted," noted Faith.
"I think we all are," Willow agreed.
Wesley volunteered to show everyone to their rooms. Giles, Buffy, Xander, Faith, and Andrew each received a room of their own. Willow and Kennedy shared a room. Dawn was sharing a room with Shannon and two other new Slayers. The remaining new Slayers shared other rooms in groups of three or four.
Clean clothes were provided by Fred for the girls and Wesley and Gunn for the men. Though it was only early evening, the exhaustion of the battle overtook them all quickly, and they slept.
Spoilers: All seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, up to and including the series finale, and through Harry Potter and the Order or the Phoenix (book five).
Disclaimer: All that is Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Fox, UPN, and a whole host of others who are not I. All that is Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling and a whole host of others who are not I. I am merely playing with their characters and settings for my own amusement.
****************
Blood of Enemies, Blood of Friends
Chapter 1 - The Battle Won
The Scoobies clustered at the edge of the large crater that was, but a few short hours ago, the town of Sunnydale.
"Looks like the hellmouth is officially closed for business," Dawn confirmed.
"There's another one in Cleveland - not to spoil the moment," Giles informed the Scoobies.
"We saved the world," Xander said. He felt numb. Anya was dead. He couldn't seem to get his head around the idea. They had had their problems, but he never stopped loving the ex-demon. He knew that he never would. What he didn't know was how he would live without her.
"We changed the world," Willow corrected her friend. She turned to Buffy. "I can feel them, Buffy. All over, Slayers are awakening everywhere."
"We have to find them," Dawn replied.
"We will," Willow assured the teen.
"Yes, because the mall was actually in Sunnydale, and there's no hope of going there tomorrow," Giles noted.
Dawn spun toward Giles. "You mean we destroyed the mall? I fought on the wrong side."
"All those shops gone - the Gap, Starbucks, Toys-R-Us - who will remember all those landmarks unless we tell the world about them?" Xander quipped, seeking a solace in his joking.
"We have a lot of work ahead of us," Giles informed the group.
"Can I push him in? I just want to sleep for like a week," commented Faith.
"I guess we all could, if we wanted to," Dawn added.
"Yeah, the First is scrunched. So, what do you think we should do, Buffy?" asked Willow.
"Yeah, you're not the one and only chosen anymore. You get to live like a person. So whatcha gonna do now?" asked Faith.
"Yeah, Buffy, what are we going to do?" asked Dawn.
For the first time in months, Buffy felt a sense of calm. She surveyed the crater that was once the hellmouth that she was sworn to guard, and a smile slowly crept across her lips. For the first time since she was called at the young age of fifteen, she believed that she possessed a future of endless possibilities. Though for some reason that she could not quite explain, Buffy felt that they were still needed for something big.
Buffy turned to her friends, realizing that her role as leader was not yet over. "First, we need to get some medical attention for the injured. Then we need to find a place to stay for at least the night. Does anyone even have any money for a hotel?"
The group quickly realized that not only were they homeless, but they also had lost all of their possessions.
"There has to be some place we can stay." Buffy looked to Giles for answers.
"I am sure that we can access some Council resources, but not until tomorrow morning," Giles replied.
"Oh, we could go to the Hyperion," suggested Willow. "Angel has plenty of room in that big hotel of his."
Buffy smiled. "The Hyperion, huh? Well, I did promise Angel that I would call when the battle was over, and since one of those ubervamps crushed my cellphone, the next best thing is to call on him in person."
"Well, I guess it is time to turn myself back in anyway," mumbled Faith.
As the Scoobies returned to the bus, Buffy held back Faith. "Faith, maybe you should hold off on turning yourself back in. You can just lay low at the Hyperion for a few days."
"It isn't worth putting off the inevitable, B."
"Look, don't say anything to the others. I can't explain it, but I don't think we stayed entirely off the radar this time. Faith, if there is something else coming, then I need you available to fight."
Faith felt more tired than she had ever felt in her entire life. Going back to the quiet routine of prison life seemed almost enticing, but she was not about to leave if she was needed. "Sure, B., a few days shouldn't matter. Besides, it will give me a chance to spend some time with Robin before I go back to prison."
****************
Albus Dumbledore addressed The Order of the Phoenix. "The events of these past few days have greatly changed our situation. Unfortunately, I do not believe that the Ministry of Magic alone can defeat Voldemort, nor do I believe that our numbers are sufficient to defeat him. The wizarding world may now accept the return of Voldemort. However, few have stepped forward to aid in the fight. People are scared, which is more than understandable. Also, we have lost some of our own. We need more help than we currently possess."
"But Albus, we're tapped out. Where can we find additional help?" questioned Mad Eye Moody.
"I am sure that you have all heard of the Slayer, one girl in all the world with the strength and skill to kill the vampires."
There was murmuring among the group. Remus Lupin spoke the words that they were all thinking. "But how can one girl, regardless or her abilities, help to defeat Voldemort and his Death Eaters?"
"Ah, but there is no longer only one girl," replied Dumbledore. He placed a crystal ball on the table. "These events took place only a few short hours ago." Dumbledore tapped the crystal ball with his wand, causing images to emerge.
The group was awestruck, as they watched the battle play out. They saw the power called by the white-haired witch, the realization of full Slayer power within each of the potentials, the driving back of evil, the ultimate sacrifice and redemption of the vampire with a soul, the absolute obliteration of the town once known as Sunnydale, and the final sealing of the hellmouth.
The group sat silently as the images dissipated. Dumbledore spoke. "The Slayers and their friends would be powerful allies for us in the fight against Voldemort. As you have seen, this unlikely group of heroes has won their battle against the First Evil. They have saved the world for others. Yet, they have lost the world in which they had once lived. I believe that we can offer them a sanctuary in which to rest and rebuild."
Professor Dumbledore's eyes sparkled as the Order worked out the details of a plan.
****************
Angel paced back and forth across the lobby of the Hyperion. Wesley sighed and looked up from his work. "Angel, please do stop pacing. She will call."
"What if they didn't succeed? What if she died, again? I promised to fight this thing if she failed. Maybe we should begin preparing for battle."
"It hardly feels like the world is about to end - for a change. I am sure, you will hear from her soon."
Angel was about to resume his pacing when the door opened and a large group of people entered. At first he was confused by the presence of so many teenage girls, but then he saw the petite blonde. "You did it. You survived."
Buffy smiled at him and asked, "So you got some spare rooms for us? We would have gone back to my house, but Sunnydale, no longer on the map."
Wesley looked up at her, unintentionally clutching the large map he had been studying. Buffy shrugged at him. "Well, maybe it is still technically on the map, but in the real world Sunnydale is now just a big crater. I always knew that town was going to hell."
Angel walked over to her and gave her a hug. "I was so worried."
She returned the hug quickly and spoke, "Between the Scoobies and all these new Slayers, the big bad didn't stand a chance." She lost her smile as she continued, "We would have been here sooner, but we needed to make a stop at the hospital. There were some pretty bad injuries." She swallowed back the start of a sob, then continued speaking in a near whisper. "Everyone didn't make it - some of the Slayers, Anya, and Spike."
"Spike's dead? Are you sure?" questioned Angel. He wasn't entirely sure why he cared. Spike had always irritated him to no end, but that didn't mean that he wanted to see the other vampire dead.
"He died saving the world. He was the champion for which the amulet was meant."
Angel was surprised. He never would have expected his grandchilde to fight for the light. But then again, one hundred years ago, no one would have expected it of him either.
Angel wrapped his arms around Buffy. He could feel her sobbing against his shoulder. He released her, after she had regained her composure. Angel looked to the others, his eyes meeting Xander's.
"Deadboy," greeted Xander.
"Xander, I am sorry to hear about Anya."
Xander mumbled a "thanks." Willow put her hand on his shoulder. She knew how hard it was to lose the one you love. When they had insisted on joining the battle against evil on that day long ago in the Sunnydale High School library, neither could have known the price they would be forced to pay.
Angel turned back to Buffy, "Wait a minute, did you say new Slayers."
"It is a long story, but Willow did this spell that . . ." Before Buffy could finish explaining the activation of the potentials, her attention was captured by a large snowy owl that had swooped into the room and deposited a letter at Giles' feet. Everyone stared at the envelope in awe and confusion. It was addressed in emerald green ink to, "Rupert Giles, Lobby of the Hyperion Hotel, Los Angeles, California, USA."
Giles recognized the seal on the envelope instantly - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his alma mater before his dark days with Ethan and his subsequent return to the light to train as a Watcher. His tenure at Hogwarts was one of the best times of his life, and a time, which he had never mentioned to the Scoobies. They knew that he practiced magic, but they never knew he had been formally schooled in it. They didn't even know that a place like Hogwarts existed.
Buffy asked what they were all thinking, "Giles, what the hell is that?"
"It is a letter from Hogwarts," Giles replied.
"What's a Hogwarts?" asked Dawn.
Giles was quiet for a moment, thinking about the best way to explain Hogwarts to everyone. Wesley interrupted Giles' thoughts with an answer to the group. "Hogwarts is the preeminent school of witchcraft and wizardry in England." Giles' was a bit taken aback by Wesley's quick response. Giles supposed that he shouldn't be surprised, considering quite a few of the British Watchers had attended the school in their youth.
Willow looked stunned. "There's a real school that teaches kids how to do magic?"
"Yes, there are several actually," replied Giles.
"Why didn't I ever get to go to one?" Willow asked.
Giles honestly didn't know the answer to that. He was sure there must be a similar school in the states, but he didn't know anything about their policies. "I don't know, Willow. Maybe your magic came to you too late, or maybe the mystical energy of the hellmouth obscured you in some way."
"That sucks. I feel cheated," pouted Willow.
Buffy was listening to the exchange between Willow and Giles. Formal schooling would have been good for Willow. It may have prevented her from losing control. Then again, if she were at a magic school, she never would have met Buffy. Buffy spoke her thoughts aloud. "Or maybe someone knew that you were needed here to help fight all the hellmouthy stuff. There were many battles, especially this last one, that we would not have been able to win without you."
Giles realized that sometimes Buffy could be very insightful. "I believe Buffy may be correct. There are many divination experts in the wizarding world, and they may have seen the need for you to stay here." Willow looked pleased with that explanation, though she still thought it would have been cool to go to a magic school.
Buffy still wondered one thing. "Giles, how do you and Wesley know about this Hogwarts place? Did you read about it in one of your old books? I mean, we all know about a lot of weird stuff, but a school for magic? Wouldn't you think we would have heard about it before now?"
"In my youth, I attended Hogwarts - Gryffindor class of 1973," replied Giles.
"Ravenclaw, class of 1985," added Wesley.
Buffy, Willow, and Xander all looked stunned. Buffy was annoyed. Giles had always expected her to tell him everything, but he never told her about anything about his past until it became an issue. She hoped this wasn't another Eygon thing, "How come you never mentioned this to us before?" Buffy asked.
Before Giles had a chance to answer, Dawn stepped closer to see the envelope. As usual Buffy and Willow had gotten them off topic. Besides, the last thing that they all needed was to witness yet another Buffy-Giles blow out. Dawn still had questions. "Um, guys, the magic school thing is interesting and way cool that Giles went there, but what do they want from us?"
Shannon, one of the new Slayers, who had become close friends with Dawn in the days leading to the battle with the First, stepped up along side Dawn. "Good question, Dawn. So, Mr. Giles, what does the letter say?"
Giles opened the letter and began to read aloud.
Dear Mr. Giles,
Many of us in the wizarding world have been watching your progress in the fight against the First Evil.
Faith interrupted, "Nice of them to watch. You think they would have, oh I don't know, helped."
Giles glared at her and continued to read.
I congratulate you in your victory, while mourning the loss of so many in the battle against evil. We would have sent aid, but as I am sure you know, we are currently entrenched in our own battle against evil. Voldemort has once again risen to power.
Xander cringed a bit, "Oh great, more evil. I don't feel like I have any fight left in me."
There was a grumble of agreement from the rest of the weary warriors. Giles ignored them and continued.
I realize that you are all currently without a place to call home. I believe that we may be able to help each other. I would like to extend an invitation to you all to join me for dinner in the lobby of the Hyperion Hotel tomorrow evening.
With highest regards,
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"So who is this Foleywart guy?" asked Buffy.
"Voldemort," replied Giles with a shiver, "is one of the darkest wizards to ever walk the earth. The wizarding world thought that he had been destroyed thirteen years ago, but apparently he was only biding his time."
"The wizarding world fears him to such an extent that they do not even speak his name," added Wesley.
"Sounds like this V-guy may be our newest big bad," commented Xander.
"Yes, well, it is not worth worrying about until we speak with Professor Dumbledore tomorrow evening," replied Giles.
"Well, in the meantime, I am exhausted," noted Faith.
"I think we all are," Willow agreed.
Wesley volunteered to show everyone to their rooms. Giles, Buffy, Xander, Faith, and Andrew each received a room of their own. Willow and Kennedy shared a room. Dawn was sharing a room with Shannon and two other new Slayers. The remaining new Slayers shared other rooms in groups of three or four.
Clean clothes were provided by Fred for the girls and Wesley and Gunn for the men. Though it was only early evening, the exhaustion of the battle overtook them all quickly, and they slept.