A New Beginning. – By NearlyHeadlessNic.

Disclaimer: Ok, I do not own either the world of Harry Potter or the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I merely like to play with Rowling and Whedon's ingenious creations.

Summary: After the fall of Lord Voldemort and with their best friend dead, Harry and Hermione head for sunny California for a break from the Wizarding World where they meet some very interesting people indeed. HP/BtVS Crossover.

Note: I read a couple of HP/BtVS crossovers and I liked them so I decided to try my hand at one. I know that the timeline is screwed, but Harry and Hermione are eighteen/nineteen and so are the Scoobies and this will be 4th season of BtVS.

Chapter One --- Take off.

"Well, here's to a new life." Hermione said to Harry as they boarded a plane at Heathrow airport just outside London to the west coast of America.

After the downfall of Lord Voldemort and more significantly to the friends, the death of Ron Weasley, the Wizarding World changed dramatically. It was in mourning for everyone had lost someone they knew in the tragic war. Harry and Hermione had to get away from England. They stayed in hiding for a while, but they got sick of it, sneaking out in the dark with illusion charms performed on themselves so they could buy food from the local store. It wasn't a good life to live, so Hermione came up with the idea to go back to the muggle world for a while, but in another country. And where else then sunny California?

Both of them applied and got into UC Sunnydale. Hermione said one evening that when she was little, she always wished to go to an American University to study, but after she got her Hogwarts letter, her dream disappeared and was re-placed by different ones. But now, it seemed the only thing she wanted to do.

Harry went along with the idea, the more Hermione sold it, the more he wanted it to happen quickly. Getting away from the world at the moment seemed like heaven, even though it would be hard to not stay in contact with his friends. It was still the right thing to do.

"Boarding call for flight number 3678 to Sunnydale airport." A woman's voice came across the departure lounge.

"That's us." Harry said, standing and lifting his back-pack onto his back and holding out his hand for Hermione to help her get up. Hermione took it and smiled appreciatively. Harry knew Hermione took Ron's death badly and was still having nightmares about it, she needed comfort, and Harry gave her that. Ron and Hermione had been together since mid-seventh year, but to see him die at the hands of Voldemort himself, it was mortifying.

Together Harry and Hermione walked through the gate and onto the plane where they found their seats by the window. They took off gracefully and began their new lives.

They landed at Sunnydale airport. The flight had been long and tiresome. Hermione had slept most of the way, but Harry stayed awake, thinking. Leaving the Wizarding World when he was only introduced into it eight years ago, though it seemed much longer, was a scary thought. This was only a short-term arrangement, he knew. They were going back to England, definitely. They just needed time to breath, needed time to mourn, needed time without the press, and needed time to be normal.

In a couple of days they would start classes. Hermione, of course being well prepared, arranged for her and Harry to take the same degrees. They weren't really bothered with what, just something to take their minds off the past few years. So they were majoring in Psychology.

They caught the bus out of the airport and sat down, awaiting the stop of UC Sunnydale.

"Do you know what dorms we're in?" Harry asked Hermione.

"Yeah, we're not too far apart. You're a few doors down in 215 and I'm in 211 in Stevenson Hall." Hermione said.

"Good, I wouldn't want to be on the other side of the campus. Living in the same tower as you for seven years and then being separated. I don't think I would be able to cope." Harry said, grinning. Hermione smiled back.

"Can I still copy your homework?" Harry cheekily asked.

"Don't you think you ought to start doing your own?" said Hermione with a raised eyebrow.

"No, not at all."

Hermione just laughed. Maybe these next two years won't be too bad after all. And with Harry, things can't go too wrong, can they? After all, it was a new beginning.

Author's Note:Reviews wanted please. Just tell me if you would like to hear more…