Wow. Um…this is awkward. For those of you who don't know (which is pretty much everybody, we're assuming), Tel and I came up with this *brilliant* premise for a storyline like…a century ago or something. We eagerly began the writing process, and then got caught up in things like college (or dropping out thereof), and we got a little, well I'll just say it. A little lazy. And then we got back on that crazy writing train for something like a chapter, and before you know it, we were both married and squeezing out babies. That's right. We've both spawned. Some of our marriages, however, were more successful than others… Anyway, we are mega friggin' sorry if we gypped anyone out of the ending but…We're baaaack! (Hopefully you read that in the Poltergeist kid's voice.) So here goes, the much-anticipated (by us…) next chapter.

Btw, we are starting fresh on a new screen name. We DEFINITELY didn't forget our login info and delete the email account that was attached to it, don't think so ill of your beloved authors. That is why there is going to be a scary amount of updating for the first day or two. And then we will slow down, but theoretically not crap out entirely, as before. We want to know what happens just as much as you do! Thanks for sticking with us, loyal readers! *cricket cricket*

Disclaimer: Tel and Pel own pretty much nothing. Harry Potter least of all. However, they do own a very dedicated love of both Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Does it count? No. Should it? Yes. And that's all that matters.

This is a crossover fanfic between Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It will be AU, and so it will not follow the original storyline. We will try not to mess it up too badly. It is set in the Marauders' era, after they graduate but before they are... horrifyingly murdered. As for Buffy, it is set in the middle of the 6th season roughly. After Buffy is whiny and depressed, before Willow is whiny and depressed. Knowledge of Buffy isn't absolutely required, but would definitely help.

Pel and Tel will share story-writing responsibilities, but they may not always alternate reliably. Writing styles may conflict, but hopefully plot lines won't. Please enjoy. We love you. Was that awkward? Too much too soon? We're rusty.

Hope was rare.

Ever since Lily Potter had left the protective walls of Hogwarts, the days had grown darker and more uncertain. News, when it could be obtained, read like a continuous obituary. Evil was rising, and the world tense, aware that conflict was inevitable.

And yet a smile could not help from flitting across Lily's soft features every few minutes. Evil could go suck a sugar quill as far as she was concerned. For the first time in so long, she had hope for the future.

A sharp knock at the door interrupted Lily's musings as she positioned the last plate upon the table. James came whipping around the corner with child-like exuberance. At the sight of his wife, his grin grew wider. Within a span of seconds he managed to pull her close, kiss her deeply, and continue excitedly towards the door. His good humor faltered only slightly as he carefully peered out into the doorway. One could never be too careful these days, even when expecting guests.

"None shall enter but those most loyal to Godric Gryffindor in this sacred place!" he bellowed with authority. "What is the password?" Mutterings and half-hearted curses squeezed their way between the many locks upon the door.

"I hate to break this to you, Prongs, old pal, but we're the only friends you've got. Who else could it possibly be?" Lily recognized Sirius's smooth and confident tone. The wizard never spoke with uncertainty.

"Perhaps you are simply a particularly clever minion. After all, it's not too difficult to imitate that irritating whine that the house of Black is plagued with." James gave Lily a cocky smile, all too pleased with his teasing. "Once again, sir, I ask of you the password."

Remus Lupin, who was apparently too hungry to wait much longer, gave out a soft sigh. "James Potter is the greatest wizard in the land."

"And?" pressed James.

"He is the best quidditch player ever born."

"And?"

"And he happens to ride a big broom to make up for his lack of-", but Sirius was cut off by the door quickly swinging open.

"That's quite enough. You may enter," said Mrs. Potter, who was quite ready to defend her husband's honor.

All mischief forgotten, the Marauders, minus one, quickly exchanged enthusiastic hugs and greetings. They did not see each other as much as they would have liked. While the demands of the world tugged at them, it never tore them apart. Years of pranks and foolishness had forged stronger bonds than those of blood.

Peter Pettigrew, ever behind, showed up several minutes later. He arrived rumpled and sweaty, but that was not unusual. Under his arm he carried a box wrapped in an attractive, white paper, tied neatly with a large black bow. The tidy appearance of the gift contrasted ridiculously with the rather mussed Pettigrew. Lily, normally so kind in thought and deed, felt snide comments rising in her throat. She swallowed them with a small frown, wondering if the stress of the past few weeks was getting to her.

An hour passed swiftly, filled with much laughter and delicious food. A passerby would have thought that fifteen people were chattering instead of five. Four, rather, as Wormtail remained reserved. He would not hold eye contact, and would only mutter a reply quietly when prompted. Feeling a poor hostess, Lily wondered if perhaps he was nervous for her to announce the news she had promised them all upon their invitation.

After sharing a quick kiss and a knowing glance with his wife, James stood up with a glass and tapped his wand against it. "As wonderful as my darling wife's dinner has been, we did not actually invite you ragamuffins here just to give you a free meal." James dodged a playful swipe from Lily. Then, with more seriousness than he had displayed all evening, he said softly, "We have wonderful news, and we wanted to share it with our family."

Remus leaned forward slightly. He had been most curious this past week. James had never been able to keep a secret. He had half expected his boisterous friend to blurt it out the moment he entered the safety of Godric's Hollow. Yet here he was, an hour into the evening, and still pausing for dramatic effect.

"Lily and I are having a baby." If a passerby would have suspected fifteen before, now the estimate would have been closer to fifty. The young Potters were flooded with exclamations of joy and shock and surprise from those closest to them.

"Is it a boy or a girl? When are you due? Have you been feeling OK?" asked Remus.

"Will you name it after me? Can I be Uncle Sirius the Magnificent? Do you think he or she will be sorted into Gryffindor?" rambled Padfoot.

"What a... pleasant... surprise," mumbled Peter. "I have a gift for the two of you." When all eyes turned upon him, Pettigrew grew red. "Not for the baby. I didn't know about that. Just for... you know... being friends and all."

"No fair!" exclaimed Sirius. "Now we look like right gits, coming with only empty stomachs." He winked at his smallest friend, who seemed even more nervous than before, despite the jovial tone of the evening.

Eager to end Peter's discomfort, Remus picked up the present and passed it to Lily. The glowing woman softly tore into the delicate paper, and set the bow aside carefully. Reaching into the box, she pulled out an apple made of gold.

"How... unique," said James, not without kindness.

"Ah, there is something inscribed," exclaimed Lily, slightly confused by the gift. Perhaps it was an heirloom of the Pettigrew family. "It says, 'Misfortune shows those who are not really friends.' That's really... nice. Thank you, Peter."

Sirius took the apple and tossed it from hand to hand. "Yes, Wormtail, it's very nice. Not to mention true! Hey, Lupin, fetch!" Remus was blessed with quick reflexes, saving himself from a scar that would forever remind him of his slightly dangerous friendship with Padfoot.

"It really is lovely. Eye catching. And gold instead of silver, which is always a plus to me, " Moony said with a purposely wolfish grin. He did not bother to warn James that he was about to throw it, but he didn't need to. Once a Seeker, always a Seeker.

"At the very least, I can bewitch it to fly like a snitch!" laughed James. "We could all play, eh Wormy?"

Peter smiled, but it was chilling and cunning rather than warm. It contorted his face in a such a frightening way that Lily reached for James's hand out of instinct.

"I've had such a wonderful time here in Godric's Hollow. I can't thank you enough for inviting me," he whispered softly, though it was closer in kind to a hiss. He stood slowly and shuffled to the door. Before stepping out onto the slightly muddy path, he turned back to the silent room. "No man is free who is not a master of himself."

The Marauders all thought this rather odd. Then they thought nothing as the world ripped open before them with a horrifying screech, and everything they knew disappeared into the darkest black any of them had ever witnessed. There was no light, no sound, no joy, and above all, no hope.

When Lily awoke upon rough rocks and asphalt, the first thing she saw was a sign proudly stating, "Welcome to Sunnydale!" The second thing she saw was a morgue.

She almost missed the darkness.