Chapter 20: The Houses

*****The Next Weekend*****

Buffy was so excited because her mother was arriving that afternoon on a plane. She was taking a taxicab to meet her. It was decided that she would come without her entourage of friends, but her father was accompanying her.

Joyce looked tired but happy to be reunited with her daughter and gave her a long hug.

"It's so good to see you, sweetie," she said

"You, too," Buffy said. She filled her mother's ears with chatter.

"It's good to see you, Joyce," Severus said after Buffy paused for breath.

"Thanks," Joyce said. "I'm glad you two have had such a good time."

"Wait until you see what I can do with my magic stick," Buffy boasted. "I thought wood was only good for staking vamps, but now I've got this handy magic stick!"

"It's a wand, Buffy Anne. You would do well to remember that," Severus said with a slight irritation in his tone.

Buffy just grinned. "He really reveres his stick," she said to her mom with a wink.

"It's not a stick! It's a wand!" he exclaimed in exasperation. Then he looked up at the cab driver in alarm.

Buffy laughed. "Told you," she said.

Joyce chuckled. "I see that she is still incorrigible," she observed.

"Very much so," Severus said, realizing she was purposely baiting him. "But she has been a good girl over all." He reached over and patted her arm. She was sitting in between her mother and him. They had decided her mother would be exposed to enough magic soon enough. A normal cab ride was not too much to ask for.

Joyce was settled into a room not far from Giles. She wanted to wait to decide to find a house outside of Hogwarts as this was all so new. If she survived the year and liked it, maybe she'd look for something more permanent.

Buffy thought her mother held up pretty well when they arrived at Hogwarts, and she saw her first ghost.

"Buffy, please tell me that you see that man with the severed head floating over there," she said, clutching Buffy's arm in a near panic.

"Oh, sorry, Mom. I forgot to tell you that the place has lots of ghosts. They're mostly harmless," Buffy assured her. "That's Nearly Headless Nick. Nick, this is my mom, Joyce. Be nice."

"Of course, Buffy," Nick said with a bright smile. "I'll tell the other ghost to lay off the haunting for a few weeks."

"Thanks," Joyce said with a weak smile.

"The place takes some getting used to," Buffy said.

"I can see that," Joyce said.

"But at least the ghosts are harmless, and there's no hellmouth or vamps," Buffy said with a bright smile.

"It's disturbing how comforting those words are," Joyce said, putting her arm around Buffy.

After a week or so, Joyce finally felt comfortable. It helped that they celebrated the Fourth of July even though it was the holiday where the Brits lost control of the colonist.

"I can't believe we're celebrating a holiday that thumbs its nose at our country," Ron grumbled as he helped Harry dig out an old grill that Hagrid said he had in the shed behind his house.

"It makes our new American friends happy," Harry said. "It's just a cook-out and fireworks, Ron. Not a big deal."

Ron was still grumbling as they spelled the grille to follow them to the pond where the outdoor festivities were going to take place.

Xander and Buffy were in charge of games. They had the potato sack race, the three-legged race, and an egg toss planned.

Buffy was giddy with excitement as the weight of slaying the past two years hadn't allowed her to really enjoy any holidays all that much. Now she got to be carefree—like a normal kid. Well, as normal as a vampire slayer-witch could ever be.

All the professors who were on campus were joining them as was the Weasleys. Hermione's parents came and got to meet Joyce. Joyce was relieved to meet a couple that was normal just like her.

Hermione was equally relieved that her parents found someone to talk to.

Giles was facilitating the races. "It's time for the three-legged race," he called out.

The twins partnered. Xander was with Willow while Cordy and Buffy partnered up. Ron and Harry were tied together. As Sirius and Remus where there to enjoy the festivities, Sirius talked his buddie into joining in.

Percy, of course, refused to join, but he promised Willow that he would be cheering for her and Xander.

Although Buffy had the slayer physical advantage and Cordelia was athletic, they couldn't compete with the twins, who were always completely in sync with one another.

"Yes!" George said, pumping his fist and high-fiving his brother after they passed the finish line first.

"No fair. You have the twin ESP thing going," Xander grumbled. He and Willow actually did manage to beat Buffy and Cordelia, who began bickering as soon as the race started.

"Time for the potato sack races," Giles said. Hagrid handed all of them their sacks.

"I totally own this one!" Xander declared.

"It's a race, Xander. You know I'm totally going to win this one," Buffy said with a smirk.

"'Cause you spent so much hopping around in potato sacks back in L.A.," Xander said, scoffing.

Then the races were off. Willow fell over after two hops and knocked down Hermione, who fell into Ron. The onlookers couldn't help but chuckle at the domino effect Harry just missed. A swift elbow from Cordelia to Buffy caught her by surprise, and the slayer fell sidewise.

The twins looked back and saw her on their heels and picked up their pace. Xander was in the lead, and unlike the twins, he knew not to look back. Sure enough, Cordelia overtook the twins by simply flashing a smile at them, distracting them easily.

Cordelia was a step behind Xander, who didn't hesitate and hopped to the finish line. Of course, Cordelia didn't pause when he stopped across the line, so she plowed into him, knocking hard into him.

"I can't breathe!" Xander gasped.

Severus moved to help his niece up. "Thanks for the soft landing, loser," Cordelia said with a smirk.

"Gee, Cordy, I didn't know you played so dirty," Buffy said, giving her a sour look.

"My daddy taught me that all's fair in love, war, and Fourth of July games," she said smugly.

Sirius laughed. "Well, I could hardly hop because I was too busy laughing at the lot of you," he said.

Dumbledore was holding a large basket of eggs. "I believe these are needed for the next game," he announced.

Willow went to Percy and asked him to partner with her, and he reluctantly agreed. When Buffy asked her mother to be her partner, Hermione got her dad to join in the competition. Ron and Harry were determined to beat these Americans as Giles went over the game.

"So we just toss this back and forth without breaking it?" Fred asked.

"That's so easy," George said. He picked up an egg and tossed it to Fred, who grabbed it too hard, causing it to bust in his hands.

"Not so easy," Buffy said with a smirk as she carefully tossed hers to her mother.

Cordelia partnered with her uncle while Remus partnered with Xander.

Remus broke his on the first throw also, knocking them out of the egg toss.

Ron and Harry managed a few tosses and catches before Ron threw it a little too hard, and Harry grabbed it, crushing it into his hands.

"Ah, nuts!" Ron cried. He looked at his brothers, and only Percy was still in it.

"We lost, and my prat of a brother, Percy, is still going strong," he muttered.

"That's because he's got an American partner. Willow probably been playing this game for years," Harry said.

The egg tossed continued for several minutes, and then Cordelia threw her egg too gently, and Sirius dived to catch it. However, he missed, so they were out.

Now it was Buffy and Hermione with their perspective parents and Willow and Percy. Inevitably, Buffy tossed her egg a tad too hard, and Joyce missed the catch.

"Crap! Sorry, Mom!" Buffy said.

"Then there were two," Xander said happily. "Come on, Will! You can't let these Brits beat you."

"I'm a Brit," Percy reminded him.

"Yes, but Willow is not, so it doesn't count," Xander said with Xander-logic.

The two teams seemed evenly matched, and Buffy was getting bored.

"Come on, already!" she called out. "Someone break an egg!"

Her call distracted Hermione's father, who looked up at her just as his daughter tossed the egg.

When it fell to the ground, Xander yelled, "Willow, you won!"

Willow's eyes were wide. "We won?" she asked, the unbroken egg in her hand. She never won games or competitions that didn't involve her intelligence.

Percy flashed her a smile. Winning in any game with his brothers was not something that he had ever experienced. "We did," he said.

Xander grabbed Willow up in a hug, crushing the egg she held against her. "Xander!" she complained.

"Oops!" he said.

Everyone laughed. Sirius put his arm around his niece. "This is great fun," he said. "It's been a long time since I've got to have good clean fun."

Cordelia smiled. "Yes, it's been great. I'm glad you could come," she said. She did miss her parents, though.

Arthur was manning the grill with Albus and Hagrid and called out. "The burgers are done," he said.

"And the dogs," Albus added. "Although they are not made from dog meat."

"Of course not!" Buffy exclaimed, horrified. "They're made from all those leftover parts from cows and pigs—an occasional chicken."

"They're not kosher at all," Willow said. "I can only eat them if Xander's presence, so it's his fault I'm a bad Jew."

Joyce had helped Molly with all the fix-ins, much to the house-elves dismay.

Buffy and her friends had insisted on three different kinds of potato chips, baked beans, and potato salad. The elves insisted on making the baked beans and potato salad, offended that Cordelia and Buffy doubted their ability to reproduce the American dish.

After they ate and relaxed a bit, the twins and Xander started a crazy game of tag that got nearly everyone roped in—even Percy was tagged and made to chase after someone. He chose Hermione, who wasn't very fast.

Of course, the game of tag somehow ended with Buffy shoving the twins into the lake. Cordelia enjoyed the splash and did the same to the laughing Xander when he had his back toward her.

Then it ended up being a dive into the pond by all of them as it was in the low eighties.

The adults enjoyed watching the kids frolic and play.

"It's so nice to see them like this," Arthur said to his wife.

"Yes, it is," Molly agreed. "Buffy Anne's mother seems very nice and accepting for a muggle."

"Very well-adjusted," Arthur said. "But they were living on a hellmouth."

"True," Molly acknowledged. She had been watching Buffy since they arrived and was still puzzled. "I just cannot see that girl as a slayer of monsters."

Giles overheard her remarks and stepped up. "Well, she is. In her first full year as slayer, she took out two master vampires and stopped the hellmouth from opening more than once," he said. "She is resourceful and not to be underestimated."

"Rupert, do you think I can have a moment?" Albus asked.

"Of course," Giles said, moving away from all the activity to speak with Albus.

"I've been getting increasing pressure from the Ministry about filling our Defense Against the Dark Arts class," Albus shared. "Although my proposal to check for the Mark on all Ministry employees is under review, there are some who want a hand in my school. Fudge will place one of his people here, especially when he finds out I'm behind the proposal to check for the Mark."

"So you want me to see if someone in the Watcher's Council would be willing to take it on?" Giles asked.

"Yes," Albus said. "If you don't mind."

"I will be happy to ask around," he said.

"My thanks," Albus said. "If need be, we could have you do it or be assistant. We only need one wand wielder instructor in the place."

"We have Watchers that are proficient in the use of magic. One of them might be able to use a wand. They would need to play catch up, however," Giles said.

"If you could find someone by the end of the month, classes don't start until the first of September," Albus said. "It would give them time to learn how to use their wand."

"I will do my best," Giles said, his mind immediately occupied with possible choices.

Albus smiled, satisfied that the matter was taken care of. He did enjoy these Americans even though he knew that chaos and upheaval would follow them once the term began.

The fireworks display that Albus arranged for the kids was a huge hit.

Buffy sat between her parents, leaning against her mother. "I love how it reflects on the water," she said.

"Yes, it's very nice," she said. "I'm so glad you're finally here, Mom."

Joyce looked over at Severus, who gave her a warm smile. "Me, too," she said. She had every meal with Severus, and it was really nice to have a man to talk to again. Of course, they had very little in common except for Buffy. Was that enough?

For Severus, the day was the most perfect day of his life, and he feared the coming semester and things becoming a lost less pleasant.

*****A Month Later*****

Today was an eventful day. Giles had received word that the Watcher's Council was going to send a them a DADA professor, who was very well qualified. He was also going to take Harry finally to the Devon coven. They were ready to remove the piece of Voldemort that was in Harry.

Harry didn't sleep at all the night before. Giles had owled Sirius and gotten permission to take him to the coven to get his mark cleansed. Sirius was going to go with them, but no one else. He hadn't even told his friends what was going to happen. It helped that none of them were really around to notice his absence.

Buffy and Cordelia both went back home to America for a few weeks before the term started. Willow's parents were coming to Europe to see her and go on a few country tours with her—she was very excited. Xander was occupied with the twins, and Hermione and Ron went home since there was no tutoring going on. The Americans were all taking some books to study while they were away from Hogwarts. Of course, Xander was getting advanced tutoring in Transfiguring with the twins teaching so much during their joke creating sessions.

After breakfast, Sirius arrived. "Don't worry, Harry. It's going to be okay," Sirius assured him before they apparated to Devon.

Giles greeted the ladies. "Now, Harry, this might be very uncomfortable for you because, Voldemort will fight this," he explained. "It's located on your forehead, so we don't anticipate any side effects or damage to your brain."

"That's good," Harry said weakly.

"Agnes and Cecily will be the focus, Harry," Giles told him, pointing out the two women. They had kind eyes, so Harry relaxed.

There was a circle drawn on the floor and candles everywhere. Several women were outside the circle.

"Sirius, as you have a strong magical core, we will need you to join hands with the women outside the circle. Agnes will be channeling the magic," Giles explained.

Cecily, a woman with dark brown hair in her late forties, was carrying a small bowl. "Harry, I'm going to dab some of this on to the spot we believe contains the dark piece of the evil wizard," she said.

"Will it hurt?" Harry asked anxiously.

"It might burn," she said. "It's a cleansing that evil will shy away from."

Harry nodded and braced himself. When she touched his forehead, it was cold. Then the women around him linked hands and began chanting in Latin. As he was a poor student in dead languages, he didn't try to follow what they were saying. Then Giles linked hands around Harry with the two women, and they began chanting also. Agnes' voice, however, was louder than the others. Harry's scar started to burn.

"It's burning," he said.

When he moved to touch it, Giles said, "No, Harry. No matter what, don't touch it."

Harry nodded and put down his hand.

"Harry, you need to close your eyes and focus and building an impenetrable wall inside your mind. One that is so big and strong, nothing can get through. The burning is someone trying to break through," Agnes said. "You must stop it by building a wall to protect your mind."

Harry closed his eyes and began to do so, and the pain got sharper. However, he pushed it away and focused on his wall. He imagined it was made of the strongest steel. Then he encased the steel in concrete. When that was done, he began putting boards up to make it even stronger.

"It's working," Giles said as he saw smoke begin to rise from Harry's forehead.

They increased the intensity of their chanting, and then Harry screamed as the pain became unbearable. Then Agnes put her thumb to his scar, and he felt a sharp, piercing stab. A loud scream was heard, but it wasn't come from Harry. Then the pain subsided, and Harry wiped at his cheeks that were wet with his tears.

"There. It's done," Agnes said in satisfaction.

"What was that scream?" Sirius asked as he moved to check Harry over.

"It was Voldemort, screaming at the loss of this piece of his soul," Giles said. "Albus believes that Voldemort didn't completely die because he portioned off parts of his soul and put them inside things. Until they're all destroyed, he will have purchase on this plane of existence."

"But he's gone from me, right?" Harry asked, rubbing his scar.

Cecily handed him a mirror. "Here, Harry. You can see that the scar is a lot less now," she said.

Harry grabbed it and looked. She was right—the scar was a lot smaller. "Wow!" he said. "Thanks so much ladies. I really appreciate it."

"It wasn't right what was done to you, Harry," Agnes said. "The fact that you didn't let that piece of evil he placed inside you corrupt you in any way shows the strength of your character."

"Your mother's love protected you," Sirius said, hugging him.

Giles spoke quietly to the women, thanking them. When they got ready to leave, Harry felt like a huge weight had been lifted off him.

"I feel different," he said, looking up at Sirius.

"You should," Giles said. "That was burden that you should not have had to bear."

"Let's get you home," Sirius said, taking Harry's hand. Harry reached for Giles with his other.

Then they were back at Hogwarts, and Harry felt so much peace.

******Sorting Day*******

The Scoobies couldn't believe that it was finally the beginning of the term. Cordelia and Buffy had agreed they weren't ready to tell her dad and Cordy's parents about the witchcraft stuff. They had arrived the day before as they had flown back together. Buffy had gotten her dad to drive her to Sunnydale two days before it was time to fly, so she could visit with Angel. Their reunion was bittersweet, but he was doing well. Kendra had met up with the two of them, and Buffy hoped an alliance would be formed once the hellmouth heated up for the year.

Tonight, they would know which house they'd officially be sorted in. All of them were not nearly as excited as their British friends.

George patted Cordelia's hand. "Don't worry, my goddess. I will love you even if you get sorted into the snakes," he assured her.

"I will love you more," Fred said, taking her other hand and kissing it loudly.

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "You know that I could care less, right?" she said.

Buffy and Harry were across from her. Willow was on Buffy's other side while Xander was on George's other side. Hermione and Ron were next to Harry. They were all sitting at the Gryffindor's table until the sorting was over.

The Headmaster had already welcomed the students and introduced the new teachers. Cordelia thought the new Defense of Dark Arts teacher was dreamy and kept sneaking him glances.

Finally, Dumbledore got out the sorting hat.

All the Scoobies were noticeably disturbed when the hat started singing:

"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

When it first began to sing, Cordelia was the first to exclaim, "What the bloody hell?"

Buffy instinctively reached for her stake she kept next to her wand in her inside rob pocket. "The hat is possessed. I need to slay it!" she announced.

Willow reached for her arm. "No need, Buffy. Percy told me all about this. Listen to it. It's telling the stories of the different houses," she said.

"This is normal," Harry assured her.

"What does she mean by slaying the hat?" Hermione whispered to Ron.

"She's afraid of the hat!" Ron said with a laugh. "I thought she was totally fearless."

"I'm not afraid of the hat," Buffy said, giving him a cold look. "I'm creeped out."

When they watched the first kid sorted, Xander asked, "That didn't seem so bad."

"I'm not putting that disgusting thing on my head," Cordelia proclaimed. Then she was called next, and all eyes were looking at her.

Reluctantly, she stood up and approached the front where Dumbledore gave her his benign smile. She glared. "Are you sure the hat doesn't have lice? All these kids putting it on their heads. I can't imagine it's sanitary," she told him as she stood next to it.

"It is perfectly safe, my dear. The magic preserves it," he assured her.

"Fine," she grumbled, sitting on the stool.

When the hat was placed on her head and started talking to her, she quenched her urge to rip it off.

"Oh, a hellmouth girl. I don't think I've ever had a student with such a fascinating origin," the hat said.

Cordelia looked at the tables of students, and no one seemed to be paying too much attention to what he was saying. "Can they hear you?" she asked it.

"No. I'm speaking to you. When I want them to hear what I have to say, I proclaim it for all to hear," hit told her. "Hmm. You don't lack courage—willing to get your hands dirty when it's called for. Such ambition. The Slytherin house would suit you nicely, but you have more courage and strength than you realize."

"I want to be in my father's house," Cordelia said. She had decided to do her part in the war by getting close to all those who would align themselves with Voldemort. Then she'd turn them away from him. She'd learned at an early age how to get people to follow her. These Brits wouldn't know what hit them.

"Are you sure?" the hat asked. "Gryffindor would be a better fit."

"Maybe, but I don't like how the houses are divided, and my cousin is in that house. I'm not going to stop being friends with my friends because of some dumb house sorting," she said with derision.

The hat chuckled. "Such leadership and determination. Ravenclaw would welcome one such as you also, but okay. Slytherin!" it shouted.

Draco grinned and cheered at the announcement. His tablemates did, too. Snape flashed her a proud look.

The Weasleys were all shocked and horrified. "Our fair princess is a dark maiden, after all," George said morosely.

"I always knew she had a dark heart," Willow said smugly.

Cordelia walked over to her friends at Gryffindor. "This was my choice. I told it to put me there because I'm going to show you guys that house sorting doesn't matter nearly as much as you think it does," she said. "If you're really my friends, it shouldn't matter to you either."

She looked at the Weasleys' sad faces and turned and marched toward her new house—her head held high.

A few more students were called and the group who had become friends over the summer sat in silence. "Buffy might go snake, Harry. What will you do then?" Ron whispered to him.

Buffy rolled her eyes, not bothering to let Ron know this time that she could hear him.

"Nothing," Harry said. "She's my friend, and Cordelia is part of my family."

"What do you think she meant that it was her choice?" Hermione asked.

"Let's wait until there's less eyes and ears to discuss this," Harry said.

Then Xander's name was called. "Alexander Harris," Professor McGonagall called out.

Xander was a little nervous to have so many eyes on him, but he wasn't too concerned. He knew where he belonged.

"Oh, another hellmouth kid—a touch of darkness," the hat said.

"Yep, good ole' Sunnydale—the gift that keeps on giving," he said.

"You're a very loyal friend, not afraid to do whatever it takes," the hat said. "But there's only one place really for you. Gryffindor!" it yelled out.

The Gryffindors cheered. The Weasley twins stood to their feet. "We knew it!" they shouted. They welcomed Xander to the table with open arms.

Several more first years were called, and then it was Willow's turn. She felt faint as all the eyes were on her as she slowly made her way to the stage. If only Buffy had gone before her, then she'd know which house to wish for. Why didn't they talk about this more? What house did Buffy even want to be in? Willow realized that she didn't know.

McGonagall gave her an encouraging smile, and then placed the hat on her head.

"A third child of the hellmouth—so fascinating. The things you've seen and faced," it said to her.

Willow didn't know if she was supposed to speak back to it.

"You have a touch of darkness like all children raised on a hellmouth—you could be a dark wizard," it said. "The power inside you is incredible."

"I don't want to be a dark wizard," Willow insisted, in panic at the thought.

"Are you sure? Very well," it said. "You are a brave lass, nevertheless. But you hunger so much for knowledge, so there's really only one place you will thrive—Ravenclaw!" it yelled out.

Willow blinked, not too surprised really. She knew there was a strong chance she'd be put in it, so she walked over to her new house with a nervous smile. Lune Lovegood moved slightly. "Come sit by me," she said. "You can tell me all about the dark creatures you saw while living on a hellmouth."

The twins looked at Buffy, who was waiting for her turn without any signs of nerves.

"Look at the brave girl—unafraid," Fred said. "Surely, she will be ours."

"If there's any justice in the world," George added.

"Guys, it'll be fine," Buffy said, unconcerned. When her name was called, she marched confidently up to the stage.

There were many whispers. No one could believe such an obviously golden girl with a bright smile was Professor's Snape's daughter. The Weasleys and Potter had embraced her, so would she be one of theirs? Or was she a snake in sheep's clothing?

When the hat was placed on her head, it gasped. "A slayer? I have never met one such as you," it said. "Daughter of Severus Snape—what power you have my dear. Touched by death and darkness but you only belong in one place. Gry—" it started to shout.

"Finish that and I will slay you," Buffy warned in a cold voice. "I will be placed in my father's house. It's the only way I can assure his protection."

"Hmmm. Such a brave and selfless act. That is not your house, my dear," it said.

"I don't care about your stupid song and house divisions," Buffy said impatiently. "Either put me in my father's house, or I will make sure you suffer greatly as I set you on fire with the nifty spell I learned last week."

The hat grew alarmed as it sensed no hesitation on the girl's part—she meant what she said. "Very well," it grumbled, clearly not happy. "Slytherin!" it shouted.

"No!" George called out. "It's not possible!"

Severus sat up even straighter as he was clearly bursting with pride that she was in his house. "I had no doubt," he said to Joyce, who looked bewildered by the entire process.

A talking hat? Who would've thought? Maybe she'd wake up and find that the strange, magical world she was now in was all a fantasy.

Buffy turned toward Gryffindor and blew a kiss and winked at the twins as she hopped off the stage and moved to her new house.

She could've warned her new friends how it would be, but she didn't want to risk it. She had to be in her father's house, so that the Death Eaters would trust her. She also didn't want them to have any reason to doubt her father as his role as double agent was extremely dangerous. Being in the house of that begat all the Death Eaters was crucial. It would only be a matter of time before she stood before their so-called Dark Lord. She would get her chance, and she would end the threat to her father once and for all.

Voldemort's days were numbered—he just didn't know it. Those who wanted to aid him would learn what it meant to cross a slayer. If they could be swayed and turned, she would do her best. If not, so be it.

They made their choice.

She made hers.

*****The End... For Now*****

Yes, I'm ending this story here as it's clear that I need to get a hold of the books and become more knowledgeable about the Potter universe. I appreciate your forbearance. I decided several chapters back that I wanted this to be a series, and I wanted the next story to focus on them in houses. The Scoobies presence has changed things so much already, and I need to figure out where I want to go with the rest of the story.

I had totally intended on putting Buffy in Gryffindor and Cordelia in Slytherin. To me, it was clear from the beginning that she could only be placed in Gryffindor. Then during one of the chapters when I was writing Buffy being overly protective toward her father, I realized that she would do anything to protect him. She would want to be in Slytherin. Then I figured I'd move Cordelia to Gryffindor because we all know how brave and selfless she became after graduation. It's a good fit. Then as I was writing this chapter, I realized that she wouldn't want to be in that house. Harry set the precedent for choosing his house when he was going to be put in Slytherin. Much to the Twins' disappointment, she had to go another way. Can their love survive the house sorting? To be determined…

As for Xander, the votes put him in Gryffindor by a lead of over twenty votes. It fit the story as I needed someone in that house from Sunnydale anyway. I do believe, though, that Buffy is the purest of all Gryffindors even with the slayer inside her. An argument can be made, though, for all of them in various houses. Please understand that in the end, I selected the houses based on what my story calls for and not any strong belief that they are only that house. No need to be upset over the choice. I hope you can see, as I do, the potential for more storytelling with these sortings.

I'd love a final review, especially if you've never reviewed at all. What would you like to see in the next story? Your opinion and ideas DO matter, so don't be afraid to put them in writing

Thanks so much for reading my story, reviewing it, and be so positive about it. Sorry for ending it sooner than you would like. This is not the end of the tale, though. As I wrote this story so quickly, I hope you can trust that. Track or follow me if you want to be notified when I post the sequel. I appreciate your grace and enthusiasm. I hope to start posting this spring. Ideas and suggestions are welcome.

****The End...For Now****

Thanks a bunch for all of the reviews. Those that have been reading but never reviewed, please make time to do so now. I'd like write a series having the Scoobies grow and alter the Wizardry world. Romance isn't a goal, but I'm sure I'll have it there. I'm really attached to the Weasley's, so I'd probably want to pair Buffy with one of the oldest brothers in all honesty. Feel free to make a case as I am swayable!