t h e . k i n g . a n d . t h e . q u e e n . o f . t h e . p r o m

The King and the Queen of the Prom
[by victoria p.]

Rating: G

Summary: "He knows her, even if he doesn't know her."

Spoilers: Through the Angel episode "You're Welcome" and the big one for Order of the Phoenix.

Notes: Thanks to Jen, Dot, Meg and Pete'n'Melissa. Someone had to do it, and you know they'd get alone like a house on fire.

Date: February 9, 2004

Sirius is dozing in the warm sun when James nudges him.

"Up, you," he says affectionately. "New arrival. The Powers think you'd be a good guide."

He grumbles but rises from the grass, easily slipping back into human form. It's amazing how much being dead is like being on holiday. The only difference is that nothing here actually changes; he still misses Remus and Harry and he doesn't get the Quidditch scores anymore, but otherwise, life -- afterlife? -- is good.

James points him toward a dark-haired figure standing on a hill, and he makes his way over to -- her.

Female, definitely, and attractive. Of course, everyone is, here.

"Hello," he calls out.

She smiles, and he revises his estimate up. Blindingly beautiful. "Hello, salty goodness," she says.

And she has good taste. He's going to like this one.

"Sirius Black." He holds out a hand.

"Cordelia Chase," she replies, taking his hand. "So, this is it, huh?"

He nods. "It's a little boring, but not so bad, once you get used to it."

"I've been in a coma for the past six months, and before that, I was possessed by an evil higher power. Boring is a step up."

"Possessed by a -- "

"Oh, come on. If you're here, you know about the Powers That Be, right?"

"Yeah. I've just -- possession is a Muggle thing. At least that's what they taught us in school."

"A Muggle thing?"

He nods again. He's still holding her hand, he realizes, so he tucks it into the crook of his arm and, with the lightest pull, they begin walking down the hill. "To explain magic. It probably started out as a cover by some careless wizard who got caught and needed a way out of trouble, but Muggles always jump on these things and take them too far."

"Okay, could we speak English, please? I've met a lot of demons in my time, but I've never heard of Muggles."

He laughs. "Muggles are-- you're a Muggle. Non-magic folk."

"I'm pretty damn magical, mister." She pokes his chest with one well-manicured finger. "I used to have visions that would rock your socks. And I survived going to high school on the Hellmouth." She cocks her head, then, "Survived, pfft. I ruled that school."

"Ah. I remember what that was like." He smiles, remembering. "Before the whole big fight against evil, before everything was complicated." They get that back here, that same sense of wonder and joy, without the cruelty that edged everything back then.

"Back when the most important thing was shopping and mocking the bad fashion choices of the losers. Making sure I had the coolest date to the Spring Fling and that my hair was always perfect." She smiles and he thinks James is right. He knows her, even if he doesn't know her.

"Tormenting Snivellus and snogging Moony in dark corners. Winning the Quidditch Cup," he replies, and they share a grin.

"And then Buffy moved to town and ruined everything. Stupid evil."

He stops abruptly. "Buffy? Blonde bird, about yay high?" He holds a hand at shoulder height.

"Oh yeah, she died. Twice. I'd forgotten. She was here?"

"For a while."

"Does that happen often?"

"Hardly ever. That's heavy dark arts stuff; most people don't fool around with it. Harry tried, but--" he breaks off. He'd wanted to go back, had watched with anticipation, even though he knew Remus was right to put a stop to it.

"Willow is --"

"Powerful," he interrupts. "Too powerful for her own good sometimes." The Powers have their eye on that one, especially since her slip into the dark. She had her carpenter to bring her back, the way he had Remus. He hopes she knows what she has there, and doesn't let him stray far. His own mistakes no longer haunt him, but sometimes he wishes he could interfere for others, have them learn from his experience.

"Yeah."

That could be said of all of them, at one time or another, he thinks. Too powerful, too stupid, too ready to believe the worst of people.

"Hey, no brooding," she says, bumping her shoulder into his with a small laugh.

She's right. He hasn't thought of these things in a long time; his war is over and has been for years. It's too beautiful here to brood; Remus and Harry will eventually join him, and he's finally learned some patience, found some peace.

"Too right." They start walking again, through the sweet-smelling grass toward a copse of trees in the middle distance. "Let me show you around."

She takes a deep breath, squares her shoulders and replies, "Is there a coolness test? Because I would so rock at that."

"No, you've passed all your tests, Cordelia." He winces at how hackneyed he sounds, but it's the truth, and she bestows that brilliant smile upon him again. "I sound like a bloody wanker, but it's true."

To lighten the mood, he takes her hand with a mischievous grin and starts to run, pulling her along. She shrieks with laughter; they tumble down the hill, rolling in the grass, and land in a heap. He rolls onto his back, laces his hands behind his head. She looks puzzled for a moment, then follows suit.

Cordelia raises her face to the sun and smiles. After a while, she reaches out a hand, and he takes it, twining their fingers.

"Lazy dog," James says as he and Lily join them in the sweet-smelling grass.

"Hmph."

"I'm James, this is Lily."

Cordelia sits up, shielding her eyes from the bright sun. "Cordelia Chase."

James shakes her hand and Lily gives her a hug.

"Was there something?" Sirius asks after a long silence spent watching clouds amble by overhead.

"Nah," James replies.

They have all the time in the universe, and all the joy that heaven will allow.

end

~*~

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Disclaimer: All Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sand Dollar, and the Kuzuis. All Harry Potter characters belong to JK Rowling, Scholastic etc. I do not own them and do not intend any infringement on any copyrights.