Part 3

 Willow and Amy woke up when they felt the car they were in slow to a stop
and finally land.  They raised their heads and gasped at what they saw.  In
front of them stood a castle, surrounded by a thick forest.  The grounds
looked well kept, and there were all sorts of strange creatures running
about.  Willow could see a tree near the building and it appeared as if the
branches would attack something whenever it approached it.
 "Allright, we're he'd.  Time to it out."  Willow and Amy made their way out
of the car and noticed that some people were coming out of the building.
The two girls looked at each other, wondering who the newcomers were and
hoping that this was all some sort of bad dream.
 "Haggard, I see you got them all right," said the oldest man there.  Wil-low
noticed that his eyes held a wizened and kind look in them.  On one side of
him was an older woman, who had a kind and gently, yet strict, look to her,
and on the other was a man that had a look that made the girls step back
from him.  His eyes were cold and cruel and reminded them of some of the
vampires that they had come across while out with Buff.  "Did you have any
difficulties?"
 "Jus' that they didn' want ter come wit me," the giant said as he hefted
the girls' trunks out of the back of the car.  The man in the middle looked
at them, in surprise, as he heard that they hadn't wanted to come with
Hagrid.
 "Really," he said.  "Most people consider it an honor to come to Hogwarts."
 "Yeah, well most people don't appreciate being told they have no other
choice than to go someplace they don't want to," Willow told him.  "So
thanks for the invite, but if you could just tell the jolly green giant to
put our stuff back in the car and take us home, we would be most
appreciative."
 "How dare you talk to us that way, you ungrateful little …." The stern
looking man admonished.  "Do you have any idea of what an honor it is to
have been accepted into Hogwarts?"
 "It's all right, Severis," the older man said.  "I'm sure any of us would
feel the same way that these two young ladies are feeling if we were taking
from our homes unwillingly.  Although I am curious about why you were
practicing magick if you didn't want to attend Hogwarts."
 "We didn't even know Hogwarts existed until a few days ago when we found it
mentioned in one of Giles' books," Amy said.  "We already told what's his
name that we never even got an invite to the place."
 "Anyway, what gives you the right to kidnap us?" Willow asked. "Who are you
people?"
 "I'm sorry," the man in the middle said.  "Allow me to introduce myself to
you.  My name is Albus Dumbledore and I am the Headmaster here at Hogwarts.
This is Professor McGonnigal, who will teach you transfiguration, and is the
Deputy Headmistress here."  The woman on his right took both of their hands
and shook them.
 "Welcome," she said, kindly.
 "And this is Professor Snape, who will be teaching you Potions."  The man
on Dumbledore's right just continued to glare at the two girls.  "You'll be
meeting some of your other teacher's later tonight at dinner."
 "What about any other students?"  Willow asked, after noticing that the
school seemed oddly quiet.
 "Right now they are on summer holiday, so it will only be the professors
that have stayed on and the two of you," Dumbledore answered.  "You will be
meeting the other third and fourth year students in September when they come
back to school."
 "Why third and fourth year," Amy questioned.  "I mean, won't we be in the
first year class since we just got here?"
 "Actually, that's why you are here in the summer," the wizard explained.
"You will be taught everything that a first and second year student would
have leaned already, so that when the new school year begins, you will be
able to be with the third and fourth year students since they will be closer
to your age."  Willow and Amy moaned at the thought of cramming two years of
school into two months.
 "Now, if you'll come with me, we'll find out what houses you will be put
into, although since it is summer, we will allow you to stay together even
if it is decided that you belong in separate house."  Albus Dumbledore led
the girls into the school.  The two teenagers tried to take in everything
around them, looking for some clue as to where they were so that if they
ever got in contact with Angel, they could tell him so that he could come
and get them.  Finally they were brought into a small room and noticed an
old hat sitting on a wooden stool.
 "What are we doing here?"  Willow inquired.
 "This is where we perform the sorting ceremony for the first year
students," Dumbledore answered.
 "Sorting ceremony," Amy repeated.  "Why do I not like the sound of that."
Professor McGonnigal laughed at Amy's statement.
 "Don't worry Miss Madison.  It's quite safe," the witch told her.  "This is
how we find out what house you will be placed in."
 "And how do you do that?"
 "Come with me."  Professor McGonnigal led Amy to the stool, picking up the
hat once they arrived there.  She signaled for Amy to sit down.  "This is
the Sorting Hat.  When I place it on your head, it will determine which
house you belong to.  There are four.  Hufflepuff.  Ravenclaw.  Slythern,
which Professor Snape is in charge of, Gryffindor, which I am in charge of.
Now please sit."  Amy did so reluctantly and Willow watched as Professor
McGonnigal placed the hat on her friend's head.
 "Gryffindor,"  shouted a voice from within the hat.  Professor McGonnigal
smiled as she removed the hat from Amy's head.
 "Willow, you're next."  Willow approached the stool that Amy had just
recently vacated.
 "Umm, why don't we just say that I'm in Gryffindor with Amy and be done
with it?" The red head inquired.
 "Because, that may not be the right house for you," McGonnigal said.  "The
Sorting Hat will be able to tell you exactly which house will suit you
best."  Willow reluctantly placed the hat on her head.  She was surprised
when she heard a voice inside of it.
 "You are a very loyal person to your friends," it said.  "When you see
someone in trouble you rush to their aid.  You would do well in hufflepuff.
But I also see s brilliance to you that would suit you in Ravenclaw."
Willow began to silently pray that she would be put in Gryffindor with Amy.
"Ahhh, I see a fire around you.  You will do anything for your friends.
Gryffindor."  Willow removed the hat from her head and beamed at Amy, both
girls pleased that they wouldn't be separated when it came time for the
other students to come back to school.
 "Well, welcome to Hogwarts, girls," Dumledore said.  "Minerva, please show
the girls to the Gryffindor house and explain to them how things will work
this summer."  Dumbledore turned his attention away from Professor
McGonnigal and back to Willow and Amy.  "Your lessons will begin tomorrow."
With that said, Albus Dumbledore and Professor Snape left the two teenagers
in Professor McGonnigal's care.
 "Let's get you two settled.  You have a busy day tomorrow."

Sunnydale, CA

 "Giles," Xander yelled as he entered the library.  "Giles."  The librarian
came out of his office and looked at the excited teenager and the vampire
that was by his side.
 "Xander, Angel, what is going on?  Has something happened?"  Giles asked
the two.
 "Willow and Amy have been kidnapped," the souled vampire said, gaining the
Englishman's full attention.  "I found this in Willow's room when I stopped
by after patrol."  Angel thrust the note that Willow had left for him, along
with the book that it had been lying on.  Giles read it over, his face
paling at the words on the piece of paper.
 "Hogwarts," he exclaimed.  "But that's only supposed to be a myth."
 "Then you have heard of it?" Xander asked, hoping that the Watcher would be
able to help them find their girlfriends.  Giles nodded his head.
 "Yes, I've heard of it, but I've never seen any actual proof that it
existed," he informed the men.  "I don't even know of anyone that would be
able to help us locate it."
 "No," Angel shook his head.  "You have to know somebody.  Whoever these
people are took my Willow and I won't rest until I have her back."  Giles
went over and placed his hand on the vampire's shoulder.
 "I know how much you care for Willow, Angel.  And you for Amy, Xander.  But
we may have to accept that there may be nothing that we can do to bring them
home," Giles stated sadly.  The two girls were like daughters to him and the
thought that something may have happened to them wounded him deeply.  "From
the stories that I have been told of this school, there are some powerful
charms protecting it.  Not to mention, that if the people in charge felt the
need to take the girls against their will, they will probably be watched
very closely to make sure that they don't escape."  When he saw both Angel
and Xander about to say something, Giles raised his hand.  "But that's not
to say that we won't try to find them." Giles turned his attention to Angel.
 "Is there anyway that you can feel Willow?  I know the two of you have a
bond because of your mating."  Angel shook his head sadly.
 "We never completed the ritual.  We wanted to wait for just the right
time," Angel said.  "We can only feel the bond when we are in close
contact."
 "In that case, I believe that research will be our best option," Giles
stated.  "And I will try and find out as much as I can from what contacts I
have."  He looked over at the two stricken men.  "We'll find them.  I
promise."
 

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