Part 4

 "I can't believe we've only been here two months," Amy moaned as she
stripped off her cloak and fell into her bed.
 "Tell me about it.  It seems like it's been two years," Willow added,
removing her cloak also.  "You don't think that has anything to do with the
fact that we've done nothing but study since we've been here, do you?"
 "Nope, not a thing," Amy replied.  She and Willow had just come from the
basement of Hogwarts where they had just finished taking their final exam
for their Potions class with Professor Snape.  While the two girls had found
most of their classes interesting, and amusing in the case of their Defense
Against Dark Arts classes that dealt with demons and such, but just the
thought of sitting through a three hour lecture by Snape was enough to give
both teenagers a case of the wiggins.
"So have you figured out why your computer isn't working?" It had been a
source of irritation to Willow when she had tried to use her computer to
contact Angel, only to find that it refused to work.  Luckily, after they
had been there for two weeks, without causing any problems, they had been
told how they could contact the outside world using owls and had wasted no
time in sending one to their boyfriends, who had quickly replied and told
them that they were doing everything they could to try and find them.
"Yeah, it has something to do with the school," Willow explained.
"Apparently there's some kind of barrier that prevents anything that the
Muggles," Willow used the word that meant humans with a sneer in her voice,
"from working.  Including computers, phones and calculators."
"Okay, that is so not of the cool," Amy said.  "So, since we actually have a
night where we don't have to study, what do you want to do?"
"I was thinking of just lying here and getting some much needed sleep.
Remember, all of the other students are coming in tonight," Willow stated.
"Oh, yeah.  Almost forgot about that."
"Miss Madison, Miss Rosenberg, what do the two of you think you are doing?"
Professor McGonnigal asked as she entered the girls' dorm room.  The young
witches were surprised to see here there, considering that the assistant
Headmistress never entered the sleeping quarters of the students.  "Why
aren't the two of you downstairs in the Great Hall for the feast?"
"We decided that we didn't want to go," Willow explained.  She had taken a
grudging liking to the elder Witch, although she was one of those
responsible for keeping Willow away from her home.  "We thought we could
catch up on our sleep."
"Nonsense," the teacher answered.  "The welcoming feast is something that is
very special to all of the Hogwart's students.  As it is, you've already
missed the Sorting Ceremony.  Now, I want the two of you two go right
downstairs and join your fellow students.
"Fine."
"Whatever." A weary Amy and Willow drug themselves out of their beds and
started making their way to the door when the Professor stopped them.
"You know the rules.  Put on your cloaks."  The two younger witches
reluctantly went back, retrieved the discarded garments, and put them back
on.  They hated having to wear the cloaks that the school required as part
of their uniform, having found that they tended to restrict their movements.
Once Professor  McGonnigal was satisfied that they were properly attired,
she led the girls out of the Gryffindor Tower and towards the Great Hall.
As the three approached the doors, an excited buzz could be heard from
within the walls.  Professor  McGonnigal opened the doors and Willow and Amy
were met by he sight of hundreds of students, dressed similarly to them,
sitting around the many tables that were laid out, ready to enjoy the feast
that awaited them.  The two girls could see that professors sitting at a
raised table, and when Albus Dumbledore saw them entered he stood, silencing
the student body who had yet to notice the late comers.
"Excuse me," the wizard said, gaining everyone's attention.  "Students but I
have one more announcement before we begin our feast.  This year we have two
new students who have joined the Gryffindor House over the summer.  This is
their first year here, but as they have been catching up with some of their
schoolwork over the summer, they will be joining the third and fourth year
students in their studies."  A murmur was heard going around the room as the
other students made comments about the strangeness of this.  Some were
staring at Willow and Amy as they finally began to notice the two Sunnydale
residents.
"So far, they have made excellent progress in catching up to those that have
been with Hogwart's since their first year and I expect you all to make sure
that they feel welcome here.  Let me introduce you to Miss Amy Madison and
Miss Willow Rosenberg."  Both girls suddenly wished they could fade into the
background as they felt hundreds of eyes fall upon them.  Professor
McGonnigal pushed them towards the tables where the other Gryffindor
students were seated and Willow and Amy took two of the vacant chairs.
"Now, enjoy the food."
 Everyone began to dig in hungrily, the long journey to Hogwart's have made
them famished, especially the first years.  Willow and Amy barely touched
their food, wanting nothing more than to go back up to their room and get
away from the stares of the other students.  Even their fellow Gryffindors
looked at them, though not as obviously as the others, especially a few of
the older boys.
 "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but why is it I suddenly miss
Cordelia?" Amy said, causing Willow to laugh.
 "It's official.  When you start missing Cordelia Chase, you know you've
been here just way too long."  Amy and Willow giggled at the red head's
comment, drawing the attention of the girl to Amy's right.
 "Who's Cordelia?" The girl asked, deciding to be the brave one and get to
know the two new arrivals.
 "Just a girl from school," Willow answered.  "Well, our old school that
is?"
 "Oh.  Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking.  You don't sound
like you're from Britain," a boy to Willow's right asked.  Willow looked
over at him, filing the bit about Britain to tell Angel the next time she
wrote him.  He had the skinny awkwardness that reminded her of Xander when
he was a few years younger, except for a scar on his forehead that was
shaped like a lightning bolt.  When the boy noticed where Willow was
staring, his hand automatically went to his head.
 "Oh, sorry," Willow apologized when she realized that she had been caught
staring at the boy.  "Ummm, we're not from Britain.  We're from Sunnydale
California."
 "Sunnydale, wow, I've heard of that town.  I read about it in our text book
for Defense Against the Dark Arts class," the girl said excitedly.  "Isn't
it rumored to have a hellmouth or something."
 "You could say that," Willow grinned.  She had a feeling she would like
this strange girl.  "I'm Willow.  That's Amy."
 "My name's Hermoine Grainger," the girl introduced herself.  "That's Harry
Potter," pointing to the boy to that was sitting next to Willow, "and this
is Ron Weasley," pointing to the boy next to her.
 "Harry Potter," Willow said, trying to place the name.  "Why does that name
sound familiar?"
 "It's a long story," Harry answered.  Willow and Amy could see that it was
a story that the boy did not want to get into.  "So how come you two just
arrived at Hogwarts?  Did you transfer in?"
 "In a way," Amy replied.  "Some giant named Hagrid came and told us that he
was bringing us here.  Didn't exactly leave us a choice."
 "But didn't you want to come to Hogwarts?"  Hermoine asked, surprised that
anyone would actually turn down a chance to attend the school.
 "Not really.  Had a life in Sunnydale and I would have much preferred
staying there."  Suddenly a large snowy owl sailed through one of the upper
windows, carrying what appeared to be a large package.  Amy was the first to
see him.
 "Looks like someone is getting a present," she teased, looking at Willow.
 "That's odd.  Usually owls only come at breakfast," Ron stated, finally
saying something.  "Wonder who it's for."  The answer to that question came
as the owl made its way to its owner, dropping the package in front of
Willow before perching on her shoulder.
 "Hey Giles, what do you have there?"  Willow inquired, feeding the owl a
piece of chicken.  Amy chuckled at Willow's name for the owl.
 "I still can't believe you named that one Giles," she giggled.  "Man, I
wish I was around when he found out about that one."
 "Well, I think it's the perfect name for him," Willow stated huffily.  "He
reminds me of him. Can't you just see him in the library, sorting through
all those dusty books and trying to convince Buffy to train?  He even has
little markings around his eyes like Giles' glasses."
 "Whatever. Why don't you see what he sent you?"  Amy prodded, curiosity
getting the better of her.  "I mean, this is the second time that Angel has
sent you something this week, although the first was only a letter attached
to Xander's owl."
 "Angel and Xander?"  Hermoine asked, curious about her new roommates.
"Friends or family?"
 "A little of both.  Boyfriends," Willow answered as she opened her gift.
Lying inside of the book, were a dozen long stem blood red roses.  Hermoine
and some of the other girls who were around Willow oohed and ahhed over
them.  On top was a card addressed to Willow.  Willow opened it up and red
it aloud.
"To my love.  While I know that you probably don't remember what today is,
it is forever etched into my memory.  It was one year ago today that I first
saw you sitting in the Bronze, drinking a cappuccino and going on a serious
caffeine high.  You were watching as Xander and Jesse hit on every girl
there and I knew immediately that you were the one for me.  You were so
beautiful, in your pink sweater and blue jeans.  The most beautiful sight
that these eyes had ever seen in their lifetime.  Enclosed please find some
things that remind me of that first time."
Willow looked into the book, digging under the roses.  She found a bag of
coffee, hazelnut crème, her favorite.  A little teddy bear, dressed in a
fuzzy pink sweater and a pair of blue jeans.  A cassette of the first song
that they had ever danced too.  And another note attached to some parchment.
"Enjoy these things, sweetling, and think of me until we are able to be
together again.  BTW, I used that camera that you sent me and you were
right.  It did work.  Here are those pictures that you wanted.
P.S. The cheesy doodles are from Xander."
Willow looked into the box and laughed as she pulled out the bag of cheesy
doodles, tossing them to Amy.  She then took out the parchment, carefully
unwrapping the photos that it contained.  Willow's breath caught as Angel's
face stared up at her, smiling and blowing her kisses.  Tears came to her
eyes as she placed a kiss on the picture.  Amy placed her hand on Willow's
arm.
"We'll find a way to get back to them, Wills, I promise."  Willow nodded her
head before placing everything back in the box, but not before Hermoine saw
the picture of Angel.  She tried to get a better look at it but Willow was
too quick, grabbing it and placing it with the other photos in the box, but
Hermoine could swear that she had seen that face before.
 

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