Title: Wishes and Magic
Author: Shannon
Email: angels_soul_1@yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: W/Snape
Disclaimer: BtVS stuff belongs to Joss Whedon, ME, UPN, WB, FOX; Harry Potter Stuff belongs to J.K. Rowling
Distribution: My site http://dr.shadesofgrey.us/ NHA, WLS, TtH
Spoilers: Through Season 4 “Something Blue” of BtVS, and OoTP of Harry Potter
Summary: Willow makes a wish, which we all know never goes well.
Author’s Notes: Don’t know when exactly Willow’s birthday is so we’re going to assume she is 18 during season 4.
Thanks to Emmy, Zoe, and Kris for beta-ing.
Part 5
Remus walked up behind Willow as she headed to her potions class. Sirius had told him that she wanted to speak to him. He didn’t know what she wanted but Remus was sure that his friends should have suggested she speak to one of the professors, if her problem was serious.
“Willow, you wanted to talk to me?”
“Remus,” Willow turned toward him and waited for him to catch up. “Yeah, I guess. I’m just afraid you’ll think I’m crazy or something. I would think I’m crazy if it wasn’t happening to me.”
“I’m sure you’re not crazy,” he assured her. “Do you have a few minutes now?”
“Yeah, is there someplace where everyone won’t hear us?”
He quickly pushed open a door to an unused classroom and led her inside.
“I don’t even know how to explain this,” Willow frowned.
Remus decided it was best to not say anything and just let her talk. He pulled a chair away from a desk and sat down, waiting for her to continue.
“I’m not from here,” she said, then at his raised eyebrow, “I don’t mean I’m American because, kinda obvious. I mean I’m from the year 2000.”
“You’re from the future?” He asked. This was certainly not the kind of problem he had been expecting.
“See you think I’m insane,” Willow frowned.
“No I don’t, how did you get here?” She didn’t seem at all mad, so he wanted more information before passing judgment.
“I don’t know. I messed up a spell a few days ago and everyone was mad, and I remember going to bed thinking that I wanted a class to teach me magic. Then next thing I knew I was on the train here.”
“I don’t know much about wandless magic and even less about time travel,” Remus said, “Did you do a charm or spell or something that may have done it.”
“If I did, it wasn’t on purpose,” Willow sat at the desk across from him, “I may have worded it as a wish though, and vengeance demons work from wishes but I was alone, at least I thought I was.”
“Willow, I wish I could help, but I think you need to speak to the Headmaster.”
“He’ll kick me out,” Willow said worriedly, she couldn’t imagine him wanting a crazy girl who thought she belonged in the future in his school.
“I can promise you he won’t,” Remus smiled, “Dumbledore would never turn away someone who needs his help. If anyone can get you back home, it’ll be him. Although I suggest you tell Sirius about this before you leave.”
“I’ll tell them all tonight,” Willow agreed, “I’d better get to class now.”
“See you at lunch.”
“Thanks Remus,” Willow said as they walked back into the hall.
They went their separate ways in the hall and Willow made her way to the dungeons as quickly as possible. She took her seat next to Severus just before the professor closed the door and began class.
“You’re late,” Severus snapped.
“No I’m not, I’m just later than you.”
They both pulled out the notes they had made the night before. They found there were several different possible combinations that could be used. After writing the first part of the paper explaining the effects they were hoping to achieve they decided to each work on a possible combination of ingredients and brewing methods.
The rest of the class period passed quickly and they had finished most of their paper by the end of class. Willow gathered her books and followed Severus out of the room.
“Do you want to work on this tonight?’ Willow asked.
“I have another appointment.”
“Okay, then I guess I’ll see you in class next week,” Willow shrugged. She had thought they were getting along better but it looked like she had been mistaken.
He looked at the hurt look on her face. Why did she want to spend any more time than necessary with him? No one else did. Lucius hadn’t shown up for their meeting last night, but had owled him that he would be there tonight, Severus couldn’t ignore it.
“I’m free Saturday,” he finally said with a sigh.
“Saturday’s great.” Willow smiled.
“Fine, after breakfast then,” he suggested, “There’s a Quidditch game in the afternoon.”
“Great.” Willow agreed before heading up the stairs.
Severus scowled at her back. He wanted to get the information he needed from her as quickly as possible so he could get her out of his life. If nothing else, the faster they finished the potions assignment the faster he would get the information. What better way to find out about her than to be in her head.
“Miss Rosenberg,” Dumbledore said coming up behind her as she was on her way back the common room after dinner. “You wished to speak to me?”
“Professor,” Willow jumped slightly and faced the wizard. “How did you…?”
“I spoke to Mr. Lupin earlier this evening,” he smiled, “Shall we go to my office?”
“Thank you sir.”
Willow followed Dumbledore, the others were at the Quidditch pitch watching James and the rest of the Gryffindor team practice. Her eyes widened when the gargoyle began to turn revealing steps behind it. She was beginning to think that she could be here forever and still not know everything about this place.
“What did you wish to speak to me about?” Dumbledore asked, motioning for her to sit, “Sherbet Lemon?”
“No thank you,” Willow sat on the edge of a large chair and tried to find a way to explain the problem without sounding completely insane. Finally deciding it was best to just say it, she quickly explained everything that had happened in the last few weeks, beginning with Oz and Veruca, and ending on the Hogwarts Express.
“If you were no longer looking for vengeance why do you believe it was a demon?” Dumbledore asked when she finished her story.
“I don’t know, I mean, I didn’t do it. I couldn’t have moved myself to somewhere I didn’t know existed without my knowledge right?” Willow asked, “But as vengeance goes this isn’t very good, I like being here. Then again, why would I wish revenge on myself?”
“I know you said you know D’Hoffryn, but how much do you know about Vengeance Demons?”
“More than I want too,” Willow smiled, “My best friend is dating an ex-vengeance demon, and Anya tells us a lot about her former, uh, career.”
“Anya?” Dumbledore asked, “You know Anyanka?”
“She’s Anya now, and human but yeah.”
“Then she couldn’t have…”
“No, she’s all human,” Willow answered, “lost her amulet or something and now has to live out her life. Do you know her?”
“We’ve met,” Dumbledore walked over to Fawkes and fed him a treat before continuing, “Do you know how to summon D’Hoffryn?”
“He gave me a talisman, but it’s…not here,” Willow frowned, “What about Anya?”
“I can try to summon her, but I don’t know that she can help us, or if she’ll answer me,” Dumbledore explained, “I’m not her usual…”
“Yeah, I know, but it’s worth a try right?” Willow asked hopefully, “She won’t know me anymore but she may be able to help or contact D’Hoffryn or something right?”
“Anything is possible. I’ll try to contact her, and let you know as soon as I’ve heard anything.”
“Thank you, if I disappeared from my other life my friends have to be so worried.”
“We’ll find a way to return you. Your friends here…”
“Remus knows obviously, but I’m going to talk to the others tonight.”
“I think that’s best,” Dumbledore agreed.
“Well, I better get back and finish my homework before Sirius gets back,” Willow said heading to the door, and saying her good-byes to the headmaster.
As she headed back toward Gryffindor tower she saw Severus moving quickly in the direction of the tower she had seen him go to after they left the library the night before. She started to call out to him, but realized he was sticking close to the shadows and obviously didn’t want to be seen, so she decided to wait and ask him about on Saturday.
Severus dropped quietly to the ground, and quickly ran toward the forest. As long as he was hidden behind the trees before curfew no one would notice. He didn’t know what Lucius wanted that was so urgent it couldn’t wait until a Hogsmeade weekend. He found Lucius waiting just inside the trees.
“You’re late,” The older Slytherin said.
“I got here as quickly as I could,” Severus snapped glaring at the blonde man before him. He knew he needed to control his temper. Lucius was powerful and had the ear of the Dark Lord.
“What have you found out about the new Gryffindor?”
“Nothing.”
“Didn’t Narcissa give you my message?” Lucius frowned. The Dark Lord would not be happy about this.
“Yes, though I don’t understand what he wants with an American mud-blood.”
Lucius sighed; he didn’t fully understand the reason either. It wasn’t as if Voldemort went out of his way to explain his actions. He decided it couldn’t hurt to tell Severus what he knew.
“She doesn’t belong here,” Lucius said, “She was brought here through time, I don’t know how. I don’t believe he knows either. He says she’s powerful, more so than even she may know. If her power can be turned to our side he wants to know before Dumbledore.”
“I don’t think she’s all that powerful,” Severus sighed, “She needs tutoring in almost all of her classes.”
“That means she’s untrained, not weak,” Lucius corrected, “The Master wants her brought to him on Halloween.”
“That’s less than two months?” Severus complained.
“Just do it, you said she needs tutors,” the blonde snapped, “Be her tutor. Be nice to her.”
“Fine. I’ll do what I can,” Severus agreed, “I’ll owl you with any information.”
“I’ll contact you within the next week to find out your progress.”
Before Severus could respond Lucius disappeared with a small pop. If bringing Voldemort the annoying redhead would insure his place as a Death Eater he would do what he had too. With that final thought he turned and headed back to the school.
“Hey guys,” Willow said pushing her way through the portal. “Got a minute?”
Remus raised an eyebrow in question, Willow smiled, and he nodded in understanding. Sirius, Peter and James set their books on the table not needing to be convinced to quit studying.
“I um, need to talk to Lily too,” Willow said and went to the stairs to call for her.
When Lily had joined them in the common room Willow explained about where she had come from and how she believed she had gotten here, as well as Dumbledore’s theories on sending her back.
“So you’re just going to leave?” Sirius asked, “Can’t you stay?”
“I love it here, but I don’t belong here, my friends at home are probably worried sick,” Willow said quietly.
“So it’s possible you did a spell of some kind to bring yourself here?” Peter asked.
“Doubtful, but anything is possible.”
“How long before you leave?” James asked.
“Don’t know,” Willow shrugged, “A few days at least, we have to contact Anya, and then she may not be any help. She certainly isn’t helpful as a human. You know if I didn’t change dimensions, just years we can probably still…”
“We’ll be a lot older in your time,” Remus pointed out.
“So, I mean its fine with me, if you guys don’t care,” Willow smiled, “I’d love to have friends that understand magic.”
“Why don’t we worry about that when it’s time for you to go,” Lily suggested.
“Okay so I really want to learn Wizard Chess,” Willow smiled at Sirius, “Wanna teach me?”
“Do you know how to play muggle chess?” Lily asked.
“Yeah, but don’t get to play often, Buffy and Xander are not really into that kind of thing.”
“It’s the same game just a little more violent,” Lily told her.
Sirius pulled out the board and began setting up the pieces. Willow went and sat across from him, watching as the pieces glanced at her, then over at James.
“Do they not want me to play?”
“They just aren’t used to anyone but James and I,” Sirius explained. “They’ll get used to it. Ready?”
“Sure,” Willow agreed and Sirius motioned for her to make the first move, as Lily and James talked quietly on the couch and Remus went back to studying. No one noticed Peter slipping out of the portal.
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