Chapter 1

She set down the papers for a moment and rubbed her eyes. In front of her sat a clock with bright, red numbers. 9:38 p.m.

Katherine Williams sat in a sea of cubicles, all of which lights had gone out, except hers. The dark grey walls of the cages were just as depressing as the lives that worked among them. The majority of their prisoners were released at 5:01 p.m. and eagerly went home to their families. Except Katherine Williams. If you were to ask her if she liked her job, she would, without a doubt, tell you that no, she disliked it very much.

Instead, it was her deeply engrained, strong work ethic that kept her there, as well as the absence of a desire to go home. But everyone tires at some point, and the busy bee was ready to head home for the night.

Despite her reluctance to leave, she walked briskly towards her car in the parking lot. Her mind was preoccupied with checking her cell phone and digging in her purse for her keys, but soon her mind cleared. She sensed something. Immediately she stopped completely and cocked her head. She had heard something. She started walking again, slower this time. Soon she was sure. There was someone behind her.

"Need a ride, old man?" Katherine asked out loud, although casual observers wouldn't have seen anyone behind her. For a moment, she wondered if she had also been mistaken.

But soon a deep chuckle could be heard and a man responded in a British accent, "Why yes, that would be splendid!"

Katherine walked over to the passenger side of the car and opened the door for the invisible man. Partly she was being courteous to the older man, but mostly, she was making sure no one nearby would wonder why her car door opened by itself.

As soon as she sat down in the car she asked, "What are you doing around here?"

"Just thought I'd say hello." He had since become visible again and sitting next to the young woman was a much older man. He had long silver grey hair complete with a sizable beard that dangled dangerously close to his chest. The man was wearing unusual clothing, silver grey robes that looked like he'd been abruptly awoken. The look on her face showed that she didn't believe him, but she continued the drive home nevertheless.

"Do you like your job?" He asked conversationally.

"It's alright. It's a job you know? The people I work with are nice, but sometimes it can get a little stressful. But then I just remind myself that I'm not saving lives here. Erm, I mean, you know? It's not like my job is important," She got suck in the middle and stammered her way out. Katherine was in comfortable company, but still, the topic was awkward.

"Well, what were you expecting?" he responded slowly and calmly, not even observing the tension in the car.

"I…err…umm…" her voice started before the mind was ready. The car fell into silence as Katherine realized she didn't know what she had expected.

The car remained silent the remainder of the ride to her apartment. It was awkward for her, but the old man had occupied himself by gazing out the windows and observing the surroundings. He knew about the mood he had created, but this didn't bother him, it was all a part of his plan, of course.

They pulled into the parking lot and walked up the stairs. Katherine opened the door to show a modest two bedroom apartment. The carpet was beige. The walls were beige. The couch was beige. The atmosphere was markedly forgettable. In the corner sat a medium sized, black and white dog, a border collie. Happy to see her owner, the dog trotted over.

"Are you here to see her? Or me?" She asked dropping her purse on the kitchen table and bending down to pet the dog. "Please make yourself at home."

"I'm here to talk to you,"

"Oh. " This surprised her. " Would you like a cup of tea?"

"That would be very nice, thank you," he took a seat at the table and turned his attention to the dog while Katherine made a pot of tea.

She put the pot on the stove and turned around to face the man at the table, "So, what is it?" She asked abruptly. The silence and suspense was killing her.

The hesitancy could be heard in his voice. "I've come to offer you a job."

"Thank you, but I have a job." She replied curtly and turned back around towards the cupboards.

"It's not what you want, we both know that. You're not happy –" He started, but she didn't let him finish.

She placed the cups on the table, "I know what you're offering me, and I left that world years ago, Albus. I'm not so unhappy to turn back there."

He sighed deeply. He would have to go about this another way. She poured the tea and offered sugar. "Thank you. What's the dog's name?"

"Melinda. Got her after, well, got her awhile ago." She sighed. To be in front of her, one would see her demeanor change. The shell that was put on every morning to go into the world and face others was shed off. All of the troubles and hardships she had faced in her life came to the surface and were clearly visible. And they were many. The man knew it, and reached across the table to rest his hand on hers.

"Things have changed," He started, "And we're thinking of starting a new program at Hogwarts for the older students interested in healing. A few classes. Just a few students. Very similar to what you went through at Circe's. Trying to better prepare our students."

"That's a good idea. I had such an advantage in finding a job because of that program"

"We could really use someone who has an intimate knowledge of it."

She looked up from her tea. "Why are you here? Why me? I certainly can't be the only one for the job."

"We had no other applicants,"

"Albus!" An older woman was strolling down the hallway towards the two. She was dressed in a rose pink nightgown with curlers in her hair. "I thought I heard you talking to someone! Oh how are you!" He stood up to great her and she enthusiastically embraced the man. "It's been years since you've come by! Hasn't it hunny? How long do you think it's been Katherine since he's been by? Why didn't you tell me he was here! " The woman looked over to Katherine who had gotten up to turn away from the situation. "Oh tea! Get me a cup will you dear?"

Katherine went to the cupboard for another cup.

"So why are you here Albus? And so late?" She took the man's hand and led him over to the couch where they sat next to each other, "You should have told us you were coming! I could have made you a delicious meal!"

"I came to offer Katherine a job," he explained. He thought about lying, but he knew telling the grandmother would only help his cause.

"OH!" the woman exclaimed before he could even finish. "Oh! Oh! Katherine that's wonderful!" Katherine poured the woman a cup of tea, gave a weak smile, and wondered how vodka would taste in tea. "Oh, a position at Hogwarts! Oh well, that's just wonderful! Oh Albus you're so kind! Came straight here I reckon! And thank goodness you did! She hasn't done a darn thing with her life after… well she really needs this!"

"Thank you Grandmother, but I have kindly refused his offer."

Her grandmother's mood changed instantly. The smile disappeared from her face and was replaced with utter shock, like someone had just told her that the Woollongong Warriors had won the Quidditch cup. "What do you mean, refuse? A position at Hogwarts is a very coveted position! You're very fortunate that Albus came to offer you this! Albus, Albus, don't listen to her!" she patted his hand, "She'd be happy to take this position. Wouldn't you Katherine? Honestly I don't know what you were thinking." And as if the matter had been settled, Edna moved on to more important topics.

"Now what have you been up to Albus? Are you ready for the new term to start? Can you tell me if the rumors are true about the Hungarian Horntail territories moving further south? How dreadful that would be!"

This chatter went on, mostly coming from the older woman. Katherine desired to leave, but she didn't want to go without saying good-bye to Albus and finishing their conversation. Rejecting his offer or not, he was still a close friend. Instead she sat quietly, offering one-word replies and nods while attempting to stay awake.

Around two hours after the conversation started, the older woman was finally starting to tire. She yawned, "Will you stay for breakfast Albus?"

"No, sorry, I must be getting back," He answered while standing up. He glanced over at Katherine. He knew the topic had not strayed far from either of their minds.

"Oh well, that's a damn shame!" She exclaimed, "Well make sure you stop by more often! Although I suppose with Katherine at Hogwarts, maybe I should come visit you two!" She laughed heartily while the other two just smiled. She wished him a good night and headed back to her bedroom, finally leaving them alone again.

Katherine stood up to say goodbye.

"I beg you to reconsider. It is still your decision, but I would really appreciate it if you did this for me." Before she could answer, he started again, "Just try it for a year. It will be something different. Something important."

Katherine noted his choice of words while nervously straightening the magazines near the couch.

"If you don't like it, you can come back to this." He paused and thought carefully before continuing. He took her hands and looked into her eyes, "The killing is done, Katherine. Come help save some lives."

"Just for a year?" She asked hesitantly.

"Just for a year," He responded with a smile.

"Fine. But you owe me," she answered with a smirk.

"Thank you, I think you will really enjoy yourself." He bent over to kiss her on her forehead and they hugged. "See you soon."

"See you soon," she replied, and with that, he was gone in a flash.

Circe's school of Witchcraft for Young Ladies
Motto : Eruditio Creo Equipero (Knowledge Creates Equals)