A/N: Okay, I know this is like insanely short, but I promise the next chapter will be more exciting! I just wanted to get this out. The next chapter will contain a lot more plot development…the mysteries begin to deepen…haha…I hope you enjoy!

"I knew there was a reason I never liked these people." Buffy complained as she led Willow into the backseat of the car that drove them away from the monstrous office building of the council in London (the car was a loan from the council). "They're even more stuffy in their own surroundings."

"I know, and we thought they were bad in Sunnydale!" Willow agreed.

"So remind me again why we came all the way out here?" Buffy whined. "Because honestly it seemed like a complete waist of time to me."

"Dumbledore told us to talk to the council and try to find out some information. But, well, the council wasn't exactly very helpful." Willow remind her gently. "But at least we followed his orders. Come on, let's go get something to eat. I'm starving!"

Buffy grinned. "Yea, I've heard there are some fun cafés in London. We should check them out."

"Dumbledore mentioned a few places in that wizard town as well…" Willow looked hopeful.

"Fine, let's go back to the freaky magical city and forget all about the normal world outside…" Buffy rolled her eyes.

"I'm sorry Buffy if you don't want to go to Diagon Alley we can find somewhere around here." Willow tried not to look too disappointed. "Maybe our driver could suggest somewhere."

"No, it's okay Will, we can go to Diagon Alley." Buffy gave in with a dramatic sigh.

"Really?" Willow's eyes brightened. She loved the fact that there was a whole town dedicated to fellow witches like herself. The only part that depressed her was that she hadn't heard about it until now. "Oh thank you Buffy, I was hoping that if we had some extra time I could visit Flourish and Botts so I could buy some new books for the year. I need to figure out my lesson plans for the fall…" Willow looked as giddy as she had the first time she had successfully cast a spell in high school.

"Sure Willow, whatever you want to do. I think I might need some new robes…"

"Anything to do with fashion." Willow shook her head, grinning.

"I was thinking about buying an owl too actually. It could be useful at school." Buffy leaned forward and knocked on the partition that separated the backseat from the driver. "The Leaky Cauldron please, sir."

The driver nodded in acknowledgement and Buffy settled back in her seat. Willow had already started counting bills out of her wallet to change into Wizarding currency at Gringotts. Buffy decided to do the same and by the time the driver had pulled up out front of the London pub, both girls had put aside over a hundred dollars to exchange.

"Have a good day ladies." The driver helped them out of the car and waited for the girls to enter the pub before driving away.

"Oy! G'day professors!" The elderly bartender greeted Buffy and Willow with a wave of his dishrag. "Back for another year I reckon?"

"Hello Tom!" Willow smiled back and nodded. "Dumbledore just won't let us go!"

"Well, he's a good man and he knows a good thing when he's got it." Tom grinned. "Got time for a firewhisky, ladies?"

Willow scrunched up her nose and Buffy shook her head. "No thank you Tom. We're in a hurry to shop today." She winked. "Besides, you know we don't drink Tom!"

"Of course you don't professors!" He winked back and waved them into the back room.

"Do you remember the pattern Will?" Buffy asked hesitantly as she stared at the brick wall.

Willow sighed. "What would you do without me?" She pulled out her wand and tapped a few bricks and the wall parted to allow the girls access into Diagon Alley.

"How about we do our shopping first and then get lunch?" Buffy suggested, eagerly eying the Owl shop.

"Yea sure." Willow led the way to the bank and they exchanged their money before parting ways to conquer their shopping. Willow headed towards Flourish and Botts while Buffy headed back to Eeylops Owl Emporium.


"Hi Buffy!"

Buffy turned around, trying to locate the speaker. Her newly purchased owl squawked from his cage, protesting Buffy's abrupt movements. She located Fred running towards her, pushing through the racks of robes.

"Hey Fred! I haven't seen you around for a while!" The girls embraced quickly.

"Well, Professor Dumbledore has been keeping me busy! I've barely even gotten to see Charles since summer has started!" She smiled innocently.

"I know how it is. Willow and I've hardly been at school all summer."

"Wesley told me that you were going to visit the council today."

Buffy frowned. "I thought Wesley wasn't a part of the council anymore."

"Oh he's not. He's been on his own for a few years, but lately he's been in touch with them. It's strange actually." Fred shrugged. "So I see you've finally given into the Wizarding mail deliverers."

Buffy held up her caged owl. "Yea, I figured it would be useful. And Dawn can use him too." She shrugged. "He's kind of fun I suppose."

"I think he's gorgeous!" Fred smiled and poked her finger through the cage to touch the dark slate gray feathers. "Have you named him yet?"

"No. I think I'll let Dawn name him." Buffy eyed the strange plant-type object in Fred's arms. "What did you buy?"

Fred beamed as though she had just been waiting for Buffy to ask. "It's a mandrake. It's actually quite common, but supposedly a good plant to get me started. And quite useful too!"

"What's it for?"

Fred smiled wider. "Professor Dumbledore has given me an actual teaching job this year, instead of just being his errand girl. I'm teaching herbology. And I'm going to be one of the heads of Ravenclaw."

"One of the heads? I thought there was only one for each house? And what happened to Professor Sprout? And who's going to be the head of Hufflepuff?"

Fred looked nervous and overwhelmed by Buffy's questions. "Umm…I don't know Buffy…Professor Dumbledore just told me that he needed me to take over for Professor Sprout…that's all I know…"

"I'm sorry to freak out on you Fred. You're going to be great at herbology. Dumbledore's just being so secretive and I hate it!"

"I know Buffy. It's frustrating for everyone." Fred offered a kind smile. "I better go now. I'm meeting Wesley for lunch to talk about lesson plans. He's going to help me for the first few weeks."

"Alright, see you in a couple weeks Fred! Enjoy the rest of your summer." Buffy waved as Fred hurried away, and then she proceeded to buy her new robes.


"Don't you think it's strange how many Hogwarts Professors are disappearing?" Buffy asked Willow as they met for snacks at Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlor.

"I know! I was thinking the same exact thing!" Willow exclaimed, almost spilling her pumpkin-syrup sundae in her excitement. "I ran into Wesley at the bookstore and he told me that he'd been given a teaching job this fall."

"No way? Who is he replacing?"

"I don't know. He didn't actually say." Willow frowned. "But he was buying quite a few magical defense books."

"Hmm…maybe he's replacing Spike and Angel…"

"Well don't get too excited!" Willow rolled her eyes at Buffy's hopeful grin.

"Anyway, I ran into Fred today and she told me that she's replacing Professor Sprout."

"It's so strange!" Willow sighed.

"I'm getting a headache from all this confusion. I need to patrol tonight." Buffy decided. "I have a great idea! Let's stay in a nice a hotel in London tonight. We deserve a night to pamper ourselves, don't you think?"

Willow grinned. "Tara's busy tonight anyway…Hogwarts business…okay! Let's do it!"