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The Witch Slayer

Chapter 10: The Burrow

Summer between 6th and 7th year - the Burrow

Part 1: Meet the Weasleys

Hermione paced the front door of the Burrow, cell phone in hand as she waited. Due to Harry's impending Horcrux hunt, she had decided to spend the summer in the magical world rather than in Sunnydale as she typically did. Finally, a soft knock confirmed her guests had arrived.

"Hermione!" Willow remarked, stepping inside without invitation and hugging the slayer closely. Giles had a much more polite 'hello' with a firm but meaningful shoulder grab.

"Thank you so much for uh – you know. Helping." Willow yelped and her eyes watered.

"It's no big deal!" Hermione started, which wasn't quite true, as she recalled the conversation from a few nights ago.

A few nights ago

Hermione had only been at the Weasley's for a week when she got the odd request from Giles. Apparently, Willow went a little crazy. And almost, but didn't, end the world. And now he thinks being around witches and wizards like Hermione will help her.

So Hermione found herself at dinner, oddly moving her food around her plate as she prepared to 1) reveal her big secret and; 2) ask if they wouldn't mind helping to rehabilitate a witch who kind of went bad.

One of the good/bad things about the Weasleys was there were just so many of them – this meant dinner conversation never really seemed to stop. Of course Molly Weasley, the ever observant matriarch, seemed to notice something was off. "Hermione – is everything alright?" She asked quietly from the head of the table two places away.

Ron looked at her expectantly – he was sure his family would be totally cool with this. He gave Hermione a supportive nod and she cleared her throat, getting everyone's attention, "Sorry – there's something I want you all to know." She paused – the twins looked a little uncomfortable with the sudden serious turn of events but Molly and Arthur smiled in support, "I'm a vampire slayer." She told them, choosing to be direct.

George and Fred looked a little confused. Ron smiled in support. Arthur looked concerned. Molly looked torn between fear and the need to be comforting. Ginny gave a suspicious look her way. Before any of them could say anything, Hermione started again, "it's not like what is in the books – the slayer isn't some sort of evil thing or creature." She gave a readers' digest version of the typical watcher's diatribe. Ron piped in as well, confirming he had seen no indication that Hermione was less than sane.

"Is that why you and Harry would randomly return to the tower with your shoes covered in mud?" Ginny asked.

Hermione was surprised the younger girl had put that together, "Yes – Harry accompanied me to the forest during 6th year. I didn't realize anyone had noticed."

Ginny sort of shrugged, appearing relieved and Hermione now wondered what it looked like – her and Harry returning to Gryffindor tower sweaty and covered in dirt. She shivered at the thought.

"How long have you…been a slayer?" Arthur asked.

"I was called in the spring of 4th year." Hermione confirmed.

"And you've been aware this whole time?" Molly asked her son, her voice cautious.

"Yes."

"And you're sure?" Molly asked, obviously working to absorb the situation.

"Yes." Hermione answered this time.

"Well – thank you for telling us." Arthur stated finally, "we appreciate your trust in us."

Hermione smiled and let out an exhale, "Well, I do trust you all but that's not the only reason I've chosen to confide in you." She looked from face to face, everyone's eyes firmly locked on her, except Ron who was giving off a 'haha I knew all of this first' shit eating grin that caused Hermione to elbow him softly in the ribs.

"There's another slayer – it's a long story – her name is Buffy and she currently protects the hellmouth in Sunnydale." She paused, "her best friend is a witch named Willow. She's not a witch like us – she doesn't use a wand or have a magical core. She is able to manipulate the magic in the earth."

Molly now looked intrigued, "Can she really? I've heard stories of such witches – but have never actually seen such a thing."

Hermione nodded, "It's incredibly difficult. I have been working at it for the last two years and can still only do a few small spells. Willow is naturally very attuned to the earth." She paused again, taking a deep breath before finally getting to the point, "She kind of – well, abused it. Buffy and her other friends realized something was wrong when they realized she had been using memory modification spells on her girlfriend"

This got Fred and George's attention which made Hermione roll her eyes before continuing, "Things got really bad and then she stopped cold turkey – but then, her girlfriend was killed.

"She went very dark at that point – I don't know all the details but she somehow was infected with very dark magic and in her grief, kind of tried to end the world," she tried to state the last part as undramatically as possible, but given the looks she was getting around the table had failed, "her best friends managed to stop her and Willow was able to expel the dark magic. But Buffy's watcher, Giles, thinks it would be useful for Willow to spend time with witches and wizards and learn how to use magic in moderation.

"So I know it's asking a lot but – I was hoping Willow could stay here for a while? I will take full responsibility for her and I know she sounds like a lot but really she's quite sweet." Hermione paused, imploring Arthur and Molly to agree.

The couple looked at one another and communicated silently before Molly turned to her smiling softly, "Of course dear."

"I'm so sorry about Tara." Hermione said sadly as she guided Giles and Willow towards the living room. Giles was blinking rapidly, taking in the quirky home while Willow just looked on in wonder.

"Thank you." Willow responded softly and then gulped nervously as she prepared to meet actual wand waving witches and wizards!

"Willow," Hermione started as they entered the living room – three people who had been sitting quietly immediately stood up, "these are your hosts – Arthur and Molly Weasley." Polite handshakes were shared, Molly the epitome of a good host. "And this is Ron." Willow's eyes lit in recognition at this.

"Oh! You're Ron of the 'Harry, Ron and I' in Hermione's stories!" Willow babbled excitedly.

Ron and Hermione laughed, the utterance breaking the ice so to speak. Hermione introduced Giles and the group went on a tour of the house – Willow would be staying with Hermione and Ginny and she was amazed to see the room expand before her very eyes to accommodate her.

"Your magic is incredible." Willow stated in awe to no one in particular. Hermione laughed softly to herself at this, thinking of all the times Draco used earth magic to her wonder.

Part 2: Quidditch!

Willow was having a surprisingly good time during what she was internally calling her 'magical rehab'. She spent a lot of time with Molly, using her ability to commune with the earth to assist with her gardening and helping her with basic chores. The pair got on surprisingly well and Molly found herself struggling to reconcile the sweet woman with the dark creature who supposedly considered ending the world.

Meanwhile, Hermione was able to train openly. She tried to spend as much time as she could continuing to practice wielding magic while slaying – knowing on some level that this reprieve would come to an end. She had overheard order members discussing plans for retrieving Harry from the Dursley's and knew the moment they were united there would be a metaphorical ticking clock counting off the minutes until their departure.

But for now, Hermione found herself enjoying the summer. Ginny had joined her slayer training sessions early on – expressing an interest in being able to fight 'the muggle way' as she called it. Even Ron, who was typically happy to leave all the slaying stuff to Hermione, Draco and Harry, had joined.

Three weeks into her stay, Willow and Hermione were sitting on a picnic blanket as the Weasleys and a few of their friends started a game of quidditch.

"Why aren't you playing?" Willow asked.

Hermione physically shuddered at the thought, "I do not like flying." She started.

"Really?" Willow asked, eyes wide.

"Yes – we had to take flying lessons our first year. Let's just say – I like having my feet firmly on the earth." Hermione responded, earning a soft chuckle from the red-haired wiccan.

Willow watched the game intently, completely fascinated, "I just can't believe witches and wizards have an entire culture – I mean, you have your own sport!" She watched as Ginny shouted in triumph having caught the golden snitch. The group came down to the ground, exhausted but all smiles.

"Willow," Ginny brought the group over, "these are some of our friends – Alicia Spinnet, Lee Jordan, Oliver Wood and Angelina Johnson." Willow smiled and shook their hands.

"So – what did you think?" Fred or George asked her, grinning.

"It was amazing!" Willow responded earnestly, earning herself big smiles from the twins.

"Wanna give it a go?" The other one asked, offering up his broom. Willow's heart raced – suddenly remembering the last time she flew

"Uh-" she stumbled, looking at Hermione for help.

"Not now George." Hermione guessed and attempted to give the twins a look to back off. They did (they both had recently developed a healthy fear of the slayer) and the group migrated to the house where Molly had prepared an epic lunch spread.

"You're welcome to try flying – I'm not even sure if you would be able to. But I can't imagine it would hurt." Hermione started after the group was out of earshot.

"I just – when I," Willow gulped, "went all dark, I flew. And it felt really good. I guess I'm just afraid." She finished, looking at the ground and unconsciously wilting a few dandelions beneath her hand.

"I understand." Hermione responded earnestly. She watched the witch now wave her hand and bring the small flower back to life. "How do you do that so easily?"

Willow shrugged, "it wasn't always like this but – now I can just feel it – the earth and its magic."

Hermione tried to emulate. Both Willow and Draco had attempted to teach Hermione some earth magic over the years with limited success. She managed to move the flower just slightly before giving up in frustration.

"Oh well – c'mon – let's get in before foods all gone!"

Part 3: When Harry met Willow

The order was able to retrieve Harry from the Dursley's with only a few mild injuries (thanks to Snape's continued effectiveness as a double spy). Hermione anxiously dismounted the thestral and ran to hug her friend.

"Harry!" She exclaimed, relieved, "come on!" She dragged him into the kitchen. "This is Willow." She introduced the red witch who was reading some potions magazine.

"It's nice to meet you." Harry responded warmly before more Weasleys landed and invaded his personal bubble.

Willow stepped away from him then, her face masked in confusion but no one was really paying attention to her. A few minutes later, Hermione was at her side, "Sorry – I'm sure this is a bit overwhelming – I should have warned you."

Willow shook her head, "it's not that – it's Harry," she paused and looked at the boy in question, "there's something – strange about him."

"What is it?" Hermione asked, on alert.

"I can see his aura – but there's something else – something dark in the way." She finished.

"Can you tell what it is?" Hermione questioned.

Willow tilted her head to the side, attempting just that before shaking her head. "No – but it doesn't look like a recent development. His aura and the darkness seem relatively – entwined? No – that's not the right word. Comfortable maybe?" She looked at Hermione's frown and gave a light smile, "Oh, don't worry. I'm sure it's fine."

"Yes." Hermione deadpanned, "you just told me my best friend, who seems fated to either kill or be killed by a dark lord, has some sort of darkness in him. No big deal."

"That's the spirit!" Willow smiled, completely ignoring the younger girl's snark.

After a few easy conversations with the aforementioned boy, any worry Willow had about him dissipated. Harry joined Hermione's training and as she watched the pair, Willow couldn't help feeling a sense of nostalgia for her life in Sunnydale.

They were all having dinner – a sort of 'welcome' dinner for Bill and Fleur who had arrived to begin wedding preparations – when Bill asked a rather logical question: "How did you two meet?". They had been surprised when Bill, faced with the newfound knowledge that Hermione was a slayer, seemed well versed in what a slayer actually was. It appeared in his travels for Gringotts he had seen and heard many things which caused him to question the wizarding world's prevailing wisdom.

Willow smiled but remained frozen. Hermione finally spoke up, "She's best friends with the other slayer."

Bill nodded looking suspicious, "Well – yes, but how did you meet the other slayer?" He asked, "I mean, you've mentioned having limited exposure to the watcher's council."

"We have a mutual friend." Hermione confirmed. She looked over at Ron and Harry who were looking at each other and laughing. She tried to force them to shut up with a strong glare but this only seemed to encourage them further. "Sorry – that's all I can say." Hermione shrugged, and luckily the subject was dropped.

Hermione picked at her dinner, avoiding her friends looks as she considered their mutual friend. She hadn't heard from Draco all summer, except for his notations in their notebook confirming his workouts and an occasional brief text usually just saying he missed her.

That night, Hermione was shaken suddenly by a short scream. Both she and Ginny looked at each other before rushing to Willow's side.

"From beneath you it devours." Willow whispered, her hair and eyes a deep black. Hermione's eyes went wide but almost instantly Willow's features shifted to their usual color. She looked at Hermione and said softly, "I think I need to go home now."