"But you're a Muggle!" cried Professor McGonagall. The man across the desk from her and Dumbledore gave her a quizzical look, as did his two associates. "You're not even supposed to know that we exist. How did you find Hogwarts and -"
"Minerva, please, this is not the time for that. Please, go on"
The austere British gentleman across from Dumbledore and McGonagal, hesitated then continued. "Well, in answer to your question, I have an ... associate who happens to also be an acquaintance of the good Professor Dumbledore. I showed him the evidence, and he suggested that I should bring this matter to your attention and offer our assistance."
Dumbledore smiled slyly. "This associate, would he happen to be a werewolf?"
With a smile, "Yes, Professor Lupin has been very helpful to a friend of mine." The girl to his left blushed a little, her ears nearly as red as her hair. "When I found that the Staff of Troy had been unearthed and that Colin Misbane had acquired it, I felt that this would be somewhat more than my ... team could handle." At the word "team", the other girl with him curled up her nose slightly and coughed, drawing an annoyed look from the gentleman.
Professor McGonagal frowned. " I'm not entirely familiar with this artifact."
Professor Dumbledore sighed. "We'll need Professors Flitwick and Binns to give us the complete story, but as far as I remember it, the Staff of Troy is an infiltration charm. The bearer of the staff can enter anywhere without detection, by masquerading as something or someone harmless. It's not all powerful, but it could be very dangerous. Why specifically did Remus send you to us?"
"Apparently, you have a nexus of dark magic here, something called the 'Forbidden Forest?'"
"Yes. It adjoins the campus. You believe that Misbane and the Staff are hiding in the forest?"
"No, actually I think they were hiding in the forest. I believe they are by now in the school. Remus believes that Colin is looking for something in the school, some great source of power."
"Well, then we really have very little choice. How can you be of assistance to us?"
"While I don't have any kind of innate magical ability, I do have some experience in fighting dark forces. I have been both researched and fought them for many years. My companions also have some abilities that may be of assistance."
"I see. You actually have come at an opportune time. We are once again" he said with some chagrin "without a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. While you may never have heard of me before, I know and respect your history well. Mr Rupert Giles, welcome to the faculty of Hogwarts."
"But Albus, he's a MUGGLE!" ...
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The characters of Rupert Giles, Willow Rosenberg and Buffy Summers are the property and sole creation of Joss Whedon. The characters of Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagal, and Professors Flitwick and Binns are the property and creation of J.K. Rowling. My thanks and respect to both of these creative people.
