- Chapter 5 -
Attention Diagon Alley shoppers, we have a Code...Willow?
It seemed like hours to Willow as she walked all about Diagon Alley. She couldn't find McGonagall anywhere, so she decided to head back to the bookstore she had started off from. But then she realized she had no idea what direction she should go in.
"Oh, no. I'm lost." She whispered to herself. "Oh, that's just wonderful."
She turned around in circles trying to get her bearings and figure out which way she should go. But all she managed to do was make herself dizzy. She stopped turning and took a step, only to bump into someone. The body she had bumped flailed thier arms, trying to keep their balance for a moment before finally doing so.
"Oh, gee. I'm sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going." Willow apologized.
"Well, that was fairly obvious, now wasn't it?" The person replied in a nasty tone of voice.
It was then that Willow got a good look at the person she had just collided with. The first thought that came to Willow's mind was.
I didn't know Spike had a little brother.
The boy looked to be about 15 or so. He stood before Willow with a look that could have rivaled any of Spike's loathsome sneers. And he looked exactly like said vampire. From the shock of white blonde hair to the all black ensemble. He could, for all intent and purposes, have been a younger version of Spike.
And he had just insulted her.
"Hey! I said I was sorry." Willow retorted.
The young man just eyed Willow up and down a minute before replying.
"Who are you? Some relation the those Weasleys?" He spat the name out like it was something dirty.
"Weasleys? Um, no. My name's Willow Rosenberg, not like it's any of your business anyway, you little Spike clone. And, just who the heck are you anyway mister?"
"The name's Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." He said it like it should have meant something to Willow. It didn't.
"Well, Mr. I-Have-No-Manners-Whatsoever, if you don't mind, I have a transfiguration teacher to find. So, buh-bye."
And with that, Willow stomped off. Or at least, she attempted to stomp off. The hand that Draco Malfoy snaked around her arm, brought her up a little short.
Turning back to face the boy, she shouted. "Hey, hands off, bub. Are you trying to piss me off?"
Willow tried to stop it, she really tried. But she could feel the darkness swelling up inside of her. Smothering her a little. Trying to force her to release it out onto the world. She desperately tried to stamp it back down. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop her eyes from going jet black. Draco immediately let go of her arm like he had been scalded. Willow approached him, smiling evilly when he backpedaled away from her.
"Aww, what's the matter Draky-poo? Cat got your tongue." She couldn't stop herself. This was fun.
No. I can't do this! What would Giles say? What would that nice Professor Bumbledore say? I just, Can. Not. Do. This!
With her last bit of strength Willow finally stamped down the darkness that was threatening to consume her. Slowly her eyes went back to her normal shade of green. That's when she heard another voice.
"Hey, Malfoy! Why don't you pick on someone your own size!"
Willow looked up to see three figures. Two male and one female walking towards them. As they got closer, Willow made out their features. One of the boys, was very tall. Taller than her or Malfoy. He had hair that she noticed was as red as her own. And a cute freckled face. The girl beside him was rather pretty actually, if she could tame down the bountiful brown hair she possessed. It was very unruly and thick. The last boy--the one who had spoken--was not as tall as the first, but he still had the height thing going for him. He had a unruly crop of midnight black hair, round wire rimmed glasses perched on his nose, and Willow couldn't quite make it out, but she was sure he had some sort of scar on his forehead.
Draco Malfoy instantly recovered from the shock of seeing the red haired woman's eyes go black as night just a moment before. He filed that knowledge--along with her name--away in the back of his mind. Oh yeah, his dad would definitely be interested in this. But first, he had to deal with Potter and his little band of misfits.
"Well, well Potter. What is it? Still trying to save damsels in distress? Why don't you give it up. It didn't work the last time you tried it, why should it now." Draco sneered.
Potter? Willow thought. Isn't that what McGonagall said The-Boy-Who-Lived's last name was? Willow stared at the boy in shock.
"Just get out of here Malfoy. Obviously the lady doesn't want to converse with you." Harry replied.
"You'd better be careful, Potter. One of these days, you're going to bite off a bit more than you can chew." And with that, Malfoy stalked off into the crowd.
"Are you alright, miss?"
Willow looked up at the boy standing before her. What could she say? This was supposed to be a living legend within the wizarding world. And he wasn't even out of his teens yet!
"Uh, um, yeah." Was all she could manage.
The-Boy-Who-Lived smiled then and said with a chuckle. "That's good. I'm Harry Potter. These are my friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley." He pointed to his companions.
That caught Willow's attention. "Weasley? Ha, that Malfoy creep thought I was a cousin to the Weasleys. Now I can kinda understand why." Willow smiled at the red haired boy, who just blushed a little. "Well, I'm Willow Rosenberg. I was just trying to find my missing Transfiguration teacher, when I had the unfortunate pleasure of bumping into the mini Billy Idol wanna be, there."
Though Harry and Hermione laughed at Willow's little joke, she noticed that Ron just looked a little confused. Hermione turned to him.
"Muggle pop culture reference, Ron." Was all she said, before the boy's confusion cleared up. Although he still didn't laugh.
"Transfiguration teacher? You know Professor McGonagall?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, I was here with her to get my supplies so I could begin my rehab. She left me at the book store to go do some personal errands, but forgot to come back and get me." Willow sighed. "And I was so looking forward to getting my owl, too."
"Rehab?" This came from Hermione.
"Uh, well, it's....sort of a long story."
"Wait a bloody minute, your that American girl that tried to end the world, aren't you?" Ron exclaimed.
"Apparently not that long." Willow muttered to herself. To Ron she said, "Yeah, that was me."
"Bloody hell. My father told us all about it. Had the Ministry in a tizzy for days. Had a big write up about it in the Daily Prophet as well. Why'd you do it anyways?" Ron continued.
Willow opened her mouth to answer him. But at that moment McGonagall showed up.
"Willow, what happened? Why did you go off like that? I thought I told you I would come back for you. You have no idea how worried I've been."
Willow noticed she had that stern look on her face again. She knew right then that she would be in for it when they got back to the castle.
"Uh...I'm sorry?" She tried.
McGonagall shot her a look that said don't even try to get out of this. Then McGonagall noticed their little audience.
"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley. And how has your summer's progressed this year?" She asked politely.
"Very well, thanks." The three answered in unison, before looking at each other and grinning.
"Well, that's wonderful to hear. Now, Willow and myself must be off. We still have things to purchase before we head back to the school. I trust we will be seeing you three when the school term starts back up in two weeks?" McGonagall inquired.
"Of course, Professor." Answered Harry.
"Very well, come along Willow." With that said, McGonagall swept off.
"Um, it was nice meeting you. I'm sure to see you all at the school in two weeks, since, you know, I'll be there and all. And hey, maybe I'll be taking some classes with you. I won't actually be a student, but I still got some things I have to learn, you know. And uh, I gotta go...bye!" Willow declared as she set off after McGonagall, who was glaring a short distance away, impatiently tapping her foot.
"Goodbye, Ms. Rosenberg." The three friends shouted after Willow's retreating form.
Harry looked back to his friends and shrugged. "Well, looks like we're in for an interesting term this year, eh?"
Ron moaned. "Oh, you just had to say that, didn't you?"
Shaking his head, Harry draped an arm around Hermione and followed Ron toward the Ice Cream Parlor. He just had a feeling that something big was definitely going to go down this year. He just hoped he would be ready for it.
*~*~*~*~*~*Willow was exhausted by the time they returned to Hogwarts. They had gotten everything Willow would need for her first term at school. And in addition to her owl, Willow couldn't contain the impulse to buy a cute calico kitten that had been staring longingly at her in the pet shop. She reminded Willow so much of Ms. Kitty Fantastico, that she just had to have her.
"I think I'm going to name you Tara." Willow had murmured to the kitten, as she cuddled it to her chest. A lone tear snaked it's way down her cheek before hastily being brushed away.
So now they were back at the school, heading towards her chambers, arms loaded down with all of the purchases. They had just gotten to the portrait when Snape glided up the hall toward them.
"Minerva, Albus wishes to speak with all of us in his office, immediately." Snape's voice held a bit of apprehension in it.
"Very well, let me just help Willow bring in her things and I will be right with you."
"Albus wishes to speak with the girl also."
Willow looked up at this. She had been attempting to ignore the man, since he had approached, but found it hard not to shiver a little at the sound of his voice.
*Dammit, what is it about that voice?* She pondered inwardly. Aloud she simply said. "Huh?"
Snape looked at her with a look of irritation. "As I am aware that you are not deaf, Miss Rosenberg. I can assume that you heard me the first time."
Willow was fuming. "Oooh. Look here mister, I can hear just fine, but with your voice being all distracty... Never mind. Just, uh, Mrs. McGonagall, could you help me get these things put up please?"
Willow was trying furiously to hide her face from both teachers.
Oh, what is wrong with me? I almost did it again! And... his blood is in my wand. But, then again, so is Remus's. Hey, what is the significance in that? Is there a significance? Oh, I'm giving myself a headache. Willow finished off her mind babble.
After they had put up all of Willow's supplies, they followed Severus Snape up to the headmaster's office. Willow giggled when Snape said the password to get past the stone gargoyle. It had been Jolly Ranchers. Once they stood outside the headmaster's office doors, Snape knocked. A muffled "Come in." Could be heard from the other side.
Snape entered first, followed by McGonagall, and finally Willow. When Willow looked up, she couldn't believe who was standing there.
"Giles!" Willow squealed, as she threw herself at the older man.
"Hello, Willow. How are you doing?" Giles said.
Without thinking, Willow answered. "Oh, well, I guess you could say I'm doing good. Considering I got lost in Diagonal Alley today, ran into Spike's eviler younger twin. Oh, and let's not forget the horrifying nightmares about red glowing eyes that causes needs for late night strolls in the forbidden forest. Aside from that I'm doing just peachy, how are you?"
With that said, Willow collapsed onto a nearby armchair.
Everyone, aside from Dumbledore and Giles, looked at Willow in shock. For a moment no one said anything, and then finally, Giles spoke up.
"So, it has begun then." Giles said softly, taking off his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose.
"So it would seem Rupert." Dumbledore answered.
Snape, being the patient man that he was, added. "What the bloody hell are you two talking about?"
Giles sighed heavily. "It would seem that we have a prophecy on our hands."
Willow looked at Giles after hearing this. "You mean, one of the end of the world, must stop at all costs, prophecy?"
"On the contrary." Giles replied. "This prophecy must be seen through. There are forces that will try to stop it from happening. But, without a doubt, it must come to pass, or all hope is lost."
"What does the prophecy say?"
Willow, McGonagall, and Snape all jumped. They hadn't realized that someone else besides themselves, Giles and Dumbledore were in the room.
Remus Lupin stepped away from the fireplace he had been leaning against.
"Rupert, what does it say?" He repeated his question.
"Oh, uh, yes." Giles stammered, replacing his glasses and then patting down his pockets in search of the paper he had jotted the prophecy down on. "Ah, yes. Here it is."
Unrolling the paper, Giles began to read aloud the prophecy that would change four lives forever.
After the rise of the darkness, a lamb shall step forward. But the howl of the wolf, and the roar of the lion shall bear great power in deterring the darkness. Through bonds of love and frienship, the lamb shall tame the wolf. For the wolf shall lead the lion, and the lion shall lead the lamb. And the one with the mark of darkness shall lead them all to the light.
Once finished, Giles rolled the paper back up and replaced it in his pocket.
"Now, the first thing I suggest we do, is research. We need to find out who the key components are in this prophecy. What I suggest is..."
Willow interrupted him just then. "I think I might know who is involved." She stated.
"That we start....uh, wh-wh-what?" Giles stammered.
"I think I know whos is involved." Willow repeated.
"Really? Do tell." This comment from Snape.
Willow glared up at the sneering man. Taking a deep breath, she elaborated on her theory.
"Well, since this came up, I suppose I should go ahead and tell you about this." Willow looked to McGonagall for askance. McGonagall simply nodded. "Well, I got my wand today. It's 7 inches, made of Ash. With a dragon heartstring inside..."
"Yes, yes, this is all very interesting. But could you please get to the relevant part?" Snape snapped.
"This is the relevant part, Mr. Cranky! Now would you please button it, so I can continue?" Willow had had enough.
Snape looked shocked, and a bit impressed, but said nothing else.
"As I was saying, it's got a dragon heartstring inside. But that's not all..."
At this revelation, everyone but McGonagall and Willow perked up in interest.
"It has a drop of blood from two individuals. Whom according to Mr. Ollivander, I am acquainted with. He says, that there is a drop of blood from a werewolf," At this, Willow looked pointedly at Lupin. "And a drop of blood from a reformed Death Eater." She looked to Snape then.
Both men's mouth's were hanging open in shock. Dumbledore just looked on knowingly, while Giles simply looked worried.
"So." Willow concluded. "From everything that Mrs. McGonagall has been so nice to tell me, I assume that this He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, is the darkness that has risen. And, by the dream I had last night, I am assuming he's after me for some reason. Cause, I gotta tell ya, those are some seriously evil eyes he's got going for him. Meaning, that I must be the lamb. And with Remus a werewolf, and Snape here an ex Death whatsit, I can safely say that all we have to figure out is, who the lion is." Finally finished with her ramble, Willow fell into silence again.
Remus looked at Giles. "Did she even breath during that whole thing?"
Giles simply looked at Willow in amazement. "Yes, quite right Willow. Um, any ideas on wh-who the lion could be?"
Snape snorted. "Oh, come on you people. Albus, you must know."
Dumbledore simply said. "Well, obviously we don't and you do, Severus. Why don't you enlighten us?"
Snape scowled at the headmaster. "It's Potter." He ground out.
"Harry?" Willow asked. "No. No, he-he can't be. No, I don't want him to be the lion. Giles, please say someone else is the lion. I don't want him to get hurt."
"Willow it will be alright, trust me on this, okay?" Giles soothed the irrate red head.
Sighing deeply Willow asked her next question. "Okay, so....what next?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*