Part 4 Lessons
Willow and Fred sat in a classroom with a very small wizard, who was trying to teach them some simple charms. Willow was catching on quickly and had mastered each of the charms and wand movements Professor Flitwick had shown them. Fred was having a little more trouble.
Willow was now working on a summoning charm that she was sure would come in handy, while Flitwick continued to work on simpler charms with Fred. After several minutes of Willow consistently bringing objects from the shelf across the room to her, while watching Fred try to levitate a feather, he suggested she stop and quickly explained the spell to send objects away.
Willow started took several cushions from the corner and moved them effortlessly before using the new spell to send the objects she had taken from the shelves back one by one. When Fred had finally managed to float the feather and was able to light her wand without causing a fire, they took a break for lunch, before they had to find Professor Mcgonagall to learn some simple transfiguration spells.
Faith met them in the staff room where the teachers were having lunch instead of using the long great hall that was used when the students were present. She was already sitting at small table talking to Professor Trewaleny.
"Hey guys," Faith called out when she spotted Willow and Fred, "Guess what?"
"What?" Willow pulled out a chair and sat down on one side of the Slayer as Fred moved to sit next to the Professor.
"Sybil was just telling me she had a vision," Faith said smiling, "I'm gonna die young."
"No! Really?" Willow reached for a plate and took a sandwich and some potatoes, "'cause Slayer's usually have such a long life expectancy."
"Willow!" Fred tried to hold back her smile.
"Sorry, I'm Willow Rosenberg," She held out her hand to the woman across from her.
"Yes, well of course I knew that," Trewalney said softly, "I have to be going."
They watched her leave the table, before all three started giggling. Which was what they were doing when Snape walked in spotted the laughing women and turned to leave before they could talk to him.
"Careful if you stay too long around laughing you might be forced to have some fun," Willow called to him just before the door slammed shut.
"He really is kind of scary sometimes," Fred said picking up a sandwich.
"Not really," Willow set her drink on the table, "He kinda reminds me of Spike. He tries to act all mean and tough but I don't think he really is."
"I don't think he's tough, just an asshole," Faith laughed, "How are classes going, cause I gotta tell you I'm bored to death."
"Come with us," Fred suggested, "I'm sure Professor Mcgonagall won't mind."
"Didn't like regular school, don't want to spend more time in classes."
"Yeah, but you won't have to participate this time," Willow offered.
"Didn't last time either," Faith smiled at the shocked expressions on the faces of the two women she was sure never considered not participating in school, "And Hagrid said he's show me the Forbidden Forest this afternoon."
"Hagrid is kinda cool isn't he?" Willow pushed her plate away, "Last night he was going on about wanting a dragon, and how maybe his new assistant will bring one they can show the kids."
"Have you met the new assistant yet?" Fred asked, she had heard there would be another new teacher.
"No, Hagrid thinks he may arrive with the students, since his brother and sister both attend."
"Girls I'm ready whenever you are," Professor Mcgonagall said, poking her head into the room.
"Be right there," Willow turned to smile at her, "Ready?" She turned to Fred.
"See you later," Faith stood and followed them out the door, though she was heading down to Hagrid's hut.
********* Willow and Fred didn't see Faith again until they all met in their room that night. Transfiguration had gone well for Willow; at least, Fred hadn't been so lucky. Mcgonagall had told her not to worry about it, they hadn't been sure if she would be able to or not. Dumbledore's letter had said she might have some magical abilities but not enough to be a full witch. So she had spent a few hours watching as Willow turned many inanimate objects to various animals, having refused to even consider turning animals into other things.
Now gathered in their room having gotten ready for bed, they discussed their day more thoroughly; Faith had spent her morning wandering the castle, pointing out that she was glad for the slayer senses, which helped her to keep from getting lost. She had also had a run in with Peeves, who kept throwing things at her, saying he wanted to see how good slayer reflexes really were.
"Tell him you'll tell the Bloody Baron," Fred suggested when Faith had told them of her meeting with the poltergeist.
"Who?"
"Bloody Baron, he's the Slytherin Ghost," Fred explained, "Nearly Headless Nick told me that he's the only one that can control Peeves."
"So even though I'm a slayer I have to threaten this thing with a ghost?" Faith looked annoyed at the idea that there was something in the world she couldn't beat.
"Well, being a ghost makes it kind of hard to use your usual method of beating the hell out of anything that annoys you," Willow smiled, "Candy?"
"No thanks," Fred immediately replied, she had taken one of the beans last time not realizing that every flavor meant every flavor. She still wasn't sure what she had eaten but didn't want to chance it again.
Faith on the other hand, reached into the box and took one, spitting it out almost immediately, "What the hell, that tasted like pepper."
"Probably was, they say every flavor and Professor Sprout said they do mean every," Willow said smiling at the disgust on the slayer's face.
**********
The next few days passed quickly, Faith had decided to tag along to the lessons but didn't participate. They had all been bored to tears as they listened to Professor Binns, a ghost, lecture them on Wizard history.
They had almost laughed themselves silly, while Professor Trewalney made silly predictions about the three of them. Still insisting that Faith was in danger, and couldn't understand why the Slayer wasn't more concerned about this. She had also made several dire predictions about both Willow and Fred's futures. They weren't any more worried than Faith, after all, like Faith they tended to put their lives in danger on a regular bases.
Willow and Fred both enjoyed spending time with Professor Sprout learning the basics about Herbology. Fred in particular took to this class, since it didn't require her to perform any magic just learn the names, uses, and how to care for some plants.
All three of them loved spending a day with Hagrid. Who was equally as delighted to have someone to show his creatures to, that wouldn't run away or complain that they were too dangerous. It also gave them the chance to meet Hagrid's new assistant, Charlie Weasley. He had shown up the morning they were to meet with Hagrid.
Charlie had met them outside the hut, and introduced himself. Explaining that he had been working with dragons in Romania for the last several years, but had decided to come home at least temporarily. Working at Hogwarts, he would be able to keep an eye on his siblings and their friends who seemed to always find ways to work themselves into trouble.
**********
Then of course on Friday, the happiness of the week evaporated as Willow and Fred were getting ready to head to the dungeons to meet with Professor Snape who was to teach them about potions. They had managed to avoid him for most of the week, having to only see him at dinner, because Professor Mcgonagall said he had to eat with all the teachers or he wasn't eating at all. The house elves had enough to do preparing Monday's feast with out having to prepare special meals for him.
"You sure you don't mind if I blow this off?" Faith asked again as the other two were leaving their room.
"Its fine Faith," Willow assured her, "We don't want you killing the potions master before the term even starts."
Snape was waiting impatiently for them when the approached his classroom door. He stood tapping his foot and frowning when they approached giggling, as they had been discussing Charlie Weasley on the way down.
"You're late," He snapped.
"We are right on time," Willow glanced at her watch.
"Fine, follow me," He opened the door and immediately started lecturing them; "I assume you at least know the basic information about the ingredients. Or have you not bothered to read the book."
"You are talking to the two biggest geeks in the world okay," Willow, snapped back, "We have memorized that damn book."
He quickly fired several questions at each of them frowning when they knew the answers to each. He then tapped the board behind him and directions for several potions appeared.
"Fine you know the information; can you actually prepare the potions correctly then?" He handed them each a cauldron and watched while they began working.
After a few hours Willow had correctly prepared each of the five potions he had given them, Fred had managed three. Unhappy that he couldn't complain, since they hadn't actually expected Fred to do any, and Willow had made no mistakes at all he sent them away.
Willow and Fred sat in a classroom with a very small wizard, who was trying to teach them some simple charms. Willow was catching on quickly and had mastered each of the charms and wand movements Professor Flitwick had shown them. Fred was having a little more trouble.
Willow was now working on a summoning charm that she was sure would come in handy, while Flitwick continued to work on simpler charms with Fred. After several minutes of Willow consistently bringing objects from the shelf across the room to her, while watching Fred try to levitate a feather, he suggested she stop and quickly explained the spell to send objects away.
Willow started took several cushions from the corner and moved them effortlessly before using the new spell to send the objects she had taken from the shelves back one by one. When Fred had finally managed to float the feather and was able to light her wand without causing a fire, they took a break for lunch, before they had to find Professor Mcgonagall to learn some simple transfiguration spells.
Faith met them in the staff room where the teachers were having lunch instead of using the long great hall that was used when the students were present. She was already sitting at small table talking to Professor Trewaleny.
"Hey guys," Faith called out when she spotted Willow and Fred, "Guess what?"
"What?" Willow pulled out a chair and sat down on one side of the Slayer as Fred moved to sit next to the Professor.
"Sybil was just telling me she had a vision," Faith said smiling, "I'm gonna die young."
"No! Really?" Willow reached for a plate and took a sandwich and some potatoes, "'cause Slayer's usually have such a long life expectancy."
"Willow!" Fred tried to hold back her smile.
"Sorry, I'm Willow Rosenberg," She held out her hand to the woman across from her.
"Yes, well of course I knew that," Trewalney said softly, "I have to be going."
They watched her leave the table, before all three started giggling. Which was what they were doing when Snape walked in spotted the laughing women and turned to leave before they could talk to him.
"Careful if you stay too long around laughing you might be forced to have some fun," Willow called to him just before the door slammed shut.
"He really is kind of scary sometimes," Fred said picking up a sandwich.
"Not really," Willow set her drink on the table, "He kinda reminds me of Spike. He tries to act all mean and tough but I don't think he really is."
"I don't think he's tough, just an asshole," Faith laughed, "How are classes going, cause I gotta tell you I'm bored to death."
"Come with us," Fred suggested, "I'm sure Professor Mcgonagall won't mind."
"Didn't like regular school, don't want to spend more time in classes."
"Yeah, but you won't have to participate this time," Willow offered.
"Didn't last time either," Faith smiled at the shocked expressions on the faces of the two women she was sure never considered not participating in school, "And Hagrid said he's show me the Forbidden Forest this afternoon."
"Hagrid is kinda cool isn't he?" Willow pushed her plate away, "Last night he was going on about wanting a dragon, and how maybe his new assistant will bring one they can show the kids."
"Have you met the new assistant yet?" Fred asked, she had heard there would be another new teacher.
"No, Hagrid thinks he may arrive with the students, since his brother and sister both attend."
"Girls I'm ready whenever you are," Professor Mcgonagall said, poking her head into the room.
"Be right there," Willow turned to smile at her, "Ready?" She turned to Fred.
"See you later," Faith stood and followed them out the door, though she was heading down to Hagrid's hut.
********* Willow and Fred didn't see Faith again until they all met in their room that night. Transfiguration had gone well for Willow; at least, Fred hadn't been so lucky. Mcgonagall had told her not to worry about it, they hadn't been sure if she would be able to or not. Dumbledore's letter had said she might have some magical abilities but not enough to be a full witch. So she had spent a few hours watching as Willow turned many inanimate objects to various animals, having refused to even consider turning animals into other things.
Now gathered in their room having gotten ready for bed, they discussed their day more thoroughly; Faith had spent her morning wandering the castle, pointing out that she was glad for the slayer senses, which helped her to keep from getting lost. She had also had a run in with Peeves, who kept throwing things at her, saying he wanted to see how good slayer reflexes really were.
"Tell him you'll tell the Bloody Baron," Fred suggested when Faith had told them of her meeting with the poltergeist.
"Who?"
"Bloody Baron, he's the Slytherin Ghost," Fred explained, "Nearly Headless Nick told me that he's the only one that can control Peeves."
"So even though I'm a slayer I have to threaten this thing with a ghost?" Faith looked annoyed at the idea that there was something in the world she couldn't beat.
"Well, being a ghost makes it kind of hard to use your usual method of beating the hell out of anything that annoys you," Willow smiled, "Candy?"
"No thanks," Fred immediately replied, she had taken one of the beans last time not realizing that every flavor meant every flavor. She still wasn't sure what she had eaten but didn't want to chance it again.
Faith on the other hand, reached into the box and took one, spitting it out almost immediately, "What the hell, that tasted like pepper."
"Probably was, they say every flavor and Professor Sprout said they do mean every," Willow said smiling at the disgust on the slayer's face.
**********
The next few days passed quickly, Faith had decided to tag along to the lessons but didn't participate. They had all been bored to tears as they listened to Professor Binns, a ghost, lecture them on Wizard history.
They had almost laughed themselves silly, while Professor Trewalney made silly predictions about the three of them. Still insisting that Faith was in danger, and couldn't understand why the Slayer wasn't more concerned about this. She had also made several dire predictions about both Willow and Fred's futures. They weren't any more worried than Faith, after all, like Faith they tended to put their lives in danger on a regular bases.
Willow and Fred both enjoyed spending time with Professor Sprout learning the basics about Herbology. Fred in particular took to this class, since it didn't require her to perform any magic just learn the names, uses, and how to care for some plants.
All three of them loved spending a day with Hagrid. Who was equally as delighted to have someone to show his creatures to, that wouldn't run away or complain that they were too dangerous. It also gave them the chance to meet Hagrid's new assistant, Charlie Weasley. He had shown up the morning they were to meet with Hagrid.
Charlie had met them outside the hut, and introduced himself. Explaining that he had been working with dragons in Romania for the last several years, but had decided to come home at least temporarily. Working at Hogwarts, he would be able to keep an eye on his siblings and their friends who seemed to always find ways to work themselves into trouble.
**********
Then of course on Friday, the happiness of the week evaporated as Willow and Fred were getting ready to head to the dungeons to meet with Professor Snape who was to teach them about potions. They had managed to avoid him for most of the week, having to only see him at dinner, because Professor Mcgonagall said he had to eat with all the teachers or he wasn't eating at all. The house elves had enough to do preparing Monday's feast with out having to prepare special meals for him.
"You sure you don't mind if I blow this off?" Faith asked again as the other two were leaving their room.
"Its fine Faith," Willow assured her, "We don't want you killing the potions master before the term even starts."
Snape was waiting impatiently for them when the approached his classroom door. He stood tapping his foot and frowning when they approached giggling, as they had been discussing Charlie Weasley on the way down.
"You're late," He snapped.
"We are right on time," Willow glanced at her watch.
"Fine, follow me," He opened the door and immediately started lecturing them; "I assume you at least know the basic information about the ingredients. Or have you not bothered to read the book."
"You are talking to the two biggest geeks in the world okay," Willow, snapped back, "We have memorized that damn book."
He quickly fired several questions at each of them frowning when they knew the answers to each. He then tapped the board behind him and directions for several potions appeared.
"Fine you know the information; can you actually prepare the potions correctly then?" He handed them each a cauldron and watched while they began working.
After a few hours Willow had correctly prepared each of the five potions he had given them, Fred had managed three. Unhappy that he couldn't complain, since they hadn't actually expected Fred to do any, and Willow had made no mistakes at all he sent them away.