Chapter 3 : Necessity is the Mother of Invention

After that day's classes were over, Buffy walked through the corridors on her way to her chambers. They were situated near the Gryffindor Tower, but few people knew how to get there. Dumbledore told her a legend about a girl who slept for a hundred years in those chambers, until her true love came and kissed her. When that story sounded familiar to Buffy, Dumbledore explained her that one of the wizards, who knew about that legend, wrote a story about it in the world of Muggles. He called it "Sleeping Beauty". That's why at the entrance of the chambers there was a statue of a beautiful young girl. She told Buffy her name was Aurora.

Buffy came to the entrance and greeted Aurora.

"Rosa Espinosa," Buffy said the password. The statue made a bow, and the door opened.

Her rooms were the most beautiful place in the world, thought Buffy. There were three bedrooms, a large living room, and a very comfortable bathroom. She only used one of the bedrooms. It was decorated in gold and orange colours. Inside, there was a double bed, a desk with an armchair, a walk-in closet, and a corner to relax in. That was her favourite place in the chambers. It had lots of various sized cushions, all in warm tones. It could be separated from the rest of the bedroom by a golden curtain.

When Dumbledore first had first shown her the rooms, she had said it was too much for her. They hadn't been decorated at that point, and she had had no furniture. Then, with a wave of his hand, all the furniture had appeared, and it was just like in Buffy's dreams, all the things she had always wanted. Even the closet was full of clothes that were her style and size. Then she couldn't say no.

One of the remaining two bedrooms had been made into a training room. It had lots of space, and all the things Buffy needed to stay in shape. She could even fight something that looked like vampires, thanks to Dumbledore's spell. The other room was a spare room. She was told that her visitors could use that room. Not that she planned on having any.

That reminded her that she should probably let her friends know what was going on. But what should she say? "Hey guys, I'm working as a teacher for wizards?!"

Then she figured how to solve that problem.

"Dear Giles,

I'm okay, you don't have to worry. I went to see you, Willow, and Dawn in Devonshire a few weeks ago, but something happened that prevented me from coming. I am in England, in a place I'm not sure you've heard of. It's called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is situated in the world of wizards, as you might've guessed. I came in here accidentally, waiting for the train to take me to you. I won't write any more details, because I don't know if it is okay for me to write about it. I'm sure you will find something about it if you want to. The Headmaster of the school, a man named Albus Dumbledore, offered me a teaching position. And I accepted it. I have no idea delete how long I will be here. I'm still trying to figure it all out, and this is a really nice place. That's why I'm writing all this to you. Please, you can decide what you will tell Dawn and Willow about my whereabouts. I think that is better then me writing to them, because I don't know what to say. I'm leaving it all in your hands. You always knew what to do.

I'll write to you again if and when something important happens. I hope you are all doing fine. Give my hugs and kisses to Dawn and Willow.

With love,

Your Buffy"   

She sealed the envelope and then she realized she didn't know how to send it. Were there any post offices near?

A few minutes later she arrived at Dumbledore's office.

"I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something, but how do I send my letters? I don't think they go the same way as in my world," she said.

"Oh yes, I forgot to tell you about it. You send them by owl. You can find one in the owlery; one of the students can tell you where it is. The owls will know how to find the address, even if it is situated in your world. They'll even know how to find a person without the address," Dumbledore explained to her.

Half an hour later the owl was already on her way.

***

After the first few weeks, everything fell into a routine. Buffy's classes were going great; almost all the students loved them. Granted, some didn't like the different methods she used, but that was their tough luck.

Today she was having a double class with 7th year Ravenclaws. Her class was three times a week, and two of those times, it was a double period. In her double classes Buffy combined theory and practice, but it was mostly practice, because she taught theory in her singular class.

"Okay, everybody, good afternoon, and we're going to start right away. In pairs, please," said Buffy, getting up from her chair and taking her jacket off. The students were already in their training outfits, as Buffy had instructed them. They wore robes when they had theory, but for this they needed to be able to move freely.

"Today,  we will be working on defensive moves. First…" She trailed off when she saw a Hufflepuff student coming into the classroom.

"What's the matter, Ernie?" She was surprised, because usually nobody interrupted her class. She wondered what was all that about.

"Professor Dumbledore wants to see you, Professor Summers. He said you could dismiss the class, because it might take a while, and this is the last class of the day," said the boy.

Buffy turned to the Ravenclaws. They were already grinning, and she smiled too.

"Well, you heard what Ernie said. Class dismissed. Try not to cry too much."

Laughing, all the students were gone in two minutes. They didn't need to be told twice.

She had also said to Ernie he could go, and now she was taking her things, ready to go and see Dumbledore. He never called her during the classes. It probably had to be something or someone important.

'I only hope I'm not in trouble…'

 ***

Entering his office, Buffy saw Dumbledore talking with Snape. She was on neutral grounds with Snape. She didn't like him too much but didn't mess with him either. She tried not to be in conflict with any of the professors. Snape thought she was too young and not qualified for the job, so he had tried to intimidate her the first few times they met. She ignored him and showed him it didn't mean a thing to her, and after a while he had stopped. That's why Buffy was now confused. What was he doing here with Dumbledore?

"Good afternoon," she greeted both Dumbledore and Snape. The latter just snarled.

"Hello, Buffy. I'm sorry I interrupted your class, but this is an emergency," said Dumbledore, motioning for her to sit down.

"I know my request might look a bit unusual to you, but I hope you will do it. It is important for the Order," said Dumbledore. Seeing Buffy's confused look, he remembered something.

"I haven't told you about the Order of Phoenix yet? My, my, I must be getting old. You remember the things I told you about Lord Voldemort? Well, the Order of Phoenix is a secret society; it's the people who fought against Voldemort the last time and want to do it again. Of course, there are some additions, as we need younger people too. There is a prophecy concerning two more people who will be needed in the fight against Voldemort, and whose help will be crucial for the victory. Voldemort knows about that too, and he will do everything to get those two people on his side. I can't tell you their identities yet, nor can I tell you the prophecy. It isn't the time now. I have ordered something that we will need to get and keep these persons on our side. The problem is, we have to get it secretly. There is no way anyone can deliver it to us, so we have to go and get it. The friend who found it for me is having a ball tonight. There will be an opportunity to get the package. I'm sending Professor Snape, because he belongs to the Order, but he needs a date to get in."

"A date? What kind of ball is it anyway? There's no special occasion, is there? You can't think what I'm thinking…" Buffy said incredulously.

"My friend and her people are… a bit peculiar. Some of them are witches and wizards in their own way, but they live in your world. That's why I'm asking you to go with Severus. You will know how to behave there and I'm sure you will fit in, and he can get the package. Please, Miss Summers, this is of great importance."

'A date with Snape? That will be really fun! Oh boy… I'm doomed.' Thinking about all that, Buffy noticed Snape hadn't said a word since she had come in.

"What do you think, Professor Snape? I mean, you have to have a say in this. I doubt you like this idea anymore than I do," she said to him.

"No, I don't, you can be sure of that. As if I would desire to go to a ball, and with you of all people…." Hearing Dumbledore cough, he stopped himself. "However, my duty is to do what I can to help the Order. And I have no other choice than to accept it."

Buffy realized this was a very big thing for Snape to do, and it took a lot from him to agree. He had to swallow his pride, which was probably the hardest thing for him. But she was sure he wouldn't do anything more to make their evening together easier…

'Then, neither will I…' And a smile crept up her face.

Turning to Dumbledore again, she asked, "When do I have to be ready?"

***

TBC...

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