Chapter 13
The kids went off to class and we decided to treat ourselves to a little tour of the school, but on our way out we were cut off by a student who was out of breath.
"Good," he panted, "I caught ya." He took a couple of more breaths. "The Headmaster wants to speak you."
I held my hand to my chest. "Me, or all of us?"
He pointed to me. "Just you, ma'am. He said the red-headed visitor, name of Miss Willow. I'm supposed to take ya to his office."
What did the Professor want to see me for?
Xander laid his hand on my shoulder. "You okay with this, Wils?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I guess."
The messenger smiled and waved me to follow.
"I guess I'll see you guys later."
I looked back. Buffy didn't seem too pleased, but Faith was saying something to her that was just out of earshot. I was led around a few corners up a flight of stairs and down another long hall that ended at a door with a twin set of Gargoyles on either side. Their eyes slid to stare at me and the door opened a crack.
"The Headmaster said to go right in. He will be with you shortly."
"Thanks." I entered the office and took a seat in front of his desk.
From the look of the place he was probably the worlds messiest Headmaster. Well, I guess messy wasn't the proper word. Packratiness would be better. The walls were covered with old books, portraits of old men and women ... moving by the way. There was a nice cherry-wood table with many metal test tubes sitting in a carousel and...
"Ah, Willow. Good of you to meet me on such short notice."
I made to stand up but he stopped me with a wave of his hand.
"Please, keep your seat and be comfortable"
He circled his desk and sat. It wasn't until he set a large dusty book on the desk that I noticed he had been carrying it.
"I suppose you are wondering why I asked you here and not your companions."
I nodded. "Yes sir."
"After perusing the interesting books your friend, Faith provided for me and the little talk I had with Miss Granger, I thought we should speak and also I might have a request of you."
Now I was even more interested in what he wanted. "Sure."
He smiled and lowered his head a bit to let his eyes slip over his half-moon glasses. "Miss Granger says you are a witch. Is this true?"
I nodded.
"And is it also true you have never studied at any school of magic."
I nodded. "Self-taught, mostly."
"And you have spent most of the last seven years as a type of Auror."
Didn't know that one. "What an Auror?"
His lips set in thought. "An Auror is a person that works for the Ministry of Magic. His job for lack of a better definition is an enforcer. Among other duties, he would track and capture dark wizards and witches."
I shrugged. "Well I've fought a witch or two, but mostly I help Buffy fight demons and vampires."
He nodded. "Miss Granger also noted that you had a bit of a brush with he dark arts as well a few years ago."
My face immediately burned. "That's personal."
His eyes turned from their soft blue to a steel color in the span of seconds. "Of course it is, Willow. However considering my position here at Hogwarts, I would be remiss in my duties if I thought any of my students were in danger."
The thing was I understood and couldn't find any reason not to at least give him some information.
"My ... mate ... was killed and I took revenge. I did some stupid and unforgivable things afterwards, but I have put that part of my life behind me and have tried to make up for it ever since."
"I see," he remarked somberly.
I think he needed a little more reassurance. "Something that Hermione might have left out, only because she didn't witness it, was the closing of the Hellmouth."
His eyes perked back up. "Yes she mentioned the place of mystical convergence, a Hellmouth you say?"
I nodded. "Buffy discovered a scythe that had been made by the same people who had created the original Slayer. It had contained ancient white magic that I used to activate all of the Slayers across the world." His face generated a subdued look of surprise. "Well, in doing the rite I have had that same magic inside of me. White magic. The darkness had been ... um ... cast out, I guess. So see ... nothing to worry about. White witch here."
He looked down at the book he had brought in and turned it around so that I could see. "Then I believe this belongs to you."
My brows furrowed and I scooted closer to take a better look. The title struck me as odd considering the conversation we just had.
"Castings of the White Witch and Other Improbable Things."
