Yay, I finally got round to completing this part, the beginning has been sitting on my computer for months so big apologies for the lateness.
Part 6
Spike looked at Willow with a mixture of curiosity and worry on his features when he heard that the letter was from Voldemort. Willow looked at him, her eyes holding a warning as she nodded slightly in Hagrids direction, obviously not wanting to talk about her father in front of him. Spike nodded his acceptance but his eyes also held the promise that they'd be talking about this later.
Hagrid seemed to sense her reluctance to say anymore on the subject and immediately began bombarding her with questions about what he thought was a much more interesting subject, the fact that she could talk to magical birds. This conversation filled the rest of the journey to Hogwarts but came to an abrupt end as Willows attention was stolen by the sight of the very impressive castle.
She stepped into the cool night air very much in awe of the building in front of her, not only did it look like something out of Disney, it practically sang with magical energy - on second thoughts it was more of a hum, she really couldn't imagine something as old and majestic bursting into song, yeah, definitely more of a dignified hum, maybe a hymn or a Celtic ballad or...-
Willow was abruptly pulled out of her mental babble by an old guy in desperate need of a shave walking down the entrance steps to greet them.
'I would like to welcome you both to Hogwarts,' the old man grinned broadly before continuing, 'however I have to admit that I am at a loss for what to call you.' He looked at Spike as he said, 'what would you prefer, William the Bloody, Mr. Bloody or is it just plain Spike.'
Willow smothered a giggle as Spike gave a low growl at the option of 'Mr. Bloody', 'Spikes just fine mate.' He held his hand towards the bearded man, 'and you are?' she had to admit she was impressed, spike was actually being quite polite, even if he did sound like he was forcing the words out through clenched teeth.
'I'm sorry, how rude of me, I'm Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster,' he shook both their hands vigorously, 'if you want to come and get settled in. I have had a sort of apartment arrangement prepared for you, with two bedrooms and a sitting room, I hope you will excuse the liberty but I thought you might feel more comfortable together.' All the while he was saying this, his eyes had a certain glint that gave the impression that he at least had a clue about their budding relationship.
They followed him as he lead the way into the school, 'Wow, this is pretty cool.' Willow stared at the painting on the walls with the people moving in them. The entire castle pulsed with magic, the power flowing around her, just begging to be used. It was so tempting just to reach out and make something happen, and she could, no one would judge her here. They wouldn't accuse her of using too much magic, magic was used for everything, the lights, the paintings event the ceiling, she was free to do what she wanted as long as it didn't hurt anyone.
She wasn't too sure it was entirely sensible of Dumbledore allowing her to shape young minds but at least she could make it a little more fun for them to learn and she was definitely qualified, few people knew more about the dark-side than she did. She giggled at the thought and Spike turned around to look at her questioningly, 'it's nothing, I was just thinking that I'm fighting against the dark-side, I'm like Yoda.'
She bust into a fresh bout of laughter, while Spike just smirked in amusement, wondering that this giggling woman was among the most feared being on this planet at one point. Looking at her now, no one would guess what she was capable of and he supposed that was what she wanted. He knew that she was not as innocent as she pretended to be, it was part of his attraction to her, she was known to have some rather evil tendencies but she still managed to keep a kind of childlike fun about her. That and she could work the whole innocence routine like no one he had ever met, she could wrap people around her finger practically no effort what so ever. It was as though she had spent so many years being used by other people and now she was paying it back with interest.
He was so proud of her.
Dumbledore led them through the stone corridors and up stairs to a portrait on the third floor. Willow and Spike looked at him expectantly as he began to speak to the occupants, a man with a sword and a large feathered hat and a woman dressed in a very low-cut peasant's outfit. 'Now Rose,' he began in a stern voice, 'go back to your own painting, I must talk to Monsieur Aramis alone, you may come back later when I am gone.' He winked at Aramis as the woman wandered away through the neighboring paintings, 'Now Aramis, these are Spike and Willow, they will be staying in this suite.' He turned to the couple, 'if you choose a password, Aramis will only allow people to enter who know it, and I suggest you change it every week or so. Our students have been known to be quite nosy and inquisitive to say the least, and you don't want to return to your rooms to find them full of stink bombs do you.' He said all this with a twinkle in his eye that showed he was quite proud of his students and their enterprising schemes.
The entered their rooms and found a living area with a fireplace, a few bookshelves and some really comfy looking armchairs.
Willow opened the door closest to her and found a large bedroom with an old fashioned bed up against the far wall, there was all the usual things, a wardrobe etc and a really cute little desk in the corner.
Having satisfied her curiosity she walked back out and through the next door where she found Spike with his back to her making a loud screeching sound as he stood in front of a full length mirror.
'Hello, oh excuse me,' Willow did a double take as she realized that the voice was coming from the mirror.
'Um…hi.' Willow waved vaguely in the direction of the mirror. She grinned as Spike suddenly became quiet and turned towards her smoothing imaginary creases out of his clothes and looking embarrassed.
'Could you be a dear and tell me where that awful noise was coming from, it gave me quite a fright.' The mirror had an old lady voice that shook slightly as though recovering from a shock.
'Yeah, I have to admit, I'm curious about that noise too, Spike do you want to explain?' She was pretty sure that if it were possible Spike would have blushed.
'She can't see me.' the words were mumbled but Willow heard him, 'I picked up a book when I came in, she thought it was floating, it was funny, I just got a bit carried away is all.' He struggled to regain his normal, confident attitude after being caught doing something so childish.
Willow thought for a moment, 'it makes sense I suppose since you don't have a reflection.'
'Who are you talking to dear?' the mirror chimed in again her tone of voice clearly showing that she was beginning to doubt the sanity of the girl standing talking to thin air.
'There is a vampire in the room, I think you can't see him because he has the whole no reflection thing going on.' Willow was silent for a second before adding, 'how the hell do you shave?'
'Carefully.' Was the only answer Spike gave, 'look luv, I don't suppose you could forget you saw that.' Willow just looked at him, 'No didn't think so.'
They moved to leave the room but halted at the door as the mirror added, 'Do you really think it's wise to have a vampire in your rooms dear, I hear they are quite unsanitary.'
Spike pushed her out of the room and slammed the door behind them, striding over to the third door in an effort to get away from Willow who had collapsed laughing into one of the chairs in the living area.
'Wow pet, you gotta see this,' Spike spoke loudly over her laughter.
She dragged herself off the chair and toward Spike, her laughter stopping as she took in the wonder before her. 'That bath's olympic sized,' was all she could manage to say.
'I know luv,' the familiar smirk took over Spikes features as he made an obvious show of looking her over, 'imagine the possibilities.'
If he had expected her to blush he was disappointed, Willow leered right back at him, 'oh believe me, I am.'
When the knock came on their door an hour later Willow emerged from their rooms with her hair still dripping.
'I'm sorry to intrude on you while you're settling in but I thought I should introduce myself. I'm Professor Flitwick, Albus asked me to aid you in the use of your wand since it is entirely new to you. I thought perhaps we could arrange a time for us to meet that would be suitable for you, I know you will be very busy during the remainder of the holidays.'
'It's nice to meet you,' she shook his hand and smiled warmly, 'I'm so sorry I'm dripping all over you, I just got out of the bath. Would you like to come in?'
They entered the room and sat down, 'I have to admit I'm glad you're here, I have been looking to pick some ones brains all day. You don't mind if I ask you a few questions do you.' On seeing his nod she continued, 'I was wondering what kind of dangers the students are likely to come up against in their lives, I mean are we talking vamps or demons or are evil wizards the biggest problem?'
Willow's "few questions" kept them occupied well past dark and only stopped when Spike interrupted to complain that he was hungry and Flitwick got a kind of nervous jumpy look as he hurriedly excused himself. It appeared that not all of the Hogwarts staff were entirely comfortable with having a vampire on the premises.
'So luv, what are your plans for the rest of the night,' Spike picked her up off the chair and sat her back down again, this time on his lap.
'Well, I was actually thinking about visiting my dear old dad, its not nice to just ignore family. I thought I could maybe spy, make life a little uncomfortable, maybe torture and kill him, I really don't know, I'm just going to go with the flow, see what happens.' Willow looked at him with an evil smirk on her face as her eyes darkened with power.
'I was thinking more along the lines of us going for another bath,' he ran his hands up her arms suggestively, 'But I suppose I could go for a little murder and mayhem, count me in.'
End part 6
Dragonmage
