Chapter 3.
"13th Hour Meeting."
By OldScout.
The headmaster's office was hosting a teachers' meeting. The four heads of houses sat in an array of old Victorian style chairs, most with intricately carved wood work and red velvet padding. Professor Minerva McGonagall sat directly in front of Dumbledore in a fine old dark wood chair with a high straight back. To Minerva's right sat Professor Sprout on a wide old chair that resembled a pedestal with sweeping arms and no back then it did a chair. To Minerva's left sat Professor Flitwick on the front edge of an old "Lady's Sitting Chair". The chair's finely carved wood, low back and matching arms made the chair look dangerous for most full grown Wizards to sit in but Professor Flitwick's stature made the chair a perfect choice. Behind the three, Professor Snape sat sprawled out on a very uncomfortable looking wooden bench, usually reserved for students waiting for a meeting with the Headmaster.
Professor Dumbledore stared at Severus for a few moments hoping he'd join the rest of his fellow teachers but when the brooding man just glared back Dumbledore knew it was a battle he wouldn't win. "I apologize for the lateness of this get together, but I've been in meetings with Minister Fudge and a few others all morning." He looked the group over again.
"Headmaster," The matronly Professor Spout said. "It isn't late; it's the middle of the afternoon. The children will be arriving soon but there's plenty of time for that."
"Ah, but for the information I have to share, it is quite late." Dumbledore gave one of his patented 'Harmless Old Man' smiles to the senior professors.
"Oh, this can't be good." Snape grumbled.
"That remains to be seen, Severus." Dumbledore replied. "Now, where was I? Oh, yes. There are two young muggle ladies on the train coming to Hogwarts today."
"Muggles?" Professor Sprout asked shocked. "Why are muggles coming to Hogwarts?"
"This is the reason I was in meetings with Ministry this morning." Dumbledore admitted. "The younger is named Dawn Summers. She is almost eighteen and will be taking classes with the seventh year students."
"Why in the world is the Ministry doing something so stupid as to send two muggles to school her at Hogwarts?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Is this just another one of Fudge's attempts to undermine your authority and make you look bad?"
"Actually," Dumbledore admitted. "I kind of invited her."
"You what?" Severus snapped. "Why would you invite two muggle students to attend Hogwarts?"
"Actually, Miss Summers will be the only student. Miss Winifred Burkle will be here to look after Miss Summers and conduct some private research in our library."
"Still, Albus," Minerva asked quietly. "Why would you invite a muggle to attend school here?"
"Because Miss Summers's sister helps run an organization that does research into demons and other supernatural beings. The Ministry Of Magic is currently in negotiations with them to get access to their resources to help in the fight against Voldemort."
"The Ministry is going outside the Wizarding community for help against Him?" Professor Flitwick asked. "Oh, my, the situation must be worse than we thought."
"No, that's not true." Dumbledore corrected. "The opportunity to solicit this help presented itself and we pursued it." He held up his wand and cast a strong silencing charm on the room. "Now you have the official story." He said. "And that is all you're to discuss with anybody outside this room."
"The official story?" Minerva asked. "You mean there's more?"
"Remember that little false alarm intrusion at the ministry last month?" Everybody nodded. "Essentially that was caused by Miss Summers and Miss Burkle looking for Miss Summers's older sister and friends."
"How is that possible, you just said these young ladies were muggles?" Professor Flitwick asked.
"They activated an override charm left by a friend of theirs, a Miss Willow Rosenberg, who had also come searching for the elder Summers."
"So what's so all important about this sister that everybody was looking for her?" Snape asked.
"Remember the fight in Diagon Alley last month?" Dumbledore asked.
"Three Death Eaters were killed attacking an Auror." Minerva said. "But we never heard the full details. Some said a young muggle woman was taken into custody."
Dumbledore looked at Minerva waiting for her to connect the dots. "Oh my, your saying this was the sister they were looking for."
"Miss Buffy Summers to be exact." Dumbledore said. "And everybody involved was sworn to secrecy that is why no one has heard of this before now." He looked at Severus. "And I mean nobody.
"Miss Buffy Ann Summers is the Chosen One, The Vampire Slayer." Dumbledore continued.
"But the Slayer is a myth." Professor Sprout said. "Isn't it."
"The Slayer is quite real and SHE lived with her sister in the States in Sunnydale California until last year." He saw the looks on their faces the whole Wizarding world felt the events of that day though very few knew their significance. "And yes, Miss Buffy Summers with the help of Miss Rosenberg a very powerful Wiccan was responsible for what happened that day."
"They destroyed a town using magic?" Professor Sprout asked in disbelief.
"No, they apparently fought an army of super vampires called Turak Hon." Dumbledore replied. "And in order to help with the fight, Miss Rosenberg, acting on the Slayer's wishes, activated all of the potential slayers in the world, many of whom had already gathered in Sunnydale."
"Not possible." Severus stated. "Nobody is that powerful."
"Well," Dumbledore smiled. "As she said, it's a good thing nobody told her she couldn't do it."
"Then what happened to the town?" Minerva asked.
"They weren't real clear on that aspect. Apparently a charm they were given destroyed the army they were fighting, closed the hell mouth and in the process destroyed the town."
"So that still doesn't explain why these two muggles are coming to Hogwarts." Snape said.
"Miss Summers is reluctant to commit her resources to help or work with the Wizarding world." Dumbledore replied. "Her experience with the Ministry and other experiences with magic users has left a bad taste in her mouth."
"No wonder if she had to deal with Fudge." Snape said.
"Actually I think it was more along the lines of being attacked by five Death Eaters within hours of entering Diagon Alley that soured her on our world."
"So why are Miss Dawn Summers and Miss Winifred Burkle coming here again?" Professor Flitwick asked.
"Because I offered to let Buffy Summers come here to learn about the Wizarding world." Dumbledore replied. "But she couldn't get away. However, Dawn Summers was looking for a new school to finish off her last year before going to university." He looked at the professors. "Miss Dawn Summers is here to take glasses, finish her final year of school and report back to the Slayer's council what the Wizarding world is really like."
"And is this Miss Burkle her chaperone?" Minerva asked.
"Not exactly." Dumbledore replied. "We did not get a lot of information about who or what she is only that she is not what she will appear to be when she is here."
"What exactly does that mean?" Snape asked.
"Miss Burkle is an intelligent, lovely young woman with a gentle disposition and a top rate scientific mind." Dumbledore said. "But according to what we were told, Miss Burkle was killed when her body was infected, for lack of a better term, by another creature named Illyria." Dumbledore looked at the confused looks on the teachers around him. "For some reason, the Illyria creature has chosen Miss Dawn Summers as its guide as it learns to live in the human world. The Department of Mysteries has been attempting to research Illyria but has had very little luck. The current school of thought is that Illyria is from the muggle supernatural world not from the Wizarding supernatural world. It makes sense since the Slayer generally performs her duty in the muggle world."
"So what's so special about this Illyria creature?" Snape asked.
"I've seen Illyria change her appearance from the creature she is to the young lady named Winifred Burkle. Apparently, she can access all of Miss Burkle's memories and mannerisms sufficiently to fool even the young woman's parents."
"So what kind of creature is she?" Minerva asked. "Are the students in danger with her coming here?"
"She looks human, but different." Dumbledore tried to explain. "She is immune to magic, is extremely strong and apparently has a tendency for violence when agitated."
"And you're letting her come here?!" Snape stood up and approached the headmaster. "Have you lost your mind?"
Dumbledore looked up from his seat at Snape glowering above him and opened a jar. "Lemon drop?"
Snape frowned and backed away as Dumbledore offered the candy to the rest who politely refused. "It was the only choice. The slayers will be a great asset in the fight against Voldemort, but before we get the slayers we get Miss Dawn Summers and if we get Miss Dawn Summers, we get Illyria. They assure me that Dawn is able to control the creature and she will be on her best behavior."
"Which one?" Professor Flitwick asked.
"Which one what?"
"Which one will be on her best behavior?"
"Both I hope."
To be continued..............
"13th Hour Meeting."
By OldScout.
The headmaster's office was hosting a teachers' meeting. The four heads of houses sat in an array of old Victorian style chairs, most with intricately carved wood work and red velvet padding. Professor Minerva McGonagall sat directly in front of Dumbledore in a fine old dark wood chair with a high straight back. To Minerva's right sat Professor Sprout on a wide old chair that resembled a pedestal with sweeping arms and no back then it did a chair. To Minerva's left sat Professor Flitwick on the front edge of an old "Lady's Sitting Chair". The chair's finely carved wood, low back and matching arms made the chair look dangerous for most full grown Wizards to sit in but Professor Flitwick's stature made the chair a perfect choice. Behind the three, Professor Snape sat sprawled out on a very uncomfortable looking wooden bench, usually reserved for students waiting for a meeting with the Headmaster.
Professor Dumbledore stared at Severus for a few moments hoping he'd join the rest of his fellow teachers but when the brooding man just glared back Dumbledore knew it was a battle he wouldn't win. "I apologize for the lateness of this get together, but I've been in meetings with Minister Fudge and a few others all morning." He looked the group over again.
"Headmaster," The matronly Professor Spout said. "It isn't late; it's the middle of the afternoon. The children will be arriving soon but there's plenty of time for that."
"Ah, but for the information I have to share, it is quite late." Dumbledore gave one of his patented 'Harmless Old Man' smiles to the senior professors.
"Oh, this can't be good." Snape grumbled.
"That remains to be seen, Severus." Dumbledore replied. "Now, where was I? Oh, yes. There are two young muggle ladies on the train coming to Hogwarts today."
"Muggles?" Professor Sprout asked shocked. "Why are muggles coming to Hogwarts?"
"This is the reason I was in meetings with Ministry this morning." Dumbledore admitted. "The younger is named Dawn Summers. She is almost eighteen and will be taking classes with the seventh year students."
"Why in the world is the Ministry doing something so stupid as to send two muggles to school her at Hogwarts?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Is this just another one of Fudge's attempts to undermine your authority and make you look bad?"
"Actually," Dumbledore admitted. "I kind of invited her."
"You what?" Severus snapped. "Why would you invite two muggle students to attend Hogwarts?"
"Actually, Miss Summers will be the only student. Miss Winifred Burkle will be here to look after Miss Summers and conduct some private research in our library."
"Still, Albus," Minerva asked quietly. "Why would you invite a muggle to attend school here?"
"Because Miss Summers's sister helps run an organization that does research into demons and other supernatural beings. The Ministry Of Magic is currently in negotiations with them to get access to their resources to help in the fight against Voldemort."
"The Ministry is going outside the Wizarding community for help against Him?" Professor Flitwick asked. "Oh, my, the situation must be worse than we thought."
"No, that's not true." Dumbledore corrected. "The opportunity to solicit this help presented itself and we pursued it." He held up his wand and cast a strong silencing charm on the room. "Now you have the official story." He said. "And that is all you're to discuss with anybody outside this room."
"The official story?" Minerva asked. "You mean there's more?"
"Remember that little false alarm intrusion at the ministry last month?" Everybody nodded. "Essentially that was caused by Miss Summers and Miss Burkle looking for Miss Summers's older sister and friends."
"How is that possible, you just said these young ladies were muggles?" Professor Flitwick asked.
"They activated an override charm left by a friend of theirs, a Miss Willow Rosenberg, who had also come searching for the elder Summers."
"So what's so all important about this sister that everybody was looking for her?" Snape asked.
"Remember the fight in Diagon Alley last month?" Dumbledore asked.
"Three Death Eaters were killed attacking an Auror." Minerva said. "But we never heard the full details. Some said a young muggle woman was taken into custody."
Dumbledore looked at Minerva waiting for her to connect the dots. "Oh my, your saying this was the sister they were looking for."
"Miss Buffy Summers to be exact." Dumbledore said. "And everybody involved was sworn to secrecy that is why no one has heard of this before now." He looked at Severus. "And I mean nobody.
"Miss Buffy Ann Summers is the Chosen One, The Vampire Slayer." Dumbledore continued.
"But the Slayer is a myth." Professor Sprout said. "Isn't it."
"The Slayer is quite real and SHE lived with her sister in the States in Sunnydale California until last year." He saw the looks on their faces the whole Wizarding world felt the events of that day though very few knew their significance. "And yes, Miss Buffy Summers with the help of Miss Rosenberg a very powerful Wiccan was responsible for what happened that day."
"They destroyed a town using magic?" Professor Sprout asked in disbelief.
"No, they apparently fought an army of super vampires called Turak Hon." Dumbledore replied. "And in order to help with the fight, Miss Rosenberg, acting on the Slayer's wishes, activated all of the potential slayers in the world, many of whom had already gathered in Sunnydale."
"Not possible." Severus stated. "Nobody is that powerful."
"Well," Dumbledore smiled. "As she said, it's a good thing nobody told her she couldn't do it."
"Then what happened to the town?" Minerva asked.
"They weren't real clear on that aspect. Apparently a charm they were given destroyed the army they were fighting, closed the hell mouth and in the process destroyed the town."
"So that still doesn't explain why these two muggles are coming to Hogwarts." Snape said.
"Miss Summers is reluctant to commit her resources to help or work with the Wizarding world." Dumbledore replied. "Her experience with the Ministry and other experiences with magic users has left a bad taste in her mouth."
"No wonder if she had to deal with Fudge." Snape said.
"Actually I think it was more along the lines of being attacked by five Death Eaters within hours of entering Diagon Alley that soured her on our world."
"So why are Miss Dawn Summers and Miss Winifred Burkle coming here again?" Professor Flitwick asked.
"Because I offered to let Buffy Summers come here to learn about the Wizarding world." Dumbledore replied. "But she couldn't get away. However, Dawn Summers was looking for a new school to finish off her last year before going to university." He looked at the professors. "Miss Dawn Summers is here to take glasses, finish her final year of school and report back to the Slayer's council what the Wizarding world is really like."
"And is this Miss Burkle her chaperone?" Minerva asked.
"Not exactly." Dumbledore replied. "We did not get a lot of information about who or what she is only that she is not what she will appear to be when she is here."
"What exactly does that mean?" Snape asked.
"Miss Burkle is an intelligent, lovely young woman with a gentle disposition and a top rate scientific mind." Dumbledore said. "But according to what we were told, Miss Burkle was killed when her body was infected, for lack of a better term, by another creature named Illyria." Dumbledore looked at the confused looks on the teachers around him. "For some reason, the Illyria creature has chosen Miss Dawn Summers as its guide as it learns to live in the human world. The Department of Mysteries has been attempting to research Illyria but has had very little luck. The current school of thought is that Illyria is from the muggle supernatural world not from the Wizarding supernatural world. It makes sense since the Slayer generally performs her duty in the muggle world."
"So what's so special about this Illyria creature?" Snape asked.
"I've seen Illyria change her appearance from the creature she is to the young lady named Winifred Burkle. Apparently, she can access all of Miss Burkle's memories and mannerisms sufficiently to fool even the young woman's parents."
"So what kind of creature is she?" Minerva asked. "Are the students in danger with her coming here?"
"She looks human, but different." Dumbledore tried to explain. "She is immune to magic, is extremely strong and apparently has a tendency for violence when agitated."
"And you're letting her come here?!" Snape stood up and approached the headmaster. "Have you lost your mind?"
Dumbledore looked up from his seat at Snape glowering above him and opened a jar. "Lemon drop?"
Snape frowned and backed away as Dumbledore offered the candy to the rest who politely refused. "It was the only choice. The slayers will be a great asset in the fight against Voldemort, but before we get the slayers we get Miss Dawn Summers and if we get Miss Dawn Summers, we get Illyria. They assure me that Dawn is able to control the creature and she will be on her best behavior."
"Which one?" Professor Flitwick asked.
"Which one what?"
"Which one will be on her best behavior?"
"Both I hope."
To be continued..............