Disclaimer: All things Ats, BtVS, and Harry Potter belong to their respective owners, Joss Whedon and JK Rowling. However, the plot is mine as far as I can tell, so please ask if you want to use it.
Author's Note: Everybody be patient the story is coming up, but I have to do a couple of shout outs first.
Secondly, to rcaqua, who reviewed twice, just to beg for an update, as well as mentioned me in her story for the same reason. I was honored, and it is because of her that I put the peddle to the meddle, overcame my writer's block and got this chapter to you all. So thank you rcaqua. Also, you should all go read her story "Once Upon A Time," because it's absolutely wonderful.
Also, to answer a quick question that was already asked once and will probably be asked again. Harry knows everything (except for a few anecdotes that weren't essential to the story) about Cordelia except the stuff involving Jasmine and Connor, and the fact that she's dead. Dumbledore knows only what Doyle told him, so pretty much nothing. Now, on with the story (finally)!
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Late One Night
Dumbledore sat alone in his office thinking about the next day, the day Harry Potter, Ron and Ginny Weasley, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, and, perhaps most importantly, Cordelia Chase were set to arrive at Hogwarts, one month before the beginning of the school year.
Despite the fact that he knew he had to do it, HAD to find out the truth about this young woman if he wanted to keep Harry safe, he still felt enormously guilty about what he had in store for her. He certainly wouldn't want to be put through what he had planned for her. However, if she passed his first test, as he desperately hoped she would, there would be no need for the more extreme measures he had planned.
"Professor? You've been staring at your hands ever since I asked why you called me back to school a month early."
Dumbledore jumped in surprise; he had forgotten he was not alone. With a weak smile at the man sitting opposite him he began to speak. "So sorry, Severus. I did not mean to let my mind wander. I'll explain now, shall I?" At the younger man's curt nod he continued. "Very well. I am concerned about Ms. Chase's connection to Harry Potter. I have decided that I was far too quick in accepting her story. And such a story it was," he added quietly to himself.
Severus snorted. "Well, I'm certainly not going to argue with you about that. I told you the moment you returned from the muggles' that you had made a mistake, and you refused to listen. However, I don't understand what that dreadful girl could possibly have to do with me."
"It's quite simple really. I feel the young woman's story needs to be checked, however, the only way I can think of doing it involves asking her directly, and I suspect that will not go well. Therefore, I will need to be a bit sneaky. As such, I may have need of your . . . skills."
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The Next Day
"Welcome back my dears. And welcome for the first time, Ms. Chase. Now, I am sure you are all wondering why I have called you back to school a month early, and I shall explain, after you have all had a chance to settle in. First though, I would like to sort Ms. Chase."
Harry was the first to recover use of his tongue. "Um, why?"
Dumbledore chuckled, "Well, most importantly, to know where to set her room up for the school year, although for now she will be in Gryffindor Tower with the rest of you. Yes, you as well Miss Lovegood. You did not really think I would exile you to spend an entire month alone did you? Not when your friends are here. Besides, I will need to know which house to schedule Ms. Chase's classes with once the term begins."
"Classes? But I'm not a witch."
"Are you certain? There must be a reason the er, 'Powers' chose to assign you in particular to Harry. Perhaps we are meant to help you develop some sort of dormant talent. If the hat is able to sort you, then I will find someone to escort you to Diagon Alley tomorrow to aid in the purchasing of a wand. Besides, if you do not attend classes, what are you going to do with all of your time?" Dumbledore asked with a smile. "Not to mention knowing what house you are put in will help me to know if I can trust you," he added in his head.
Cordelia stared at him for a long moment, unable to keep the suspicion completely from her gaze. "Fine. I'll put on the hat. What if it won't sort me though? Does that mean I'm not magical? What will I do with my time then?"
"Hmm. Well, that will be problematic. However, you must be magical somehow, or at least have been exposed to it, or else you would not be able to get through the barrier at the train station or even see Hogwarts. As for classes, there are many you can take part in even if you are not a witch and have no wand. For example, if you are going to be caring for Harry, learning about the creatures in Defense Against the Dark Arts would be beneficial. Besides, most of the classes we offer require little to no magical ability. You could take History of Magic, Potions, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Astronomy, Divination."
Cordelia snorted. "Humph. As if I'm actually going to learn about 'foreseeing the future' from that old bat you call a teacher."
Dumbledore tried to conceal his initial urge to laugh with a cough and a raised eyebrow. "You do not believe in seers, my dear?"
"Oh, I totally believe in them. But if that woman is a seer, then I'm Gunn's grandmother."
"Er, right. Well, I would imagine that you are all tired, so let's get you sorted Ms. Chase, then you may all be off to the dorms."
Dumbledore stood and placed the hat in Cordelia's hands. He sat down and waited for her to be sorted, however, to his shock, the hat had only barely touched her head before it made its discussion.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The entire room sat in shocked silence, with the Headmaster the most shocked of them all. In all of his years at Hogwarts, the hat had never, NEVER, made a decision that quickly. That could only mean one thing: Cordelia was a true Gryffindor.
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In Gryffindor Tower
"That was bloody brilliant! I wonder what the hat saw that made it decide so quickly? Do you know, Cordelia?" Ron asked, a big grin on his face.
Cordelia did not answer him though. Instead of talking to her, like Harry had told her that it did with him, Cordelia had seen flashes of her past. Specifically, she had seen her first and final kiss with Doyle, right before she died. Her brief kiss with Angel and her demonization on her birthday. Her ascension to the higher plane. Her final kiss with Angel before SHE died. What in the HELL was going on?
"Cordelia? Do you know what made the hat put you in Gryffindor?" Ron asked again.
Cordelia shook herself out of her dazed state and gave a weak smile to the teens surrounding her. "No. Um, I'm gonna go for a walk. Try to let this all sink in. See you guys later."
Harry shared a look with Ron and Hermione, clearly confused. "Okay. Do you. . .want me to go with you?"
"What? Oh, no. I'll be fine. Catch up with your friends." And then before anyone could protest she had disappeared out the portrait hole.
"Harry, mate, that is one odd bird you've hooked up with," Ron said, causing everyone to laugh.
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Dumbledore's Office
"Well? Did the spell work? Were you able to hear the conversation? Or are you still going to need me for your insane plan?" Snape asked.
"It worked. I think."
"Well, thank Merlin. I was not looking forward to fighting with her. What did you hear?"
"Nothing. It didn't say anything. It just showed her some pictures. There was a lot of kissing. She was glowing in one, and then in another she looked like she was in an enormous amount of pain. And I am more confused about Cordelia Chase than ever," Dumbledore answered, a far away look in her eyes.
"So you will still need me then?" Snape asked. "Oh, joy."
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"Well, THAT went splendidly. Really. Great job, Doyle."
"Shut up, Calendar. I'm trying to figure out how to fix this," Doyle said, banging his head on a white table that sat in front of a television with a blank screen.
"You CAN'T fix it! That would be the point of the sarcasm. You screwed up big time," she yelled at him.
"Oh, come on. How was I supposed to know he would put a spell on the stupid hat? I don't know EVERYTHING. Only the PTB's know everything. And they did not choose to share this tidbit with little ol' us."
"Us nothing! I had NOTHING to do with this. It was all you, you and your 'great love' that you can't get over, even after almost five frickin' years."
"Oh, please. You're not over yours either, and it's been even longer," he answered, giving her with a mischievous grin.
"That's not the point. The point is, if you keep helping her out, not only is she going to figure it out before Sirius does, but Dumbledore's going to figure it out before SHE does."
"Oh, please. Give me a little credit. That is not going to happen. We'll fix it. Like I always say, 'Doyle and Jenny: What can't they face if they're together?"
"Don't try to Sweet-talk me."
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Wow! Can you believe it? I updated. Yea!
Major thanks to my reviewers. I promise to treat you better from now on, and get the next chapter out way sooner. Really. Promise. And before you rip my head off about going all cliche and giving Cordy a wand, wait and see what happens. Thanks to: rcaqua (times 2), Blue Skywalker, Eternal Dragon 101, blackwolfs900, Canadian Coco Chick (times 2), Story Book, sired-by-spike, Ridea, Fawna, Wickedmoemoe, Tap Dancing Widow, gabrieldarke, SunflowerLynx (times 2), and willow starshine.