Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work, its just an afternoon in the playgrounds of others
Chapter 29 - Field Trip Part Four -- San Francisco Witches
Rowan readied the teenagers for the port key. When asked why they didn't just shimmer, she told them that the portkeys were how the Ministry was keeping track of them, so they had to use them often enough for everyone to make the Ministry think they knew where they were at all times. With that explanation, the portkey from Sunnydale to San Francisco was activated at 8:01 AM. They arrived in the front yard of a beautiful old Victorian style home. The rich red colors shone brightly in the morning sun. The stained glass windows and front doors reflected beautifully as Rowan knocked on the door. Professor Snape stood behind her, barely concealing his excitement.
The large door was opened by a petite brunette woman holding a baby. He giggled and grinned at Rowan. Although they had never met, their grandmothers were correspondents on a regular basis and the families knew one another's name. Rowan had met their mother once, many years before. The witches were several years older than Mason and Madison though, and had never met.
It was Piper who had opened the door wide and let everyone in to the living room. Ginny noted that the stained glass was even more beautiful from the inside than outside.
Phoebe, dressed in a very low cut pink shirt and low rise white pants ran down the front steps when Piper called for her and Paige. Rowan pulled Piper aside and asked about Pru, but was not given an answer. Introductions around led everyone into the Kitchen. This was the heart of the Halliwell home. The potions were brewed here, as well as two large cabinets which served as potion ingredients. Professor Snape was almost giddy with delight at finally meeting these women, of course, he hid it well behind his usual smirk of indifference.
Paige brought down the Book of Shadows as a reference guide for demons. The teenagers were allowed to look through this book, but Paige, Phoebe, or Piper had to turn its pages. The reference material inside was priceless. Hermione wondered if she might get a copy of some of the potions. After much discussion, it was agreed that she could. Professor Snape kept whispering in Hermione's ear about which potionshe would like a copy.
Lunch brought Leo, Piper's husband, into the mix. He was greeted with a warm kiss from his wife and held his son close. The stocky blonde's happiness was infectious. The mixtures on the stove each had to simmer. And they all moved into the dining room to talk for a bit about Voldemort and the demons that the sisters had fought. Harry was the first to speak. "We just met Buffy Summers, she's the Vampire Slayer, but she tends to fight demons physically, but I think that's because she is on the Hellmouth. Why do you have such a concentration up here?"
Paige answered, "Oh well, they seek us out. It's a destiny thing, ya' know?"
Harry snorted and nodded his head as Piper continued, "As the Charmed Ones, we have powers that the Demons either don't understand or want. It's pretty a regular thing for them to try to kill or maim one of us…my oldest son, Wyatt, has special powers that no one really understands yet."
Page interrupted her, "Did you know we talked about naming Wyatt 'Potter'?" They shook their heads no but were a bit confused by the abrupt change of topic, she continued "but they decided to use Leo's last name instead."
Piper rolled her eyes. "Paige, slow down…Don't be offended Harry. Wyatt was the first male ever born in our family. It made since to change the name from a 'P' name."
They watched the two women speaking as though there were a tennis match going on. Phoebe joined the quick speaking women, "Speaking of Wyatt… we hada couple of bounty hunters and demons who thought they needed Wyatt's power more than he did. We actually talked about binding them at one time, but his defensive shields have saved him more times than we have. If we bound his powers he would be defenseless. Chris here," she indicated the baby in Piper's arms, "hasn't shown any kind of shield yet, but we know he's special too, because we have met him as an adult." The shocked faces before her did not prompt her to give more information.
Madison nodded. "You know, Mom's powers were bound for about fifteen years. This summer, Harry was kidnapped and mom was the one that could find him, but not unless her powers were released. But man, when they were released she was uber-mommy. She could even shimmer in an out of Hogwarts for the first few hours. It was quite cool to hear what she was like." Rowan was relieved when no one asked why she had her powers bound.
"She could sense me miles away" Harry added, looking at the stunned witches. "She's my God-mother and we were magically bound when she accepted that role. Since she was the only one with the connection, even though it was fifteen years since she had felt it, it was strong. It made a huge difference in her desire to find me." He was matter of fact, but Rowan noticed there was some emotion connected to his body language as he spoke.
Mason, who hadn't said anything yet, finally interjected, "Our powers were just recently unbound, but it had started on its own before the actual incantation thing. The Headmaster actually got all of us to share it. That way our powers wouldn't be as strong when they were released. The others kinda absorbed the excess."
"The point of the random information you just received is that you really shouldn't bind his powers unless you absolutely have to." Draco finished for them.
Leo told them that they had definitely decided not to bind his powers. Hermione asked the question she had been pondering since meeting the young wizard. "Will he go to Hogwart's? Or somewhere else for his magical education."
They had spent many hours at the magic school but no one was certain. "We don't really know. Dumbledore contacted us when he was first born, to extend the invitation but the other magic school we have been in contact with allows children much younger to attend. It's just a question of how strong his powers are when he gets old enough and how much control he has."
"Harry, if you don't defeat Voldemort, maybe Wyatt will." Draco said. Every set of eyes, including Wyatt's were on him. He realized he said something wrong, but did not understand what it was.
"Draco, if Harry doesn't defeat Voldemort, he dies." Ginny said with an controlled voice. "Don't count on Harry's defeat just yet. Voldemort would know if there was another wizard who would be in line after Harry and he would have already made the effort to prevent him from growing up." Draco uncharacteristically apologized for his lack of knowledge.
"Dumbledore believes that Voldemort is getting stronger. He is contact with some of the viler, is that a word?" he paused for a moment before cracking a smile. "The more vile demon realms. The problem he will run into is loyalty; they will only assist him as long as it suits them. There is no way to tell what he has had to promise in order to get them involved with this 'showdown'," Snape added, "I… am here to solicit your support of Dumbledore and Potter. You have much to teach him and his… team… the subtle art of vanquishing a…. Bad guy." He chose his words carefully.
Piper, Phoebe and Paige looked from one to another, having heard the edge to his voice. Paige spoke first, "Leo says that the Elders have talked of you often, but have never indicated that they are willing to assist or interfere."
"The… Elders?" Harry asked.
"They are the ones in charge." Leo said.
"Hate to break it to you Leo, but they aren't doing a good job of it." Harry snorted. Rowan wondered for a moment if they were actually God or just higher beings. She decided she would write a long letter later and ask her opinion.
Ron hadn't said anything throughout the exchange. He was watching the three witches, toddler, who was supposed to be stronger than anyone else, baby, and the White-Lighter sit around the table and talk about demons and elders and powers. He couldn't quite wrap his mind around the fact that he was sitting with the 'Charmed Ones'. They were fables, legends, something about which Luna's dad would write. He watched the continued exchange between his friends and the women throughout the hour of conversation, which was only interrupted by the buzzer for the potion to be checked.
Once the restoration potion was secured in a small bottle, they had to go. The potion would help with any type of spell damage that could happen outside of the Avada Kedavra spell, to prevent the full extent of the hex to be felt. Thanks were said, potion recipes were tucked in backpacks, and hugs given. Just before they left, Piper approached Rowan.
"When the time comes for either education or battle, let us know. Call Leo or Paige. They will hear you and bring us to you. If things get too rough in England, you have a sanctuary here. Don't hesitate to come back. We can also all meet you at the Magic School or Hogwart's if needed. Just so you know, with or without the Elder's approval, we will help you." And with that promise, the port key activated and deposited them just outside of New York City, in a large estate.
