Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.

Chapter 38 -- Beginning of Private Lessons

The First Test

The next morning, each teenager was awakened at 8:00 AM by a very determined house elf. The kids were told to get dressed and be ready to go shopping as soon as breakfast was ready. When they entered the dining hall, showered, and dressed, they were met by Rowan, Molly, Remus, and Tonks.

Mason and Madison ran to their mom. She hugged them gratefully and after pulling away she met their eyes. Looking deep, the kids saw the fierce determination in her eyes to be strong and get through this. For the first time, Mason understood that what Snape had said was true. Make-up, or maybe even a glamour, hid her bruises from fight from just before New Year's Eve, but the eyes said her wounds went much deeper. After breakfast, the group used a port key to go to Muggle London. Rowan would not willingly return to Diagon Alley.

They entered Harrods, knowing that everything they needed would be there. "Get whatever you will need for running and working out. Remember that you will be running in the snow and later in the heat. Get what you need, but don't take too long please." The children went to the sporting goods section and began trying on shoes. "Molly would you and Remus go get everything on this list? Tonks, would you please get this list? They are magical items we will need for the term."

Everyone left Rowan to do as she asked. She walked slowly to the Women's department and purchased clothes to fit her smaller frame. Shoes were next and she met the children there. "Madison? Don't forget sports bras." Madison rolled her eyes at the grin on Rowan's face.

By the time everyone had gotten everything they could think of, Molly and Remus were making their way back over to the group. Purchases were paid and Rowan asked Molly and Remus to assist Tonks in Diagon Alley, assuring the other adults that they would be fine in returning to the Estate without escort. There were a lot of bags to carry, but only as far as the outside of the store, where they turned a corner into an alleyway. Hermione and Ginny once again put the purchases in the bags on their Charm Bracelets. Draco made a mental note when Madison commented that she wanted one of those.

They all walked back into the morning sun and proceeded to shop all day. Groceries, exercise equipment, linens, were purchased. They were about to step onto a Double-Decker bus when they heard shouting up the street. Rowan nodded to the kids, who left her as they ran as fast as they could to the commotion.

Wands drawn, they came upon no less than ten dark cloaked figures in the street shouting hexes at the helpless people. Several trolleys lay on their side. Cars were upturned and the buildings closest were scorched.

Harry flung his arms out as the others caught up to him and viewed the scene; turning to Ron he said, "We need to help those people." Ron nodded.

Draco asked "WHAT? How? Those are DEATH EATERS Harry. Have you lost your mind? We NEED to leave."

Madison looked at him before coldly telling him to "Go then. We don't need you." He was hurt by the coldness in her eyes but chose to stay. Each of the trained teenagers took on one or two of the cloaked figures. Madison and Mason both using Muggle style fighting as opposed to magic. The battle was in full swing when the Aurors arrived behind the Death Eaters. Each of them were stunned and taken into custody. Tonks waved at Harry. The kids retreated to let the Aurors do their jobs.

Rowan waited for them up the street a little, motioning for them to come quickly to her. They each wrapped a hand around the long red ribbon offered them. "Portus" Rowan muttered as the familiar pulling began behind the navel of each of them.

Arriving at the Cowan Estate, the packages were removed from the charm bracelets and deposited in the middle of the floor of the living room. Once completed, Harry turned to Draco, taking a deep breath, he eyed his former school rival with questions behind the green eyes. "I am glad you stayed with us, but I want to know, right now, what your choice is. I will not be forced to work with you for another six months to find out that you are going to share our knowledge with people who will blow up innocent people."

Draco met his eyes. "I have been a part of this little exclusive group for less than three months. You can't expect the lessons of a lifetime to be wiped away in that time. Merlin, I was reared by Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy." The words dripped not of sarcasm but of honesty and exasperation.

Madison said nothing, but walked away. Ginny and Hermione followed her to leave the boys were left to their discussion. Ron walked and met Draco nose to nose. "I need to be able to depend on you Draco. I need to know that you understand that at some point, we will be the ones who put that bastard out of commission. If you aren't part of us, then you should leave now."

Ron was shoved out of the way by the large American. "You should understand this part: I will kick your ass if I ever have to question where your loyalties lie. I will never be put in that situation. I won't have Madison hurt by your indecision. Either you are in or you are damned well OUT."

Harry reached between the blonde's shoulder and the red-head's shoulders, separating the two. "Make a choice Draco - what will you do?"

Draco met their eyes, one set at a time. He sneered as he spoke. "I am sorry I think of my own skin first. I can't help it - I was put into Slytherin for a reason Harry. But look, I didn't abandon you. I didn't turn my back on any of you," looking to Mason he added, "I didn't leave Madison. I just thought it best to not get involved. The Aurors always show up at those types of incidents. It was a ploy to get to us. To make us play the hero, as Hermione puts it. I will not apologize for not wanting to present easy targets for them. I don't want to meet the Dark Lord without my father being present. I cannot imagine what he would do to me without Lucius there to slow him down a bit. Does that make any sense to you?"

Rowan laughed out loud at this statement. The boys' heads turned toward her. "Girls? Come back in please!" Standing, she slowly walked over and asked the boys to sit. Once the girls entered the room, they joined the boys sitting next to or on the laps of their counterparts. "Before this goes any farther, the question has been put to Draco as to where his loyalties lie. I believe that he has made it very clear that he can no longer support the evil that has plagued your world for so long." Draco nodded. "I also believe that he did, as he always has done: look out for his own hide. This does not mean anything. He stayed and fought shoulder to shoulder with you all. He threw some amazing hexes at those cloaked figures. True?" They all nodded. "The fact is when he had to make a choice; he chose to stay with you. Fight with and for you. His hesitation did not extend to the battle. The matter should be dropped now." Rowan looked to her daughter.

Madison rose and walked across the room to Draco. He stood, and with real tears, apologized for her doubt of him. She wrapped her arms around him and after a few moments, they sat together. They looked back up to the woman as her face broke into a broad smile. "It was a test, ladies and gentlemen. There were no death eaters in Muggle London. There was a movie set and everyone suddenly got hungry at the same time. The Aurors came dressed in dark cloaks. The muggles you saw were stunned actresses and actors from the movie." she looked around the room to slowly explain it again, "It was a test to see if you could or would stay together to fight for something you believe in."

The stunned faces gaped at her. No one believed her at first. Ron said loudly "BLOODY HELL Rowan!"

Rowan smiled back at him. "You had to know, NOW, if everyone was willing to die beside you. You also needed to see what you could expect from the rest of the group. Weaknesses and strengths, but you had to know that everyone was on board. Draco did not leave; choosing to fight with you. Madison, as angry as you were with him, you still put your shield around him. Mason, you still allowed Madison to draw your strength to shield Draco, because he chose to stay.

"It's been a very long day. Starting tomorrow, your days will seem even worse until you are used to it. Think about what happened today. Think about how a simple suggestion was not followed through. Think about the fight you were in today. What did you learn? I want a twelve inch piece of parchment completed on the fight today; thoughts and feelings only. Hermione, do not go over thirty centimeters, or about a foot, and do not write so small that I have to have a magnifying glass to read it. I just want to know what you saw and what you felt. No research. No books. No Reference Material.

"The reason I am telling you this now is so you will understand. There is a prophesy that was not given by Sybil Trelawney, but by my ancestor, Catrina Cowan," she told her children the entire prophesy, "You, Draco, are the son of the enemy who chooses to fight on the side of light. You two are the brother and sister of old blood; the fourty nineth line, children. You are the ones that will be the catalyst for the defeat of darkness. Harry is the chosen one, Ron and Ginny are brother and sister. Hermione is the first one in her family.

"The reason I was taken, twice, is because Voldemort knows who I am and what my family secrets were. She, luckily enough, did not know the prophesy. However, Voldemort wanted me to have another baby. He felt that if I did, then your powers, Madison, would be taken from you; and he would have been right. The youngest child of the youngest child is where the source of the Cowan power lies. I was the first witch to marry a pure blood wizard in over 700 years, which is where you get your powers from Mason. But Madison, yours come straight from the Cowan line. As for the baby, well, very few Wizards recognize a witch who has had a Muggle surgery to prevent pregnancy. I was smart enough to realize that two children were more than enough for me to handle. Against my parent's wishes, I had the surgery performed immediately after arrival in Texas.

"I will be back at five o'clock in the morning to collect your parchments and run with you. Plan to get some rest tonight. Same rules as usual apply. Are there any questions?"

Draco drawled, "How are you going to run? You can barely walk from the cut on your thigh."

"I do what I have to do. It's healed, just sore, nothing more or less."

Ginny stood and met her gaze, "I do not appreciate the way you tested us today. I think it was a foul thing to do. Should you feel the need after this to test us again; I suggest you not be in the room when we find out." Her words carried every promise of a threat. Rowan grinned at her.

"I'll take that under advisement." Rowan left the room to the friends for discussion of what they felt.

Draco followed her out of the room, "Rowan? I need to talk to you for a moment," she looked at him, "My mother is Narcissa Black, she is the sister of Sirius' mother, that makes Madison my cousin, or niece, I am not sure which. I need to know…"

She leaned in and whispered, "Trust me Draco, do not stop falling in love with my daughter. It will all work out in the end. Trust me?" He nodded and watched her leave.

First Day of Private Lessons at the Estate

Five o'clock in the morning came very early. As expected, the teenagers were not pleased to being awake at that time of day. The house elves were going to get them up, however. Rena was assigned to Ron. She could not wake him. Finally, she magicked his clothes, socks and running shoes on him and lifted him from the bed. He was still asleep as he hovered down the stairs. Everyone who was waiting for him saw what the poor elf had to go through to get him to the front door on time laughed out loud. Rowan walked over to the standing, but sleeping lad and slapped him in the face; yelling at him in a way that would have made Molly proud. He woke with a start and looked around the room. Snape and Lupin were laughing at his face, as were his friends.

The run was horrible. The pre-dawn, January weather was very cold and the sun was not due up for several hours. They jogged,walked, and complained for fifty minutes. Rowan told them that every day, their distance would increase; but no one believed her. When they returned home, each was greeted with a warm blanket and breakfast. Remus and Severus both had to leave as they had Hogwart's breakfast to attend and classes, but would return later to check on the team.

Breakfast was followed by showers. They went into the Research Room. Rowan picked up a book at random and turned to the group. "When my grand-mother, many times over, helped design this room, there was one feature that she added for the books that could only be used in this room. I found it in her diary. A simple spell is what was needed." Rowan put the book on the table, opening it casually. It was ancient text, Latin she assumed. She placed her hand on the page saying "Revealious" her hand glowed for a moment and the words on the page turned into English.

Hermione gasped. "Now if the words don't change with this spell, it is because the words are used in a spell and have to be said correctly. For those words, do this. "She placed her index finger on the words and said "Audius" A voice flowed from the book with the proper pronunciation. "Pretty cool huh?" She asked the teenagers.

"Rowan, will this work for EVERY book brought into this room?"

Rowan nodded while she explained, "It has to do with the nature of the room. You probably could not translate enough of this text to be of use in the amount of time we have, so I hope it helps. Quills and Parchment are going to be a pain for this project, so I have supplied ball-point pens and spiral notebooks for each of you. I will leave you to it then. Pick the books at random. Good luck." And she swept from the room leaving seven very excited teenagers behind.

At 10:00, the house elves summoned the teenagers from the research room for Morning work out. When they arrived, they were surprised that Charlie Weasley was in charge of this training and Neville Longbottom was joining them as well. Charlie had taken a leave of absence for six months for this adventure. He directed small weights with upper body training first. Each day they would switch upper and lower body work outs, and then work with someone else on physical combat. On Fridays they would learn hand-to-hand combat from Tonks.

Eleven o'clock could not have come soon enough for the tired and sore teenagers. Neville flooed back to Hogwart's for his regular classes. Ron's brain hurt from the research that morning. When added to the fact that his brother would be teaching them for an hour did not help matters. For the break, Harry headed outside with his Firebolt. Flying always helped him refocus. Ron waited a few moments and joined him. The rest soon followed for what was an impromptu flying lesson. Dives, swerves, and dips were some of the moves that were second nature to the seeker. Even Hermione joined in, although slower. When they returned to the ground at noon, they were all ready for the large lunch prepared by the elves.

Professor Snape had taken over one of the large rooms on the ground floor for his Potions classrooms. He had prepared a group of simple Strength and Healing potions that the group would need. The first potion would be the one used for sore muscles. He had no doubt that the seven teenagers before him would need it early. He made a special cauldron for Rowan, assuming that she would hurt more than the rest. There was very little talking in the classroom. Eight cauldrons, including his, produced perfect potions. He walked among the students, giving small pieces of advice. No criticism, no snide comments, but no pats on the back either.

At the end of the class, he merely said "Don't forget the charms on the bottles of solutions. Each of you should label your own potions." The class did as they were told and left the room after cleaning up.

Chapel was a new experience for four of the seven. It was set up in a small outer building. The first week brought a Christian Protestant Pastor. He taught of love, forgiveness, and goodwill. His God was one of all of the above. They learned about the new testament of the Bible, and of a man called Jesus. The message was powerful in the short time they spent with him. He would be staying at the Estate for the duration of his time there and would be available during breaks for anyone who wanted to talk. Ginny wondered briefly if Leo's Elders were the same as God, but did not think that this chaplain would have the answer to the question.

At half past three, they were released from Chapel and headed to the Gym for Dueling classes where Remus and Neville joined them. These were set up for reflexes and to increase time and accuracy of hexes and charms thrown. They were paired and the Gryffindors were reminded of DA, but Harry was not in charge, Rowan was. She moved from pair to pair commenting on technique of both offensive and defensive moves. Two hours later, she opened the floor to any of the seven who wanted to take her. Ginny stood up, approaching her.

Rowan smiled graciously, cracked her knuckles and bowed at her opponent. Ginny returned the gesture. Before Ginny could raise her wand for the first time, Rowan slid under her wand's aim, and tripped her. Ginny hit the floor with a thud. Rowan grabbed her wand. Ginny gaped at her with eyes wide. The woman offered her a hand up before returning her wand and watched as an embarrassed Ginny returned to her seat. "I'll tell you a story when we get to the dinner table." She turned and slowly made her way out the door, while Neville flooed back to Hogwarts.

At six o'clock, they ate dinner while Rowan's explained her actions, the result of which caused all of them to laugh out loud.

After dinner, it was independent study. Rowan approached Harry. "I believe you have a charm bracelet with books?" he nodded. "They were in your room at Lily's correct?" He nodded again. "It's time to use them. You need to restore them to their proper size and place them on the table."

He did as he was asked, the others watching him closely. They relaxed a bit before walking to the round table in the center of the library and choosing one of seemingly identical books. No text was on the covers. Choosing randomly, they took their own book and began the personal research. Rowan gathered the remaining books and took them to the research room for later use.

By seven o'clock, they were each in an armchair around the fire in the Library, intent on discovery of their own book's content and how it related to them. Harry's book was on leadership. Ron's was strategy, Hermione: Intelligence, Ginny: Passion, Madison: Conviction, Mason: Strength, Draco: Survival. Each was absorbed in reading when Rowan told them it was quarter past eight and they needed to wrap it up and prepare for diary time.

Harry's diary was beside his bed when he entered.

Dear Diary,

Today was the most exhausting and interesting day I have ever experienced. I really felt like I was learning something. Given that Rowan is as nuts as Hermione when it comes to research, and that's saying something. The run first thing this morning opened my body to begin the rest of the day. Going from the bitter, pre-dawn cold, to a warm blanket and breakfast was a great way to wake up. The first "class" of the day was researching books in the Research Room. These books are absolutely amazing. After we were shown how to change the text to a readable form, the ease of the lessons was immediate. Hermione said something about wanting to spend more time in there. Ron was even impressed. I felt like a sponge absorbing the knowledge that the old witches and wizards left in those books.

I was also impressed with Snape's attitude in Potions. He didn't make one rude comment to any of us. He didn't give us praise either, but without him glaring at me, I found his lesson to be almost enjoyable. We will see him for two hours a day - every day. I was really worried about it at first, but now I think that maybe it will be okay.

I was in my first ever Chapel today too. My Aunt and Uncle never allowed me to go to any services with them when I was growing up. Not that I minded exactly, I got to spend time alone at my house and wasn't worried about doing something wrong that the Dursleys would be upset about...but I kind of wondered what I was missing. He talked of Love and Forgiveness. I don't know how to forgive exactly. When Ron was mad at me before the first task three years ago, it was easy to forgive him once he realized he was wrong about how I got entered. That wasn't hard at all. But, I mean, I think the pastor wants me to forgive Tom Riddle for the pain he has caused me in my life, but I don't know that I could ever forgive him for taking my parents and Sirius.

Dueling was okay. It made me miss the DA. Rowan and Remus walked around and gave us all pointers. It is funny to think she could duel with any of us, because she doesn't have a wand, and two, she didn't even remember she was a witch until a couple of months ago. Ginny challenged her, and she didn't win with magic. She won because her dad tripped her older brother when she was six, and she never forgot the lesson. I think maybe she was trying to tell us to expect things that are not normal. Of course, she is as mysterious as Dumbledore, so who really, knows what she wants us to learn.

We are using my mum and dad's books that I got last summer from the house in Godric's Hollow. Weird how things work out - huh? I need to close this. I guess that's all I need you to know about my first day.

---H

It was nine o'clock, when he emerged from his room to meet his house-mates in the Library once again for 'Discussion'. He thought about what he had written in his diary, but decided that he didn't want to talk about his lessons. When everyone joined him, he started the conversation with Ron about the Flying they had done. Mason asked if maybe they could do it regularly. It was always good to learn something else.

Hermione, as much as she loved flying with Ron, talked about learning how to Apparate. Ginny was looking forward to the fighting techniques. Madison, who was sitting close to Draco, caught his eye, and reached to hold his hand. Draco was impressed by the flying of the day and he agreed that they should continue it as well, but apparition would be something that could come in handier than anything else.

Walking hand in hand up the stairs, three couples paused before the various girls' rooms and said their good nights. Mason took an opportunity to write Katie. He would ask to borrow Hedwig in the morning for delivery. By the time they had taken their evening showers, they were quite exhausted but ready to start another day.

Training the odd day….

Tuesday they met at the bottom of the stairs for their run, which included Neville , Severus, Remus, and Rowan again, and was followed by breakfast and showers. Once clean, they met at the bottom of the stairs with their spiral notebook in hand. They followed Mad-Eye Moody and Remus into the gymnasium for dueling and the more physical part of their learning experience. Neville, Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick joined the team for this exercise. The first hour was book lessons and practice on dummies and proper wand movements.

The second hour, when they were joined by Tonks, Kingsley, and a team of ten Aurors and several American military special forces, who would be fighting without magic. This was considered the practical portion. During that second hour, the goal for the teenagers was to learn to fight as a single unit, learning how to sense where the other ones were at any given moment. All of the preparation Harry, Ron and Hermione had from the previous year was put to the test. For as many of the opposition was taken out; the teenagers fought gallantly until Tonks was finally able to stun Madison out of commission, but each fell quickly without her shield.

Once they were revived, they discussed indiviual strength and how it could be utilized in the group. Madison's weakness was that she depended on the others too much for her magic to work, but in turn, her magic was where they were their strongest. Madison resolved to work harder to catch up to the level she needed to be and not to depend on them so much.

Hermione and Madison seemed to be attacking the weights with a vengeance as of the second day. Even though they were sore, Tuesday's lessons had shown Hermione to be the weak physical link, while Madison felt that in order to do her best, she had to be in top physical form. Neither wanted to be weak and be the reason for the failure of the mission. The girls would have worked through the break, but decided that they would go with the group for a flying lesson with the others.

Lunch was a silent affair, each eating quickly to take showers after their workouts. They all arrived at Potions to find him waiting. "Welcome." he said sharply. "Today, we will be brewing a new potion discovered before Christmas break by one, Neville Longbottom. This particular potion was approved yesterday by the Department of Potions in the Ministry. We will be the first group to make this. It will be only the second time I have made it. The properties of this potion will allow the user to withstand great amounts of magically induced pain for approximately thirty minutes. We will be spending the rest of this week in an attempt to increase different key ingredients in order to make the effect last longer. I believe this potion will provide added power in your quest to rid the world of the Dark Lord. Because Longbottom has not deemed it necessary to name his creation, I have nick-named it 'The Preserver Potion.' I have no doubt he will use it once he hears it." He smirked.

He gave out the manuals on this potion. The ingredients were in the large cabinet along the wall. Each student carefully and meticulously added the ingredients. At the end of the lesson, the cauldrons were left simmering for twenty two hours; meaning they could not be late the next day.

Before they left, Snape said something that shocked them all, even Draco: "If someone such as Neville can come up with this type of discovery, on his own; please imagine what the seven of you can do by the end of this type of study opportunity." The door opened and he bid them farewell.

Chapel was taught on the art of forgiveness once again. The pastor was surprised when Harry asked how he was supposed to forgive someone like Tom Riddle who had taken so much from him personally. His life amounted to the people in the room with him: The love of his life and his two best friends. Although he found a kinship with the other three, the history he shared with Ron and Hermione was one he felt he could have had with his own siblings had his parents lived. Ron, touched by his friend's words, bowed his head and asked the pastor's God to help Harry accomplish what he needed to and for a year of peace.

Dueling was, again, taught by Rowan, but Rupert Giles was her assistant that day. Ginny was not obnoxious enough to believe that she could take the older woman one on one. It was Madison at the end of the day, who challenged her mother. Rupert walked out the door and closed it behind him. Today's victory was not by physical fighting or magic. When she bowed to her daughter, she reached in her sleeve and took out a small metal canister, threw it toward the group who watched in stunned silence as Tear Gas flooded the room. Rowan quickly left while the others watched the canister role toward them. Consequently, when they ran from the room, they were crying all the way to dinner.

Rowan would not allow them to use any type of healing charms to stop the tears. "They will stop when the toxin leaves your body." she stated simply. Then related how her mother had used that little trick when she was younger to stop a fight between the four brothers. Until that moment, she did not think to ask her mother how she got tear gas in the first place…

Ron's personal research book was on strategy. The first part of the book was on small contingents. He thought of skipping this section and go to the larger group strategies, thinking of the students of Hogwart's and the fact that Neville was in charge of Harry's class. He and Neville would be figuring out the strategies that will be used. They would be meeting with the American Military Strategists' on Saturday, but he hated going into any meeting flat-footed. He vaguely wanted to thank Hermione for teaching him how to prepare. He especially wanted to learn anything that might help them defeat the single dark entity known as "Oldy-fart."

Ron's diary entry that night was:

Dear Diary

Today was the second today of training. I am doing this personal research thing that is supposedly attuned to my personal talents. I know I am good at Chess and Quiddich, but this is so much more about learning how to think on my feet for all of us. It will be interesting to see if I can incorporate it into our training times. The odd days that put us all in the situations of depending on each other, should be attuned to our individual abilities.

Hermione flew for the second time today. She will get the confidence she needs, but blimey, I am scared she is going to fall off and hurt herself. Just to think that she might hurt herself is enough to make her ride on my broom just to protect her. I mean, I love her. I want this big fight to end so we can get married and start a family.

I wonder what it will be like to go to bed with her every night. It's not about sex (although I imagine that will be fantastic!) Its just sharing my heart with her. She's so smart, I am always amazed to realize that she loves me.

I need sleep, but we have discussion in a few minutes. It's so hard to see Hermione and not be able to hold her. I just want to escape this. I know its part of our destiny, I just wish we knew if after we defeat this guy, if our destiny will keep us together. I cannot imagine life without her. She makes me want to beat him, just to find out. Maybe tonight, I will pull her onto my lap and just wrap her in my arms. I see Madison and Draco holding hands all the time. Thank Merlin Harry and Ginny don't hang on to each other like that.

Oh, I prayed for the first time today. I am not sure about this pastor's God, Jesus, but if he is the son of the creator of everything, I figure He has connections, ya' know? I just want to succeed and have a year of peace in my life. If He was listening, I am really hoping that He will grant the request. The pastor tells us that we have to believe. I believe that if we kick Tom Riddle's ass that I can have some peace and quiet and make Hermione want to spend the rest of her life with me.

---Ron

The discussion that evening began with flying lessons but quickly mutated into Hermione's determination to apparate. It was decided that they would alternate days from that point on: The days with Research would be breaks devoted to Apparition practice and the days with defense would be devoted to flying. When the teenagers were asleep once again, Rowan left the estate to speak to the headmaster.

The next day, Madame Hooch showed up with a team of International Apparition instructors at the Estate as the teens were leaving the research room to begin Apparition lessons. Neville was invited to join this study session as well. The eight instructors took the hour and gave individual instruction. At the end of the lesson, the instructors were impressed with the rapidity of the knowledge exchanged.

Saturday had Buffy, Xander, and Willow port-keyed to the estate. It was the first break from the routine and it was welcomed until Ron was thrown across the room for the third time, landing hard on the mat. With the wind knocked out of him again, he lay there and watched as she proceeded to kick the ass of each of his friends. He decided that as long as they studied with her, they would not be cocky.

Willow watched, amused, as her best friend fought the witches and wizards. She made a mental note to meet with them first for research next weekend, and then turn them over to Buffy.

Sunday brought Piper, Phoebe, Paige, Wyatt, Chris, and Leo to the estate. Molly was thrilled to play with Wyatt and Chris while the witches worked with Snape and the teens on potions and vanquishing techniques. Leo met with Dumbledore to discuss the future of the Wizarding World and the impact the upcoming battle would have on his and any other children which were born to the sisters.

The pace continued for the month of January. Five weeks of hell, is what was promised and delivered by the obsessed professor. By January 21st, individual lessons were focused solely on how to apparate with another human being. By the 25th, each could apparate with both inanimate and animate companions. Rowan contacted Arthur to set up the tests. January 31st, all eight teen-agers took their apparition tests at the estate. The wizened wizard giving the test was an uncle to the deputy headmistress by the name of Ulrich McGonagall. He came to the estate to give the tests and passed all of the teens to apparate within two miles. Rowan narrowed her eyes at the old man. She approached him when she saw the small green cards. "Why did you limit them to two miles?"

Handing her a beautiful bouquet of fresh-cut iris', which she accepted without word. He grinned at her through old broken teeth. "I told them two miles and officially recorded it, which is the shortest distance for them to apparate and still get their license. You must not have noticed that recorded distance has nothing to do with actual abilities. All of them returned with an iris from your back yard in Texas." His eyes positively danced with glee at the slight shock on her face. She nodded and her face broke into a genuine smile.

As February began, Rowan's obsession continued to shut out her dreams, pushing them to the background when she finally allowed herself to fall asleep. She did not speak to Professors Snape or Lupin, unless it was study related; barely spoke to Giles when he brought the teens. She pulled further and further into herself, keeping everyone at arms length. It was not uncommon for the times of her lessons with the children to be marked with yelling about focus or inattentiveness. Any attempt at excuses by the teenagers was met with stone silence and when she did speak it was at a raised voice. Perpetually in a bad mood, Rowan accepted nothing less than perfection. She rivaled Snape in her attitude of all of her students. Even Madison and Mason began to avoid her when ever possible.