AN: Just to be clear.
BUFFY IS DEAD! She jumped to her death and didn't get brought back. I just couldn't see the 'scoobies' being able to split up if she were still alive. Besides, there's no way the Wizarding World would let her get away with necromancy.
Everything is still close to cannon, however. Just add Faith! (and re-read chapter one. It explains some of this.)
Standard Disclaimer (see chapter 1).
Chapter 3 - Arrival
It was late when Willow arrived in Hogsmeade. It had taken a while for her to get in touch with everyone who needed to know where she was. Then there had been the red tape with the idiots known as the International Magical Cooperation Department at the Ministry – she needed permission to enter the all-Wizarding village as she was classified as an "other" magical being (as opposed to a wand-witch). She didn't need it to enter Diagon Alley, but that was the Ministry for you. She'd been ready to curse their bureaucratic mouths off just for the quiet …
She frowned as she headed for the school. The arrival of the Minister, Madame Bones, had surprised her enough that the lackeys' mouths had remained in place. The Minister (Ministress?) had been kind, in a no-nonsense sort of way. She'd gotten Willow her permit with a strong glare that had sent her personnel flying and hadn't pried into the exact reason for Willow's visit as the goons had. Instead, she had only asked that Willow make an appointment to see her soon.
Still in thought, the witch turned the final corner to the school and was surprised to be met with a gate. She could feel the wards in Hogsmeade – why bother with the physical? Traditional, I guess. They were beautiful, ornate and detailed, but there was no bell of any sort.
After waiting 5 minutes, Willow's patience went from frayed to a ball of string. It was dark and cold and she wanted to find out what had happened to Severus. She glared at the gate and spoke one word.
"Open."
The power behind it wafted through the night, but the silver in front of her merely rattled as though laughing at her.
"Open NOW, or I'll turn you into an armory."
At this, they opened slowly, but it wasn't enough to let Willow in.
"Do you want to spend eternity as a sword? Or maybe some silver bullets?"
The castle itself was locked tight. Willow stared at the great wooden doors, wondering how many stakes it would make. Then the doors opened slowly. Behind them was a house elf and a man who couldn't be anyone but Dumbledore.
"May I help you?" There was a slight coldness to the twinkle she'd heard Severus complain about. She had to stop herself from shifting about.
"Headmaster, my name is Willow. I received a letter saying that Severus was hurt."
"Of course," the coldness had gone and Willow was given the full effect of the twinkle. "Please come in."
"How is he?" She kept her hood up slightly as the halls were cold.
"Our nurse, Madame Pomfrey, treated him immediately." He turned to the house elf. "Please take Ms…Willow's bags to Professor Snape's guestroom. Follow me, please, Ms…" He trailed off questioningly.
"It's Rosenburg. Willow Rosenburg."
"Ah."
The rest of the walk was silent. Dumbledore surreptitiously observed the woman next to him. It wasn't easy to surprise him, but the old man was shocked for once. He knew who Willow Rosenburg was – anyone with a real interest in DADA had probably heard of her. Her feats, and those of her companions, were nearly legendary. The question was, how did she know his Potions Master?
Despite the late hour, the hospital wing was full of light. As they entered, Madame Pomfrey was running her wand over the sleeping form of Severus. Both she and Professor McGonagall looked up as Dumbledore and Willow approached.
"Albus, he's stable. I've – I'm sorry, you are?"
Willow ignored the question and stepped towards Severus. Minerva made to stop her, but Dumbledore motioned her back.
"Albus, what - "
"Minerva, Ms. Rosenburg is down as Severus's next-of-kin. Willow –"
"How is he?" She'd sat herself on his bed and pulled back her hood. The crimson of her hair was startling and eye-catching in the light. "He must be pretty hurt to allow himself to be put to sleep here."
Both women snickered and nodded in agreement.
"Well, you obviously know Severus." Minerva smiled slightly. "I'm Minerva McGonagall, Professor of Transfiguration."
"What?" Willow had to clear her head before she could focus on the older woman. "I'm sorry. Willow Rosenburg." She rose and held out her hand.
"It's nice to meet you. Are you related to Severus?"
"Uh…no. We met a few years ago. How is he?"
"He hasn't regained consciousness yet. I've done all that I can – it's up to Severus now." The nurse's face was filled with worry. "Poppy Pomfrey, dear."
"Nice to meet you. Ma'am, would it be o.k. if I tried something?"
"I don't –"
"Please." Willow smiled reassuringly. "It won't hurt him and it might help."
"Very well."
Willow ran a quick scan on Severus and was reassured by what she felt. She placed her hands on his chest, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes.
"Goddess, hear my plea."
From where she stood by Albus and Poppy, Minerva stared at the young woman sitting by Severus. She was certainly curious about the relationship between her snarky colleague and this mysterious witch. She obviously knew him well and cared about him, but he'd never mentioned her before. Not that he talks about anything personal. The man was about as open and friendly as Grimauld Place.
This girl wreaked of power – a squib could have felt it – but didn't seem to realize it. Who is she? Her name sounded familiar to Minerva, but she hadn't gone to school at Hogwarts, and she wasn't in the Order…
Suddenly it clicked. Willow Rosenburg. The Slayers' Witch. The most powerful Wiccan, maybe even the most powerful witch in the hemisphere. Oh, my. As she watched, the red head began an ancient spell, one she certainly could not have performed, that allowed her to plead to the deity the Wiccans called the Goddess. Power flared from her surrounding Minerva and the others before covering the entire castle.
The feeling was incredible, but the witches and wizard watching were more interested in what was going on in front of them. Willow had begun to levitate slightly and she was surrounded by the purest white aura that any of them had ever seen. The power began to affect her physical appearance as well – her hair was slowing turning a silvery-white.
Suddenly, Severus began to glow as well. His usually pale skin began to glow as though there was a light shining from inside him. A more concentrated beam of light was coming from his left forearm. Minerva wondered what that was as it began to slowly turn grey. As the light became darker, she realized that it must be the dark magic from his Mark.
The now-black beam slowly rose into the air, leaving the original pure white behind it. It floated in the air above Severus as the light receded and Willow relaxed.
"Well." She opened her eyes and smiled at the awed trio. Even Dumbledore was speechless, though he hid it well. Both women had their eyes fixed on the column of black, which was still radiating enough magic to make a basilisk scared.
"What wrong?' Willow glanced up to see what they were staring at. "Oh. Sorry." With a wave of her hand the magic was gone.
That seemed to snap Madame Pomfrey out of her stupor. She hurried forward and began to cast diagnostic spells on the sleeping Professor. She did not push her way past Willow, as she normally would have done. Instead she moved to the other side of the bed, causing Minerva to snicker inwardly. It was not everyday that one saw Poppy Pomfrey subdued, after all.
"He's … he's fine." Madame Pomfrey reported in relief and surprise. "His magic needs to recharge, but he'll be up and scaring students before the break starts."
"Good. Good." Dumbledore beamed. "Willow, may I ask what exactly the dark magic you cast out of Severus was? It had something to do with his Mark, correct?"
"Yes." Willow was exhausted, but willing to answer a few questions. "I removed the Mark."
There was silence for a minute.
"Removed it?"
"Yes." Willow frowned. "It was hurting him and taking away his magic. So I," She shrugged. "I banished it." She pulled up his sleeve to reveal a bare arm.
There was not much anyone could say to that, so Minerva and Dumbledore bid the two women goodnight. Willow made it perfectly clear to Madame Promfrey that she had no intention of leaving, and neither of the two professors was willing to argue with her at the moment. So Willow settled herself into a chair by Severus's bed and soon fell asleep with her hand in his and her head nestled into his shoulder.
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