'Italicized words with single quotation marks indicate thoughts.'

Chapter 4

It had been a difficult decision one that no one wanted to make. In the beginning both Buffy and Xander was against the ideal of Willow leaving Sunnydale, and no one had protested the longest or the loudest than her life long friend, Xander. But in the end it was decided that it was in Willow best interest to go to Hogwarts where she can learn to use her powers in a safe environment. Willow and Professor Snape planned to leave for Hogwarts the very next morning, which gave them very little time to prepare for the journey.

Snape had left a hour ago to make the appropriate travel arrangements and prepare the necessary documents to be delivered to Willow's parents, who were ironically enough attending a lecture series on proper child care for the young adolescent mind in Germany. Willow was going to attend Hogwarts under the rouse of a foreign exchange program for gifted young students. Willow had bitterly told Snape that the deception was not necessary because her parents hardly came home anymore and when they did they barely notice her accept to criticize her. But Snape had insisted that it was necessary just incase Shelia and Ira Rosenberg had finally decided to take notice in their daughter's life.

Snape was appalled to hear that Willow's parents had left their only child alone to fend for herself on a regular bases-on a Hellmouth no less. He couldn't believe that her parents-muggle or not-could be so ignorant to the dangers that their supposedly quiet town possess. Once again Snape was reaffirmed of his decision to take Willow was a good one for surely if the child remained in Sunnydale she would either succumbed to the dark forces or perish.

While Snape was running errands Willow was left to the erroneous task of packing. Xander, Buffy and Giles were all in Willow's room under the pretence of helping her pack. While Xander and Buffy made themselves at home, Giles on the other hand looked completely uncomfortable in Willow's room. To his credit the starchy tweed suit didn't quite fit in with the cheerful kitty posters and the stuffed animals that dominated her room.

"I can't believe it. One letter and suddenly you're gone," said Buffy in disbelief as she sat on Willow's bed idly picking through the clothes that Willow had left out to pack.

"Wills I don't want you to go," admitted Xander, who apparently haven't completely signed on the ideal of letting his best friend go.

"It isn't like I'm leaving forever. You guys will see me every summer and I'll write," said Willow optimistically as she continued to pack.

"But it won't be the same. I'll miss you," argued Xander sadly.

Willow looked at her friends dejected faces and tears weld up in her eyes at the thought of leaving her friends behind. "I'll miss you too Xand," sniffed Willow tearfully as she pulled Xander and Buffy into a group hug.

"And don't be brave. If you run into something you can't handle promise me you run and live to fight another day. Promise me you guys won't do something stupid like die," admonished Willow sternly with her resolve face on.

Buffy and Xander laughed. "Yes ma'am," answered Xander and Buffy simultaneously before they let Willow go.

Giles, who was waiting patiently for the children to say their goodbyes, moved in front of Willow, placed his strong hands over both her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes with a serious expression on his face. "Is this what you truly want Willow?" asked Giles one last time.

Willow looked up at the man she had come to be her mentor for the last few years. "It feels right, Giles."

"Well I am very proud of you, Willow. And I sure you will do well," encouraged Giles warmly.

"Thanks Giles that means a lot to me. You been more like a dad to me than my real one, you know. I going to really miss you," admitted Willow sincerely as she wrapped her arms around Giles's waist in a warm embrace, closing her eyes as she inhaled the scent of old books and aftershave.

Giles closed his eyes briefly and willing reciprocated the hug. Giles's voice cracked with emotion, "Of course…like wise, Willow."

He cleared his throat loudly and wiped away a few stray tears as he pulled away from Willow. "Well we best be off and let you finish packing."

And then suddenly they were gone leaving Willow alone to figure out how to fit her whole life in one single suitcase.

Hours later Professor Snape appeared in the Rosenberg's home. He had finally obtained the last object needed to complete their journey to Hogwarts, a portkey. Hogwarts was too far away to apparrate safely so a portkey was necessary and he requested one from the Headmaster in his last correspondence. The letter that he had received from the Headmaster was slightly disturbing. Apparently the Ministry of Magic was not too thrilled about the ideal of bringing Willow to Hogwarts and many of the members had their doubts. Their fears and suspicions of anything remotely associate with the Dark Lord or the Dark Arts had made the Ministry paranoid. Some had gone as far as to suggest that the child be detained during her stay in the Wizardry World until the full extent of her power has been determined. Dumbledore had warned him to keep his eyes open for it was highly likely they will be watched.

"Ms. Rosenberg?" called out Severus.

"I'll be right down, professor," shouted Willow from somewhere upstairs.

A moment later Willow appeared on top of the staircase, dragging a large suitcase from her room into the main hallway. Snape cringed at what the child was wearing. Willow wore a bright yellow sweater with little pink and white fuzzy bunnies all over it, a matching plaid skirt and yellow stockings. The over all appearance was so frightfully cheerful that it almost made the former Death Eater's turned spy teeth hurt. Thank Merlin the students were required to wear uniforms. He didn't think his more somber sensibilities could stand a daily dose of such sweetness.

"I don't think I can get this down stairs without breaking my neck," admitted Willow finally. She had already repacked the suitcase three times and she still could barely lift it, but she couldn't bear to leave anything else behind.

The wizard scowled in annoyance for the delay and pulled out his wand from somewhere within the dark recess of his robes. With a swish and a wave of his wand the suitcase floated down the stairs and gently landed on the floor beside Snape. Willow's eyes widen in wonder and she nearly flew down the stairs in excitement until she too stood next to Snape. Her big green eyes looked up at the wizard in awe. "Wow can you teach me how to do that?" asked Willow in earnest. Snape sighed exasperatedly at the young girl's enthusiasm. If the child got this excited over such a simple spell it was going to be a very long trip to Hogwarts.

Thanks everyone for reading. Hopefully I will have the next chapter finished soon. Oh…and if you're interested checkout the fan art I made for this fic.

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