A/N: Ya'll should probably know that these chapters are going to be spaced yearly until I get to the real meat of the story. That won't happen for about seven more chapters. Think of these like glimpses into Buffy's life.
A/N 2: Thank you so much to my reviewers. You guys rock my socks. Really.
WhiteWolf 3, you were the first person to review both of my new stories, thank you so much. I really love your fics but I have to admit that I'm a bad reviewer. However you made me feel so guilty, I think I'm gonna have to go and reread your stuff and review it.
thsutton, I hope it doesn't bother you too badly, but it really doesn't effect the story, or what happens in any of the books. It was either this or move the Buffy timeline.
Moony's-Mate, thank you so much for your interest and for reviewing, it means a lot to me.
goddessa39, you have no idea how excited your review made me. I mean I read all your questions and was so happy that it made me write a new chapter. Go you. And I really wish that I could answer some of your questions (and I really really want to, but then what would you look forward to). And about the "Mrs." thing, I wish I could say something really intelligent like I purposely made it that way to thicken the plot later on…but it was really just a stupid mistake. Good catch.
gaul1, I really wish I could let you know what happened to that guy Buffy captured, but I'm gonna have to make you wait for it. Don't worry though, it will come out eventually.
xoxox
England, June 2004.
"Ah, Professor McGonagall. I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow," Buffy said as she opened her door.
The older woman looked at her over the top of her glasses, "I had some free time and decided to drop by. If you're not free, I can come back later."
Buffy opened the door wider to allow her in and stepped back, "No time like the present. So, what have you got for me?"
McGonagall moved over to the dining room table and placed a small bag on it before sitting. "I have done as you requested and brought the materials that you will need to learn. However, I must caution you. While I am sure you are a capable learner, to attempt to teach yourself is folly. The pronunciation of the text alone is difficult enough without risking the wrong spell." She gave her a hard look, "Do you understand what I am saying?"
Buffy nodded as she sat down in front of the older woman, "Yeah. But, and don't get me wrong, I appreciate your concern, there's no one free to teach me. I have no choice. And this is something that I have to learn."
McGonagall nodded her head as if expecting her answer. Dumbledore hadn't told her much about the woman he let live in this cottage, now that she thought about it, he was oddly tight lipped about her altogether, but what she did know was enough to make her want to help. "School is out now and with all my free time I could avail myself to teach you the materials." She paused when she saw the grin spreading across the younger woman's face, "It will be hard work," she cautioned. "I'll not waste my time on someone who is unwilling to put forth the effort in doing things right."
While Buffy was thrilled about the offer, she couldn't help but hear the wistful tone in the woman's voice. She smiled gently, "The castle must seem quiet without the kids."
McGonagall nodded, her eyes gazing off in the distance, "It is. At first it is a welcome respite. But soon the novelty wears off and I start to yearn for the presence of children."
A moment passed and McGonagall snapped back to the present with a sheepish look on her face. She hadn't meant to reveal how lonely she was during the summer months at the castle. Her tone turned brisk, "So, do you agree?"
Buffy nodded solemnly, "I would be thrilled if you would teach me Professor."
"Right then," she responded, all business, "Here are the materials you will need." She pulled out her wand and tapped it against the tiny handbag sitting on the table. A green spark flew from the tip and fell on the bag. She put her wand away and began to pull impossibly large items out of the bag, books upon books, a box, cauldron, quills, and parchment. There was even a broom.
Buffy couldn't help but laugh as she saw her large table quickly being covered with the items she would need, all being pulled out of a handbag not more than a few inches long. "God, I'm having a total Mary Poppins moment here," she chuckled.
At McGonagall's raised eyebrow she shrugged, "It's a movie I saw when I was little."
McGonagall nodded and continued unpacking her bag. When she pulled out the last item, a tiny box (that looked like it was the only thing that was supposed to fit in the bag), she turned to the younger woman and smiled. "I assume you have been to Ollivander's and have a wand?" she questioned. At Buffy's affirmative nod she continued, "I will not be able to teach you everything. Some subjects you will need outside help with, such as potions. I would include history of magic, but it seems unnecessary. Do you have any plans for the summer?"
Buffy shook her head, "I don't really have all that much of a social life since I moved here. So no, no plans."
"And can you dedicate yourself to your studies and learn the material at a quicker than normal pace?"
She nodded, "Well yeah, this stuff is gonna be way cooler than anything I was forced to learn during High School. Plus, I won't have all those other distractions, you know, like saving the world every night."
"Everything's such a drama to children these days," McGonagall muttered, not noticing the other woman barely stifle her laughter. "Shall we get down to business now or would you like a day to look over the materials?"
She shrugged, "If you're free I've got nothin' better to do."
"Very well then," she reached over and pulled a book off the top of a very large pile, and opened it to the first page before pushing it over to her new student, "I suggest we begin with magical theory. I assume you've had no formal magical education?" When Buffy nodded she continued, her voice easily flowing into a lecturing pattern she used with her students, "There are several differences between wand magic and Wicca magic. I know you have been exposed to both of these types of magic but have never used them. The basic difference is where the power originates from. Wicca, those who are what one would consider good and follow the laws of nature, draw their power from the earth. They understand that there is a balance to things and that that in nature that balance must be maintained."
Buffy glanced at the text in front of her that had a beautiful illustration of the balancing harmonies found within the earth. The world as a whole and those who inhabited it were all connected.
"Those who practice wand magic draw their power from themselves," McGonagall continued. "Wand magic is directed, stored magic that originates from within the witch or wizard. This magic is housed within their very soul. They cannot turn their back on their magic nor can they ever rid themselves of it. To do so is an impossibility. This means that the raw power each wizard wields differs from wizard to wizard. However, unlike Wicca, wand magic depends on more than power to make the wizard powerful. Intelligence and wisdom play a large part of it. The most powerful wizards have spent years studying spells and incantations. It's work, and it's not easy."
Buffy glanced up, confused, "You said that the magic is from an individual inner source." McGonagall nodded, "Does that source ever run out?"
She smiled, Buffy was already asking the right questions, "No. Magical abilities are inborn, they never run out. When a wizard becomes exhausted from using magic for extensive amounts of time it is because they are using their own energy. The magic never 'runs out' only the energy used to direct that power. And this only happens to younger wizards who are not yet used to using their magic. If you ever feel fatigued while practicing your spells, this is why."
Buffy thought for a moment longer, "You also said that most Wicca drew their power from the earth. What about the exceptions?"
McGonagall nodded somberly, "The exceptions are actually almost more than what we would consider the 'norm.' They are those who are considered 'evil' magic users." She reached an arm over and turned the page of the book sitting in front of Buffy. The illustration was sharply distinct from the soothing image on the previous page. What she was looking at was chaotically terrifying. The images bled across the page without any coherence. "Those who ignore the laws of nature and twist them to suite their needs for the moment are those who we call 'evil' Wicca. They ignore the balance that is an innate part of Wicca and the result is usually chaos. They are what most 'good' Wiccas work against."
She broke off when she noticed the far away look on Buffy's face. It was so sorrowful it made McGonagall rethink her preconceived notions of the younger woman. She looked ancient, brittle. Like any movement would break her. She looked more tired than McGonagall remembered ever being at any point in her life.
She slowly reached a hand across the table and lightly touched the other woman's hand. Green eyes snapped to hers and pinned her in her place. The tired woman was gone, and in her place was a predator, ready to pounce. For the first time in her life McGonagall felt a primal fear rise in herself. She felt like cowering in a corner until the danger passed. Not even He-who-must-not-be-named had scared her this way. She blinked, and the threat was gone.
Buffy gave her a small girlish smile that she couldn't help but return, "Perhaps we should stop here for the day." She stood and picked up her bag, Buffy standing with her. "If you want to continue, I brought a copy of Hogwarts, a History. As someone who has not spent much time in the wizarding world, you should find it fascinating."
She moved to the door, but before she exited she looked back, "You'll do fine." She ducked her head, as if she had said too much, and left the warmth of the cottage.
Tbc…
