That night found Victor Whitehall sitting alone in the barroom of the Golden Pegasus. The old Wizard would have to admit it was one of the nicer hotels that he had ever stayed at, though it was also the most unusual as will. He had never stayed at a hotel that was owned by a Demon. Also, the fact that this demon was a friend of his granddaughters, combined with the Vampires and her use of darker magic, had begun to slowly paint a picture of Willow in Victor's mind. He had begun to believe that his granddaughter was a Dark Witch that was good at fooling everyone around her with cute smiles and well-crafted lies. After this afternoon he wasn't so sure.
When he and Harry entered Willow's hospital room that morning, they found a large 20 ft by 20 ft white space with nothing but a bed in the middle of the floor. A small red head slept in the bed wrapped all in white sheets from her neck down. A young Latin American nurse stood by the bed side dressed in the traditional green robes of a healer. When Victor closed the door the whole room glowed gold for one second as various wards where reactivated. The once bare room was now decorated with gold runes across the floor and ceiling as well as the walls. Harry and Victor paused to admire the intricate pattern then walked up to Willow's bed side.
His grandson was in his own world of disbelieve as he looked at the sister he never knew he had, so Victor took out his wand to conjure some chairs, but paused when he noticed that the healer had placed the tip of her wand on Willow's right shoulder and was steadily muttering words that he couldn't make out. He looked at the young lady then his wand to silently ask if Magic was OK to use at the moment. The Healer had nodded yes so Victor preformed the spell. The moment the chairs came into being the wards all flashed pitch black for a second then changed back to gold. The Healer had looked relieved and quietly left the room.
As he and Harry took sets on either side of Willow, she began to wake up. When she first opened her hazel eyes, they were dazed and out of focus. She had looked at both Victor and Harry confused until it dawned on her who they were. She and Harry had said hello to one another and just sat their studying each other silently. Victor had enjoyed watching the by play of emotions that had crossed their faces. He could tell Harry was incredibly nervous about what Willow would think of him. His poor grandson had no idea what to say to his sister. Willow had a curious and happy look on her face as she studied Harry.
One thing that did startle Victor was when Willow took a long look at the scar on Harry's forehead. It had been such a brief moment that Harry never even registered the change. One second Willow was happy, then shocked, then scarred, followed by angry, then back to happy. She had looked at her twin brother and simply asked him how his life in the Wizarding World was. This had started Harry on a long explanation about Hogwarts, the professors, and his two best friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. When Harry had mentioned Ms. Granger, Willow had looked at Victor quickly then looked back at Harry. Even thinking about the look Willow had briefly given him for the better part of the day, Victor still didn't know what it could mean.
Victor had noticed Harry choose his school stories carefully so as not to alarm Willow. He hadn't touched on the Stone in his first year nor the Chamber of his second. Victor knew all about them because of friends he had on the Hogwarts Board of Governors. He had been livid when he heard Harry had fought Voldemort two times sense returning to the Wizarding World. He had thought about filling a formal complaint against Albus Dumbledore for endangering his grandson with his poor decision making but didn't for two reasons. One he believed Harry would hate him for it and two Lucius Malfoy had been responsible for the Chamber of Secrets being reopened. An official investigation could harm both the Malfoy and Weasley family. The Pure Blood society would not like the Malfoy family drug through the mud and Harry would not wont the Weasley family shamed ether.
Harry had talked more about the classes and the professors when Victor had remembered something else he had learned from the Board of Governors. One Professor Severus Snape had for some reason become a bully to Harry. Victor knew Harry was in Gryffindor and Snape was head of Slytherin, but this seemed to go deeper than that. It would seem something had to be done about Snape.
It hadn't been that long before Willow began to get tired and Victor had been reluctant to tell Harry they needed to go so Willow could rest. As it turned out he didn't have to. Their came, from under Willow's bed, an angry hiss and both his grandchildren seamed to understand it. Harry had been as startled as he was, but Willow looked mildly annoyed. Victor had watched as a beautiful snake had risen from the floor at the foot of Willow's bed. It had been under there the hole time they had talked with Willow.
Victor knew that Harry was a Parseltongue and believed that Willow would be as well. He had seen proof in the hospital room as Harry, Willow, and the Snake had a three-way conversation. Harry had turned towards Victor and said it was time to go. Apparently, Sir Huggs, the snake, wanted them to leave so Willow could rest. Victor was rather intrigued by his granddaughter's snake familiar. It was obviously an Egyptian Moon Snake, as was apparent by its glowing light blue scales. His eyes where purple and his tongue was made of living silver. Some Magical Creatures had actually metal for body parts. These metals where considered Living Metals as they were as pliable as flesh if they needed to be. There was once a Snake made entirely out of Living Gold but went extinct for obvious reasons. Sir Huggs measured 10 ft long and 1 1/2 ft thick and was apparently protective of Willow.
Victor honestly didn't know what to think about Willow. She seemed genuinely interested in Harry's life for it to be an act. She had fought exhaustion to stay alert and continue talking with Harry. He didn't fully understand the odd look she would send him a times during the conversation. He hadn't really said much himself other than to introduce himself and to inquire how she was doing. Willow had been polite with her responses but also very strait forward with her answers as to not give anything away. It was almost as if she had instantly connected with Harry but held Victor at arm's length.
The old Wizard continued to drink his glass of Fire Whisky until the owner of the hotel came and sat down at his table. This was another individual that Victor could not figure out. He had always figured that demons where brutish unintelligent things that stayed out of the Wizarding World because the Muggle World was easier to hunt in. He had been startled when the Muggle woman, Joyce Summers, had lead them to the hotel and found out that the owner was a demon named Lorne. He was trying to be polite but in truth did not wont this green skinned, red eyed horned monster to set with him.
"Good evening sir. What brings you over to my table?" He politely asked.
Lorne simply looked at Victor for a solid minute. Victor noticed he was drinking a brightly colored drink out of a small glass. He wore a bright yellow muggle suit with a red tie. Finally, he spoke. "What do you think of our little tree so far Lord Whitehall?
It took Victor a moment to place who Lorne was talking about but soon he made the connection. Victor understood Lorne had some interest in Willow but didn't see how he had any right to ask such questions. Victor gave away nothing of his thoughts as he politely answered. "She seems to be all that I was told. I'm happy to see she is in good health despite the unfortunate circumstances that lead to her being hospitalized. I'm truly happy that I was able to discover my grandchildren but wish it had been under happier circumstances. I'm looking forward to getting to know both children better."
Lorne simply took a small sip of his drink and said. "Lord Whitehall, I understand your upbringing was one of narrow-minded racism, but I must ask you to keep an open mind. If some of the things I say offend or make you uncomfortable then I'm sorry. However, if you want a honest relationship with Willow you need to hear what I have to say. Let's start with how you really fill about me. I know you think I am a monster and your mad at Joyce Summers for bringing you here, and I know your opinion of Joyce and her two daughters is not much better than your view of me. Also, I'm not guessing based on things I've heard about you or other Pureblood Wizards. Though you gave nothing away with your facial expressions, I could still read your surface emotions despite your impressive Occlumency."
Victor was at first shocked then incredibly angry. It took him a minute of deep breathing to regain control of his emotions. How dare this fool call him out on his world views. He, Victor, was a Pureblood Wizarding Lord and a powerful figure in England Magical Politics. This creature had no right to set at he's table much less question his private thoughts. He also had no business being inside someone else's head. Victor was also angry that Lorne had managed to get by his Occlumency shields undetected.
"I don't know how things are done her in California, but in England we don't go around reading the minds of people we barely know Mr. Lorne." Victor said with a superior tone.
"You miss understood me Lord Whitehall. I did not read your mind only your emotions. One of my natural born powers is the ability to fill other people's emotions. I'm what some would call an empath. Earlier I could fill how being around Joyce and Rubeus Hagrid made you fill. When I sat down just know I felt how much you detested being around me." Lorne explained. The green demon finished his drink and sat the glass on the table. He waved his hand in the air to signal the bar tender to bring him another.
Victor was confused. What Lorne was talking about sounded like Legilimency. However, he could not recall filling any attacks or probes on his shields all day nor when Lorne sat down. Finally, he asked Lorne. "How did you get passed my Occlumency shields without me detecting you? Even if you were a master at Legilimency I should still have felt something."
Lorne paused in his reply to take his drink from the bar tender who had finally brought it over. He thanked the young man and took a small sip. Finally looking at Victor he replied. "I know what Legilimency is, but I personally can't do it. That Magic is physically beyond my abilities. No matter how hard I try I lack the mental capability to prob your mind. What I can do is read your heart and soul. Then I make an educated guess as to what you're thinking about in terms of what I'm filling from you."
Victor was astounded. It was no secret that the Dark Lord had tried to search the Demon World for creatures that possessed special magical abilities. He had hoped the secret to killing Dumbledore and taking control of the Magical World could be found in shadows. All his searching had been in vain. No matter how many bargains and bribes he made with those he could find in the Demon World, only a handful of Vampires and a few low-level Demons ever joined his army.
However, if what Lorne said was true, then the Dark Lord had not been entirely off his rocker. Lorne's abilities would allow him to read you no matter how powerful your shields where. He knew exactly the kind of person he was talking to and where he stood with said person even before the conversation had begun. He could easily find those within a group who were not loyal as well as those who were beginning to have doubts. He could also determine truth and lie during an interrogation based on the emotions the question triggered.
The old Wizard was also confused as to where this conversation was going. Thinking back, he remembered Lorne saying something along the lines of helping with his relationship between himself and his granddaughter. Though he wasn't entirely sure he trusted Lorne, Victor didn't see any possible alternative motive the Demon could have for lying. He decided to proceed with caution and hold judgement until he had a better understanding.
"Though I appreciate you confiding in me about your abilities Lorne, I don't see how this helps me with my granddaughter. When I visited her this morning there didn't seem to be any problem that your powers could help with. She seemed both happy and excited to meet Harry and I. We had a lovely first talk and left when she became too tired to continue." Victor said.
Lorne took another sip of his drink before staring across the table at Victor. "Though she was not born with the ability, Willow has gained the powers of an empath as well. Her abilities are in fact greater than my own."
Know Victor was genuinely interested. So, you could learn Empathy like you could Occlumency and Legilimency. Then something else dawned on Victor. If mental shields could not defend against Empathy, then Willow could fully read him threw out the entire visit that morning. Victor knew himself will enough to guess what his brief emotions had been at certain times during Harry's talk about the Wizarding World.
At times Harry would mention Hermione Granger's intelligence compared against some of his Pureblood classmates and Victor would get agitated. Their where a few times Harry brought up Ronald Weasley and his family and Victor would get agitated. Their where also times Harry mentioned something a Pureblood classmate had done to someone of lesser statue than themselves and Victor would be amused or proud. Those odd looks Willow had been giving him threw out the conversation started to make sense.
Lorne sat quietly across the table as Victor began to mentally assess just how badly he messed up when he met Willow. The Golden Pegasus Owner had other powers besides Empathy. Powers he wasn't quite sure he wanted to share with Victor Whitehall. In truth a lot of Willow's friends where not happy with what would soon happen. One or two may have suggested getting reed of Whitehall. Lorne was glade that calmer heads made the decisions within the Scooby Gang, even if Giles still gave the man a live or die test at the hospital. As he began to fill shame, regret, and fear coming from Whitehall, he knew there was still hope.
"I can both see and fill that you realize what happened this morning. I'm questing that you sat comfortably behind your shields and didn't realize Willow could go around them. I'm guessing some of your own personal fillings about somethings came out without you wanting them to. Fillings your ashamed of to some extent. I need to ask you a question Victor. What do you see when you look at Willow?" Lorne asked.
Victor was still trying to come to terms with what happened. He was also trying to think of a way to get out of this problem. He heard Lorne's question and looked up. "What do you mean? She is my granddaughter. I see my granddaughter. I see the future of my house and family when I look at ether of my grandchildren. I see two people I would gladly die for."
"You see a young girl in need of help. You see a child that needs protection. You see your granddaughter and you want to keep her safe. Just a small girl for you to tuck in at night and sing to sleep. The only daughter of your daughter Lily Potter. Is this what you see?" Lorne inquired.
Victor simply stared back at Lorne and nodded yes.
"That, Victor, is all well and true. However, there is more to Willow than what you see. Do you know what I see when I look at her? I see a warrior who has never backed down from a fight. I see a powerful champion of the Powers That Be that has helped to save this world more times than I'm allowed to tell you. I see a young witch how has resonantly lost her parents and fell to Dark Magic's embrace. There's something else you better understand Victor." Lorne stated.
Victor lend back in his chair and asked. "What else do I need to know sir?"
"If Willow ever has to choose between Harry or you, she will pick Harry." Lorne said.
"What nonsense are you on about Demon. Why would Willow ever have to choose between me or my grandson? You sound as if you think I would do something to harm Harry!" Victor exclaimed. "There is no way that could ever happen!"
"Do you realize that Voldemort will return one day?" Lorne asked.
Victor scoffed and said. "Albus Dumbledore has been trying to convince the Wizarding World for years that You Know How was still alive. Everyone knows that the old fool only does it so he can still appear relevant. The Dark Lord is dead, and he is not coming back!" Victor exclaimed.
Lorne simply sighed and lend back in his own chair. "I can assure you Lord Whitehall that Voldemort will come back sooner than even Albus Dumbledore knows. When he does come back you will have to make a choice. Do you sacrifice one grandchild to save another or do you fight, and possibly die, right beside them booth.
"What would you have me do?" Victor asked with an angered face. "I will die for my grandchildren. I lost three sons to that mad fool's crusade and a daughter I never knew. I will not lose anyone else to the Dark Lord. If he ever does come back, which I highly doubt, I will protect my grandchildren with my life if need be."
"If you believe he truly is dead than why are you afraid to say his name? Just remember what I told you Whitehall. Willow will choose Harry before you. If you betray Harry to Voldemort, even to protect Willow, she will kill you. Willow is a little girl and she wants to go play with all the other children and be happy, but Willow knows that there comes a time when you must stop being a child to fight and survive. That girl grew up in darkness and she will do whatever she must to protect Harry for as long as she can from experiencing that darkness." Lorne said.
Lorne finished his drink and looked away from Victor. He spoke while staring down at the floor. "When you first went into Willow's room earlier, there was a Healer present casting a spell. Do you know what she was doing? It was a test that Willow's friends the Scoobies, to be more specific Rupert Giles their leader, set up for you. When you conjured chairs for yourself and Harry, the spell exposed your being for Willow to examine. Had her subconscious examination found you wanting, then her magic would have reacted instinctively to destroy you. She would have killed you while sleeping and we could have ruled it an accident. Most of Willow's friends don't trust you, and most of them aren't bound by the same crippling moral code of Albus Dumbledore."
"There are those who say Albus Dumbledore is the only Wizard Voldemort ever feared. There are evils far older and more terrifying than Voldemort that are afraid of Willow. That girl hunted monsters sense she was little. She hunted them so much that she became one herself. A monster with a heart of gold that can love unconditionally, but a monster all the same." With that Lorne stood up from the table.
"I wish you the best of luck Lord Whitehall." With those last words Lorne walked away heading back towards the bar. Victor stayed up late that night drinking and thinking upon all that he had learned from Lorne. Though he had talked big he was scarred. If Voldemort were still alive, what would he do if the Dark Lord came back? He also thought about the Muggle Rupert Giles. He was the first Muggle Victor could honestly say terrified him.