Willow woke the next morning in the hospital bed and looked left to see her Grandfather sleeping in the chair. She sent out a small mental pulse to get his attention.
"Morning Grandpa." She said as Victor collected himself.
A look of relief crossed the old man's face as he saw his granddaughter setting up in bed. He quickly jumped up and began fussing over her.
"How are you dear. Do you need anything, maybe you're cold? I should get you another blanket or maybe just a Warming Charm." Whitehall babbled.
"Victor!" The redhead yelled to get the old Wizard's attention. She continued in a calmer voice. "I'm fine, thank you. The muscles in my upper back are a little stiff but manageable. How long have I been out?"
"Oh, just the night dear. Professor Snape contacted me last night to let me know you had been hurt. Madam Promfrey said you'd be unconscious for at least two days why your body heals. I should get her." Victor said hurriedly. He apparently wasted calmed down at all by Willow's assurances of good health.
After he left to fetch the Matron, Willow got out of bed and found some clothes that one of her classmates left her. She slipped on her robes just as Madam Promfrey came into the curtain.
"What do you think you're doing Ms. Potter? You're in no condition to leave bed!" She screeched.
Whitehall came in as well and panicked. "Willow your spine was pierced clean threw. You were almost paralyzed."
The young Witch looked them both over and said. "Well I'm completely fine know. You can scan my back if you'd like."
Promfrey indicated for Willow to turn around and she complied. After three full spectrum magical scans, she confirmed that Willow was indeed fully healed. "I've never seen anything like it. A wound that greaves from a Magical Creature should take a few days to heal fully, not a few hours!"
"She'll be ok right? We don't need to take her to St. Mungo's for further testing do we?" The older Wizard asked nervously. Willow understood that, as her grandfather, Victor had a right to care for her and be overprotective. That didn't mean it wasn't getting on her nerves.
"Look, both of you, I'm fine. I've been hurt worse than this and always recovered quickly." Willow said exasperatedly.
"I think me and Madam Promfrey will tell you when your fine young lady! Now lay back down!" Victor said angrily.
"Let's all calm down please. We are not the only ones here." Said the Matron. "Ms. Summers is just three beds down."
"Why is Dawn here?" Asked a worried redhead. She hoped she hadn't hurt her best friend again.
"She exhausted herself restraining your magic. She'll be fine in another day or two." Promfrey assured the young Witch.
"Who'll be fine in a day or two?" Asked Dawn as she walked through the privacy curtain.
Promfrey looked back and forth between the two Californian Girls in disbelieve. She had no idea how Willow was walking around, but the only way Dawn could be was if she made exhausting her core a normal occurrence. Over time her body could cool down quicker and replenish itself faster.
"Americans." Said the Healer, throwing her arms up as she left. She called back from her office door. "You can both go on down to breakfast whenever you're ready." They all heard a loud slam.
Dawn looked between the grandfather and granddaughter and asked. "Did I miss something?"
"I don't think Madam Promfrey likes being proven wrong when it comes to medical diagnosis." Willow said somewhat chipper. "Anyway, I'm hungry so let's go to breakfast."
As the group walked the empty hallway Willow noticed the sun was still low. "What time is it?" She asked her Grandfather.
"Just before seven dear. Shall we set at my old house table?" Victor said as he puffed out his chest a little. He was a Slytherin Alumnus after all.
"Honestly, I think I'd like to eat with Harry at the Gryffindor table,..." Willow started to say as she saw her grandfather deflate a little. "...But I don't see why we couldn't eat at Slytherin. I can share lunch with Harry later."
Victor perked back up as they finally made their way to the Great Hall. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were already at their table when they walked in and looked up. The raven-haired boy quickly made his way to his sister and hugged her.
"I was just about to come and check on you. Are you ok? Do you need anything?" Harry said in a rapid voice. Willow figured her family shared a worried speech pattern that was genetic. She herself was quite prone to babbling nervously at times.
"I'm fine Harry, just a little stiff is all. Go on back to your friends." Willow said nicely but forcibly.
The boy looked back at the table where Hermione and Ron still sat. Both Gryffindors looked at the group curiously as Harry turned back to his sister and said. "Why don't you and Grandpa eat with me at my house table?"
Victor looked a little forlorn. He didn't want to upset his grandchildren, but he hadn't sat at Slytherin sense he didn't know when. Willow sensing Whitehall's dilemma decided to intervene.
"I can eat lunch or dinner with you later Harry, but Grandpa is only here for breakfast. I'm sure he would like to set at the Slytherin table sense that was his house. You, Hermione, Ron and Dawn are all welcome to join us." She said.
Harry physically blanched at the idea. Then he thought it over in his head and said. "I'll be right back." He quickly walked over to his friends and began talking to them. Willow could see their shocked faces but soon the two Gryffindors stood up and made their way over with Harry.
Victor Whitehall smiled down at everyone, happy for the outcome. He quickly led them all to the Slytherin table. A few older students paused their conversations to watched the spectacle. Whitehall sat down in the middle of Harry and Willow, facing the other tables, and Hermione, Dawn, and Ron sat on the opposite side.
Soon others began to come in and stare at the group. Whitehall said nothing as they waited on the food. Soon the other Slytherin third years came in and saw them all setting there. They exchanged quick looks before heading over to sit with a Slytherin Alumni.
Draco sat by Harry and Pansy by Hermione. Everyone else sat down on the other side of them. The dark haired Slytherin girl looked at Willow and said in her nasal voice. "How are you this morning Willow? We were told your injuries would keep you in the Hospital for the rest of the week."
Willow just looked at her friend, ignoring her public speaking voice, and said. "I heal quickly." The redhead then looked down hungrily at the table. "I hope breakfast gets here soon."
Much to Ron's relief the food appeared just seconds later. Arthur Weasley's youngest son wanted to put something in his mouth before he got himself in trouble by talking. He had nothing nice to say to Snakes.
Dawn looked around the table apologetically. "Me and Willow apologize in advance for this everyone." The Slytherins and Gryffindors watched in mute horror as both girls began to pile large amounts of food on their plates so high even Ron was in awe.
It was like watching a horror Magic Show as all the food began to disappear right before everyone's eyes. The Slytherins didn't know what to say and the Gryffindors where also quiet. Victor started laughing to himself.
"I'm guessing you to burned a lot of energy yesterday with your magic use. Now your bodies are demanding fuel." He chuckled.
There was another chuckle from Dumbledore as he walked up. "That would indeed be the case it seems. I'm glad you two girls are ok, but I need to see you both after breakfast. There are a few things we need to go over and the American Aurors also want a word. My office will suffice."
"Is everything ok Dumbledore? The Americans aren't causing trouble are they?" Whitehall inquired.
Albus just shook his head. "No Victor, they just want to know more details and to question whether or not to take legal action in regards to Buckbeak the Hippogriff."
Victor noticed Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle stiffen at the mention of the animal. He had already gotten the full story from both Snape and McGonagall, so he knew why. He wanted the beast to be put down as well because of what it did to Willow, but knew his granddaughter held no ill will for the brute.
"Very well Dumbledore, me and the girls will be up in a moment." Victor said. Dumbledore gave a polite nod and left through the main doors. Several Professors went with him.
As the Slytherin Alumnus finishing his eggs, he began to look around the room as he waited for his granddaughter and her friend to finish eating. Victor had to admit that the hall hadn't changed one bit over the years. He would bet his wand that these were even the same candles from when he was a boy. Looking ate the Slytherins around him he noticed several faces from old families. That tall boy doing a good impression of a Troll had to be a Flint.
After the two Witches were threw eating, Victor stood up from his set. "Fallow me girls and I'll lead you to Dumbledore's Office. Harry do good in class and mind your teachers. Good day everyone."
Willow giggled at her brother's embarrassment and red face. The Slytherins didn't bother to hide their laughter, several were even holding their sides in pain. Pansy at least seemed to honestly try and be considerate and hide her humor. Ron was actually the one laughing the hardest. 'Boys, you got to love 'em.' Willow thought.
The two California Witches fallowed Whitehall threw the castle. He came up to a gargoyle and spoke. "Hershey's Bar." The ugly stone statue stepped aside to revile a flight of stairs going up in a spiral. The group rode the stairs to the top and Victor used the Griffin shaped knocker on the door. After hearing Albus say enter they went inside.
Upon entering the girls were met with all sorts of bright colors and enchanting sights. The walls were full of painting of past Headmaster and Headmistress sleeping in individual frames. There was a large round table in the middle of the floor full of marvelous things that let out colorful smoke and clinked at random. Behind the large desk was a shelf full of even more magical object and the Hogwarts' Sorting Hat.
The room was occupied by Professors Snape, Hagrid, and McGonagall standing in front of the Headmaster's desk. Albus Dumbledore sat behind the desk with a large red Phoenix perched on a stand next to him. Auror Gibbs stood by the window next to a younger black man wearing midnight blue robes. Lucius Malfoy stood by the right hand wall talking to Cornelius Fudge, Dolores Umbridge, and an older woman nether girl recognized that had short gray hair, a stern face, and official looking black robes.
Dumbledore looked at the three and said. "Welcome, do come in. I must apologize but more people than I realized were coming showed up. Over by Auror Gibbs is his superior Leon Vance, Director Of International Affairs for the A.R.W.K. Also with Minister Fudge is Madam Amelia Bones who you may have met at your birthday party Willow. She is the Head of the Department For Magical Law Enforcement."
Both individuals nodded at the girls upon Dumbledore's introduction. Victor was beginning to feel a little uneasy about this meeting. Thin again there was a lot of possible problems as an American Diplomatic Protectorate had been harmed while on England soil by a Magical Creature sanctioned by the Ministry Of Magic.
Leon Vance came forward and shook their hands. "Good morning ladies. I'm glad to see your both up and about as we were told your injuries would keep you in bed for several days. We have a few questions to ask you both about yesterday and the incident that occurred on the way to school."
'That's right.' Willow thought. 'The Dementors are also sanctioned by the Ministry so they're at fault for the assault on the train.'
The young Witch looked around the office assessing everyone's emotional state. Her grandfather was uneasy, but most people just seemed eager to get this over with. Dolores felt smug about something which was a little off putting as she lived to torment people in various ways.
Madam Bones walked forward and began. "We'll start with yesterday's incident involving the Hippogriff." She stated. "I need to first ask if you, Ms. Potter, wish to file an Execution Order against the Hippogriff Buckbeak?"
"No, the creature was not at fault." Willow said calmly. Lucius Malfoy frowned at the answer.
"I beg your pardon, but that monster almost killed you! I'm grateful for what you did for my son Draco, but it shouldn't have been necessary. Had that creature not been so unnaturally vicious it wouldn't have attacked in the first place!" He said passionately.
"Buckbeak ack'ed no differen'ly than any other Hippogriff would'a in tha' situation." Hagrid said defensively.
Umbridge seemed to bristle a little. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Hagrid, but it is clear to anyone with common sense the beast is dangerous." She said smugly.
Minerva McGonagall just rolled her eyes at the stupid woman. How this horrible Witch ever made office she'd never know.
"Why yes it is Dolores." The Older Professor said in a colder than normal tone. "It is clear to everyone in this room that Hippogriffs, just like so many other Magical Creatures, are dangerous. That is why we teach are young to respect these creatures and how to properly handle them."
"That will be all everyone." Madam Bones interjected. "The matter is closed unless the American Aurors, or Lord Whitehall, wish to be herd regarding possible actions against the creature."
"No ma'am." Director Vance said. "We have been assured the Hippogriff will be monitored for a time to ensure that it is no danger to the students. Correct Headmaster Dumbledore?"
"That is correct. Me and my staff will observe the behavior of Buckbeak for one month. After that time if he is deemed safe, he will be returned to the herd. If not, further action maybe required." Dumbledore explained.
"Very good." Bones said. Looking at Victor she asked. "What about you Lord Whitehall, do you require any action to be taken regarding Buckbeak?"
The older Wizard looked at Malfoy briefly before saying to Madam Bones. "I am no expert on Hippogriffs, but I do not want that creature anywhere near my grandchildren. I will, however, except the findings of the Hogwarts staff in a months' time."
"Then the matter is closed. We will leave it to Hogwarts to decide the Hippogriff's fate." Madam Bones said formally. Lucius and Dolores looked angry at the outcome.
"Now on to the incident aboard the Hogwarts Express. We have heard some rather wild tells pertaining to the events that took place." Amelia said as she paused to think of the best way to phrase her questions.
"What is so wild Madam Bones? Creatures controlled and employed by your Ministry attacked Ms. Potter and she defended herself." Gibbs said while crossing his arms in front of his chest and staring down the Department Head.
Willow was actually surprised by the fact Leroy Gibbs was being so defensive on her behalf. The look on Vance's face told her he agreed with the older Auror. Amelia Bones wasn't intimidated though.
"There are plenty of eyewitnesses that say Ms. Potter was attacked by a Dementor. No one is disputing that. However, there are several who say Ms. Potter managed to destroy the Dementor. To my knowledge this has never been done before and we are curious to know how the feat was achieved." Bones explained.
"Ahem." Dolores cleared her throat to gain everyone's attention. "We have reason to believe that the Dementor attacked Ms. Potter became it could sense the unnatural magic inside her being. We also believe she used very powerful Dark Magic to kill the Dementor." The Undersecretary gave Willow a smug look as if daring her to deny it.
"Are you saying that it was my granddaughter's fault your agent attacked her? That it's her fault you couldn't control your pet monster?" Victor asked outraged.
Fudge nervously began to fiddle with his bowler. "Lord Whitehall, please understand where we're coming from. There are considerable unknowns regarding Ms. Potter's magic and it's not too much a stretch to presume they are a factor in this unfortunate event."
"Your Dementor attacked me because I was there. He would have attacked anyone in the hallway. I just happened to be in the hallway at that time." Willow said.
"How did you destroy him? Surely it was Dark Magic." Umbridge fired back harshly.
"Yes, it was." Willow admitted calmly. Everyone turned to look at her quickly. Some in disbelief that she could use such powerful Dark Magic and others in disbelief that she would freely admit to it. "I simply unleashed a much greater darkness than what the creature possessed and clouded over its being. After that I willed it dead."
The room was quite for a second before Umbridge found her voice. "There you see, she admits it. This wasn't the Ministries fault. This incident was unavoidable."
"That's were your wrong Undersecretary Umbridge. Willow admits she used Dark Magic, something everyone in this room already knew she could do, to vanquish the Dementor. However, she never said that her abilities were why it attacked in the first place." Leon Vance explained.
"The A.R.W.K has fully documented Willow Potter's abilities with Dark Magic, and has ruled she is by no means a threat to the world no more than anyone else of her power level. That means we consider Albus Dumbledore to be just as big a treat as her. However, we can't lock people up based on how much magical power they have." Gibbs told Umbridge.
The toad like woman wasn't liking the fact nothing was going her way and it showed on her ugly face. "There is still the issue of the possible illegal Spell Ms. Summers used to restrain Ms. Potter. I would also like to know why she felt the need to restrain Ms. Potter in the first place.
"If I may." Began McGonagall. "We fully established the reasons behind Ms. Summers need to restrain Ms. Potter in the report you obviously failed to read. She was preventing her from further injury sense Ms. Potter temporarily lost herself to her magic which was blocking out the pain. In Ms. Potter's state of mind, she could have attempted to walk away which would have done serious damage to her already damaged spine."
"That maybe the case Professor, but there is still the question of whether or not the spell was legal." Umbridge said in a fake pleasant tone. "If Ms. Summers did knowingly violate are laws, then she will be expelled immediately and deported back to America. She doesn't have Diplomatic Immunity."
Amelia Bones looked at Dawn. "Though I wouldn't have put it so rudely, Dolores Umbridge is correct. So please, Ms. Summers, explain your actions."
"The Binding Charm I used did require Wiccan Magics. So yes, it did violate the law." Dawn said dejectedly. She didn't want to leave Hogwarts or her friends.
Umbridge looked like she would burst with glee until McGonagall cleared her throat, mocking her, and gaining everyone's attention again. Albus couldn't help but give her an eye twinkle. "The laws regarding unauthorized magic state that Ms. Summers is forbidden from continuing to practice the unauthorized craft, they do not forbid her from using what she already knows. She can't learn anymore about Wicca nor can she teach anyone ether. As long as she knew the Spell before coming to England she didn't break any laws."
Gibbs looked at the worried girl. She was beginning to appear relieved. "Did you know the Binding before school, or have you learned it sense then?"
"No sir, me and a mentor invented the Spell during Summer Break and I had it mastered before start of term." Dawn said happily.
"She's lying!" Dolores said harshly. Her face was turning red and she looked more like a toad than ever before.
"You cannot accuse someone of lying without proof Undersecretary Umbridge, but I do have some Veritaserum in my office. Perhaps we could give her a few drops to find out for sure." Snape said sardonically.
"That's a wonderful idea Professor Snape." Dolores said gleefully. Everyone else looked at her like she was nuts. Albus Dumbledore looked at her over his half-moon glasses as if she was a misbehaving child.
"The use of Veritaserum on a child younger than fifteen years of age is strictly prohibited. As an official of the Ministry that holds such a high position, Dolores, you should know that better than most. You must excuse my college's humor." He told her.
Umbridge looked outraged that she had been tricked. She gave Snape a glare that promised vengeance and pain. She huffed and stood by Fudge silently.
Bones just shook her head at the stupid woman's behavior. "Is there anything else to discuss. I know you have classes starting soon so I don't want to take up any more time."
"In light of the attack on Willow, will the Ministry be recalling the Dementors?" Vance asked. He wanted those creatures as far away from children as physical possible, extinct was more preferable though.
"No Director Vance, they will stay here for the time being. With Sirius Black on the loss we need all the security we can get for the school." Cornelius Said stubbornly. He wasn't about to give ground at a time like this especially in front of Albus Dumbledore.
Vance and Gibbs were not happy by the decision and nether were Dumbledore and the Professors. "Perhaps we can discuss this further at a later time. As Madam Bones stated, the Professors have class as does my granddaughter and Ms. Summers. We really shouldn't take up any more time as it's almost nine o'clock." Whitehall said politely.
"Very well, do ether of you girl have anything to add?" Dumbledore asked with a pleasant smile.
"Minister Fudge." Willow said coldly, getting the man's attention. "I'm sure you have some way to communicate with those devils you employ, so tell them that I know more ways to destroy them. If they come on school grounds, if they threaten my classmates and friends, and especially if they even look at my brother wrong then I'll slaughter their entire species."
"We don't take threats lightly Ms. Potter." Cornelius said trying to look intimidating. He got scared and took a step back as Willow pulsed her power.
"That's good Minister Fudge, because I don't give them lightly ether." She said. With that she and Dawn left through the door. The three Professors looked around for a moment then left to get classes ready. Fudge wished everyone good day and left with a still upset Umbridge and Malfoy. The only ones left were Dumbledore, Vance, Gibbs, Bones, and Victor Whitehall.
Amelia turned to A.R.W.K. Director and asked. "Out of curiosity, did you ever find out more about the incident in Sunnydale that landed Ms. Potter in the hospital?"
Vance looked around the room thinking about his answer, finally he told them. "Nothing official sense we can't investigate a closed case, or any case for that matter, in the A.R.F.M, but Auror Winslow was able to uncover something troubling."
Gibbs stepped forward and said. "Out of the three men that murdered her parents, only one died on the residents when the house was destroyed by Willow's magic. The other two escaped the chaos only for Willow to hunt them both down. After taking care of them, she apparently went on a Demon killing spree that ended when her friends finally stopped her."
Amelia took a deep breath to calm herself down. The girl had been in a bad place and she had just found her parents murdered. If she had stumbled across her dead family and the ones who killed them in the war, it was very doubtful that there would have been an arrest.
"Will there be any action taken?" She questioned.
"No, we have to conduct ourselves as if we didn't know anything because we shouldn't know anything. I just thought Albus Dumbledore should know and you are the Head of Magical Law Enforcement." Vance said.
"Thank you Director Vance, I appreciate the information. Ms. Potter is truly the most mysterious pupil I have ever met." Dumbledore said. He seemed to be deep in thought, he was very troubled about young Ms. Potter's violet tendencies.
"She is a mystery. I've married five redheads and they all were." Gibbs said with a smile. "I know one thing about her for sure though. She'll do whatever it takes to keep her friends and family safe."
"That worries me most though." Amelia said with a frown. "In the eyes of Willow Potter, how far is too far?"
Even Victor Whitehall couldn't give an honest answer to that. He still remembered Lorne's warning and realized that if Willow was truly willing to kill him to protect Harry, then what did that mean for the other Slytherins. When his granddaughter explained that she wanted to go to Slytherin House to appease the Purebloods and to keep an eye on their children, he had been all for it. It never dawned on him that she was now in the perfect position to cause Voldemort's supporters great harm, but would she truly use their children against them. It terrified him that he couldn't say for certain that she wouldn't.