The three Professors and the two girls walked down the corridor leading away from Dumbledore's office. At the stairs they parted ways after wishing each other a good day. Willow and Dawn continued down towards the Dungeons with Professor Snape. They came up to the classroom to see a large group of students waiting for the door to open. Both girls noticed Harry and Draco squaring off ready to kill each other.
"I'm telling you Potter that stupid horse is as good as dead." Draco growled at his most hated rival.
"Your wrong became Dumbledore would never let an innocent animal be murdered just because your father demanded it. There aren't as many people afraid of that fool as you think." Harry said angrily. Draco began to reach for his wand.
"That's enough, what is the meaning of this?" Snape barked as they walked up to the group. Had Harry been paying more attention he would have sensed Willow's approach, but he was too caught up in his argument with Draco.
Both boys immediately backdown at hearing Snape's voice. The Potion's Master seemed to look them over before addressing Harry. "Instigating a fight with a fellow student Mr. Potter? That will be ten points from Gryffindor."
Harry began to fume but said nothing to defend himself. He had done this song and dance with Snape so many times that he knew arguing would only lead to more points lost, as well detention. Ron didn't learn as easily as his friend though.
"That's rubbish and you know it! Malfoy was running his mouth about his father as usual and saying horrible things about Professor Dumbledore and Professor Hagrid!" He protested. Hermione just shook her head in defeat behind him.
"Arguing with a Professor Mr. Weasley, that will be another ten points from Gryffindor and detention tonight. Know everyone take your seats." Snape snapped.
Willow, who was planning to set with Harry's group, watched frustrated as the houses once again divided the seats with Gryffindors on the right and Slytherins on the left. The redhead was forced to set with Pansy and Tracey at a round table built for three. Draco shared a table with Blaise and Theodore while Crabbe, Goyle, and Bulstrode shared their own, something the girl didn't look to happy about. Harry and his friends shared a table next to Dawn, Neville, and Dean Thomas. Soon everyone was seated and waiting for class to start.
"Today we will start by brewing the Shrinking Solution. The instructions and ingredients are on page 13. If you completed your Summer essays turn them in know, if not than it is an automatic zero and twenty points from your house." Snape said with a nasty sneer. "Ms. Summers and Ms. Potter are both exempt from the essay at this time but must turn it in by Winter Break."
Both girls exchanged looks as they shrugged and walked up front to turn their essays in with the rest of the class. Hermione had told Willow about it and she in turn told Dawn. Snape just looked at both girls and nodded his approval.
After dropping off the papers the students went up to the storage cupboard to collect there ingredients consisting of Daisy Roots, Shrivelfig, Caterpillars, One Rat Spleen, Leech Juice, Cowbane, and Wormwood. Everyone then proceeded back to their original tables to begin brewing.
The three Slytherin girls began by juicing the Shrivelfigs and adding the fluid to their caldrons. Nether Pansy or Tracey found this task fun as the ruby red juice stand their hands. Next they placed the cauldrons on low fires to gently heat them up and gave them a few slow stirs with spoons.
It was as they began chopping Daisy Roots that Tracey asked Willow. "So how did the talk with Dumbledore go?"
The redhead looked up from her flowers and at her two table mates. Both girls were looking at her while trying to cut up roots. "It went fine. Buckbeak will be monitored for unnatural aggression and then, if no problems are observed, will be returned to his heard."
"They're not going to kill him?" Pansy asked shocked. "He almost murdered you and Draco. I'm surprised Lord Malfoy himself didn't call for his death."
"Oh, he tried, but the Professors stopped him cold. Sense Draco wasn't hurt and he provoked the Hippogriff, Lord Malfoy didn't have a leg to stand on to uphold his argument." Willow explained.
"I still say they should kill the monster." Tracey said nastily. She was concentrating on cutting her roots so didn't see Willow roll her eyes. Pansy caught it though and had to hide a smirk.
The Slytherins soon added the roots as well as the Caterpillars and Wormwood. They began to stir there potions vigorously. Willow noticed her partners looking at the Gryffindor's side of the room and wondered what had gotten their attention. Her back was to the other house so she couldn't look at the moment.
As they began to juice Leeches Willow asked. "Did something happen on the Gryffindor's side?"
Pansy had a disgusted look on her face as she handled the blood sucking creatures. "Nothing happened." She answered Willow. "It's just by know Longbottom should have melted his caldron. I'm actually wondering why he hasn't yet."
"It's probably because of Dawn." Willow told her while giggling. "She was always the better Potioneer out of the two of us and in fact taught me quite a lot. She's probably teaching Neville how to brew the potion in an easier and more efficient way."
Tracey and Pansy both looked at each other and shrugged going back to the potions in front of them.
Next the three added Leech Juice and stirred the cauldrons carefully. Each then grabbed a bottle of rat spleen and began shaking it. Pansy almost dropped hers, but Willow caught it with her magic. Pansy thanked her and grabbed the jar from midair. As they added the spleen there was a disturbance from the Slytherin side of the room.
"Goyle you jughead!" A squeaky sounding Millicent Bulstrode shouted. Somehow the idiot boy managed to splash her face with his potion, as a result the girls head had shrank to the size of a softball. The whole class began to laugh outrageously. As Snape moved to help, swearing the entire time, Willow felt a disturbance in her own cauldron.
The Wicca quickly cast a barrier over the top as it began to bubble uncontrollably. She tried to figure out what went wrong, the Shrinking Solution's magic felt far more volatile than it should ever be. There was no reason for this level of reaction with these ingredients so that means something unknown had been added.
Felling around with her empathic ability Willow was able to determine who the culprit was based on emotion and deduction. Her back was to Gryffindor and no one in that house had an angle to throw anything in her cauldron. Whatever was in her cauldron had been tossed in by hand because magic would have been noticed. That only left the Slytherins.
To her left sat Daphne Greengrass with two girls that Willow didn't know and to her right was the table that Blaise, Draco, and Nott. Most of the students were still laughing at Bulstrode but the people around her had become aware of her situation. The Gryffindors are worried, Harry was terrified and probably being held back by Ron, Daphne and her table were scared but trying not to show it, Pansy and Tracey had already stepped back and were trying to get an angry Snape's attention, and Millicent was still frantic with a shrunk head.
Over to her right though Blaise Zabini was startled and nervous, Draco Malfoy was extremely angry, and Theodore Nott was feeling frustrated and annoyed at the same time. Glancing at the three boys Willow saw Draco glaring daggers at Nott telling her that the pale boy was angry at the other. The little troll had thrown whatever ingredient had been used to sabotage the potion and Draco had seen him do it. Notts' annoyance was from the fact Willow sealed off her cauldron.
Snape, having finally returned Bulstrode's head to proper proportion, quickly came over to see what was wrong. "What happened her Potter?" He questioned the redhead angrily.
"I'm not sure sir. I looked up when Bulstrode screamed and this happened. My guess is something volatile was thrown in when I wasn't looking." Willow said annoyed.
"That's a likely story." Nott said in a snooty voice. "How do we know someone sabotaged it. You could have just made a mistake."
Snape looked at the moron and growled. "That's because, Mr. Nott, the reaction is too extreme to have ever been possible with the current ingredients on the table. Did anyone of you see anything?" He finished addressing the class.
"No sir, but a few of the Gryffindors were smirking." Draco said quickly. He stubbornly refused to look at Nott. Willow actually wonder if he was just trying to get the other house in trouble or if he was hoping she wouldn't figure out that Nott did it.
"If I find out who is responsible then I'll personally make sure that person is expelled immediately." Snape said while looking towards the Gryffindors. He then raised his wand to banish the potion, but nothing happened. He tried again with more force but still nothing happened.
"My barrier is preventing you from banishing the potion. If I drop it then will all get sprayed." Willow explained while thinking. She looked at the two girls that were sitting with her and said. "You two might want to grab your bags and books."
Both girls quickly grabbed their belongings and moved further back. Willow then placed a barrier over the whole table from ground to floor. The moment the second barrier sealed of the area the first one dropped causing an explosion that would have splashed everyone in the room. The percussion was so great the walls actually shook as everyone covered their ears.
"Crystalized Dragon's Blood. It's the only thing that could have caused such a reaction. Fifty points to Slytherin for your quick thinking Ms. Potter." Snape said quietly. Willow just rolled her eyes at the man. "You will all finish your work and leave. You three girls will receive full marks for today as this was clearly sabotage." He finished looking back at Gryffindor to see if anyone would protest.
It wasn't long after that everyone began to back up belongings. Willow helped her brother and his friend gather everything up sense she had nothing else to do.
"Are you ok Willow?" Her concerned brother asked.
"I'm fine Harry, just a little startled really." She said
"You could have been hurt Willow! You should go to the Headmaster or at least call in the American Aurors." Hermione said in a very bossy tone.
The Wicca really did like the girl but sometimes she was to stubborn and refused to think for herself, only fallowing rules and authority figures advice despite the times they showed themselves to be completely wrong. It was also funny that the girl viewed the Aurors as the second option compared to Dumbledore in a possible attempted murder case. There was also the fact that this was Willow's problem and not hers. The redhead tried to be nice about it for everyone's sake.
"Hermione, if I call in the Aurors then they might shut the school down while investigating the issue. There is also the real possibility that they will deem Hogwarts to unsafe for me and Harry and move us to an American school as I've already been attacked twice. Dumbledore may have a lot of power in England but America, which has more authority over me and my brother than England now, is a whole other story. As for telling Dumbledore, I'm sure Snape will contact him as soon as class is over." Willow told the girl. Hermione seemed to think over the issue then nod in agreement with her friend.
As everyone was leaving Snape stopped Willow. "Just a moment Ms. Potter, I would like a word with you."
"Ok Professor Snape." She turned to the Gryffindors and said. "You guys go on without me and I'll see you there."
"I'll save you a set ... Pet." Vincent said walking up behind Willow with some of the Slytherins. The nickname came out awkward as he wasn't sure about it. An older female housemate had suggested he try endearing names and actions in hopes of winning Willow over, and had also given him a few suggestions.
The redhead paused for a second as she processed the word. "That's ok Vincent, ... you don't need to bother as I'm going to have lunch with Harry. All of you go on ahead and I'll see you, Vincent, in our next Class."
Several of Willow's housemates had stone faces so as not to show their anger, but it still showed in how they held themselves. Crabbe was about to say something but was cut off by Blaise. "Alright then Potter, will see you later."
As everyone finally left Willow walked up to Snape's desk. The Potion Master ignored her for the most part as he read over an essay that the girl saw was her own. Getting bored with waiting Willow said. "You wanted to talk with me Professor."
The man looked up from the essay to study the girl who was standing there smiling at him, but clearly wanting to leave. "Ms. Potter, I'm a little concerned that you're having difficulties fitting in to Slytherin. You don't seem to be making an effort to befriend your housemates except for Ms. Parkinson. I have no objection to you having friends in other houses, but you need to understand how your actions can anger some of your more outspoken housemates."
"Are you actually saying that the bombing of my potion was my fault Professor?" The redhead asked in a quiet voice no longer smiling.
"That Ms. Potter was a prank gone wrong. I'm sure the student had no real idea the reaction would be so volatile. I will look into the matter and, if the perpetrator is found, I will punish him or her to the full extent of my abilities that I'm allowed to." Snape said to placate the girl.
"Slytherin sir. If you find the Slytherin responsible for the explosion that could have harmed me, Pansy, and Tracey you'll expel them. That is what you said sir, correct?" Willow asked in a quiet angry voice.
Snape seemed to think over his answer before saying. "Yes Ms. Potter, if I find the student responsible I'll see them expelled. I hope you will make more of an effort to get along with your house. You may head to lunch now as I need to inform the Headmaster of the incident, good day." With that he returned to looking over the paper.
Willow stomped over to her bag and threw it over her shoulder. The Wicca slammed the door while leaving, replaying the conversation in her head. Snape had just told her he wasn't going to punish a Slytherin for this unless the evidence was completely solid, and even then it may not matter. The fact he even refused to agree with her that it had been a Slytherin was self-evident that he wasn't going to look at the Snakes. The Wicca had half a mind to go to the Great Hall and shove Nott's wand down his throat.
"Willow!" The Wicca stopped and looked around the hallway for the person who called her. She looked to her right and saw an open door leading into an unused classroom. Walking inside she saw Dawn setting in a desk.
The older girl had her wand out and was twirling it nervously in her hands. "What did the overgrown bat want?"
Willow, after closing the door, sat down in front of her friend and said. "He told me in a nutshell that if I was more Slytherin than there wouldn't have been an attack. Apparently, I need to start making an effort to be more Slytherin worthy."
Willow sadly stared at her arm. She missed her pet Snakes, but they weren't allowed outside the Slytherin Dormitory because some people were scared of them. The redhead had been angry when Victor informed her of this ruling sense she herself was afraid of frogs, but they were allowed in classrooms. She could really use a hug from Sr. Huggs right now.
"How do you plan on handling this?" Dawn asked. She didn't even realize she held her breath in anticipation of Willow's answer.
"I think I'll let Draco handle it." Willow said absentmindedly. "He seems to want me happy in Slytherin. His father probably knows that I don't plan to go through with the marriage, and Lucius doesn't want Crabbe accidentally giving me an excuse to void the contract. If the Slytherins started showing me hostility or outright attacking me, and I can proof my future husband was somehow involved, it would be grounds for annulment."
Dawn was relieved. She didn't think Willow was actually going to hurt Theodore Nott, but she wasn't sure exactly how the Wicca was going to handled it. Letting Draco take care of Nott was the best option Willow had to use. However, the redhead did bring up something else she wanted to talk about.
"Why did you except the contract Willow? Why would you put that much of a burden on yourself?" The older girl asked concerned. "Being around that fool must be hell for you?"
Willow began picking at her arm sleeve trying to think of the best way to answer. "I was just trying to keep the peace. I figured if it looks like I'll marry Crabbe, then the Purebloods would leave Grandpa alone. He won't say anything, but I think Malfoy has something on him."
"Whatever Victor did is on him. It's not your job to protect him from past mistakes. This is Sunnydale all over again, your putting too much pressure on yourself." Dawn told her bluntly.
Willow was a little hurt by Dawn's words. "What, do you think I'll go postal again or something?"
The older girl just sighed in frustration. "No Willow, I don't. I can't imagine what it was like for you before me and Buffy moved to town. You were Sunnydale's only real difference, aside from Dru and Spike, before the Scoobies formed, but you're not alone anymore. That's something you and Buffy have in common, you both try to shoulder all the problems of the world without leaning on anyone for support. You aren't alone and you don't need to be a soldier twenty four seven. You can take a break and just be Willow."
"You don't understand Dawn, I've been fighting for so long that I'm not sure I know how to be just Willow." The younger girl said. "You're right about the marriage contract, I shouldn't have excepted it, but I thought handling Vincent Crabbe would be easier than this."
"I get it Will, he's an evil little troll. It's not, however, your job to stop him from hurting other people." Dawn said still frustrated. "If you come across him hurting someone than put a fireball down his throat but don't make that your sole focus. That goes for the rest of Slytherin to. Don't spend so much time keeping tabs on potential little monsters that you forget to be a kid."
Willow was a little tearful as she asked. "Where do I start? If this was a strait forward fight I'd know the first move, but this is much more complicated."
"Your problem Willow is that your so focused on being Harry's protector that you're not being his sister. Your so focused on fixing the problems of those around you that you're not taking time for you and it's already beginning to take a toll." Dawn told her.
Both girls sat in silence for a moment contemplating the other's words. Dawn was terrified that Willow would break under the pressure that the Wizarding World was putting on her and the Wicca was thinking about the decisions she had made, judging those which were right and wrong. There were far more in the later column than she would like to admit.
The problem was she had gone beyond the point of no return regarding two major decisions. There was no way out of the marriage contract without exposing the Love At First Sight Charm. This would hurt the reputations of several individuals that had stuck there necks out for her already.
The second decision she could make better though. There was no way to remove the magic she had given Dudley and no real way to explain where it went if she could. The girl had given her cousin power to force Petunia to see him and Harry in the same light, and for the most part it worked. Her Aunt had been made to see that she had never had any real reason for treating her Nephew the way she did and had been making an honest attempt to make amends. Willow had never given Dudley any thought though.
She had taken her cousin from the world he knew and threw him in one that was terrifying and weird. It didn't help that he had only ever heard nothing but negative things about Wizards in general, plus the indecent with Hagrid the first time they met. Dudley had friends and a life at Smelting's but nothing here yet that she knew of. She had no idea how he was even getting along with Hufflepuff.
She had to be more than Harry's sister. Willow would have to be Dudley's cousin, his family. Family helped one another and that's what she would do. It would take work, but her cousin would come to love Magic and Hogwarts. Willow just had to find something good to capture his interest and help him make friends. The Wicca was also going to improve the relationship her cousin and brother had with one another as well.
Dawn placed her hand on Willow's knee to get her attention. "Let's head down to lunch. I'm sure Harry must be worried that it's taking us so long, and if we hurry you can watch Ron eat. It's one of the most fascinating things in Gryffindor."
Both girls laughed as they left the empty classroom. Willow turned to Dawn and said. "Thanks Dawn, I'm glade your here with me."
Dawn just threw her arm over the Wicca's shoulder in a half hug. "That's what best friends are for Will. Scoobies to the bitter end, that's our motto."