Master Xander

Chapter Seven

Alexanders:

Albus Dumbledore felt hopeful because his makeshift plan appeared to be going better than he expected given the somewhat tense and frankly terrifying revelations of the past couple of hours. The Americans could be very useful in the overall scheme of things, but he'd have to be careful. The two were more than what they appeared to be and wouldn't be easily swayed unless they wanted to be. If what they were saying was true, then they were needed elsewhere and their eventual commitment to fighting against the Dark Lord would be secondary. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. He understood the necessity certainly, but it hadn't sunk in yet and he needed to think about what he'd been told. If there were others out there with plans similar to the Dark Lord, then he might be forced to re-evaluate his long-term plans and he hated even thinking about rearranging everything at this date when things were coming to fruition. The Potter boy was beginning to rely on him as a mentor and dare he say a father figure, but that was being threatened now. Alexander knew more than he should, and it would be a waste of time trying to sway him from the insulation that he'd made earlier.

The blood wards at the Dursley's may have been an error on his part however he hadn't seen any other way to protect and control the boy and keep an eye on him. The Dark Lord would have found him and killed him. That was the last thing he wanted so the wards would stay, and Harry would continue to live there until this unfortunate affair was over. Tom had to be stopped.

Albus needed to keep his eye on the prize, keep his primary focus on the Dark Lord before he could truly begin to focus on these other threats.

This ability of Albus 'to direct his focus at defeating the Dark Lord using the Potter boy as an ultimate weapon was one of the old wizard's greatest strength but also his greatest weakness. His ability to see the long view caused him to miss the finer, very critical details. He saw his plans as perfect, therefore he couldn't see the flaws heading his way. They were derailed the instant he involved the Americans. They were the flies in the ointment.

The Americans weren't traditionalists as Albus understood the term. He didn't understand how different they really were. Dumbledore assumed that they would respond favorably to his entreaties, see the logic of his plans and eventually follow his directives. Yes, they could be stubborn about it, but he didn't see that as a real challenge to his authority or his plans. Ultimately, they were just simple Colonials.

That was one of his great mistakes. He underestimated the power of the two Americans. Teaching a muggle studies class seemed innocent enough and this would allow him entry to their inner circle. However it also allowed them a foot into his domain. Having the Americans teach at Hogwarts was akin to striking a yellow-jacketed hornet's nest with a big stick and expecting said maddened hornets to respond favorably instead of chasing you for a few miles while they tried to kill you. He planned to use them not realizing how fully they intended to use him. Albus Dumbledore liked the Americans but that would stop him from using them.

They were thinking the same thing.

Above all Dumbledore wanted his people to be safe. Safety meant stability, tradition, peace and isolation from those who would try to hurt them. The people of the Wizarding world were traditionalist and dint want to change. They saw no reason to. What they wanted was to be safe from the Dark Lord and muggles. Once that was accomplished, life would be worth living. There was safety being isolated community, being surrounded in its own little bubble, just as the non-magicals felt safe in theirs. However things were changing whether either side wanted it to or not and real life on both sides were about to clash violently.

Given the history of the magical community it was more than understandable why separation had become a way of life for the Magicals. Part of the reason was fear of what the normal were capable of. The witch burnings and persecutions of old throughout Europe, in America, and in other parts of the world had left its mark on the magical community with it lasted for generations. It didn't matter that the far majority were innocent non-magical victims. Their ancestors were frightened and wanted nothing to do with a much larger, hostile community that tended to burn their captives alive and use other horrendous actions to kill and maim innocent people who were different from them. The separation of the two culture was the best solution either side could come up with.

Alexander understood the reasoning as well, and the consequences. In the hundreds of years that followed, the fear and anger of the magical community had given way to a collective superiority complex. The magical community had very powerful members that non-magicals weren't equipped to handle or understand. He did agree that their ability to use magic made them more capable, but not to the point where the non-magicals could be considered a waste of flesh as many of the community now believed, even if they didn't say it out loud. This belief was especially true among the Purebloods and those who followed the Dark Lord. People didn't understand that they weren't better, just different.

But then, people were people

As the Headmaster reflected on the superiority of the magical race, he knew that the Ministry leadership couldn't be depended on to do what was right. They were infiltrated with many who carried the dark mark and the Ministry was not to be trusted. Many were compromised and several of the openly corrupt and the Minister Fudge did nothing to stop it. Most others were simply afraid.

.

The muggle-born magicals were being discriminated against with increasing frequency. The squibs, those born with no accessible magic, were either cast out, ignored, or in some cases, quietly killed. That was the ongoing rumor and was something the Ministry never officially acknowledged for fear of losing their jobs or becoming the target of pure-blood retribution. Scandals were frowned upon.

Dumbledore expected that the two Americans would find it barbaric because he felt the same way. He sighed. There wasn't anything he could do at this time to change the minds of the people.

He was only one man.

Even the wise and understanding Dumbledore was somewhat affected by those prejudices, the man solemnly realized. Having grown up in the same community, he knew change was difficult, whether one was enlightened or not. He did want change and the only way–after the Dark Lord was defeated–change would happen was with a new generation growing into their own. If they could really learn something about the non-magical world, it could help change the future. If nothing else, he wanted his students to be better than his generation. It would take generations before both sides could accept the others and he wanted to do his part to see that it would happen. To do otherwise was to invite disaster.

When he looked at the big picture, he could see that the magicals was slowly shrinking as fewer children were being born in each generation. New blood was not being introduced (and sadly that meant muggle blood). It was happening in every magical community, some slower than others but the increase in pace was noticeable to those took the time to see it. In India, their community was the strongest as they had less prejudices against non-magicals becoming part of the family. It was more important that they were of the correct caste. Strange people, he thought.

The European and American communities suffered more as little new blood was introduced to regenerate the community. The purebloods were already having less and less children as, dare he say, those families were coming close to incestuous as they tried to keep their blood unpolluted by 'muggle filth'. The Wesleys on the other hand, seemed to be the exception to the pureblood infertility rule, God bless them. Otherwise, it was a losing battle, and few seem to realize it. This especially true in England. This was why he was becoming more convinced intruding new ideas about the non-magical community would be another step in the right direction.

"I might consider that position," Alex responded slowly as he thought more about it. "I think a modern no-mag class would be more relevant to your students. For example, we've had people go to the moon and come back. They've discovered new species of dinosaurs and developed technologies that the magical community needs to know about. People are people, magical or not. Each side has abilities and gifts that I think the other side could be blessed with, if they just knew about it."

"Optimist," Ceraine purred.

"Always hope for the best," said Alex, smiling at her. "And make sure you have a good stake," he quietly added.

Dumbledore ignored the byplay between the two. What Alex had just said had shocked him to his core. "Mug-non-magicals went to the moon? Without magic? How?" asked a stunned headmaster. "I confess, I've been unaware of the progress of the outside community." He looked thoughtful and worried. "There's much I need to learn, I see. I think you would be great access as a professor at our school. Knowledge is power, after all."

"Yes, it is, isn't it?" Alexander comment quietly. "You're aware of some of the things I am involved in. If it could be part time and Ceraine would have to be there as my assistant. I can't stay there constantly, and she would take up the slack when I'm called away and unavailable. Can this be arranged, Headmaster?"

"Of course. I could arrange this easily. It is a bit unusual, but I can find a way."

"Don't worry about the money. It's not a real concern for us," Alex said.

"Speak for yourself," Ceraine muttered lightly. "If I am going to teach, I want to get paid,"

Alex smiled brightly while headmaster actually laughed.

Alexander shook his head in bemusement. Will and Buffy would be shocked knowing that he was willingly entertaining such a notion of accepting a teaching position. Then again, maybe they wouldn't. They were by no means children.

Gone their separate ways, still maintained that close friendship, a band of brothers and sisters bonded to each other in ways that only a select few could ever understand. Time, however, had a way of separating. Buffy, Faith, and Dawn married. Faith and Dawn had kids. Tragedy struck and Buffy lost her first child when a demon clan, upset by her presence in Cleveland attacked her home. The battle that raged across the city and the vengeance Buffy, her family, the Slayers, Willow, Xander and Andrew reaped was still talked about in hushed tones in the supernatural community. Buffy eventually rebounded (slowly) and the Slayer school kept her busy and sane during those traumatic years. Her other two children were kept close by a group of overly protected superpowered family. he smiled because he knew what they were going through.

When Alex came back to the States, of course everything had changed, and his personal calling had taken a different direction. The suppressed memories of Steven Strange, M.D. Ph.D., had slowly been forcing its way into his conscious. The Halloween incident had an unforeseen effect on him. He had dressed as a soldier that chaotic night, gathering a few things from his uncle to fill out the costume. He only had a few dollars when he had visited Ethan's costume shop. He saw the Medal of Honor. The history was something that Ethan didn't have details of, only that Major Strange was a doctor and died in the service of his country in the late Sixties. According to his biography, Strange was killed in the line of duty in Vietnam.

By all accounts, the people who knew him expected him to become one of the greats. His specialty was neurosurgery and a gifted general surgeon. During one of the major offensives, the medical unit was overrun, and he was killed along with many the US forces defending the small base. He was personally commended for killing at least nine enemy combatants defending his patients.

The man was known to be egotistical and arrogant and few of the people who knew him actually liked him, but he was respected by every one of those who knew him. Naturally, this That was a before Xander's time. How Ethan came into possession of the medal, he never found out. When he was possessed by the Soldier on Halloween night, the medals he'd gotten from his uncle and from Ethan's combined to given him memories of a combat specialist and a genius medical professional. Eventually, the memories receded for the most part. What he didn't know at the time was that the Surgeon's possession attracted the attention of ancient forces that marked him almost a decade and a half later for recruitment.

Now he was here about to become a history teacher for magical students who knew little to nothing about normal human life.

He really was a creature of chaos.

"If you can arrange it, then I will accept," Alexander said. "I can develop a syllabus in a few days and I already have several books and projects in mind, at no cost to the school," he added, "that your student will find interesting."

"Splendid, Mister Harris," beamed Albus. "I will get started with the paperwork and look forward to greeting you as a fellow instructor of our youth."

Alex's face was immobile but inside he was a little dismayed by the headmaster's cavalier attitude when it came to his student's education. Dumbledore had just given jobs to two people he barely knew and who had not so much as given him a hint that they were qualified to teach anything.

"Wait, wait," Ceraine said. It was clear that she had picked up on the same thing. "Aren't you curious about our actual qualifications? Afterall, we could have no qualifications whatsoever."

The headmaster's eyes twinkled. "The fact that I am in this place speaks volumes as to your qualifications. But, you're right, Miss Delane. It would be wise to have a paper trail."

"True," Alexander said. "Well, I have Ph.D. in neurological science and psychology from the University of California which is a non-magical school of higher learning." He turned to Ceraine. Yes, I did go to college when I was in my thirties, so sue me." He turned back to Dumbledore. "I also spent five years teaching and training young women at the Joyce Summers School for Gifted Women in Cleveland, Ohio. USA. As for my magical training. I have equivalents of advanced N.E.W. Ts and O.W.L., plus several degrees in specialized magical arts and sciences so your people can't complain there. But I was recruited and trained for six years at a very exclusive college located in eh, California. It's a small school not well known outside of certain areas. The owners of the school search and chose which students they want to attend. The University of Vishanti has only Twelve students at any given time and Ceraine and I were offered an invitation, ones we could hardly ignore. Both of us have our master's degrees in the magical arts and arcane sciences. We were also trained in various martial arts, which you would know as combat art forms to develop our bodies as well as our minds. Once we completed our studies, we chose to come here to help keep the forces I mentioned earlier from turning this world into a destroyed wasteland." Dumbledore's eyes shot up in surprise and he looked somewhat dubious. Alex looked a bit sheepish. "Yes, it sounds melodramatic I know, but it doesn't stop it from being true."

"Fascinating," Dumbledore said. "I've never heard of that school but then it is located in America. And this school provided you with all of this," and here he raised his hands indicating Alexander's and Ceraine's home, "for your mission?"

"The proper tools, Professor."

"Fascinating," he said once more. "Though I confess you've left me with more questions than answers.

"Maybe in time," Ceraine told him. "For now, you know more than anyone else."

"Except for Arthur," corrected Alexander.

Dumbledore frowned at that revelation for several moments. "Was it wise for you to tell him such things?" he asked. "Such information shouldn't be bandied about. You may have placed him and his family in a very difficult if not dangerous situation."

"He's my friend," Alex answered. "And my secrets are my own to reveal or not. I learned a long time ago, keeping too many secrets is just as dangerous as telling everything you know."

"But you have put him in danger."

"He's an adult with a family and wife. I trust him."

Dumbledore looked at the man and woman. They had no idea what dangers they had placed the Wesley family. Secrets were secret for reasons and that is why he kept them close to his vest, but he couldn't do much about that at this time. In the near future though, he resolved to train Alexander on the need to keep secrets secret. "I hope that your faith in him is well placed," was all he could say for the moment.

Alexander was firm in his response. "It is."

Next to him, Ceraine looked equally confident. Americans were so reckless, the old man thought not realizing that Ceraine wasn't American at all but something else entirely.

For now, goodbyes were said. The ancient wizard promised to get back to him in the following days. One of the pixies present him with a canister of Earl Grey tea, a blend he had never heard of before but intended to try as soon as he got back home.

Alexander retrieved his wand and made an intricate pattern with it. allowing the Professor to apparate away. The wards jumped back into place the moment he was gone. Dumbledore didn't need to know to how expansive Alex's so-called 'wandless' magic was. The man wasn't a fool and he'd figure it out soon enough. The Jury was still out as to whether the man considered he and Ceraine as allies or threats to his plans, whatever they really were.

"He doesn't understand the threat yet. He's so wrapped up in his He-who-Must-Not-Be-Named problem that he really doesn't understand what's happening." Ceraine sighed as one of the pixies placed a tall glass of iced tea on the table in front of her. She nodded her thanks. "These people are so confident in their power," Ceraine said after a moment.

"They have a reason to be as you know," Alexander responded. "And let's not forget that their form of magic is mature and very powerful. They've managed to suppress every other type of magic on this world. They're robbing memories from normal people who had any inkling of magic and they're increasing their actions." Again he shook his head. Such attitudes were going to be very hard to change, if at all. Self-regulation has stopped." Alexander looked thoughtful as he continued speaking. I know it resulted from fear but now it's simply arrogance. They don't have any other experience to reference. It's like the native Hawaiian wildlife being overrun by America's imported wildlife."

"It's going to come back to hurt them with a vengeance."

"Well, all we can do is continue to prepare. And getting into Hogwarts is a major step.'

"Well, it's time for me to start acting like a professor." He smiled what would the old gang would say?"

"Oh, stop it," Ceraine smirked. "You humans are so strange."

The Tear in the Fabric of Space and Time

In a distant reality, something happened that hadn't occurred in almost an eon without the direct knowledge and permission of the Dread Dormamu, absolute ruler of realm called by many the Dark Dimension. The domain comprised of several universes and dimensions subjected by a creature of pure magical energy called the Faltine, an entity whose mystical power almost defied description. His lust for power was all consuming and he longed to acquire the planet Earth and its universe, to be added to this domain. But even he was subjected to rules that he couldn't violate, and Earth's universe remain protected from him.

In other universes and in other realities, the Dread Lord had either absorbed Earth or he was continually frustrated by other Earthly powers that defendant the planet and in the process, their universes.

In this reality, those rules were in effect. The resident Powers-That-Be would not have lifted a finger to stop him from taking over this realities Earth because it wasn't part of their responsibility. Furthermore, they relied on those rules to keep him and such entities in check and away from Earth and them. If those rules were broken, those Powers wouldn't life a proverbial finger to stop it. They were beings of great power but with very little concept of responsibility. They were interested in balance not in protection.

And they were more frightened of those entities than they were of their boss. Therefore, things slipped by that shouldn't have.

This lack of dedication and spine was the reason why they were replaced with another set of Powers who understood the responsibilities that they were charged with. Those responsibilities included not only Alexander's Earth, but several others in the local multiverse.

Each of these universes were unique and had different attributes. In some universes the Gems of Power, known as the Infinity Gems, existed. In others such as the Earth Alexander had come to, they were never created. But this reality had its own Dark Dimension.

Dormamu kept a tight rein on all under his control with the exception of another of the Faltine, like himself. It was his sister, magical energy made flesh, Umar the Unrelenting. She hated him and craved his power for herself, but she wasn't strong enough to take it. Her lack of power didn't stop her from trying. The two of them were at constant war with each other, with Umar managing to secure a small portion of the vastness of the Dark Dimension for herself. It was during one of the constant world-ending battles that The Tear occurred.

The Tear itself, occurred three thousand years earlier, as time was defined in the Dark Dimension. From Alexander's point of view, the death of Glorificus, She of the Small Brain, had happened almost twenty-five years earlier. The Tear transcended space and time as it ripped through the dimensions of the multiverse.

In one universe, The Tear appeared three minutes after Glorificus' minion drew Dawn's blood during the ritual intended to allow the blond goddess Glory, a way to get her hell dimension home. In another world it appeared two thousand years in the future. Time and space underwent upheaval.

Dawn Summers, younger sister of Buffy Summers. was in reality a mystical key Her blood had the ability to open doors to any dimension through space and time. In her desire to get home, Glorificus was willing to rip apart reality. Never mind that it would have damaged her own dimension in the process.

Glory was never a long-term thinker.

In other realities affected by the multi-dimensional rupture it appeared in the distant future or manifested in the ancient past. There was no rhyme or reason as to when the tear would occur, only that it did-and on some worlds and realities, it did so more than once...

Three K'sjansx, almost shapeless, multi-tentacle entities with dozens of eyes, saw the tear and immediately plunged through it in order to escape the Dark Dimension. They were just a few of many very dark entities who called the Dark Dimension home before and after Dormamu conquered and subjugated their realities. The K'sjansx fought back and were relentless enemies of the Dark Lord's minions, but ultimately were no match for the mystic power thrown against them. They fought but now there were only a few of their species left, so the moment the portal appeared they sensed it. Three of them managed to make it through before the portal closed. For two hundred years they travel through the portal, having no idea where they were going, only that it went. During their travels, they starved and the strongest one fed upon other two. The survivor had no real connection to the others, other than the fact that they were the same species. It needed to survive and in order to survive it fed on their blood and their innate magic.

Without warning, the tear opened revealing a new world. The entity and other things spilled out from it, rapidly spreading away from it and each other to see what they could find in this new world.

The opening didn't go unnoticed. Dormamu saw and then screamed in frustration as the portal closed before he could access it. Turning, he vented his rage upon his sister, who happily returned the favor. Faltine fought Faltine and the portal was forgotten.

But there were others who had seen into the rupture as well, entities not meant to do so. One particular foul being saw a virgin planet ripe for exploitation and conquest. It was fast enough to send a probe of magic and began surveying it with an old cruel eye. was now aware of this planet and was coming for it when it was ready. The one that was here wouldn't be pleased if he violated his territory unannounced. Evil didn't like others taking over its territory.

The K'sjansx wasn't concerned about the others as long as they didn't interfere. There was food enough for all on this world. It was ecstatic.

Opening its bladders it exuded gas jets to propel itself through the sky. Its instincts had it heading east towards what was called Bulgaria. There was a town there, filled with beings of magic. They were unaware of its presence and it reveled in the carnage and feeding that it would indulge in when it got there.

The K'sjansx was a mystical vampiric entity, and its first targets would feed both its body and replenish is mystical energies reserves. And when it grew strong enough after it finished feeding in this small isolated village, then it would spawn and would spread, feeding on all the living mystical sources and then gorge itself on these beings filled with such wonderful smelling nutrient liquid circulating in their bodies. But first it needed to gorge itself, become strong again. The non-magical things in the dwellings close by would do just fine for now…