Record keeping: I made a few corrections that Rob4133, Difdi, and lateVMlover pointed out. Hopefully I straightened them out So thank you for pointing them out to me.

One of the things about the Ceraine character is that she is a variation of human (an Elfen species) who has her own world and own California, US. Not to be confused with Xander's world. she is a modern version of the Elves found in the Lord of the Rings without eternal youth.

You may notice that Umar is mentioned here and there. She has ahistory with Xander. He can's stand her and she utterly hates his. However as with Steven Strange, she has an…unhealthy attraction to him and can't help herself. In canon this was one of her problems that produced Clea.

Also Dumbledore here is manipulative but not evil or backstabbing. Here is essentially good but really likes to have his own way and does have a control problem. He is fighting for his people in the only way he knows how. And let's face it, us old people have a hard time changing our ways.

At the University, there are 12 students selected for training. The school disappears into another dimension and when it returns, 12 more are selected from different worlds and dimensions. Lots of training and lots of work. And they are very selective at whom they choose.

To everyone, thank you for the reviews and I will post when I get the chance.

AlbertG

Chapter Eight

Hogwarts

True to his word, Albus Dumbledore secure two new professors of Muggle studies for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A few inquiries here and a couple of suggestions there, not to mention throwing around a small bit of his influence and everything fell into place. Not that he expected any real problems. Some in the Ministry were a bit hesitant at having Americans teaching at Hogwarts as it went against traditions. Several other of the more conservative members had voiced their concerns, suggesting that many of the parents wouldn't want their children expose to 'Colonial' influence. He sighed a bit because he understood their concerns, however he was able to convince them that the influence would be a minor inconvenience at best and that it would be beneficial for the children to experience a bit of culture from the other side of the Pond.

It was an immense help that many of the students already knew who they were since they had visited and shopped at the American store in Diagon Alley at one time or another, either in the summer or on weekend outings during the school semester. The place was very popular, especially as the store wasn't dangerous. The students and their parents could actually touch stuff and not get pinched, slapped, poisoned, or screamed at – as long as they didn't break it. Naturally things could be magically repaired, but that wasn't the point. Dumbledore found it instructive seeing how both of the shop owners gently guided the younger children in the ways of respecting others property. Just because magic could be used to repair broken objects didn't mean that the property wasn't to be respected.

The American electric lights were popular with the younger people, although the elders somewhat distained them as being too muggle-like. Dumbledore understood their fears of the unknown quite well. They couldn't understand how those things worked without magic. It was a difficult concept, once again showed him how little his people had progressed and much they had to learn. Not everything muggle needed to be discarded as useless. It was another example why he thought that the Americans would be a positive influence on the students in the long run.

Several pureblood families distained the Americans and usually avoided the store or they would sneak in when they believed they weren't seen and then quietly depart as they could. Several members of the Ministry of Magic had visited openly, subtly checking to see if everything was in order. Later, they'd come back to taste the foreign food or buy some knickknack that they found of interest. Minister Fudge came in a couple of times along with his wife and seemed to enjoy the 'colonial ambiance' as he called it. Therefore, the Americans were fairly well known to many in the magical community. All in all, their addition to the faculty hadn't cause much of a stir that it could have, much to the Headmaster's relief.

Alexander Lavelle Harris drank in the ancients magic that permeated the entirety of the school grounds. The was magic everywhere, powerful and ancient. Ceraine stood next to him, following his example, not moving, simply examining the ambience.

"The magic is everywhere," Ceraine whispered. She was familiar with this style of magic native to this world, but it was still a wonder to experience it literally underneath her feet. It felt wonderfully strange comparing it to the magic of her Earth, her California, which felt different from Alex's Earth. Some of the students passing by saw the glow that surrounded her almost glowing. It was a somewhat unusual sight, but they were used to the unusual and simply walked past without comment. This was Hogwarts after all. "It's so strong but so unlike home." She whispered. "So alien."

"This world is alien for both us," he whispered back, "although after all of this time, I am getting used to the feel of it." Staring at the huge castle for a moment he smiled wispily and continued talking to his friend. "I know we've been saying this since we got here. I still haven't gotten used to the magic being so widespread, yet. This castle is almost alive and rather beautiful."

He was correct in his assertions of the castle. "Monolithic, but beautiful." She smirked at him. "It's very old-school."

"Cute, Ceraine."

The magic users in this country and around the world were too dependent in their abilities to keep the non-magical people ignorant of the magical world. On this world, the magic users went out of their way to make sure that the non-magical people here didn't have a clue and they had done their job too well.

Although the sciences and technologies were fairly close to Alexander's world from, in his opinion, it was a little behind. He was forty-two and to him it was 2022. From everything he observed, this world wouldn't reach the same technological equivalency until 2041and it was due to Oblivator teams using their power without restriction on non-magicals. Science was progressing nicely here however oblivations were stifling creativity with their unrestrictive actions. The magicals fear of being discovered had turned from a defensive measure into a preemptive arrogance. Once, it was done out of fear. Now, they did it because they could. It gave them a feeling of superiority and the consequences were being felt across the world.

Not only were they stifling knowledge with the normal, but they had extended their activities all other magical branches. Other magical styles were frowned upon and extinguished with the same level of contempt as specialized Oblivator hit teams scoured the world destroying the memories and artifacts not in the established wizarding community. In their zeal to keep their secret society from being discovered, they were ripping everything apart.

"These people have a certain arrogance here," Xander muttered loud enough for Ceraine to hear. "If they continue to keep this up, religion will be next. The Bible mentions miracles throughout. I can see them trying to remove all hints of miracle acts or 'magic' from their perspective and feeling an obligation to remove it. This attitude may trigger the very war they're so frightened of."

Ceraine thought about that for a few moments, slowly nodding her head in agreement. "Yes, Ceraine added. "They're almost as bad as your people," she said as her hand cupped her chin, deep in thought. "But yes, I can see them over doing it. Most people tend to do that when they possess power enough to do so." Xander looked away, somewhat embarrassed. "What happens if they decide to try to limit advanced science because it will have the appearance of magic to their eyes?" she grimaced. "It will be seen as a threat to their magic. They'll try to suppress it."

"Maybe. Probably," he answered after a few moments. "This world could fall into a new dark age or a world war."

"Willow would hate it here and would not have restrained herself in making her displeasure plain." Ceraine said. "She probably would start a war all on her own and gotten herself and other killed. That attitude is another one of the reasons why she wasn't accepted into the school."

There was a quietness to him, but it only lasted a second. I love her, but her soul and her desire for power is dark gray at best."

Ceraine rolled her eyes at his comment. "Tell the truth," admonished the woman. "Her aura was streaked more with black, not gray. She couldn't stand the fact that you were chosen and not her. She wanted this knowledge, the power. You know that was the reason you had to leave. She kept trying to challenge you and get you to teach her things you weren't allow to. Sooner or later, you two would have come to blows. You almost did, remember?"

Xander really didn't want to talk about that day. He was loathed to think about it, but his companion was right and shew wasn't letting it go. He was older now, and not easily willing to hide from the truth about his once best friend. "She felt the need to prove herself against me. I know," he admitted. "I was picked, and she wasn't. That rejection grated on her for years. We all know that it was better for me to go rather than have to stop her." he told her. "She would have confronted the Vishanti. They would have judged her and banished her, after stripping her of her power." He hated talking about that. "With me gone, at least she has a chance."

"With her attitude? Ceraine questioned. "It's good that you're gone. Sooner or later she will confront them just to prove that she can. It's who she is," the woman said as they began walking towards the huge doors that would allow them entrance to the castle.

There was no love lost between the two women and for basically the same reasons as she envied Alex. The women had gotten into a little magical spat. Willow didn't win but the battle served only to increase her envy and jealousy. Celine was fully aware of the woman's dark streak. Beneath that 'cookie-making because I'm really a good girl' exterior was a soul at the edge of blackness. When everything went her way, she was all sweetness and goodness. When it wasn't, her white hair was streaked with black.

"The school is gone back to its native dimension for a while, and we both know she's still looking for it. I hope she can curtail her ambitions. If she pushes it, they will kill her. There's too much at stake."

"I know. I hope she listens… Maybe Buffy can finally get through to her. Maybe." Helplessly, he wrung his hands in disgust. "We're too old to be playing games like this."

"Her choice. Her destiny," the woman answered. "Then let's focus on our job here."

The man straightened up. And wished his friend the very best. "Yep, let's."

With a sweeping motion he gestured for her to enter first through the huge wooden doors that allowed entry to the castle and what a place it was! There were ghosts everywhere doing whatever ghosts trapped in a magic castle-school did. But there was aura of gloom that both of them felt.

It was still all over the magical newspapers. The attack on the Quidditch World Cup game had placed a damper on most of magical London. Many of the children in the school were nervous about the affair and it showed, indeed around the world. Alexander and Ceraine weren't overly concerned about another attack so soon. it was an act of terror. Most terrorists liked to allow things to fester a bit before crawling out from the cracks again." It was for the best for the two of them as both were still recuperating from their battle with Hysidrax Bringer of Plagues.

The ancient foul entity had entered through the rupture Glory had created years ago.

This was the third battle they had where the extra dimensional beings were either killed or forced back to whatever hell dimension they had oozed out of. Glory was years dead and gone from Xander's perspective, however the rip was through space and time throughout most dimension. In some places the ruptures were just occurring or had occurred thousands and millions of years ago or would occur in the far distant future. The Hysidrax entered the world a few days ago, wiping out an entire town of three thousand before the two warriors were able to confront and deal with blob-like creature. The entity was a plague demon whose essence killed everything near it. without the right protection, nothing was spared, not plants, nor animals, or even viruses. Ceraine, who confronted the entity first used every spell at her disposal to contain the eldritch creature while Alexander fought to neutralize it destructive power. Sealing it in a mystic trap, both attacked it, binding and then killing the creature before sending the remains where it came from, in this case the Purple Dimension.

The magical community was unaware of the battle, and the few in the magical community that did sense hadn't bothered to follow up as it might have been Death Eater activity and didn't want to get involved.

There were others that had noticed but tut their investigations came up with nothing concrete to indicate what happened with certainty. They were aware that a battle had occurred. There were magical traces, unidentified ones at that. The organization added this incident.

However the battle hadn't gone unnoticed by the Russian government. The satellites hadn't captured the battle but did show the results of the plague entity's effect on Soviet soil. The Russians had recorded the frantic almost incoherent calls for help from the local military, the government and civilian authorities. The newly developed satellites placed in orbit did image the thousands of dead and rotting bodies, both animals and people. They did record the skeletons and dead trees and dying farmlands. The officials were badly frightened and rightly so.

The leaders reacted in the only manner they knew of. Taking no chances they acted swiftly. Two nuclear devices were detonated in the heart of the small city in hopes of keeping the unknown, very aggressive, and deadly plague from spreading. They gave no warning to the survivors or anyone within a thirty-mile radius of the blast.

Next year, the Russian maps would be updated, and the name of the city erased without explanation. The authorities there weren't planning to offer any explanations to anyone about the going's on in their country. Those explanations had no real answers, Other countries and their own people would demand what the leadership could not give. The authorities felt no being embarrassed by such things.

Alexander and Ceraine vanished long before the twin nukes vaporized the evidence. They spend two days day physically and mystically decontaminating themselves before they dared to leave the sanctum. At the time, the world cup terrorist action didn't really register on their radar. And the magical community never noticed the dimensional threat.

"How good that you've come today!" beamed Albus Dumbledore who greeted the two new, albeit part-time teachers of Muggle Studies. "The books are in the bookstore and I've received your syllabus. Most interesting reading by the way. I may drop into your classes from time to time for my own enlightenment. Our students registered in the class already have their books as you supplied them free of charge. Many of them were most grateful."

"Good," Ceraine beamed. "I'm pleased to hear that." Of course the bookstores were unhappy about that as free books cut into their profits." Too bad, she thought. "We're eager to begin."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. Once more he stared at the beautiful young woman longer than he should have, and not for the first time he wondered what kind of human she was. He knew she was from another Earth different from Mister Harris's world. Fascinating! But what she had exactly eluded him. It was as if she represented another species of humanity altogether and now that he was aware of that he could feel the unusual magic coming from her.

The way she moved, her body language and the way she spoke made her seem as if she was outside of humanity. She had said as such, but he hadn't fully believed. Looking at her now from inside his school, he did believe. Most of the men who saw her were captivated her beauty. Many of the women, especially the married ones, hated her on sight.

By Merlin, he was almost attracted to her himself!

Astounding!

He was intensely curious, but those answers would come another day. The 'Americans' were an enigma he was interested in solving. He hated not knowing, but he was also patient. "I am sorry that the atmosphere here isn't as jovial as it could be. Nasty business, the world games."

Alexander nodded in sympathy. "I was sorry to hear about that. We didn't attend as we were somewhat busy."

"Oh?"

Alex answered his unspoken question. "We had to terminate a pest."

A moment later, Dumbledore's eyes went wide with understanding. "I trust everything turned out to everyone's mutual satisfactorily?" he inquired.

"We stopped it before it got too far out of hand," was all that Ceraine said. They would each deal with their own thoughts as to the consequences of their actions-and that of Russia and the people that were lost. Dumbledore had enough on his plate right now. He didn't need to know about the numbers of innocent people who just died. He had his own problem.

The headmaster knew he wasn't going to get any details now and if the threat was contained, then all was right with the world, literally. "Splendid! Now, as it is breakfast time and the students are in attendance, it is a good time to officially introduce you to the student body and the Staff. It should be a pleasant experience as many already know you." He turned and they followed him towards the staff table.

Alexander made an imposing figure with his black pants and white ruffled shirt showing off his very muscular figure. But he was still Xander and he had offset his ensemble with a Hawaiian designed black and red vest that complemented his long flowing red with blue trimmed cape. The cape seemed to have a mind of its own and enjoyed the attention of the crowd as it bellowed and swerved back and forth with style. It was a gift from his teachers in recognition of another Master of the Mystic Arts. Xander thought of it as a graduation gift.

Ceraine, like Alexander chose not to wear the traditional teacher's robes. She wore her long blue dress with a matching cape trimmed in red, a compliment to the one that Xander wore. Another gift. Together, both of them made a striking couple. The clothing was unusual to many, but they assumed it was just an eccentric American style and really didn't think much of it. Many also assumed that they were a couple, although they weren't. Ceraine' sister had Alex's eye.

Nevertheless, they made quite a pair walking towards the table and may of the students were cheering the new teachers. The Slytherin house was less vocal, following young Draco Malfoy's example, but not as much as one would have expected as many of them had visited the Americans' store and knew the incoming instructors

As was tradition the professors stood and welcomed the newcomers. Professor Severus Snape stood but merely nodded at Alexander and Ceraine. His dealings with the Americans was cordial but cool, which in his case was a ringing endorsement. The man had come to Alexander's store several times twice in the two years that the store was in operation.

The first time he came, Ceraine watched with amusement as the man could barely force himself to enter into the store. The man had a distain of everything. He seemed to revel in it, but Certain could see his aura. It was…complex, but far less black than one would have thought. But nevertheless, she was as wary of him as he of her.

She thought the man's arrogance was stunning. She could feel Snape forcing himself to enter the store and the only reason why he came was because he required a special ingredient for a potion he planned to prepare. Slug & Jiggers Apothecary couldn't get what he required for a week. Alexander's store claimed to be able to get anything within twenty-four hours guaranteed. He of course had his doubts, but he lowered himself to test the store's claims.

Celine was an DaElvis Lord, royalty, of the House of Mayran. she and her family were surrounded by arrogant nobles and officials. Snape's attitude meant nothing to her. Instead of meeting him with equal distain (something he expected in return), she responded with gentleness without appearing weak. It had thrown him off balance for a moment. She was an aura empath and she read him like a book. She was respectful but didn't cottle him as he all but demanded a specialty order. He honestly didn't expect to get the iris of a two-month old Hydrocynus Goliath packed in immature mandrake oil. Smiling, she made him pay up front and escorted him out of the store. From his fluctuating aura, she knew that aggravated him because she knew he was interested in the 'Everything You Could Ever Possibly Want for magical potions and ingredients' catalogue and she kicked him out before he could glance at it in detail. Male egos were such a fragile thing and so easily to manipulate.

The next day he had his iris packed in mandrake oil. He almost snatched the package from her, but… not quite and inspected the contents. Satisfied, he nodded and left without a word. A month later, he returned and met Alexander and asked to browse the catalogue. When Ceraine found out, she laughed the night away.

Snape returned a few more times and was almost civil, to her non-surprise.

Following Dumbledore Alexander and Ceraine were ushered to their seats. They didn't get far. Professor Sybill Trelawney, watching them closely, abruptly froze while staring at the two of them in a state of shock.

In turn, Alexander stared back as his magic flared within him.

The spindly woman's mouth was opened. Alex's first thought was that poor woman needed a much better pair of glasses rather than the binoculars she was currently wearing. If she had vision difficulties that their magical medicines couldn't correct, then maybe he could do something about it. The Vishanti had replaced his gouged-out eye, and he had the same magics.

His instructors had a thing for eyes.

Sybill's mind was not aware of his thoughts. In fact, she wasn't aware that he was staring at her at all. The power of the seers was in her blood and it now sang to her. She was the great-great granddaughter of Cassandra Trelawney, a renowned seer of great power and if Sybill's ability was less focused, her gift was just as strong.

The One Who Sees, the Slayers' consort, savior of his world, defender against the mouth of hell. A white knight of the Vishanti.

The Elven Princess, the Inheritor of the kingdom, mystic warrior now second to none. The White Queen of the Carastanbza Mayran,

the Unrelenting Umar's bane.

Masters of the Arts are they, not yet Supreme but soon to be. Two chosen of many. Theirs is the power this world knows not.

Restoration is their purpose. Resistance is their mantle. The first of restorers of this world.

The Dark Lord knows not what he does, and the world will suffer for it.

Deals will be made, wars will follow.

That which was stolen will be returned to our sorrow and to our glory.

The Boy Who Lived, the prophecy changed, the prophecy fulfilled.

New is his calling, the Snake follows his lead. Darkness will fear them.

A Prince of demons will seduce the Fool and bind his spirit to the woe of this world. The Fool allows him entry for power he knows not.

Heed the tide to wars and War. Open your minds. Heed the tidings of war against the dark.

Sybill gotten as far as 'the Slayer's consort' before Alexander discretely generated a silencing spell. Only he and Ceraine heard her words. To the others, they only saw the professor mouthing words. Many of her students and peers assumed she was spouting nonsense. However, there was one who thought differently.

Dumbledore eyes twinkled brightly as he tried to hear her pronouncement, but to no avail. He immediately recognized the signs of a silencing spell but was unable to counter it as the spell was different from than any he'd seen before. the mage would have had to actively counter it with the Elder wand but that would have drawn too much attention to himself and thus to Sybill. It was too late now, and he silently berated himself. A simple lip-reading spell placed on himself would have done just as well if not better. He'd be better prepared next time. Her words however had to be important and he needed to know what she said and resolved to speak to the two Americans about it later.

Professor Trelawney came out of her trance moments later, completely unaware of what she had prophesized. Ceraine decided to speak to her later in private. If she was animable to it, Ceraine would teach her how to develop some control of her ability and at the least, be able to remember her words without zoning out. Xander was staring at the woman with his traditional bland, almost goofy smile. Ceraine wasn't fooled one bit. The prophecy breaker had just gotten pulled into another prophecy and he wasn't happy.

Oh, oh.

Casting a discrete, wandless spell with her fingers she established a mental connection with her male counterpart. "Stop it," she growled.

"Stop what" he responded mentally. "I haven't done anything."

"I know you. Stop being mean to her. It isn't her fault. Harry Potter has just become a part of our lives. Deal with it."

"I am not being mean to her," he mentally protested.

"You're the last person who should be critiquing her style of dress. These people have their own culture. And don't try to deflect. You heard it as well as I did."

"I've been around too many women, too much of my time. I hate seeing her looking so frumpy when there's no need for it. She's so Nineteen century. All of them, they're not even trying."

"Why should they? Their own government isn't about to change the way things are. That's our job and it will take time, if at all. We need to focus on our own projects. The word's been sung. We deal with it and the boy and the snake whoever that is."

"You're right. Change, in small steps.

"Small steps." She smiled openly at him. "And you… you have had too many women friends. You're thinking too much like us. Leave the woman alone or help her. She's actually somewhat cute in her own way."

"Point taken. I won't accuse others if I'm doing the same things. You know I hate prophecies. We weren't supposed to get involved with their little dispute yet, but this prophecy…" he tried not to grit his teeth. "So, I'm fated to break another prophecy? My lot in life sucks."

"If we can complete our business, then we won't have to get involved with theirs."

Alex almost laughed at her. "Ceraine. do you have a bridge to sell me? Let's go take a look at the classrooms after breakfast."

"Are you okay?" asked a concerned Dumbledore.

Alex succeeded in not smiling at the clearly frustrated Headmaster. "Everything is okay," answered Alex.

Dumbledore smiled back in false humor. He hated not knowing…