Decisions

Ryan

E-mail: willow.codex@virgin.net
Rating: 12 (Hey, I'm using the system we use in England) other parts maybe higher or lower
Type: Crossover
Violence: None.
Language: None.
Disclaimers:
1. Willow and co. are owned by Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN and WB.
2. All characters and places from the Harry Potter books are owned by J. K. Rowling, Bloomsbury paperbacks and WB.
3. No copyright infringements intended.
Pairings: Willow/Tara

Summary: Set after 'The Gift.' and HP book 4.  This is an AU fic, Buffy did not return from the dead, Tara did not die.  Sequel to The Exile.

Hermione looked at the headstone.  Tears rolled down her face.  "Why?"  She asked the redhead standing next to her.  The redhead was the young apprentice's mistress for the only the last week.

"I don't know."  Willow replied.  "I don't have your answers.  I wish I did Hermione."

The girl placed a bunch of flowers on her parents grave.  "Farewell."  Was the single word she spoke while doing this.

She stood and turned to face Willow.  "I want to collect a few of my belongings then go home."

Willow nodded and the pair disappeared, as the sun began to set.

Professor Dumbledore sat in his office.  It had been a tiring day.  He felt an alarm ward trigger and then be silenced.  It was the one he had placed on the Granger house.  "What now?"  He groaned and apparated to the building.  The living room was dark when he arrived.

"Anything else you wanted?" A woman's voice spoke from the hall way.

"That is everything."  Hermione replied.  "My parent's lawyer will take care of the rest. Come on Crookshanks you'll like your new home."

The cat purred.

"Ready apprentice?" The woman asked.

"Yes, Mistress."  Hermione spoke.

Dumbledore felt them apparate away.    "Well, it appears Miss Granger, as got herself an apprenticeship and won't be returning after all."  The old wizard sighed.

Tara was waiting for Willow and Hermione when they arrived back.  "Well," Tara spoke. "Any problems?"

"None."  Willow answered accepting the embrace of her lover.

"I'm feeling tired so I'll go and put my stuff away and show Crookshanks my room."  Hermione spoke.

"Okay,"  Willow smiled at the girl.  "Call if you need anything."

"I need sometime alone."  Hermione spoke.  "I need to think something's over."

"I know."  Willow place a hand on the girl's shoulder.  "Just don't make any decisions about you future until you've had time to grieve."

"That's the problem," she replied.  "I miss my parents, but can't grieve.  I have too much hurt inside.  I hurt because my memories are patchy at best.  Cause, I was exiled for a crime I didn't commit.  I remember the faces and names of friend, but there's no emotions associated too them."

She paused.

"I guess what I'm try to say is that I'm sure in wanting to stay with you guys." Hermione stated.

Hermione found herself hugged by both Tara and Willow.

Time passed by.  Hermione went to the same high school as Dawn during the day, then after a time went on patrol at night and studied magic at the weekends with Willow.

Then one day in early August a couple letters arrived for Willow and Tara.

Willow read hers;

Dear Ms Rosenberg

We at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are in need of your services, in the role of Professor of Wandless Magic and Co Professor in Defence Against the Dark Arts.  The terms and condition are enclosed.

We are aware you have an apprentice, you are welcome to bring he or she with you should you agree to accept the position.  Though we have yet to receive information on who your apprentice is.  This is most odd in itself, since the names of the apprentices are usually on the central register.

Yours sincerely

Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts

Tara's read;

Dear Ms Maclay

We at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are in need of your services, in the role of Professor of Ritual Magic and Co Professor in Defence Against the Dark Arts.  The terms and condition are enclosed.

We are aware you have an apprentice, you are welcome to bring the young lady Miss Summers with you.

Yours sincerely

Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts.

"Do we accept or decline?"  Willow asked Tara over the breakfast table

"It will not only effect us."  Tara stated.  "It effects the girls as well."

"Tara, they know Dawn's your apprentice, but they don't know about Hermione being mine?"  The redhead was a little confused.

"Cos' until you spoke her name it couldn't be recorded."  Tara answered.  "It's noted that you've take a former exile as your apprentice, but not who it is."

"Oh."  Willow scratched her head

"Well, then I said."  Hermione was talking to Dawn, as they walked into the kitchen.  "You've wet yourself. There was smoke coming from his pants.  The vampy started screaming that much.  I had to stake the prat."

The pair giggled.  They moved over to the fridge and got out the fruit juice and a jug of pancake mix

"Morning you two."  Willow grinned over a cup of coffee.

"Morning Will, Tara,"  the pair chorused, while they started up their 'pancake production line.'  The girls worked as a team to produce 20 scotch pancakes in five minutes.  Which were soon on the table and being eaten.

"So what's the plan for today?"  Dawn asked.

"Pass the maple syrup please." Hermione asked Tara, who was pouring loads over her pancakes while smirking at Willow.

"Well," Willow ate a mouthful of pancake. "We need to talk to you pair about some letters me and Tara have received."

"We've received invitations to teach at Hogwarts."  Tara added.

"If we accept it means living there for a year."  The redhead continued.

"Well, there isn't much keeping us here."  Dawn spoke.  "The hellmouth is sealed.  The vamp numbers are low.  In fact they seem to be losing interest in this town."

"Giles,"  Hermione spoke.  "Said that the numbers now are no greater than any other town."

"You two know something," Willow stated, waving a piece of food at the end of her fork at the girls.

"Giles asked us not to say anything." Dawn grinned.

"Girls," Tara spoke in her no nonsense tone.

"I recommended you for the positions."  Giles spoke coming though the backdoor.

"Why didn't you tell us?"  Willow was annoyed.

"Cause you wouldn't have applied for it on your own." The former watcher answered.  "Besides, you two need sometime away from this town now the dangers here are passed."

"Why do I feel you're pulling a 'dad' on us?" Willow sighed.

"Cos' I'm as you would put it pulling a 'dad'"  Giles spoke sternly.

TBC in Blasts from the Past