~*~*~

Willow's new home was an interesting one. Even after a tour of the grounds, she still managed to get lost simply from her room to the dining hall. But she at least had a month and a half to learn the grounds and prepare for the students.

It was adjusting to the magic and the constant use of it that was the hardest thing to do. In Sunnydale, magick was used in times of great need, mostly. But this was magic, without the k, and it was used to do everything from making food appear on the golden plates to opening the paintings to get access to the towers.

Dawn wasn't having any trouble adjusting at all, however. Having been part of a magic spell for her short time as The Key, it was something she readily accepted and even delighted in, even though she couldn't practice it.

It helped that Ron followed her almost everywhere, keeping her company. If nothing else, Ron was an easy person to talk to, and that made him perfect for his job.

Spike became Harry's confidant, telling him stories of his times with Angelus and Darla and Drusilla, back when his lineage of vampires was the most feared order of vampires on the face of the earth. He learned quickly what was to be expected with him being an assistant to Harry, and chose to spend time taking long walks outside in the sun, something he hadn't been able to do in almost 200 years prior to coming to Hogwarts.

Willow, finally, turned to Hermione. And when it came time to go to the village of Hogsmeade to get some supplies for her teaching as well as her learning, she asked Hermione to come with her.

***

"So, how did you get to become professors at such a young age?" Willow asked as they walked along the path to Hogsmeade.

"Well," Hermione began slowly, "You-Know-Who had come back, but not many people wanted to believe it. When Cornelius Fudge outright said he would do nothing to stop You-Know-Who's attempt to regain power, Dumbledore...I mean, Albus, decided to do things on his own to ensure the safety of his students, at the very least."

Willow nodded, taking off her jacket as Hermione unfastened her cloak. One thing Willow made a mental note to buy were some robes and a cloak or two.

"It got worse. We didn't know it, but You-Know-Who still had supporters in the Ministry. Two years ago, they finally tried to overthrow the Ministry. It didn't quite work the way they wanted, but it made the Ministry something to be reviled and mistrusted."

She paused for a moment, looking at Willow. Both young women stopped in their tracks. "When Harry defeated You-Know-Who, those of us who were set to graduate decided against joining the ministry. Almost everyone I know is living and working in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade. But Albus asked Harry, Ron and I to stay and teach, or help the students. And we agreed."

"Is that usual?"

"No," Hermione said. "In fact, some people thought Albus had entirely lost his mind. I teach Potions because Professor Snape no longer could. He does hold an important job for Hogwarts, though."

"Really?" Willow asked as they resumed their walk. "And why can't he teach Potions?"

"He teaches part of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Snape teaches counter curses, things that can help you defeat the dark forces of the wizarding world. Harry teaches it's compliment, about the dangers of the Muggle world, like...well, like the Hellmouth and the demons you encountered in Sunnydale."

"But why...?"

"In the final fight with Voldemort, Severus got his sense of smell and taste taken away. Those are two important senses for any Potions master to have. When he resigned, Dumbledore split the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes so Severus could stay, and I got the Potions class." The young woman smiled. "I actually like that class. Severus is much better at his new job than he ever was at Potions, though I still have to occasionally beg for help."

"Beg," Willow said, trying not to smile.

"He's still upset that I was in Gryffindor."

At the smile on Hermione's face, Willow couldn't help but laugh out loud.

***

"I want to stop into Zonko's, first," Hermione said. "Ron asked me to give something to his brothers."

"Which brothers?"

"Fred and George. With the money they got from Harry, they made new jokes, and the people who owned Zonko's liked them so much they bought them all. Finally, Fred and George bought Zonko's from the original owners and have been running it ever since."

"Wow," Willow said, walking into the joke shop after Hermione. There were shelves upon shelves of objects, treats, books... "Once again, wow."

"Oy! Hermione!" a young man shouted from the back. "What'd little Ronnikins want to give us?"

Hermione smiled and looked at Willow. "That'd be Fred. He likes the word 'Oy' a bit too much." Turning to Fred, she said, "A letter and some money for some Canary Creams. I think he's still trying to feed them to Mrs. Norris."

"Then he'd probably be interested in our line of things for pets," another man said, who looked identical to Fred. "Name's George," he said, extending his hand to Willow.

"Willow," she said, shaking it firmly and feeling a slight burning sensation. Pulling her hand away, she saw a shape of a laughing face etched carefully onto her hand.

"Even better than buzzers," George said. "Handi Markers, our newest product."

"George," Hermione replied, "she's not a full wizard yet. She's the new Muggle Studies professor you've heard about."

Fred and George smiled even more, George quickly waving his wand over Willow's hand to make the mark disappear. "Sorry about that," George said.

"It's okay," Willow said. "How did you know I was the new professor?"

"Ron's our brother, Hermione's got a big mouth--" Fred began.

"I do not!" Hermione protested, but Fred ignored her.

"-and besides, it's big news when an adult witch or wizard is discovered that hasn't had proper training."

"Or when she's shacking up with a vampire," George added.

Willow blushed. "Spike and I lived in different apartments. He took care of Dawn."

"Ahh," the twins said. Hermione thrust the letter and the money at them.

"We'll be back in a few hours. Slip in some of those pet treats, too." She looked at Willow. "Next stop, the Three Broomsticks. I'm starving, aren't you?"

***

The Three Broomsticks was a darkened tavern, with lots of tables and comfortable chairs. Willow could tell she'd like this place immediately.

"Hagrid!" Hermione yelled, launching herself int he direction of a man twice the size of everyone else in the room.

"Hermione!" he said, his voice loud and booming. "Didna expect to see you here!"

"I'm here with the new Professor at the school." She motioned for Willow to join them. "Willow, this is Hagrid. He was the care of Magical Creatures teacher at Hogwarts, before Bill."

"So ye met some o' the other professors?" Hagrid asked.

"Yeah...I've met them all actually, except Snape."

Hagrid laughed. "He must be happy with his new job, teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts and all." He turned to Hermione. "Dumbledore's happy about the giants?"

Hermione shrugged, a gesture that seemed alien to her. "I don't know, honestly. You'd have to ask him."

"I will, then. Nice meetin ya, Willow. Good luck at Hogwarts," Hagrid said, giving Willow a firm handshake that almost broke her hand.

"Nice meeting you, too." When Hagrid left, Willow turned to Hermione. "What does he do?"

"He's a liaison between Albus and the giant community. He helped keep them from joining You-Know-who when he tried to take over again, and now he's getting them to be more respected by the wizarding community. And it's working, too..."

Hermione trailed off, looking at a corner booth. "Willow, let's get out of here."

"Why?"

"Because the person over there is Draco Malfoy, the two big oafs around him are Crabbe and Goyle, and they don't look very happy to see you."

Willow nodded, recognizing the young man from the encounter at The Leaky Cauldron a few weeks prior. "That's not a bad idea," Willow agreed. "He's not too happy with Spike."

Hermione nodded. "Let's get your things, quickly, then get back to Hogwarts. Draco and his cronies aren't allowed there." They quickly exited the Three Broomsticks.

"Why not?"

Hermione looked around to make sure Draco, Crabbe and Goyle weren't following them. "In our last year, their parents made them recruit students to help Voldemort take over Hogwarts. It was something they did very willingly. The had the whole of Slytherin going against Dumbledore, by use of heavy Confundus Charms. So he expelled them, broke their wands...but just those three. And they're bitter."

"Isn't Dumbledore nervous that their so close?"

"No...they can't get on the Hogwarts grounds at all. It's safe there."

Willow nodded, following Hermione as they got her supplies, her brain working a million miles an hour.

What had she gotten herself into?