The Web Wizard

Tara had put her things in order as best as she could. Her mother was not very pleased that she would be so far away, but she explained that she could visit often. Her mother had a fireplace, and Dumbledore had let Tara's mother in on the secret, and they used Mrs. Hall's fireplace as training so Tara would get the hang of using Floo Powder.

"It's better than Star Trek, mom," Tara said, and her mother agreed.

Tara had rented her home to a couple who she had checked out thoroughly and had explained the rules to. The rules were no smoking inside the house, and no dogs inside the house. Pretty basic. Susan agreed to check on the house and perform landlord duties on Tara's behalf for a percentage of the rent. Susan didn't want to be paid, but Tara insisted. "I can write it off," she told her. "In fact, I can write off the whole thing, but Hogwarts' is hosting me over there."

The day finally came and she had loaded up a large container with what she needed - software, scanners, digital cameras, readers, computers - plus her personal things, and she went into the living room, with Heidi And Henry in their carriers.

"Well guys, I hope this doesn't freak you out too badly," she said, giving them each a sedative. She figured that was best. The whirling vortex experience of using Floo powder might send either one of her sensitive cats over the edge.

The hour of 11:00 arrived, and she opened up the fireplace insert doors. She heard a WHOOSH and Dumbledore came out, and then another whoosh, and a man she didn't know slid out and stood before her.

He was the most austere man she had ever seen. He was dressed all in black, with a black flowing robe around him. His hair was sort of stringy and shoulder length, black, and his eyes were piercing and matched his black hair and clothes. There was something that rooted Tara to the floor upon seeing him, that made her almost shiver. It was as if a cold wind had just blasted out of the arctic into her California living room. She was trying to figure out how old he might be. He looked like he could be in his late 40s, but maybe he was closer to her age. It was impossible to tell.

"Hello, Miss Hall, permit me to introduce Professor Severus Snape. He is our Potions Master at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said.

Snape stepped towards Tara, forcing a slight smile, and extended a hand.

"Pleasure," he purred, but there was a cold edge to his tone.

Tara began to respond but no sound came out. She coughed, and stammered, "Pleasure."

"I brought him along to get him out of his dungeon, and also we need a hand with your gear, plus he's never seen a muggle home before, at least not in the United States," Dumbledore explained.

Tara turned to the tall, dark, malevolent stranger to size him up. Yes, he certainly looked like he worked in a dungeon; she was glad he wasn't wearing shorts or she might have needed sunglasses to shield her eyes from the glare. As if he were reading her mind, he stared right into her eyes and if it were possible, she would have turned to stone. Frightened, a thought struck her "it might be possible!" so she quickly looked away.

Dumbledore was talking to Henry and Heidi and Tara noticed Snape taking in the surroundings. She didn't like this guy at all. She hoped she wouldn't have to deal with him much.

"Can I get you some tea before we go?" she asked.

"No time, but thank you for the offer," Dumbledore told her, standing up from speaking to the cats. "They said they are really feeling sleepy, more so than usual, and you crammed something down their throats. Is this true?"

"I'm afraid so, sir. I figure the experience of floo powder would freak them out big time, so I gave them sedatives. Can you tell them I'm sorry for having to do that? I hate pilling them. I trust you have good veterinary care at Hogwarts for them?"

"They will have excellent care, as we have potions that you muggles have never even dreamed of," Snape said, slowly. She turned to him wondering if he was sincere, or if he was planning on poisoning her cats.

"There are a great deal of cats at Hogwarts'. They'll be in good company," Dumbledore assured her. Tara looked quickly at Snape again who nodded, and she felt a little bit better. Maybe that was just his way of talking, she decided. Nevertheless, this guy freaked her out.

"Shall we get going?" Snape asked.

"Yes, I think we'll need a few trips. She has a lot of equipment to bring," Dumbledore said, gesturing to the computers. Snape smirked and said something under his breath that sounded like "Muggle technology...humph." Tara felt a flame of anger rise in her but clamped her mouth shut. She feared he might turn her into a lamp or something if she went off on him.

"Well, how should we do this?" she asked Dumbledore, ignoring Snape.

"Why don't you go first and we'll come back and get all of your gear. Grab your cats so they'll be with you. When you get to Hogwarts', you'll be in a great hall. Just sit and wait for us; we'll be along shortly," Dumbledore explained.

"Are you sure a muggle can handle travelling by floo powder all the way to Hogwarts'? Why didn't she go in one of those aero-planes?" Snape drawled.

"I'm scared as shit to fly," she said, and Snape turned quickly to stare at her.

"Excuse me, I uh, I hate to fly. Scares me. And that was before September 11th."

"Yes, I meant to express my grief at what happened in your country," Snape said very slowly, which surprised and touched her.

"Thank you." Man, this guy is a trip! she thought. One minute he's sneering about her muggle ways, the next, he's expressing sympathy. Sheesh! Someone needs a 12 step program....

"So go ahead, you are an expert at this by now," Dumbledore said with a wink.

She pitched a handful of floo powder, then picked up Henry and Heidi's cat carriers and entered...

Chapter 3