Death Is Our Gift

II

"Back to the Hellmouth"

Sunnydale, California was like any other southern California city in the middle of July - hot. The temperature was high even in the early morning hours. Were it not for the air conditioning, the nearly-a-teen boy asleep in his bed would be sweating profusely. Not that he wasn't already sweating. He suffered from, among other things, night terrors. They caused him to toss in his sleep, resulting in what was his fourth bed in as many years.

His sleep, which came early in the mornings after the dreams subsided, left him in a near catatonic state. This was not so different than most other pre-teens during summer break. Except this pre-teen had someone who knew how to awaken the sleeping beast.

"Liam Summers, get out of bed this instant!" yelled the voice from downstairs. That was all it took. Those words, spoken in that tone and at that pitch, could wake the dead. And as Liam's grey eyes opened, he felt dead. The blinds in his room protected him from the sunlight outside, but it was still too bright for him. He pulled the pillow back over his curly blonde hair and tried to wish himself back to sleep.

"DON'T MAKE ME COME UP THERE," was the answer to his act of defiance. How she knew he was doing that was beyond him. He threw back his covers and placed his feet on the floor. He stood and stretched, trying to wake a bit more. The lack of continued harassment let him know that he was off the hook, provided that he did go downstairs. He pulled on a t-shirt and walked downstairs.

"Good morning, sunshine," was the greeting he received.

"You are far too much of a morning person, did you know that?" he replied.

"And why not? It's bad to stay up all night."

"Will, didn't you used to stay up all night and go on patrol with Mom?"

Willow looked up from the stove and over at her 'nephew'. "See, you don't want to grow up like me." She nodded, her short red hair bouncing with the movement. She returned to the stove and placed the contents of her skillet on a plate, before turning and giving the plate to Liam. "Now eat. You're a growing boy and need lots of strength."

Liam shook his head. "Will, I don't need any more strength. What I need is to go back to sleep."

"Don't argue with me."

"Or what?" he asked in a mocking tone.

"Or I'll take you over my knee and spank you," came the response from the back door.

"Hey Dawn!" said Liam. "How was patrol?"

Dawn smiled weakly, her long brown hair a bit disheveled from the evening, "Absolutely Slayerrific. A few vamps, but nothing much else." She looked more tired than a few vampires should have caused, but no one asked the Slayer to divulge more than she cared to. And she looked at Liam. "Now, apologize to Willow."

Liam sat down and mumbled something that sounded like, "sorry". He began to eat his eggs. Willow produced a similar plate and handed it to Dawn. "You too. You need your strength."

"Willow, stop mothering me. I'm a grown woman. I can take care of myself." Liam snickered at this. It had been this way all his life. Willow, Xander and his mom were always babying Dawn. She might be the Slayer, the Chosen One, but she was "Little Dawnie" under their roof.

"Dawnie, don't make me go all evil on you. Cause you know I can. Okay, so I can't anymore, but I can sure get upset and you don't want to see me upset."

Dawn grumbled similarly, took the plate and sat down to eat. Willow smiled and nodded. "Now, everyone is taken care of. What's on the agenda for today?"

"Sleep," answered Liam and Dawn simultaneously.

The ring at the door most likely saved the two younger Summerses from a refresher course in the advantages of being up during the day. Willow pointed a finger at them and walked to the front door. She opened it and let out a shriek.

"Giles! What are you doing here?"

Before her was Rupert Giles, former Watcher and friend of the family. He looked older, and was wearing robes, but it was the same old Giles. Behind him was a much older man with long white hair, a long white beard, and similar robes. His eyes twinkled more than Willow had ever seen.

"We were in the neighborhood and thought we would pop round for a bit. Do you mind?"

"No," Willow said. "Not at all. Just sudden, that's all. Please come in."

"Willow, this is my employer, Albus Dumbledore. Albus, this is Miss Willow Rosenberg."

Dumbledore extended his hand. "A pleasure to meet you at last, Miss Rosenberg."

Willow blushed and took his hand. "Please, Mr. Dumbledore. Come inside and have a seat. Would you like some coffee? Or tea? You're both English, so you drink tea. Right?"

"A cup would be lovely," said Dumbledore, who had been informed of Willow's tendency to ramble. Willow wandered off to the kitchen, and Dawn and Liam passed her on the way. Dawn ran up to Giles and threw her arms around him. "Giles! When did you get into town?" Liam stood back in the doorway, looking at Dumbledore and avoiding Giles.

"We arrived this morning." Giles looked over at Liam. He took a few steps towards him, but Liam snapped to attention. Giles stopped. "Liam, it's good to see you again."

Liam nodded coldly. Giles looked to Dawn, who shook her head slightly. No one was going to pursue that old path, at least not right now. "I would like to introduce Albus Dumbledore, my employer." Dawn shook hands with the old man, but Liam just stood back. "It is truly a pleasure to meet both of you," said Dumbledore.

"So, why are you here?" asked Liam.

"We came-" began Giles, but stopped as Dumbledore placed his hand on Giles' shoulder.

"Professor Giles is here because I asked for his assistance in this matter. I do not come to the United States very often, so I am not familiar with some of the locations. As to the matter which brings me here..." Dumbledore pulled a letter from his pocket and handed it to Liam.

Liam looked over the letter:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

Of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Dear Mr. Summers,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore will await your response before he leaves this afternoon.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

"Are you serious?" said Liam.

"No," replied Dumbledore, "but he is quite a remarkable man." Giles snickered at the joke, leaving Dawn and Liam both confused.

"What does the letter say?" asked Dawn.

"What letter?" asked Willow, returning with two mugs of tea.

"The letter that Professor Dumbledore just gave to Liam," replied Dawn. "What does it say?"

"It says I've been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry." Liam read over the letter again. "So, this means I'm a wizard?"

"A wizard in training," corrected Giles. Liam glared at him. "So, you're a professor at this school?" asked Liam.

"I am, and Dumbledore is the Headmaster."

Willow set down the mugs and hugged Liam. "This is wonderful, Liam. A real, fully trained wizard."

Dawn joined in the hug. "Yeah. It'll be nice to have one around again." Dawn realized what she had said after she opened her mouth. She looked at Willow. "Oh-"she said.

Willow shrugged. "Hey, I wish I'd gone to that school. If someone can show him how to avoid the mistakes I made, then I wish nothing but good things for it." She turned to Giles. "So what do you teach?"

"I teach History of Magic, although I occasionally fill in for the Muggle Studies professor."

"What's a 'Muggle'?" asked Liam, still in shock over the letter.

"A 'Muggle' is our name for non-magical people ," replied Dumbledore. He produced another letter from his pocket and handed it to Willow. "And this one is for you."

Willow, looking shocked, opened the letter, with Dawn and Liam looking over her shoulder:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

Of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Dear Miss Rosenberg

You have been selected to fill the vacancy of Head Librarian at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Your previous experience as a Librarian at Sunnydale High School, in addition to the assistance you have provided to four previous Slayers, has placed you in a unique position to be an invaluable addition to the Hogwarts staff. Your salary will be 200 Galleons a month, and the position includes room and board.

Term starts on September 1. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore awaits your response before he leaves this afternoon.

Yours sincerely

Amos Diggory

Head of Hogwarts Board of Governors

"But," Willow began to stammer out. "I can't..."

"Why not?" asked Giles, expecting the question and hoping that Dumbledore would answer, for he still had no idea.

"Because, I can't do magic. Remember the binding spell. Me - Miss-Homicidal-Black-Eyes-Addicted-To-Magic."

"Miss Rosenberg," began Dumbledore, "you were bound from using your magic because you are very powerful - more powerful than many wizards and witches. Power like that should develop over time, or have guidance. Giles did not have the necessary understanding of your full potential, but I, and a few people I know, do. Your magic can be restored to you, however slowly, so you can develop the abilities.

"The position of librarian will help you two-fold: first it will allow you to be around young wizards and witches learning to control their power, including young Mister Summers; secondly, should the need arise, there are a few of my staff who have experience in controlling and containing dark forces."

"But what about Liam's condition?" asked Willow. "I mean, I don't know much about the wizarding world, but I do know that he's unique."

"Liam's condition will not impair his abilities to learn. We have had many unique students at Hogwarts, and I have already made preparations for his arrival."

"So," Liam said angrily. "I have no choice. I'm going, is that it?"

Giles removed his glasses and rubbed his brow. "Liam, you have every-"

"Sorry if I don't believe you, Professor. I've heard this before and now that I can actually talk, I'm not going to take it."

"Liam, what I did-"

"What you did?" Liam threw his letter to the floor. "You called me a 'monster'. You called me a 'bastard'. You took me from my mother and whisked me off to be studied by your fucking Watchers. I was poked and prodded and who knows what else. All the while, you were supposed to be protecting my mother. And she may have forgiven you, but I sure as Hell haven't!"

Liam stormed out of the house with Willow trying to give chase. "Liam!" she cried, but Dawn held her back.

"I'll go to him," she said.

"Actually, Miss Summers, I have a certain affinity with angst-ridden young boys. Once he has reached his destination, I shall pay him a visit."

Giles shook his head. "I shouldn't have come," he said. "I knew he was going to be angry. He has both of his parents' tempers."

"He will calm down," Dawn said, putting her arm around Giles. "He's dealt with a lot for a twelve year old."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Much like another young man I knew not so long ago." But no one understood what he meant.