Death Is Our Gift

XI

"Ozymantius Buttercup"

"Where can I find a copy of 'Ancient Herbs and Their Practical Uses'?"

"Do you know if all the copies of 'Hogwarts: A History' have been checked out?"

"Why doesn't 'Magical Beasts' contain any mention of goblins?"

Willow was currently being bombarded by questions from all the students around her desk. She looked to her map, showing the location of the various sections, which seemed to change periodically. She took a deep breath, again. It had been this way all day long & she had muddled through. Now, she felt like she was going to scream.

"Children, please," said Dumbledore, coming to her desk. "Miss Rosenberg is new and not accustom to the way our library system works. Nor is she an editor of these book, Mister LaFew," looking to the boy asking about 'Magical Beasts'. "Let me see what I can do to help."

Dumbledore spent the next few minutes answering questions from the students and showing Willow where to look up information. Their quest for knowledge satiated the students all went back to their studies.

"Headmaster," said Willow, "I'm not cut out for this. I'm a big failure in the librarian department."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Codswallop. As I said, you are not yet accustom to the Wizarding world, so many questions will still be beyond your grasp. But the fundamentals are the same, regardless of the library. However, I can offer you two forms of assistance." Dumbledore took a letter out of his pocket and handed it to Willow. She saw it was addressed to her - "Head Librarian Willow Rosenberg". She quickly opened the letter.

Dear Willow,

Congratulations on your return to the world of magic and on your appointment. My name is Hermione Granger-Weasley. Though you don't remember, we have met before. I know this sounds a bit odd, and it should, but everything will be explained soon. I am currently making my way to Hogwarts and should arrive in a few days, a week at the most.

I can offer you this - you are a natural at what you are doing. It may all seem so foreign to you now, but I know you & know your character. Buffy spoke highly of you & my own meeting with you confirmed it - you are a valuable asset not only to Hogwarts but to the Wizarding world on the whole.

So, take care & I will be seeing you soon.

Hermione

Willow read the letter again. "I know her?"

"You have met," said Dumbledore, "and the events of that meeting are currently not at your disposal. I can not tell you more about it, but sufficed to say that a lot will become clearer when you two meet. But put it out of you mind for the moment. The second form of assistance is more practical."

"Hopefully less cryptic," said Willow.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Quite." Dumbledore walked to an empty portrait on the wall. He tapped the frame with his wand and said, "Ozymantius?"

After a few moments, a head poked into the frame, startling Willow. The wizard was bald, but had a long white beard with black streaks which hung down. "Oh, hullo Albus."

"Ozymantius, I would like to introduce you to Miss Willow Rosenberg, our new head librarian. Willow, this is Ozymantius Buttercup, former head librarian."

Ozymantius came fully into the picture. He was wearing long black robes, trimmed with green. In one hand he held an ancient looking book. "It is a pleasure to see such beauty in this library again. But Albus, where is that old bat Irma at?"

"Madam Pince has retired and is living in the south of France, as of her last letter," said Dumbledore. He looked to Willow. "Ozymantius and Madam Pince had a, for lack of better term, misunderstanding."

"She was a nutter," said Ozymantius to Willow. "She threatened me with paint remover if I didn't leave 'her' library. Silly bint."

"But now Willow needs your assistance, Ozymantius," said Dumbledore. "She has recently returned to the Wizarding world and is unfamiliar with the workings of this library. As well, she has a Potions exam this evening which I think has slipped her mind."

"Damn," said Willow. "I'm not ready, Headmaster. I mean, could you talk to Snape-"

"No worries child," said Ozymantius, "you'll be ready." He winked at her.

"Before he was head librarian," said Dumbledore, "Professor Buttercup was our Potions Master. I'm sure he can... uh... assist you with your test. But now, I must leave you. Take care of her Ozymantius." He turned & left the library.

"Is it just me, or did he hint about some cheating that might be happening tonight?" asked Willow with a grin.

"Hint?" asked Ozymantius. "He just put you in the care of a former Potions Master and member of Slytherin house. Of course we're going to cheat."

***************

Liam, Joshua, Ash, Lex, and Sarah came into the library. They saw Willow sitting behind her desk, talking to herself. Liam walked over to her. "Hey there!" he said.

Willow looked up. "Liam," she said, slamming a book shut and reaching over to give him a hug. "What are you up to?"

"In between classes," he said. "Thought we'd come down and say 'hi'."

"Aww," said Willow. "That's so sweet." She saw the rest of this group. "So, are you going to introduce?"

"Ah," said Liam. "Will, this is Joshua Malfoy, Ash Willaims, and Sarah Weasley. You know Lex. Guys, this is my Aunt Willow."

"And none of this 'Madam' stuff," said Willow. "I'm not old enough to be 'Madam' anything."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Willow," said Sarah.

Willow looked to Sarah "Any relation to Charlie Weasley or Hermione Granger-Weasley?"

"Niece on both accounts," said Sarah. "As is he," she pointed to Joshua.

"You say that with such conviction," said Joshua.

"Never mind them," said Liam. "They have this long standing feud between families."

"So," said Ash, interrupting the inevitable argument that was to ensue, "The Headmaster said you knew The Slayer."

"You could say that," said Willow.

"Never mind him," said Joshua. "He's on about The Slayer."

"Thank you," said Ash. "I think it's an interesting story. Everyone else seems to know about them. Your uncle met her."

"Really," said Willow looking to Joshua, "do you remember her name?"

"Never said," said Joshua. "But she was The Slayer."

"Well," said Willow, "that doesn't narrow things down much. There were a few running around."

"How can there be more than one. The legends say that there is only one per generation?" questioned Ash.

"Typically, yes," said Willow. "When a Slayer dies, another is activated. Usually they live for a few years then die. But one Slayer died and was brought back to life."

"How?" asked Sarah.

"Well, she was electrocuted and given CPR-"

"CPR?" asked Joshua.

"Her heart stopped beating and someone pumped on her chest to get it started again," said Ash.

"Five points to Gryffindor," said Willow, giggling. "I wonder if I can give and take points." She thought on that for a moment. "Oh well, so she was dead and another Slayer came around. So then there were two Slayers."

"So, are there still two Slayers?" asked Ash.

"No," said Willow. "The second one died and a third was activated. So there were two Slayers, but the original and then the third, if that makes sense. Then the original Slayer died again-"

"Twice," said Joshua. "Don't Slayers know how to die properly?"

Willow looked to Liam, who was getting that sad look in his eyes. "The second time she came back, she shouldn't have. She was resurrected from the dead."

"Like what Uncle Harry did to Sirius," said Sarah to Joshua.

"That's really dark magic," said Joshua.

"Yep," said Willow. "But the story does go on. Unfortunately I have to study for Potions this evening."

"You have to take Potions?" asked Ash.

"Just a competency test," said Willow. "Snape insisted it happen tonight."

"Watch out for Snape," said Liam, coming back to reality.

"That bad?" asked Willow.

"Liam & him had words," said Ash.

"What did he say?" asked Willow, turning to Liam.

"Just the usual anti-American sentiment," said Liam. "Nothing big." But the way he looked at Willow told her that it was more than nothing.

"I'll talk to him," said Willow. "There must be some kind of staff respect," though she doubted that very much, considering her first meeting with the Potions Master.

"Don't worry about it," said Liam. "He's a twit."

"Good on you," said Ash. "We'll make you a Brit yet."

"Just no fish for breakfast," said Liam. Willow laughed.

"Well," said Liam. "We need to eat a bit before Astronomy." They all said their good byes and Willow motioned for Liam to lean over.

"You okay?" she whispered.

"Yeah," said Liam.

"Come back tomorrow afternoon & we'll talk," she said, giving him a peck on the cheek.

"'kay," said Liam smiling. He quickly ran after his friends. The concept of Liam having friends made Willow very happy. She wished that Buffy could be there to see it. She sat back down & turned back to her book.

"Nice boy," said Ozymantius from the picture sitting on Willow's desk. "Seems a bit troubled though."

"You have no idea," said Willow.

****************

Later that evening, Willow descended to the dungeons. How anyone could enjoy this place was beyond her. She made her way to one of the dungeons marked with a 'III' on it. She opened the door & saw Professor Snape standing in front of the room, his arms crossed.

"You're late," said Snape. "I should deduct points for that, thought I doubt I will need to."

"Sorry," said Willow. "I got lost. This caster is huge and there are-"

"Save your excuses," said Snape, walking towards her. "Hopefully this will be your only venture into my dungeons. So are you prepared?"

Willow was loosing her patience. "For your test, definitely. For your attitude, most definitely."

"My attitude should be none of your concern," retorted Snape.

"No," said Willow, "but civility would be nice."

"Miss Rosenberg, I wish to get this task over with. Forgive me if I don't enjoy testing witches without proper training on basic potion making skills."

"And you enjoy teaching, or rather bullying, first year students?"

Snape cracked a thin smile. "So he came running to you I see."

"No," said Willow "he didn't. He is his mother's child and has no need to run to anyone. However, I don't appreciate the hostility towards Liam."

"The treatment of my students, regardless of their lineage, is none-"

"When it's my nephew," interrupted Willow, "it most certainly is."

"He may be his mother's child, but it's his father that concerns me most."

"Liam is a normal boy," said Willow, now glaring. "And if I find out you have made one remark-"

"Spare me your idle threats," said Snape.

"Nothing idle about my threats," said Willow. "Just ask Giles or Dumbledore why I was bound from my magic in the first place." Snape pulled out his wand & pointed it at the chalk board. Two columns of writing appeared.

"You have two potions to brew," said Snape. "The student supplies cupboard is over there," pointing to a row of cabinets. "You have two hours to complete them, though you have wasted part of it with witty banner, so I suggest you begin. Now!"

Snape turned on one heel and walked into another room off the dungeon, slamming the door behind him. Willow stuck her tongue out at the door and took a picture from the robe of her pocket.

"Good show," said Ozymantius. "Now, let's have a look at what he's got for you." Willow pointed the picture at the chalk board. "Alright," said Ozymantius. "Nothing too difficult. But I had a question Miss Willow."

"Anything," said Willow through gritted teeth, trying to relax.

"Who is Liam's father anyway?"