Lessons Begin

“Ok, I think maybe we should start small try you’re hardest to lift this feather into the air. What you need to do is concentrate really hard, visualize the feather lifting in the air. You’re not going to get it right away...” Lupin trailed off as the feather flew up and started spinning in circles.

Willow looked at him and smiled. “Like that?”

“Right then, I guess we can move along.” Lupin said watching the feather spin in lazy circles, and then turning to the small girl who did it with only a small thought and no wand.

“She’s good at the levitating thing.” Spike said from the doorway an amused look on her face.

Lupin turned quickly when he heard a noise and noticed that the feather had started spinning faster only to fly past him and land deep in the wall with a loud crack. He turned to Willow and saw her blushing. “I’ve got some issues with control.”

Spike leaned over and pulled the feather out of the wall. “You should see her with a stake, no vamp stands a chance.”

Lupin watched as Spike casually walked over and handed her the feather. There seemed to be more than just that going on between the two of them because when he dropped it in her hand she blushed bright red again. “How did you do that?” He asked confused. “I mean without a wand.” Willows frown fell and she realized that any magic she did around them would seem stupid and paltry. Lupin realized that he’d made some sort of mistake and changed his tone. “I mean how does you magic work? I need to know so that I can figure out how to explain things to you.”

“Oh.” Willow said suddenly brightening again. “Most of it, I don’t know I just do. My power is earth magic.” He nodded. “I mean I’ve got my own power but I play off the earth. It’s a kind of science really.” She sat down and tried to figure out how to explain it. “It’s about emotions too though. Ok the feather lifted because…” She trailed off. “This is going to sound corny.”

“No.” Lupin sat. “Continue.”

“Well I asked the air to lift it.”

“You asked the air to lift it?” Lupin seemed confused.

“You lift something here, you’re lifting the object.” Willow said and he nodded. “Well I’m manipulating the surrounding area to do what I want. If I want to lift something I manipulate the air around it, not the object itself. Earth magic.”

“Right, I think I understand.” Lupin nodded slowly. “And the emotion part.”

“Well it’s sort of a connection. I don’t just look at something and ask the air to move, even thought that’s what I just said I did…I’m connected to the earth, the earth is connected to the air, through the connection the air senses my intentions. My emotions have to be stable to keep the connection.”

“And when the feather…” He motioned his hands to the wall.

“I just got a little flustered is all.” Willow said blushing again. “Normally I’m more in control.” It made since now, when Spike walked in, her emotions went out of control and she lost control of the feather. Interesting.

“It sounds complicated.” Sirius said interested in her magic now.

“Well the way I explained it and the way it happens aren’t the same. I mean I explained it right…I just…I don’t have to look for the connection, think about the wind, and create the movement. It’s like the connection is always there, and the connection can tell what I want. I think about moving the feather and the feather moves.” As she said this the feather lifted out of her hand. “Not all of it is as simple as that.”

“Simple?” Lupin said. Her magic seemed like such work, he just picked up a wand and bam, it was done.

“Well if I wanted to turn the feather invisible…” She narrowed her eyes and the feather slowly disappeared in front of theirs. “I just have to rearrange the structure of the feather, the physiology of it.”

“Right.” Lupin sat down and realized that he was in over his head. When he asked how her magic worked he just meant does she use incantations, spells, potions, she knew what she was talking about. Mentally changing the physiology of a feather in three seconds was impressive. He didn’t really understand how his magic worked. There was a spell to make things invisible and he said the words and did the correct wand movement and it was invisible, he never wondered how it was invisible. “How do you know how to do that? How do you know the physiology of a feather?”

“I just do.” Willow shrugged. “It’s that connection thing, it tells me what it needs to be to be invisible and I just do that.”

“I’m confused.” Sirius said.

“Well how does your magic work?” Willow asked.

“Well we have a wand, and we say the spell and…” Lupin trailed off.

“Oh.” Willow smiled. “Well that’s easy enough.”

“So all you have to do is think about something and it can happen?”

“No.” Willow laughed. “I guess I’m not explaining well. But I’m not really sure how to explain it correctly. I mean there are things that can be done without any real spells, but there are things that can’t be done without spells, potions, or rituals. Like Spike’s soul. I didn’t just look at him, think about his soul and then there it was. It was way more complicated then that.”

“His soul.” Lupin looked between the two of them. “How did you give him his soul.”

“The spell is pretty simple, basically I have to retrieve his soul from the ether.” Sirius and Lupin looked confused. “Kind of like a holding cell for lost souls.” They nodded. “Then I use an Orb of Thessula, extremely hard to find by the way, as a containment cell for it while I work the other half, which binds the soul back in his body.”

“Now I’m even more confused here.” Lupin said.

“About what?” Willow frowned.

“Maybe Dumbledore was mistaken, maybe we aren’t meant to be teaching you things, maybe you’re meant to be teaching us.”

Willow blushed at the men. “I can’t do everything. There are things that I don’t even know about. Here’s where I think the problem lies. I don’t have a lot of control because I didn’t start learning magic, I simply started doing it and my first big spell was Angel’s soul.”

“Your first spell was restoring a soul?” Sirius asked.

“Yeah, and then because I did that, we didn’t hesitate to do others, killing demons, binding the hellmouth…”

“You’ve bound a hellmouth?” Lupin asked.

“Yeah, in my senior year.” Willow said confused.

“Right, now I know we aren’t supposed to be teaching you.” Lupin leaned back.

“No that’s the thing. I mean I can do the levitating thing now, because I’ve started learning. I never got the basics. Never got the core down. Sure I can do soul restorations, and hellmouth bindings, but I try a something simple like making light or a cloaking spell and it blows up in my face, sometimes literally.”

Lupin nodded in understanding. “You think that if you were start out with the basics, then the stuff you all ready know will work better?”

“Right.” Willow sighed happy they finally understood.

“Ok, I have an idea. I’m going to get you some books, that we use in school. We’ll start you off with the level one, now not to be insulting but that’s a level for eleven year olds. You go over that, try to work things out on your own and the things you can’t seem to get a feel for, we’ll go over together.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Willow smiled.

“I’ll go see if any of Molly’s kids still has their books.” Lupin got up and left the room. Sirius was still staring at her.

“What?” Willow finally asked.

“Nothing, I just…” He leaned back in his chair. “I can’t imagine a tiny girl like you closing a hellmouth.”

Willow glared at him and his chair fell back to slam on the ground taking him with it. “I wouldn’t call her tiny again.” Spike said laughing.

“I think I’m getting that.” Sirius said standing up.

Lupin came back later with one of the first year spell books and Willow, much to Spike’s dismay, sat in the drawing room while the children cleaned and did nothing but read. He wanted to talk to her. Not that he knew what he would say or how he would start the conversation or how it would end. He wondered around the house, getting introduced to Buckbeak, making the house elf nervous by following him from room to room, which was his new favorite past time, and basically getting the lay of the land. “Supper.” Harry said from the doorway of a bathroom on the third floor. Spike turned from his inspection of the tiles, all inscribed with the Black family crest and smiled.

“I don’t eat supper.” Spike smiled at him.

“I know.” Harry rolled his eyes. “Willow told me to find you. Said she hadn’t seen you since this morning.”

“Been exploring.” Spike walked toward Harry and they went down the stairs together. Harry telling Spike about the cleaning and Spike telling Harry about how crazy he made Kreacher.

“Don’t tell Hermione.” Harry rolled his eyes. “She’ll just go on and on about SPEW.” Spike gave him a confused look. “Don’t ask.” Harry warned him.

They walked into the kitchens and noticed it was a full house. Willow caught his eye and pointed to a spot on the table where there was no place setting only a mug. He nodded and made his way over. “Spike, were you introduced to Mundugus.”

“We’ve met.” Mundugus said looking at Spike strangely. “Didn’t you…”

“And who wants potatoes…” Willow said interrupting whatever story Mundugus was about to bring up and Spike sent her a grateful look.

Hermione sat down right next to Spike giving him a smile. She hadn’t been able to chalk up enough courage to talk to him, not like Ron, Fred, and George had but she was getting to the point where her heartbeat didn’t race. “Hermione.” Spike said, trying to make her more comfortable around him.

“Spike.” Hermione said blushing and Willow sent him a smirk. And then he realized it. It wasn’t that she was scared of him as a vampire, she had a crush on him. His smile went flat and Willow started laughing while she set down the meat in front of Sirius.

“Has Harry been eating like this all summer?” Sirius said eyeing the pile of meat. “Definitely aren’t underfeeding the boy are you?”

Lupin smiled and Harry blushed. “Eats me out of house and home.” Willow said leaning over Harry and giving him a kiss on the head. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Thanks Willow.” Harry said passing the meat to Fred.

“I want to know how Spike and Snape know each other.” Fred passed the meat to George.

“I’m almost positive that isn’t a proper story for dinner time conversation.” Ms. Weasley said glancing at Spike and forcing a smile. Spike realized that she was going to be even more cautious around him after finding him and Willow kissing.

“Molly’s right.” Spike said. “Besides, if I tell you that story you won’t pay any attention to him in potions anymore, loose all respect for the poor guy.”

“Now I’ve got to hear this story.” George said smiling.

“You’re going to tell me a story.” Willow said finally sitting in the seat opposite Spike. “A story about where all my socks went.” She raised an eyebrow at each of the twins.

“Well, about that.” Fred looked at George. “There was an accident with the washing up.”

“Minor accident.” George said. “We’ll get you new socks.” He promised. “And you’ll probably need new undergarments too…bad batch of soap.” George shook his head.

Before Willow could say anything to scold the two of them, Ms. Weasley popped both of them on the head quickly. “Too right you’ll get her new things and the next time you want try out one of your silly little projects you’ll do it on your own knickers and socks, understand.”

“Yes, mum.” They said in unison.

Dinner was a rather fun affair, having people over always made it a production. “Harry, as you still have socks.” Willow said leaning back in her chair, “You’ll have a complete uniform tomorrow for your hearing.”

“I’ve ironed all your things and set them on your bed.” Molly said. “And the rooms will be a little tight.” She said getting up and turning to the stove pretending to be busy. “Spike’ll be moving in. Isn’t fair to make Willow share an all ready small room.”

Willow and Spike looked at each other and Willow blushed. Lupin raised an eyebrow at the vampire and he turned away. “Are you ready for your hearing Harry?”

Harry who had gone quiet when Willow first spoke of the hearing simply nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll be there, and as they have no authority over me, I’ll make sure they don’t get away with anything.”

Harry smiled. “How are we getting there?”

“Arthur’s going to take you to work with him.”

“Cool.” Harry said staring at his dessert. “Can I be excused?”

“Of course.” Willow smiled at him.

“Ron, you go on with him get the room sorted so we can move Spike’s bed in there.” Ms. Weasley said from where she was washing up.

Willow grabbed some plates and went to help her. “You don’t trust Spike to stay in the same room with me?” Willow said a little annoyed.

“No, I trust Spike.” Molly said. “I don’t trust you.”

“It’s only happened that once, we haven’t even talked about it. I don’t even know what it meant. I’m surely not going to jump him as soon as everyone’s asleep.” Willow slammed a pot down.

“Dear, I realize that, I just think…now’s not the best time…maybe you should be more worried about…”

“I think I know what I should and shouldn’t be worried about.” Willow slammed the napkin down. “And I’d like it if you could possibly let me make my own decisions and live my own life. You’re not my mother you know.” She turned around and stormed out of the kitchen. Ms. Weasley sat there staring at the kitchen door for a second until turning around and cleaning more furiously, acting as if the outburst hadn’t hurt her.

“Molly.” Lupin stood up. “She’s just under stress.”

“I know.” She said without turning around and they could all hear the tears in her voice. Spike got up and walked out of the room and found Willow sitting in the corner tears streaming down her face.

“Luv?” Spike squatted down beside her.

“I don’t know why I just did that.” Willow said. “I mean, she means well, and she’s probably right, she’s only trying to…” She continued to sob. “I’m just on edge.”

“I know.” Spike grabbed her shoulders and hugged her.

“I’ve got to apologize.” Willow stood up so suddenly she knocked Spike down. “She’s right, now isn’t the time, what are we thinking, we can’t do this…” She turned around and stared down at Spike who was smiling at her.

“You don’t get to pick timing.” Spike said. “Now’s a good a time as any.” He stood up and brushed off his pants. “And it’s not like we’re going to run off and get married. We’ll take it slow.”

“It?” Willow asked sniffing a little.

“It, us, whatever you want to call it.” Spike shrugged.

“Really slow. Like super snail slow?” Willow asked. “Because I’ve just got Harry, and there’s this whole business with Voldermort and…”

“Super snail slow.” Spike leaned forward and kissed her softly. “Promise.”

Willow smiled and squeezed his hand walking into the kitchen. The door swung open enough for Spike to see Molly and Willow apologizing at the same time and hug each other crying. “Women.” Spike said laughing at the two of them.

The next morning Willow and Harry ate quietly and went to the Ministry of Magic office with Arthur. Willow, like Harry, was fascinated with the building even though she was sure that he, like herself, was nervous about the meeting. It was her fault, if she could have just taken care of the stupid dementor then none of this would have happened. Harry was listening to Mr. Weasley’s explanation of everything while Willow was off in her own world. Wondering what would happen if Harry got expelled. Would he blame her? Would he hate her? She vowed from that moment on to be a better witch so that she could be a better guardian. She wasn’t even paying attention when she turned to look at Harry and noticed that he and Mr. Weasley weren’t beside her anymore. She turned around to see them talking to someone she’d seen at the Order headquarters. Before she could join them they were on their way back to her.

They sat in Mr. Weasley’s office, which was a tight fit until his assistant came in and informed them that the time and place had been changed. They raced down the hall, down the elevator as far as it would go and then down a set of stairs. Arthur was complaining the whole time and Willow was sure that if she thought hard enough she could make this her fault too.

Willow started to follow Harry into the room and hand was laid on her arm. “Not yet, they’ll call you.”

“But I’m not just a witness, I’m his guardian.” Willow pointed out.

“Be that as it may, no ones allowed in yet.” Arthur said and Willow paced the floor. Dumbledore breezed past them and into the room without saying a word. Minutes passed and Willow was biting her fingernails when Percy opened the door and stared at her for a second without saying anything. He turned and looked at Dumbledore, who nodded, and then back at Willow. He realized then that Willow was on Harry’s side and narrowed his eyes.

“They can see you now.” He said turning his back and not even giving her a proper hello.

She tampered down her anger at his actions and followed. Dumbledore stood up and offered her his chair. She sat down nervously, sending Harry a smile. “And who are you?”

“Willow Rosenberg.” She said. “I’m Harry’s guardian.”

“Harry’s guardian.” The man in the middle with the nameplate of Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic asked her.

“Yes.” Willow said.

“Harry’s guardians are Petunia and Vernon Dursley.” He glared at her.

“Not anymore, I’ve adopted him.” She said.

“You’ve adopted him?” Fudge said as if it was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard.

“That’s right a year ago next week.” Willow said.

“Well, we weren’t aware of this.” Fudge said.

“Percy knows.” Willow mentioned.

“Percy?” Fudge turned to his assistant. “Why would he know?”

“Because he’s my cousin. He was there when I did it.”

“Well sir…” Percy started to say and Fudge waved him off.

“No matter.” Fudge said and asked Willows address. She gave it to him and he frowned. “We don’t have any other wizards except the Weasley’s registered there.”

“I’m not a witch.” Willow said. “Well I am a witch…I think you call it gypsy magic.”

“Really.” Fudge said laughter in his voice. “Gypsy magic. Can gypsy witches even see dementors?”

“Yes.” Willow clenched her jaw and glared at the man. “We certainly can.”

“Well, why don’t you tell us your version of what happened there.” Fudge leaned back in his seat smirking at her.

“Harry and I were talking on a bench when suddenly the night got quiet and cold. Harry knew immediately what was going on but I’d never…I’d never seen a dementor before and I didn’t realize…then I heard them. Horrible sound, grated my bones. Then I saw them.” Willow froze at the memory.

“What did it look like?” Mrs. Bones asked curious.

“It was hovering above the ground, no feet that I could see, and it was in a cloak, black that seemed to flow behind them in an invisible wind that never stopped. There was no face, but when I looked at the hood there was a hole….” She trailed off.

“It’s all right dear.” Dumbledore said.

“Then I heard things, in my head, memories, horrible memories, and then I saw them…and I couldn’t think, I was so scared and upset and I could only cower on the ground. If it wasn’t for Harry doing the Patronus charm I’m sure I would have passed out.” Willow sighed glad to have that part of the conversation over with.

“Well what did you see?” Fudge asked not liking that it was obvious she wasn’t lying.

“I don’t think making this poor child relive those horrible moments again would mean anything to this case.” Dumbledore said firmly.

“No.” Willow said to him. “If it’ll help Harry.” She turned on the Minister glaring at him and stood up, walking toward him. “I grew up on a hellmouth, in America. I was…am friends with a slayer. What do you think I saw? I saw friends die; I saw a creature that you would run crying from, trying to get out of the mouth of hell, grabbing onto my arms and legs when it realized that it couldn’t get out and trying to drag me down with it.” She was now face to face with the minister and he seemed properly scolded.

“Well.” Fudge cleared his throat.

Willow didn’t hear the rest of what happened. She made her way back to her seat as Dumbledore and Fudge argued. She noticed somewhat when another witch came into the conversation. But her eyes never wavered from Fudge, who refused to look at her because he knew she was staring.

“Well lets just vote. All for clearing of all charges?” Fudge asked and Willow watched as more than half of the hands went up. Her heart felt lighter and she turned to Harry who was counting the hands again as if in disbelief.

She was out of her chair in an instant as they adjourned the meeting and scooped Harry up in a hug. She didn’t notice as Dumbledore disappeared through the door, both of them just so happy. They made their way out the door and met Arthur. “Well, Dumbledore didn’t say…”

“Cleared.” Harry and Willow said at the same time.

“I knew it.” Arthur clapped Harry on his back. “Let’s get you home so we can tell the others.”

The ride home seemed so short they were amazed when they were on the doorstep. They walked in the house and everyone was waiting at the table in the kitchen, plates of food in front of them but no one seemed to be eating. “What’s wrong?” Harry said jokingly. “You guys look like you weren’t expecting me to come back.”

“So then?” Hermione stood up.

“Cleared.” Harry smiled. “And not expelled.”

Fred, George, and Ginny jumped up and started screaming and dancing in a circle while Ms. Weasley beamed. Everyone started eating their breakfast, suddenly hungry and happy. Harry sat down for some himself. “I’ll go tell Spike.” Willow said kissing him on the head and walking out of the room.

Willow made her way up to the bedroom Spike now shared with Ron and Harry and opened the door. Spike was still sleeping and she laid a light hand on his arm and he turned over slowly. “Something wrong?” He sat up quickly.

“No.” She sat down on the bed. “Everything’s great. We’ve just come from Harry’s hearing…they cleared him.”

“That’s great.” Spike smiled at her.

“I know, everyone is downstairs celebrating.” Willow said. “Come join us.”

“Why don’t you stay here?” Spike said patting the side of his bed. “You didn’t sleep much last night.”

“How do you know I didn’t sleep much last night.” Willow smiled.

“I know you. You probably stayed up all night worrying about this hearing, probably finding a way to blame yourself for this whole mess.” Spike stroked her hand gently.

“You know me too well.” Willow smiled.

“Come on, a little nap.” Spike patted his bed, next to him and she laid down.

“Little nap.” Willow said.

“Right.” Spike swung an arm around her waist, pulled her closer, and gave her a soft kiss on the lips and before she knew it her eyes were closed.


Harry was sitting in the kitchen waiting for Spike and Willow to come down. This wouldn’t be much of a party without them. He excused himself from the excitement and walked up to his room. He stopped in the doorway. Willow was laying in front of Spike on the bed. Both of them fast asleep, both of them so intertwined you didn’t know who limbs belonged to. Harry smiled as Spike nuzzled his face in Willows neck and she smiled.

He quietly backed out and closed the door. He knew it, he knew there was something going on between those two. Ron had told him he was crazy and Hermione didn’t want to believe it because Harry was certain she had a crush on him. He thought at first he would mind. He would be upset, that Willow and Spike going out would make him feel left out, feel unimportant. But now, seeing them in bed together it was like it was supposed to be that way. It made it feel like more of a family.

“Where’s Willow dear?” Molly asked when Harry walked in the kitchen.

“Taking a nap, she didn’t sleep much last night.”

”Well I suppose a little nap wouldn’t hurt.” Molly smiled.