The Wonderful Wizard of Awesome

Albus Dumbledore was intent on keeping his promise to Jaina. Weeks of frustration had given into despair, as he was not able to glean any useful information from the arcane tomes he had so thoroughly read. It was only by chance that he had walked into an unused classroom containing the mystical Mirror of Erised, which gave him the idea to bring Jaina to have the mirror show her what her heart's deepest desire was.

He toiled for several days, using various charms to enchant the mirror to create a portal or at least a line of communication to Azeroth. His efforts would finally pay off.

It was late November and the air had started to turn quite chilly. Jaina and Hermione were outside for a flying lesson when Professor McGonagall approached Madam Hooch. "I need Miss Proudmoore right away," she trilled. "It's urgent". Madam Hooch flew up to Jaina on her broom. "Proudmoore. Professor McGonagall needs to see you. She has something very important to tell you."

Jaina guided her broom to the ground to meet up with Professor McGonagall. "Oh Jaina, we have had a breakthrough! Professor Dumbledore's work has paid off, finally." Jaina glowed with excitement. "That's great, Professor. Are we going to the headmaster's office?" Professor McGonagall gave Jaina a reassuring look. "No, my dear, it's quite impossible right now. He has made me acting headmaster as he has urgent business to attend to." "Urgent business? Where?" inquired Jaina. Professor McGonagall smiled. "In Dalaran, Jaina."

The magically-attuned capital city of Dalaran nestled peacefully by Lake Lordamere. Professor Dumbledore had never seen such exotic flora and fauna in his many years. The magical runes and wards surrounding the city were far different than anything he had ever seen. The purple motif, gentle breezes, and breathtaking scenery however offered him a sense of tranquility that he had not felt in a long time.

"Fascinating, Archmage. Positively fascinating!" exclaimed Dumbledore in awe as he and Antonidas took a leisurely stroll through the streets of Dalaran. "Thank you so much for reaching out to me, Professor," Antonidas said. "I'm relieved to know that Jaina is doing well. The magic from your world does seem to be markedly different than what we use in Azeroth." He chuckled as they passed a couple of apprentice wizards practicing their polymorph spells.

Dumbledore looked at Antonidas, with an expression of curiosity on his face. "I still don't know how she got into our world, Archmage. She said that she fell asleep reading a spell book before she went to bed, and woke up in Diagon Alley, a business district on our wizarding world." Antonidas smiled. "She is such an inquisitive thing. She always has her nose in a book. She delves into spellbooks normally far too advanced for apprentice wizards her age. She does have the aptitude to handle magic that is normally reserved for fully-trained wizards." Dumbledore nodded, not at all surprised to learn that Jaina was a prodigy in her home world.

Antonidas continued. "She may have inadvertently cast a particularly powerful teleportation spell while nodding off to sleep." "One powerful enough to traverse planes and bend the laws of spacei-time," Dumbledore said. "Precisely," said Antonidas. "

"She has talked so fondly of you, Archmage. I promised her that I would return her home, and it was not an empty one that I intend to break," said Dumbledore. "You certainly are a capable wizard to be able to contact me. I'm sure it was not easy." Dumbledore nodded. "It took me nearly three months to contact you. I know you had to be terribly worried." Antonidas smiled. "I was, but maybe not to the degree you'd suspect. Jaina is a very talented apprentice and I knew she could take care of herself. She happened to get lucky and end up in another wizarding world. Tell me, Professor, is she otherwise happy?"

"Archmage, I cannot help but notice the pure joy that emanates from her soul. She has made some friends at Hogwarts and she excels in all of her studies. I know in her heart, she wants to be back home in Dalaran, but she is very happy at Hogwarts. It may be tougher to pull her away from my world than she's willing to admit."

Antonidas nodded. "I would be foolish to assume otherwise, she undoubtedly has some strong attachments at Hogwarts." "She is especially close to another young witch under my care, Miss Hermione Granger. It would devastate both of them to be separated," added Dumbledore.

"And it would be unreasonable of me to force her come back if she is truly happy at Hogwarts," Antonidas admitted. "Only she can choose her path." Dumbledore nodded in agreement. "And if she stays at Hogwarts, can she come back to Dalaran once she completes her studies with us? She would have six more years before she graduates."

Antonidas stroked his beard. "It is possible, yes, but again Azerothian magic is different than the curriculum that is taught at Hogwarts. The structure and discipline would be beneficial, but unless she keeps up with her Azerothian magic, her future in Dalaran may not be as bright. I do not doubt her capabilities or determination, but it will be difficult to master our brand of magic at Hogwarts. I hope she understands that."

Dumbledore couldn't help but gush about their mutual star pupil. "She cast a frost nova to freeze a mountain troll one month ago. I'm not sure anyone on our faculty would have been able to subdue the fiend as quickly as she did. She is an extremely talented young lady and she never fails to impress me."

Antonidas smiled. "Tell me, Professor," he said with a glint in his eyes, "You have a pupil of your own which you speak so highly of. This Miss... Granger, was it? I'd like to know more about her."

Dumbledore chuckled. "I have several outstanding students, and Hermione is certainly among them. She and Jaina have been very close friends since they day they met. Jaina has successfully taught her a few basic Azerothian spells. Like Jaina, Hermione has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and I often see her nose in spellbooks reserved for our more advanced students. And also like Jaina, she excels in all of her studies."

Antonidas smiled. "Perhaps one day, we can invite Miss Granger to Dalaran as a special guest." "I know she would like that very much," concurred Dumbledore. "I believe she has mentioned a desire to visit Jaina's homeworld."

"Professor, I will need your assistance to develop a permanent gateway between our worlds, if you would like to establish such a connection," Antonidas said as he gazed off into the horizon. "I would be delighted to help you see this through," replied Dumbledore.

"For now, please, come with me to our Great Hall. We shall have a feast in your honor shortly, and we will provide you the finest accommodations during your stay here. We will journey back to Hogwarts in the morning if that is agreeable."

The next morning, Jaina and Hermione were in the middle of their Charms lesson when Professor Dumbledore knocked on the classroom door. "Good morning, Professor Flitwick." The diminutive Charms instructor paused for a moment. "Hello Headmaster, what can I do for you?" Dumbledore could barely contain his smile. "I need Miss Granger and Miss Proudmore to come with me, please." "Very well, Headmaster," said Flitwick, and he turned to Jaina and Hermione. "Go get your things and go with Professor Dumbledore, young ladies. I will see you tomorrow then."

Jaina and Hermione followed the headmaster to his office, where Professor McGonagall and a strange wizard that Hermione had never seen before awaited them. "It is so good to see you, my child," the strange wizard said to Jaina. Tears streamed down Jaina's cheeks as she ran to embrace the wizard. "Master Antonidas, I was worried that I would never get to see you again," Jaina said.

"I was very concerned myself, but I am indeed very grateful that you are doing well, and I can tell that you have been in capable hands since you disappeared. Tell me child, how do you like it here at Hogwarts?"

"I love it here, sir. The magic they teach here is a bit different than back on Azeroth, but it took me no time to adjust. Oh, and this is my best friend Hermione Granger." Antonidas smiled at Hermione. "Ahh, Miss Granger. It's an honor to finally meet you. Your headmaster has told me that you are an outstanding young witch in your own right." Hermione blushed. "Thank you, sir. I think we have Jaina to thank for that, she really brings out the best in me." Jaina beamed. "And you bring out the best in me, Hermione."

Professor McGonagall spoke up. "Jaina, both Archmage Antonidas and Professor Dumbledore have agreed to construct s permanent portal between our magical world and Azeroth. However, you have a choice to make. You can only choose once, so please choose carefully."

Professor Dumbledore went next. "You may return to Dalaran with Master Antonidas now, and continue your training under him. However, you would have to be disenrolled from Hogwarts and that will be final."

Finally, Archmage Antonidas spoke. "Or, you may remain here at Hogwarts, but you will have to remain here until you graduate after your seventh year. We can discuss the possibility of returning to Dalaran after that, but until then, you will remain under the supervision of the Hogwarts staff."

Professor McGonagall smiled at Jaina. "There is no right or wrong choice, but to re-iterate, please be aware of the permanence of your decision. I know it's not easy, and whichever path you choose, it may be several years before you see the other world again, if ever."

"Master," Jaina started with tears welling up in her eyes again. "You have been an amazing teacher and I really do miss my home. But I have amazing teachers here too, and some really good friends that I can't leave behind," placing her arm around Hermione's shoulder. I choose... Hogwarts. It did me good to see you again today, but if anything, this experience taught me independence and resourcefulness and the value of friendship. I know I will see you again, sir. I loved studying under you. I would love to hear from you on occasion, if possible."

Antonidas smiled. "I understand completely, child. You are indeed truly happy here and you are correct about learning the importance of those values. I will be corresponding through Professor Dumbledore, so in a way, I will always be looking out for you. Trust your professors like you have trusted me. And before I leave, I have a gift for you, Jaina."

He waved a hand, and and two packages appeared on a table. Jaina opened the first package, which contained a couple of Azerothian spellbooks. "I figured you could use a bit of... light reading during your free time," Antonidas said. Jaina opened the other package which contained several Azerothian outfits in Dalaran purple. "And a few changes of clothes from back home. I'm proud of you, Jaina Proudmoore. And you should be proud of yourself, and your Dalaran heritage. Wear them with pride - but only when your professors permit you to wear them."

Antonidas continued. "Ahh, Miss Granger, I have a gift for you as well." He waved a hand, and another package appeared on the same table. "I hope purple is your color," he said with a chuckle. Hermione opened the package, which contained a Dalaran apprentice mage's robe. Hermione smiled at the Archmage. "Thank you sir, it's very beautiful. I'll wear it proudly!"

Hermione ran her fingers on the fabric of the purple robes. The material was smooth and soft like silk, yet highly durable. "These silkweave robes are Azeroth's finest," Antonidas explained, with a slight note of boasting in his voice. "They are feather-light and unsurpassed in comfort, but quite difficult to wrinkle or tear. And if you would check the package again, there should also be nightgown of the same material. In the words of your Professor Dumbledore - wear them well."

"Hermione and Jaina," said Professor McGonagall. "Unfortunately I cannot permit either of you to wear those exquisite robes to your classes, as much as I would love to see you in them. But you may wear them during the weekends, and you also have my permission to wear your nightgowns in your dormitory and common room in the evenings."

"The time has come for me to return to the Violet Citadel," Antonidas said. "Jaina, again, your headmaster and I will maintain correspondence once we stabilize a permanent conduit between these two worlds. I may not be able to visit you directly, but Albus has promised me that he will be watching over you on my behalf. I look forward to seeing you again when your studies at Hogwarts are complete. I will be assisting Albus with Azerothian magic during our correspondences, and you may study with him privately if you wish to keep up with your Azeroth magic in addition to your Hogwarts curriculum."

"What about Hermione? I taught her a little Azerothian magic, can she study with us?" Antonidas smiled and nodded. "My child," he said, turning to Hermione, "would such an arrangement interest you?" Hermione's face lit up with a broad smile. "Yes, sir. I would very much like that opportunity." Antonidas returned the smile. "Very well. I wish you all the best of luck. And perhaps one day, you may wish to visit Dalaran, Miss Granger."

"Jaina has told me so much about it. If it's possible, yes, I would love to visit," replied Hermione. "I hope to see the both of you when the time comes. Jaina, I am very proud of you. And I know you will continue to make me proud. I know it was a very difficult choice for you to make, but I know you chose well. You and Hermione are bright young witches and would be tremendous assets to Hogwarts or to Dalaran."

Jaina slowly walked up to her teacher and threw her arms around him. "I'm going to miss you so much, Master Antonidas," she said, tears falling freely down her cheeks. "I'm glad to know that you'll be in touch with Professor Dumbledore. He's truly a fantastic wizard too. I won't let either of you down." Antonidas smiled as he wiped away the tears from Jaina's cheeks. "Just keep being you, Jaina Proudmoore. You are an amazing young mage - an amazing young witch, if you will," he said in a gentle tone, while nodding towards both professors. "My fondness for you has only grown since the last time I saw you." He took Jaina's hand, gently rubbing it. "I will see you again, my child. That is a promise."

And just like that, a bright white glow outlined the great wizard, and he vanished back to Dalaran. Jaina, still struggling to hold back her tears, ran to Professor McGonagall and embraced her, looking for comfort to ease the pain of seeing her beloved teacher disappear. "I'm so sorry, my dear," the elder witch purred in her light Scottish burr. "You should not have been forced to make such a choice because either way, it would have been painful. But fear not. You have two very powerful wizards - one from each world - singing your praises, and they will be working together for the next six years to help unlock your exceptional potential as a witch."

Professor Dumbledore's half-moon spectacles sparkled. "I will be most ecstatic to start our Azerothian magic studies when the time comes, Jaina. I'm sure that I will learn as much from you, as you will learn from me." "Professor," Jaina said. "It's a tremendous honor that Master Antonidas has allowed you to study our brand of magic. He wouldn't have suggested if he felt you couldn't handle it." Dumbledore smiled. "Indeed, I certainly feel very privileged. But the bigger privilege is to share our world with you, Jaina."

"So, you're good with the choice you made then, Jaina? No regrets?" Hermione asked. Jaina smiled. "Professor McGonagall was right. It was an agonizing decision, but that's just part of growing up, making tough choices. There's no question that I miss Dalaran, but Hogwarts has become my home. It's because of people like you that I want to stay, Hermione. You're my very best friend, and I love you like a sister. Also, I know I've done so much good here, and I want to keep doing good things." Hermione hugged Jaina tightly. "I love you too, Jaina. You're the best friend I could have ever hoped for, and Hogwarts would not be Hogwarts without you. I'm so glad you stayed."

"Jaina, I'm glad you that you consider Hogwarts your home," said Professor McGonagall. "I was hoping you'd stay here, albeit for selfish reasons. I quite enjoy having tea with you and Hermione," she said with a slight laugh. "Officially, I do not play favorites at Hogwarts, but I must admit that I have grown very fond of the both of you since the term started."

"And we have in return become quite fond of you, Professor," said Jaina. "You're the best house head we can ask for - you're firm but fair, and I do rather enjoy seeing you Polymorph yourself into a cat." Professor McGonagall chuckled. "My animagus, you mean. We'll most certainly teach you that ability one day."

Hermione looked at both professors. "And what will happen to Jaina during holiday, and the time between terms? Can she stay with my family?" Professor Dumbledore nodded. "That can be arranged. I will write to them shortly regarding such guardianship. Yule is just a few weeks away, so the sooner we can get this formalized, the better."

Professor McGonagall smiled at Jaina and Hermione. "In the meantime, how about the three of us head over to the Three Broomsticks? I'm aching for a butterbeer."