The clock struck midnight, its chime echoing in the office. Habondia, with exhaustion etched into every line of her face, rubbed her tired eyes and stood up from her desk. Her body ached from hours of studying and practicing spells. It had been a long night, but finally, she was done.

Headmaster Myrddin Emrys, an old man with wisps of gray hair and a twinkle in his eyes, looked at Habondia with a mix of pride and warmth. "You have proved to be faithful to your words, my dear," he said. "You have shown excellent progress over these past three weeks."

Habondia yawned, trying to hide her weariness. "It's a great compliment coming from you, Headmaster Emrys."

He waved away her formality with a gentle smile. "Please, do not be so formal with me. Call me the way you did when you were a student."

Habondia's cheeks flushed with a soft blush as she smiled. "Professor," she whispered, the words carrying a sense of nostalgia.

Emrys cleared his throat, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I have a proposal for you, my dear. Of great importance." He paused as if choosing his words carefully. "I have had a heated discussion with the other professors, and we have all concluded that you could be an excellent instructor in this school."

Habondia's eyes widened in surprise, her heart skipping a beat. "I... I do not deserve such an honor," she stammered. "You know that in the past… I have done horrible things. I do not deserve such a thing."

Emrys reached out and placed a wrinkled hand on her shoulder, his gaze full of conviction. "Then you will be tested, my dear. If we find you incapable, we will let you go. But I have faith in you, Habondia. I believe you can be a guiding light for these young students."

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Habondia swallowed hard, her mind filled with a mix of trepidation and excitement. "I... I don’t think you'd take no for an answer," she replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

The headmaster nodded, his grip on her shoulder firm yet gentle. "Welcome, Professor Habondia Xana, the Witch of Fairies."

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The next morning, Habondia awoke to the gentle rays of sunlight streaming through the windows. She found herself in a quaint room, adorned with wooden furniture and a sense of tranquility. Stretching her arms and yawning, she rose from the bed and made her way to the bathroom. Splashing cold water on her face, she felt the weariness of the previous night slowly dissipate.

Dressed in a flowing purple dress, Habondia adorned herself with the school's crest pinned over her heart. The crest, an oval-shaped emblem with a roaring lion over a yellow castle, represented the rich history and legacy of the Britannia's School of Thaumaturgy.

As she made her way to the dining hall, Habondia couldn't help but notice the nervous gazes of the students. Their eyes darted towards her, filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Professor Emrys, ever the charismatic leader, stood up and called for their attention.

"Students, it is my pleasure to introduce you to our new Professor of Nature Studies," he announced, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "This subject, attended by students from the third to the sixth year, was previously taught by Professor Antonio Romero who took a leave of absence a few weeks ago. Please, give a warm welcome to Habondia Xana, the Witch of the Fairies!"

The students' applause filled the air, but it was tainted with hints of concern and nervousness. Habondia made her way to the podium, standing beside Professor Emrys. She took a deep breath to steady herself before addressing the crowd.

"Thank you, Headmaster Emrys, for your warm introduction," she began, her voice filled with a mix of confidence and vulnerability. "I am honored to be here, and I promise to do my best in guiding every one of you on your journey of thaumaturgical discovery."

She took her seat at the far left of the wooden table, next to an instructor known for his eccentric fashion choices and love for kilts. As the students resumed their breakfast, Habondia couldn't help but feel excited.