Chapter Ten

Challenge Accepted

Atticus was taping his hand on his desk while his students scribbled down answers for an assignment on Roman law he gave them. But he wasn't really thinking about that, having finally overcome his embarrassment of being under the Veritas serum he turned his attention back to his list of suspects, at the top of which stood Barty Crouch, who had left the same night the champions were chosen. Not that he could come up with any clear motive, from what Atticus could tell Mr. Crouch had imprisoned more Death Eaters than anyone else.

He shook his head frustrated, there were so many distractions: being an Animagus, Harry's own problems, Fluer. Maybe he should just forget all of that and…. "NO!" something inside of him shouted.

In his mind he recited the reasons why he did those things in the first place. He had to help Harry because it looked like no one else could, and while being an Animagus was something of a matter of pride it could still prove useful. And Fleur… well, he was having his fun but that could go downhill very easily. That isn't that a relationship with someone would be a bad thing. This time a heavy object in his pocket silenced that argument.

He was not going to have another girlfriend, end of discussion.

But one of the other "distractions" could be addressed right after class, that distraction being Harry Potter. Atticus felt he had an obligation to help the young wizard, mostly from not telling him that there could have been someone out to kill him. Then again Professor McGonagall had let slip that there had been other incidents were people had tried to kill "Young Mister Potter." Maybe he had gotten used to it.

The Ancient made quick review of his own life and the attempts to end it (which were more than he bothered to count) and quickly decided that Harry had probably not gotten used to it.

After all the students turned in their papers Atticus dismissed his class.

"Ah, but Harry, could I have a word with you?" Asked the Professor; Harry and Ron exchanged a glance but Harry went back up to the teacher's desk while his friend left him behind.

"Yes Professor?"

"You doing alright Harry?"

The question seemed to take him by surprise, "Er, yes Professor."

"You can call me Atticus for now. But are you sure about that because with all the people going around with 'Potter Stinks' badges I thought things might be getting to you a little bit. You know I saw what happened in the hall with you and Malfoy."

"It… just is irritating, everybody thinks I put my name in to get attention to myself. Ron thinks so too and thinks I'm a jerk. I don't even know what I'm going to do for the first task."

Atticus thought this over for a moment, "Well, I can't really help you much with the first task any more than I do in class as I don't even know what they're doing. But I do believe you."

"You believe me!"

"Of course I do, and I agree with Moody whoever is doing this is trying to kill you."

Harry looked gratefully at the teacher, happy to have him as an ally.

"If you see anything unusual I want you to come tell me. Alright?"

Harry nodded, not bothering to consider the Ancient's motives.

Atticus smiled at how easy that was and stepped out of the class to watch him leave but unfortunately something else was begging his attention. A furious looking Karkoff was storming his way to the Ancient's classroom.

"Professor Superbus!" Shouted the Headmaster as if Atticus had stolen his boat from the lake.

"Yes, can I help you?" asked Atticus pretending to ignore Karkoff's attitude.

"My students tell me about your little demonstration! You are an abomination to teaching, you simply show off and have taught nothing of use to my students!"

"My little demonstration occurred the first day of class with your students, is there a reason why I am only hearing about it now, and by the way I can't teach spells to your nitwits because they have absolutely no skill with Ancient poetry. Not that it would do them much good, from what I can tell they already know all the spells necessary to have a wizards duel. Which is what you are concerned about isn't it?" Replied Atticus smartly, remembering what people said about Dumstrang being all about the dark arts.

Karkoff stiffened, "Seems your one to talk, without your precious Ancient Poems you are a helpless little pup!"

This time the Ancient's eyes filled with rage from the attack on his magic.

"You think so little of magic that destroys armies, and raised castles. But fine, you think I am useless without my song; than I challenge you to a Wizards Duel! I swear on the Vestal flame of Rome that I will not use the magic that is sung." Atticus had never backed down, not once in his life and he certainly wasn't going to today, even when Professor McGonagall caught wind of their conversation and rushed to stop their intentions.

Now at this point the ball was quite forcibly thrown into Karkoff's court, he could have easily refused the dual, but it was his honor on the line.

"Very well, Ancient, tomorrow after diner in the grand hall, I trust you will bring your wand!" Karkoff spat out his last words and turned around curtly to storm back down the hall.

It looked like McGonagall was going to chase after him, but instead she turned to glare at Atticus.

"We are going to the headmaster." She said angrily beckoning Atticus to come to his scolding.

A/N: Sorry about the shortness. Really only using this chapter for plot development. Don't worry if you think I may be portraying Harry as a little gullible; he'll wise up, but he does have tendencies to trust professors a little too easily. As always I would love it if people could tell me how I'm doing: Reviews Welcomed.