It was nearly ten pm on Saturday night. The SA was due to start arriving any time now. I didn't have much hope of actually accomplishing anything today, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to try.
Slowly, the SA started drifting in. I knew this would be the case - they could hardly leave all at once, it would draw too much attention.
When the entire group had arrived, I welcomed them. "Good evening, it's good to see you again. I have a spell I'm going to teach you quickly now, and then I'm going to take you to our training room. It's a room that I don't think anyone really knows about and is highly magical, so I think it will do for our training."
I then taught those who didn't know it the Disillusionment Charm.
"Now, I want you all to start running every day. James, you're Quidditch captain, try to persuade Madam Hooch to start a physical fitness club on the grounds that it will help the Quidditch players in their game. If we can get that, then you should all join. If we can't get that, it's all right. There may be rules about what time you have to be in bed, but there's no rule about the time you're allowed to leave in the morning."
I instructed them all to Disillusion themselves and then showed them the way to the Room of Requirement. Asking for a hidden place to train that no one else could get into, I opened the door that appeared, entered, and canceled my disguise. As the other members entered, they also canceled their spells. When the last person entered, Alice, the door closed and disappeared.
"This is the Room of Requirement. It can become anything you want, the trick is you have to close all the loopholes. For example, tonight I asked for a hidden room that we could train in that no one else could enter. There's only one thing the Room can't do, and that's break Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration. Now, before we start tonight, are there any questions?"
"Yeah, I've got one," said Lily. "How did you get basilisk blood and venom that was so fresh? Sev and I did some diagnostic spells and I was just wondering."
"Oh, well I kind of killed a basilisk last Saturday," I said casually.
There was silence.
"How can you say that so casually?" burst out Carrie suddenly. "I mean, it's a basilisk! And, from what you've said, it's the second one you've killed! You have to tell us how you did it!"
Don't you just love teenagers' use of italics?
"Well, um, alright. The first time, I was twelve and I did it the hard way. You know, with a sword. I actually got bit and if it weren't for a Phoenix friend of mine, I would be dead. Last week, I used a rooster."
"Wow," said Karen and the others nodded.
"Any other questions?" I asked quickly, wanting to get the topic off of my past 'heroics'.
There was silence for a while, before I decided to move on.
"Right, tonight I'm going to go over what you're going to learn. We can't start with any spells yet because Ricardo hasn't finished the wands so any magic we do will be tracked. However, we can start with some of the other stuff we need to learn. We'll be covering the Muggle way of fighting and how to use some of the weapons that I've been finding. I have some high powered explosives and a few other Muggle weapons. I know how to use all of them, even if I'm not always that good with them. For example, archery? Not my strong point. Dagger throwing? That I can do." I guess it's not only teens who like to use italics. "I'll give you a chance to try all of them, but that'll be a little further down the road. Now, this is your last chance to ask me questions before I start the lesson."
"Are you going to let us use Muggle guns?" asked Alice curiously.
"Um, I don't currently have any. I suppose I could get some, if you wanted them."
"My dad goes hunting with some of his Muggle friends and he taught me how to use one. I'm actually a pretty good markswoman."
"Well, I'll have to get you a gun so you can show us how it's done. Let me know the model before you leave tonight, alright?" Alice nodded. Internally I was surprise. I had not known that about Alice. I wondered what Neville would think, if he'd known. "Any last questions?" No one spoke up and I decided to begin the lesson. "Alright, so first we need to…"
At one o'clock, I stopped the kids and sent them back to their dorm rooms for some well-earned rest. I reflected on the session. It had gone well - really well. It was just further proof to me, not that I needed any that I'd chosen well for my group.
Arriving back at my own rooms, I collapsed on my bed and fell asleep.
The next afternoon, there was a staff meeting, mostly to go over any concerns the staff might have about the new first years. I wondered if I had ever been mentioned in the staff meetings in my own time? Well, other than by Snape - he'd mention me every time just for being "arrogant" like my father.
After discussing the first years, none of which seemed to be having any problems other than the usual getting lost type things, so I thought the meeting would be over quickly. Dumbledore asked if there was anything that anyone wanted to go over and Rolanda Hooch said, "Albus, the Gryffindor Quidditch team is wondering if they might form a physical fitness club." Wow, James could move fast when he wanted to! "I'm willing to run it if you'll give permission for it."
"Yes, that sounds excellent," said Dumbledore serenely. "You have it. When do you want to start?"
"I think I'll have it ready to go for next Saturday," estimated Rolanda.
"Alright, let me know when you're ready and then we can give the Prefects the announcement to put on the bulletin boards."
"If I might make a suggestion?" I said. When Dumbledore nodded, I continued. "I think we could make the club open to everyone, not just those on the Quidditch teams. I think we might get better attendance if we did that."
"That's an idea," said Rolanda thoughtfully. "If I get an enthusiastic response, will you help me supervise?"
I nearly winced. Waking up early and dealing with teenagers was not on my list of things I wanted to do. "Sure, just let me know if you need help."
Minerva said, rather suddenly in my opinion, "I hope our dreaded defense curse doesn't strike again. My Gryffindors love you and I haven't had any complaints about your teaching style or content."
"Some of my Ravens have come and asked if there's a way to spend more of their time in Defense," said Filius with a chuckle.
"My Puffs love the way you've organised the class with the minimum homework and majority practical work," nodded Claire.
"I've had a few complaints," admitted Horace, "but they are mostly from the children of the Blood-Purity enthusiasts. The rest love you."
I smiled shyly. "If I don't suffer any adverse effects from being Defense professor, I do want to keep working here. I love teaching and I do need a permanent job."
"I think part of it is your no-nonsense approach to the class," said Minerva thoughtfully. "What was it you had Sirius Black doing?"
"I had him brewing cleaner for Mr. Filch," I said with a smirk. "I told him that since he seemed to enjoy scrubbing floors so much, he might as well brew the cleaner to do it."
The staff members chuckled in appreciation.
"You haven't had any trouble from any students?" asked Dumbledore, concerned.
"Just minor things," I shrugged, "mostly from the pranksters Claire warned me about."
The staff meeting broke up soon after that and Horace stopped me before I could leave. "Be careful," he said quietly. "There are rumors in Slytherin house that some of the older students might try to… take care of you."
"Don't worry about me," I said with a smile. "I have hope that everything will turn out the way it was meant to."
"But still," said Horace very seriously. "You need to be careful. I've heard rumors in the kitchens, mutterings from the portraits. I've heard enough to piece together some of what you are doing. I'm with you all the way and will help however I can, and so are Minerva, Filius, and Claire, but remember: you're playing a dangerous game, Alexis. Be careful that you don't get hurt."
(A/N: There's another chapter for you! We've got a little foreshadowing at the end, remember that, 'cause it'll be important later. Thanks again to all those who've favorited/followed/reviewed and please continue to do so!)