Sitting through the Sorting ceremony had Luka on edge, trying to mentally disengage from the proceedings she remembered Dumbledore's earlier rant with a smile. She didn't know whether he had finally caught up with reading his newspapers or if the Minister had come crawling for advice but the old codger had found out that the weres had gone public. Of course he was of the opinion that she should have told him immediately when she found out and he had even tried to use Legilemency to see what else she was hiding but luckily Sebastian's training from hell had paid off and her mental firewalls had held up. However as soon as she had settled into her reverie she was abruptly interrupted by the feeling of a bony elbow to her rib cage. Narrowing her eyes at the offending Potions Master she saw that the plates had been set with food and the seat that would be occupied by the object of their shared apprehension was still empty. Both Luka and Snape had been waiting with distinct ease for the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, Luka was glad that she would be staying with the Potions master. Being in the same building as an ex-Auror was bad enough but having to actually live with them…
Back at the Gryffindor table Harry watched Luka. After the tunnel at the World Cup he had asked Remus what she was but he had just smiled and said it was her secret to tell. Needless to say that had not satisfied Hermione when he had told her, she had spent nearly every waking moment with her head stuck in her beloved books researching yet more magical creatures as well as her new pet project; elf rights. Not even a lecture from Kreacher about an elf's place had dissuaded her from her new moral crusade and since Nearly Headless Nick had mentioned the presence of elf cooking staff she hadn't eaten a bite of the feast.
Once the last remains of desert had been cleared from their plates the pupils listened somewhat intently as Dumbledore commenced on a second round of announcements. As the students vociferously complained about the temporary cessation of the Quidditch Cup Luka sincerely wished she could tune down her hearing. Once the rabble had quietened down and the Headmaster was about to continue his explanation he was interrupted by the entrance of Moody. Swinging the doors open as thunder boomed the ex-Auror limped his way to the headmaster. Studying him closely no one could help but notice the plethora of scars that littered his skin and the one magical eye that was always on the move. Extending her senses Luka was pleased to note that his magical power was just above average, even in an ordinary wizarding duel she would be able to take him. Once the new professor was seated Professor Dumbledore formally introduced him to the students who evidently still shocked by his appearance did not clap. In complete indifference Moody simply began his meal, not even bothering with cutlery he merely speared his sausages with a pen knife. Noting the somewhat awkward silence and the uncouth exhibition the ex-Auror was making of himself as he quaffed his drink from a hip flask the headmaster re-entered his spiel about the Triwizard Tournament to the obvious amazement of pure blood pupils such as the Weasley twins. Despite the mention of the death toll the students continued to chatter enthusiastically until they were sent to bed, no doubt many would end up the unwitting victims of Dumbledore's Age Line.
XXX
The next morning Luka woke to the sounds of Snape scratching around in the living room, since Moody had arrived the Potions master had been constantly checking and rechecking the wards that protected their shared quarters. The first time she had been daft enough to ask why he was so paranoid all she had received was the usual barbs of sarcasm questioning her mental and magical abilities. Picking up her timetable from the counter her eyes were drawn to the second lesson of the day; Defence Against the Dark Arts. Well, perhaps it was best to get it over and done with, until then it was Herbology.
After a cracking session of dealing with squalling mandrakes it was time to bite the bullet. Moving at the slowest pace her punctuality complex would allow Luka headed to the next classroom. Moving to the far corner she erected the usual illusion of her monitoring the class so her note taking wouldn't be seen. Once the class had begun they were ordered to put away their text books as this was to be a purely practical lesson. As he began his demonstrations the professor entranced his pupils with a mix of his singular appearance and barking tones, it was quite disturbing how they lapped up each word. Apparently his one year for mission was to bring the class up to scratch on high level curses since their education to date had consisted more of autobiographies and Dark creatures. After maiming and killing an unfortunate number of the arachnid population Moody launched into lengthy explanations on the methodology of each curse which were regularly punctuated by shouts of 'constant vigilance' until the bell rang. As the children were dismissed the ex-Auror called for Luka to stay behind. Hackles rising as Moody approached Luka found her hand automatically straying to the place where Shattered Soul's hilt would be had it been summoned.
"Dumbledore tells me you run a duelling club,"
"That is correct,"
"He said you handle it well but you might need help if there's a larger turnout due to the interest in the tournament,"
"That will not be necessary, I tend to split the class into different sessions to make the class size manageable," replied Luka, the very thought of having to work with the creature before her was enough to make her snarl.
"As you wish lass, but I think I'll pop in now and again, just to see how you're getting on,"
Great.
XXX
In the evening news of Malfoy being turned into an albino ferret had spread throughout the student populous and as a result of the ensuing discussion with the Defence Against the Darks Arts Professor Snape was worse than ever. Given his current state of paranoia and evident underlying tension Luka had come to the conclusion that Moody had had something to do with Snape's brief imprisonment for being a Death Eater before Dumbledore had him released. The Potions Master's worsened demeanour was especially noticeable during the third year Potions class Luka was now attending. If she had not quickly disposed of the mess when the Longbottom boy melted his cauldron and given him a detention he would no doubt had come to an even worse fate at Snape's hands. Just his stare was enough to make the boy quail and the scent of adrenalin to fill the air. Luckily Luka was more well equipped for dealing with the snarls of how she had overstepped her bounds and from now on she was to stay firmly in her place as the assistant not the teacher. Allowing him to vent she left the dungeon with a shrug.
When the time for the detention came on Friday evening Luka had arranged for a small room in the dungeons to be available. As he shuffled in Longbottom barely managed to look her in the eye, how had the boy made it into courageous Gryffindor? Mentally pondering that question Luka indicated for the boy to repeat his failed potion at the station in front of her as she attended to 'reports' which were in truth an assortment of homework and the notices for the Duelling Club that she'd been putting off working on. Looking up periodically to check that he wasn't getting into too much trouble she was surprised to see that by the designated time had elapsed Longbottom had finished his potion, accident free, and even cleared up. Inspecting the boy's potion it was clear that he would never be top of the class but he tried hard and the potion was of passable grade. Beaming as he was praised for a job well done Longbottom scuttled out of the dungeon almost trapping his foot in the door on the way out. Hopefully if she could slightly increase his confidence he would be less prone to making his nerve induced mistakes. Less mistakes, less scorn from Snape and fewer melted cauldrons. Now, off to her shift at the Funtom bar.
XXX
In his office the Minister for Magic cast his weary eyes over the latest reports. He had been thwarted, as had many other Ministers in other parts of the world. Many Muggle politicians including his own pet Prime Minister whom had up to this point seemed quite malleable and open to reason had disobeyed the magical elite and openly welcomed the werewolves. Levels of knowledge contamination were now at officially unmanageable levels, Obliviation was pointless, not even they could control the minds of the global Muggle population. Now all that could be done was to try and contain the werewolves. Perhaps some of Umbridge's new ideas would be useful.
XXX
The next few weeks passed surprisingly peacefully with the exception of the furore caused by Moody's use of the Imperius curse on the fourth year students. Naturally the teachers had been furious that an Unforgiveable curse had been used on the students but the Headmaster waved away their objections imperiously. Apparently he had now subscribed to the ex-Auror's view of constant vigilance and the necessity of being prepared. All the staff knew that the Headmaster believed that Voldemort would return but they were also unanimous in the belief that students shouldn't have to practice their resistance to mind magic before they could even take their O. , as they exited his Dumbledore's office they made an informal agreement to keep an eye on Moody. After all, Dumbledore had been wrong before…
On the werewolf front there was more activity as lone werewolves from the wizarding world rushed to join larger packs of Muggle werewolves. This was causing some minor regulatory headaches as the new members had to assimilate their new way of life. Lupin and Black also seemed to be doing alright on their own as they continued renovations and teaching the Mike and Jim more advanced magic, apparently Black had now been pressed into service as the brothers' sparring partner.
XXX
Now in the week before the other schools were set to arrive at Hogwarts the school was gleaming. Grubby portraits had been stripped of their decades of accumulated grime, the suits of armour no longer squeaked and there were now large house banners in the Great Hall. In both of weekend sessions of the freshly re-convened duelling club there had been extra excitement and the chatter had been steadily on the increase throughout the week. Luka had been especially galled when she had needed to hand out several detentions due to a lack of order during her Muggle studies lesson which she had turned into a foreign language session so that at least her students could exchange pleasantries with their guests in their own language.
After Friday's Potions had come to a premature close Luka accompanied Snape as he sheparded the Slytherins into a tidy formation outside the school building to await the delegations from the other schools.
"Do you know any of the teachers from the other schools?" Luka asked Snape as the wizard watched the Gryffindor rabble with disdain.
"No," came the curt reply, such a great conversationalist was Snape.
Shifting her weight from foot to foot out of boredom Luka expanded her senses, so far there was nothing of note. Then, from the direction of the Forbidden Forest came a presence. Turning her head she was just in time to see a large object exit the line of trees as a first year screeched mistakenly about it being a dragon. Straining her ears and vision she could just about hear the sounds of wingbeats and as it got closer their source. A dozen winged horses all of whom were tethered to the house sized carriage in their wake. As the gigantic horses swooped down to land the Hogwarts students gave started squawks as they hurried to get out of the way. They needn't have bothered, the animals and their cargo noisily landed a safe distance away. Once on the ground a young boy hopped out of the carriage, pulled down the set of golden steps before jumping aside. As if that were her cue the largest woman Luka had ever seen stepped out of the carriage. The woman must have been at least ten feet tall but despite her singular size she carried herself with poise as she descended the steps and offered Dumbledore her opal adorned hand. As reintroductions were made the Beauxbatons pupils filed out of the carriage. In their unsuitable silk attire they clutched their shawls and headscarves as they huddled together like penguins. Overhearing the Headmaster tell Madame Maxime that Hagrid would be taking care of her steeds Luka hoped that her third year Care of Magical Creatures lessons would include them. After a seemingly innocuous start to the year the third years had now been drafted into Skrewt care duty. Needless to say anything mammalian would now be a blessed relief.
Once Madam Maxine and her charges had retreated into Hogwarts to warm up the wait for the Durmstrang delegation resumed. Fortunately this time the wait was shorter and as a maelstrom appeared in the Black lake from which emerged an antiquated sailing ship Luka couldn't help but wonder what sort of portal they had used. Watching with her superior vision Luka saw the students and their headmaster disembark. Whilst seemingly thick set the pupils turned out to be relatively normal with most of the bulk being created by the furred cloaks they wore. As the Dumbledore greeted the man Karkaroff it was plain to see that the latter simply oozed slime. The cold eyes didn't compliment the false smile pasted over his face, the twinkling tones of his voice sounded less convincing that a politician's during an election and to top it off the man had a goatee. Glancing to her side she noticed that Snape had taken on an impassive expression whilst an air of intense dislike surrounded him. Luka narrowed her eyes, so he had been lying to her when he said he knew none of the heads of the other schools. However, before she had a chance to mull over this fact her attention was snatched by the gaggle of Hogwarts school girls, and boys, who were now frantically searching their persons for quills as their Quidditch idol Krum waddled past. Once the Durmstrang students had entered the Entrance Hall the Hogwarts students followed each nearly tripping over the next trying to snatch a glance a Krum. Luka shook her head, two minutes in and their behaviour was already becoming tiresome, hopefully the novelty would wear off soon. Striding towards the staff table the nephilim noticed how different the reactions of the two schools were to Hogwarts. On one hand was the disdainful Beauxbatons who seemed to blame Hogwarts for their weather inappropriate dress whilst on the other hand once seated the Durmstrang students looked quite comfortable. After a few words from Dumbledore and derisive laugh from one of the Beauxbaton students the feast was underway.
Once the feast had ended and the odious Crouch and the always jovial Bagman had entered the Hall the introduction of the tournament was underway. For once the students were completely silent as the Headmaster extracted the Goblet of Fire from its antique casket. It was surprising to see such a powerful magical object appear so unremarkable, especially given the ornate jewel adornments of the casket. As Dumbledore announced the layout of the tournament and the Age Line Luka felt reassured that this was one year where Harry Potter wouldn't get into trouble, despite the Weasley twins obvious confidence about the fallibility of the Age Line Luka knew it would take more than a student's abilities to get past it. After his speech had drawn to a close Dumbledore dismissed the students. Lingering just in case Collin Creevey attempted to launch a guerrilla interview at Krum Luka watched as Karkaroff came into contact with Moody. If it had been anyone but Moody Luka would have found the man's expression comical; all blood had drained from the already slightly sallow skin making his stained teeth more prominent and his eyes seemed to pop a little from fear. Meanwhile Moody looked him over with the same intense dislike that most of the students viewed the Skrewts with. As the pair parted Luka decided to corner Snape on the subject, if he was not forthcoming she could always ask Lupin and Black.
XXX
"How do you know Karkaroff?"
Snape stiffened as Luka questioned him. Turning to face the second bane in his life he replied curtly.
"And exactly how is it any of your business?"
"It isn't, I just find it odd that you would say that you didn't know any of the visitors and yet you immediately react to Karkaroff's presence. That and I'm interested in why he's scared of Moody,"
"Moody is the one who put Karkaroff in Azkaban for being a Death Eater,"
"He was in Azkaban? How come he got out but Sirius was just left to rot?" asked Luka.
Sighing in exasperation at her ignorance of magical history the Potions Master continued, "Some of the accused got out of Azkaban doing deals with the Ministry, Karkarofff was among them,"
"I see," said Luka as she mulled over the possibility of Karkaroff still being a Dark wizard however before she could ask further questions her Head of House had disappeared into his room. Damn, Snape was a bloody ninja.
XXX
The next day after making numerous detours past the infirmary to see the beards of those who had fallen foul of the Age Line it was finally time to head back to Nottingham on executioner duty. Tonight would be the first Halloween since the weres had revealed themselves and they would be out in less than human form. So far the reception from the public had been good apart from the more conservative religious areas but it wasn't the general public she was worried about. Odds are the Ministry would use this time of high were visibility to come down on them like a tonne of bricks now that the fuss from the World Cup had died down. Luka's job was to ensure that no were came to harm from the Ministry in her area and most of them now had apps on their phones that would send her their GPS coordinates if they were in distress. In addition, Luka had made sure that Jim and Mike's education had included stunning spells and the Confundus charm. Now all she had to do was program her paper double to take her place during the feast and she would be set to go.
Coming back at the break of dawn Luka trudged groggily back down to the dungeons in eager anticipation of her lie in. The night had been relatively busy with more than a dozen wizards rendered impotent by her imperio binding spell, although she had had to alter it so her usual black binding band was invisible, and quite a few false alarms. Although it had been fun to see everyone go out in fine furry style, they had used to do some slight body modification before they had come into the open but now they were allowed to be far more blatant, they now had to be far more conscious of public image. Mathew White the Packleader had already decreed that anyone guilty of an attack on a human would be executed, painfully, and the corpse delivered to the door of the constabulary responsible for the criminal enquiry if there was one otherwise it was just the usual painful death. Changing subject Luka smiled at the mental image of Lupin dressed up as a skeleton. Rather than using charms to help the illusion he had gone for normal face paint and the effect hadn't quite obscured his moustache leading him to look like the Joker from the nineteen sixties 'Batman' films. Coming to the portrait that guarded her dwelling she mumbled the password. Nearly stumbling in she was surprised to see the clearly irritated countenance of Professor Snape holding up the remains of her paper double.
"Potter has managed to enter the Triwizard Tournament,"
Crap, Black was going to wring her neck.