Friday was another session of NEWT level classes and my second 3rd year block. Cho was once more the only student I recognized, though this time I knew why she was there. She actually managed to put down "Kevin Bacon in Footloose" for actor and movie, and "Disco" for her favorite band. Disco was wrong of course, but it at least showed she had been paying attention.

With that done, I once more went on patrol. It was close to dinner time, but I did break up a couple who were getting a bit handsy. That done, I was making a circuit around the upper level of the castle when I heard someone behind me. I had halfway turned when that someone hissed "petrificus totalus."

A flash of white hit me, but I was moving right away. I turned and slammed my fist into their nose, then kneed them in the groin. They fell to the ground with a groan, and I stomped on the hand grasping their wand until the wand splintered. I paused then, realizing whoever it was was in Slytherin student robes. I nudged them with the toe of my shoe, rolling them over.

It was a girl of about 16 with long brown hair and pale skin. However, I knew well enough that appearances didn't mean jack in the wizarding world. I dug out a special bell and rung it. "Nipsy!"

The elf appeared with a crack, and let out a gasp of horror. "Master, what is-"

"No time. Get Auror Moody and the Headmistress and bring them here on the double," I ordered.

Nipsy vanished again, and I crouched over the bleeding and dazed girl. "I suggest you don't move. Or speak. I might take it poorly."

"Stupid mudblood loving yankee prick," the girl gasped, trying to sit up.

I tsked and stood, putting my shoe on her head and forcing her down. She groaned and struggled, but couldn't manage much beside clutching at her hand. "I wouldn't recommend that if I were you. Keep quiet, or I'll have to make you quiet."

After that, the girl didn't struggle much. Her face was covered in blood, and her hand had a lot of splinters in it, so she wasn't in any shape to put up much of a fight.

Five minutes later, I heard Moody coming, the thump of his peg leg distinctive on the stone floor.

"Over here," I called.

"What is it?" Moody gasped as he hurried over. "Dark Wizards in the castle?"

"Maybe. I'm not sure." I lifted my foot to reveal the girl, who glared at us. "But first, is my wife alright?

"Ah. I might have known," Moody growled. "Pyxis Macnair. You would try some fool stunt. And yes, your wife is fine. She was with Professor Lupin."

I let out a breath I hadn't known I was holding.

"This bastard assaulted me," Pyxis hissed. "Then he destroyed my wand! I demand-"

"Silencio," Moody said, pointing his wand at the girl. "Don't try anything or I'll knock you unconscious. Now, Professor Murphy, what happened."

"I heard someone come up behind me. As I turned around, I saw a spell coming. I dodged out of the way, then punched her in the nose and kneed her in the groin. Once she was down I disarmed her."

"Hmm," Moody said, eyeing the wand. "Going to be a bit hard to prove she cast at you."

"What is going on?" McGonagall demanded as she hurried down the hall. She saw the bloodied Pyxis sitting and glaring at me, then groaned. "Professor Murphy, just what happened here?"

I repeated my story, and McGonagall shook her head. "Miss Macnair, what is your side of the story?"

Pyxis shrugged, pointing at Moody. He waved his wand, and Pyxis sniffed, wiping blood off her face with her robe sleeve. "I'm not saying anything until my father is here and I've received proper medical treatment."

"Very well. Auror Moody, escort this young woman to the hospital wing. Professor Murphy, come with me."

I followed McGonagall to the Headmaster's office, where Dumbledore was waiting for us. He looked even more worn than he had at the welcoming feast, and his cheeks were hollow. His eyes seemed to lack focus, but when we entered he smiled. "Ah, Professor Murphy. What has happened that so urgently required the attention of our Headmistress and resident Auror?"

"I was attacked by my niece, it seems," I said. "She snuck up behind me, hit me with a petrifying spell. Of course, it didn't do anything, but I overreacted and broke her nose, kneed her in the groin, and stomped on her wand until it broke."

"Ah." The smile on Dumbledore's face vanished, and his eyes seemed to focus at last. "That is a problem. The wand?"

"I have it here," McGonagall said. She deposited the fragments on Dumbledore's desk. "Completely destroyed. We will never be able to manage a prior incantation on it."

"Hmm. Let me see." Dumbledore drew an odd looking gnarled wand from his robes, and tapped the other wand. Its shards flew back together, and Dumbledore nodded. "Very good, very good."

"What on earth?" McGonagall gasped, looking shocked.

"Let me guess, you didn't tell her," I said, shaking my head. "The time for you to keep secrets from McGonagall is past, if there ever was one. She's going to be taking over for you very soon. She has to know what pieces are on the board if she's to be effective."

"I trust the Headmaster's judgement," McGonagall said. "Though to be frank Albus, I've never seen a bit of magic like that. I've seen wands repaired before, but never so completely."

"This wand is the master wand," Dumbledore said simply. "And I its master. I can do as is needed."

McGonagall's frown deepened. "Are you telling me that old wives' tale is true?"

"I shall allow you to draw your own conclusions, Minerva. Take the wand, and have Alastor perform the proper spell upon it."

Minerva took up my niece's wand, then hesitated. "I need to know what is going to happen to Professor Murphy, Albus. What is your plan here?"

"I assume your story is true, David?" Dumbledore asked gently.

I nodded. "It is. As I said, I overreacted."

"I am inclined to disagree. If you were hit by a petrifying spell, and you were truly a normal muggle or even a wizard, you would be at the mercy of the one who cast it. And your niece has no love for you. I am inclined to do nothing to you, and punish her most severely. Assaulting a professor is a severe infraction."

"I agree," McGonagall said. "Do you wish the girl expelled?"

"No," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "But she shall have detention for a month, and lose access to her wand for two weeks. I think we can safely assign her detention to someone else, as it is reasonable that a family member should not oversee another's detention. Severus would be the ideal choice, as her head of house."

"Very good. I will also communicate to her that she is on thin ice, and any further misbehavior will result in her expulsion," McGonagall said firmly. "I will not tolerate such behavior at my school, or in yours, Albus."

With that, she left. I turned back to the Headmaster, who was peering at me intently.

"Yeah, I know, I screwed up," I said, shaking my head. "I assaulted a student and I shouldn't have."

"Not at all, Mr. Murphy. Please, sit down."

Surprised, I took a seat and waited.

Dumbledore's eyes lost focus for a few moments, until he shook his head and looked back at me. "You were not raised in the wizarding world. You do not know what sort of crime it is to use magic on a muggle who means you no harm."

"I know it got your father in Azkaban," I said quietly. "And I know that he also was defending his daughter."

"I suppose your knowledge in this matter should not surprize me," Dumbledore said. "And yet, you continue to amaze me in that regard. And you are also shockingly ignorant."

"I knew being a professor here would paint a target on my back," I sighed. "But it's the only way I know to be able to help keep Harry safe."

"And indeed, your willingness to face danger for the sake of your son is an admirable quality. But that is not what I referred to. No, only that once it becomes widely known you are a muggle, very few people, save for the most diehard of the Pure Blood faction, will take Miss Macnair's side. If you were a wizard and she humiliated you, that would be one thing. But to use magic on a muggle is seen to be the same as abusing a helpless child."

"So basically, Pyrix is going to be seen as trying to beat up a baby."

"Precisely. So, attacking you, even though you are well aware of the magical world and are a Hogwarts professor, would be seen as a social faux paux. Additionally, I find it it likely that Pyxis will lie about your encounter."

"Well, yeah. She'll probably just say I beat her up," I said.

Dumbledore smiled faintly and shook her head. "No, she will claim you hexed her with several bludgeoning curses and blasted her wand."

"What? But that doesn't make any sense. Why would she lie about me using magic on her?" I demanded. "I mean, I believe you; you've proven to be honest and honorable, but I don't get why she would do that."

"Because striking another wizard physically is seen as the ultimate insult," Dumbledore explained. "It communicates that you consider them to be utterly beneath you in every way. That they are so extraordinarily weak and foolish that you would not sully your own magic, instead using the same methods baser creatures would use. Pardon the comparison."

You know, as much as I thought Dumbledore was a pretty decent guy, it was stuff like this that made me realize just how ingrained the prejudices of the wizarding world were. Muggles were viewed as children who couldn't defend themselves, and using muggle methods to protect yourself was seen as base and insulting.

"But that means it's likely to be made public I'm not a wizard at all. What will that mean for you and the school?" I asked.

"Do not trouble yourself. I have made it clear that I have full confidence in you and your abilities, as does Minerva. My position with the board is not as tenuous as you may think. I am still viewed as a hero for helping to defeat the Serpent of Slytherin, your Supreme Danger Noodle, and having already anointed my successor many believe I can do no wrong. Those who, shall we say, favored the other side in this conflict, have mostly been removed or silenced."

"Alright," I said. "I'll just have to be prepared to deal with crap from the students I suppose. But what about Harry and Libra? How is this going to affect them?"

"I will have quiet word with the heads of houses and especially with Pomona. Hufflepuff is an ideal house for Harry at this point. They should close ranks around you. I will want the prefects to keep a close eye on the Macnair siblings and their friends. Thankfully, they are limited to Slytherin, and Severus will keep a close eye on them as well. Your family will be kept safe."

"Good. Has Remus showed you the map?" I asked. "Maybe we can use that."

"Indeed. I believe he said he and Sirius will be delivering copies for each of the professors. Alastor in particular is most interested in the map and the principles behind it, as keeping track of who is in the castle and where they are at all times is a most useful tool. I am sorry the Weasley twins have lost their wonderful pranking device, but this is for the greater good."

"The Greater Good," I echoed. Sadly, I doubted the Headmaster had ever seen Hot Fuzz. At least we weren't sacrificing children for dumb reasons.

"And now I fear we must deal with the fallout from this," Dumbledore said, slowly getting to his feet. "I must-"

I came around and offered the old man my arm. He smiled at me, gratefully taking it. His grip was boney, but still strong.

"Thank you. Let us make our way to the hospital wing."

Dumbledore was unable to move very quickly, but he did manage to walk with purpose. I helped him down the stairs, then from there he was able to manage with his cane. The most frightening thing was how light the old man was. He was much taller than I was, yet I don't think he weighed hardly anything. What was keeping him together, I didn't know.

"Are you sure you need to keep using the Stone?" I asked him quietly as we walked along a deserted corridor. "You're falling to its allure, I think."

"I must," Dumbledore whispered. "I cannot stop."

I had to agree with him. Any chance to save Harry, I was willing to take it.

"I believe I will have a ritual ready for Harry soon," Dumbledore said after a few more moments of walking. "There are just a few more pieces that need to be fit together. It is all in my notes. I just need a little more time."

Libra was waiting outside of the hospital wing, and rushed over when she saw us, Harry not far behind.

"Are you alright?" Libra asked me, taking my head in her hands.

I kissed her hand and smiled. "I'm fine. Just a little family dispute."

"Did you kick her ass dad?" Harry demanded.

I shook my head. "She's your cousin, Harry. I wouldn't want to hurt her. I used the bare minimum of force to remove her as a threat."

"Headmaster?" we turned to see Madam Pomfrey. "Ah, and Professor Murphy. Good. Auror Moody and Director Scrimgeour will need to take your deposition."

I sighed and nodded. "Don't wait up for me too long, the kids need you. I'll be fine."

I stepped into the hospital wing with Pomfrey and Dumbledore, and she led us to a small room in the back. Moody was at the door, frowning. He followed us inside, where Pyxis lay in bed, a grim faced man with a tawny mane of hair sitting beside her.

"There he is," Pyxis exclaimed as soon as I entered. "He attacked me. Hit me with two bludgeoning hexes and a blasting curse! My wand was completely destroyed by this maniac!"

"I've heard your side of the story, MIss Macnair," Scrimgeour said."I think it only proper that I hear Professor Murphy's. Come, let us-"

There were steps behind me, and I turned to see a man who looked so much like Libra, and yet, looked nothing like her at all. His hair was the same shade of blond, and he had her high cheekbones and a similar nose. Yet his eyes, instead of being a warm brown were dark, and dead. They didn't seem human, but closer to a serpent's or crocodile's: they saw only prey, and looked only for weakness.

"What has been done to my daughter," the man said in a tone that wasn't so much cold as it was void, empty of anything, communicating the bare facts of the words. "And why is this filth still at the school instead of in chains."

"We have yet to determine guilt in this case, Macnair," Moody growled. "Your daughter has been interviewed. We shall do the same for Professor Murphy."

"There is no need. My daughter would not lie. This man is an American, and consorts with squibs and muggles. Obviously, his testimony must be questionable."

"Hello, brother," I said in a tone that was not nearly as devoid of emotion. It came out more of a growl, really, and I felt my hackles rise as I glared at the man.

Walden's gaze met mine for a moment, but he looked through me, not at me. "Why are you allowing this criminal to address me, the grieved parent. Let us hear his lies so that we may send him to Azkaban where he belongs. Or, perhaps, if you are kind, to my axe."

Moody spoke. "We shall take him away to conduct his interview and-"

"No. As the parent of the injured party, I demand he tell his tale here and now, so that all may see his lies for what they are. I will not allow his minders to cover for him. Let his folly be heard by all."

"Father, he assaulted me," Pyrix called. "He hit me with hexes, blasted my wand to splinters, and tried to kill me until he was stopped."

"See? My daughter's injuries bear this out," Macnair stated, shoving his way forward and gesturing to the bandages on Pyrix.

"Well, there's the slight problem of everything she just said being a lie," I said evenly, then turned to Dumbledore. "I apologize for my niece's behavior, headmaster. Normally in my family we value the truth."

"She is no niece of yours," Walden snarled, emotion tingeing his words for the first time. They didn't see to be the feelings of a man, but rather the fury of a rabid animal. "I am an only child. I have no siblings."

"It seems a lack of acquaintance with the truth runs in this branch of the family," I said, not bothering to keep the fury out of my words. "But let's hear Pyxis story, one more time. Then I can refute it line by line."

Pyxis looked to her father, who gestured for her to speak.

"You sure you want to do this, Professor," Scrimgeour asked quietly. "It doesn't look good for you right now."

"I think the facts will speak for themselves in a moment," I said evenly.

"I was walking along the fifth floor corridor after my divination class," Pyxis said. "I had just come around the corner when I saw Professor Murphy walking by. Not wanting to be associated with a man who makes such false claims on my family honor, I turned and walked away. But I heard a noise. When I turned, I was struck full in the face with a bludgeoning hex. Then another in my groin. Finally, my wand was blasted out of my hand. You can see the blood and splinters, and my nose which was just set. And I have bruises."

All eyes turned to me. "Well, first, I didn't see you. You came up behind me, and tried to hit me with a petrifying curse. This could be proven easily enough with a check of your wand."

"Impossible. You destroyed my wand," Pyxis snarled, though she looked worried. She seemed to realize a check of my own wand would reveal I hadn't cast any charms. She could probably claim she thought I had used magic. Wouldn't work though.

"Headmaster? Would you be so kind as to give Director Scrimgeour the confiscated wand I delivered to you?" I asked.

Moody's eye narrowed when he saw the restored wand, but he didn't say anything.

Dumbledore produced the wand, and passed it to Scrimgeour. "I can confirm this is young Miss Macnairs wand."

Scrimgeour studied the wand. "Hmmm. Has a few shards missing, but in good order. Priori Incantatem!"

White thread shot out of the wand, enveloping nothing, then fading.

"This matches up with the Professor's claim. A petrifying curse was used from this wand not an hour ago," Scrimgeour proclaimed.

"I must have tried to use the spell when he attacked me," Pyxis said quickly. "My family is very well trained."

"Well, next is the problem that I never hit you with any spells," I said.

"Impossible," Macnair said dismissively. "How else could you have injured my daughter?'

"After I managed to dodge her spell, I lashed out. I couldn't see who was attacking me, but I did punch her in the nose and knee her. I kicked the wand out of her hand. It took a couple of tries, she was gripping it hard. However, I will point out I had no way of knowing who was attacking me."

"Why didn't you just disarm her like any sensible wizard?" Scrimgeour demanded. "Physically attacking a student is-"

"Professor Murphy could not have done so," Dumbledore said calmly. "He has no wand."

"No wand?" Scrimgeour asked, perplexed. "But why? Surely he needs one to teach."

"I teach Muggle Studies. One of the rules in my class is no wands and no magic. I set the example for my students," I answered. "They're there to learn about muggle culture and methods."

"But why wouldn't you bring a wand on patrol?" Scrimgeour demanded. "That seems foolish."

"Because bringing a wand would be pointless," I answered.

"You continue to mock our ways," Macnair snarled. "Are you so in love with the muggles and their ilk you wish to become one?"

"I do indeed love your sister," I answered evenly. "Even if she's far more magical than I am."

That seemed to completely baffle Macnair, and he blinked at me, confused.

"Let's make this easy," I said. "Me muggle. Me no have magic. Me no hex niece."

Macnair's eyes went wide. "But, you-you!" he trailed off as his fingers clenched around an imaginary neck.

"You hired a muggle?" Scrimgeour asked Dumbledore, his tone incredulous. "How…?"

"I happen to be the foremost expert in my field," I said. "I co-authored the Magic, Muggles, and The New World curriculum with the help of Akeakamai Kaʻiminaʻauao, Supreme Mugwump of the ICW. Which is, by the by, the very same muggle studies course taught here at Hogwarts and the one endorsed by the ICW for adoption by all of the great magical schools."

"Professor Murphy was by far the most qualified applicant for the position," Dumbledore said. "And, he was hired with the approval of both the Board of Governors and the Minister for Magic."

"Hmph. Well, not my call. Either way, I think we are done here," Scrimgeour said, turning to the door.

"What do you mean, we are done here," Macnair growled. "My daughter was assaulted by this filthy muggle!"

Scrimgeour half turned, glaring at Macnair. "Your daughter attempted to hex her professor, who is a muggle, then lied about him casting spells on her. Everything Professor Murphy has said has been proven to be true. Everything your daughter has claimed has been proven to be false. I would arrest her for attacking a muggle with magic, but as she is a minor and this occurred on Hogwarts grounds, I will leave her punishment to the Headmaster."

"You would take the word of a muggle over the word of a pureblooded witch?" Macnair demanded.

Scrimgeour turned around and opened the door. "I'm taking no one's word. One version of events lines up with the facts. It is not your daughter's. Drop it, Macnair. I suggest you resolve your family matters that are clearly clouding the judgement of you and your daughter."

With that, Scrimgeour left, leaving the Headmaster and I with my brother-in-law and niece. Family: You can't live with 'em, because they will try to murder you.

Macnair ground his teeth audibly, which was the sort of thing I thought only small children did. "Well, what are you going to do?" he demanded of Dumbledore.

"Young Miss Macnair will be dealt with by her Head of House," Dumbledore said calmly. "Normally I would have Professor Murphy issue the punishment, but I believe, due to the familial relation, that would not be proper. However, I will say that if any individual is to attack one of my staff members or their families again, I will personally deal with such an affront to this institution."

Macnair did not respond, turning his back on Dumbledore and looking down at his daughter. "Next time, do not fail."

"Yes, father," Pyxis whispered, looking down and away from her father.

With that, Macnair turned on his boot heels and stormed out of the room, his robes swirling behind him. I followed, hoping he wouldn't see Libra. She was waiting just outside, but Macnair didn't acknowledge her presence. He just went right through her, Libra forcing to jump to the side to avoid being bowled over.

"Well screw you too," I muttered as I came up to Libra, watching as Macnair stalked away. "He do anything to you?"

"No," Libra said, coming over to put her hand in mine. It was cold and clammy, and she was trembling.

I looked to Dumbledore, who had followed us out. "I think I might need to head out early today."

"Very well. I shall have another professor cover your evening patrol. Actually, I believe young Tonks was thinking of heading home as well. Why don't we head down to the Great Hall and ask her?"

Tonks did indeed feel a sudden need to be home, and Libra and I gratefully accepted her company after bidding Harry farewell.

"So, your family is a bunch of tossers too?" Tonks asked as we walked home.

I nodded, but Libra turned to look at Tonks. "Yes. I suppose with you related to the Blacks, you'd know something about that."

"Bunch of bigoted idiots," Tonks agreed. "Except for Sirius and my mum of course. Did you know, my auntie Bella managed to get an owl post to my mother when I was born? She swore she'd try and kill me if she ever laid eyes on me. I sent her a picture of me in Hufflepuff robes when I graduated. I morphed myself to look just like her too. Mum was scandalized. Well, once she stopped laughing that is."

"Was it hard, on your mother?" Libra asked.

Tonks shrugged. "Don't know really. You'll have to ask her. I'll let you know the next time she comes over for tea."

"I knew Andy growing up," Libra admitted. "She was quite a bit older than I, but, well, our families ran in the same social circles."

"We can form a club. 'The Disappointments to Purebloods Who Are All Not Tossers.' We can wear funny hats and stuff," Tonks said. "Well, here's your place. You need anything, give a shout. We disappointments have to stick together."

To Tonks surprise, Libra stepped closer and hugged the younger woman. "Thank you. It's been a long time since I've had any real friends."

Tonks smiled and hugged Libra back. "Well, you've got some now."

Authors Note:

I'm going to be travelling over the summer. Some updates are going to be spaced a little further out due to this.