Hi guys! Thanks for the favs and to clarify Luka was on her lunch break when he saw Professor Lupin so her clothes weren't completely clean and yes her foster parents will suffer. As usual I own nothing, the spells in bold are from Bleach and Negima!? The word count for this chapter kinda snowballed but the end of the mystery is nigh, just a few more chapters...
It was just past dawn when Luka slipped back into the dormitory. She stifled a yawn as she quietly got her clothes from her trunk before slinking off to the bathroom. She was so glad it was Saturday.
Meanwhile Professor Snape was having a very interesting conversation with Professor Lupin. Madam Pomfrey had Floo called him a few minutes telling him that Professor Lupin had urgent news. He had initially scorned the man for putting up such feeble wards that a second year could disarm them before swiftly becoming concerned that the girl was either hurt or hurting others. The dour man swiftly made his way to the girls' dormitory to see if the girl was present. He growled as he pulled back the curtains. The three pillow trick. Where the blazes was she? Inclining his head he heard the sound of the shower. The professor's jaw tightened as he decided to have a quick look through the girl's possessions. Apart from the pillows there was an odd looking stuffed toy on the bed, it looked like a cross between a bear and a dog with ugly, yellow close set eyes and fangs. Strange girl. The books on the bedside cabinet were a little advanced for a second year too, especially the charm and potion ones, the latter giving details of low level apothecary potions used in St Mungo's for wounds and broken bones. He ceased his perusal when he heard the water stop and the sound of padding feet coming towards him.
Still drying her hair Luka walked over to the door to the dormitory and stepped through. She stopped dead in her tracks as her tired eyes locked onto the grim figure of Professor Snape. His jaw was clenched and his eyes glittered malevolently.
"Well, Miss Pearson, you have finally graced us with your presence. Once you are properly dressed meet me in the common room, pyjamas are not fit for an audience with the headmaster," he hissed as he turned to leave.
Luka dressed as silently as she could so as not to wake her room mates. Quickly she looked through her trunk to find something suitable, it wouldn't do to look uncouth. Luka selected her black skinny jeans and a black short sleeved shirt. Her royal blue tie and silver tack from her maid uniform would complete the ensemble. Checking her watch to make sure that not too much time had passed Luka made her way downstairs.
Her head of house barely spared her a glance as swept off through the portrait hole and along the corridors. They came to a stop in front of a golden griffin.
"Lemon drops," said Professor Snape harshly and the statue obligingly jumped out of the way to reveal a moving spiral staircase.
The professor motioned Luka to go up before him and she hopped onto the stairs. Once the stairs had stopped revolving Professor Snape led Luka through a door into a large room that she presumed was Professor Dumbledore's office. It was filled with tables covered in strange silver instruments but before she could properly appreciate them she was led to a central dais upon which was the headmaster's desk. Seated around this were Professor Dumbledore and a rough looking Professor Lupin. Professor Snape took his place at the opposite side of the desk to Professor Lupin eyeing his colleague with obvious distaste.
"Explain yourself Miss Pearson. Where were you last night and why did you see fit to break into Professor Lupin's office?" asked the elderly wizard all twinkle absent from his eyes.
"I was quite busy during the day so I forgot to hand in my homework during the day. I did not expect to find Professor Lupin in his office as it was the night of the full moon. For the remainder of the evening I was working off a debt off of school grounds," Luka replied calmly.
Professor Snape regarded the girl closely, her body language was quite unlike what it had been the previous year. Then she would have stuttered and probably not been able to look the headmaster in the eye. Now her bearing was erect with no sense of shame and she spoke clearly. He didn't know whether to respect the stance or sneer.
"How long have you known?" asked Professor Lupin asked breaking Professor Snape put of his thoughts.
"Since you caught me playing sir," she replied.
"You caught my scent I take it,"
"Yes, until then I couldn't smell anything due to my cold. I am loathe to admit it, but until then I had no idea you were a werewolf. You are very adept at passing for a human," Luka said quietly.
"You sound disappointed,"
"Of course, mistaking a werewolf for a human is something that can get one killed," she replied.
"Professor Snape snorted, "You make out that you see werewolves on a regular basis,"
At this Professor Lupin's eyes widened and fastened on Luka's tie. He had picked up a hint the night before but now it was much stronger.
"Luka, give me your tie," he said as he held out his hand.
Without hesitation Luka undid the tie tack and removed the strip of cloth before stepping forward to hand it to the seated professor. He took it and held it to his nose. After a brief sniff he looked at her sadly.
"Werewolves, blood, sorrow and death. All of these scents are on this, where were you last night?" he asked, his blue eyes searching the girl's face for answers.
"As a payment for a debt I was working at a bar. The establishment caters for the supernatural community and due to the date many werewolves were present in their animal form," Luka replied.
"And the blood?" he asked hoping that such a young girl hadn't been involved in anything too horrible.
"After changing they like to eat sir, preferably fresh meat that is still warm and twitching,"
The professors digested the information. Professor Lupin looked slightly sick, whilst the headmaster looked at desk clearly saddened by the callousness with which Luka spoke. Professor Snape on the other hand wore his usual mask of indifference even though he was taken aback at the girl's words.
"Well, Miss Pearson you are most certainly being very honest," he said sarcastically, he'd expected her to try and lie her way out of it.
"There's no point in lying sir, Professor Lupin has already revealed too much to be concealed and most werewolves are quite adept at smelling lies. I would only dig myself a deeper hole by lying to those who see through it so easily," the girl replied.
Professor Snape quirked an eyebrow, how Slytherin, she was only being honest as it suited her ends.
"They are killing people aren't they? These werewolves," asked Professor Lupin quietly not raising his eyes from the floor.
"Yes," came the emotionless response.
"You condone murder," the werewolf whispered.
"Only when it pertains to select individuals. The humans they eat are all criminals of the worst kinds, any werewolf who attacks a civilian also faces death,"
"The pack kills their own? I find that hard to believe," said Professor Lupin finally raising his head to look Luka in the eye, the coldness in her eyes chilled him to the bone.
"The majority of the time yes, however werewolves in general have one major problem; they have a tendency to eat the evidence. That is why for a time goblins were used to help with the investigations but their prices were somewhat extortionate so other alternatives were explored. Six mages were employed to track down and kill rogue werewolves. They became known as the Executioners and their authority was equal to that of a Pack Leader," Luka explained.
"Why would a pack of werewolves consent to humans killing them?" asked Professor Snape, something was wrong here, since when did werewolves care about humans?
"Not all werewolves are savages professor, most have human families. As for the purpose of the Executioners, who are those who have the most to lose if it became common knowledge that werewolves were real and killing people? Whilst werewolves are quite aware of their physical superiority they lack the general arrogance that one finds commonly amongst wizards," Luka replied.
"It is already known that werewolves kill people, that is why the Ministry introduced legislation against their kind," Professor Snape spat.
"I meant with regards to the Muggle population professor," seeing the puzzled expression on the man's face Luka continued, "there are those who wish to become full legal citizens sir,"
"The Ministry would never allow that," said Professor Dumbledore who had until then been content to silently contemplate the discussion.
"Since wizards think they are above Muggle laws I don't see why the Ministry believes it can force its laws on Muggles," said Luka.
"They're Muggle werewolves?" asked Professor Lupin incredulously, "I had heard that they exist but I have never met one,"
"That's not surprising, they're pathologically secretive and quite different to werewolves like yourself sir,"
"How different?"
"In a nutshell sir they don't need the Wolfsbane Potion as with training they can retain their human minds when in their animal form even though it will still be augmented by their instincts. On the other hand however they don't get days off, the transformation can take place on any day if they are subjected to the right stimuli. When I said they eat the evidence I meant it, ninety nine percent of the time if you put a werewolf near a fresh corpse they will eat it whether in their animal form or not. If they are still in their human form when they begin the meal the beast inside them will rise to the surface and they will transform," Luka replied still seeming calm despite the topic of which she spoke.
"How can you be so matter of fact? Don't you fear them?" asked Professor Lupin.
"After you attend a few of the meals you begin to become desensitized and no I don't fear them. I have a healthy respect of what they are capable of but fear is useless, it dulls the mind and only further encourages them," stated Luka.
"Why do you attend the meals?" asked Professor Dumbledore now even more gravely worried than before.
"They create quite a mess professor and someone has to clean up after them," Luka replied.
"To whom do you owe your debt?" enquired Professor Dumbledore.
"I cannot say sir," Luka said quietly.
"Is it Sebastian?" Luka's eyes widened, "I'll take that as a yes," Professor Dumbledore sighed, "I can't understand your calm acceptance of this situation you have been forced into,"
"I do not expect you to sir, it's not as if I can show you my memories," she replied.
"Actually you can, put your wand to your temple, concentrate on the memory you wish to extract and simply pull it out of your head," the headmaster explained.
Luka thought for a moment would it be possible to show them the truth about the situation that she really didn't want to be in? As soon the thought passed her mind she felt her restrictions tighten, there was to be no easy escape it seemed. That and look at what happened to Professor Snape she thought to herself. By trying to help her he had been cursed, she couldn't let that happen to anyone else.
"Will taking out the memory erase it from my mind?" she asked.
"No, the procedure for that is quite different," Professor Dumbledore replied.
"What memory do you wish to view?"
"A brief look at your evening will suffice. You should probably include the 'meal' as you call it," said Professor Snape, he didn't entirely believe that she had attended one as she had said.
In response Luka put her wand to her temple and extracted the memory.
"I've included the meal and a bit of what happened afterwards so you can see what a shift at the bar is like in general," she said as she looked around for somewhere to put her memory.
Professor Dumbledore stood up and motioned for all of them to follow him to the pensieve. He indicated Luka to put the memory into the receptacle. As it touched the surface the ethereal filament spread like ink touching water.
"All together now, just put your face into the pensieve Miss Pearson," the headmaster said as she looked at him enquiringly.
As one they put their faces into the surface of the memory and Luka felt herself being pulled down into the memory. They landed in the spacious back room of the Funtom bar. It was devoid of furniture, the walls were plain and the floor was just smooth concrete.
"It makes the place easier to clean," Luka explained as the professors looked around before turning to the figures in the room.
"Where are you?" asked Professor Lupin.
"Over there in the corner. I look different because I take a glamour potion in the form of age modification sweets I carry with me at work. It would seem a bit odd for a twelve year old to be working in a bar," Luka replied as they looked at the 'woman' in the corner.
The figure appeared to be a version of Luka in her mid twenties, her hair was tied in a plat and her green eyes surveyed the scene before with indifference as she leaned against the wall. In the centre of the room a woman was cowering on the floor crying, she was surrounded about a dozen werewolves who were partially through their transformation. One in particular caught the eyes of the wizards. The man was screaming and appeared to be tearing his face off. Elongated fingers punctured his own skin not with nails but the bone that was now protruding through his finger tips. As he pulled the shredded skin from his face and neck the cranium underneath contorted and shifted, jaws pushing forward to form a muzzle as his teeth grew into fangs. Once the bones had moved the muscles reworked around them before skin began to grow as he continued the process of tearing off his human flesh.
"What in Merlin's name is happening?" asked Professor Lupin, he had always thought there was only one way to transform.
"Werewolves appear in a variety of forms professor. Some merely grow fur out their existing skin whilst ones like him," she gestured to the writhing form, "have to take off their human skin first. Once removed the skin withers to nothing. Fortunately though the transformation back to human form is far less violent," Luka replied looking quite unperturbed.
Once their changes were complete one of the males, a humanoid lycanthrope standing over seven feet in height, turned to the adult Luka.
"Start it," he said, his words warped by the monstrous vocal apparatus he now possessed.
In response the adult Luka plucked a stopwatch from her white apron and clicked it before returning her gaze to the werewolves and their victim.
"What's happening?" asked Professor Snape.
"They like to play a game. They try to keep the food alive as long as possible. The longer the she stays alive the more terrified she will get and the scent of fear will get stronger. This acts as an aperitif," Luka replied coolly.
Professor Snape whirled around to look at the student. Her face betrayed no more emotion than that of her memory self. What on Earth had happened to her for her to become so cold? Hearing a muffled gasp he turned to Professor Lupin. The werewolf was leaning heavily on his cane, one hand clamped to his mouth as he looked on in anguish. The pack was now closing in on the woman, each one brushing against her in turn. Tasting the fear Professor Snape realised. Then the game began, it started as a scratch here a nip there but slowly progressed until the woman was screaming in pain as the werewolves tore chunks out of her. One particularly bold one tore at her skirt and seemed to be going for her underwear.
"Mathew, call him off," said the memory Luka in a warning tone as she shifted off the wall.
The werewolf who had told her to start the stopwatch snapped at the other werewolf causing him to yelp before backing off seemingly repentant.
"Why did you stop him?" asked Professor Snape, "you let them torture her,"
"This pack likes to keep a veneer of civility about their practices. Whilst the members are allowed to use whatever torture they can think of but sexual assaults are strictly forbidden," Luka replied.
Feeling sick Professor Snape turned his attention back to the unfolding events. The woman was now missing some of her extremities but she had still managed to crawl towards memory Luka.
"Please... you have to save me," she whimpered with tears in her eyes as she held up a bloodied stump of an arm.
Memory Luka leaned down slightly to the kneeling figure and cupped the woman's cheek with her right hand, her thumb smoothing the tear stained cheek.
"Mary Price, you were convicted for the possession of indecent pictures of children on your computer. You feigned regret and went on to molest children at the crèche you worked at. Your character has been tried and found wanting and now you will 'give back to the community' as they say," said the maid coldly, green eyes devoid of emotion.
"Please, I beg you...you have to save me," sobbed Mary.
The memory Luka cocked her head as if considering the action, "Perhaps," she pulled the woman to what remained of her feet, "Mathew might I make the suggestion that you save her for desert. After all Roxy is bringing in a drug dealer,"
"No, we will finish what we started," came the growled reply.
The woman was unceremoniously dropped and the werewolves were upon in less than a second. With a last scream the lights in Mary's eyes went out. Memory Luka glanced at the stopwatch and clicked it again.
"Well done Mathew, a new record; five minutes and seventeen seconds. What time shall I be back for the clean up?"
"Give us about three hours,"
The memory Luka then nodded and walked out the door. The memory shifted with her into the main part of the. It was filled with all sorts of supernatural creatures. Dwarves, minotaurs, zombies, hags, banshies and other werewolves.
"Are they from another pack?" asked Professor Lupin as he looked at two blonde males.
"No, some of the pack have objections to eating human flesh so they stay here," Luka replied as her memory self went behind the bar to converse with her colleagues and mix a few drinks. The images wavered slightly as the memory came to an end and they were in Professor Dumbledore's office once more.
"What were those other creatures? They looked like giant rats and hogs," asked Professor Snape.
"Other weres, werewolves aren't the only form of shape shifter although they are the most common," said Luka.
"Wererats,"
"Yes sir," she said as they walked back over to Professor Dumbledore's desk.
"There is one final issue that needs resolving Miss Pearson, just how have you been getting past the Dementors?" asked the headmaster after a little while.
"Due to the nature of the debt Dementors can't harm me and the Forbidden Forest is poorly guarded. In any event I can easily deal with a Dementor if they tried to attack," replied Luka.
"And just how would a second year like you manage that," sneered Professor Snape.
Mouthing the incantation nearly silently Luka swished her wand to produce her patronus. A gleaming bantam cockerel.
"Well I think we can all see what that represents. After all bantam cocks are arrogant, diminutive, vain little things," continued Professor Snape after he had suppressed the surprise of seeing corporeal patronus from the young girl.
"Yes they are professor, Barbu d'Anvers especially," Luka replied smiling slightly.
"Now that that issue has been addressed if you would wait outside Miss Pearson," said Professor Dumbledore.
Once the girl was outside the three wizards began discussing whether or not to expel the girl.
"Personally I would put her on a probationary period. What do you think Severus?" asked the headmaster.
"I agree headmaster, if she were to leave Hogwarts she may deteriorate further. Whilst now she is greatly desensitized to violence and is a party to vigilantism she may become truly Dark if she is left in the care of the werewolves and her master. If that were to happen the Ministry would have quite a powerful Dark witch on their hands given the ability she already has as a second year," replied the potions master.
"Yes it would be a waste of talent to expel her straight away with no chance for redemption. Have either of you seen anything to indicate that she is already using Dark magic?"
"Not Dark magic, but she is adept at using powerful curses," said Professor Lupin quietly.
"What can she use?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
"It was in the shield charms lesson. I asked her to use the most powerful spell she knew to attack me, at first she didn't want to but I insisted. I thought she was going to use a stinging hex or possibly a weak stunner but instead she used the Reductor curse," replied the werewolf.
"That was why you asked about her," said Professor Snape thoughtfully, it all made sense now.
"Given what happened last year I thought she had learned it to defend herself. I didn't consider the possibility of...that," he said gesturing at the pensieve.
"Of course Remus, even I didn't expect such a reason for her absence," replied Professor Dumbledore reassuringly, "well, it seems we have reached a decision. Call her back in Severus,"
Once Luka had re-entered the office the headmaster explained her situation and punishment. She was on a probationary period for a year with any use of Dark magic resulting in immediate expulsion, she would have three detentions a week until the Christmas holidays and the headmaster himself would be writing to her foster parents. In addition her moonlighting was to come to an end. Luka seemed quite disappointed at that condition but relented none the less. After she had said she understood the terms of her being at Hogwarts Professor Snape resumed questioning her.
"Are there any other illicit activities you have been taking part in?" asked Professor Snape, the dungeons had abnormally quiet of late.
"No illicit activities but I've been brewing again and practicing combat," she replied.
"Where?"
"The Chamber of Secrets sir,"
The three professors stared at her for a moment before Professor Snape pressed on.
"The chamber hasn't been entered since last year, you'd require parseltongue to get in," he snapped, the child was obviously lying.
"No you don't sir, it's difficult but if you get your magic to work on the same frequency as the lock it lets you in. Erm...hasn't even Professor Binns been to see the chamber?" Luka asked, surely the History of Magic teacher had an interest in the chamber.
"Actually no he hasn't," said Professor Dumbledore smiling, that had been the first time she had sounded like a normal girl, "now if you would lead the way. Severus if you would accompany me and Remus I think it best if you rest for the remainder of the day,"
Professor Snape had to admit he was quite impressed when he saw the girl alter her magic to open the lock, it implied great control over her powers and she resized the broom she'd had in her pocket wordlessly. He was less impressed by their shaky descent into the bowels of the castle. As they walked in the tunnels he gave a start when he saw the shed skin of the basilisk. How in Merlin's name could the staff have missed it?
"She was actually much bigger at the time of her death Professor," said Luka as she noticed his gaze on the skin.
As that comment went unanswered she continued to the lead the professors to the chamber. She was quite pleased with her handiwork and she finally had a chance to show it off. As they walked through the area of the cave in the wizards noted that the ceiling had been given additional support by a series of stone pillars that were not part of the original cave network. When they arrived in the chamber proper they were quite taken aback. Neither had considered the prospect of the chamber being so ornate. The stone snakes on either side of the walkway were intricately carved, as was the statue of Salazar Slytherin. In order to keep the chamber worthy of its name the founder must have obliviated the workers or dealt with them in a less savoury manner. Professor Snape's eyes widened as they took in the sight of the basilisk, the student had been correct in saying that the creature had grown since the shed skin he'd seen. But why was it so well preserved? Surely it should be a rotting carcass by now. As they approached the monstrous corpse Professor Dumbledore ran his hand through the nearby air to sense the magic.
"Two glamour charms, one to preserve the image and the other to nullify the smell," he said as he considered the animal in front of him, a wondrous specimen indeed despite its Dark origins.
"I couldn't do a stasis spell after moving her so I settled for the glamour," Luka replied.
"You moved it?" asked the headmaster.
"Yes, she was on her back. The pose was most undignified so I put her on her front and cleaned her up,"
Professor Dumbledore said nothing at that but turned to the nearby work station that Luka had made for herself. A large desk and stool made of rock that looked like it had been melted to form a smooth and level surface. Upon the desk were stacks of books; some Muggle and others magical. Professor Snape recognised the one which Luka had shown him. He also noted that the majority of the books were on mind magic, either defensive or offensive, others were on curses and advanced healing magic. An open tome caught his eye, a book on lycanthropy.
"Where did you get these books?"asked the head of Slytherin.
"Borgin and Burkes," Luka replied simply.
"You went into Knockturn Alley alone?"
"No, I went with a friend,"
Shaking his head the professor turned back to the books, he could easily guess who her 'friend' had been. Although, it gave him a possible lead, unless obliviated Borgin always remembered a customer.
"Severus look at this," called Professor Dumbledore.
The younger professor took a moment to locate his elder, the old man was standing next to a semicircular set of shelves and pedestals that had most certainly not been there before. In front of the elderly wizard was a specimen that even the potions master lacked. A basilisk fang, perfectly preserved, the slender tooth supported by unsightly clamps with the attached glandular tissue enclosed in a sphere of liquid that was supplied by a series of tubes.
"What is this?" he asked turning back to the girl.
"A preserved basilisk fang," she replied.
"I know that, what are you using it for?" Professor Snape spat.
"Using nutrient potions and embalming fluid I keep the tissue alive so that I can harvest the venom. I have been testing it to see what the active ingredient is and how to synthesise an antivenin," Luka explained.
"You have been manufacturing one of the most deadly poisons in the magical world despite the fact you do not possess the antidote," he drawled.
"Yes, that is why I never touch the stuff directly, even when I pipette it I wear dragon hide gloves, cumbersome as they are,"
"Have you made any progress?" asked Professor Dumbledore as he moved away from the fang to examine the rows of bottles.
"Unfortunately no, the methods I am using are woefully primitive but I have found some of its properties. It is quite something, it causes necrosis, coagulopathy and as far as I can tell it's neurotoxic too. However the data I have is not the best since I experiment on dead rats," Luka sighed.
"And those mean?" sneered Professor Snape, he hated to admit his ignorance but the girl was speaking in riddles.
"Necrosis is tissue death, coagulopathy is the inability of blood to clot properly and neurotoxic means that it targets the nervous system," she replied.
"So you have only tested on dead animals?" asked Professor Dumbeldore.
"Of course I would never inject the venom into a live subject," the girl said sounding offended.
Professor Snape turned his attention to the nearby racks. They were filled with healing potions and weaponry, Muggle weaponry. What did the girl want with such a collection of blades, guns and armour? He watched the headmaster step forwards and swish his wand. Yet more objects came into view. So that was why he hadn't seen the racks before, they were warded and disillusioned. At least the girl had some sense. There was a lone pedestal on which rested a black sheathed rapier, its elaborate hilt scattered with red gave off a distinctly Dark aura. Next to the pedestal was what looked like a curious mannequin. Professor Dumbledore plucked the weapon off the pedestal and attempted to draw it. It began to glow if angered.
"That is the Shattered Soul, I am afraid it is temperamental at the best of times and it accepts only one master," Luka explained.
"I take it recognises you I take it," said the headmaster as he released it and replaced it.
"Yes,"
"It is quite a Dark object,"
"I cannot agree sir. It is merely an efficient weapon,"
"It is host to a soul fragment," the headmaster said sombrely, the girl would have to be expelled after all.
"No sir, it's a false soul created by the Black Dwarves when they made it. I specifically asked for a false fragment rather a true one," she replied.
"Then why the name?" Professor Snape cut in.
"It can be used to attack the soul as well as the body,"
"You said you asked for a false soul, was this custom made by the dwarves for you?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
"Yes, as payment for a job. The good thing about dwarves as opposed to goblins is that the weapon is actually mine rather than on loan,"
"Does it boast any other special features?" sneered Professor Snape.
"Yes actually. The blade is a cursed silver-steel alloy. The curse causes the cut flesh of the enemy to putrefy, only the blade's master can remove the curse. The blade is also elaborately engraved with red symbols," Luka replied seeming happy to talk about the sword.
"This will all be confiscated, even the healing potions. You are to bring it all to Professor Lupin's office as quickly as possible, with the use of as little magic as possible," Professor Dumbledore said as he guided Professor Snape back to the exit before taking the younger man's arm and apparating out of the chamber.
Luka stared for a moment, she was sure she had read somewhere that apparition was impossible in Hogwarts but seeing as it was the headmaster... Sighing she turned back to all of the things she had to get out of the chamber. Luckily though she had an idea, that murderous little mannequin would do well as beast of burden.
After much effort and wheezing Luka was finally out of the chamber although she staggered beneath her load. Her old broom had protested under the weight she forced upon it but luckily the mannequin, which was carrying the majority of the objects, was equipped with long claws so it had just climbed out of the chamber on command. Groaning, Luka slowly made her way forwards trying not to topple over.
As she pulled herself up the stairs to Professor Lupin's classroom she met Professors Flitwick and McGonagall on the landing. She nodded in greeting before moving on. The two professors looked on in shock, why was the girl carrying so many weapons and what on Earth was that thing next to her? After a couple minutes of discussion they decided to go after her and see what was going on.
XXX
In Professor Lupin's classroom silence reigned. The werewolf had long ago stopped trying to engage his ex schoolmate in conversation. At present he seated behind his desk whilst the potions master paced the room, Professor Dumbledore had apologised for interrupting his day but apparently the girl had got her hands on some interesting artefacts and that he and Severus should look them over as the headmaster worked on the paperwork. Sighing he wondered how she could have become so Dark at such a young age. The werewolf's reverie as the door to his classroom was opened and he gawped in surprise. The girl looked like a walking armoury and just exactly was that thing next to her?
"Luka what is that next to you?" he asked as he looked closer at the animal, it seemed to be a large bear of some kind but its claws were abnormally long.
Still gasping and red faced Luka turned to the duelling mannequin, "Oh, it's just a duelling mannequin. The image projector's been on the fritz for ages," she said as she punched the mannequin in the shoulder to shut off the projection.
Unfortunately the mannequin's skeletal form was just as unsettling for the professors as the image, especially when covered in weapons and what looked like a large collection of potion flasks. As the professors moved towards the pair Luka dragged herself over to the nearest desk and began to relieve herself of her load. Knives, swords, pieces of armour, a couple of guns, belts of ammunition, potion flasks and a couple of books. Luka moved onto the mannequin which yielded the same things but in far greater quantity. Professor Lupin noticed that his colleague was immediately drawn to a fang of some kind that he immediately placed in a box, shrank and placed in his pocket.
"Exactly why did you see fit to bring this thing through the school? You could have caused a panic," Professor Snape sneered to Luka.
"Professor Dumbledore said to bring the lot up as quickly as possible and with no magic. I couldn't have done it so quickly without using the mannequin," Luka puffed in reply as she leaned against a desk.
Professor Snape snorted, did the girl think she could curry favour now by being so literal in following requests? He turned his attention to the potions that he hadn't had a look at earlier, they were powerful healing potions of surprisingly good quality but why would she require Blood Replenishing potion?
"Why have you been brewing these potions? You wouldn't even find these on a NEWTs course," he asked curiosity aroused.
"The mannequin causes quite a lot of damage to my body when we fight. In order to keep up with schoolwork I need to stay in good condition,"Luka replied now seemingly recovered.
"What duelling techniques do you practice?" asked Professor Lupin as he inspected her weapons, the knives and gauntlets were of decent design with basic charms whilst one sword in particular had a strange aura and there were several more esoteric looking artefacts.
"Hand to hand combat, armed fighting, firearms and magic," Luka said.
"You practice Muggle duelling?"
"Of course, magic only goes so far and sometimes it can't be used,"
The werewolf quirked an eyebrow at the last statement. He doubted she was alluding to the Statute of Underage Wizardry as she seemed to have little regard for the law.
"This mannequin can take on numerous forms, what are they?" asked Professor Snape causing the other two people to turn to him.
"Human, zombie and a variety of shape shifters. The one you saw was the werebear sir," Luka said.
"They exist?" asked the potions master.
"Yes, there is one that hangs around with the werewolves. People take the mick out of him and call him the care bear because he's a bit thick," Luka replied.
At that point Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick entered the classroom. The witch took one look around the room before asking questions.
"What's going on? We just saw Miss Pearson walk past with a monster,"
"Miss Pearson has been engaged in extracurricular duelling. The monster is this duelling dummy," replied Professor Snape.
At that Professor Flitwick trotted over to inspect it.
"It appears to be very well made. What capabilities does it have?"
"It has extensive knowledge of hand to hand and armed combat as well as magic. It also has the ability to change forms and an image projector for extra realism even though it's broken and keeps switching on when it shouldn't," Luka replied, finally someone wasn't scorning her for her activities.
"Is duelling what all this Muggle equipment is for?" asked Professor McGonagall as she picked up a rifle and looked down the wrong end of the barrel.
"Yes, that's a rifle for shooting people," explained Luka as she tried to convince herself that she'd unloaded all her firearms.
"I used to be a duelling champion in my day. Would it be possible to see the mannequin in action?" asked Professor Flitwick.
After looking to Professor Snape who nodded in ascent Luka replied, "Yes, what setting would you like it on?"
After a brief discussion Luka selected one of the hand to hand modes from the favourites menu. The duel between the professor and the mannequin was fairly drawn out as despite the mannequin's inability to land a hit it's resistance to magic was fairly strong. After all it was a werewolf simulation. Seeing the kind of training that Luka had undertaken Professor Flitwick asked her whether she would likely to take part in friendly bout.
"A friendly bout?" she asked, she really didn't know much about those or how wizards formally duelled.
"Yes just a friendly, after all even that vicious contraption like that doesn't give you a real feel for combat," he replied smiling.
"Um, what are the rules of a wizard duel?" Luka asked.
"No physical contact, no Dark magic and no interference,"
Luka nodded to show she understood, she wasn't surprised at the conditions but it disappointing that she couldn't use a sword. After some wards were installed to protect the room from collateral damage as Luka had put it and they had bowed to one another the professor and Luka took to opposite ends of the classroom. Luka considered her strategy carefully, Professor Flitwick was far more experienced so he wouldn't fall or the parlour tricks that had been the end of the Gryffindors last year. In addition she would need to use Occlumency to hide her attacks, the professor probably wouldn't use Legilemency but it was better to be safe. Then there was the intent behind her own attacks, under ordinary circumstances she would fight with killing intent but given that this was a friendly match she would have to dial it down a bit. Before she had too long to think the duel began and spells were flying back and forth. Professor Flitwick would fire a spell only for it to be parried and vice versa when Luka counter attacked. It was only when the professor succeeded in sending and expelliarmus in Luka's direction that things became more interesting. Whilst it went well in that Luka's wand fell right into the professor's hand Luka did not land on her backside as intended. Instead of being knocked off her feet the relatively weak spell merely caused her to take one step back. Before Professor Flitwick could say that the fight was over Luka returned fire using arrows of light. The eleven sagitta magica urged towards the stunned professor who only managed to shield himself in time. The duel resumed at a faster pace. Instead of being slowed down by the lack of a wand Luka's magic seemed to be flowing far better than before, there was no more half mumbled charms and hexes but true wordless magic and even though her manner of blocking incoming spells was distinctly odd it seemed to work quite well. In the place of a pre-emptive shield charm the spells were smashed aside by elbow strikes as if the shield charm was embedded in her flesh with each block being more aggressive than the last. The offensive spells were also of a different calibre, instead of the kiddy hexes mixed with the odd reducto and stupidify she'd been using before more arrows of ice, shadow and fire flew from her hands whilst a seemingly harmless patronus turned into a giant cockerel as it passed through the professor's shields causing the charms master to scuttle back to avoid the slate grey spurs and claws. Emboldened Luka pressed on with the attack ignoring the pain caused by the restrictions imposed on her powers. Extending her right arm whilst her left hand gripped her right wrist she finally stooped to using spoken incantations.
"SHAKOHOU! (red flame cannon)"
A large red orb materialized against the palm of her hand before it zoomed forwards crackling with energy increasing in both speed and power with every centimetre it crossed. Fortunately Professor Flitwick succeeded in shielding himself from the blast but instead of stopping it dead he merely deflected it. It curved upwards, still moving forwards and punctured the wards as if they were tissue paper before making contact with the door to Professor Lupin's office. As it was still be carried forward by its momentum it did not detonate immediately upon impact but just afterwards. The wall of the office and the glass cabinets within seemed to ripple slightly before exploding outwards to shower the classroom in masonry and glass shards. Luka stood agape for a moment oblivious to the beginnings of a nose bleed and headache before glancing at Professor Flitwick. He stood staring at the ruined office and Luka took her chances. If she could pull this off she could both win the match and redeem herself. She quickly summoned the wands he was holding with telekinesis before giving hers a triumphant swish.
"Reparo totalis (total repair)," she said but she only succeeded in blasting the last remaining piece of stonework from the top of the stairs.
Giving a squeak of surprise she looked at the wands. No wonder she hadn't done the spell correctly she was using the professor's wand, they looked so similar. Flushed from embarrassment Luka redid the spell which worked correctly. The strewn debris flew back into the office as if time had been put into reverse and reformed itself back into the original objects. Still blushing she looked around at the professors, she really didn't like the way they were staring at her as if she were a freak.
"That was the first time you've used a proper wand wasn't it?" asked Professor Flitwick as he walked up to her to take his wand back.
"Err, yes. This is just a facsimile," Luka replied nervously as all eyes fell upon the useless prop.
"I thought so, when I looked at it last year it didn't real like a wand. That and the fighting techniques that are used with that," he gestured to the mannequin, "are incompatible with wielding a wand,"
Professor Snape watched the exchange with interest. The girl could use powerful wandless magic but it seemed to be costly, her nose was bleeding steadily but she didn't seem to notice it until Professor Flitwick handed her a handkerchief. Professor Snape glanced at the werewolf to see how he was taking the destruction and rebuilding of his office, the beast looked suitably shocked and Professor McGonangall was regarding the girl warily.
"Well, Miss Pearson, you've just earned yourself another month's detention for destruction of school property," he drawled trying to appear unconcerned.
"Yes sir," she nodded in reply, Professor Snape frowned, had the threat of expulsion knocked the fight out of her so quickly? How disappointing.
"Miss Pearson, I couldn't help but notice the spells you used weren't standard ones," Professor Flitwick squeaked now fully recovered from the 'friendly' bout.
"I got them from some books I've read. There are some others I know that are to disarm an opponent but I didn't want the fight to end too quickly. I rarely fight other magic users," the girl replied.
Professor Snape snorted, "You mean you wanted to continue to show off. Very well, demonstrate how you would disarm someone,"
"Erm, well I can just get rid of a wand or sword with expelliarmus or I can totally disarm an opponent, only those spells have really bad side effects," Luka said quietly as her headache made itself known.
"I have a spare wand on my person, see if you can remove it Miss Pearson," he drawled, the brat was probably bluffing.
"I don't think that's a good idea sir, the spell has a bad side effect. It's a blunderbuss not a scalpel," Luka stammered.
"In other words you can't do it,"
"Now Severus, there's no need to be so harsh," said Professor McGonagall, she knew that Severus didn't like the girl but she looked so pale at the moment.
Said student sighed in a resigned fashion before levitating a desk in front of the potions master, a black cloth seeming to grow out of the shadows until it reached the floor.
Professor Snape cocked an eyebrow, "What is this? Are you intending to saw me in half or some other Muggle trick?"
"No sir, but since I don't know where the second wand is located so I will need to use a total disarmament spell that gets rid of even the most hidden of weapons. The table and cloth are for your benefit sir if you wish for me to continue," Luka replied knowing full well the possible consequences of the spell she might have to carry out.
"Just get on with it," drawled Professor Snape as he waved the table back to its original placement.
Sighing once more Luka cast the incantation, "Flans exarmatio! (wind flower, disarm weapon)"
A powerful wind rushed from her fingertips towards the professor. As it engulfed him his clothes and wands were taken from him, the former being transfigured to cherry blossoms before being carried off by the wind. The wind died as the wands hit the ground several metres behind the professor. Blinking once Professor Snape looked down at himself to find that he was now only clad in boxers and old socks, he had even been magically divested of his shoes which now lay by his wands. Growing more infuriated and pale by the second the professor turned a most malevolent glare at his student. He ignored the fact that she was averting her eyes and raised one shaking finger in her direction.
"Luka Pearson, you are expelled from Hogwarts," he snarled as his jaw tightened and veins on his temple throbbed visibly.
"As you wish sir, good bye professors it was nice being here," she said calmly as she turned away, "Vestis reveniunt (clothes return)," she finished as she summoned her belongings from the room and shrunk them into her pocket before leaving.
At her spell the blossoms came back to life swirling around the potions master before changing colour and coming together to form his usual black suit. After Luka had left it was Professor McGonagall who spoke first.
"Severus that was too harsh, it was only a disarming spell and you had been warned," she said severely.
"Minerva I doubt that you would be acting so reasonably if it had been you who had been stripped," he snapped in response, his eyes glittering maniacally.
"I agree with Minerva, you should talk it over with Albus to see if her actions warranted expulsion," chimed Professor Flitwick.
"The headmaster will support my decision, that brat was already on probation,"
"What for? Oh never mind, you're going to the headmaster's office," snapped Professor McGonagall, "Sorry Remus, I know you are feeling delicate at this time of the month but could you get Miss Pearson whilst we calm Severus down,"
Remus nodded in agreement and began to walk slowly to the Slytherin dormitories whilst Professor Snape announced the opinion that he most certainly did not need to calm down.
XXX
In the Slytherin dormitory Luka penned a concise note to Lucy explain the situation and that despite the current circumstances she would like to keep in contact. Packing away the last of her things Luka sighed, she didn't know whether her foster parents would be happy or angry that she had been expelled since they complained about how little work she did when she was at Hogwarts. Luka pulled on her jacket and with levitated trunk in tow and broom over her shoulder she made her way out of the dungeons for the last time.
As came to the last landing before reaching the entrance hall Luka was met by Professor Lupin, she couldn't help but notice how rough he looked leaning on his cane and she winced a little knowing that it was because of her that he wasn't resting as he should be.
"Professor Snape has gone to Professor Dumbledore to discuss your expulsion. For the moment you can wait in my office," he said as he walked up to her.
Luka nodded warily as she followed him back to his office, considering what had happened to it it looked pretty good. It was interesting too, it was like Professor Snape's office but with skulls and artefacts rather than specimens. There was also a red cap in a cage behind his desk. Absent mindedly Luka drifted over to the shelves to inspect them further.
From behind his desk Professor Lupin watched the girl closely as he was all too aware that she had taken her weapons back when she was 'expelled'. It seemed that she had taken a liking to his office.
"It seems that we'll be here a while so you may as well be seated," he said as he eased himself into his chair.
She replied with the customary 'yes sir' and took a seat. After a short while of trying to stare in any direction but at each other the professor decided to speak again before the silence became too awkward.
"Which books did you learn those spells from?"
"Huhn?" Luka asked as she was woken from her day dream.
"Which books did you read to learn those unorthodox spells?" he asked again his temper fraying from the trying day.
"Oh just some manga,"
"Manga?"
"Japanese comics," Luka explained.
Professor Lupin blinked as he absorbed the information. Professor Snape was going to love this, this student had been learning from fiction.
"Can I see them?"
"Sure, which ones? I have a few; Naruto, Bleach, Negima, Flame of Recca-"
"The ones you used today will be sufficient," the professor replied exasperatedly.
"Those'll be Bleach and Negima," she said as she went to her rucksack and pulled out two thin books which she handed to Professor Lupin, "These are the first volumes of each manga,"
"Very well, you can work on your homework whilst we wait," he replied as he took the books.
In a short while Luka was scratching at an essay parchment with her quill and Professor Lupin brewed himself a cup of tea before beginning to read. It took a sometime but after he had grown used to the alien concept of reading right to left he grew to like the books even if the stories were a little farfetched. He was interrupted however when he heard a dull thud on his desk, he looked up to see that Luka had fallen asleep quill still in hand. For a moment he wondered why she was so exhausted before remembering that she hadn't had any sleep that night. He watched her sleep, she looked so peaceful and innocent however he knew from her memories that she was cold enough to smile at someone before watching them be killed. Professor Dumbledore had told him that Voldemort had been an intelligent boy who had charmed most of his teachers. Was it possible that Luka was the same? Just a smiling mask that concealed the monster within. He hoped not, it was horrible to think of a child that way and now that they knew she was capable of powerful wandless magic...If she became Dark Voldemort may become the least of the Ministry's problems.
XXX
Meanwhile in Professor Dumbledore's office an agreement had finally been reached. After much huffing and sulking on Professor Snape's part it had been decided that Luka wasn't to be expelled. She simply hadn't fulfilled the conditions for that punishment and since she was far more powerful than anticipated it was even more important for the teachers to keep an eye on her.
"Fine, the brat can stay. But not in Slytherin, Filius or Minerva can have her," Professor Snape snarled as he sat with his arms across his chest looking like one of the sulking teenagers he purported to despise.
"Severus, you know full well that a sorting is final. Miss Pearson will remain in Slytherin. Now if you don't mind pop down to Remus' office and inform her of the good news. I'll fill Filius and Minerva here in on the situation," Professor Dumbledore replied.
Muttering darkly to himself about making one second year's life a living hell the potions master left. Upon returning to the werewolf's office he was greeted by the sight of the said werewolf reading a book that appeared to be back to front and the bane of his existence asleep at his desk. With a sweep of wand he woke her as the werewolf asked him what was going on.
"Miss Pearson you are to remain at Hogwarts under probation. Now hand over the objects that were confiscated earlier," he snarled.
"And your manga and any other magic books not needed for your lessons," added Professor Lupin he wanted to check the rest of her reading material to make sure she didn't get any other ideas.
Luka complied and Professor Lupin's office was soon filled with various weapons, texts and potion bottle, one of the latter being Dreamless Sleep that Professor Snape noted happily, at least she was suffering in some way. After unloading her possessions Luka was dismissed and Professor Snape picked the objects of interest to him before turning to leave.
"I am sorry Severus," Professor Lupin said as he was about to step over the threshold.
"What are you talking about Lupin?" Professor Snape sneered.
"I know why you reacted so badly to her last spell. I am truly sorry for not stopping them all those years ago," the werewolf replied sincerely.
"Your words are as hollow as they were then,"
With that Professor Snape swept back to his dungeons not bothering to dignify the beast's 'good day' with a response or even a look.
The werewolf transformation was inspired by the 1984 film 'The Company of Wolves'.