Sorry for the wait guys and for faffing around with this chapter, I've decided to break it into two parts. As before the story is rated M for gore which will be in this chapter and the next one. As usual I own nothing, that includes the fugin from Flame of Recca and all the songs belong to their respective owners.
It was Sunday morning and Professor Snape was heading down to breakfast alone as always. He had visited 'Borgin and Burkes' the previous afternoon after he had told Luka that she wasn't expelled after all. Borgin remembered her and her companion, Sebastian Michaelis he had called himself. As for Pearson she had assumed a new name; Reginold. That girl had her memories back but how? And why hadn't Sebastian taken her back permanently? To top things off for the professor the greasy shop keeper had no news on books concerning demons, apparently they were so rare because the wizards who interacted with demons soon had their souls devoured. Still thinking he took his seat at the headmaster's side. The older wizard took one look at him and asked the potions master what ailed him. Professor Snape explained about 'Borgin and Burkes' but left out the part concerning his own research due to the gagging order. The headmaster nodded and told the younger wizard that he would look into it.
At the Slytherin table Luka and Lucy were still yawning. Lie ins were nice but they played hell with their body clocks. As they began to tuck into their breakfast Luka kept an eye on the incoming post, she had sent Sebastian a letter telling him she'd been found out and was now awaiting his reply. Luka saw Elise the minute she entered the hall and she was surprised to note that she had company, a majestic raven who also bore a letter. Both birds landed in front of Luka with Elise proffering her letter first. Luka opened the black parchment to read the letter.
'Dear Luka,
You are ordered to attend all scheduled shifts at the Funtom bar regardless of all hindrances put in your way. Also I expect you to master this new piece on the violin in a couple of weeks as your lessons are to continue.
Sincerely yours,
Sebastian.'
Luka groaned she was to be expelled for sure now that she had to sneak out for her next shift. Then again her disillusionment charms were better this year, perhaps that would be her salvation... Breaking out of her reverie she saw Lucy petting the raven who now took to the air in the direction of the high table. He was heading for Professor Dumbledore, this wasn't going to go well at all.
Back at the high table the teachers were surprised to see a raven bearing post as corvids were hardly used any more now that owls were in fashion. Their surprise increased when instead of handing the girl the post he watched her open the letter handed to her by the owl before winging his way to the headmaster. The proud bird landed in front of the elderly wizard's plate puffing up his jet black feathers with self importance. Professor Dumbledore took the letter from the bird and examined it before opening it whilst the bird helped himself to the professor's breakfast. Professor Dumbledore's eyebrows rose as he read the short letter.
"Is that from Michaelis?" asked Professor Snape.
The headmaster nodded as he passed the letter to Professor Snape. As the potions master read its contents Professor Lupin craned his neck over Professor Snape's shoulder so that he could read it as well.
"It seems that Miss Pearson has already informed her master of her the conditions we imposed on her," said the headmaster as he watched the two younger wizards read.
"He certainly seems very possessive, telling us not to interfere with what is his as he put it," replied Professor Lupin.
"Well it certainly explains why the raven didn't immediately deliver the letter. He waited for the order to be delivered and now she is a slave to it. The letter says that she will do everything in her power to fulfil it no matter the cost. It very nearly sounds like a threat to let her work or see her suffer as it would be very hard to confine her in a way that would stop her hurting herself as she tried to escape," said Professor Dumbledore gravely, demon or fairy he had them by the lemon drops.
"Do we know what he is? If he's a fairy iron may help him relinquish his hold on her but what will hurt a demon?" asked the werewolf.
"No one knows Lupin that's the problem, demons are supposed to be immortal," snapped Professor Snape.
Professor Lupin was about to reply when he caught sight of a scrap of red along with the other teachers; a Howler, but whose was it? The owl carrying it descended to the Slytherin table, Luka's foster parents had been swift to reply to the headmaster's letter it seemed.
Just after Elise had left a barn owl landed in front of Luka with a red envelope in his beak. Luka groaned as she took the Howler and handed the bird some bacon. As Lucy backed away slightly the letter began to smoke. Dropping the Howler on the table Luka pulled out her 'wand' and cast a silencing charm not knowing that Howlers were enchanted to be immune to such things.
'LUKA PEARSON!
HOW DARE YOU ACT IN SUCH A DISGRACEFUL MANNER! CONSORTING WITH WEREWOLVES! NO DOUBT YOU'LL SOON GRADUATE FROM BARKEEPING TO WHORING YOURSELF OUT, TAKING IT FROM BEHIND UNDER THE FULL MOON IN A DINGY ALLEY SOMEWHERE! YOU FILTHY REPROBATE, WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN YOU WERE DAMNED! NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT YOU WERE NEARLY EXPELLED FOR DARK MAGIC, YOU'VE GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE EVEN THE LOATHESOME BAT OF THE DUNGEONS CAN'T STOMACH THE SIGHT OF YOU! IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THE INSIDE OF AZKABAN AGAIN YOU'D BETTER NOT SET A TOE OUT OF LINE, THOUGH IF YOU DID GO BACK YOU WOULD PROBABLY END UP HANDING OUT 'FAVOURS' TO THE GUARDS!'
As the Howler burned to cinders the silence grew heavy in the great hall. No one could believe their ears, even the teachers who had witnessed many a chastisement by mail were shell shocked. After recovering from spluttering her drink in response to the third sentence Luka looked around to see all faces staring at her.
"What? I bet your parents say that to you all the time," she said as she stared back.
Shaking her head she went back to her bacon sandwich, she'd known that her foster parents' mental health had deteriorated somewhat after they found out she'd regained her memories but she hadn't known they'd gone that far. Quickly going through her options Luka reasoned that staying in either the library or some other remote part of the castle was the best course of action for the day and she swiftly departed to continue her homework.
After Luka's departure the usual breakfast chatter slowly began to resume. At the high table the staff were murmuring to each other worriedly, not only had the girl's guardians sent her a horribly suggestive Howler but they'd insulted one of their colleagues as well.
"Albus, you can't let this go unanswered. You need to write back telling those idiots exactly what is deemed acceptable to send to children," said Professor McGonagall.
The headmaster nodded, he knew that they would be harsh in their judgement but not to the point where they seemed to be mentally unstable.
"Severus, what did they mean when they said that she'd go back to Azkaban?" asked Professor Lupin worriedly.
The potions master stopped chewing for a moment, "I don't know Lupin. Perhaps they took her there when they went there on business,"
"Well you'll have to ask her," pressed Professor Lupin.
"Hmph, I'm not going anywhere near that monster if I can help it,"
"Oh yes you are Severus Snape! If a student in Slytherin is suffering it's your job to find out why,"
Professor Snape groaned, the medi-shrew was getting involved again.
"I agree with Poppy, if you don't look into it Severus it's a dereliction of duty," snapped Professor McGonagall.
Bloody Gryffindors thought the potions master.
"I second that," chirped Professor Flitwick nodding vigorously.
Was the whole faculty getting involved now?
"It looks as if you have no choice Severus, you will have to speak with her very soon," Professor Dumbledore concluded.
After finishing his breakfast Professor Snape left the table muttering to himself. Wasn't it bad enough that she had humiliated him, something which had gone through the staff like wildfire, but now he had to see if she was alright. She hadn't even apologised to him for what she'd done. The professor huffed, as far as he was concerned the monster of Slytherin wasn't a Merlin knows how big basilisk but a little girl with a misdemeanour sheet as long as she was tall.
XXX
It was late afternoon and Professor Snape was still looking for Luka, he'd popped into the library, the dungeons were empty and she had not attended lunch. He cursed the fact that the trace he'd put on her and her little friend only worked for a short time. Griping about wasting precious free time he decided to take a stroll through the grounds after all Hagrid kept telling him that she still liked to look at the magical creatures kept at Hogwarts. Nearing the Forbidden Forest he heard the sound of music, it was from a Muggle instrument, an electric guitar if he remembered correctly. Following the reverberating wails he came upon the brat he'd spent so long looking for. Luka stopped playing as soon as she saw him and regarded the professor warily.
"Exactly where have you been? I've been looking for you since breakfast," he snarled.
"Here, I've been doing homework," Luka replied coolly.
Professor Snape's eyes flicked from the girl to her nearby bag and the owl sitting on it. The onyx eyes narrowed, he remembered that arrogant feather ball well.
"Why did you 'guardians' say that you would go back to Azkaban?" asked the professor snapping back to the issue at hand.
"One time they took me with them there as a deterrent against wrong doing,"
The professor considered that a moment, he was sure she was lying, "Now why don't I believe that..."
"If I may say so sir, you don't have a trusting personality,"
"I see your probation hasn't curtailed your impertinence. Anyway, why did you give your name as Reginold when it is Pearson? Is it your old name?" Professor Snape hissed.
Luka considered his statement for a moment, so he had been to 'Borgin and Burkes'. Why couldn't he let this lie? He was already suffering the consequences for his actions and they would only worsen the more he pressed forwards.
"Yes," she relented though if he asked for anything more she wouldn't be able to answer.
"Anything else I should know, like the date of your next shift perhaps?" Professor Snape sneered.
"So that was why Kuro waited, I take it Sebastian's letter was a defiant one," Luka smiled.
"I am asking the question here Pearson. When is your next shift?"
"The Saturday after next,"
"What time will you be leaving?"
"Why?" asked Luka confused by his quest for detail.
"Just answer the question Pearson," growled the professor his temper getting shorter.
"Half six,"
"Very well, here is the list of your detentions. The first is with Professor Lupin tomorrow night," Professor Snape said levitating the list towards the girl who plucked it from midair.
With business concluded Professor Snape turned on his heel and went back to his dungeons.
XXX
The next day had been uninteresting apart from the strange looks and the whispered comments. To be honest Luka couldn't give a damn what the resident nitwits thought of her but she was still glad to see that her friends tried their best to defend her from them. The only one who made a thing out of it was Colin and that was just for a description of a real life werewolf. During history of magic she'd drawn him a rough sketch of one which she'd handed to him at lunch. Now Luka was making her way to Professor Lupin's office. After knocking she was bade entry, the professor barely sparing her a glance as he asked her to sit. Tonight she would be cataloguing the stranger artefacts he'd confiscated. As she got to work Luka noticed how the professor was looking at her, as if she was utterly alien and as if she'd done something bad. After finishing the tag for the fujin, a wind controlling weapon Luka decided to break the silence.
"Is there something wrong Professor?"
The professor regarded her for a moment before replying, he hadn't known his change in attitude had been so obvious, "Yes, I find your actions at your 'workplace' deeply unethical and I find it hard to reconcile to with how you usually act,"
Luka knew her gaze was hardening, she hated hypocrites, "The convict Sirius Black is to be given the Dementor's Kiss if he is found. If you captured him would you hand him over to the Ministry knowing his fate?"
"Yes, he is a murderer. The Dementor's Kiss is his punishment but I would never watch him receive it,"
Luka frowned, "So you would hand a man over to a fate worse than death but you do not possess the courage to watch the consequences of your actions. The criminals I have watched die are of the worst types, the cessation of their lives being their punishment and I watch so that I never forget the consequences of what I have done,"
Professor Lupin didn't like her tone, it sounded as if she was passing judgement on him rather than the other way round. It was his fault though but how could he explain that it would give him the greatest pleasure to watch the soul of the traitor being ripped from his body. He didn't want to admit that animalistic hatred to himself let alone to a child. It was time to change the subject and get those steely green eyes off him.
"Professor Snape and I will be accompanying you on your next bar shift to supervise you," the professor said.
"Why?" asked Luka shocked by his statement.
"So that we can see that you are safe and not practicing Dark magic out of school, or any other magic for that matter," he replied as he recommenced marking essays.
Seeing that she would get no proper answer Luka returned to cataloguing her ex-possessions. This really threw a spanner in the works, not only would she have to complete her usual duties but she'd have to watch over the professors to make sure they didn't get into trouble and at the same time appear to not be using magic. Did they know how much trouble drunken magical creatures could create? The only way to outclass them was by using magic. In her mind she groaned, it was going to be a long shift.
XXX
The next day Professor Dumbledore summoned Professors Lupin and Snape to his office.
"Severus, I have found some information about a Reginold though they can't be Luka," the headmaster announced.
"Why can't they be Pearson?" asked Professor Snape.
"Reginold, no first name was mentioned in the Wizardgamot records, was a murderer sent to Azkaban two years ago. They received the Dementor's Kiss,"
"Pearson was adopted two years ago, perhaps this Reginold was one of her parents. Did the records mention an accomplice?" Professor Snape continued, how could such a promising lead come to such a dead end?
"No, no others were mentioned however I have a hypothesis concerning the young girl," said the headmaster gravely as he plucked a sweet from his dish, "A fairy would normally make a contract that would concern the body and free will of the contractor. In Miss Pearson's case it seems that the contract was for her soul as she can't be harmed by Dementors. This leads me to think that instead of a fairy we have a demon on our hands though why he hasn't claimed her is still beyond my knowledge,"
"Is there any way to negate a contract? Surely she can be freed by Light magic," said Professor Lupin hopefully.
"No, a contract with a demon is permanent and binding. Miss Pearson is now Sebastian's slave until he decides to dispose of her," Professor Dumbledore replied sadly.
Professor Lupin looked down sadly, the poor girl, there was no escape for her. At home she had those horrific 'foster parents', the headmaster had told him of their mental stability as reported by Moody, and she was to be the eternal servant of a demon. No wonder she seemed so cold, it was the only way to survive. The werewolf made a resolve to treat her a little nicer in class. Next to him similar thoughts of compassion ran through the potion master's mind until they were swept aside by spite.
"Anyway, onto a new subject, how did she take the news that you two will be accompanying her?" asked the elderly wizard.
"She seemed against it but she held her silence," replied Professor Lupin.
"Very well, try and get her to talk," concluded the older wizard as he dismissed the teachers.
XXX
The days leading up to her next shift were quite unusual for Luka. The detentions had been unpleasant as Professor Snape had planned with time spent polishing trophies and scrubbing bed pans whilst Professor Lupin had gone from stand offish to his usual friendly self with a little bit of extra enthusiasm. Luka was not used to such dramatic shifts in personality and she watched the werewolf more warily than when he'd been unhappy with her. Finally the time had come and Luka met with the professors in Professor Lupin's classroom.
Professors Lupin and Snape waited in the classroom silently the latter not wanting to acknowledge the presence of the former let alone participate in a conversation. Their student had told them to wear something rather informal as the bar progressed from after work bar to full on rave as the evening wore on. Professor Snape had chosen to remain in his usual black suit whilst his furry counterpart had gone for Muggle jeans and a t-shirt under his suit jacket. They looked up as the girl entered the room. To their surprise Luka had already used the age modification potion so instead of a young girl a woman in her mid twenties walked through the door. The maid outfit was mainly black with a white apron. It was a tad too short for the men's taste as it came to mid thigh though her black tights meant that her legs were covered. The sleeves came to just above her elbow, the thick white fabric was turned up to form a stiff cuff, the shirt-like collar appeared to be of the same material, the royal blue kipper tie was again around her neck with black, chunky heeled black mary janes completing her outfit.
"What is that thing you are carrying?" asked Professor Snape snidely as his eyes fixed on a large black case which was strapped to her back.
"Oh this, it's just my guitar," ebony eyes glowered so Luka hastily continued, "I am playing as a member of a band tonight as well as acting as a cocktail waitress,"
"You are a member of a band?" asked Professor Lupin, where did the girl find the time?
"Yes it was a punishment from my master as I don't like to play in front of others," Luka replied.
"Who are your band mates?" asked Professor Snape.
"A group of weres and Sebastian. You'll be meeting them when we go through the shadow gates. I usually meet them at their flat and they said that is was alright to bring you along,"
The professors looked at each for a moment before Professor Lupin decided to question the student further, "So when does your shift actually start?"
"Seven o'clock and I get off at half three in the morning. We'll be going to the bar with the rest of the band," Luka replied before rummaging in her small apron pockets for some slips of paper, strange looking rings and purple tubes, "When we get to the club it'll be towards the end of the jazz band's slot after which the rock begins. However after about ten the music shifts again to club and rave so you might want these," she said as she passed the professors the strange objects.
"And these are?" drawled Professor Snape.
"Glow sticks, a club staple and a coupon each for a free drink. We each get one for each shift we do and I never use them,"
"Luka, the club seems quite varied, do you get many customers?" asked a confused Professor Lupin, the bar seemed to be too much of a random mix to be successful.
"It actually does ok as it allocates a certain time to different styles of music and the schedule is on the website. As the bar is a hub of the local supernatural community we are expected to cater to all of them. We have jazz music for those who've just come off work, rock in the mid evenings and rave music on Friday and Saturday nights. There's also 'rough house' Wednesday and karaoke on a Thursday, one time we had a banshee attempting 'Loving you'. It was horrible, she was booed and dragged off the stage when she tried the high notes," replied Luka grimacing at the memory, "ummm, may I have some of my weapons back? I'll need them to break up fights,"
"Which weapons?" asked Professor Lupin cautiously.
"Silver alloy knives and Shattered Soul,"
"You can have the knives but not that Dark object," replied Professor Lupin and he summoned the objects from his office effortlessly.
Luka nodded in agreement but she still seemed a little disappointed.
Luka then led them out of the castle into the Forbidden Forest. Looking around themselves they could indeed see that the forest entrance was poorly guarded. Luka stopped in front of a large rock in the dark forest.
"This is the shadow gate, it will take a moment for me to programme in the coordinates for our destination," Luka said as a circle of runes appeared on the rock and she began to move them.
"Are you going to tell us where we are going?" asked Professor Snape, the girl had refused to tell them thus far.
"No. I have to make sure that you never find your way back there," she replied without turning around,the professors shared a wary look.
"Why not?" asked Professor Lupin.
"I don't want you passing on information to the Ministry,"
"You don't trust us?" to tell the truth that thought hurt Professor Lupin's feelings more than it thought it would, he should have been used to mistrust by now.
"Not really sir, to do so would be quite foolish," replied Luka as she heard Professor Snape huff behind her.
Luka ceased manipulating the runes and a wavering portal appeared, unlike the impromptu shadow gates Sebastian used on a daily basis this one had a stable path built in so constant concentration whilst going through wasn't necessary which was good since the wizards didn't know the destination.
"All you have to do is walk through the gate, it feels a little strange and you must keep to the path or risk falling into purgatory," Luka before she slipped through the portal.
The wizards followed her, the sensation of going through the portal was indeed unusual, it was like walking through a layer of cold jelly. Once inside they saw that they stood on a narrow path which traversed a seemingly bottomless precipice which stretched to the other portal. Luka stood in the middle of the path waiting for them to catch up. Once they had reached the other side they eased through the second rippling portal.
The professors blinked as they took in their surroundings. They had expected a Muggle environment but not what looked like a tower block sink estate.
"Is this the right place?" asked Professor Lupin as he looked around.
"Yes, if you look over there you'll see one of the few signs of werewolf occupation although other supernatural beings live here too," replied Luka as she pointed to a sign that read 'Thieves and trespassers will be thrown to the wolves'.
Feeling slightly more intimidated than before the professors followed their student along the pavement illuminated by flickering sodium yellow street lamps. Even in shadows she was easy to see as the starched bow of her uniform was of anime proportions with the tails ends reaching to the backs of her knees. As they neared a particular block Professor Snape found himself growing more uncomfortable, it was as if something was knawing at his stomach. Apparently this hadn't gone unnoticed as Luka looked at him appraisingly before her eyes widened.
"Sorry professor, I forgot about the anti-human wards around here. Professor Lupin if you grab one of Professor Snape's arms I'll get the other and that should lessen the effects of the spells," Luka chirped as she clamped one of Professor Snape's arms.
The professor himself didn't know what worse; the effects of the wards or being touched by two people he whole heartedly disliked. Glowering darkly at the overly forward pair he allowed himself to be led into the block. Inside he was released and he took the opportunity to look around. Despite its surroundings the inside of the building seemed quite tidy with none of the expected graffiti or 'lifts out of order' signs. Luka immediately strode over to the lift and pressed the button to call it down. As the doors opened the wizards followed her in.
"When we get there I will have some duties to attend to and you'll have to stay with Jim and his friends for a while. I should warn that you need to be very careful with food. Only take a drink if it comes out of a can or you can see the liquid. Food should be avoided," Luka said as the lift began its ascent.
"Why?" asked Professor Lupin.
"They're fond of adulterating their food. I had cheese and crackers there once, I thought the pickle had gone off as it tasted a little strange but it was because there was human blood in it. If it's a solid or liquid they will happily add their own little seasonings. Even to raspberry ripple ice cream because unlike vampires they don't need a high blood content so the list of things they can alter is pretty much limitless," Luka explained.
"Raspberry ripple ice-cream has blood in it?" asked the werewolf in disgust.
"Yeah they got the idea from the club's purple bloodberry sauce," at the professors' confused expressions Luka explained further, "for some strange reason most sweets that are raspberry flavoured are called blue raspberry so if you add blood to the blue raspberry you get purple bloodberry,"
"That's disgusting," Professor Snape sneered.
"Yes, but apart from their questionable eating habits they're a nice bunch here. The only other thing that goes against them is that they're quite touchy feely. Oh, and if we meet other pack members in the club beware the high ranking females as they are the most sadistic. Also in the event of a confrontation inflict as much pain as possible. They respect that, however in the case of new weres please don't follow that advice. They have little to no control over impulses. The good thing though about the newbies is that they're easy to spot when they don't want to do something; their movements will be very jerky and they'll look pretty dazed. Another thing you need to know is that there is one werehyena called Timothy Strangefellow, that's not his original name he had it changed so that it fitted him better. He's ginger and usually wears all leather, PVC and a lot of fishnet. He's a masochist so whatever you do don't hurt him or he'll moither you to do so again whenever he sees you and he's really good at being irritating so you usually end up giving in and beating the crap out of him," replied Luka as she exited the lift and walked to one of the flat doors and knocked.
The door was opened by a slim blonde man in his mid twenties. His dark brown eyes flicked from Luka to her companions.
"Hi nee-chan, you've got another one," he said as he stood to the side and let the three of them enter the flat.
The wizards had a good look as they walked into the flat. It was fairly small and slightly untidy with old pizza boxes and beer stacked on one kitchen work top. The other occupants of the flat, a younger blonde and an Asian woman, looked up as they walked in. The former smiled whilst the latter barely spared them a glance and went back to her laptop. Professor Lupin's nose crinkled as he noticed that there was a very unpleasant smell.
"Why does your flat smell of decaying flesh Jim?" Luka asked in a concerned manner as she turned to their host.
"Sally had one of her friends help with the punishment of one of the new members. Poor bloke was gay before hand and having a zombie decay over him as she assaulted him... It's abhorrent," said Jim as he looked towards the door of one of the bedrooms.
"How did he get here?" Luka asked as she and Jim walked towards the door.
"Looks like he escaped somehow, he got here about twenty minutes ago,"
"That seems like quite a coincidence what have you lot been doing? I hope I'm not on a werewolf notice board," Luka said as she looked at Jim suspiciously.
"I'll admit we make it known amongst the new recruits. Not many people will offer what you do and you've said yourself once you go past fifteen a couple more here and there don't matter," he replied unashamedly.
The professors looked at each worriedly. They didn't know what was going on but knowing their student it would probably entail some risk to her. They followed the secretive pair into the bedroom, it stank even worse than the sitting room. On the bed covered in a blanket was a shivering young man. Despite the smell of the room it was apparent from his wet hair that he'd been washed. As Luka approached his blank eyes remained fixed on the bed sheets until she was sitting next to him. His light brown eyes flicked over and he flinched as she sat next to him.
"What's your name lad?" asked Luka her voice calming though still carrying some authority.
"J-j-john. Y-you're Luka, they said you'd be here," he stuttered his eyes wide with the remnants of terror.
"Yes, now do you wish to make the petition?" a hasty nod was her answer, "Well then John in exchange for the protection from all comers that I will give you your life is mine. Now rest up, odds are Sally knows you're gone now so it won't be long before she tries to retrieve you," said Luka as she patted the man on the shoulder and exited the room.
Once outside the conversation resumed.
"How long do you think it'll be before she comes?" asked Jim he looked worried.
"Not long, she knows I come here before my shifts and I've taken quite a few of her toys now," Luka replied as she watched the door.
Her eyes weren't the only ones on the threshold, even the indifferent woman looked apprehensive.
"Is anyone going to introduce us?" asked Professor Lupin as he began to tire of being kept in the dark.
"Oh, sorry, I forgot. This here is Jim Stevens, deputy manager of Pizza Xpress," said Luka as she gestured to the older blonde.
"Sup y'all,"
The disgruntled look on Professor Snape's face at that informal greeting was priceless.
"This is Mike, Jim's brother," he just waved as Luka continued, "and this is Achala Sing resident IT expert,"
"And gaming goddess," chirped Jim bouncing back from his earlier worry.
At that point someone banged loudly on the door. Mike hurried to it and looked through the spy hole before hastily backing off.
"It's them," he said quietly as he snuggled down into the cushions of the squishy settee.
The three weres looked to Luka who walked up to the door and opened it. The professors also stepped forwards with wands held discreetly in their hands to see who inspired such nervousness in their hosts. In the doorway stood a young woman in a long red coat which was matched by her lipstick. She stayed there toying absent mindedly with a lock of her hair. Behind her stood a large man, not Hagrid large but certainly an impressive figure who towered above six foot with a build of a pro wrestler.
"Hello Sally," said Luka impassively as she remained in the doorway blocking the entrance.
"Evening Luka, predictable as always in your habits. I'll cut to the chase, have you seen one of my possessions? He's new, pretty...mine," replied Sally tossing her light brown hair back in a confident gesture.
"You haven't marked him," Luka said in return in a bored tone, it sounded to the professors as if this conversation had occurred many times before.
Sally cocked an eyebrow as she stepped forward attempting to cower Luka with her greater height, "You have seen fit to take another one of my boys? You have no right. You are an Executioner not a member of the pack," she spat.
"I have every right. As an Executioner I have status equal to that of your Pack Leader and the ability to offer my protection to those who require it. If you wish to question my authority I suggest you take it up with Mathew, after all it was he and the other regional leaders who bequeathed me the power. Furthermore if you put an end to your vile behaviour towards your subordinates I wouldn't have to intervene as regularly," snarled Luka as the werewolf took a step closer so that the women brushing against each other, almost in kissing distance.
In the flat the two brothers were huddling closer together and even Achala was edging towards them. As Professor Snape recovered from the shock of hearing that a twelve year old was a werewolf killer he noted that the behaviour of the weres was quite similar to that of children frightened by their parents' latest row. Professor Snape's eyes flicked back to the women and realised their fears were well founded. As the atmosphere became more tense power flowed out of the werewolf like water. He could feel it beating slightly at his skin, he wondered how often Luka had got so close to a werewolf to appear so unfazed by their power. The professor could see why his student had said that Lupin passed for a human, he didn't possess this kind of power and in comparison to the woman's animalistic grace he seemed pitifully human.
"You forget yourself Luka," hissed Sally, "you have killed many of our pack. We will not forget that,"
Luka smiled, "Every one of those kills were either requested by Mathew or perfectly justifiable at the time. If they weren't I wouldn't be alive,"
"Each death is an unforgiveable act and you are far from invincible. If I were you I would consider my position very carefully,"
"I take it Megan still has her eyes on me then. What else do you want? Time is ticking and I need to get to work," Luka said as she checked her watch.
"You truly are arrogant, in the end it will be your downfall," hissed Sally clearly irked by the lack of attention she was receiving.
"Arrogant? That seems a little hypocritical coming from a mere beta challenging an alpha. You would do well to remember that I outrank you," Luka replied as the werewolf ground her teeth.
It was then that the thus far silent male stepped forward and touched Sally on the shoulder in the manner of a lost little boy.
"If her words offend you I will render her mute," he offered.
"As if you have the ability to harm me you mindlessly subservient piece of trash," sneered Luka as she looked up at him.
At this point Sally noticed the presence of the professors or more precisely that of Professor Lupin, Professor Snape was a mere detail in comparison. Pushing past Luka she stalked towards him with a predatory smile upon her face.
"Well, well what do we have here?" she asked as she looped her arms around the professor's neck pulling him far too close for comfort before turning her face back to Luka, "If you let me keep this one I'll forget about John,"
Still smirking she ran her fingers through Professor Lupin's hair as she leant into his neck to take a sniff. The professor had stiffened at her touch and he shivered in revulsion as her tongue flicked out to lap at his neck. One hand clasping his wand he pushed her away as Professor Snape looked on in disgust. As she was pushed back Sally's look of hunger was replaced by petulance and anger.
"Well, you certainly are different. Most men would jump to have a chance at bedding me," she sneered.
"You mean jump away. Unhand him, he wants nothing to do with you," Luka said as she stepped forwards.
Sally ignored her and instead grasped Professor Lupin's jacket pulling him close once more before slipping one hand down to squeeze him painfully.
"You will learn your place my boy," she hissed as she leaned in once more only to be stopped by the professor's wand at her throat, she twitched an eyebrow, "a piece of wood. Well that's certainly more than what you've got down here,"
THWAP!
Luka had slammed her cupped hand onto Sally's ear causing the she wolf to keel over screeching as blood trickled from her ruined ear.
"Mistress!" shouted the man as he ran to Sally's balled up form, "What have you done to her?"
"Take Sally and get out of here, now," growled Luka as she watched the man pick Sally up and carry her out as if she weighed nothing.
"That wasn't wise Luka," said Jim quietly as he closed the door behind them, he was noticeably paler than he had been before their arrival.
"A word if you will," Professor Snape snarled as he dragged Luka to the bathroom Professor Lupin trailing behind them.
As he locked and warded the door the potions master cursed himself. How could he have been so blind? She knew so much about werewolves and the Executioners and she used silver weaponry! She didn't need it to break up fights she needed it to finish them! Deciding to take his anger out on the child he turned to her to see that she had seated herself on the edge of the bath.
"When were you going to tell us that you were an Executioner?" he snarled.
"I wasn't going to tell you at all if I could help it, usually those two don't cause this amount of trouble," Luka replied calmly.
"Why not?" asked Professor Lupin quietly.
"The less you knew the less danger I thought you'd be in. I never anticipated Sally's reaction to you, granted she's a horrid reprobate but she's usually less forward," Luka said sadly.
"Tell us everything. Now" Professor Snape spat, he was tired of the subterfuge.
"Fine. I am the last of the six Executioners to be in working order. Four of my colleagues are dead whilst the fifth is incapacitated. If you give me one moment I will show you my brand," the 'woman' said calmly as she rolled up her right sleeve to display her bare arm, "do I have your permission to use magic to cancel the glamour charm? I don't want to be expelled over something so minor,"
"Of course," the potions master hissed.
Luka frowned as she concentrated on the brand and the spell masking it, the glamour was nowhere nearly as powerful as that on her contract mark as her 'masters' thought that it was just a tattoo. Slowly the ink ran to the surface. On her arm was a black silhouette of the full moon with a howling wolf's head inset under which were the fraction 5/6, a strange square shaped squiggle and a symbol of a bird.
"I know what the fraction is but what are those?" asked Professor Lupin pointing at the two symbols.
"This one is a QR code, if someone scans it with the right device it gives my identity and kill count. This one on the other hand is an affectation, one bright spark thought it would be a good idea to have each of us represented by an animal of the heraldry. My animal is the cockatrice," replied Luka as the professors looked closer at the bird to see that it was a cockerel with a dragon's tail and wings.
"What does it represent?" hissed the potions master, his memory of the Muggle heraldry was hazy.
"Somewhat at odds to my appearance it means terror to all beholders,"
"Yes, that is somewhat inappropriate. Now why are you giving protection to those you end up killing?" sneered Professor Snape.
"In attempting to seem a little ignorant of the ways the Executioners work I glossed over some of the details. We were never supposed to be a bunch of vigilantes as you seem to think, we were implemented as a safeguard. Like I said before it's the werewolves who have the most to lose if it becomes common knowledge that they kill people. In addition we were only asked to kill offenders on the full moon whilst the rest of the pack were busy. The flip side is that we also have to protect the packs we are registered with, again most usually on the full moon as the rest of the time they look after themselves. An example of an Executioner's duty would be that if a were got hit by a car and ended up in a veterinary hospital. I would have to go there and pick them up before the vets figured out what they were dealing with. As for these guys," Luka gestured in the direction of the door, "protecting them is an extension of my Executioner duties, as I have authority equal to that of a Pack Leader I can protect some members from the rest of the pack," explained Luka.
"Isn't that a conflict of interest?" asked Professor Lupin.
"No, Executioners were meant to be auxiliary to the main pack structure. We follow commands to kill from the Pack Leader but nothing else on the understanding that if we kill one of the pack members without good reason we would be eaten. To be honest the ability to protect certain members was something that the weres overlooked but given the authority invested in us, or more precisely me, it is something that can't be overturned. At least not without a full challenge taking place where those opposed to the idea facing me in combat,"
"Is it just this lot that you protect?" asked Professor Lupin.
"No there are quite a few others mostly the very new or low ranking males. Sally's behaviour towards you sir was actually quite mild and you have the luxury of not being part of the pack and so being able to escape her. The new recruits don't have any option but to either obey her perverted whims or seek the protection of someone of higher rank,"
"You said that you outranked her, what is she in the pack?" enquired Professor Snape whom despite himself had become quite interested in the conversation.
"She is the beta female and the pack's foremost torturer. The pack structure is quite odd as it allows challengers of the Pack Leader to take on the title of the alpha of the opposite sex. Mathew is the Pack Leader and alpha male whilst Alice is the alpha female. The betas Sally and Care Bear whom who've just met are of equal rank. Another thing I should mention is that whilst Mathew is business like and will kill only when required the same cannot be said for Alice and Sally. Both are blatantly sadistic, their punishments are far more feared than those Mathew dishes out-"
"Why isn't she the head of the pack then?" interrupted Professor Lupin.
"For some reason she doesn't seem to want to go any higher, probably because she prefers to be the power behind the throne rather than the person everyone turns to when things go wrong. That and due to the fact that Mathew is a barrister pack law has become increasingly complicated, his successor will have a lot of work to re-simplify things. However the threat of her intervention is enough, everyone knows she doesn't torture pack members herself but she goads Sally on and she likes to watch as the punishments are carried out,"
"You said that in exchange for protecting him that man's life is yours, what did you mean by that?" asked Professor Lupin.
"It means that every time another member of the pack or even an ordinary person threatens him I am honour bound to protect him. In exchange since I am expected to die for him I have the power to order him to his death if I see fit," Luka replied.
"You're expected to die for these people?" continued the werewolf incredulously.
"Yes and the two alphas are expected to do so too, though I doubt Alice would. These wolves act like crosses between Slytherins and Gryffindors when it comes to what they expect of their superiors. The most favoured attributes are cunning, ruthlessness and loyalty," said Luka.
Before either of the professors could think of another question there was a loud knock on the door.
"Luka, we've got to go," called Jim.
Luka checked her watch, damn she'd spent too long talking, they would be cutting it close even though they were getting to the bar by van. Not sparing her teachers another word Luka opened the door as Professor Snape released the wards and gathered her possessions. As the professors entered the room they stopped dead in their tracks. Instead of Mike being present there was a blue eyed, blonde wolf the size of a small pony. Luka had told them the werewolves she associated with could change at any time but they hadn't been prepared to actually see it. As they stared Mike turned his attention to them, there was far too much intelligence in his eyes for Professor Snape's liking. He tightened his grip on his wand, this was going to be a long night.
"All ready for a ride in the Grease-mobile?" asked the wolf his words slurred and distorted by his animal jaws.
"Don't call it that! My van isn't greasy," retorted Jim, his gelled fringe flicking to the side.
"Well it is slightly greasy, there's a few months worth of old pizza boxes in the back from when you've gotten your tea from work," added Luka, "is anyone coming over to look after John?"
"Yeah, Polly's coming over. Now don't look at me like that, since she's been looking after those kids she's been moving up the pack and fast,"
With Luka still muttering the odd group made their way to the lift. Once they had arrived back in the lobby they made a beeline for a large navy van to find out that their group was about to grow by one as leaning upon the paintwork playing with his penknife was none other than Timothy Strangefellow. As he looked up he smiled crookedly and put his blade away.
"Hi Luka, heard you've annoyed Sally again. She won't take kindly to that," he said as he removed himself from the van.
"What are you doing here Timothy we're busy," growled Jim as he unlocked the van.
"Oh but I wanted to come with you and since you've already got guests I don't think one more will be a problem," Timothy replied as he fingered the glow ring around his neck.
"Fine, just keep quiet," said Jim sighing, he knew it was pointless to argue with the man he was just too stubborn and irritating.
Thus Professors Lupin and Snape and Luka ended up riding in the back of a van filled with mouldy pizza, music equipment, a changed werewolf and werewhyena. As he sat next to Luka Professor Lupin regarded the PVC clad were in front of him. He didn't like the man one bit. He was looking at Luka in a similar way to how Sally had looked at him and when he smiled his canines were far too large to belong to a human. Glancing to his right the werewolf noted that his fellow professor was dividing his attention between Timothy and the large wolf whose head was currently resting in Luka's lap.
"Get to the point Timothy, why are you here?" Luka asked, she sounded bored.
"Oh surely I don't need a reason to hang out with my friends," he said sweetly in return.
"We're not your friends freeloader," said Jim from the driver seat as Achala beside him nodded in agreement.
"Aww and I thought you liked me,"
"No one likes you. All you do is irritate people," Luka stated.
"I do admit I have a penchant for playing grab ass but I've never played it with you," seeing the lack of response Timothy continued, " though that is partially because you have no ass to grab. Seriously, it'd be like groping a table you're that flat and it's not like you've got the tatas to even it out," concluded the pervert as he made groping motions in the air.
Luka just stared at the brazen man in disgust,she knew he was just trying to rile her up so she would hurt him but not this time. Instead she contented herself with having a final look over the sheet music for the night's performance as she petted Mike's head.
"Hey, stop patting my brother, he's enjoying it too much!" said Jim as he eyed his passengers via the rear view mirror.
Luka looked at the driver quizzically as she continued to stroke the werewolf who had his eyes closed and was smacking his lips languidly, "Luxshury..."
Jim braked suddenly causing everyone to slide forwards.
"Seriously, stop touching him," Jim snarled as he turned in his seat, the motion being assisted by Achala smacking him around the head.
Luka held up her hands as Mike turned to face his brother.
"What the hell is your problem? I wasn't doing anything weird and we're nearly running late,"
"It's 'cos he's all gay for his little brother," chirped Timothy.
"What?" chorused everyone else.
"Oh come on. Last Halloween he made Mike dress up in a maid costume and the possessive behaviour just confirms it," Timothy replied sagely.
"It's not that at all! I just don't see why all the cute girls all fawn over him when he's in furry form," Jim stated blushing.
"That's normal, women will usually go to the cute animal rather than a man," replied Achala as she fiddled with her i-phone.
Mike turned to Luka, "He's just naggy because he hasn't gotten any in god knows how long,"
"Hey! That's not true, I'm just going through a minor dry spell. Give it a couple of weeks and a biblical flood of hotties will be coming my way,"
"In your wet dreams," snorted Timothy.
Luka leaned forward on her hands and knees to get face to face with Jim, "Look, I don't care that you're making your lonely way through the sex version of the Sahara but if you don't restart the engine I'm going to be late for my shift. Furthermore your solitude is probably down to your lousy pick up lines. Going up to a woman flashing your Pokéball and asking if they want to be your pika-girl is never a good plan. Now drive," she growled dangerously as the others sniggered at his pick up technique, or lack thereof.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaah, why do you have to wear shorts under your skirt? Couldn't you treat us all to a panty shot now and again, preferably something skimpy or even crotchless," sighed Timothy.
Luka turned around to see Timothy holding up her skirt whilst his other hand cupped his disappointed face as the professors watched with equal expressions of shock.
"Why you!" she shouted as she leapt on him, straddling and pinning him as one hand began to crush his throat as the other pummelled his face, "Your filthy pervert""
"Hey! Mind the equipment," called a surprised Jim.
"You didn't care about it when you braked, just drive," Luka replied as she continued to hit Timothy.
Looking at the punishment Luka was dishing out the professors began to realise why she had been given the cockatrice, with each punch the werehyena's head was rebounding off the floor and his nose was already flattened. Mike on the other hand seemed slightly worried as he grasped her apron bow and began to tug gently. Professor Lupin's eyes widened with disgust when he saw why his fellow werewolf was trying to stop her.
"Luka stop," he said firmly as he pulled her shoulders.
Ceasing the beating Luka turned around to see what the problem was. Mike pointed to Timothy's groin. Luka's eyebrow twitched in ire as her eyes locked onto the lump in his trousers. The twitch spread to her hands and her thoughts were nearly visible as the cogs of her mind turned. To attack and please him or to leave it denying the urge to inflict pain. The decision was made for as Professor Lupin and Mike pulled her off. Professor Snape stayed where he was as he hadn't seen what the others had until the last moment due to his view being obscured by equipment. The rest of the journey was short and silent. They unloaded the equipment quickly, the were's superior strength becoming obvious.
"How come everything is so small? I thought amplifiers would be much bigger," asked Professor Lupin as the last of the cargo was taken away.
"We use magic amps and magi-net ports. It makes everything so much smaller and 'cause the ports transmit the electrical signals with magic rather than cable no one trips. It's quicker to set up too," explained Achala.
Professor Lupin nodded, Arthur Weasley would give an arm to see how they were incorporating magic into Muggle technology. As they made their way through the rear entrance Professor Snape decided to voice the question he'd been waiting to ask but hadn't felt comfortable to in the close confines of the van, "Are they always so perverse and unstable?"
"Yeah pretty much. Hang around them long enough and you'll get desensitized to it though Timothy always finds a way to irritate me,"
"Is he part of the wolf pack?" asked Professor Lupin.
"Yes, due to limited numbers different groups of weres aren't really species specific. The 'wolf pack' encompasses all canine weres and the majority of the felines too. The bird tribe, boars and the wererodents are separate, though the latter also includes the wereskunks and werestoats," replied Luka as she clocked in.
Shaking his head as he took in the new information Professor Snape allowed himself to be shooed into the main bar as the jazz band was still playing. The area was quite large with walls in different shades of blue and a shiny black floor, a stage and booths dotted around the edges of the dance floor. The two teachers made their way over to the bar. The surface seemed to be made of frosted glass that was lit from beneath and as they sat on the blue stools one of the barmaids came over. She was a minotaur, more precisely a Jersey cow minotaur in a maid's outfit and cupcake ear studs.
"Evening boys, what can I get you?" she asked as she removed a red lollipop from her mouth.
"Gin and tonic," replied Professor Snape in a dead pan voice.
"Erm, what would you suggest? I like sweet things..." trailed Professor Lupin, he had tried a few cocktails in his youth but he hadn't had any recent experience.
"Same here, that's why they call me Candy," the minotaur batted her long lashes, "well, we make toffee splits, fifth avenues, Napolean's nightcaps and pink squirrels," Candy replied.
"A Napolean's nightcap please, will this cover it?" Professor Lupin asked showing the barmaid the coupon he had got from Luka earlier.
"Yeah. Here's your gin and tonic sweetie," she said as she handed the drink to Professor Snape who narrowed his eyes at the familiarity, "I take it you two are friends of Luka's," Candy elaborated when she saw the surprise on their faces, "these coupons don't tend to last with many of us. It's only Luka that hoards them,"
Professor Lupin nodded at the information as he accepted his freshly mixed drink. One thing that Luka had in her favour was that she wasn't drinking at her young age. As they began to sip their beverages they heard the jazz replaced by a hubbub of chatter. Turning to see what was going on the professors saw that the jazz band was packing up. It was at this point that the two wizards finally realised the diversity of the beings present at the bar, it made The Leaky Cauldron look bland. The dance floor was filled with weres of various types alongside seemingly human companions, at the bar a vampire was being served a frothing pint of blood by a comely female zombie whilst in the booths a group of suited goblins poured over ledgers quills in hand and on the opposite side a rowdy group of satyrs and dwarves played a drinking game to the chant of 'chug, chug, chug'. Dotted in between the larger groups were members of others races; minotaurs, banshees, elves and many others. All in all the bar looked like a magical creatures book come to life. As the professors watched their fellow patrons the next band walked onto the stage. Luka and her furry friends along with him. Professor Snape's eyes narrowed as they locked onto the figure of Sebastian Michaelis. The 'man' strode onto the stage in his waistcoat and formal trousers with poise and class that even Lucius Malfoy would covet and his polished shoes reflecting the stage lighting. He laid the violin he'd been carrying on a stool next to the lead microphone as Jim stood next to him with a base guitar strapped to his body. The rest of the band assembled behind them with Luka and her sunburst guitar, Achala on the drums and Mike at the keyboard. Professor Lupin watched curiously as the werewolf's digits elongated to become more finger-like to facilitate playing. For the next hour the band played, they were mainly normal rock covers from bands such as Green Day and Guns 'n' Roses but the play list also included modern takes on 'Lux Aeterna', Vivaldi's 'The storm' and 'The devil's trill'. As their last song ended the band gave a short bow and Luka seemed to nearly bolt off the stage. Behind them the professors could hear chuckling, it was the zombie barmaid.
"Poor Luka always hates to play in public," she smiled as they turned to look at her, her pale blue skin was marred by the lengths of stitching that traversed it, bisecting her face and seemingly attaching her head to her body.
"Why does she play then?" asked Professor Lupin.
"As Candy says that you're Luka's friends I'll tell ya. Sebastian was ordered to join by the boss so he made Luka join up too," she replied as she wiped a glass.
The werewolf nodded as he supped his drink, Professor Snape had bought another a while ago but Professor Lupin knew he didn't have the luxury of being able to spend freely, it explained why Luka scuttled off when he'd found her playing the violin. The werewolf sighed, it was a pity, for one so young she could play rather well.
"Who's the boss?" asked Professor Snape.
"Lord Phantomhive," the zombie replied as she went off to serve another customer.
Professor Snape digested that information slowly, if there was a person more powerful than Michaelis they would make a good ally in getting him to relinquish the girl. On the other hand who could be so fearsome as to keep a demon in check? Frowning the professor considered whether it was possible for a demon to serve two contracts simultaneously. At that moment Luka reappeared behind the bar with Sebastian in tow. The wizards tensed as they felt the power that flowed from the demon and Professor Snape glowered at the person who had hurled a rock at him the previous year. The dislike was mutual as Sebastian lazily surveyed them, distaste clear in his brown eyes. They watched as he whispered something in the ear of the young witch before he served a customer. Luka wandered over to them still seeming a little nervous from her time in the lime light.
"How's your evening been so far?" she asked as she stood in front of them.
Professor Snape just glared at the girl so Professor Lupin decided to answer.
"We've been well taken care of," he indicated the barmaids, "and we think you played very nicely. How come you don't like to play publicly?"
Luka blushed slightly before replying as Professor Snape snorted at the use of 'we', "I hate to make mistakes in public and with fast pieces like rock making a mistake is quite easy,"
"Everyone makes mistakes, you just have to accept them and move on. I didn't hear any faults in your playing," said the professor genially.
Still blushing Luka excused herself on the grounds that a new barrel of beer needed connecting to the taps. Professor Lupin smiled as he shook his head, his student may condone and commit murder but she was a shy little girl in some ways. The werewolf's smile broadened when he saw the quizzical expression with which Professor Snape regarded him. When Luka finally reappeared it was to serve a young blonde boy who, in the eyes of the professors, was scandalously dressed. He wore knee length high heeled boots, incredibly short leather shorts and a sheer black shirt with the top buttons undone. Chirpily he asked for two glasses of ether-ale before trotting off to one of the booths where a man with glasses awaited him. Noticing the professors' expressions Luka turned to them.
"It's fine he's a wraith over a century in age," Luka said as the wizards stared at the now kissing couple.
"Another friend of yours?" asked Professor Lupin.
"You could say that, he's an acquaintance of Sebastian's. Alois is pretty outgoing normally but he took a particular liking to me as his little brother is also called Luka," explained Luka as she resumed her duties of cleaning and serving.
As Luka busied herself Sebastian slid past the wizards. Professor Snape decided to seize the opportunity and question the demon.
"You are Sebastian Michaelis are you not?" asked the professor.
"Yes and you are Professor Snape and Professor Lupin," replied the demon with a cultured voice.
"Why have you yet to claim Luka rather than leaving her with humans?" enquired Professor Snape, he knew that the demon would see through any pretence of conversation so he got straight to the point.
"I don't believe that is any of your business professor, now if you'll excuse me," Sebastian smirked, he would dearly love to tell them why but the wizards were probably complicit in the maltreatment his young mistress received. A human and a mutt were simply not to be trusted.
The next couple of hours passed tediously as the professors watched the actions of those surrounding them. At ten o'clock they realised why Luka had given them the glow sticks and rings. The last rock band left the stage which was then filled by what looked like a large Muggle electric console. A goblin took to the stage and the professors could hardly believe their eyes. They had never seen such an oddly dressed goblin. Instead of the usual sombre suits this one was wearing a garish tie dye t-shirt over which was a human fluorescent waistcoat of the kind favoured by builders and road crew workers the world over. The two wizards watched as the goblin popped on some large ear phones and proceeded to press the button son the console, the club's already dim lighting decreased to near darkness and the strobe lights on the stage swept through the bar. As the bass began to pump and an oddly jumpy 'melody' began the dance floor turned into a glow stick waving frenzy. The Welsh Black minotaur Theo, Candy's boyfriend they'd been told, alongside some inebriated satyrs was making a particular display of himself with glow sticks in each of his hands and dangling from his small gold hoop ear rings. With the noise at a seemingly unending crescendo Professor Lupin found himself getting the clubbing bug and he even joined in 'Ravers in the UK' which with the combined voices of the sorcerers present became 'Mages in the UK'. However he decided against taking part in the 'Harlem Shake' which looked like a mass seizure. Smiling and nodding to the beat he let off his patronus as other magic users sent sparks into the air whilst Professor Snape just glowered at his immaturity. However the party was not to last forever as when the clock struck Sunday's first hour everything went downhill.
"Nee-san! Nee-san! They've got Jim!" shouted Mike as he bounded over to Luka.
The young witch immediately switched her attention from her conversation with a kelpie to the worried werewolf. She'd known there would be reprisals for her actions but even she had thought that they would have left it for a little longer.
"Where?" she shouted over the music.
"Behind the back of the bar by the dumpsters. Hurry! It's Sally and Alice!" Mike howled.
Cursing Luka dashed from behind the bar to the door through which she had earlier entered the establishment with professors quickly following her. They couldn't allow her to get injured under their watch. Sebastian on the other hand calmly continued making a perfect mojito. There was nothing to fear, if necessary Luka could easily take out over half a dozen werewolves without a scratch, which was useful as a scratch from their furry form was all it took for the virus to spread.
Outside Luka clapped eyes on the huddled form of Jim as he lay beneath the foot of Care Bear. Beside the beta male was Sally who was carefully licking the blood off a scalpel, Luka looked at Jim once more to see that her was bleeding profusely though he would heal quickly as the blade was not silver. Still running Luka never noticed the magic cancelling wards that opened to admit her but resealed so that the professors could not come to her aid.