Right, onto the conclusion of the two parter, a couple fo sentences (about four I think) have been changed from the original posting. Rated M for gore.
Back in the bar Sebastian's eyes widened as he felt the wards envelope Luka, without magic both her abilities and glamour would be reduced to nothing. Without magically enhanced speed and strength she almost sure to die. Rushing out of the bar at demon speed he hoped that he wouldn't be too late to save her. As he reached the magic boundary he saw the wizards frantically trying to bring down the wards. Fools, their pitiful imitation of power would never bring down spells cast by that man. He growled as he saw the undead mage responsible; the lich Lord Elzen, the most powerful sorcerer in the East Midlands. But why would he be here? He only did jobs such as this if there was good payment involved and Sebastian's hackles raised as he realised that the payment might be his witch. The lich always suggested that she would make a good test subject alive or dead. Turning his attention to the disempowered witch he shouted the order that he desperately hoped would keep her alive.
"Luka! This is an order, survive!"
Said young mage turned to nod at the demon, her features already changing as the magic canceller dissolved the effects of the glamour. Hopefully using the power of the contract she would be able to use power similar to Agni's but the question remained, to what extent could she use it before it became classed as magic and cancelled by the wards?
"Well, well Luka," spat a woman who stalked towards the girl each word drenched with malice, "Lord Elzen was kind enough to put up a magic cancelling ward. Your sorcery with not aid you this time and you will finally pay for murdering my mate," said the woman as she undid the halter neck of her maxi dress letting it fall to the ground to reveal a body that was partially transformed into that of a chocolate brown she wolf.
Behind the barrier the professors' eyes widened with horror. This was a duel and without her magic Luka was just an ordinary twelve year old girl!
Luka sneered, "By the orders of your Pack Leader I am not to be harmed. You shall pay dearly for your insubordination. Furthermore Lord Elzen never does favours I wonder if you can afford the price he will ask of you,"
"You need not think of such things, you are about to atone for all the lives you have ruined," growled the she wolf as her face contorted, nose and mouth becoming one in a muzzle.
"Your mate had murdered entire families. He deserved his death," Luka replied coolly as she reached for the knives that were sheathed beneath her skirt, if only she had her lighter. Werewolf fur was very flammable.
"He deserved his death?! You never retuned the body!" screeched the anguished she wolf as a tear slipped from her eye and she charged the witch as her body continued to transform.
Luka adopted a defensive position, she had to live long enough to find an opening and exploit it. She would fulfil the order, her last breath would not be drawn tonight. Curling her lip she lunged forwards to meet the wolf's claws with her knives. Retreating would only draw out the battle and the stamina of a werewolf far exceeded that of a human.
On the sidelines the wizards redoubled their efforts to bring down the wards. They were joined by Mike and some other weres who beat at the barrier with claws and fists.
"Why aren't you doing anything?" cried Professor Lupin at Sebastian as Luka barely dodged yet another slash.
"I have issued my order and she will obey. She will survive this skirmish, besides my magic isn't suited for bringing down these wards. Also I have just texted their Pack Leader, he will be here shortly to bring these idiots to heel," replied Sebastian never taking his eyes off his servant.
The professor swiftly looked back at the student. She was dodging well but she would tire soon and then the werewolf would go in for the kill.
Inside the wards Luka was already feeling the effects of the combat. Despite the sloppiness that Megan's anger leant to her attacks her speed more than made up for it. There were openings but no way to exploit them, not without great sacrifice at least. As Megan swiped at Luka once more the witch managed to block with her knives causing the wolf to howl in pain and swing her paw in a backhanded fashion at Luka's head. The force of the impact on Luka's jaw sent her flying to connect with the brick wall behind her. Seeing stars and feeling muzzy headed Luka saw a monstrous shadow swoop down on her. Acting out of instinct she kicked upwards her foot connecting with something heavy and furry. Taking advantage of the brief respite Luka hauled herself to her feet ignoring the way the world span and the nausea it brought with it.
Behind the wards Professor Snape began to resign himself to what he was about to see. Luka's temple was trickling blood and she was swaying back and forth. Regardless of the order Michaelis had given her she wasn't going to win. He was to witness her death and possibly her destruction too, after all the girl had said that most werewolves would eat fresh corpses.
Back in the line of fire Luka's head injury was taking its toll. The large wolf was toying with her now as she made swift incisions on Luka's arms when the witch made ill timed attempted counterattacks. Now bleeding and barely able to stand up straight Sebastian's order going through her head like a mantra Luka desperately looked for a way out. Her body was already damaged, she wouldn't be human any more if she survived this. That wasn't too bad but the lycanthropic healing would kick in too late to save her if she continued to take damage at this rate. She would have to end this quickly. As the brown wolf lunged in once more and Luka did likewise hacking downwards with the silver knife in her left hand. She over reached her mark and the wolf turned her head to bite down on Luka's arm just below the elbow. Growling victoriously she twisted head and pulled revelling in hearing the bones snap and the feeling of flesh being torn from the bone by her fangs. Looking upon the pale face of her loathed she was happy to see the pain clear etched on her features, yet the witch did not scream. Luka's teeth bit into her lip biting back the screams that fought to be released and despite the tears that rolled down her cheeks and threatened to blind her Luka's eyes blazed with defiance. The sacrifice had already been made,now the gaping opening would be utilised. She would NOT die here!
On the other side of the wards Professor Lupin had fallen to his knees. He couldn't believe he was going to watch one of his students die. That pained expression on her face and the bloodlust in those of her opponent was unbearable to witness but his eyes refused to move off the scene in front of him. Around the professor the other spectators gave surprised gasps as the last of Luka's glamour evaporated. How could the last Executioner be such a small child?
Within the wards the werewolf saw no change in her opponent, the illusion of the woman who had taken everything from her engraved into her retinas. Thrashing her head from side to side Megan felt satisfaction as she pulled the Executioner's arm from its socket. She would yield NOTHING!
As Luka felt her ligaments give way with Megan's pull she let herself be pulled forwards pushing with her feet to give herself extra momentum. This was the opening she had been waiting for!
Megan's eyes gleamed manically as she saw her enemy fall towards her. Now would be the time to end this. The wolf frowned as she saw a smirk appear on the bloody lips of her foe before the pain of a silver knife plunging into her flesh made itself known.
Luka's grin widened as she felt the knife make contact. Megan had been concentrating on her arm to the point where she had forgotten that she was still holding a knife in that hand. Stopping herself mid fall Luka swivelled as much as she could sending a left roundhouse to connect with the she wolf's right foreleg. Satisfaction filling her fogged mind as she felt the joint crack under the impact and the vibrations of the wolf's scream travelled along Luka's ruined limb. Taking advantage of the wolf's pain Luka plunged the knife that she held in her right hand into the fur covered neck cursing the thickness of the coat. As the fire of bloodlust burned brighter in her eyes and adrenaline pumped through her veins Luka pulled out the knife giving it a twist as it exited the wolf's flesh before striking downwards once more. Grinning at the muffled shrieks of pain Luka kicked her opponent's damaged leg once more this time landing the hit with her foot in order to push forwards forcing the broken bone out of its skin casing. The she wolf released Luka's arm as she reared on up on her hind legs to howl in agony. Luka brought back her leg for another swing intending to cripple the beast's hind legs as well but alas she was too slow. The move was easily deciphered and Megan fell back onto all fours using gravity instead of muscle power to rip through the tendon and sinew of Luka's leg from mid-thigh to shin. As the she wolf reared once again Luka struck again with her uninjured arm but again was too slow, the werewolf utilised her superior to grasp Luka's forearm, her digits of human length once more but still furry. Pulling her lips into a parody of a smile Megan pushed with her thumb as she flicked her wrist, the grimace widening as the bones snapped leaving a curious ninety degree bend in Luka's arm. A chuckle welling up in her throat she pushed Luka to the ground before going in for the kill. The werewolf lunged downwards intending to rip out Luka's throat but was stopped midway by an impact to her gut. Luka grinned, the stupid wolf had forgotten about her last functioning limb. Growling Megan settled for slashing at the witch with her left foreleg. The claws connecting first with Luka's right collar bone before moving diagonally downwards tearing through cloth and flesh alike. As she reached the sternum Megan dug her digits deeper ripping the lower ribs off and near-by viscera along with them. The werewolf was elated as the witch beneath her let out a screech of agony and arched at the pain making her partial evisceration clear for all to see. With a rictus grin upon her features the werewolf squeezed the freshly harvested innards to dot Luka's apron with her own blood and stomach contents.
On the side lines Professor Lupin vomited at the smell of aired intestines, the mixed sights and smells were horrendous not to mention the blood curdling scream... Next to him Mike whimpered no doubt feeling immense guilt at having brought her here. The professor looked up at the weres who stood alongside Sally and the prone body of Jim. Why on Earth weren't they doing anything? Professor Lupin had seen many Dark packs during the wizarding war but none that would happily stand by and watch a child be tortured, except perhaps Greyback...
On Professor Lupin's other side stood Professor Snape, despite all that he had seen perpetrated by Death Eaters this marked a new low and he watched in anguish as his student died before his eyes. After all no human could survive this surely?
Sebastian stood a concerned expression slowly working its way onto his features. Luka had succeeded in mortally wounding the she wolf as the cuts to the neck wouldn't heal due to the silver. However it looked like Luka wasn't going to live much longer and it was hard to see how she could continue to counterattack with three useless limbs and the last one unarmed. Unfortunately the order he had given her relied on the use of some magic and Lord Elzen seemed to have initiated a wide ranging block. At present the only hope she had was that of becoming a revenant, with luck that type of magic would be too different for the wards to take effect after all werewolf transformation was magic too. Furthermore, Luka would be of far more interest to Lord Elzen alive, she could barely be called human before but now...
Inside the wards Megan flinched as the magic cancelling wards fell. Looking around she saw that the exclusion wards were still in effect and Lord Elzen was looking at the witch with avid interest. From outside Sebastian's smirk was back in place, his order was about to be fulfilled.
"What are you doing?" shrieked Sally at the lich.
"The agreement was that I would cancel her magic so that Megan could mortally wound her. As you can see that condition has been met and I wish to see what our little cockatrice will do next," smiled the undead wizard as he adjusted his top hat.
Before they could continue the conversation a deranged chuckle was heard.
"You're in for it now aren't you? Mea ensis (my sword)!" shouted Luka as booted Megan in the ribs sending the wolf skyward.
Flipping herself onto her feet Luka set her limbs using magic as her stare and aura glowed with murderous intent. Reaching into the empty air beside her she unsheathed a sword that seemed to materialize from the shadows themselves. Her grin widened as the sword began to shriek as it bled flame from the red engravings, its desire to cut and maim twinned with that of its mistress. The revived witch launched herself forwards with speed that surpassed that of even a werewolf. Her sword working in tandem with the silver knife she still held in her left hand. Each cut and thrust calculated to inflict the maximum pain but not to kill.
Sebastian chuckled from the sidelines the teachers looking at him quizzically but he knew full well what Luka was doing. Instead of merely slicing the werewolf's flesh she was cutting through her soul too. Compared to the sting of the cursed blade the kiss of the silver knife would be bliss. Hearing the rather musical screams of agony from the she wolf he sorely wished that he could partake in the torture.
Inside the wards Luka seemed to have tired of toying with her prey, the she wolf in ribbons before her but still very much alive. Luka cocked her head to one side as a satisfied smile played on her lips, how was she to kill her enemy? Disjointed thoughts meandered through her mind as she looked to the dumpster to see her inspiration. A small scaffolding pole just within the wards. Her smile widening she sheathed Shattered Soul, the blood coating the blade already soaked up by the engravings, the sword was most fastidious about its appearance, and wordlessly summoned the pole. Running her hands down the cold metal Luka considered her next move, it would just about work but she would have to hoist the wolf quickly or she would fall off. Kicking the werewolf onto her back Luka planted one foot on the beast's sternum as she placed the end of the pole above her opponent's heart the pleading eyes having no effect on her resolve. Pushing down slowly so to savour the last moments of her enemy's life she closed her eyes as the crack of Megan's ribs flowed into her ears. Opening her yellowing eyes Luka watched as the light faded from Megan's eyes and a rattle made its way out of the wolf's chest as the pole pierced her heart. Pushing downwards for further purchase Luka took her foot off the corpse before swinging the pole so that Megan's body was now displayed at its uppermost point. Still smiling she turned to Sally and the alpha female behind her holding the pole proudly like a medieval standard bearer. Luka breathed in satisfaction as she pulled the magic from Megan's corpse towards herself. The professors looked on in confusion as glowing ether flowed from the body and the adjacent pools of blood to Luka. It merged with the girl and her injuries healed slightly but the effect was only noticeable if one really looked. Something then flickered out of the corner of Luka's eye and she span the pole to barely deflect the incoming attack long claws gouging lines from her cheek to her right ear, it seemed like the wolves aimed to have an ace in hole from the very start. Turning Luka saw Care Bear fly through the air landing ungracefully the detached body of Megan following him.
"Luka, I have another order," called Sebastian taking advantage of Care Bear's distraction as the were laid the body of the dead reverently on the floor.
Luka shot towards him using magic to propel herself over the distance in one step.
"Luka, this is an order, kill everything that stands in your way. Make these curs despise the day they were born," the demon said smoothly, it was about time that the wizards were treated to a sight of Luka's true power, even if were at great cost to her health.
As a wolfish grin spread over her face a grotesque transformation rippled over Luka's features. The eyes that were already turning yellow became the same shade as sulphur, even the whites were consumed. Luka's ears became pointed and furred as they shifted up her head. The bone and cartilage of the girl's face audibly crunched as they shifted to form a muzzle, the flesh stretched over the newly distorted skull, the skin ashen now and lips blackened. As she opened her mouth her professor's noted with horror that the teeth had grown to such an extent that for Luka shutting her mouth would now be impossible.
"Yessh, my lordt," she grinned as she brought her right hand to her chest, her fingers now elongated and skeletal, tipped with obsidian claws.
Ignoring Professor Lupin's pleadings to stop and the agony of the restrictions placed upon her by her foster parents Luka spun around to meet with her next victim as he roared in challenge, the answer he received coming from a throat that could no longer be called human.
"You are nothing without your worthless magic!" shouted Care Bear through fangs as he slashed at the wish with newly formed claws.
"Worthless?!" screeched Luka her as she allowed all her pent up hate and anger to surge to the surface. True he wasn't her true enemy but he'd make a good practice run.
As he slashed down again Luka blocked and ran her claws down his arm as he moved passed her. Luka watched as he continued as he continued to transform an idea forming in her mind. Concentrating on the lycanthropy within her she let her powers reach out to her foe, yes, it was just about possible. Increasing her will power she saw claws reverting to hands and Luka smiled as her enhanced ears caught a surprised gasp. Looking up she saw that her foe had his human hands once more and better still a look of terror in his eyes that was complemented by his accelerating heartbeat and the stench of fear.
"My, my. Itch seems you're havingsh a likkle trubble wit changin'," Luka purred.
"You can't be..." he whispered.
Luka lunged forwards grasping his wide throat with her left hand as she laid her right against his heart.
"Ant yet, you rewerted to human form. I will show you how worthlesh my magick ish. Ignis animarum (fire of the soul)!" Luka cried concentrating on how it would feel to use this move on those she hated most. Her 'foster parents', the man with the lion's mane and the bowler hat wearing idiot.
Focusing all her rage she screamed into the night feeling the power release in the form of crimson and scarlet flames the like of which not even fiendfire could surpass. The majority of it flowed into her victim, the pure magic scalding him from the inside, welling up so that it poured out of his mouth, nose, ears and tear ducts. Disregarding his gurgles and the hands clawing at her to cease the spell Luka only the faces of her dear friends who would never see the light of day again. Feeling the need for vengeance Luka increased the power flow, both of their bodies now enveloped in flame as Care Bear's body began to disintegrate like ash in the wind and the tarmac beneath them cracked and melted. Even Lord Elzen's wards shattered as the power flowed over them. When only a partial skeleton remained Luka released the body letting it drift to the floor as her power ebbed.
From their position the professors regarded the monster before them with horror. They'd known she had killed people but they never thought she would use such a torturous technique. The irony being now that with her back to them she seemed like an ordinary girl although her hair had inexplicably escaped its braid and had lengthened so that it hung to her waist. As Professor Snape stepped forward, wand in hand, the wolf was heard to take large lungfuls of air like a hound detecting the scent of prey. Without warning the creature twisted around to look at the potions master and he froze in fear of the sight. What had been a smiling, although cheeky, young girl was replaced by a savage animal. The sulphurous eyes burned bright with hunger, furry ears flattened to her head and her fang lined mouth gaped as it sucked rattling breaths into its lungs. The creature stayed stock still as something flickered behind its eyes. Slowly the expression and stance softened somewhat and it regarded the professor warily.
"What on Earth is going on here?" shouted a middle aged man in a tailored suit as he strode towards the gathering of weres.
"Good morning Pack Leader White, I was wondering when you would decide to join us," replied Sebastian as the stranger eyed him distrustfully with navy eyes.
"I will repeat, what is going on here?" the Pack Leader repeated, his voice ringing with authority.
"Shally, and mosht probably Alishe too, had me brought out here as they were attacking a wolf under my protectshun. Lord Elzen ushed magic canshelling wards whilst Megan attacked me as retribushun for her mate. After her death Care Bear got involved," replied Luka as she walked over to Jim who was still unconscious, luckily his injuries weren't too severe and he would heal quickly.
"Executioner Reginold?" Mathew White gasped disbelievingly as he looked upon the countenance of the mutilated girl.
Luka nodded in acknowledgement, "Mike come and help you brother,"
Said werewolf yelped before hurrying to the Executioner. He sniffed his brother before flopping on his back, utterly submissive before the Executioner in front of him. Luka's eyes widened before a sad expression spread over her face. Reaching down she ran her claws through the fur on Mike's face, smoothing the blond coat as he licked her hands.
"Shall we take him to the infirmary?" asked Achala, her usually cool voice shaking.
Luka nodded and turned to the argument that was going on behind her. Apparently Alice and Sally had finally gone too far.
"You deliberately disobeyed me," spat Mathew.
"She keeps interfering in the ways of the pack," cried Sally in response, Alice stroking her on the shoulder evidently trying to get her to calm down.
"If the pair of you would keep your vile behaviour to a minimum that interference would never have been needed. I wash my hands of you! Lord Elzen, take whatever payment you see fit from these two but do not harm the rest of my pack," Mathew said as he turned from his errant subordinates.
"I was promised Luka's corpse but seeing that she is still alive and Sebastian's I think I'll take Sally instead. I've been needing a new test subject for quite some time now," replied the lich as he fiddled with his cane.
"Very well, take her," nodded the Pack Leader.
"No!" screamed Alice as she darted in front of Sally, tears threatening to spill from her blue eyes, "Take me instead. I am alpha so I will take responsibility,"
"No, you will not do at all. Despite your rank you're weak. Sally will be able to endure far more than you can after all you're twenty years older and far from the peak of health," replied Lord Elzen as he strode over to claim his prize.
Sharing a final teary hug the females let go of one another as the lich fastened what looked to be a bracelet to Sally's hand.
"Perhaps in the next life it will be different..." whispered Sally, tears rolling down her cheeks as she was disapparated away to parts unknown.
"Perhaps," replied Alice to the empty air as her ash blonde hair obscured her face, she turned and slowly departed, an apparently broken woman.
"Haah, I'm sorry about Luka my man, I know how you despise canines. I could dispose of her too," suggested Lord Elzen to Sebastian.
"You will not," snarled Sebastian as he reached a possessive arm around Luka.
The lich cocked an eyebrow at the gesture whilst Professor Snape muttered under his breath, with Sebastian so close there was no way to disapparate back to Hogwarts without him.
"Looking on the bright side I suppose at least she is a member of the highest class of werewolf rather than a common stray. Well then, I will see you later. I need to check on how my new acquisition is settling in," replied the wizard as he shimmered out of sight.
"Executioner, I would like to extend a formal invitation into my pack, unless of course you have other ideas," said Mathew his eyes flicking across Professor Lupin.
"I will not join your pack under any circumstanshises," Luka replied as her sulphurous eyes narrowed.
"Very well, but the offer will remain open. Now if you will excuse me I have business to attend to," Mathew said as he turned and plucked his phone from his pocket.
As Sebastian pulled Luka closer to him another voice was heard.
"Awww jeeze, ya come for a drink and ya end up doing work. Things were going so well with the admin girls too..." groaned a bespectacled man as he leaned on an old fashioned lawn mower.
"What do you want Knox?" asked Sebastian, he hated reapers but their money was as good as anyone else's.
The professors looked at the young man curiously, he looked human but from the power he was emanating it was clear he was something else. Sebastian on the other hand looked unimpressed whilst Luka looked like she was concentrating on something.
"You'll find that both the souls are present so you can get back to drinking soon," said Luka, her lisp gone since her teeth were back within human parameters.
"Yeah, but it's still paperwork and that's just not my thing," whined the partial blonde as he ran over the flaming and shredded remains with the lawnmower.
Professor Snape narrowed his eyes in confusion, why was the man talking about souls and paperwork? Just what on Earth was he? Turning his head he regarded his student. She looked like she was concentrating on something very hard, her brow was creased and her magic was stirring around her. The professor was stunned by what he saw. As he watched her shredded stomach began to grow and renew itself filling the chasm between the torn end and the beginning of the small intestines. As a membrane formed over it Luka paled further and fell forwards into Sebastian's arms. The professor was surprised by the look of concern on the demon's face as he lifted the girl so that he held her bridal style before turning to the professors. They heard her whinge at being picked up but Sebastian immediately over rode her.
"If you wish to accompany us to the infirmary I have no objections," said Sebastian as he turned on his heel and re-entered the bar.
XXX
The infirmary as it happened was a level beneath the bar that catered to all types of injured supernaturals. Sebastian had said that members of their community worked in the ambulance service so anyone of a less than human persuasion was redirected to the bar. It worked out well as an ambulance turning up to a bar every now and then in a student city was seen as normal. In addition to Luka and Mike Dr Harper, the resident doctor who was also an avian were, had told them that her clinic was currently playing host to a couple of vampires who had been foolish enough to bet that they could outdo each other in a garlic eating competition. As the professors, Sebastian and Luka made their way to a quiet room Professor Lupin made a note of the notice board he had seen on the stairs. It seemed that since the Funtom bar was a hub of the local supernatural community they had a notice board, both real and online, that listed jobs and errands for those needing work. Should his tenure at Hogwarts end the professor believed that little piece of knowledge would come in very handy. The room they entered was fairly large with two hospital beds with two chairs apiece. Sebastian gently lowered Luka onto the vacant bed, the other being occupied by Jim and Mike curled up on his legs. The beaten werewolf was now conscious and he sat up to watch as Dr Harper fussed over Luka. Professor Lupin noted how he paled when he saw her injuries.
"Bloody hell, Luka I swear they didn't know what they were planning," he said earnestly as his eyes swept over the girl's broken body.
"I know and you needn't worry about me, you had it worse when you decided to nick that beef carcass on Halloween you daft furball," replied Luka as Sebastian, who was now lying next to her least injured side, stroked her hair as Dr Harper began the process of splinting her broken limbs.
"Racist," muttered Mike jokingly, Luka just quirked an eyebrow in response.
"Honestly, I don't know what has done more damage; the initial attack or your foolish decision to force yourself to partially change so soon after infection," snapped Dr Harper, her eyes flashing harshly behind her glasses, "the attack has damaged the majority of your limbs and ribs as well as your spleen though your stomach's been healed and you've stopped bleeding. The residual damage will heal naturally but you've lost a lot of blood and if you attempt to shift in the next couple of days it's likely that you'll end up catatonic as your energy reserves will be too depleted-"
"Will she able to do magic?" asked Professor Snape.
"Minor things yes," replied the doctor curtly as she glared at the professor for the interruption, "however strenuous activity should be avoided. Another side effect of the forced change is that your senses with be oscillating in sensitivity between extremely poor and lupine. For example you will not always be able to differentiate between smells and sound may either be painfully loud or extremely quiet,"
The doctor then fell silent as she finished the last of the dressings and set up a saline drip into the new werewolf's arm.
"As for you malingerer, once your paltry bruises have disappeared I want you out of that bed. This is not a hotel. Furthermore your athlete's foot needs treating," clipped Dr Harper as she swept from the room flicking her long pony tail behind her.
"I always said that the only culture you had was the one growing between your toes," deadpanned Luka as everyone turned to stare at the unhygienic werewolf.
Professor Lupin shifted his gaze to the furred werewolf as Mike began to wheeze and shake, the realisation dawning on the professor that the wolf was laughing nearly uncontrollably.
"You can shove off if you're going to laugh," pouted Jim as he nudged his brother in the ribs.
"With the stink coming off those feet I'll be glad to," replied the grinning wolf as he hopped off the bed before jumping up next to Luka ignoring Sebastian's possessive glare. Smacking his lips he laid his head on the pillow next to the girl.
Sebastian looked down to regard his property. How far she had fallen since those mages had gotten their hands though he had to remind herself that even at her peak without her magic she would have fared the same as she had tonight. The human body was such a fragile thing.
"Would it have killed you to have been turned by a feline were?" he asked, his voice petulant even to his own ears.
"I think I'll prefer being a werewolf so I don't have you constantly chasing me trying to squeeze my paws. Besides, with you, cute quickly becomes weird,"chuckled Luka.
Professor Snape frowned, he knew many languages both current and dead but the one in which the pair were talking in was completely alien to him. His eyes narrowed, he would have to weedle the language out of the girl but if it was anything like the last enigma she had presented him with he would be hard pressed to be able to research it.
"That's harsh little one. Changing the topic how much do you think these 'gentlemen' know about your predicament?" asked Sebastian.
"Professor Snape was bound by them so he probably knows nothing more than my foster parents are arseholes and you're a demon. As for Professor Lupin, they would never take a half breed into their confidences. They reacted badly enough to me and I was human at the time. Professor Dumbledore on the other hand, I don't trust. He is too close to the minister and he is the head of the Wizengamot, for him not to know would be nearly impossible. Besides I find it hard to believe they would be using Hogwarts without the consent of the head teacher," replied Luka sombrely, if it came down to it she didn't want to have to face the staff of Hogwarts in battle as well.
"I agree but I would not be so quick to trust those two. Dumbledore used Snape against Voldemort so it's possible that he's a spy here too, either that or that the binding spells used on him have turned him into their puppet. As for the wolf, he could be easily tempted by the promise of money and then tossed aside once he's done his job," Sebastian explained as his gaze swept the men in question, he despised wizards of their class.
Luka nodded and snuggled closer to the demon, she felt so sleepy. Sebastian looked down his smirk growing.
"As much as I like this you do you know that you can't sleep yet? You'll die,"
Luka nodded,"I know, when do you want to do the ritual? I know the power transfer is largely redundant but the weapon will be useful and it'll mean that you'll be able to get through the school wards,"
"I will begin preparations immediately, you know where it will take place but now I will have to return to the bar. You two," he addressed the werewolves, "you are to protect Luka with your lives. If you don't I will find you and repay your disloyalty with an excruciating death," smirked Sebastian.
The two blondes nodded hastily whilst Luka reprimanded Sebastian. As soon as the demon left Mike perked up and began sniffing at Luka. Said witch glared at the wolf as he eyed her up.
"Don't you dare Mike, I don't want my wounds infected," snapped Luka warningly as she sat up and pointed a finger at the offending fur ball.
"Rwoof," barked Mike as he pinned her with his front paws and proceeded to give her a spit bath, his tail wagging ten to the dozen.
Alas the 'bath' did not have the intended recuperative effects. To escape the slobber and rough tongue Luka tried to inch away and push the werewolf off but to no avail. Professor Snape sat by her bedside as a migraine began to pound his head. The club music was bad enough but the increasingly loud shouts of 'get off' and 'stop it, it's gross' had tipped his tired mind over the edge. Furthermore he also had to look forward to the grilling he would get not only from the headmaster but from Madam Pomfrey as well. The medi-shrew would never forgive him for letting one of his students get hurt. Silently the potions master hoped that Lupin would be on the receiving end of her wrath as well but he doubted it, the wolf always wormed his way out of things.
Next to him Professor Lupin looked on with increasing worry. If she didn't stop moving Luka was going to hurt herself though he was happy that she had people who would care for her despite her condition. He sighed, she would forever be marked now in the wizarding world and he feared for how her foster parents would react. Pulling himself to his feet he decided to lend his student a hand. He went up to Mike's shoulder hoping to pull him off but only succeeded in being pulled on top of the wolf as he pulled in return. Unfortunately as the professor opened his mouth to speak Mike was turning around having just finished a long lick up Luka's cheek and both men misjudged the distance. From the sidelines Professor Snape's dark eyes widened as he took in the sight before him. Luka and Jim exchanged slightly horrified and amused looks as the werewolves remained frozen in place by their own horror. By misjudging the distance they had accidentally ended up kissing, or at least Mike's whiskery lips had come into unwanted contact with the professor's parted ones. The two sets of blue eyes locked onto one another as the awkwardness in the room grew until they simultaneously broke apart a bright blush spreading on the professor's cheeks as he turned away and discreetly pulled a hair from his mouth.
"Aww, don't get naggy Luka, he's just being nice," chided Jim hearing Luka's continued objections to the touchy feely treatment and he hopped off hid bed as he wrapped his blanket around his waist before joining his brother next to Luka. The bed was getting really quite crowded and Luka was nearly clinging to the edge.
"After all, now we know that you're a little kid it's only normal to treat you as such. You can even call me 'big brother' if you want," chirped Jim as he patted a disgruntled Luka on the head.
"Just because I have the body of a child doesn't mean you have to treat me like one. Also, how does being a kid suddenly negate the fact that I have functioned as a regional Executioner for so long?" snarled Luka as her furry ears flattened.
"Hush, that's all in the past now. You can concentrate on having your childhood now. After all little girls look best in frilly dresses surrounded by sweets and fluffy toys, oh yes they do," chirped Jim as he rubbed his head on Luka ignoring the drying werewolf slobber clearly in his own world of anime girls with teddy bears, saucer eyes and cute pigtails.
In his arms Luka looked as if she was considering killing the older were as her yellow glared at him with venom even Professor Snape could appreciate if he were looking. At present though his eyes were closed and he was rubbing the bridge of his nose trying to stave off all the annoyances the night was heaping upon him before finally looking up.
"So what was Michaelis alluding to?" he snapped as he fixed Luka with a penetrating stare.
"It's nothing professor," Luka replied neutrally.
The professor narrowed his eyes, did she really think he was an idiot? Never mind, he would find out on his own. As Professor Lupin resumed his seat an increasingly loud warble was heard trickling through the hallway outside.
"I want my baby back, baby back,baby back, baby back,baby back, baby back, CHILLLLLLLLIIIII," called Timothy as he barged his way in.
Once he was in he pulled the rib from his mouth as if it were a meat lollipop. Mike and Jim growled as they recognised the body part by smell.
"Hey! You nicked my rib you git!" shouted Luka as Timothy languidly licked the bone.
Professor Lupin gasped in shock whilst Professor Snape slowly reached for his wand.
"I must say Luka your flesh really is tender and juicy, then again that was to be expected from one so young. After all who knew that the last and most feared Executioner was just a little pipsqueak? Such a pity you weren't killed, I could have had more than this little snack-" he said before being cut off.
"You foul, loathsome, detestable cretin," shouted Professor Lupin.
He now stood over the werehyena having knocked him with a curse before even Mike, who had jumped off the bed, could get to the reprobate. With every noun and adjective the professor rained stinging and whipping curses on the man who only laughed maniacally in response.
"Oh, harder baby harder," he chuckled as he wiggled his hips at the professor to show just how excited he was.
Surprisingly it was none other than Professor Snape who remedied the situation by prying his colleague away from the pervert. As he pulled the red faced werewolf to the other side of the room Sebastian entered and viewed the scene before him with disdain.
"I take it this piece of filth is responsible for the ruckus," he said quietly as his eyes fell upon the were, turning to Luka, "meet me in A5 in quarter of an hour, it's all been prepared,"
Without another word the demon scruffed the were and dragged him out of the room. Still holding back his colleague Professor Snape was formulating an idea. The girl's senses were poor and she trusted Michaelis implicitly. With the use of some choice glamour charms he could get quite a bit of information from her. His black eyes came to rest on the werewolf he was holding, for once the marauder would be useful. Curtly excusing himself he dragged the wolf to the nearby toilets. Once inside Professor Lupin exploded.
"Why the hell did you stop me?! That pervert deserves the Cruciatus! For Merlin's sake Severus, he was sucking her rib!" cried the werewolf as he paced the space by the sinks impatiently.
"Calm down Lupin! Didn't you realise that you provided him with just the reaction he wished for?" asked Professor Snape as he raised his voice after all they had quite a bit to do and not much time to do it in.
"Calm down? You don't know what it's like to see wolves like this Severus! They represent everything I have tried to distance myself from, they're violent, malicious and have no sense of morals!" shouted the werewolf as he pointed in the general direction of the pack before lowering his voice and looking his colleague in the eyes pitifully, "What are we going to do Severus? This nightmarish life is all she knows and I don't believe her foster parents are the nice Aurors they pretend to be. With a hard place in front and a rock behind can she still be saved? You heard their Howler too, how do you think they'll react to her becoming what they hate?"
"I don't know Lupin but we'll deal with it when the time comes. For the moment however we have a good opportunity to learn more about her life before Hogwarts. Since her senses are currently weakened it may be possible to pose as Sebastian if I meet her just before he is due to but I...I will require your help with the necessary glamour charms," replied Professor Snape still trying to calm the agitated wolf.
"So we are to take advantage of an injured girl. As you collect your information what am I to do?"
"As soon as my disguise is complete you are to return to Hogwarts. Michaelis will find out about the subterfuge quickly and you needn't stay. When you get back immediately send word to Albus and Poppy," Professor Snape said quickly mindful of the time.
Professor Lupin nodded wearily before helping Professor Snape with the incantations. His work done he disapparated back to Hogwarts.
Professor Snape entered the room A5 as a perfect, yet fragile, replica of Sebastian. The wizard knew he would have to act quick, the demon would be here soon and he wanted to get some answers out of the girl before he disapparated the pair of them back to the school. This wasn't just to help his student but to get some answers for himself too. After all didn't he have a right to know why he had been trussed up like a Christmas turkey by that cursed document. With fists balled discreetly behind his back and the demon's smirk upon his face he looked to find his student. She was standing looking at him, her drip duck taped to her sleeve as the saline continued to top up the volume of her blood. The professor noticed the ground she was standing on was adorned with a chalk magic circle. He wondered what it was for. After selling her soul what did she have left to give?
"Early as always Sebastian," she said smiling, the professor felt a niggle of guilt for taking advantage but as Albus always said it was for the 'greater good'.
"Disposing of that piece of trash was easier than I anticipated," said the professor as he neared the girl.
"Yes, if Professor Lupin ever comes here again he'll be hard pressed to escape Timothy's attentions. Not that it's likely that he'll come back, the professors had locating spells on them but I made sure the gates scrambled them," Luka smiled as she beckoned for 'Sebastian' to join her on the circle.
"Why the deception?" asked Professor Snape as he stood in front of her intensely aware that the glamour spells would start unravelling soon.
"I know you hate them Sebastian but as the last Executioner to work for the werepack and as a protector for some of my favourite members of the pack I can't let them get hurt by those I bring here. You said yourself you don't trust those wizards and humans have a nack for destroying any threat they see. The weres going public would be seen as a rebellion to the ministry and they won't be merciful if the weres do come out. I can't let those monsters get a head start by finding out one of the main bases for such a large pack. Now, we're here for just one reason; pactio (contract)," said Luka and the circle lit up, enveloping the pair in light.
Professor Snape had to admit that the moment the light existed for was quite pleasant, it was like being wrapped in warmth and happiness. What happened next took him completely by surprise, Luka leaned in on her tip toes and pressed her lips to his in a quick, chaste kiss. Feeling a blush rise on his cheeks as the light receded he saw Luka step back before opening her eyes.
"Well that completes the contract Sebaaaaaaaaaggh!" she squawked in shock as she pointed at the professor who now realised that his glamour had completely fallen to pieces.
Before he could say a word the door was kicked open and a feral looking Sebastian stood in the door way crimson eyes glinting savagely.
"What do you think you are doing to my mistress?" roared the demon as he bared his elongated canines.
Reacting on instinct the professor grabbed Luka and with a pop took them back to Hogwarts.