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After the rather awkward meal Luka returned with Professor Lupin to their quarters. To Luka's surprise the entrance was through one of the bookshelves in his office. Once inside the weary werewolf cheerily gave a brief tour of the cosy sitting room, small kitchen and the bathroom as well as pointing out that his room was just down the hall if she wanted to discuss a topic that she came across during her studies.
"I don't think that will be necessary professor," Luka replied nervously, how else was she to respond to such sparkly eyed cheer?
"Please call me Remus," smiled Lupin who was completely oblivious to Luka's discomfort.
Luka just nodded as she went to investigate her own room. As she crossed the threshold of her diminutive domain she noted that all her school stuff had indeed been moved and her shopping from Diagon Alley was present as well as few extras. In the corner by the window Elise presided over a small heap of packages, one of which Luka recognised to be a terranium. Her hurried inspection was cut shorter by a distinctly shrill squeak.
"Snake!"
Luka whipped around to see the professor jump back from her bed with his wand out. Luka's eyes flicked over to the bed to see Mel poking his head out of her collection of fluffy toys, his cream chin tilted at a cute angle as he flicked his tongue out in the direction of Professor Lupin.
"Mel is a royal python, he's non-venomous and as docile as a puppy," stated Luka as she picked up her pet and proceeded to coo over him in parseltongue whilst Professor Lupin looked on in disbelief.
Once finished with Mel Luka sighed and moved over to Elise who had started clicking her beak in irritation at the lack of attention.
At a loss of what else to say Professor Lupin groped blindly for a topic of conversation, "Would like a hand unpacking your things?"
"No thanks Remus, I'm sure you have a lot of marking to do," replied Luka with a smile as she continued to stroke Elise under the chin.
Professor Lupin chuckled, "Yes, that is the thing with teaching. Marking work is something you will have to endure very soon. From what I heard Charity tell Albus you'll be quite busy helping her with Muggle Studies,"
"I know, it seems strange to teach such ordinary things as if they're an alien subject," Luka replied thoughtfully as she contemplated her workload.
"Well things such as electricity are completely alien to some students. A few have never even seen a light bulb until Charity's class," smiled Professor Lupin.
Luka shook her head. Such insular fools, but then again that worked to her advantage.
"What else do you think you'll be doing this year?" continued Professor Lupin.
"Oh... catching up on recent chemistry papers, Sebastian says I have a backlog of 'Chemistry World' magazines a mile long... I think I'll try to learn potions at an accelerated rate, a lot of my scientific expertise should help. Erm, if I have any spare time I may ask Professor Dumbledore if I can restart the Duelling club. If it had been Professor Snape teaching rather than that twit Lockhart it may have worked out quite well," mused Luka before her focus snapped back, "and of course resume my work at the Funtom bar and as regional werewold executioner. Now that I'm not classed as a werewolf I should be able to get my job back,"
"You're still going to work for that demon?" asked Professor Lupin incredulously.
"Well of course, I have debts to pay and it isn't as if my being here has shifted my loyalty,"
"So," began the professor, "you intend to take a full year's study with accelerated potions, cover some Muggle Studies lessons, kill errant weres, work for your infernal 'master' and set up a duelling club,"
Luka thought for a moment before replying, "I'll see how it goes for the first month or two and then I'll look into the duelling club,"
Professor Lupin nodded and went to leave, as he reached the door he turned back to face Luka, "Does he... treat you well?"
"I'm here aren't I?" responded Luka.
"That doesn't answer the question,"
"Yes, he treats me well," replied Luka a small smile appearing, "once you get to know Sebastian he isn't really that bad. Even if he is a bit of a sadist,"
Seeing that he wouldn't get any more information out of her Professor Lupin bade Luka goodnight and retired to his own room.
The next morning Luka awoke and glared at the offending sunshine, she had grown used to the darkness of the dungeons. Fumbling for the light on her watch she hissed at the time, too early to get up and too late to go back to sleep. It seemed like her first day at Hogwarts as herself was not going to go well. Fortunately breakfast was a relatively sedate affair.
"Stop glaring at me like that you don't own the colour black you know," grumbled Luka at the surly potions master.
"You are a witch, you should dress like one," spat Professor Snape as he continued with his glare.
"Just because I've been posted here doesn't mean I'm going to start wearing robes," replied Luka as she smoothed the sleeve of her pin striped jacket.
"What are you going to tell your old friends?" asked Professor Lupin as he gestured over to the Slytherin table.
"I'll probably just tell them that Luka Pearson died," said Luka calmly.
Professor Lupin's fork hovered in the air, "Why on Earth are you going to tell them that you died?"
"Because that's the truth, the personality they came to know is no more. Besides if I just say that she moved schools they're going to ask why and they'll probably try to write letters. It's simply far more efficient to tell them of my alter ego's demise," replied Luka as she rose to leave whilst the older werewolf shook his head at her warped logic.
Making her way out of the great hall Luka looked down at her new timetable, unfortunately this preoccupation stopped her from noticing Professor Burbage until it was too late.
"Ah, you must be Luka! I'm so pleased to meet you," chirped the woman as she grabbed Luka's hand in greeting.
For a moment the nephilim stood stock still in alarm before she surveyed the bubbly woman in front of her. Professor Burbage was clad in what Muggles would recognise as fashions of the late nineteen forties with her light ginger hair carelessly combed into a messy bun.
"Yes...erm... nice to meet you too," she replied unsurely.
"Oh I'm sure our classes will be so happy to hear from someone who has actually lived as a Muggle for most of their lives. I have previously had some Muggle -borns hold talks in class about what it's like but usually once they get a taste of the magical world they leave their old one behind, but not you, you've attempted to remain true to your roots despite becoming endowed with magic," babbled the professor as Luka juts nodded dumbly.
Five minutes later Luka stumbled into her first class still not entirely sure about what she had agreed to do for the overly amiable Muggle studies professor.
As the last minutes of transfiguration ticked away Luka collected her thoughts on how she was to explain her alter ego's death to her past friends. She was currently sitting in on the class with Lucy and Peter and earlier she'd asked Colin to join his friends to meet her at the beginning of lunch. Quickly without her noticing time had passed and she was standing in the corridor with three second years staring at her questioningly.
"Why are we here miss?" piped Colin.
"I wanted to discuss your friend Luka Pearson," replied Luka calmly her heart sinking slightly when she saw sadness darken the faces of the children.
"We haven't seen or heard from her in days..." began Lucy.
"Well, erm...yes. I'm afraid you won't be seeing her again,"
"Why not?" asked Colin.
"She's dead," replied Luka tactlessly.
Instantly Lucy seemed to fold in on herself and Luka had to suppress her natural distaste as the girl began to cry. Perhaps she should have taken Professor McGonagall up on her offer to explain the situation for her...
"How did she die?" asked Peter as he put an arm around his sister.
"Painlessly in her sleep. The medical examination revealed that she had had a long standing illness,"
"So she didn't suffer?" sniffled Lucy.
"Completely painless. Now if you will excuse me," Luka turned to leave them in peace before remembering what else she wanted to say, "ah, before I forget. Creevey, I believe it would be a good idea if you channel your passion for photography into something useful, perhaps a school newspaper,"
XXX
"How did it go?" asked Professor Lupin as Luka sat down for the evening meal, he hadn't seen her since breakfast.
"Fine, a little strange since I'm taller than most of the class by about a foot but luckily they're still buying my cover story. Though I suppose it helps that I'm actually helping Professor Burbage out with all her years rather just the second years like in the other classes," replied Luka as she helped herself to some steak and kidney pie.
The professor smiled as he pictured Luka sitting in the corner of each class head and shoulders above the others before his expression became serious.
"I didn't mean that, how did it go with your friends?"
"A little awkward. I've never been good with tears. Do you know where I can find Professor Snape?" asked Luka as she smoothly changed the subject.
"I believe he's in the staff room, he usually has his dinner early and then retires to either the staff room or his office," replied Professor Lupin chirpily.
Luka nodded as she chewed on a piece of offal, "I have yet to discuss my potions workload and I want to get started as soon as possible. Knowing the professor he will probably be insulted that I wish to go through his teaching material faster than usual,"
"Yes, he is quite attached to his subject," smiled the professor, "do you really think you can cope with learning potions so quickly?"
"I don't see why not. Potions is the closest thing to chemistry and as an organic chemist I have had to memorise hundreds of reactants, the different pathways they participate in and what products and intermediates they produce. Compared to that simply knowing what each ingredient can be used for seems simple,"
"I wouldn't tell Severus that,"
"Provided he doesn't contest the issue too much I won't, now if you will excuse me I have to track him down," replied Luka as she rose to leave.
"Oh Luka, have you heard the latest from the 'Evening Prophet'? A new disease has hit St Mungo's," added the werewolf.
"Really?" asked Luka as she turned away to hide her smile.
XXX
Following the directions the headmaster had given her in her introductory talk Luka found the door to the staff room. As her hand neared the door knob Luka smiled slightly, as a past student it just felt so wrong for her to enter and the gargoyles were eyeing her accusingly. Shaking off the stares she stepped through the door. Things weren't what she expected. Having seen the staff rooms of her previous schools she expected it to be outfitted like the staff offices. However what she saw was a few desks, one of which had a book shoved under one leg to stabilise it, an old, battered wardrobe and numerous chairs which had seen better years. Luka surmised that they were here because no one wanted them but the headmaster was too miserly to part with them. Looking around quickly the nephilim homed in on the potions master sat in the corner with his back to the room.
"Professor?" she asked as black eyes flitted from the pages of 'Potions Monthly' to her face.
"Oh, you needn't call him 'Professor' anymore dear. Just call him Severus, we all do. Don't we Severus?"
Said professor merely glared at Madam Pomfrey for the interruption before turning to address Luka, "Yes, Miss Reginold?"
"If it convenient for you sir I would like to discuss my course in potions,"
"Of course, why would it ever inconvenience me to tend to your whims?" spat Professor Snape as Luka narrowed her eyes which were shifting from honey brown to yellow in annoyance.
"Severus be nice," warned Professor McGonagall as she looked up from her chess game with the school matron.
The potions master rolled his eyes before returning his attention to Luka, "So, what did you want to discuss?"
"I wanted to ask if it would be possible for me to increase my potions workload so that I could complete the course at an earlier date,"
Professor Snape eyed her carefully before answering, "And what, pray tell, makes you think that you can handle an accelerated potions course?"
"Potions is a cross between cooking and chemistry and I'm proficient at both," replied Luka who noted with some satisfaction that the professor's nostrils flared at the comparison of his beloved subject and the chore wearily undertaken by housewives the world over.
"Potions is most certainly not like cooking," he hissed, black eyes burning with indignation.
"Well I'd agree that's it not like nuking last night's leftovers in the microwave," chirped Luka mischievously, " that said you could probably use a saucepan and an electric or gas hob if you really needed to. A blender might come in handy too, though you wouldn't be able to use the again as it would probably be contaminated..."
Professor Snape's eyes narrowed into slits as he regarded the impudent specimen before him, "Fine. If you wish to pursue this foolish course of action you may, but it will be in your own time. Come to me only if you have the finished brew,"
"That is perfectly reasonable Severus," replied Luka as tipped her head with a smirk on her lips just as she had been taught.
XXX
The early October passed quickly and Luka progressed smoothly with her potions course much to the chagrin of her reluctant teacher. Muggle studies on the other hand was completely different, virtually none of the class had been raised outside of the magical world. When presented with a plug socket one boy had even attempted to stick his fingers in the holes. Despite the socket not being connected to the mains Luka still found herself tempted to swat the boy for his sheer stupidity. Thankfully after a brief explanation that the flow of sub atomic particles, that had incurred a lecture in its own right, through his body would cause his heart to stop beating and the electrical energy, another discussion, would be enough to fry him like a chicken the fool treated the device with more sense. Unfortunately this led to a discussion with Professor McGonagall over what was suitable to tell children. At present she sat at her desk marking papers on how Muggles lifted heavy objects. It was a complete farce, whilst health and safety was looked on with contempt by the majority of the Muggle population it seemed that magical schools ranked it highly. Flicking through diagrams that faithfully reproduced the act of lifting a large cardboard box Luka's thoughts strayed back to her other job. She had successfully reclaimed her title of district Executioner which meant that she would now have a little disposable income since all her bar wages went straight to Sebastian to pay her debt. He had offered to give her weekly spending money but Luka had declined that particularly insulting gesture. Also, a certain trio of mick-taking furballs had decided to send her, via Elise, what they believed to be a fitting gift for a nephilim. As a result the three small angelfish were currently swimming around with a bunch of cory catfish in a rather oversized tank next to Mel's. It was fortunate that she could use magic to heat and light the tanks and in the case of the fish run the filter. With her debt to Sebastian she had little cash to spare buying new appliances. Once finished with the paperwork Luka returned to the list she and Sebastian had drawn up of those who were to be executed, as per Ciel's instructions Madame 'Toad-face' Umbridge had also been added. The promise she had sworn to Professor Dumbledore meant that she could not attack anyone in the Ministry, but if they were to leave its employ... That had possibilities. Also, from Sebastian's snooping they had found that some believed a war was just over the horizon. If it came to breaking her promise it would be preferable to do so with a copious amount of camouflage. Bright yellow eyes leisurely perused the list again paying special attention to the lists of sins and foibles. Choices...
"Morning Remus," smiled Luka as she sat down for breakfast.
"Good morning, did you sleep well?" chirped the werewolf.
"Yes," replied Luka as she reached for the food.
"Are you sure?" pressed Professor Lupin his cheer morphing into concern.
"Of course," countered Luka as her eyes flitted to the side.
"Really? I must have been imagining the screams I heard last night," the professor hushed his voice as a colleague passed, "what you have gone through would be traumatic for anyone. There's no shame in needing to talk with someone,"
"I'm fine," growled Luka, she hated it when people began poking their noses into her affairs. That and she was sure she had put up silencing charms.
"As you wish, just remember that my door is always open," whispered Professor Lupin as Professor Snape took his seat on Luka's right.
"What are you two gossiping about? How to control your symptoms?" hissed the potions master as he reached for the bacon.
"Not that at all Severus, Luka and I were merely discussing the chances of Slytherin beating Gryffindor in the first quidditch game of the season. I think Draco's injury will be quite a set back," replied Professor Lupin with a smile.
"I think not. I have just overheard a discussion between Minerva and Poppy. Apparently Wood has been pushing his band of merry fools a little hard considering the weather and Poppy is worried that they will all have contracted pneumonia by the end of the month. That and Gryffindor haven't laid a finger on the quidditch cup in seven years,"
"You never know Severus it might be their year,"
Professor Snape merely snorted in derision.
XXX
"What's this?" asked Luka as Professor Lupin handed her a piece of folded parchment as she sat reading on her bed.
"A message from the headmaster," replied the professor as he joined Luka on the bed, "what are you reading?"
"'Advanced Potions', since I took up the accelerated course Severus has been constantly trying to find fault with my work and knowledge. I refuse to lose an argument to him through my own ignorance," replied Luka as she plucked the note from Professor Lupin's grasp.
Professor Lupin chuckled, "Luka he's a potions master you are bound to lose an argument to him at some point if it concerns potions,"
"I don't care, I have no intention of losing to him," replied Luka ignoring Lupin's continuing sniggers, "eugh. I've got the job of looking after the brats at Hogsmeade,"
"Is it really that bad?"
"Yes, the little buggers have been becoming more agitated by the day. It'll be worse than looking after a bunch of petty criminals on a day trip from an open prison,"
"You sound like Severus," smiled Professor Lupin as he flopped backwards onto the bed.
As he lay still he felt the quilt move behind him. Looking up he saw Mel staring at him, his forked tongue flicking in and out rapidly.
"Don't worry about him, the more his tongue flicks the more interested he is. The worst thing he'll do is curl up on you and try to nick your body heat," said Luka as she watched the apprehensive professor.
Professor Lupin continued to eye the snake warily, gradually the unblinking stare became too disquieting, "Does he ever blink?"
"His eyelids are fused together to form a lens so no. I didn't know you had ophidiophobia Remus,"
"Ophidio-what?"
"Snake phobia,"
"Oh, I don't think I have it," replied Professor Lupin now sure about what they were talking about.
"Why are you staring at Mel like he's going to eat you then?"
"I suppose being a Gryffindor listening to all those 'evil snake' tales and the basilisk from last year have made me a little paranoid," replied the professor with a faint smile.
"Believe me, you can't mistake Mel for a basilisk any day. He's four feet long, the basilisk there was here was about four feet in diameter. Haven't you seen the body?"
"No,"
"Perhaps you could take a look on the Hogsmeade weekend unless you're herding brats like me," suggested Luka.
"No I got out of that, too much marking to do. Well, that and I have to start taking the Wolfsbane potion,"
"Hmmm, I don't know what's worse; chaperoning the cretins or marking their hastily cobbled together chicken scratch,"
Lupin chuckled, "That's a second time that you've sounded like Severus. How much time are the pair of you spending together?"
"Not that much, he just gives me the instructions for the extra potions and receives the fruits of my labour with a sour look although sometimes he does supervise me with the more advanced stuff. Although, I am proud to say, he has never once had need to intervene. I think he just watches purely to see if he can catch me making a mistake so he can constantly crow over it afterwards,"
"So it's coincidence that the pair of you have pretty much exactly the same view of your charges?"
"I've never liked children, not even when I was one. I find their lack of manners and general immaturity highly irritating. I can tolerate the polite ones but those are few and far between,"
The professor just shook his head before pressing forward with the conversation, "Would you like a game of chess later?"
Luka paused her reading before turning to the werewolf, "If this is another one of your attempts to make me open up and speak about my emotions the answer is no. You know I find that invasive," she growled.
Professor Lupin paused, he knew he had been pushing his luck but Luka's screams had been hard to forget. Not to mention the description of what had happened to her he'd heard from Professor Snape and Madam Pomfrey. It just couldn't be healthy for someone to bottle all that up and who else was she going to talk to? Sebastian? No, that fiend only treated her as a possession thought Lupin angrily.
"No, just an ordinary game. No prying," said the professor hopefully, perhaps it would be best to let her talk at her own pace.
"Alright then but don't expect to win. I've been trained by the master of games,"
XXX
"This is going to be hell," groaned Luka as she looked out at the great hall from the staff table.
Dozens upon dozens of overly cheerful little faces lit up house tables like the obnoxious light bulbs that are of useful incandescence only when one is hung over.
"Well, if a small brigade of children are too much for you to bear I suppose you can always contact the Ministry and ask for them to transfer you back to Azkban," sneered Professor Snape from Luka's right who had taken great delight in telling her that he would be remaining in the warmth of the castle for the day.
Luka snorted. It was bad enough babysitting the children without the potion masters comments. Although on the bright side she didn't have to constantly supervise them so she could have a look at the Shrieking Shack and the Hog's Head which while less than respectable was still a viable alternative to the Three Broomsticks which would be full of children. Madam Puddifoots which Professor Lupin had told her about was out to on the count of that she didn't drink tea. Then after she was finished at Hogsmeade Sebastian had ordered her to help with the Halloween shift at the bar as a special treat. Oh the joys of being both a prisoner and a servant.
As she left the castle she passed Filch and made sure to return his sour look. Professor Lupin had told her that he as a squib and in the magical world his choice was either self inflicted exile to the Muggle realm or eke out a living as servant whilst his family turned their backs in shame. That was why he treated the headmaster with such reverence, he had given him the chance of work at a valued institution. Just like Hagrid and Professor Lupin. Curious why Dumbledore liked to surround himself with those who owed him debts. Either he was a truly generous man who simply liked to help those who were out of luck or he was a manipulative old git who liked to be able to control those close to him. Luka chose the latter.
It was interesting to see the school from outside the gates, last time she hadn't had the chance to have a good look. It was truly a vast structure, it was quite a display of power for the castle to not only be protected effectively but also hidden from the non-magical world and any passerby. As part of the group making its way to the village Luka brought up the rear to make sure no stragglers got into any trouble. Fortunately that part of the job went without a hitch and after another cautionary talk from Professor McGonagall in the village square the group broke up. Politely declining an offer of a drink at the Three Broomsticks from the transfiguration mistress Luka headed to the apothecary, lunch could wait for a few hours.
Once her potions supplies were replenished and she had mooched around to her satisfaction Luka headed to the Hog's Head. Located in the less salubrious district it was easy to pick out as the largest building although with its distinct list and run down aura it would be interesting to see how long it did manage to last. Stepping through the threshold Luka found that the interior was no better than the exterior. Dirty tile floors covered with straw, the odd spittoon and a staff that consisted of an old man and a goat. However there was something of interest to be found amongst the flotsam of magical society. Sitting at the bar as if completely oblivious to all that was around him was Sebastian. Luka smiled slightly as she saw that he had dressed for the occasion. Muggle clothes would have attracted too much attention so the demon was garbed in what Luka recognised to be his nineteenth century tutor's outfit although the brown frock coat was a tad faded and he hadn't donned his glasses. As she neared him his claret eyes flicked up from the glass of whiskey he was supping and he indicated the bar stool next to him.
"I'd never had thought I would see you in a place like this," said Luka.
The demon smiled, "Despite the poor ambience I find it quaint. It reminds me of when plagues were far easier to spread,"
"Why are you here? I'm seeing you tonight," enquired Luka as she sat down.
"Seeing being the operative word. Odds we are all to be rushed off our feet tonight so I thought I had better discuss what I wanted here," replied Sebastian as he took another sip of his amber liquid.
Before Luka could further engage her master in discussion the barman drifted over.
"What do you want?" asked Aberforth Dumbledore gruffly.
"Erm ginger beer please,"
"In a clean glass," added Sebastian coldly.
Luka smiled, it seemed that his butler's instincts had yet to fade. She'd happily put money on Sebastian never letting Ciel step foot in the establishment without a direct order to the contrary. Before she could drift further into her own world the barman returned with her drink and accepted the payment with a grumble before moving off.
"You would never guess that he's the headmaster's brother would you?" said Sebastian with a smirk.
Luka stopped mid-sip as she stared at the barman.
"Really?"
"Oh yes, apparently the two brothers don't get on either," chuckled the demon, "now back to business. At the end of our last discussion you mentioned arsenic,"
"Whilst unpredictable it is my preferred method for dealing with the ex-Ministry personnel now in Azkaban. It won't be picked up by their magic detectors and done in the correct dosage over a while it will pass as death by natural bodily decline," replied Luka in a conversational tone.
"What about the others?"
"I would like to get rid of Fudge but his main weakness was his incompetence and that's too well known for us to use. Umbridge would be a good candidate though, we just have to make sure we don't get too many dismissed in too small a time frame or people will become suspicious,"
"I agree. Also, for each scandal we will have to rely heavily on word of mouth as their press is far from free,"
"True. I think for Madam Umbridge we can rely on her blood-purity mania to help us. If we can get hold of her family tree we can either use it directly or manipulate it into showing her for the hypocrite she is. There is always a bunch of Muggle borns or squibs somewhere," said Luka as she mulled over her ideas for revenge.
"Correct but that will only shame her. We are aiming for her dismissal. I think we should proceed with your plan but that will only be the start. Given her disdain for Muggles it is highly probable that she has at some point attacked one. And if she hasn't... well we'll deal with that. Some fabricated evidence and a selective memory charm on the toad and we'll be in business," smiled Sebastian.
"Who's going to do the memory charm?" asked Luka in confusion.
"You,"
"I can't use magic on those still in the Ministry, as it is I'm stretching my oath to its limit," replied Luka.
"Not quite. Your promise was that you wouldn't harm a Ministry official. The old man never mentioned memory charms. Do you think you can do it?"
"Of course," said Luka indignantly, "when shall we do it?"
"Not yet. It's too soon after the trial, you are sure to be suspected. Especially with the 'plague' going around St Mungo's,"
"Yeah, I'm lucky I haven't had a knock on the door about that," replied Luka thoughtfully.
"So enough talk about shop, how has your life been since we talked last?"
"Alright, I'm getting into the routine. Severus is still giving me grief over potions but so far he can't complain. All work has been handed in promptly," replied Luka with a little sarcasm, it had begun to irritate her how condescending and snide the potions master could be.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes, he'd taken an instant dislike to the onyx eyed man the second he had dared to pick up his servant.
"Anything else happened?"
"I think Remus has finally given up trying to get me to talk. Honestly the man's been like a dog with a bone up 'til now," replied Luka with a sigh.
"Oh, what has he been asking of you?" asked Sebastian with renewed interest.
"Just the usual, it started after he heard me wake up from a nightmare. He's been giving me the typical he will listen if I need to talk, his door is always open etcetera, etcetera. It's nice of him to offer but after the first few times saying no becomes rather tiresome,"
"I see," replied Sebastian coldly, Luka narrowed her eyes as she saw him clench his jaw slightly.
"Sebastian, we've been over this. Your father wouldn't hear of it before and you know what will happen if we cross him. Besides I think we've moved beyond that and you did say-"
"Yes I know what I said," said Sebastian with a huff, "it is just so galling that when I find someone I am interested in my father of all people step in. I'm not a child anymore and have you seen those harlots at court?"
"Yes I have seen those harlots as you call them, though at last glance some have the same status as you. Um... and as for the child reference, is this the part where you finally tell me your age? I've been with you for years and all I've gotten is a few mysterious references," smiled Luka.
"No this isn't that part. Not even Ciel knows," replied Sebastian with a smile of his own, "now seeing as you have brats to watch over I think I shall take my leave and let you get back to work. I will see you tonight,"
"See you later," Luka replied as Sebastian left leaving her alone in the dingy pub.
The walk back to the school was far more arduous than the walk from it, it was uphill for one thing. That and the stragglers didn't seem to want to leave the village. Every two minutes one had to stop to tie their shoelace or shift their sweet laden bags. It grated on Luka's wick, she knew she would have to rush anyway to get to the bar but this was just getting ridiculous. Such a pity that cattle prods were deemed inhumane.
XXX
Sebastian had been spot on when he had said that staff would only catch glimpses of one another. The combination of the holiday, zombie burlesque troupe and cocktail happy hour had brought the hordes in their various shapes and sizes. Weres of all varieties in their animal forms, ghouls and gargoyles mingled under the strobe lights as the kelpie band played. Half way through her shift Luka noticed the approach of two of her favourite fluff balls. Mike in his wolf form with his brother striding alongside, unlike his younger brother Jim assumed a more humanoid form but one that was still far more lupine than human.
"Evening Luka," growled Jim.
"Evening you two, what can I get you?"
"Two tequila sunrises please," replied the blonde as he fumbled with the money.
As Luka took the money and passed the bowls over he spoke again, "There's a rumour going around,"
"What about this time?" asked Luka as she rolled her eyes, there was always something going around. It was like a verbal flu.
"Apparently some pack leaders want to press forwards with making weres public. Given the nature of the Ministry I don't think they'll like it,"
"I concur, odds are they will sabotage anything they think will drag them closer to the public eye. That and they despise werewolves," replied Luka.
"Which is why we think we should take this time to seek an advantage," said Mike as he lapped at the last of the grenadine.
"What sort of advantage?" asked Luka with narrowed eyes.
"Despite the belief that werewolfism and its relatives are passed on a by a virus it is known that there is a magical component right?" asked Jim.
"Yes, using scientific methods alone we can't pin down the condition," replied Luka.
"So it follows that we are magical and to an extent we can control magic," pressed the lycanthrope.
"Yes, what are you getting at?"
"We want to extend our capabilities. We want magic,"
"Ah," said Luka finally comprehending what they were after, " you really want to play with fire don't you. If the Ministry gets wind of proficient magic users in the 'Muggle' were community their crack down will be far more vicious and even if you ignore that once Mathew hears about he'll consider you a threat,"
"Firstly, we don't intend to make this public knowledge. Two, you still have to protect us," chirped Jim.
Luka groaned, she hated to be reminded of the amount of weres she had to protect, especially when said weres had such a knack for getting into trouble.
"So what do you intend to do?"
"I was thinking you could loan us a few of your books or tell us a few exercises we could do to enhance our control over our magic," replied Jim.
"I can do that," replied Luka.
"Great, thanks. We'll let you get back to work," smiled the werewolf as the pair trotted off with a distinct flicking of their tails.
Luka shook her head and resumed her duties, just a few more hours and she would be in her nice, comfy bed.
After the seemingly mammoth wait to clock off Luka made her way back through the shadow gates. As she felt herself slide back into normal space Luka was surprised to find that Professor Lupin was waiting for her. Frowning she asked him what was going on.
"I'm surprised you don't know Luka, the headmaster's been trying to get hold of you for hours. Sirius Black has broken into Hogwarts," replied the professor.
Luka groaned, so much for the bed.