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For copyright and disclaimers, please see chapter 1
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17 – Classes, Week Nineteen, Second Year
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Sunday, January 2, 2000:
Hogwarts, Potion Master's office: 07:11
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Severus' email dinged, and he opened up the message.
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Kelly Bundy
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:09:48
Subject: New instructor
I'll be setting up the new instructor's computer and accounts after lunch, so this is your last chance to gossip about him. When I met him last night in the Headmaster's office, he was alleged to be a martial artist – any books running on that contest with Miss Wayne?
Yawning,
Kelly
Severus snorted, and clicked 'Reply All':
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Severus Snape
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:11:17
Subject: Re: New instructor
Wagering on a contest between a student and an instructor? How unprofessional!
I am considering a book. However, given Miss Wayne's skills, I doubt there are any who would wager against her. The only real wager would be on how long she let him live.
Severus
With a 'ding', a reply came in:
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:13:19
Subject: Re 2: New instructor
I would wager a sickle on the Leftenant (whom I met last night), only out of Gryffindor loyalty. I presume you all know the 'spectatio' spell? How long do you think the contest might go on?
Minerva
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Harry Potter
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:15:23
Subject: Re 3: New instructor
Harry's sleeping off too much muggle whiskey, we had a rather stressful holiday in GothamCity (yes, Miss Wayne's hometown). Given that, I would wager five galleons the Leftenant will be unconscious within five minutes, and will spend a week in the Infirmary.
Ginny
(reading Harry's mail)
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:18:49
Subject: Re 4: New instructor
You forgot to mention that he's an arrogant prat, Ginny. Three galleons on eight minutes, and ten days or three broken bones.
Minerva
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Filius Flitwick
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:23:09
Subject: Re 5: New instructor
Don't forget the 'audentia' argument to that spell, Minnie. Does anyone know where the contest will be held? It's a short-range spell.
I'm not as familiar with Miss Wayne's skills as some of you. However, I did see her 'workout' with her brother last year. (A most frightening thing THAT was! This is her recreation?) We must also remember her single-handed capture of Lucius Malfoy and his Death Eaters last year. As you know, Mr. Malfoy was no slouch when it came to fighting.
Given that, and with my discussions with last year's Quidditch team in mind, I'll wager ten galleons on a nice, round ten minutes (I think she'll play with him), and five broken bones.
Filius
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Pomona Sprout
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:26:29
Subject: Re 6: New instructor
Shame on all of us!
There. That's been said. Now then, four galleons on under five minutes, and a week (seven days, not five) with Poppy.
Same rules as Quidditch books, Severus?
Yawning,
Pommie
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Severus Snape
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:31:19
Subject: Re 7: New instructor
Yes, same rules. I would like to mention that Miss Wayne has taken an oath not to kill, or as she put it once, 'I am no one's executioner.' The Leftenant's injuries will depend on his pride and how much he pisses her off.
That being said; I have also spoken with last year's Quidditch team. I will wager ten galleons on seven minutes, and two weeks with Poppy. The number of broken bones depends on the Leftenant.
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:34:39
Subject: Re 8: New instructor
Having spoken with our new instructor, he will be using the defense classroom temporarily until other arrangements can be made. Pommie, might we impose on you for use of your gymnasium?
The Leftenant offered no reason for his delay other than 'Orders, sorry, guv.' Rather cheeky, I thought, but I'll reserve judgment, and I'll ask the rest of you to also. Give the boy a chance, now, he does have a black belt in the martial arts.
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Severus Snape
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:37:01
Subject: Re 9: New instructor
Albus, perhaps you are unaware of Miss Wayne's qualifications? She has not one, but SIX black belts in several different styles, and would have more except for rules restricting her to testing only every five years.
This is like asking a first year to duel you or Potter, Albus.
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Harry Potter
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:41:29
Subject: Re 10: New instructor
Severus, I mildly resent that. I've been working hard with my first-years.
Harry
(the REAL Harry, Ginny having left for the shop)
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Poppy Pomfrey
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:45:39
Subject: Re 11: New instructor
Did you take your hangover potion, Harry, and where are your babies?
Two galleons each from Narcissa and I; she wagers three minutes, I'm saying five. As we'll be taking care of the leftenant we won't wager on his injuries.
Harry, one cup of tea, then we want you to drink water all day. I've informed Dobby.
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Pomona Sprout
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:47:59
Subject: Re 12: New instructor
BABIES? WHAT BABIES?
To: All Hogwarts Staff
From: Harry Potter
Date: 2 January, 2000 07:51:19
Subject: Re 13: New instructor
Ginny gave birth on Boxing Day in Gotham. She's got the twins with her to show off at the shop, I'll fetch them at lunch.
Harry
(Dreading what Fred & George will do.)
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Sunday, January 2, 2000:
Hogsmeade, Weasley Wizarding Wheezes: 07:47
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Ginny let herself in the back, Ian waving at her from behind a cauldron. She cancelled the levitation spell, causing the twins' pram to sink to the floor. Ian called, "Y' had the wee bairns! When?"
"Boxing Day, in the States." She fussed with the nappies; then took the chair at the battered desk. "This is Sirius James Remus, and his big sister Molly Lilly Potter. Finish the potion, though."
"Jus' be another minute, then it cools f' an hour," Ian replied. He added some leaves, the potion turned vivid purple and banged, giving off green smoke. He looked at the clock, making a note on the clipboard; then setting a muggle kitchen timer. Pulling off his protective glasses, he washed his hands, then crouched down next to the pram, saying, "'lo, there, wee ones. I'm y' Uncle Ian." Molly reached up and grabbed his finger, pulling it toward her mouth. Ian chuckled, "As concerned w' food as your namesake Gran, y' are." Looking at Ginny, he asked, "How is y' parents?"
"They'll be happy to return home. Owls to Ireland are bloody expensive; I can't wait until we can get email here."
"Aye. 'Tis bloody pains in the arse to apparate to Inverness tae send mail. Too bad we cannae hop on Hogwarts' connection."
"Hmm. The way the Ministry's been cost-cutting, I'm surprised they still pay British Telecom for it." She glanced at Ian, then around the shop. "I wonder if we could hook it in here."
"In Aberdeen, they hae' places they call 'Internet Cafes'," Ian mused. "Pubs that y' can rent a machine f' an hour or two." He looked at Ginny, and identical grins spread across their faces.
"We do get a lot of muggle-born in here. Would it be in competition with; or maybe within the Three Broomsticks pub?" Ginny wondered.
"I've never run a pub," Ian confessed. He gently extracted his finger from Molly's grip; then said, "Number 44 next door on High Street is vacant. We've got a shipment ready for th' Diagon Alley shop, why don' y' talk to y' brothers when y' showin' off the bairns, an' maybe talk tae Tom a' the Cauldron? Mayhap he's a relative, or is interested in expandin' his business."
"Let's ask Lee, he's muggle-born. And he needs to properly admire my babies," Ginny said with a grin.
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Sunday, January 2, 2000:
Hogwarts, Headmaster's office: 08:00
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"Ah, Leftenant, come in, come in! Welcome back to Hogwarts!" Albus called, levitating a tea set. "Minerva get your quarters all sorted out?"
"Yes, sir, thank you, sir," Leftenant Martin said.
"Have a bit of tea and sit down, we're not that formal. Now then, we have a weekly staff meeting Wednesday mornings at seven in the staff room off the ground floor. Pomona's house has cleaned up the gymnasium near the Hufflepuff common room, we've installed a makeshift dojo in there, and at least the walls and floor are padded. Miss Wayne has been teaching martial arts in there on Sunday afternoons."
"Teaching? I thought Mr. Potter was the defense instructor."
"He is," Albus replied.
"Well, I'm sure I'll get everyone up to scratch," the young leftenant said confidently.
Albus smiled, "Miss Wayne is uniquely suited to instruct this, she has the most experience with the martial arts." He stood, "Come, I'll show you about. By the by, the staff password for January is 'rainbow'."
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"I never knew this was here," the leftenant admitted, looking through the windows at the gym. Inside, a few students worked out on the weights, while Arthur and Charlie were shooting baskets. He looked again, "Is this Miss Wayne inside?"
"I do not see her," Albus said, looking about. "However, two of her study group is here, perhaps they know."
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Albus smiled, "Good morning, Mr. Adams; Mr. Morton. This is our new instructor, Leftenant Martin of the Royal Marines. He'll be teaching Martial Arts and physical fitness."
Arthur and Charlie glanced at each other; then shot the ball at the Leftenant. He grinned; then tried a hook shot, which bounced off the rim. The ball bounced off toward the weight machines, where Jeremy caught it, bounced it a couple times; and then sank a long three-pointer.
"Very nice," the leftenant said. "I've heard some things about a Miss Wayne, is she here?"
"I think she's sleeping off jet lag," Arthur said. "She went back to the States for Christmas, her flight got in late last night. When and where is your class?"
"For now, it will be in here, and alternating with Dark Arts, until we can adjust the schedules," the headmaster said. "I'll formally announce it tomorrow at breakfast. Come, leftenant, the dojo is over here."
Jeremy and Amy walked over, "That's the new instructor?" Jeremy said quietly. "He looks like my older brother. He can't be more than twenty, twenty five at most."
"Did you smell how nervous he was?" Amy asked, stealing the ball from Charlie and dribbling it. "Who's running a book on the first match he has with Wayne?"
"We met him at the airport last night," Charlie said. "He boasted of having a black belt, and offered to make Wayne his 'assistant'."
Amy tried to stifle her laughter. "Oh, she is going to absolutely flatten him. The only questions are how long she stretches it out, and how many bones she'll break. When do second-years have DADA?"
"Monday afternoons," Charlie replied.
"I've got sixth-year Charms then," Jeremy complained, Amy saying, "Magical Creatures for fourth-years." She nudged Jeremy, "We should get a pass on that class."
"Right-o," he snorted. "Better than Hagrid's bloody flobberworms," he said. "They're coming back. I'll run the book, but mum's the word!"
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Sunday, January 2, 2000:
Hogwarts, Astronomy tower: 08:17
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The student strolled insolently over to where the two men sat. Sneering, they were asked, "Hagrid, Filch. Did you replace the school's candles as I ordered?"
They nodded dumbly, eyes glassy. The student snorted, and drew a wand. A quick incantation and they lumbered off, back to their quarters and their beds. The student watched them, brown hair blowing in the breeze on the top of the tower. With a smirk, she cast a quick stunner on a bench; then turned to gaze out over the parapets of Hogwarts.
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Sunday, January 2, 2000:
London, 93 Diagon Alley, Weasley Wizarding Wheezes: 10:14
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With a 'pop', Ginny materialized in the back room of the Wheeze. George looked up from the books, calling "Ginny!" and dropping his quill. "You brought them! Let me see them!" He crouched over them saying, "Hullo, there. I'm your uncle Gred."
Fred had come in, Ginny saying, "I want your word now. No playing pranks on them, now. At least let them start walking."
"Aww, Ginny!" Fred complained. "You hurt us to the quick! Would we do anything to our favorite niece and nephew?"
"Yes, you would," she replied firmly. "No tricks, pranks or gags. Do I have your word?"
The two pranksters glanced at each other; and then both grew evil grins. "You do, Ginny," one said.
"It just gives us time to raise them up right," his twin said.
"Heaven help us all," Ginny muttered, extracting and expanding the shipment from Hogsmeade. "Ian had an idea about Hogwarts and the Internet. However, it requires expertise in muggle tech, which we're limited on. Why don't we have a cuppa and talk, then, we might need to get someone from Wayne involved."
"You ought to see their new digs, Ginny," George said as he fixed tea. "It's two doors down from the Cauldron, all glass."
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Fred doodled on a muggle legal pad. "The first step is to have a look at Number 44, then. If it's sound, then we buy it and renovate."
"I wonder if anyone's thought of wiring up Diagon Alley for this Interweb thing?" George wondered as he idly stirred his tea. "From what you've said, Gin-Gin, these compulator things are handy. Too bad we missed out on them at Hogwarts." He put his spoon down, musing, "I wonder if you can buy and sell things that way."
"You can," Ginny nodded, summoning the teapot. "Severus has already bought potion supplies that way, although we had to arrange through Gringott's for something called a 'credit card'." She waved the pot invitingly, and Fred raised his cup. "It's a bit of plastic with a number on it that links to your vault. Apparently you can get a merchant's account, so people can buy from you also." Fred stopped pouring, and George reached over to tip the pot up before it spilled. Ginny continued, "What you do is create a 'web site', and have pictures and a description of the item. If you want to buy something, you click on the picture, and fill out how many you want." She raised her hand, "It means keeping an accurate inventory, though, and updating it minute-to-minute. Apparently that's something else these computer things can do and you can tie this into the shop's books, but it also means you can sell things twenty-four hours a day."
"And there's a whole muggle world out there..." Fred breathed. George thumped his back, asking, "How would we ship to muggles?"
"We'd have to have some sort of front, like Wayne does..." Fred said. He scribbled a note on his pad, "That's something we can look at, a whole new line of merchandise for muggles." He changed to a fresh sheet; then looked up, "George, a thought just occurred to me..."
"Careful there..." Ginny said with a grin.
"Shut it, you," Fred grinned. "Why not a shipping point for us, and..." he waved his quill in a circle, "...other merchants through the muggles? We'd have to have some way to get it to them besides owls."
"So we're thinking on buying two new places?" George questioned. He mused, "We'd have to find a shop on Knockturn that backed onto Charing Cross..." he sketched on his own legal pad, adding, "... buy and renovate it, set up accounts with muggle shipping companies..." he looked up, "Do we have that much extra cash?"
"Talk to the accountant," Fred said. "We might have to float a loan, but we could do it."
"Why don't you two take a walk over to Knockturn," Ginny suggested. "You can look at some property; see what's available while I show off the babes to Ron and Lee." She added, "You might ask Tom at the Cauldron on the quiet if he's interested in expanding to Hogsmeade, then on Wednesday night, you might float the shipping point idea at the Merchant's Association meeting."
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Sunday, January 2, 2000:
Hogwarts, Gryffindor table: 12:04
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Mattie yawned as she approached the study group. Mumbling "Good morning," she reached for the coffee pot.
"Afternoon, actually," Charlie said as she sat down.
She sighed with her first sip, and then asked, "How was your holiday?"
"Crowded," Charlie grinned, "But fun. You get used to your hometown, until you see it with someone that's never been there before. Especially someplace like Diagon Alley," he added.
"Point," she nodded. "I found a couple places in Gotham I didn't know were magical until I went looking for them. At least our elves don't have to go to New York for groceries." She took a slurp of coffee; then asked quietly, "How did it go with Ollivander's and the Morton kids?"
"Both Julie and little Bill got wands, although it took Mr. Ollivander forever to fit Bill," Charlie confided. "Mr. Ollivander was thrilled, it took so long." Mattie raised an eyebrow, and Charlie coughed, adding, "Well, almost. You know Mr. Ollivander."
"Actually, we don't," one of the twins said as she sat down. "We got our wands in the Village."
"He's a bit ... off," Andrew said as he joined the table. "Claims to remember every wand he's ever sold. Where is Arthur, by the by?"
"Professor Sprout wanted him for something," Charlie shrugged.
Mattie grunted, and asked Andrew, "How's Felicia? Her first Christmas without her Dad must have been rough."
"I think she spent it with Professor McGonagall and the Headmaster," Andrew said.
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Sunday, January 2, 2000:
Grandview Heights, Ohio, Morton family home: 21:40 (GMT-5)
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Bill Morton carefully unpacked the wooden boxes of Glenfidditch whisky. Stowing the three in the car, he came in and hugged his wife. "Ready to go back to work tomorrow?"
"No..." she turned to look up at him. "It was a wonderful trip, wasn't it?"
"It was," he agreed. "And we know about little Bill, too. I don't know how Julie is going to get through this next year at school."
"She wanted every book in that store," his wife agreed, a small smile on her face.
"Well, at least she'll get her chores done if she's going to get Arthur to tutor her," Bill said. "I think little Bill is going to explode before he can go."
"Speaking of which," Mama Morton said, "I was thinking of a part-time job. We'll have to pay for three at Hogwarts soon, best to start saving now." She sniffed, "I know the Waynes have offered, but ... "
"... but we won't ask for help if we can possibly do it on our own," Bill finished. "I appreciate what the Waynes are doing, and we may need to ask them, but we'll do what we can first. I don't think there will be a problem. The day I was born, Grampa Ed put 5,000 galleons on account with Gringott's to pay for my education at Hogwarts. He did the same thing three years later when my brother Rich was born."
"But he didn't do it when your sister Kathryn was born," his wife added sharply.
"Our Julie is the first witch in Morton family history. I doubt he thought it necessary," Bill said as he held his wife. "Any sexism aside, he didn't cancel the accounts when Rich and I turned out to be magic-less squibs, he just rolled them over into a trust fund. Without that, we couldn't afford to send Arthur, let alone Julie and Billy, to Hogwarts."
"What if Kathy or Rich's kids turn out to be wizards? Or our grandson Carson? There can't be that much money in the account."
"Maybe the Waynes have some investment advice." He nudged her, "We can use that fancy owl hutch for something. In any case, we'll burn that bridge when we come to it."
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Monday, January 3, 2000:
Hogwarts, Potions classroom: 09:00
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The door slammed and locked on the tick of nine, the class instantly falling silent. The black robes of Professor Snape swirled across the raised platform, stopping behind his lectern. He looked them over, before intoning, "Good morning. I hope you had a productive holiday. However, that is now behind us, we need to complete household potions by the end of February." He flicked his wand, "As such, we must accelerate our pace. In here, I have enough Bundimun fungus for everyone. Use your dragon-hide gloves, one of each of you will take a fungus and place it in a glass bowl for squeezing, whilst the other fetches the other ingredients on the board."
"They're ... looking at me," one of the twins said as she stood over the barrel.
"It is not intelligent, like some students in this school, Miss Cortez. Select one, whilst your partner..." Severus glanced at the assignment board, "... Mr. Kirke, prepares the cauldron. You will require at least one hundred milliliters of secretion, and make sure to remove the eyes before ..."
There was an odd squeal, and Felicia was shaking, "I don't know if I can..."
"Miss Hansen, this is no different than harvesting gillyweed extract. You are used to rats gazing back at you before you disembowel them, how is this different?" He gestured, "Miss Tonks, would you do the honors?" She took over as the Bundimun blinked at her.
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The bell rang; the Potion Master saying, "One last thing. On a personal note, I would like to wish the best of luck to Miss Wayne in her next class with the ... Leftenant. I have brewed extra Skele-grow for his treatment." His eyes glittered, "I am certain you will make your house proud."
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Monday, January 3, 2000:
Hogwarts, Great Hall, High Table: 12:08
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"... Starting this week, and until further notice, martial arts classes with Leftenant Martin will be on alternate weeks with DADA in the Hufflepuff gymnasium. Thank you," the Headmaster said as he sat, resuming his conversation with Professor Sprout.
"There go some students," Leftenant Martin said. "They seem to be quite a bit more active than I recall."
"No doubt discussing the change, and catching up after the break," Minerva said, pouring a fresh cuppa. "Tea, Severus?"
"Thank you, Minerva. Yes, that is undoubtedly what they are doing. They will settle down soon, and," the Potion Master added, "It is a great deal more peaceful than when that pack of Weasleys were attending."
"True," Minerva smiled. "I don't need to keep an ear cocked for explosions any more."
"Ah, yes, I remember the twins," the Leftenant said. "They never did take after their brother Percy. What are they doing now?"
"The oldest, Bill, is working as a curse-breaker for Gringotts, and is recently engaged," Minerva said. "He was before your time. The next, Charlie, is a dragon-tamer in Romania and has been in a on-again, off-again relationship with an Auror."
"He was a decent Seeker," the Potion Master added. "With a bit of training, he could have gone professional."
"Thank you, Severus," Minerva said. "Percy, as you know, is now Minister of Education, and ..."
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Monday, January 3, 2000:
Hogwarts, Potions classroom: 13:00
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The door slammed and locked on the stroke of one. Professor Snape strolled up front, addressing his third-years, "Today, we shall have a bit of extra-credit. I want a report from each of you on what you're about to witness." He drew his wand, casting 'spectatio audentia gymnasium'.
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Monday, January 3, 2000:
Hogwarts, Hufflepuff gym: 13:02
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"... and Miss Wayne." Mattie waved from where she was sitting cross-legged on the floor, and the Leftenant blinked at her. "Well, now, you're the young lady I've heard about. You've taken a class or two in the martial arts?"
"One or two, sir," she said demurely. "I'm nowhere near my sensei's level, of course."
'She lies well,' Arthur thought with a frown.
"Of course. For those of you who don't know, 'sensei' means 'teacher'," the Leftenant said. "Well, now, has anyone else experience?"
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Monday, January 3, 2000:
Hogwarts, Charms classroom: 13:04
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"Well, today we have a bit of extra credit," Professor Flitwick told his fifth-years. "This is a handy little charm to enable you to see and hear what goes on behind closed doors. It's a short-range spell, only a few hundred yards at most. It is usually used as a one-way baby-monitoring spell, and can be blocked by wards. For instance, I might cast it like so: 'spectatio audentia gymnasium'. On a shimmering display about three by four feet, the Hufflepuff gymnasium appeared.
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Monday, January 3, 2000:
Hogwarts, Transfiguration office: 13:07
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"There you are, Minerva!" Albus called. "Shall we see how the Leftenant does on his first class?"
"I'll fetch the tea if you would cast the spell, Albus." Minerva bustled off, smiling.
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Monday, January 3, 2000:
Hogwarts, Magical Creatures class: 13:12
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"Professor Hagrid, d'you think we could have the class inside the castle today?" Amy asked. "It's cold and there's supposed to be more snow."
"Cold? Snow?" Hagrid cast an eye on the crystalline blue sky. "'Nae, 'tis warm en'ow. C'mon, nae, 'tis a special treat. She foaled las' night, she did."
Amy sighed, and followed the rest of the freezing class of fourth-years toward the paddock.
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Monday, January 3, 2000:
Hogwarts, Hufflepuff gym: 14:22
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"So now you know how to take a proper fall. I do apologize for damage to your uniforms, for our next class on the, um, seventeenth, please come to class dressed in your workout clothing." The Leftenant said. "In any case, please practice falling, and then we will modify that to include a roll back to your feet. If we practice, by the end of next month, we should have everyone qualified for their white belts."
"Now, then," he told the class. "I understand that three of you already have some martial arts experience; the Cortez twins and Miss Wayne." He motioned her up, asking, "Miss Wayne, the twins have green belts, do you have something more, perhaps a brown belt?"
"A bit more, sir," she said as she removed her robes and straightened her skirt. She bowed to him, taking a ready stance.
"Was your sixth black belt in your third or fourth form, Mattie?" Arthur called; the Leftenant's face paling.
Mattie smiled, "Arthur Donald Morton, your ass is mine," she told him sweetly. Looking at the Leftenant, she told him, "Would you like to withdraw, Leftenant? You're a bit overmatched."
"Six black belts?" he shook his head, asking "In what? Who's your sensei?"
"I would have eight if I didn't have to wait five years between testing," she admitted. "As it is, I've got one black in tai-chi, two blacks each in tai-kwon-do and Formosan karate, and a single black in judo." Mattie grinned at the Leftenant, "I'm working on my fourth degree belts in karate and TKD. Once again, would you like to withdraw, Leftenant?"
"No, thank you," he snapped. "I don't like someone that's having me on. I don't like liars, Miss Wayne."
Mattie lost her smile, her eyes becoming hard. "Very well, no killing blows, Leftenant. I don't like being called a liar." She motioned, "You may make the first move."
------------------------
"Your best bet, mate," Charlie told Arthur, "Is that the Leftenant wears her down enough that she won't thump you too bad. Why on Earth did you say that?"
"She needs to be taken down a peg or two," Arthur said, watching the two circling each other. He called, "Let's see some action!"
"Don't dig yourself in deeper," Mattie replied, throwing the Leftenant as he attempted a grab. He rolled to his feet and came back at her with a front kick. Mattie twisted away and launched a counter-kick toward his knee. It failed to connect as the straight kick had been a feint. Dropping to the ground, the Leftenant attempted to sweep Mattie before she could get her feet set.
Mattie hopped the sweep, spinning her body so the kick landed on her opponent's right knee with an audible 'thunk'. Instead of following up, Mattie allowed the man to hobble away and said, "Leftenant, I have a suggestion."
"That I withdraw? Never! A Marine never backs away from a fight." He managed to stand straight, saying, "You have some experience, Miss Wayne, but that does not make you my superior. You will call me sensei."
"When you've earned it, Leftenant. I was going to suggest that since this is a class, we treat it as such." He grunted, and she continued, "The idea is this class teaches you how to defend yourself without magic. I was simply suggesting we use a real world scenario, for instance, a street mugging."
"That makes sense," he admitted. "I presume I play the mugger?"
"If you're up to it," she said innocently. He nodded, and she turned, "In this case, I would presumably be in a muggle location, where the mugger tried to attack me with a knife." She pulled a sheathed knife from her boot, tossing it to the Leftenant He extracted the blade, and whistled. "Very nice," he said as he resheathed it; then moved behind her. "Come along, you little bint, we're going to..." Mattie reached up, pulled forward and twisted, forcing the leftenant to the mat, then applying an arm bar to flip him face down. "Did everyone see that?" she asked the class.
"It happened too fast," Felicia offered hesitantly.
"It's simple. The mugger reached for me, leaving himself vulnerable because he's bigger and stronger than I am. Also, most muggers won't anticipate martial arts from cute little girls like me." She grinned, and people laughed. "Except in Gotham," Arthur said, and Mattie agreed. "In Gotham, they're likely to come at you with an automatic weapon. If you want to see my hometown, give me a call first." The leftenant groaned.
"What's an 'automatic weapon'?" Amanda and Felicia asked, one of the twins and Charlie leaning over to explain. Mattie continued over their gasps of horror, "The mugger is now overextended when he reaches for me. When I pull on his arm, I'm extending that and throwing him off balance. At that point, I twist his arm, knocking him off his feet and forcing him down. Can everyone see where I'm holding his arm?" She raised his captive arm a few inches, and he screamed in pain. "The advantage of this hold is that it requires little effort on my part, and if my mugger gets testy, I can increase the mild discomfort he's in very easily. However, I can't sit like this all day long, so I'll have to disable him in some way. I don't want him coming after me, after all. He's likely to be irritated."
"Too bloody right," the leftenant managed to say. "Miss Wayne, a detention and fifty points from Slytherin."
"Which I'm appealing, of course. You were warned I had martial arts experience, and you invited me to participate. Once you knew what my skill level was, you were offered a chance to yield, which you declined. Any mild discomfort or embarrassment you're feeling is your own fault, Leftenant."
Mattie cleared her throat, "That's for the future. What do I do with my mugger, here? There are no cops around, and I can't simply let him go. I could simply knock him out, but that particular grip is beyond you blokes right now. So, I decrease his mobility by breaking a leg. The easiest way to do that is by breaking the femur, or thigh bone. The drawback to this is that this bone is the largest, longest, and strongest in the human body. A simple kick will do it (the leftenant moaned), but you lot aren't up to kicks yet. Therefore, you go for a weak point – the knee. I simply smash my foot down on the inside of his knee, which will break his kneecap very nicely." The leftenant howled; his right arm flailed as Mattie continued, "He can now stand on his left leg, and hobble after me. However, the right knee joint will need a surgeon to repair the broken patella, or kneecap, and reattach the tendons of the lower leg." She patted the leftenant, "Good thing we've got our Infirmary, isn't it?" She looked at Arthur, and smiled.
Charlie edged away, saying, "Mate, I'll bring flowers to your grave."
"Knock it off, Mattie!" Arthur said as he stood and approached her, "You proved your point." His wand was out. He asked her quietly, "This is how you're taught in Gotham? Cripple your opponents after they're down?"
Mattie glared at Arthur with a look of shock and fury on her face. People edged away, when a moan from the Leftenant drew her back to reality. Arthur said quietly, "He's not Joker or Zsasz. He hasn't harmed your family, or killed your relatives. He's an innocent, Mattie; you don't need revenge on him."
Mattie stepped back, frowning. 'What was I thinking?' she asked herself. 'I asked him to demonstrate a technique, he'd obliged her and she'd wrecked his knee. I would have continued by dislocating his shoulder and cracking his elbow,' she thought. 'He played fair. He hadn't thrown the knife at me, or tried to stab me, or grabbed my hair. He'd attacked in the manner I requested so I could demonstrate a technique and instead of doing it so the rest of the class might have the chance to actually learn it; I snapped him over at full speed and treated him worse than I would a real attacker.'
Mattie bowed deeply, "Sensei, you have my most humble apologies," she said, casting chilling and analgesic charms on his knee. She glanced up as Professor Snape hurried into the room; then extended her hand to the prostrate Leftenant.
"We need to see the Headmaster," the Potions Master told her. She shook her head, "After the Leftenant is in the Infirmary, sir."
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Monday, January 3, 2000:
Hogwarts, Charms classroom: 14:44
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The class was silent. Professor Flitwick cleared his throat, then asked his fifth-years, "Well, what can we learn from this?"
Eleanor Branstone said, "Don't piss Wayne off."
James Dorney added, "She was being gentle with the leftenant. I remember what the Death Eaters were like last year." Orla Quirk nodded, "You think she's pissed now; we saw what she was like last year. Malfoy was one massive blond bruise."
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Monday, January 3, 2000:
Hogwarts, Headmaster's office: 15:37
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"...Miss Wayne, I must admit to my eternal shame that I, and a good part of the rest of the staff, made book on just how much damage you would inflict on Leftenant Martin and on how long he would last. I know there were at least two such pools amongst the student body," Dumbledore said from behind his desk.
Mattie stood at parade rest, as there were no chairs for Professors McGonagall and Snape either, she wasn't bothered. She didn't reply, the fact there had been pools on the fight didn't really surprise her. At Hogwarts, people bet on anything and everything.
"However," he continued, "the assumption was made, on all our parts, that any such damage would be inflicted while you were sparring."
"Instead," Minerva said, speaking for the first time, "after one attack, you halted the sparring and... What is the muggle phrase... You 'sucker punched' him."
Mattie nodded, "No excuses. The infirmary will have him back on his feet shortly,"
"And if the infirmary were not there?" Dumbledore asked.
Professor Snape's snort was music to Mattie's ears. "Sir, we can argue 'what ifs' all day. But the infirmary is there," Mattie stated.
"Which brings us to the matter of your punishment," Dumbledore said.
"Sir, I-" Mattie began.
Dumbledore raised his hand, and said in a tired voice, "For two counts of lying to an instructor, Slytherin is docked 40 House Points and you must serve two detentions with Leftenant Martin. This replaces the 50 points and one detention the leftenant gave you. For 'sucker punching' the man, there is no punishment other than a formal letter of apology due in my office before midnight tonight. Any costs related to his treatment will come from my personal funds as I, for one, should have known better. You are dismissed."
"Sir, I injured him. I..."
"That is not necessary, Miss Wayne," Professor Snape said. "We will discuss your additional detentions with me later. You are dismissed."
Mattie nodded and left. Albus sighed, conjuring overstuffed chairs for Minerva and Severus. "It is one thing to wager on injuries before they occur and quite another to watch those injuries be inflicted. If I ever attempt to make a similar wager, please stun me until the urge passes."
After seating herself, the Deputy Headmistress replied, "Only if you two will do the same for me." After a significant pause, she added, "I take it you had an eye on the whole performance, Severus?"
He nodded, accepting a levitated cup of tea. "Of course, considering her treatment of the Death Eaters last year. Then, she was defending against a threat to their lives. The Leftenant got off far lighter than I ever expected."
"I believe that was due to Mr. Morton's actions," she replied. "I must admit to some surprise, Albus. The boy has taken enough lumps as of late."
"Really?" the Headmaster asked.
The Potion Master raised his hand. "An unforseen side effect of the oculis potion variant Miss Wayne and Miss Tonks brewed for him. It left him with the ability to see through things, including clothing. I suspect contamination in the rat organs used as a stabilizer or interaction with the moondust laced anti-lycanthropy potion I tested on him," Snape explained. "In a castle full of hormonal teenagers, there are obvious and painful corollaries to such a condition."
"And why was I not informed of this?" Dumbledore countered.
"I did file an incident report. Whether or not you have read it, I do not know."
The headmaster raised his hand, a drawer across the room opened and a folder flew into his waiting hand. After glancing through it he asked, "What has happened regarding Mr. Morton?"
"Apparently, some girls feel the need to 'defend their honor', and some young men wish to defend their girlfriends from the actions of a 'pervert'," Severus said. "Both Miss Wayne and Miss Tonks feel responsible for his condition, and have defended him when they could." He raised his cup, taking a sip, adding, "As have I, as I did sign off on their work. I would like to state that Mr. Morton has not shown any sign that the condition is any more than a major aggravation. He is determined to handle the problem himself, and has not informed his family, the Waynes or the Tonks about his condition."
"But the rest of the school knows?"
Severus snorted delicately, "Of course."
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Wednesday, January 5, 2000:
Hogwarts, Staff room: 08:47
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"... Well, is there any other business to discuss?" Albus asked at the end of the weekly staff meeting.
"Miss Wayne asked about flowers for the Leftenant," Pomona Sprout said. "I believe she still feels guilty."
"She does," Albus said. "I spent most of yesterday's session discussing the class with her. She became 'caught up in the moment'."
"If she can work with the Leftenant, I do think they would be a valuable resource," Filius said. "I would like to know how some of those things are performed, but she moves so quickly."
"I believe it is more if the Leftenant can work with her," Poppy said. "I don't think that likely."
"It's a survival instinct for her," Harry said. "You lot know Ginny and I visited Gotham over the Hols, I would not be here now without Gotham's infamous protector. We become arrogant; we're wizards, after all." He snorted, "That does very little with a machine gun shoved up your wife's nose, and a psychopath holding it." He glanced down the table at Poppy, "You were concerned about my drinking, well, now you know why. It's not at all like Voldemort and his Death Eaters." He took a swallow of tea, "That city should be leveled."
"It almost was," Kelly said, looking up from her laptop. "It suffered a massive earthquake, just after being hit with a plague." She shook her head, "They're a tough lot." Looking at Harry, she asked, "Was it that bad?"
"They were going to cut the babies out of Ginny, then cook and eat them." Harry shuddered, "I'm amazed that Miss Wayne is as stable as she is. Her hometown is completely bollocks."
"As you are one of the few here to have visited Miss Wayne's hometown, perhaps you should visit the Leftenant," Severus suggested. "It might give him a bit of insight into her character. I understand she has apologized to him personally, and she requested that she serve my detentions early, and has done so without complaint." He steepled his hands, adding, "As you know, my detentions are unpleasant, and in cases like this, I do not favor my Slytherins. She has said not a word, only requesting a change of clothing for the more odious tasks."
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Wednesday, January 5, 2000:
Hogwarts, Infirmary: 14:23
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"Is he?" Harry asked Narcissa, who peeked over the divider, then waved him in. Taking a seat by the Leftenant, he offered, "I always liked the frogs, myself. I don't think you'd get many with the Navy."
"This gives me a chance to build my collection," the Leftenant admitted. He missed the jumping frog, but Harry's Seeker reflexes caught it. Offering the bit of chocolate to Harry, the Leftenant's eyebrow rose as he extracted the card. "Wonder what autographed cards are worth?" he asked.
"Depends on the wizard, I think," Harry mumbled.
"Well, we'll find out. I've a quill over there somewhere," offering the card to Harry, who groaned, but signed the card. Leftenant Martin chuckled, asking, "You didn't know you had a Chocolate Frog card?"
"Nooo, I didn't," Harry admitted. He shifted in his seat, "Have you ever been to the States?"
"Once or twice to Florida, with the Fleet. Why?"
"Gotham City?" Miss Wayne's hometown?"
"Ah, Miss Wayne. No, can't say I've had the dubious pleasure. Rather avoid it, if I might."
"I wish I had taken that advice to heart," Harry admitted. "Ginny and I went over the Christmas Hols. It was... not a pleasant experience." He leaned forward, "I would not be sitting in this uncomfortable metal chair right now if it weren't for Gotham's famed protector. It was frightening enough that Ginny went into premature labor." He shuddered, "They were going to cook and eat our babies." He looked at the Leftenant, "Have you any idea what it would be like growing up in that kind of environment?"
"The law of the jungle, eh?"
"Oh, it can be a delightful place, according to students that have visited. Of course we, in our ignorance, went on an unscheduled bimble. Totally unprotected."
"And were almost eaten," Harry nodded.
"Did Albus pop by to discuss Miss Wayne's detentions with you?" The leftenant nodded, "Severus doubles detentions with his Slytherins, something I wish I had known when I was a student here." He took another glance at the chocolate frog card, shook his head; saying, "If you can see your way clear to working with Miss Wayne, I think we will all benefit. Up to you, of course. Give me a shout if I can do anything for you," and Harry took his leave.
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Friday, January 7, 2000:
Hogwarts, Slytherin common room: 17:14
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Mattie dropped her book bag, collapsing into an overstuffed chair next to the fire. She leaned forward, her hands covering her face, a small sound was heard.
"Mattie?" Jeremy Pellew stopped, hesitantly putting a hand on her shoulder. A small hiccup was heard, and he looked up helplessly.
Julie Dorney dragged a chair over, flashing a quick smile at Jeremy, who grinned and escaped. "Don't mind Jeremy, Mattie. He means well, but blokes don't know how to handle crying females." She extracted a hankie, and poked it into Mattie's hand, with the instruction, "Blow."
"Y'don't understand..."
"Then why don't you tell us about it?" Emma Dobbs said. Karen looked up and motioned some of the guys on. With relieved expressions, they escaped to dinner.
"You heard about the little 'fight' (Mattie finger-quoted) with the Leftenant on Monday?"
"Heard about?" Emma said with a snort. "We watched the bloody thing in class. The whole school knows about it, and a good lot watched it. You destroyed him."
"No, no I didn't. I got caught in the moment. I was planning on how to... to destroy him if he kept resisting. I almost crippled him." She raised her head, "I could have killed him. A few millimeters one way or another, a few more pounds of pressure..."
"That easily?" Karen asked. Mattie nodded, reaching out and Karen flinched. "See?" Mattie asked. "I'm too dangerous to be around people. Even you guys are afraid of me, and I can't blame you."
"That's not what you're crying about, though," Emma said, and Mattie shook her head. "Is it Morton? It took a good bit of courage for him..."
"No, Friday afternoons I've been taking extra tutoring with Professor Flitwick. Well, you know him, always cheerful and all?" They nodded, and Mattie dabbed at her eyes, twisting the hankie, "I just kinda stayed quiet during class, but then after class, I asked if he minded if we, if we, worked through lunch, had an elf bring us something. He got this hunted, panicked look, like I was going to trap him with a feral werewolf or something." She glanced up, "Sorry, Sprink."
"I'd look like that too, if you were going to trap me with me when I'm feral," she said, shoving her way in front of Mattie, grabbing both hands and putting them firmly on her shoulders. "I don't care what a rum lot of tossers say about you. You're my best mate; you've always been there for me." She gave the others a venomous look. "What about Slytherin solidarity? Can any of you lot look me in the eye and tell me you're afraid of Mattie? How soon do you lot forget who saved your bloody arses last year?"
"Too right," Frank MacDonald said. "I'd rather have Wayne at my back than some of you tossers. I know she won't fold, or sit around and dither." He crossed his massive arms, "Tomorrow's the anniversary of that game with Ravenclaw. I 'spect they're reliving that game up in their tower right now. Well, those of us who were there know who acted, and who folded." He glowered at his housemates, "We suffered with the Dark Tosser and his lot; is there anyone here who thinks Wayne is Dark?"
"Not I," Karen said. "Mattie, you have my apologies for doubting you."
"We all have the possibility..." Mattie whispered.
"Aye, we do." Frank said. "A' night, all cats are grey. The future will take care o' itself." He pulled Mattie through the circle of girls, folding her into his massive arms. "G'won, lil' sis. Let it out."
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Saturday, January 8, 2000:
Hogwarts, Great Hall, Slytherin table: 08:17
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The Slytherin Quidditch team entered the Great Hall in uniform, stopping against the wall. Karen stepped forward, and tapped a goblet with a butter knife. "The members of the Snake's Den would like to invite our honorable opponents from Ravenclaw to breakfast, and to wish them the best of luck today."
Orla looked down the table; then stood, "Um, the Eagle's Nest graciously accepts the invitation of our honorable opponents, and returns their best wishes." She waved, and people rearranged themselves on the long tables.
"What's going on?" one of the twins hissed at Mattie and Sprink. They smiled, replying, "Breakfast."