I was right, of course. About many things. Sirius did show up as a teacher, and Harry was thrilled with it, as were most of the Gryffindors. And Crouch ratted out Voldemort's hideout. Of course the Order was reconvened, I wasn't invited to the party, and Voldie got away. This was in some ways a success, and in others scary as hell. How was I to know what was going to happen next with everyone deviating from their previous timelines? Voldemort had been holed up at the Crouch residence, right under Crouch Sr.'s nose. He was facing an inquiry for helping his son escape, the imperious thing, and harboring Voldie, even if that last bit was unintentional. Before they could force any more information out of Crouch Jr he had done a rather tricky bit of wandless dark magic, ending his life. Like those spies in movies when they were caught and chomped on a cyanide pill.

Of course I understood why I hadn't been told, they probably didn't trust me all that much, but it still hurt a bit. Harry knew about it before I did. That stung. And I was starting to suspect that they put one of their Order members to tail me in order to make sure I was truly on their side. Honestly, he couldn't have been more obvious. Sirius Black is not meant for stealth. The first day there after all of the excitement with Crouch and Voldemort died down he had sauntered up to the Staff table at breakfast and flopped into the seat beside me.

"Morning, Mara, aren't you ravishing today?"

I glanced down at my currently skeletal hands clutching a cup of coffee and raised an eyebrow at him,

"Alright, Canine, what do you want from me?"
He put on an offended look, pressing his hand to his heart dramatically.

"Want from you? Can't I just offer you a compliment?"
I snorted,

"Flattery will get you nowhere, but chocolate has been known to be a weakness. What do you want?"
"Ah...do you have any idea where the kids were in their lessons?"
So he has no idea where to go with this. I could sympathise, really.

"Moody, well, not-Moody, was doing a very hands on approach for them. He got permission to perform the Imperious and have them break out of it."

Sirius scowled down at his bacon,

"Yes, Harry told me about that part. I was furious at first, because come on, dark magic on students? And then it seemed alright because it was helping them, then he had to go and fuck up your health again."

I glared at him,

"There is nothing wrong with my health!"

His deadpan expression had me squirming after a second. I did tend to look like death warmed over, lately. I rolled my eyes, refilling my cup.

"Whatever, it's over now, he's gone. You may want to touch on defensive spells, counter-curses, and with the upper years cover nonverbal magic. I've noticed that they can't so much as go without a 'wingardium leviosa' should they need to get something done."

I heard a snort and glanced over at Minerva, where she laughed for a second before straightening up.

"My dear, just because you seem to never need spells or a wand doesn't mean we can't expect that from the children."

I rolled my eyes,

"Technically I've had, what, a years instruction tops? Come to think of it, that probably helps. I have no memory of having to rely on a wand, therefore it frees me from doing so now."

I thought the theory through for a few absentminded seconds before standing,

"Well, I should head for my classroom. If I don't start now I won't make it there by the time classes start."

I was annoyed at that, I was used to being able to up and outrun anything that took a liking to me, but this helplessness was getting on my nerves. Sirius stood, snagging a roll,

"I'll join you, it's on my way to my classroom anyway."

Life continued like that, with him showing up every time I needed to go somewhere, and had I been a spy it would have been annoying as hell, but I didn't really go anywhere except for meals, class, and my rooms. It could have been that I was closest to his age, baring Snape. That would endear me to him somewhat, rather than hanging out with his former teachers. Or he could still feel bad for having been the one who got me to go along with them fighting at the World Cup. Either way, it got me company and someone very nice and warm to lean on should the walking get too much.

I improved rapidly once Sirius arrived, with all his touchy feely-ness. I had a niggling suspicion that not-Moody had been doing something to me. I had never been as friendly to him as the other Professors, and perhaps I had given myself away as suspecting him early on. Not nearly as much as Snape, but in any case, by the time Halloween rolled around I was capable of walking mostly on my own all the way around the castle, and was down to normal amounts of clothing, save socks. I still had to wear two pairs of socks. The arrival of the other schools was brilliant, though the horses did bring back memories of this one planet that I wasn't welcome on anymore, the Doctor either. Though they had loved Rose... I resolved to keep my distance from them. They can't have the best of tempers if all they drink is whiskey. Durmstrang arrived in the pirate like ship, causing me to snort and mutter,

"It's a pirate's life for me, drink up me hearties, yo ho."

Those weren't even the correct lyrics, as far as I knew, but Sirius snickered anyway, with Minerva sending us a severe look, that lost most of it's edge when her lips twitched ever so slightly. Ludo Bagman and Percy Weasley. I'd gotten his letter saying they were considering letting him take over since he was the only one who had been doing the work apparently. It was thrilling to see him working his way up so effectively, and it was exciting to know that he would stick around this time. Even if he chose to use his position to spy on the Ministry for the Order he would tell them about it first, avoiding the heartbreak. I had managed to leave Sirius behind in the crowd somehow, and saw Karkaroff brush by Harry and freeze. After several seconds I realized no one was going to step in. Moody had done it the first time around, or rather, in the novels at least. I sighed, pushing forwards.

"If we could move along please? The students have a curfew to respect."

Karkaroff glanced at me for a second before sniffing disdainfully and sweeping off. I blithely stuck my tongue out at his back and swept a hand to open the doors wider to let more students escape. I turned to Harry, ignoring the now open mouthed Durmstrang students.

"Come on, kiddo's, let's blow this taco stand."

Ron just stared for a second and I sighed,

"Does no one say that anymore?"
He shook his head and I waved them,

"Oh, begone. Let me be all old and outdated on my lonesome."

Sirius had popped up by then, watching the students make their way out of the halls, snorting at my comment.

"Old? What are you, like twenty three?"
I glanced at him, grateful that this was actually sort of true, though it seemed sad if you thought about it too hard.
"I...don't know actually."

He glanced at me, disbelieving,

"What do you mean, you 'don't know'?"

The students had streamed out into the halls and I didn't have to patrol that night, so I made for the stairs, Sirius close behind me.

"I mean what I said, I don't know how old I am. A year or so ago I woke up in St. Mugnos, and when asked when my birthday was I was unable to tell them. So, I think I'm somewhere near 25 or 26, maybe even 27, but I'm thinking November, somewhere in the teens?"

I genuinely wasn't sure of my age, time on the TARDIS does that to you. It could add up to a year, most likely more actually, but I didn't lose any time in my day to day 'life', so in societies eyes I wasn't aging. But now that I was displaced from that timestream it didn't matter. So, I would have to ask the Doctor how old I was, the current one, not the portrait. And that wasn't happening any time soon.

I escaped from Sirius and into my sitting room, having a quick chat with the Doctor about the possibilities now that the timeline was all jumbled. He was very little help. I don't know if it's because he wouldn't be able to see the tasks, what with being bound to the castle, and being petulant about it, or being genuinely confused by the situation.

All day the students put their names into the goblet, I watched as one Cedric Diggory attempted it, and had to leave. He wasn't slated for death this time, I'd made sure of that. I missed the twins trying to put their names in, but saw them sporting rather healthy beards later in the day as proof of their attempt. Sirius had found it most amusing from where he was once again tailing me. I had tried being as boring as possible to get him to give up at one point, but he was a terrible influence. His constant bid for movement, and his close contact were probably what ensured my return in health, so I could hardly complain. I had yet to allow anyone to remind him I couldn't 'remember' how to fly. I didn't see that ending well.

The staff were all lined up at their table, the students down below, staring at the goblet in wonder, it was just as exciting and magical as the movies and books suggested, and when Harry's name came out of the goblet my heart stopped. I stared at the piece of paper in Dumbledore's hand, mind going blank and still for a single second before it kick started, moving faster than in days. What? Moody was gone, Crouch Sr. wasn't around, Harry wouldn't have done it himself, he looked terrified as he disappeared into that room. The other teachers started to show students out of the hall and I felt Sirius leave to go find Harry. Who? Why? The gig was up. Or...was it?

I burst into the room, glaring around as if daring anyone to protest my presence. I had heard Harry protesting his involvement in it, and I believed him of course. I turned to the Headmaster,

"Give me three days to put it together, three days and I'll tell you who did it."
There were ideas swirling in my head, and if I could convince the Doctor to help with it then three days would be at an easy pace. Madame Maxime snorted,

"What would you know, child, of the complex magics that could fool the goblet?"
I raised an eyebrow at her,

"Little, honestly. But I know quite a bit about time, dimensional relations, and jiggery pokery. I can find out."

Dumbledore considered me for a second before nodding,

"Yes, I think you can. It will not help him, I'm afraid, the contract is final."

I scowled,

"Yeah, I'm going to go over that 'contract' with a fine toothed comb later, for now I just want to see who wants him dead enough to stick him in a deadly tournament."

Dumbledore motioned to our two Ministry representatives,

"Ministry personnel will have to be present for whatever magic you work, of course."
I glared fiercely at Bagman.

"Weasley only."

Bagman opened his mouth to protest and I cut in,

"I'm aware of the fact that you're currently dodging a binding magical contract of your own, Mr. Bagman, my trust in you is nonexistent."

He paled, spluttering,

"Now what nonsense is this! I know nothing of-"

"Stow it, buddy, I have copy somewhere. Stealing money from children is a bit below you, don't you think?"
I could have his ass on a platter at any time, and he knew it. So he did what any other Ministry official would do. He caved.

"Very well, I believe Mister Weasley will be just fine as a witness, so long as the headmasters of the schools are present as well."
I nodded,

"Right then, see you in three days. Somebody tell my classes to read chapter thirteen and write three feet about it."

I had no idea what was in chapter thirteen, but it would give them something to do.

I slammed the door to my room behind me, turning to the Doctor,

"Harry's name was in the goblet."

He dropped his Jammy Dodgers, staring at me wide eyed,

"But, Crouch was gone! Both of them!"

I grabbed papers and a pen, throwing aside my other research,

"Exactly. We have three days to throw shit together to see who did it this time. Will you help me?"
I didn't even need to ask. He had read many many many books on magic and magic theory, there were several portraits that had libraries in their backgrounds that they could interact with. He almost always had a few borrowed books stacked in his frame somewhere.

Zoopy brought food, and was invaluable when questioned about the wards of Hogwarts, letting me know in a very roundabout way that it was more string theory, than Loop Quantum Gravity. Stringy, not loopy, was something we muttered to ourselves for hours, golden threads of the castles magic tangled in my fingers, twisting and untangling, trying to find a purchase through which to add our cobbled together time magic. In the end it took blood and rune stones. Borderline dark, but the common kind that no one really cared about. I cared, it terrified me. Dark magic was a slippery slope.

But after my time was up I had the runic combinations memorized, and the hand motions down. I showered, putting on muggle clothing for ease of movement and heading to the room that had contained the goblet. Percy and the various heads of the schools were present, as well as the rest of the staff. Well, if this failed then I could have everyone know about it. Brilliant. But the Doctor had a heavy hand in planning so it wasn't likely to go downhill. Much.

I opened the small drawstring bag I had, placing the runes around the room, basically ignoring everyone as I did so. Karkaroff attempted to pick one up and I hissed at him, using the training from Madame Vastra to sound distinctly more animal than a human should be capable of.

"Don't touch."

He backed off, but his expression was murderous after the shock wore off.

Once all of the stones were in place I headed to a corner of the room near the other people, the goblet in full view. I didn't even have my wand out and I could hear Karkaroff huffing already.

"Those aren't even real runes, what magic are you going to do with that?"

I think it unnerved him when I simply grinned.

"Why, we're going to unravel time!"

Minerva looked alarmed and I shrugged,

"Oh, only a little bit, we won't even be able to interact with anyone, which is a waste, honestly. But we are going to turn back time, using the castle ward magic as a medium. This...might tingle a bit."

I snapped my fingers, against the middle rather than the ring finger, just as Zoopy had taught me, sending tendrils of magic out to zing against the enchantments laid on the very foundations of the castle. Golden lines of various levels of thickness appeared, and I turned to where Harry was sitting under his invisibility cloak, the castle well aware of his presence. I winked before turning back to the others, who were mesmerized by the strings. I slapped Sirius' wrist before he could touch one, scowling.

"Stop that."

I turned back to the lines myself, muttering the incantations needed as quietly as possible, doing whatever I could manage nonverbally. There was really no one in this room that needed to know how to mess with the wards, or time. The strings went bright before solidifying and then there was a flash of white and the scene changed before us. The goblet being revealed. I resisted the urge to sag with relief. The castle let me through. I wasn't sure on it's views on time travel, save the little bit Hermione had gotten up to in her Third year. I summoned the strings again, wishing I could sit down. This all had to be done wandlessly, like a house elf, and it was taking a toll on me. Wandless took a lot out of anyone, enchantments of this magnitude? I was going to sleep for a week if I was allowed to.

I pressed against several strings, turning back to my roots in science and math, remembering the algorithm that the Doctor had pounded into my head over the three days. The pattern was long, and tricky, impossible for the observers to follow, but I flowed through it, having practiced almost nonstop for an insane amount of time. The scene before us sped up, leading to the night before the drawing. No movement. We watched the Weasley's fail in fast forward, and the goblet was left alone again in the fading light. I saw movement in the shadows and slowed it down, letting us all watch a small figure creep closer to the goblet. I watched it wiggle its fingers in a complicated dance, crying all the while before it floated a single piece of parchment into the flames. I sighed,

"Winky. The former house elf of the Crouch family. She was desperate for that family to take her back. If Crouch Jr. had made a request in case of his demise she likely would honor it, despite at the risk of harming a student."

I gathered the strings together rapidly, touching out a different algorithm to take us back to where we began. The lines flashed white once again before fading and I summoned the rune stones to me, dropping them back into the bag.

"There you go, a house elf."

Minerva was pale, turning to Dumbledore desperately,

"Do you think any underage students had the idea to use house elves?"
I grimaced,

"We just saw it, they didn't. And neither did Harry. I doubt he even knew she was here. Besides, I hear he's got a different house elf, Toppy or something other."

I glanced at the clock, brain screaming for sleep.

"Now, if bending the laws of time to run backwards for you is enough for the day, then I'm going to go to bed."

Poppy rushed forwards automatically, scanning me thoroughly with her wand.

"What's wrong dear?"

I visibly resisted an eyeroll,

"I delved into the pseudo memory of a sentient magical residence, turned back time, and brought a large group of people with me, all without a wand. I'm just tired."

She didn't look convinced, but stepped aside. Sirius came forward, taking my arm without hesitation.

"I'll see you back to your rooms."

He practically dragged me out of there, slowing only when we got closer to my chambers.

"You are alright, aren't you? Harry would be furious if you hurt yourself proving his innocence."

I didn't hold back the eyeroll,

"I am perfectly fine. And you can come out of hiding, Potter."

The shimmer of the invisibility cloak falling caught Sirius' eye and he sighed explosively.

"Of course. She could have been bluffing you know."

Harry just gave him a look that was pure teenager.

"She saw me when we were in the Great Hall, I think the wards told her I was there."

"Right-o, kiddo. Somebody let me go. I need sleep."

Sirius started walking again, Harry beside us, folded invisibility cloak in his hands.

"Do you really think you can get him out of the contract if you could see it?"
I shrugged with my free shoulder,

"I doubt it, honestly. My background with law is being on the wrong side of it. Broke into more banks than you've ever been in, and broke out of even more prisons than that. If I find something it will be a titchy little technicality that I just don't see Crouch Sr. making. Sorry, kid."

He had an air of gloom about him so I bumped his shoulder lightly with my fist.

"The rules say teachers can't help, but they also say minors can't compete. I'm not much for rules if you haven't noticed. Ever need help I'm sure I can swing it. Bail money, a convenient disappearance of bothersome people, the sudden desire of a certain reporter to jump in a lake…"

He smiled slightly so I counted it as a win. By then we were at my rooms and I was left to my own devices. I got the privilege of explaining to the Doctor that one of his favorite little house elves was the one who had screwed with our plans.

~TimeLordOfPie