Later that evening, Maria had the most thrilling job of patrolling the castle. Realistically it wasn't that bad, sure you had the odd snogging couple but most of the time Maria simply practised her elemental magic while she strolled the halls. After curfew, the castle seemed more mystical, certain rooms appearing to lure in unsuspecting students and staff.

Tonight, Maria was tasked with patrolling the upper floors-the third to the seventh floor, finishing up back at the astronomy tower. Stepping around a corner, Maria couldn't help but smile, spotting two redheads hiding behind a suit of armour, suppressing their merriment as they leaned over a piece of parchment, no doubt the structure of their next prank. Their lack of surrounding provided Maria with the perfect chance to cause a bit of mischief

Sneaking up behind them, she cast a small light charm, causing the bottom of the corridor to sporadically light up, giving off the impression that someone was coming.

"Fascinating," Maria whispered, tucking her hair behind her ear. " I'd say this one will turn out quite well."

Both Weasleys froze, then twisted around, Fabian smacking his head off the armour's greaves. Gideon clutched their master plan to his chest, laughing at Fabian, who was rubbing the bump on his head.

"Why do you have to sneak up on us every time? That's our thing!" Fabian asked, Gideon, continuing the sentence.

"It's the only fun I have," Maria said with a small smile, " So, what's in the parchment?

They looked at each other, smirking before opening up the folded piece of paper,"

Found it in Filch's office-" Fabian managed.

"Around last week," Gideon finished.

"Very fascinating." Lowering her hand, Maria wiggled her fingers a bit, waiting as Gideon reluctantly handed over the paper. Opening it up, she giggled slightly, skimming over it then handing it back to the twins.

"Any idea who created this 'master plan' ?" she asked them, using her magic to diminish the light that she had created earlier.

"No idea-"

"Not a clue-"

"But we have the signature-"

"Right at the back."

Snatching back the parchment, Maria quickly turned it around, jogging her memory as she saw the note attached,

Lightie 1: Riddler 0. Never mess with a pissed-off witch.

"Hmm, never heard of them." Maria handed back the parchment, a twinkling rainbow in her eye, " Well, what's the bag for then?"

Both brothers looked back at the bag they'd "hidden" was now tipping out behind the suit of armour.

"Err-."

"Well you see, miss, we were just on our way to return these to Mr Filch-."

"Yes, return them, can't forget about that."

"And we must have missed curfew. Right shame isn't Fabe?"

"That's it, Gid."

Maria exhaled, wrinkling her nose at the foul smell that was being emitted by the bag of Dungbombs. After a few moments of silence, pondering the situation, Maria began to speak again," I suppose you can return these then head straight back to the common room,"

"But," Before they could thank her, Maria was a teacher and rules are rules," I can't let you go unpunished."

They began to reput, protesting their innocence like a scoundrel on trial. Yet Maria had her conclusion in mind," I think a night of detention with me would suffice, I have a few boxes and furniture I need moving. Luckily I have two strong men here to help me," They quickly thanked her, placing a kiss on both of her cheeks, they scattered down the corridor.

"Unbelievable." she thought, heading back down the corridor and making her way to the grand staircase.

As she headed up the stairs, many of the portraits grumbled and made their complaints heard about the bright balls light she was conjuring. Some even had the nerve to test her patience by critiquing every move she made.

" Dearie stop, your form is all wrong, your wrist movements are sloppy and to think fairies were in any way graceful." One portrait of a noble Elizabethan woman snarkily commented, flapping her fan in outrage while the other portraits gasped at her bluntness.

Maria was already past her painting, stopping at the last step of the staircase. She continued to stand where she was, not turning her head around to see the embarrassment present on the lady's pudgy red face.

"Speaking out of turn was a crime in your time is it not? I always thought disobedience was frowned upon by your religion but I suppose I was also mistaken."

Many portraits applauded at her witty response, thanking her for finally putting that obnoxious woman in her place. Just as she was about to head down the fourth-floor corridor, a series of cries and whispers originating from the opposite corridor caught her attention.

As she listened further and the cries became more audible, Maria gasped in shock, dashing down the dark corridor. The further she ran, the louder the screams of the child matured. Reaching the end of the ever ongoing passageway, Maria was petrified at the sight playing out before her. One of the second-year students she taught regularly was withering and shrieking in pain, under what looked like an unforgivable curse. What frightened her more was the fact that two pupils were on the dispatching end of the spell.

Coming back to her senses, Maria wasted no time, casting a strong "Wall of Ice!" creating a barrier between them.

"What in the name of Magix do you think you're doing!? You should be sent to Azkaban for even performing an unforgivable, let alone using it on a fellow student!" Maria demanded as she shouted, unable to wrap her head around the situation.

"That filthy little mudblood deserved it!"

Turning around in a whippet, Maria threateningly scowled, standing protectively in front of the younger child, "Don't; even try to excuse yourself Bellatrix, I won't be intimidated by you or your little fan club, nothing condones the use of violence."

"I'll be sure to inform Professor Dumbledore and your head of house, you will be punished for this." Maria felt that Bellatrix wouldn't take to being told what to do lightly, so she quickly sent the student behind her off, running down the corridor to Madam Pomfrey who would take care of her.

"And what can you do, blood traitor!" Bellatrix tried to hit her with the cruciatus curse, but Maria's quick reflexes made sure she blocked it.

"Now Bella, we can't hurt her, he wants to finish her off himself" Lucius Malfoy chimed in, his voice laced with deception, pushing Bellatrix behind him, using his stature to threaten Maria.

"You know now not to get in our way if you do there will be consequences," Lucius drew out, pausing for a moment as he circled Maria like a predator with its prey," It would be a waste to spill magical blood when those Alfea fairies have so much potential,"

Maria's blood was boiling with rage," Was that a threat?"

Before she could get an answer, Minerva and Slughorn burst in, "Is everything alright here?" Minerva asked, only a few minutes late.

"Everything's fine, Bellatrix and I were just asking Professor Lightly some educational questions" Lucius butted in, using his charm to his ability.

Minerva knew too well not to trust a snake, especially not a Malfoy and turned to Maria for the truth. but with Malfoy's words ringing in her ears, it seemed that she had no choice but to lie.

"We were just finishing up," she tightly replied.

Minerva didn't buy that fib for a moment but didn't press the matter further, instead, using her status to enact some repercussions.

"That is no reason to be out past curfew, 10 points each will be taken from Slytherin."

The look of the insult present on Bellatrix and Lucius' faces brought some amount of satisfaction to Maria, but his words didn't leave her mind all night, opening back the can of worms she was sure she had buried.

Author's Note

Wow, death threats and old enemies, can life get any worse for our favourite protagonist?

~The_lost_flower~