Chapter Thirteen

Anton attended the party at the end of the holidays in No. 12 Grimmauld Place with a quiet enthusiasm. The moment he arrived he spotted the less than eager figure of Harry who was listening subtly to what Lupin and Kingsley were talking about- why Dumbledore hadn't picked him. Anton headed over to Harry as he made his way to the food table.

'He has faith in you,' Anton said quietly making Harry's head jerk back in surprise.

'How do you?' Harry asked the food forgotten.

'Trust me,' Anton smiled 'it may seem like he's ignoring you but he's just worried, I'm assuming he didn't give you the prefect badge because he thought you had enough to deal with.'

'I hadn't even thought about who would get it,' Harry admitted 'I just didn't think…'

'I know how you feel,' Anton said softly 'to experience moments or even whole periods of time where you feel completely alone and times where it feels everyone is keeping secrets.'

'Its feels like nobody trusts me,' Harry muttered 'even though I've gone up against Voldemort I can't know what happening.'

'Harry, everybody's worried they'll put to much pressure on you,' Anton said comfortingly 'everyone especially your godfather just want you to have a normal life. And in any case I wasn't a prefect so it shows you don't have to be one to be great.'

Anton left Harry looking much more cheerful and went in search of Mrs Weasley who was supposed to be battling a boggart round about then, as he passed Sirius he noticed Mylee close by and grinned despite what he was going to face.

-=-==-=-=-=-

She was clutching a dead Charlie when Anton reached the room sobbing into his chest she croaked.

'Ridiculas.'

Next came dead Bill and then dead Harry.

Having seen enough Anton hurried forward and pulled the shaky Mrs Weasley away from the boggart, as they stepped back from the boggart Harry himself arrived and he stared at his dead body in horror.

'What?' he asked.

Mad-Eye, Lupin and Sirius rushed up behind Harry and Lupin darted forward to take Mrs Weasley from Anton, Sirius was looking at the dead body of Harry with an odd look on his face.

As Mrs Weasley stepped back the boggart changed form again this time taking Anton's fear on.

It was no longer a dementor that formed as Anton's nightmare, this time it was swirling vortex of churning water that sped towards Anton at an alarming and deadly rate. Reacting quickly Anton pulled his wand out and cried.

'Ridiculas!'

The water was changed into an ice cube that clunked limply to the floor.

'Ha,' Anton said flatly.

-=-=-=--=-=-=--

The party ended soon after the boggart was destroyed with hardly anyone still in the mood to celebrate and an early night needed for the start they were getting in the morning. The teachers passed into the fireplace each calling out their respective lodgings, Anton wished goodbye to everyone before he stepped into the fire and was transported to his rooms and his salamander who had succeeded in creating a small bonfire in the centre of the room.

-=-=--=-==--==--

Most of the teachers had already prepared everything necessary for the return of the pupils yet the morning of their return brought hurried rushing throughout the school. The house-elves dusted and aired beds like they were under a threat of death. Sprout was tending her plants, Snape was sorting his potion stock, McGonagall was checking and re-checking the first year list and as far as Anton could tell Trelawney was occupying herself with a bottle of sherry.

To pass the time Anton went for a run through the Forbidden Forest, he jumped over fallen branches and roots steering well clear of all of the hives, nests and densely populated areas. When he finished his run he jogged to his room puffing as his body sucked in much needed oxygen.

The sky was darkening as Anton stepped out of his bathroom he was already dry, he opened his cupboard and shuffled through his new robes trying to decide what to wear. He needed to make a good first impression on the entire student body, if he looked the part he would be treated with respect. Anton didn't want to come across as their friend, even though he had known a lot of them in that way, instead he was their teacher and such a position was one he was determined to succeed in.

Anton selected an open black robe lined with deep thick red silk, the arms of the robe were loose-fitting getting bigger as they got down the arms, the hood was also lined. Anton put on black tight fitting trousers that tucked into his dragon hide boots, on his top he wore a plain back shirt. When he pulled the robe over the top the red silk lining was visible and the exact shade of blood, after tying his hair loosely back he looped the pendant around his neck and smiled as the red glowed out. Attaching the sword sheath to his back he placed his sword in it and positioned his wand in its holster by his waist.

Leaving his room he tried to get Pyra to stay in the room but she wasn't having any of it and short of tying her up he was having trouble getting her to stay. When he reached the Grand Staircase he stopped again and said.

'Pyra you can't come with me,' he stroked her gently 'animals aren't allowed.'

Pyra whined and nudged Anton's foot with her head.

'Oh, I think we can bend the rules a little,' a laughing voice said from the staircase above.

Looking up Anton saw Dumbledore heading down the stairs towards him in deep blue robes.

'Won't the other teachers get jealous?' Anton smiled.

'I think they'll survive,' Dumbledore replied 'and it's obvious she is cleverer than your average magical creature.'

They walked down together towards the Entrance Hall, outside of the windows Anton was able to see the lighted lamps of the school carriages as they trundled closer to the school.

'Looking forward to your first year of teaching?' Dumbledore asked interested.

'If there was one thing I never expected to be doing,' Anton answered wryly 'this would have been top of the list.'

'Didn't you enjoy school?' the headmaster said.

'Some of it was ok,' Anton said hesitantly 'but like all things, there are bad points as well.'

'We try and make all our students at home but there are always those that don't enjoy it, especially at first,' he paused and looked at Anton as if having a sudden thought 'the name Lukyen was a Russian family that supposedly died out about a hundred years ago, are you related to them?'

'I honestly don't know,' Anton said shaking his head slightly 'ancestors were never spoken of, some family secret and whatever it was my Father took it to his grave.'

'As is what often happens,' Dumbledore accepted as they went through the doors to the Great Hall.'

They reached the teachers table and took their respective seats, as Anton sat down he realised there was a goblet of the black potion next to his other goblet. He grimaced and looked at Snape who tapped his wrist once before turning back to his conversation with Sprout.

Anton picked it up and reluctantly began to gulp it down desperately trying to ignore the wretched taste, Pyra curled up beneath his chair and occupied herself with a bowl of vinegar the house-elves had supplied.

As Anton finished the potion and managed to keep it down the hall doors opened and students streamed in calling excitedly to each other and yelling greetings. Anton watched as many of faces as possible, frequently he would spot a familiar face and then he was immediately recall the way in which they died, Dumbledore was sitting on Anton's other side and he leaned over.

'You are about to see an extremely fascinating sorting ceremony which is unique to this school.' he said cheerfully.

'Should I be worried?' Anton asked smiling.

'Only if you dislike talking objects,' Dumbledore said his twinkling merrily.

When everyone was settled and the talking had died down slightly Professor Grubbly-Plank came through the doors and taking her seat, this signalled that the first years had arrived, and sure enough five minutes later the doors opened again and McGonagall came through leading the terrified first years and holding the stool and Sorting Hat.

When she placed the Hat on the stool it burst into song and like the first time it delivered its message along with its end warning.

…Oh, Know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our Hogwarts is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

Or we'll crumble from within

I have told you, I have warned you…

Let the Sorting now begin.

Applause sounded but it was punctured, Dumbledore frowned as he, like others understood the message clearly.

'That makes the tally of forewarning total twelve since the school was sorted by the Hat.' he said quietly.

'What does this mean Albus?' McGonagall said softly careful to keep her features composed.

'It means we must be very careful' Dumbledore replied as McGonagall pulled her scroll of paper out.

'Abercrombie, Euan'

The boy was sorted into Gryffindor, next was 'Brickly, Emma' who followed Euan to Gryffindor.

'Burford, Michael,' went into Slytherin.

When at last 'Zeller, Rose' was called and sent to Hufflepuff, McGonagall picked up the stool and Hat and Dumbledore rose to his feet, after telling everyone to tuck in the food appeared and both the students and the teachers dug in appreciatively.

Anton found himself getting into an interesting conversation with Snape and Dumbledore on the advantages of such a prison as Azkaban and having the Dementor's guard it.

'It was a good idea,' Snape said agreeing 'but with his return the Dementor's will return to his side and leave the prisoners unguarded.'

'Well Fudge will insist,' Dumbledore nodded 'in ignoring all current problems beyond that of deciding I am a risk.'

'I wonder what Fudge will say when the Dark Lord reveals himself,' Anton said sardonically 'no doubt he'll make himself out to be a hero.'

'Most likely he will try,' Dumbledore granted 'but I'm afraid we must suspend this conversation in order to dismiss the students.'

He stood up and talking immediately ceased.

'Welcome back everyone, now you have all finished eating this sumptuous feast I beg to take a few moments of your time for the usual start-of-term notices,' said Dumbledore 'First-years ought to know the Forbidden Forest is out-of-bounds and a few of our older students would do well to remember that.'

Anton saw Harry, Ron and Hermione exchange smirks.

'Mr Filch the caretaker has asked me to remind you for what he tells me is the four-hundredth-and-sixty-second time that magic in the corridors is prohibited as well as a number of other things, a list of which can be found on the door to his office.

We have two changes in staffing this year, Professor Grubbly-plank is taking over Care of Magical Creatures and we are very pleased to welcome her back, we are also delighted to introduce Professor Lukyen, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who has taken a break from fighting dark wizards to teach.'

Loud applause came from the students or were unsure whether Anton would be a good teacher or not, nearly all were in the agreement he looked like he'd seen a few battles regardless of his age. Anton didn't miss the affronted looks coming from the trio who were obviously disgruntled that he hadn't told them he was taking over as teacher at Hogwarts.

Without Umbridge's long and boring speech Dumbledore wrapped the Feast up quickly and dismissed the students to their houses, bidding the other departing teachers goodnight Anton got up from his own seat and left the table with Pyra running at his side, students jumped out of his way as he swept down the centre of the Hall.

'Hey Professor!' came a shout.

Turning Anton saw the three hurrying over to him with the twins close behind

'Why didn't you tell us you were going to be the new Professor?' Ron said happily 'Defence is going to be so good this year!'

'I didn't want to spoil the surprise,' Anton responded smirking 'I hope you've been revising this summer, I'm not going to go easy just because I know you.'

'As long as you don't turn out to be a Death Eater in disguise I don't mind,' Harry smiled.

'Ron the First-Years,' Hermione said suddenly grabbing Ron's arm and pulling him away 'we need to show them the way.'

'Have fun Ronnikins,' Fred called at his departing back.

'See you in class then Professor Lukyen,' George said grinning.

The three of them left and Anton continued on his way to his quarters trying to avoid the thronging masses of pupils that were rushing through the halls.

-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-

The next morning brought a frenzy of excitement to the younger pupils and resignation to the older students at the prospect of exams.

Anton studied his own class schedule over a piece of toast, first lesson he had first-year Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, this meant there would probably be no great problems and a pretty straight forward lesson.

'What are you doing for your first lesson?' Professor Sinistra asked curiously.

'The differences between curses, hexes and charms,' Anton smiled 'what are you doing with yours?'

'Seventh years,' she responded 'I'll be doing planets in the next solar system, that's assuming they can even remember the names of the ones in this solar system.'

Anton laughed and went back to his breakfast, he watched as McGonagall handed timetables out to the Gryffindors, he watched closely as the trio read their timetables, the looks of gloom at first and then obvious smiles as they noticed they had Anton double last thing.

-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-

He left it a couple of minutes once the bell gone to make his way to his first lesson, the first years were waiting in complete silence in a line outside his classroom, a couple were missing and Anton assumed they were lost somewhere. Give it a few weeks and they'd be laughing and causing mini riots between themselves, but for now they looked terrified.

Anton purposefully didn't smile as he swept towards them his deep red robes billowing in a very Snape-like way, clicking his fingers he made the door burst open with a flash of red light that caused the ones closest to it to scream in surprise.

'Go in and stand at the back!' he ordered.

They rushed quickly in and hurried to the back of the classroom, Anton continued to the front of the classroom and leaned against the blackboard, summoning the register to his right hand he studied it.

'Front row, far left, Abercrombie,' he commanded and watched as the boy rushed to his seat his Gryffindor colours standing out 'Next to Abercrombie I'll have Brickly.'

The girl stumbled to her seat a nervous wreck.

'Next table along Carter,' he continued 'next to him, Lucia Diggory.'

The Ravenclaw went to her seat and Anton realised she was Cedric's cousin, a pang of regret followed but he masked it over as he assigned seats quickly.

When he was done he threw the parchment onto his desk and looked at the class.

'I am Professor Lukyen,' he said calmly 'I will endeavour to be a fair teacher and place all my energies in making sure you learn' he paused for effect 'I will treat you like adults- with respect. However if this respect is not reciprocated I will waste no time in punishing that individual.'

He gazed at the scared faces letting his last statement hang.

'Now then, who can give me the definition of a hex?'

Hands shot into the air and Anton allowed a small smile as he pointed to a Ravenclaw on the third row.

'Is a hex a spell that is done to disable an opponent?' he said quietly.

'Are you asking me or telling me Nick?' Anton said raising an eyebrow.

'Urm telling,' he said even quieter.

'That is part of the purpose of a hex,' Anton nodded 'five points to Ravenclaw.'

Nick smiled broadly at the points.

'Now,' Anton said looking at them closely 'who can tell me what a curse is?'

-=-=-=-==-=--=-

Fifty minutes later when the bell sounded Anton dismissed his class and watched them go, they were all smiling and talking excitedly about their first lesson, Anton watched them go with a look of contented pride before fixing a frown back on his face as the seventh years entered the classroom.

This time he let them sit where they wanted, they were a mix of all four houses and all looked ready to learn.

'I am Professor Lukyen,' he greeted them 'I have been fighting against the Dark Arts full time since I was seventeen, I have lost friends and comrades and if any of you are interested in a career in Defence you need the best teaching I can provide. You also need to know spells that are more advanced than stupefy.'

The sullen looks unknowingly changed to looks of interest as they thought of the spells Anton would be teaching them.

'Now who knows the bone breaking curse and what its proper name is?' Anton paused as hands were raised 'better yet, who can actually do it?'

-=-=-=-=-==-=-=

Anton found he quite enjoyed teaching and his lesson with the seventh years passed really quickly, with the homework of practising the curse on spiders, however he did warn that if they used the curse on another student he would do everything within his power to get them expelled.

As they were leaving the classroom with their wands still smoking Dumbledore appeared at the door beaming as he noticed the smiling faces of the older students.

'Headmaster,' Anton smiled 'what can I do for you.'

'I was just checking your morning went ok,' Dumbledore replied.

'I actually enjoyed teaching,' Anton said incredulously.

'By the looks of the pupils I suspect they enjoyed you teaching them,' Dumbledore twinkled.

-=-=-=-=-===-=-=

Break was followed by the Hufflepuff and Slytherin first years, Anton repeated his first lesson again with slightly less results, the Hufflepuffs were introverted and the Slytherins seemed to enjoy nothing more than taunting them, as they didn't know any magic, yet one thuggish and decidedly stupid Slytherin reverted to throwing his new wand at a small Hufflepuff which banged off his head in an explosion of sparks, thus landing in Anton's first detention.

The fourth years were Ravenclaw and Slytherin and their tactics seemed to be intelligence verses slyness.

'Today we'll be doing the unforgivables,' Anton said and immediately mouths dropped open 'What are the three curses?'

'The Imperio,' a girl offered.

'Correct take five points for Slytherin,' Anton nodded 'the Imperio Curse will render the person under the complete control of the caster, name another one' he pointed to a boy.

'Crucio,' he said without pausing.

'The Cruciatus Curse is one of the most painful curses to be inflicted' Anton said gravely 'the very pain is like being stabbed with white hot knives, and with extended use can have terrible effects.'

'How do you know what its like?' a Ravenclaw asked timidly.

'Experience,' Anton replied 'now what is the last unforgivable?'

'The killing curse,' a Slytherin answered.

'Avada Kedavra,' Anton said his face a mask of seriousness 'it will kill instantly and is unblockable by wizarding experience, however a few over the years have survived such as our own Mr Potter who ensured we would live in relative peace for fourteen years. Any use of these curses on another human will earn the wizard a one way trip to the hell called Azkaban.'

Anton completed his lesson with an example similar to the one Mad-Eye- or Bartemis Crouch had done in his own fourth year with spiders.

After lunch it was double with the fifth years, they entered the classroom slowly as if expecting the worse or possibly having heard from the other students what the lessons were like.

'Sit where you want,' Anton directed not smiling as he watched them sink into chairs and pull out theirs books and wands, he watched as Hermione, Ron and Harry chose seats near the front with Neville, it wasn't his imagination that Harry was looking very annoyed, no doubt already having been whispered about and pointed at.

'I'm Professor Lukyen,' he said 'I will treat you like adults if you have the maturity to act like them, I demand respect and will give you such in return, this year is your OWL's and I am here to make sure you pass them. I have trained in Defence for more years than I can be bothered to remember so I am more than qualified to train you, any questions?'

Malfoy raised his hand 'are you a muggle born Sir?' he said with an air of politeness

'That question Draco, is neither relevant or appropriate,' Anton said remembering his dislike for the boy but not showing it and also realising that his answer would affect the way in which Draco and the other Slytherins treated him as a teacher.

'But are you?' Draco asked 'I'm only curious.'

'No Draco both of my parents were magical,' Anton said resignedly 'but some of the better witches and wizards have been muggle born. Now any relevant questions?'

'Is it true You-Know-Who's back?' Parvati said nervously.

Everyone looked with interest at Anton as this question was asked.

'Two months ago came with a sudden influx of dark wizard activity,' Anton replied calmly 'I doubt they all surfaced due to any other reason.'

People shuffled nervously in their seats and Anton noticed Seamus looking uncomfortable.

'And if Voldemort…' students gasped in horror but Anton ignored them 'if Voldemort is back you need all the teaching I can give. Wands out.'

'Who here believes they are competent in basic spells?'

Hands rose into the air, among them were Hermione's, Malfoy's, Harry's, Ron's and a few others.

'Excellent.' Anton allowed for a smile 'Lavender, since you think you are capable on the platform please with…Dean.'

The two of them nervously walked to the front and stepped onto the platform at opposite sides.

'First one to body bind the other wins,' Anton said pleasantly 'on the count of one…two…Three!'

They waved their wands and shouted 'Petrificus Totalus!' Lavender shot a beam into the ceiling and Dean managed to get his in the right direction but it was so feeble it simply knocked Lavender back a couple of steps.

'Oh dear,' Anton said shaking his head 'I believe I have my work cut out.'

A knock at the door came and Anton irritably shouted 'come in or go away!'

The door didn't open to so Anton called again, when the door didn't open Anton flicked his wand and it burst open with a bang a yell of surprise came from the other side and his class began to laugh,

'Shut it!' Anton ordered striding to the door as a second year Ravenclaw stepped through, she was looking a bit stunned and was holding a goblet, the contents of which she had tipped over herself in a black mess. At the sight of the laughing class of fifth years her lip trembled and her eyes got watery.

'Professor Snape sent me,' she whispered 'with this.'

'Yes but you seem to be wearing it,' Anton said wincing slightly as he thought of what Snape would say at the waste of the rare potion 'scourgify' he vanished the potion from her robes.

'Am I in trouble sir?' she asked timidly 'Professor Snape will give me detention.'

Anton sighed and walked back to his desk grabbing a slip of parchment and a quill he scrawled a message.

Severus, slight accident with the potion that wasn't this girl's fault. I'll send someone at the end of this period to get some more

My deepest apologies, Anton

He folded the parchment and handed it to the girl.

'Give this to Professor Snape,' he instructed 'preferably before you tell him you tipped it over yourself.'

The girl next to ran from the classroom and Anton turned back to his class

'I'm going to give you a mouse,' he said 'I will give you ten minutes to bind it, if you kill it in an attempt to make it look bound you will loose house points.'

He pulled a box of wriggling mice out of his drawer and casually tossed a mouse to each person smiling as some dropped them on capture when they wriggled.

'Off you go!'

The room was filled with the shouts of people making the spell, Anton strolled down the aisles and watched as they attempted it. Some like Hermione got it first time others got its few times later. A number caused unexpected effects such as swelling or colour change and some didn't get it done at all, this being Neville, Crabbe and Goyle and a couple others.

Anton called time and walked to the front of the classroom, while his back was turned he heard a spell being called and a thud as something heavy hit the floor. Spinning round he whipped his own wand out and saw Neville lying prone on the floor in a full body bind.

Anton didn't say anything he just adjusted his eyes and looked for the most recent spell fired, with his eyes like this though people were just shadows, spotting a silvery glow that came from Neville's still form. Tracing it back the glow led to Draco Malfoy, blinking the room came back into focus he saw Draco was looking confident.

'Relashio,' he said unbinding Neville 'Mr Malfoy detention tomorrow night, if I had wanted you to attack fellow students that is what I would have said.'

'But!' protested Draco 'I didn't do anything.'

'I would disagree,' Anton said sending Draco a look that had the blood draining from his face 'twenty points from Slytherin.'

'Neville are you ok?'

'I'm fine Professor,' Neville stuttered pulling himself back onto his seat.

'Now since less than a third if you successfully mastered the spell I want you to undo whatever spell you've cast, if you can't, ask me and then we'll go over the spell properly.'

Wands were waved and the door was opened again, this time Snape billowed in holding a goblet and not looking particularly happy.

'This has to be drunk at set times Anton,' he said passing him the goblet 'and drink it while it's still warm.'

'Thank you Severus,' Anton said surprised 'but I would have come and got it at the end of fifth.'

'Set times,' Snape said walking to the door 'and I thought if I sent another useless second year you might find another way to cover them in potion.'

Snape swept back out and everyone pretended they hadn't been listening. When the double lesson had finished and Anton had gone over shielding as well as binding and had set a foot long essay on the two spells, he spotted Neville leaving.

'Neville!' he called 'can I have a word please.'

Neville looked back unenthusiastically and walked over to Anton

'Sir I didn't mean to cause a disturbance.' he said quietly.

'That's not it Neville,' Anton said kindly 'I wanted to ask you how you think you're getting on in classes?'

'I'm not really a good wizard,' Neville confessed miserably 'in fact I'm rubbish and I make a mess of every spell and potion I do.'

'Need any help with catching up?' Anton offered remembering how Neville had progressed in the DA.

'Why would you ask me?' Neville said in surprise forgetting his nervousness 'other people are loads better!'

'I'm not interested in helping people who don't need it,' Anton replied smiling 'I'm interested in helping people who have the potential to be amazing wizards.'

'Then you're definitely wasting your time,' Neville protested 'I'm really bad.'

'No you're not,' Anton said cheerfully 'I'll see you next Tuesday evening, have a good night.'