Chapter Thirty One

'So Madam Umbridge is there anything you would like to add?' Dumbledore said pleasantly.

It was early Saturday morning and they were having the monthly weekend meeting which usually didn't take to long to complete, but with the possibility of Umbridge speaking then that was something that looked like it was going to be a distant memory.

It was also a Hogsmeade weekend celebrating St Valentines, Anton suspected that once they set off a large contingent of the pupils would be paring up.

'Well,' the said breathily 'I would like to take the time to mention the results of the more recent inspections.'

Most of the staff glared furiously at Umbridge and a couple traded quick angry whispers, Dumbledore genial expression didn't change and he signalled for the woman to continue.

'Most teachers have passed,' she simpered 'though many with less than pleasing results.'

Pointed looks went to McGonagall and the Ancient Runes teacher.

'And though some of the teaching staff didn't have the right attitude initially, a further inspection showed them to be passable.'

This time Anton received a look and he smiled blandly back.

'However some of you are still not performing to Ministry standards, those being Professor's Hagrid and Trelawney. I will have to continue sitting in on your lessons.'

The half giant shifted uncomfortably in his undersized chair and Trelawney raised her head high in indignation.

'Those who cannot see, cannot possibly comment on what it is like to be a seer!'

'Sybil,' Dumbledore interrupted lightly 'I'm sure Madam Umbridge is just doing her job and that she will treat us all fairly.'

Raised eyebrows met with this statement but no one said anything, Anton wasn't listening closely to the conversation he was to busy watching Umbridge. Something was off, he didn't know what but it was. Certain details were different to the first time, different actions, different circumstances, different happenings. Small factors which apart did not mean much but when put together they created quite an amount. The problem was that Anton didn't know what to make of them, he was mulling over them and before he realised he had stopped listening.

'So what do you think Lukyen?' Snape asked.

'Sorry Severus I was thinking about something else,' Anton apologised not failing to notice the derisive snort that Umbridge emitted 'what did you ask?'

'I asked,' Snape said with a sardonic tone 'what you thought of starting duelling club.'

'Really,' Anton said surprised 'I think that would be a great idea, who'd run it?'

'Well no doubt you could offer us your expert skills,' Snape said dryly 'we had discussed while you weren't listening that we'd all each take it in turns to run it each week.'

Anton rolled his eyes at Severus's rebuke before saying 'but what are we doing about less…popular members of staff, won't it be bad if one week it's full and the next week it isn't?'

'Which is why Lukyen,' Snape replied sneering 'it will be made compulsory to go to one week if you wish to attend the next.'

'And here was me thinking it would be my captivating attitude which would win the students over.' Anton smiled.

'That or the chance you'll do something stupid,' was Snape's reply.

Anton shot him a small smirk and asked 'which years would be invited to this club?'

'In my opinion it would be more advantageous for the older students,' McGonagall recommended 'after all they will be facing the dangers of the world far sooner than the younger years.'

'A valid point,' Dumbledore concurred gravely 'but we must also remember that in these times our younger students will also be at risk from certain threats.'

'Different classes then,' suggested Snape scowling 'after all it would not be productive to have first years and seventh years in the same class.'

'Mind you many of the older students were lacking in their basic knowledge,' Anton said drumming his fingers on his chair.

'I'm sure you've brought them up to scratch with your formidable expertise,' Snape remarked dryly.

'Severus,' Anton said smirking 'jealousy is a terrible weakness.'

Snape fixed him with an impressive glare before continuing 'as long as they are nothing like that fool Lockhart's they can only be an improvement.'

A few heads nodded in agreement and Anton's attention went once again to Umbridge who had watched the exchange without passing comment, a strange event. As if almost realising this herself she interrupted.

'hem hem, clubs such as the one you are proposing must be sanctioned first by the Ministry.'

'Strange I don't remember that decree,' McGonagall said her tone icy.

Umbridge sent her a small smile 'I'm sure one will be arriving shortly.'

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

After the meeting was over Anton went to get his cloak from his now ice bomb free quarters and started on the walk to Hogsmeade. It was still quite cold and frost clung to the trees sparkling slightly in the weak winter light.

He had arranged to meet Sirius and Teddy in Hogsmeade and it didn't take him long to find them in the joke shop causing as much mayhem as the students, Fred and George had met up with them somewhere along the way and Sirius was imparting the secret behind one of the greatest pranks the marauders had pulled, the twins were listening with great interest and Anton recognised the mischievous smiles and realised the twins minds were turning quickly.

'A'TON!' Teddy yelled spotting his godfather first.

He ran across the shop and hurled himself into Anton's arms speaking quickly about something he and Sirius had done to Lupin which had resulted in one very wet werewolf.

'That's great Teds,' Anton laughed 'but maybe you and Moony should try one on Sirius next.'

'If he does that I'm coming after you,' Sirius said in greeting as the twins went back to eyeing the shelves.

Anton smiled and replied 'well Sirius, I had heard from a very reliable source that you have a date today.'

Sirius gave a mock glare to Teddy who shrugged happily.

'Your little spy is absolutely right,' Sirius answered his face lighting slightly 'while you're with Teddy, I will be meeting with Mylee.'

Anton shared a smile with Teddy who giggled slightly at the look of childish happiness on Sirius's face.

'I can't wait to see the feast tonight!' Teddy exclaimed cheerfully.

'Yeh you'll be spending tonight with me,' Anton said with equal cheer 'that means Sirius gets to spend tonight with Mylee.'

Sirius sent him a small glare this time to which Anton just raised his eyebrows as if asking Sirius to deny what he'd just said, luckily Teddy was still far too young to understand what Anton had insinuated.

'I like Mylee,' he told Anton 'she's nice, and she gives me sweets, and she plays games with me when she comes round.'

'Oh,' Anton said with an interested tone as Sirius decided to look with faked enthusiasm at the items for sale 'does Mylee come round often?'

Sirius couldn't help but turn to Anton and give him another glare, Anton smiled innocently back as Teddy replied that she often came round.

'Well it's nice that Sirius has a friend.' Anton continued his eyes glinting humorously.

'Sometimes you are so like your father I feel like hitting you,' Sirius told him with a distrustfully amiable tone.

'Aww Sirius, I'm just happy to hear you're not lonely,' Anton said his face breaking into a big smile 'and I know my dad would be happy as well.'

Sirius rolled his eyes and pulled a shrunken bag from his cloak pocket 'here are Teddy's things to last him tonight and tomorrow, I also put his cuddly wolf in, he likes it when he has bad dreams.'

Anton felt mixed emotions at this, Sirius had already told him that Teddy had been getting nightmares, and with what he had experienced over five short years Anton wasn't to surprised but it saddened him almost as if he had failed Lupin. But the obvious care and love Sirius had put into his tone told Anton that over a couple of short months Sirius, his godfather was loving this child with all the love he hadn't been able to give Harry.

Sirius took Teddy momentarily out of his own godfather's arms and hugged him,

'Be careful now Teddy and make sure you behave yourself tonight.'

'Of course Pa'foot,'

'And you can firecall me at any point tonight if something happens, I don't care what time.'

Teddy nodded in promise as Sirius put him back down on the floor, Sirius clapped his hands together and said 'I'm off to meet Mylee at the pub, and then we're off to Diagon Alley.'

'Have fun Sirius.' Anton said taking Teddy's hand.

'Oh I will,' Sirius grinned.

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

Hermione, Ron and Harry all share confused looks from behind a shelf in the joke shop, they had heard the exchange by accident not intending to eavesdrop.

It had been Sirius's comment about Anton's father that had got his attention, how had Sirius known Anton's father, they knew what had happened and the circumstances in which Anton had joined the Order, no one had known who he was when he'd arrived outside the Ministry and yet here was Sirius speaking as if he had been well acquainted with Anton's father.

Hermione's brow was furrowed in thought and she signalled unnecessarily for the two boys to keep quiet as they waited for them to leave. They also spotted the twins but the two of them had moved away and from their expressions it didn't look like they had heard what had been said.

After waiting a few minutes they also left and the second the got outside Ron asked the question which was on each person's lips.

'Is anyone else confused by the fact Sirius knew Lukyen's father?'

Hermione nodded 'I thought his family had been fighting dark wizards in Eastern Europe.'

'For Sirius to have known him he would have to have met him before he went to Azkaban,' Harry pointed out 'because Anton's father has supposedly been dead for years.'

'Why would he have said he didn't recognize Anton at the start of the summer if he knew his father?' Ron asked 'because if you ask me it sounds like Sirius knew his father pretty well.'

'It could be he actually didn't recognise Lukyen,' Harry suggested 'it might be he and his dad look nothing alike.'

'He would have known the surname though,' Hermione said shaking her head 'Lukyen isn't exactly the most common of surnames.'

'That is strange,' Harry said frowning 'but it makes me wonder if Sirius did know…'

'…then why did he lie?' Ron finished.

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

Anton took teddy to possibly every place in Hogsmeade, the small boy had loved the Shrieking Shack and the rumours of ghost, more so when Anton explained to him who the sounds had really come from and the small boy couldn't wait until he next saw Lupin to talk to him about it. Anton even took Teddy up to the cave where Sirius had stayed. They sat on the edge of the rock face swinging their legs as they studied the impressive outside of Hogwarts and Teddy stared with such excitement that Anton felt his own memories of his first view of the castle resurfacing.

'I can't wait to see it A'ton!' he glowed with youthful ecstasy 'Pa'foot and Moony told me so much about it! And you and Rho Rho did as well!'

Anton nodded his head sadly and Teddy gave a small shiver, Anton looked at the darkening sky and realised it was getting late, he muttered a warming charm over the child and made sure his scarf was wrapped tightly around his neck.

'Come on Teddy we need to get back before the feast,' Anton said taking Teddy's hand.

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

That night Hagrid had really outdone himself with the decorations, even if they were slightly garish with huge floating hearts. Teddy was sitting with Hermione, Harry and Ron while Anton endured dinner at the teachers table with Umbridge.

'So Professor,' she started 'who's the little boy at the Gryffindor table?'

Anton froze slightly before saying 'that's Teddy.'

'And who's Teddy?' she asked the glint Anton had recognised earlier was back in her eye and a sliver of wariness passed through him.

'No one you need to be concerned with,' he almost hissed.

'Maybe I'm more interested in certain things than you realise.' She spoke lacking any of her usual breathy tones, her voice was cold and resolute.

Anton felt the unease again, she was watching him carefully her eyes fixed firmly on his face as is she was waiting for an expected reaction, instead he took a drink of the pumpkin juice in front of him and went back to eating his meal slowly, as he lifted a mouthful of food to his mouth she spoke again.

'Perhaps you have more secrets than you have the intelligence to hide them.'

Anton put the uneaten food back on his plate setting his fork down slowly, then he turned and looked at her.

'Now that was a rather unkind thing to say,' he responded his voice even 'which makes me question what your motive is in trying to get me annoyed?'

'No motive,' she answered unblinking 'but I know your type.'

Anton had to stop before his mouth fell open in shock, this was strange, maybe it had had something to do with him being a student at the time and she'd been killed fairly quickly last time, but he could not remember her ever being like this.

'My Type?'

'People who rely more on their fists than their intellect.'

'And after knowing me for what, two months, you believe you understand me?'

'Lets just say that I know more about you than you could possibly imagine,' she said her voice dangerously quiet.

A breaking of glass stole his attention and he swung his head to stare down the table to see what had happened, he had to stop himself as he had been seconds away from drawing his wand, at least though he knew his reactions were still as fast as ever.

Trelawney was sitting frozen in place, the breaking had come from the wine glass she had dropped and it lay ignored on the stone floor, the dark liquid seeping outwards. She was now staring straight ahead with much the same expression as she had done when she had told him the prophesy in his third year. Dumbledore also appeared to recognise the state as he had half risen from his chair a look of intense concern displayed clearly on his face, though his blue eyes were sparkling with curiosity.

The teachers table fell silent and it was not long until the stillness spread to cover the entire hall, the students all watched the teachers table warily unsure of what had stopped their celebrations.

It was then that she opened her mouth to speak and every student and teacher appeared to sense that something was happening and they all watched with intense interest.

Her voice rang out clearly.

"Through time they come, their number great, their methods sure.

But coming with them is the dark, a skulking shell, the impure part.

They've had not one chance but two, to fight the darkness burning through.

For Fate has plans still undecided. Where three reside another watches.

He will come with wind to fire, the brother lost when times were dire.

But death has not claimed this prize, he has been sent back to answer cries.

Sides will falter, allies will fail.

And Fate will watch this epic war, her hands untied, her reasons clouded.

So who will win this fight?

Where lives will be lost and blood will pour."

Time seemed to freeze, Trelawney snapped out of her state and was staring around confused at all of the stares she was receiving.

Anton's mind was ticking in overtime and from the expressions of his fellow teachers so were theirs. A burst of brilliant searing light came from outside and Anton was vaulting the table and running to the doors before most of them registered what was happening. He barely even managed a glance in Teddy's direction to check he was ok.

The main doors in the Entrance Hall burst open with an enormous bang and Anton raced through them running flat out.

The dark grounds were illuminated with a bright white light that appeared to be centred near to the lake. As he drew to a stop nearby a high wind began to blow, it howled monstrously drowning out the stampeding footsteps of the rest of the school as they followed their Defence teacher to the source of the mysterious happenings.

The wind turned into almost the intensity of a tornado and Anton felt his robes whipping around him as he stood the closest to the dry storm, his wand was clutched tightly in one hand while his other rested cautiously on his sword.

The light grew if possible even brighter and Anton squinted, dimming his eyesight so he could keep his vision fixed on what was occurring, the rest of the school was having less luck and were desperately shielding their eyes. Some of them especially the younger ones were being herded back to the castle by a few of the Professors who realised whatever was happening might not be best seen. Hermione was grasping Teddy's hand tightly in apprehension and fear, the small boy had buried his head in the side of her robes protecting his small face, Harry and Ron stood on either side of her uneasiness playing on their expressions.

As soon as it had started it was over, the wind died in seconds and the light suddenly muted to become more of a slight glow which bathed the bank of the lake softly. People raised their heads uncertainly wary of what was coming next.

A figure stood illuminated in the middle of the light, it glinted of his long pale hair and glittered off of the sword hanging loosely at his side, he was wearing a strange robe of a white fabric and his feet were bare on the frosty ground.

Anton felt the air leave his body as the person raised their head to gaze upon the faces who were all watching him, a small smile flickered across his face as he picked out Anton easily and he spoke loud enough for the people at the front to hear.

'Fate certainly has a strange sense of humour.' He paused for a moment 'wouldn't you say brother?'

Before anyone had a chance to reply the person's legs collapsed beneath them and they fell to the ground.