The next morning Severus dropped the pair off at the train as he had done the previous year, knowing that they could handle themselves should anything arise, before going off to transport Nye to Firenze's home in the forest, where he would live during the term. It would seem that the broken nose he received a few months earlier had sunk in with the redhead menace, he didn't annoy Lex and Mia at all during the trip into Hogwarts, and most people left their compartment alone after learning that they were in there.

Getting off of the train at Hogsmeade Station, they noted that there was a kindly looking witch smoking a pipe at the end of the platform calling for first years. They were pleased that Hagrid had been replaced by someone who looked like she could control the kids, watching as she stopped a trio picking on a smaller boy with just a look.

They made their way over to where skeletal looking winged horses were attached to large carriages. Hermione made her way to the front and gently ran her fingers through the sparse hair that was a mane and said hello, Lex doing the same, both gaining odd looks from most of the student population that saw them. The ride up to the castle was silent, the demigods sharing a carriage with fellow Gryffindors Neville and Fay, both saying in confidence they too could see the creatures.

The sorting was quick, clapping every new Gryffindor they received, and then Dumbledore rose to make his announcements, "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. The Forbidden Forest is forbidden to all who do not wish to die a horrible death. For a list of contraband items, it is posted in Mr Filch's office, and he would like me to remind you all that there is to be no magic in the halls. As you can see, we have two new staff members. Replacing both Rubeus Hagrid as the Keeper of Keys and Grounds and Professor Silvanus Kettleburn as Care of Magical Creatures professor, Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank."

The applause was light and polite as the same woman from the platform rose and acknowledged everyone. As soon as she sat, Dumbledore continued, "And taking the position of DADA professor is Professor Gilderoy Lockhart."

Nearly all of the female population cheered loudly as a blonde wizard with flamboyant robes stood and bowed dramatically, nearly knocking Professor Flitwick from his seat. It was obvious that the staff disapproved of his being hired just as much as the two demigods did, but seeing Albus standing there with a calculating smile on his face had them knowing he had this all planned out.

"Excellent, excellent, very well then, let's EAT!"

Lex and Mia politely spoke of their summer, not giving away anything that could be used against them should Dumbledore go looking, but mostly they just listened. They noticed that the newly sorted Ginevra Weasley was picking at her food, being ignored by her 4 older brothers, clutching onto a tattered diary as though it was a life preserver.

Severus had lost his appetite the second he had seen the ghastly the robes of his colleague, they were even worse than those that Albus wore. As he listened to the moron claim to have a recipe for the cure to lycanthropy that was given to him by a shaman from some bloody country, the potions master used every ounce of strength to not kill him. As he looked down the High Table, he could see that all but the headmaster were in the same boat as he was. Minerva locked eyes with him and he could see her grimace easily, the tattered napkin in her hands could easily become Lockhart's neck, which he would join her in.

Finally everyone was let go, and there was a race to the doors for the staff and also two particular Gryffindor students, everyone else filing out in the same slow disarray as usual. Lex and Mia were stuck outside of the Fat Lady until Percy Weasley came forward and said the password. As was typical after a large meal, nearly everyone went straight to bed, the two demigods waiting until Lex was given the all clear by Neville.

In the staff room the professors were all having large drinks, Severus grateful he had a good stock of anti-hangover potions. They were all complaining at the hiring of Lockhart. Filius Flitwick was cradling a good amount of brandy, "He was the most incompetent Ravenclaw I have seen in all my years as a professor. Couldn't even summon a feather until 7th year."

"Dumbledore had a dozen other applicants but he chose this moron, I think he's gone senile in his old age," Minerva added, knowing that there were no spies in this room.

"No, he did this for a reason, we just need to remain alert to see what that reason could possibly be," the potions professor stated from his seat.

"But what about the students' educations?" The Arithmancy professor Septima Vector enquired, "I have a class full of 5th and 7th years who need top marks in DADA, not to mention the other years. We've all seen his book list, they're just those idiotic books that he wrote, there isn't a known spell in any of them."

That stumped the other professors; they all had their favourites and knew that with that moron teaching the subject, they wouldn't learn a thing. From the chair beside the fireplace, Rolanda Hooch spoke up, "We have a duelling club, teach the kids something that they can use."

"Excellent idea Rolanda" "Brilliant" the praises came from the Flying Instructor's idea.

"So we create a duelling club, open to all grades, that we will all have a hand in teaching?"

It was agreed to, as was the condition that should Lockhart wish to assist, they would use him as a test dummy, and the professors celebrated for many more hours.