Amethyst didn't emerge from her tent until almost noon on Monday. She had woken early but was so caught up in lesson plans and jotting down notes for the meeting that she lost track of time. She grabbed her notebook and headed to the Great Hall for lunch. All of the professors were already at the head table, even Draco. She noticed that James was in a far corner talking with a blonde girl and a boy with green hair - though when she got closer, she noticed that they both looked older than James. The blonde looked a little familiar but she couldn't quite figure out why. She shrugged it off and took her seat at the head table. Draco smiled and squeezed her hand. Amethyst, suddenly, felt as though someone was watching her, but as she looked around the Hall, everyone was in conversations with those around them.

"What is it?" Draco sensed her unease.

"Not sure. I just had the weird feeling that I was being watched." She shrugged and then grabbed a sandwich from a nearby platter. "Do you know who James was talking to?"

"I believe the man with the green hair is Edward Lupin. The blonde woman, I think, is Victorie Weasley." Draco answered.

"Lupin…" Amethyst chewed a bite of her sandwich as she pondered the last name. "Remus Lupin's son?" Draco nodded. "He was married to Nymphadora Tonks." She was pulling this information from memories she'd long forgotten.

"They both died during the Battle of Hogwarts. Teddy, as he'd called, was raised by his grandmother, my aunt, Andromeda Tonks. Harry is his godfather." Draco added. "Not sure why they're here… unless it is something to do with what James told us yesterday."

"Weasley… that's why she looked familiar!" Amethyst nearly shouted when realization hit. "I met her briefly once when I was working with Charlie. She's Bill and Fleur's oldest."

"You know more than me. All I knew was that she's Weasley." Draco shook his head. They finished lunch and then headed towards one of the classrooms on the ground floor. McGonagall decided that was best for the meeting since a few centaurs would be present. As they entered, Draco stopped dead in his tracks. "Alexia?"

"Uncle Draco." The young brunette woman looked at Draco and then glared at Amethyst. She glared more when she watched Draco tighten his hold on Amethyst's hand.

"…" Amethyst looked between Draco and the girl but ducked behind Draco's shoulder when she noticed the look on the girl's face. She, then, noticed James and the other two sitting near Alexia. They took a couple seats on the other side of the room and Amethyst could still feel the icy daggers from Alexia's gaze on her back. Draco, sensing Amethyst's unease, draped his arm across her shoulders and pulled her into his side. Neville, Hannah, and Professor Flitwick entered the room shortly after. A few minutes later, Hagrid, Band and a couple of centaurs entered followed by McGonagall.

"Thank you all for coming." McGonagall wasn't waiting. "Welcome, Bane and the other centaurs, I know you bring valuable information to the meeting." She nodded towards the centaurs and they returned the nod. "You may have noticed familiar faces: James Potter, Teddy Lupin, Victorie Weasley, and Alexia Greengrass-Selwyn." Amethyst caught the name but didn't make any glance at Draco - questions would have to wait. "They will act as a type of security for the students of their respective houses. They will also, from time to time, aid in the eradication process. James for Gryffindor, Alexia for Slytherin, Victorie for Ravenclaw, and Teddy for Hufflepuff." McGonagall turned her attention to Draco. "Professor Malfoy, you may not be teaching classes yet, but I will need you to fill in as acting Head of House for Slytherin."

"Of course, Professor." Draco was struggling to maintain composure. He hadn't seen or spoken to Alexia or her mother since Astoria's funeral. He knew Scorpius and Alexia had kept in touch so he was sure his son would be happy to see her.

"The four will live in their respective houses. Teddy is also here in Harry's place as a member of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and an Auror. In light of what happened yesterday morning, Harry has been called back to the Ministry for the time being." McGonagall took a deep breath and turned the meeting over to Amethyst.

"As most of you know, the acromantulas are slowing down." Amethyst stood and faced the room. She tried to ignore the constant glare from Alexia as she brought everyone up to speed. "As the temperatures continue to drop, they will venture less and less from the den. There is a strong chance that before the first hard freeze, they will attack more frequently as they prepare for the winter months." She glanced at Draco and then at Bane who nodded in encouragement. "They will still be active during the winter, just not as frequently. Bane and the centaurs have been tracking their movements for a while."

"We've mapped their routes, making note of their most frequently used ones. We've also noticed that they are beginning to establish smaller, satellite dens near other parts of the forest, including near the edge close to Hogsmeade." Bane took over. " So far they have not attacked Hogsmeade. They tend to stay away from the dragons' territory as well. With the hippogriffs spending nights on school grounds, there has been no attacks on them either. They also seem to be hesitant to attack any of the magical creatures living in the forest."

"So… the attack on the hippogriffs right before term started… that was a trap?" Amethyst has suspected as much.

"It would appear that way." Bane answered truthfully.

"Oh, come on." Alexia huffed in disbelief.

"Don't underestimate the intelligence of acromantulas." Victorie spoke before Amethyst had the chance to. "There is a reason why they have a XXXXX classification."

"They are sentient. They can speak to humans, they are intelligent. It's nearly impossible to train or domesticate them. They have a taste for human flesh and they will eat their dead." Amethyst went into professor mode. "If you underestimate the acromantulas, you will be killed."

"Whatever." Alexia rolled her eyes and stifled a yawn. Amethyst balled her hands into tight fists to keep herself in check.

"There will be periodic rounds for checking the protective charms placed on the school, the path to Hogsmeade, and, now, Hogsmeade. If they are moving closer to the village, charms will need to be placed there as well." McGonagall, sensing the tension, stood up and got the meeting back on track. "No one is to face the acromantulas along; no one is to check the charms alone." Her gaze settled on Amethyst. "No one."

"We'll eventually need copies of the centaurs' map. Once we start attacking, we'll need to know where all the dens are." Teddy spoke for the first time.

"I believe we have a few more things to add, but as soon as it's finished I will send it to Amethyst." Bane replied. He had an uneasy feeling about Alexia.

"If there is nothing else, classes resume tomorrow and Teddy, Victorie, and Alexia still need to finish settling in." McGonagall dismissed everyone.