✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

“Oh… Sorry, didn't see you there.”

I hear the insincerity in the voice as the 4th year Gryffindor student drifts off down the hallway, my shoulder smarting from the rough shove, my books scattered across the floor. He had timed that shove perfectly to knock my book bag off.

Around me, many students watch, either in obvious displeasure, or in satisfaction, but none help - the situation repeating itself over and over since the winter holidays ended.

If my friends were around they'd assist me in a heartbeat, but with us having very different schedules now, I didn't often walk to class with them.

Being muggleborn, I would have expected this kind of action from the purebloods… But it's the purebloods who are dissatisfied with my treatment, although they refuse to also step in for a mudblood in the end… At least the Hufflepuffs are showing solidarity for the most part, even so, people like Justin Finch-Fletchley have distanced themselves from me.

It's the Muggleborn who's taken to showing their displeasure with me. Often physically. I admit I probably haven't helped the situation by not being overly… Humble - during my time at Hogwarts so far.

My skill with a wand deters many from trying anything magical at least. Luckily the fifth years and up do not overly participate, being busier with their studies. I likely would not scare those off with my wand work - I'm still a firstie in the end.

All the knowledge in the world won't make up for lesser physical ability and stamina as well as less power and oomph in my spells.

That damn law…. I think, gritting my teeth as I wave my wand, muttering a spell under my breath, my books flying back up, organizing themselves as I shove them into my book bag.

At first, I hadn't even noticed. Too focused on my Legilimency practice on Pettigrew, my training with Tonks and the trio, Hermione had never said a word… So I didn't think anything of it.

Although it's quite possible in her case that she just figured I'd already know.

With me taking less classes and generally being busy during lunch hours - I didn't roam around the halls often enough to immediately run into the issue. Now… Now people came looking for me.

The muggleborn students had seen the many varied accounts and articles published all through the holiday, articles praising my contribution to getting the muggleborn law off the ground. For finding a common ground between the dark faction and everyone else.

A load of bull, but it's not like the general populace is that bright when it comes to media spins. The Daily Prophet speaks, and people listen.

Needless to say, not many muggleborn were impressed with me now that the full scope of what was happening was being laid out bare in the media.

I can't even blame them.

This whole thing is messed up, and is a foot in the door for the pureblood movement to start controlling the lesser people. I agree that more education for muggleborn could be useful - but how in Merlin's name had anyone allowed the likes of Malfoy and his ilk to control the way to carry the law out.

Some kind of deal must have been struck. No way the neutrals and the light factions were that stupid.

My name is tied to it all, and I'm in reach, so I don't really blame the other students for their reaction. Who else are they going to take it out on? Malfoy? That's just a bad idea in general - if Snape didn't swoop down on them like a Dementor then Lucius or Narcissa Malfoy surely would. So, no, I don't blame them. But I'm getting very tired of this bullshite.

I need to do something about this. I can't let it fester further, and I can't let the purebloods just use my name to pervert magical Britain further.

Mostly I'm just Morgana damn tired of everyone fucking messing with me in every damn way.

“Mister Greenwood? Are you alright?” A concerned voice breaks through the silence - and my brooding.

I startle, having been lost in thought, just standing in the hallway, the hallways I now notice have emptied of students. I give the young professor a sheepish look, “Sorry Professor Haywood, I'm fine, just lost in thought.” I assure her.

With me having less classes now, this is a completely free period for me, hence why the books I'm carrying around are not on anything from my classes - it's all independent research material. I had been on the way from the library to the Undercroft when the Gryffindor student had ‘accidentally’ knocked into me.

Penny Haywood, the new History of Magic professor, hums almost melodically, laying a hand on my shoulder, gently steering me as she speaks cheerfully, “Well, I happen to know you don't have a class right now, Mister Greenwood, you should join me for tea, just to soothe a newcomers worries, you understand.” She winks at me, a playful quirk to her lips.

“Yes, Professor.” I say, a small sigh escaping, the hand on my shoulder beyond anything else telling me this isn't an offer, it's a request.

For such a cheerful and open person, she's not one to take no for an answer, or one to hold back her opinions or what she believes in. She's immediately practically adopted all the younger years and has been hovering over us since she started.

In essence, she's such a Hufflepuff, it's annoying but sweet. I just wish I wasn't one of her projects.

Professor Haywood steers me towards her office, one I had helped decorate over the last week or so under Tonks helpful supervision, as she caught up with her old friend and did none of the work, using me as slave labor. I admit I quite enjoy discussions of history and politics with the bright cheerful young professor, so I didn't mind too much in the end.

But I have some issue with her unbridled curiosity and annoying ability to read any social situations immediately - and furthermore how she never fails to involve herself and assist in them.

Good for the Hogwarts students really. Having a professor that goes above and beyond to resolve minor bullying or personal drama before it gets too bad is all for the good. Not to say the other Professors are bad at it, necessarily. They are just much more distant, and less likely to pick up on teenage drama undercurrents then a professor who only just graduated.

McGonagall isn't really up to par on the lingo nowadays, even less on what exactly students can manage to get up to while she is distracted. (Which is always)

It's just annoying when I'm apparently Professor Haywoods pet project in this. I'm not even hurt. This so-called bullying is a minor annoyance as far as I'm concerned, I'm not actually eleven, I can handle mean words and shoves. I doubt it will escalate much further - too many eyes on everything with the Aurors in the castle.

If anything she should be working on Tonks… I've so far lucked out in the fact that she hasn't been nearby when anything has happened - and her own social circle is so small she hasn't heard anything. With Ophelia apparently taking off for ‘family reasons’ (I don't believe it for a second) she's been teetering on the edge.

I never know from day to day what kind of mood I'll see her in.

Professor Haywood is helping there. But she could help more, if she got off my back!

“Don't you have class, Professor?” I ask, hoping to cut this short, I have too many things to do, and as always, too little time, even with pretty much half my course work out of the picture.

“I believe I've asked you to call me Penny when we're alone, Mister Greenwood.” She says, pouting slightly at me, her hand squeezing my shoulder reassuringly as we enter her office. “As for my class, it so happens that it's my seventh year class right now, in fact.”

“I'll leave you to that then… Penny…” I say, as I take a step back, feeling just a little bit weird, being on a first name basis with a Professor, for all that she's barely out of Hogwarts herself - she's still part of the faculty.

“No need, it's a very simple class to teach, considering I have only two seventh year students and they're working on a project that makes class time nothing more than self study at the moment.” Penny tells me, still just as cheerfully, nothing much seems to phase her or pierce her optimistic and cheerful attitude.

Still… Compared to Binns? No contest.

She guides me to a chair in front of her desk, the surface neatly organized but still absolutely full of manuscripts and scrolls, definitely ancient ones by the look of it. She seats herself in her high backed padded and suspiciously muggle looking chair, and with the flick of a wand, her tea set levitates over. “The usual I presume, Mister Greenwood?”

“Yes Professor.” I barely hold back another sigh, if I had to call her by her first name, the least she could do is reciprocate, but apparently she is trying to be proper or something. I fail to see how me calling an adult and professor by their first name is any more proper, but there's not much point in arguing with Professor Haywood.

She's frightfully good at getting what she wants I've noticed. She's practically got the rest of the faculty wrapped around her finger already. Snape even answered a question from her at dinner the other day and he didn't even sneer once!

Her smile turns amused, her long blonde hair rustling as she shakes her head, tsking quietly at my paranoia as I utilize my limited arsenal of detection spells on the tea I'm offered. She might be nice, but…

I am not taking any more chances with a professor. Friends with Tonks or not. After Quirrell… After how Pettigrew turned out, I can't trust anyone to not be a hidden badass or have a plot going on.

After all… Friends with Tonks or not. It is suspicious to me that she's taken such an outsized interest in me in particular.

“You remind me of one of my classmates, you know?” She says wistfully, “She got into adventures everywhere she turned, and she was slightly paranoid as well, after a fashion.” She sighed, tapping a long fingernail on the rim of her own teacup, her bright eyes dimming slightly, “It's not a good way to live, Mister Greenwood, seeing threats everywhere.” She warns solemnly, looking at me with compassionate eyes, her features softening, “It led her to a bad… Well… Never mind that, we're here to talk about you!”

“There's really nothing to talk about. I've got it handled.” I say firmly, taking a small sip of the excellent tea, more to be polite than anything.

The Professor hums melodically again, sounding skeptical, I have the weird feeling she'd be a good singer, a voice like that, but I shake the thought away, concentrating on the conversation.

“I've brought the situation up with the other Professors and the Headmaster. They seem to believe it's worth keeping an eye on, in case it escalates. Your nonchalance is not doing you any favors, although I suppose no matter your reaction it would not stop things.” Professor Haywood says, looking thoughtful, “Have you considered making a public statement?” She asks, abruptly.

I raise an eyebrow in skepticism, “Contact the Daily Prophet? With all due respect Professor, and please don't give me detention for this… But have you gone bloody mad?”

Professor Haywood smirks, twirling a strand of hair with a finger, “Oh, all witches are a tiny bit mad, Mister Greenwood.” She says with a mischievous look, reminding me so much of Tonks in that moment that I have to blink and take a second look, to reassure myself Tonks hasn't just metamorphed into the Professor to mess with me.

It's totally something she'd do too.

“That doesn't mean the idea does not have merit, your name has been used frequently these last few weeks.” Professor Haywood continues, unaware of my gaze looking for signs of deceit or transformation. “They've used your name and credited you with being the birth of this idea, they've given you quite some soft power in that, because people will listen to you now.”

She pauses, taking a sip of tea, her eyes never leaving mine, she gingerly places the cup back down, folding her hands in front of herself on the desk, “It has happened many times in history in fact, as you're probably well aware what with your NEWT scores…” She says, a proud glint in her eyes. Professor Haywood takes Hufflepuff pride very seriously; she and Sprout got along too well. “The latest victorious example I believe was in the 1890’s and early 1900s, the Ministry of the time regretted it bitterly - building up the reputation of the witch who eventually used it against them.”

“I'm a firstie…” I say, but my mind is whirling, I have been intending to begin fighting back, but more on a Hogwarts level then a national one. But… They have used my name, all these bigwigs crediting me… Could I use that? The whole nation currently knows who I am, even if as nothing more than a curiosity to some of the less informed, I do have a reputation.

Both as a genius, and as a champion of magical traditions and culture.

The likes of Malfoy have stood up and proclaimed my wisdom for one my age, for realizing how important the proud ancestry and traditions of the wizarding world was to newcomers… He can hardly turn around and say I'm a useless mudblood if I speak up now, he'd lose too much face. As long as I am smart about it.

I can't possibly overturn the law, it's not even worth trying that, I don't have actual political power yet, the Wizengamot would never capitulate like that for some bad press and some stink around the bill. But educating muggleborns wasn't necessarily bad. Just needed a fix on the how.

That much I might be able to pull off…

Professor Haywood smiles over the rim of her teacup, her eyes twinkling, “Well… Firstie on a technicality, maybe.” She teases warmly.

If I do this…

I can't go in half cocked. This needs to be properly planned out.

I have the tools, but I can't do this alone, not for something this big.

I need help.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

After classes, early evening.

I stand in the corner of the training room, wand loosely held in my hand as I watch Tonks putting the golden trio through the ringer.

They'd come to me for help in practicing defending themselves, and I had begun teaching them what I knew. But it had only taken one instance of Tonks stumbling upon us before it turned into Tonks teaching them with me as her lovely assistant.

Not that I needed to do much assisting most times. The trio hardly needed me jumping in on Tonks' side to be hilariously outmatched, and if I helped them, the training was skewed slightly - my skill level above theirs currently.

They were currently learning how to dodge, Tonks laughing in glee as she switched between the three targets at random intervals, pushing them, and ultimately punishing them anytime they tried to shield on reflex.

The golden trio were intermittently sending me betrayed looks as I'd taught them shielding spells just last session and they were having a hard time not automatically going to the new spell they'd spent hours on getting internalized.

Which is exactly why Tonks was doing this.

“It's dodging practice! Practice your limp wand work on your own time!” She cackled as Brian Lupin scrambled out of the way of rapid fire paintballs, already sporting several large splotches of paint.

… Not that the golden trio look particularly thankful for her help at the moment.

Harry rolled under the sudden fire as Tonks switched to target him as he closed in on her, giving Brian the chance to get out of the firing range and join up with Hermione.

The two were firing high towards Tonks torso from a distance as Harry tried to go low after coming up from his roll into a crouch.

The paintball spell is my own contribution, I didn't think Harry and co would necessarily enjoy the same kind of live fire exercise I had experienced. It also is one of the things motivating Tonks to help a bunch of brats she doesn't know well, she gets her own practice in both firing at small moving targets, as well as taking fire in the process and learning how to deal.

In this instance, she easily shimmies out of the way of Hermione and Brian’s fire, the two still too rigid and slow in their shots, making it easy for Tonks to predict the trajectory long before she's hit.

Unfortunately for Harry, it meant she had all the time in the world to paste him with shots, managing a perfect shot to the face that blinded Harry by dint of completely covering his glasses in paint.

“Potter is out, you let him close in on his own to cover you guys’ weaknesses, and didn't even provide proper spell work to suppress my counter attack.” Tonks called out, shaking her head, never once slowing down on firing spells at the two retreating first year Gryffindors.

She had the added benefit of being able to fire silently while Hermione and Brian had to enunciate every shot. So her speed was a magnitude quicker, they never stood a chance.

I push off the wall as Hermione and Brian join Harry in being absolutely covered in paint. They look disgruntled, especially Harry. Losing is never fun, but personally… I think this training is the best thing that could happen to them, and way better than anything I had devised before Tonks jumped in.

Like me, they are first years, the best possible thing they can do in a duel… Is to not be there when the spell arrives.

Shields are nice. But wizards depending on them were already dead. Because they didn't last forever, and if you faced more than one opponent… They lasted even less.

Learning how low on the totem pole they are is doing wonders for their motivation, even Hermione isn't complaining about all the physical exercise anymore, and it's only been a few sessions.

Harry of course is taking to it like fish to water. I'm honestly a bit jealous.

“Alright there, Harry?” I ask, as I cast a finite incantatem that removes the paint covering his face.

Lucky for them the spell has such an easy counter, or they'd need several washes to get all that paint out. Although the house elf's would probably love the challenge.

Harry gives me a thankful look, accepting my hand up, letting out a huff as he stands up, “Still can't hit her, but I lasted way longer today.” He mutters, giving me a side eyed look, “Any tips?”

It's not the first time he's asked me that, I shrug, giving him the same answer as last time, “Get faster at dodging, faster at casting. Only thing for it.”

I myself tend to spend half an hour to forty five minutes a day just casting, trying to get a millisecond faster on moving my wand, on focusing my fire.

So far I am way ahead of the golden trio, but the way Harry is improving, I have a feeling I might be overtaken sooner rather than later. He'll never beat me in pure spell knowledge, or knowledge in general, but by Circe's tits - he has an intuitive grasp on fighting that can't be replicated.

This is the power of a protagonist or chosen one, huh?

Hermione and Brian walk over, both already cleaned up by Tonks, Hermione looking determined, a fire building in her eyes, one I've seen there since she began losing. This girl does not take well to failing at anything.

She'll need to learn to cope, because right now, she'd be terribly easy to manipulate by anyone that cottons on to how eager she is to improve herself in any manner at even a hint of being subpar.

Except maybe flying, as she's justified to herself that it's a silly skill that a witch doesn't need to get around. It's surely got nothing to do with her being both afraid of heights and terrible at flying…

“We need to train more, we need to dodge better,” She says loudly, sounding frustrated, “Because we can't silent cast, we're always slower on the attack, so we'll never beat her like this.”

“We need to be able to coordinate better in the moment, if we all could get into better positions she couldn't focus fire on us and we could hit her from several directions at once, forcing her to be on the defensive” Brian offers up, and that's the most I've ever heard him say. I still haven't had the opportunity to get him alone and ask him if Remus is his father or what's up with any of that, but maybe these little sessions will eventually give me the opportunity.

Even if he makes me slightly uncomfortable with how… Much like Pettigrew he seems to be. The quiet shy unassuming kid. The role Pettigrew had played throughout Hogwarts.

At least I am fairly sure Brian isn't faking his personality. He's way too unsure of himself, I think I'd be able to tell if that was faked.

I think. I'll still keep an eye on him. Just in case.

“Easier said than done, she doesn't let us separate too far without pushing us back together again with spells firing into the areas we try to go to.” Harry says with a wry smile, “But good idea, Brian.” He offers up, the shy kid ducking his head, not offering up an answer.

He rarely spoke during the sessions, seemingly saying more by body language and facial expressions than anything else. Something Harry and Hermione already were better at reading then I am. I felt bad for even thinking it, but he fit in better with the other two than Ron ever had.

Harry seemed to blossom more with someone to protect, just as Hermione did better with someone she could connect with intellectually. As good an outcome as any with the whole debacle I'd discovered by accident.

Hermione pats Brian on the shoulder gently, “We'll have to brainstorm a strategy, I refuse to continue to lose like this, we need to at least hit her back once!”

Tonks cackles as she ruffles the hair of both Hermione and Brian, making a mess of it, having easily snuck up on them as they lost all awareness of their surroundings once the ‘exercise’ was over. Something to perhaps mention for future training, I think. She succeeds in getting indignant looks from both of them, even as Harry hides a smile at the sight, “You brats are never going to get good enough to hit me, but I give ya props for having the balls to try.” She winks at them, leaving one eye closed as she leans in, offering a tip, “You gotta learn how to deal with area denial though ickle babies.”

“We'll get it done by the end of the month.” Harry says seriously, a determined expression on his face, his friends both immediately following his lead, determination setting in all of them.

I rub my face, suppressing the urge to laugh, these guys… They're such… Protagonists, I think. I suddenly have no doubt Harry will manage to nail Tonks at least once by the end of the month.

Tonks grins, as always inordinately pleased to see someone showing some grit and determination. “I'll hold you to that squirt,” She says, her grin turning wicked, “You don't want to know what I'll do to ya all if you disappoint~”

“You put yourself in this situation, don't look at me.” I say, smirking at the trio as they all glance at me, hoping for Merlin knows what, I've had enough of my own share of Tonks madness, I'm not inviting myself into this.

“Lucas, you'll join them won't you?” Tonks says sweetly, fluttering her eyelashes at me, growing them out to a ridiculous length just for effect.

See what you've done? I infer with a look towards Harry, who simply shrugs at me, I ignore Hermione's giggle as I roll my eyes, putting my hand forward into the middle of the group, “Go team hopelessly outmatched.” I snark at them.

I might know a lot of spells, but this is a challenge for speed and agility and we won't match Tonks in that, even in one vs four. She's going for the Aurors in a couple months. We're hilariously outmatched if she takes us even slightly seriously.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

The trio catch on quick and join their hands on-top of mine, Tonks laughing at me above us as we all cheer with lukewarm excitement for team hopelessly outmatched.

“Such an inspiring team name.” A dry voice interrupts us, Padma and Su walking through the doors at that moment.

“We say it like it is.” I answer Padma, giving Su a wave and a smile. I've been neglecting my friends due to my studies before the hols, I'm trying to make it up to them now, which makes today worse in effect, as I'm using our get together to get their help with my project.

Tonks assists us by using magic to drag the tables and chairs from the far wall into the middle of the room, draping herself over a chair after, having no intention of leaving, watching us with poorly hidden amusement.

“Yes Tonks, you're welcome to stay.” I say cheekily, sitting down next to her, as Padma and Su chat with the golden trio, or honestly, mostly Hermione. The three girls immediately go into an academic debate of some sort, Harry and Brian sitting down to avoid being dragged into it.

“You need adult supervision, so many brats in one place, why I fear for your virtue little claw.” Tonks teases me, shifting so she can put her feet up on the table, leaning back dangerously on her chair.

“Let me know when an adult arrives.” I reply back dryly, as the door opens again, letting in the Hufflepuff contingent of my friends.

“We brought snacks!” Hannah calls out cheerfully, Susan and Neville barely visible behind her, a multitude of house elf provided snack foods teetering precariously in their arms.

“Oh, I can help with that!” Hermione immediately calls out brightly, waving her wand, muttering under her breath as she levitates the snacks forward, freeing Susan and Neville.

I'm not the only one to look at her with surprise. Levitating that many objects so expertly is no small thing for a firstie, and so quietly, Hermione is obviously taking Tonks silent casting personally and is already working on making her spell casting more quiet.

“Thank you!” Neville lets out with relish, all the heavier snack items lifting out of his arms. Susan and Hannah's thanks echoing his a moment later.

I might have created a monster here… But if it makes it more likely Harry survives? I suppose it's all for the better that Hermione improves so rapidly.

“Why couldn't you have done that, Hannah?” Susan complains with a crooked smile, jostling her friend's elbow, “Would have saved us the trouble of almost crashing into every wall between the kitchens and here.”

Hannah giggles, “I am the supervisor, I just supervised.” She slides into a chair, putting her nose in the air, “I leave the thinking to the plebs, like you, Susan.” She says putting on fake airs.

“I'll show you plebs, I know where you sleep.” Susan retorts, rolling her eyes as she sits down next to Hannah, Neville sitting down on the other side.

“It's nice that we can all get together again.” Su says quietly, looking around the table, “I missed this.” She adds, ducking her head slightly as everyone focuses on her.

“Yeah, now that Lucas has finally joined the living again, stopping his inferi impersonation.” Padma adds, smirking as she sends me a challenging look.

I stand up, raising my hands placatingly, “Yes, I know, I've been distant, I have time again now, and I really think it would be nice if we did something like this every weekend, just all of us together, hanging out.”

Sure, the golden trio hadn't been a part of that in the beginning, but it seems the plot will find me wherever I go, so I no longer see much point in keeping them at arm's length.

“You guys are unbearably cute, you know that?” Tonks interjects, a shit eating grin on her face, “I'm going to have to come along just to get my weekly sugar content.”

“Yes… You're invited too, Tonks.” I say dryly, knowing I can't stop her either way.

“You didn't call us all here for a party this time though, did you, Lucas?” Neville asks shrewdly, “This is your training area, right? You don't really mix fun and function much.”

With the way eyes all turn in my direction with not a hint of doubt in any of them, I'm apparently easier to read than I thought. I twitch as Harry sniggers at me, laugh it up, just wait a few years until every girl here wants to date the boy-who-lived, I'll get my revenge… I think, eyeing the predominantly female group.

“You guys… Neville is the Lucas whisperer! We have so much to ask!?” Hannah says mockingly, she leans forward, “Like… Boxers or briefs?” She breaks down into giggles immediately after, not able to hold onto a serious mien. Susan swatting at her fondly.

“Usually it's you helping us, so what do you need, Lucas?” Hermione of course is on point, and doesn't devolve into silliness.

I rake a hand through my hair, taking a deep breath, “Alright, you've probably noticed that the new muggleborn law has made things a little… Tense.” I start, gauging who knows what I'm talking about, not surprised to see that all of the first years know, even as Tonks look at me with a confused expression.

“It's ridiculous, blaming you for it. Gryffindors should know better.” Brian mutters darkly, staring down at the table. From what Harry has told me, Gryffindor tower has exploded into debate several times lately, only Gryffindors aren't always the best at debating with their words.

“Hufflepuff isn't as bad, but it's not good either.” Susan acknowledges, “At least the upper years are staying out of it.” She added, sounding unsure if that was a positive or not.

“Ravenclaw… Is all or nothing.” Su says as eyes turn towards the ravens, she bites her lip at the attention, looking to Padma, who takes over with a sigh, “They're either all against you, or all for you, there's really no in-between.”

“What… Are you all talking about? What does this law have to do about Lucas?” Tonks asks suspiciously, looking from the others to me, having not noticed a thing apparently.

I'd rather she not know at all, but better she finds out here, where she won't lose her crap if she sees some random student shoving me around. That said, ouch, she might fight like one, but she's really not the investigative type of Auror is she?

“The muggleborn law that the Ministry recently passed has been tied to Lucas in the press, all the older families crediting him with kickstarting the movement.” Hermione explains succinctly, as I give her a thankful look for explaining it in a non explosive way.

My look turns to alarm when Hermione doesn't stop there, and continues to explain the situation in detail, “Lucas has faced a lot of bullying from the muggleborn because of all the attention, which is stupid, it's not like he had anything to do with making the law.” Hermione finishes with a huff, looking offended on my behalf.

My eyes though turn to Tonks who's fuming, her face smiling pleasantly and innocently at Hermione, even as her eyes promise hellfire, “You wouldn't happen to have any names, Granger?” She asks sweetly.

Hermione opens her mouth, but stops suddenly, clearing her throat awkwardly, both Brian and Harry having grabbed her arms, saying without a word that she needs to stop, “I don't… Know?” She says weakly.

Tonks fingers her wand, looking like she's ready to get up and go hunting immediately, I know I need to stop that before anything happens.

“Tonks, I'm okay, it's literally been nothing to worry about, that's why I haven't even said anything to you.” I say placatingly, catching her eyes, trying to impress how unaffected I am. With limited success, she looks pissed.

“But you have a plan, right? That's why all of this, right?” Hannah says, eyeing Tonks with some uncertainty, she still wasn't overly popular with most of my friends. They still remembered the beating.

I smile at Hannah, relieved to move away from any discussion on my ‘bullying’, “Yes, exactly, the upside to every politician and ancient family hyping up my name in the press for this law, is that it means if I say something about it, people will listen.”

Susan looks skeptical, “They won't go back on a law over that, no matter what you say.” She argues, and she'd likely know the most about politics in our group due to her aunt. And she's absolutely right.

I say as much, getting some confused looks around the table.

“I can't put the genie back in the bottle,” I explain, “But if I raise enough of a fuss, perhaps I can get the part of the law where the old dark families are in charge of muggleborn education switched to an equal representation model. Do you think your gran would be against that, Neville?” I ask, knowing she'd been instrumental in negotiating this law.

Neville looks surprised to be asked, but takes a moment to think of it, looking unsure as he finally answers, “I can't say… But she did complain a lot about the liberties the dark families took in the final draft.”

“Then why did they agree?” Su asks, a thought I see echoed around the table in the less politically astute firsties. And Tonks.

Susan pinches the bridge of her nose, answering instead of Neville, “Because more education for muggleborns has been something people have tried to pass for ages, and they took the chance to get it passed while the dark families were willing to deal.” She explained, cautioning shortly after, “Or so I'd guess.”

“That's my take on it too.” I say, nodding at Susan, “It's why I think there's a chance, if there's enough of a furor raised - to push the likes of Lady Longbottom into the process on how muggleborn get educated. Ensuring it won't be just pureblood propaganda.” I notice some arch looks and I hold up my hands, smiling, “Alright, dark pureblood propaganda, I know that not all purebloods believe in this nonsense.”

“I don't know politics,” Tonks says slowly, tapping her heels on the table, seemingly restless, but at least not noticeably murderous anymore, “But counting on the Daily Prophet seems like a risky idea.”

I nod, “Which is why I'm going to divine the best path forward.” I say, bringing out my pouch of dice.

Divination is what truly sets me apart after all. It's really my best path forward for gaining any advantage. It's the one thing I can do that others can not match or exceed. At least anyone I know of.

Padma raises an eyebrow in surprise, “I thought you'd get less reliable results the more you used it?” She asks, her interest piqued at the idea of performing divination magic.

Hermione and Brian on the other hand look politely skeptical, but at least they keep it to themselves.

“That's right. It does. Which is why it won't be me doing it.” I say, revealing my plan, “Belief is the most important part of this process, and most of you,“ I stress, knowing Hermione and Brian is not amongst that number yet, “Have seen me do it, have seen the results, and you believe. So you can perform it too.”

“But we won't be as good as you, right?” Su asks, peering at the dice I laid out on the table.

“Seems risky.” Tonks throws in, looking unusually solemn, “You sure you want to count on me for this, baby claw?”

“Absolutely.” I tell her firmly, holding her gaze until she looks away, I turn to Su next, “You won't be as good as me, yes, I seem to have a knack for this, but that's why there's many of you. I can put your results together over a couple of days or weeks - and find the best path forward.”

I hold one of the dice up, “I can't trust the Daily Prophet randomly, but I looked up who works there earlier today, even if it takes us a week or a month, we'll go through everyone in the writing staff, picking a new one daily, until we find one that the dice say will be able to print my story as I want it, and is able to get the editor onboard.”

“We'll find the right person, the right time, the right circumstances, and we'll release the story when the combined results of all of you - and my one roll a day - match for the result we want.” I say seriously, twirling the dice in-between my fingers, “The reform of the muggleborn law.”

“Divination will be the key, they won't even see me coming.” I promise, all my friends pledging their support.

Even Brian and Hermione, who do not believe it in the same way, but that's good too, their results will be illuminating as well.

I won't just let them do what they want. Not any more.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

The first day of results were promising. Not that they got good results for the plan moving forward. No, it was promising because I had picked Rita Skeeter as the first subject, and the dice had unanimously told me what a terrible idea that was. Which as far as I'm concerned is proof of the concept working.

After that, we'd enjoyed our evening together, talking, getting to know the golden trio better, with Tonks even managing to soften some of the antagonistic feelings some of my friends still held towards her.

Mostly by goofing off and acting way below her age, utilizing plenty of ridiculous transformations, but hey, whatever works.

I'd held Harry back after, telling him my divination had found out he had an invisibility cloak, and asked him if I could borrow it for a night, to further my moves against my detractors.

Considering I had previously knocked him out and stolen it, I feel bad for how easily he handed it over, only showing a moment of hesitation before he decided I needed it more then him at the moment.

With the Auror presence at Hogwarts, I'm not going around the castle at night without something like it. And normally I'd be tucked in bed right now reading an interesting tome on magic, but my proactive moves will not be just limited to my reputation.

I'm not quite ready yet to try and unravel my memory charm. I still have a long way to go in Legilimency. But that doesn't mean I can't continue to make a hassle for Professor Quirrell. Especially with the Auror presence at the castle, no doubt keeping an eye on him, something I'd love to make more troubling for the asshole.

The more his movements get limited, the better for me and the castle. Ideally he'll manage to get himself arrested, which would really be the cherry on top.

The only downside being my continued need to deal with the devil…

I'd made another deal with him over a week ago, and it was time to collect. I'd sent him a message earlier, before the meeting. And I had gotten my reply right before curfew, delivered by a Ravenclaw prefect of all people.

I arrive outside the Slytherin common room shortly after curfew, going down the corridor, past two storage rooms before I reach an empty classroom.

Not quite empty tonight, as I spy Draco Malfoy inside.

I take a moment to whisper out detection charms, but I find no one else in the vicinity, so the odds of it being a trap have lessened somewhat. I'm not exactly thrilled about making deals with Draco, but between Quirrell or Malfoy, I know which threat I'd rather deal with going forward.

Draco is definitely not quite the same person as he was in Canon, with the Aurors out and about, I definitely wouldn't have expected him to meet me outside his common room after curfew, even if it was just a few doors down.

Canon Malfoy would have absolutely made this a trap. Turns out this version is actually a Slytherin. And he's looking to deal.

I stow the invisibility cloak in my bag, entering the door quickly, Malfoy not even raising his wand at my quick entrance, sitting arrogantly at the desk, a satchel in front of him. “Greenwood.” He says amicably, a strange expression on his face.

“Malfoy. You have it?” I ask, taking a quick step forward, eyes going to the satchel, I have no intention to linger and risk Aurors, or worse, Snape.

“Of course, it wasn't a problem. The Aurors are using dark detectors, they're useless if an item isn't dark magic.” Malfoy says easily, pushing the satchel forward, towards me, his eyes sharp and assessing. “I'm glad you reached out, I'm sure we can have a fruitful relationship.”

I felt slimy just hearing it.

“It would be more fruitful, if you'd tell me what payment you want for this. I don't like leaving something hanging over my head.” I retort, grabbing the satchel, drawing an appreciative nod from the Malfoy heir when I use any detection charms I have on the satchel as well. Everything's coming up clean.

Malfoy smirks arrogantly, “Seeing what you'll do is more than enough payment for now, Greenwood. It helps us understand you better.”

I grit my teeth at the us. I knew when I made contact that I wouldn't solely be dealing with the spawn, that he'd report to his father. I felt dirty for even doing it. But in the end, he was definitely the smaller fish. I couldn't wait to see their faces when their muggleborn law turns right back to its purpose - education, not propaganda or indoctrination.

“I'll be going now then.” I say, backing away, Malfoy sitting smugly in his seat the entire time, as soon as I exit the room, I fire off more detection spells, still finding nothing, which is slightly unexpected, I slip the invisibility cloak on and make my way out of the dungeon.

Nothing I'm doing is illegal, yet. Although it breaks Hogwarts rules, so even if Malfoy would snitch on me after setting me up, the worst I'll get is detention or suspension for having these things in my possession, no one would believe I created them after all. I'd purposely not asked for anything dark anyway, I didn't want to ping the wards, nor draw Auror attention. Not to me, anyways.

Quirrell had walked away from my previous attempt of implicating him without an issue. He'd probably still be fine after this attempt as well, somehow. But I'd give it my best shot.

I was looking to limit his movements, make him paranoid, have him look for enemies, all things that would have him focusing away from me and mine.

I'd moved tonight, because the sooner the better, and the Marauders map said Quirrell was not patrolling tonight, as he was in his office, either sleeping or awake, it didn't matter.

The closer he was the better, so he'd be found on the scene. With the invisibility cloak I'd be able to scamper long before he arrived if he had some strange urge to come check on the classroom.

It doesn't take me long to arrive at the DADA classroom. It's locked of course. I don't want to use my wand to unlock it, if it even would do so to a simple alohomora. I reach into the satchel for one of the two items Malfoy has provided me.

I take out a gadget that looks somewhat like a see through metal Swiss army knife. I slide out an attachment that looks like a key, inserting it in the look, with a quiet whirl it goes to work, the locking ward fizzling out as the door swings open silently.

I have no doubt this thing is expensive, which adds to my discomfort on dealing with Malfoy for it. But at least at the very cheap cost of knowing what I'm using it all for.

No magic traces left by me by using this thing instead of my magic. No trace other than Malfoy knowing exactly what I've done once the news hits. I doubt they'll inform Quirrell, he's too young to have been an original Death Eater, so he's not in that circle. But even if they do, this should still work to force him to ignore me anyway. Because he won't be able to get me alone, or even make a move for me after this.

Whatever his plan is here at Hogwarts, he can't afford to keep going after me. If he even figures out it was me, his plan will be more Important, I'm sure, considering who's backing him…

Quietly moving across the classroom, I make it to one of the cabinets, using the lockbreaker again to force my way inside, the locking ward fizzling out. With no sign of forced entry, it will look even more likely that Quirrell himself is the only one with the access to everything in here.

I specifically use a cabinet that has been locked all year. I peer inside, slightly curious why it's never been opened, but find nothing special inside, just a bunch of parchment bundled together. I almost grab it, but my hand freezes just above it. It could be spelled as well, and I can't afford to cast a detection spell. Whatever it is, I can't deal with it, I have my own reason to be here.

Slowly I remove the spherical shaped spelled object from the satchel, not something made out of dark magic, but something volatile. I can feel it shaking even now. Something that should not be kept in a room full of children. Something that would definitely put a professor already on thin ice - on the very edge of his rope.

He'll likely have an Auror attached at all times after this, the suspicion all falling on him with his record so far.

That's if Dumbledore doesn't just fire him. I can hope, but I'll settle for him being watched 24/7 by Aurors.

With the explosive placed in the cabinet, I slowly close it, making my way out of the door, closing it quietly behind me, bringing out the map as I walk away, ensuring I don't go anywhere near a patrolling Professor or Auror.

If Malfoy isn't lying to me, the explosion would be enough to wipe out everything in the classroom. Making it stored there in the first place, a big black mark on Quirrell.

It had been a risk, but I had bet on Malfoy being more interested in me and what I could be up to, then in exploding me with a faulty product. Seems I was right.

I'd been very clear in my ask, I wanted something that would look and have the feel of something experimental, something the professor could have been playing around with - at least in theory, or something someone might assume happened. Malfoy had delivered something that I hoped would fit all those parameters. In the end, the most important one was that it would explode.

Malfoy had been very clear. Once it left the satchel, it would explode somewhere within the next five hours. So there was no risk for any students as it would happen at night time.

I hoped it worked. But if it didn't….

Well. No matter. I'll just have to try again with something worse.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

“Quirinus, what are you doing down here? It's not your night to patrol, is it?” Aurora asked, Auror Westin at her side peering in suspicion at the DADA professor in front of them.

The Auror already had his wand drawn, suspicious people, these Ministry types, Aurora thought. Quirinus surely had a reason to be here.

The Astronomy Professor had been looking forward to finishing this uneventful patrol and getting away from it all, to go back to watching her stars, something much more gratifying and important than this drudge work. She did not fully approve of the Auror presence, or the new schedule they all had to follow, especially as it increased her duties, taking time away from her personal studies.

It all made Aurora distinctly uncomfortable, as the shared nighttime patrols with the Aurors did now also come with a very rigid schedule to avoid exactly this - people roaming the halls for no discernable reason.

Barely seen in the shadows of the dungeon, the DADA professor stood, facing away from them. The unadorned stone walls of the dungeon - with the large statues in front of them reaching up to the ceiling, cast a long shadow throughout the hallway.

“Ah, Aurora, so far away from your tower, my dear. I was simply dealing with a small discipline matter with the caretaker.” Quirinus said smoothly, turning to face them, a genial smile all that could be seen of his face in the darkness.

How odd, she'd never seen such darkness in the castle before, almost a void, devoid of anything, it was making Aurora nervous.

“Oh, glad to have that sorted out.” Aurora said with a tired smile, she wasn't particularly fond of the man, actually she quite disliked him, but she was glad it wasn't anything nefarious going on. “I hope you mentioned to Argus about how the lights down here seem to be malfunctioning.” She added, frowning at their surroundings, was it getting darker? That can't be right?

“Professor, please step forward into the light. Hands visible.” Auror Westin said sternly. “Nice and easy now, no need to make this harder for anyone.”

“Now, really -” Aurora began to protest, but the Auror cut her off.

“Please draw your wand, Professor Sinistra.” His own already pointing at the DADA Professor. “It does not matter that he is a colleague of yours, he is not adhering to the schedule set up to prevent any funny business, he will need to explain his deviation, we'll have to question the caretaker as well.” Westin said, no compromise in his tone.

A deep sigh was their only answer, Aurora agreeing with her colleague's exasperation, this was beyond anything they'd agreed to with the Aurors, the man was treating Quirrell like a criminal! She opened her mouth to protest only to snap it shut in shock as the Auror suddenly shielded himself, several spells splashing harmlessly against the shield, succeeding in cracking it slightly.

The Auror swore as he had to swivel suddenly, a spell somehow curving around him to strike from behind him, Westin barely managing to spell swat it into the wall, scorching it.

Aurora’s own wand shot into her hand as she turned, firing a bone breaker into the darkness, her heart pounding. She couldn't see well, but she'd aimed straight for the Professor's torso.

“Bone breaker? Tsk, tsk, Professor, that's not very nice.” Quirrell called out, chuckling slightly, his voice menacing, even as he spoke, Westin soundlessly fell, his wand rolling away from his now prone form. Aurora hadn't even seen what hit him - she thought he'd managed to parry the spell.

This is bad… She thought frantically, her own fighting ability was not bad per say, but compared to an Auror… And he'd been taken down easily, Quirrell hardly even making an effort.

“I don't bother with stunners for an enemy, Quirinus. Why are you doing this?” She questioned, trying to stall for time, the darkness was now almost all encompassing, and she felt foolish for not realizing they'd been caught in a spell effect from the moment they'd made it down into this hallway.

She hadn't even bothered to pay attention, they were at Hogwarts, she had an Auror with her, there was no danger!

“Honestly, You don't matter at all Aurora, simple happenstance brought you here. After all, your patrol route shouldn't have taken you here at all.” Quirrell gave an aggrieved sigh as he seemed to be rubbing the back of his head in frustration. “What is the point in breaking into the Auror’s schedules if they're not going to follow them, this is such a bother.”

Aurora felt fear grip her, the way the man in front of her so casually spoke of circumventing all the Aurors at Hogwarts, and the wards of the Headmaster himself. The nonchalance he had in the face of Aurora's wand… “Expecto Patro-” She tried desperately to get a message out.

“None of that now.” Quirrell said irritably, his wand slashing through the darkness soundlessly, her emerging Patronus cut in half as it began to form.

Aurora lost her wand, falling down on her knees as ropes bound her arms to her sides as Quirrell snapped his fingers, conjuring the bindings wandlessly.

What in Merlin's name is going on!? She thought, amazed and disturbed at the casual skill on display. “You are behind the Cerberus attack!” She accused, she needed to keep him talking, long enough that someone would wonder why their patrol was still going on.

Suddenly her heart felt like an ice cold hand had a grip around it, a harsh voice with a slight hiss coming out of the darkness, fear chilling the blood in her veins. “Fool, this is the second time you've failed to account for the people of this castle, only my synergy with the Hogwarts wards is keeping your bumbling efforts from being discovered!”

“Apologies Master, I will clean up my mess, none will be the wiser, your plan is still on track.” Quirrell said subserviently, a hint of his own fear in his voice. Aurora didn't see who he was speaking to, but that voice… Her suspicions were enough to drown her in her fear. Her eyes wide, her breath coming out in short gasps, as she stared at death itself hidden in the darkness.

“Don't worry my dear valued colleague, killing you is too final and liable to get Dumbledore to step off his throne, you'll have to wait to die with all the rest.” Quirrell said mockingly to her, raising his wand. The darkness swirling around him, Aurora saw a hint of red in the darkness but wasn't able to pinpoint it as it disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

Aurora only had a moment to feel a slight relief, an Obliviation was far preferable to the alternative after all. Then the voice spoke again.

“My connection with the ward stone is not ideal in this state. I've dampened the wards of the area temporarily, you have ten seconds of absolutely no alerts for dark magic. Shackle them both!”

Quirrell stepped fully out of the darkness, a mad glint in his eyes as he met Aurora's panicked gaze, “You give me the nicest things, Master.” He exalted.

No no no no, he can't be back!!

“Get on with it!” Was hissed out in response.

“Imperio!”

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

In the Headmaster's office.

Dumbledore was interrupted in his parchment work as a device on his table suddenly let out a gong, turning a dark red color.

“I'd say that is that.” The portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black said pompously, “You finally have an answer, are you going to do something about it?” He asked challengingly.

A cacophony of noise erupted as the other portraits of previous Headmaster's complained about Phineas attitude or outright yelled at him. Dumbledore raising a hand placatingly, eventually silencing them as he watched the trinket with his bushy brows furrowed in thought.

It was as he thought... Tom had always had a special relationship with Hogwarts, had plunged into her mysteries deeper than any before him. He'd suspected during the chamber of secrets incident that Tom had managed to gain a limited tie to the wards, now it was confirmed.

Someone had just diverted the wards in the dungeons, hiding an act of dark magic from his gaze; he'd have been completely blind to it if he hadn't suspected… If he hadn't prepared.

He directed the portraits to watch all exits from the dungeon while he examined the magic tied to his trinket. It was no small thing he'd made, collaborating with Nicholas to build a device to circumvent Hogwarts wards while still being ultimately sensitive to any fluctuations in them.

Generally, anything that interacted closely with any aspect of magic tended to take in a small part of it; it had been an interesting intellectual exercise to craft something that broke the laws of magic.

Although to Nicholas and he, the laws were more suggestions than anything else.

Should anyone but he gain access to the device it would be an incredible blow against Hogwarts security. He'd have to destroy it after this situation was cleared up. As much as it would pain him to harm an artifact of such excellent craftsmanship and ingenuity.

Armando's portrait returned fifteen minutes later, and Dumbledore turned expectant eyes on his old mentor.

“Professor Sinistra and Auror Westin exited the dungeon together. Once they were out of sight, Professor Quirrell soon followed.” Armando reported stiffly.

Dumbledore closed his eyes wearily. Oh, Aurora. He let out a deep sigh. Yet another crime to lay at his own feet, he'd have to leave her under the likely Imperius curse. He could not allow Quirrell to know that he was aware of his misdeeds. He needed him to enter the trap. Especially now that it was confirmed he was harboring Tom - no one else could have diverted the wards.

Leaving an Auror under his control practically guaranteed that the Auror presence would be useless against him, but the trap was the only thing that mattered. The important members of the Ministry were outside Tom's reach, Rufus and Amelia would still play their parts come time.

They'd have a way to end the madness, once and for all.

By doing the one thing Tom would never suspect him of. Sacrificing everyone and everything for the goal.

Rubeus… Now Aurora… The poor muggleborns taken from Hogsmeade… Miss Onai… They all wouldn't be the only ones to suffer before it was all said and done.

“Keep an eye on them, full surveillance.” He ordered with a heavy heart. Their movements would give him an idea of what Tom was planning.

The portraits and the ghosts would follow the two enslaved servants in a way Quirrell couldn't be followed. Tom was too skilled to allow himself to be caught easily, but he couldn't pass those skills on completely to mind controlled minions, so their movements would help him, not Tom.

Aurora would never forgive him, he thought as he walked over to stand by the window, looking up at the night sky the passionate woman loved so much.

How many lives must you ruin Tom?

… How many must you make me ruin?

His thoughts were interrupted as an explosion was felt by the wards. What in Merlin's name!?

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ