Chapter 111 - part 4

"Well either they didn't know what they were talking about or they didn't understand acromantula." I sighed. "The leader - the King - Aragog was keeping them from going after the kids here. As soon as he died all bets were going to be off. Whoever you had watching them, fire the guy. You were going to be swarmed by giant spiders and people were going to die. I don't care how good your defenses were, there were a lot of fucking giant spiders in that brood."

"Were?" Shrewd old man.

"Yeah: were. The situation is handled now."

"I see."

"I didn't kill more than a few of them." I grimaced. "It seemed… wrong, and also a waste of resources. Some of these guys are as big as buses. If anyone tries to attack this school, that's a hell of a defense. Especially with the basilisk dead; it's nice to have another strong stick in reserve."

Dumbledore reared back. "You are aware of the basilisk."

I spread my arms out to the side. "Dumbledore, let's not pretend. You have a damn good idea about what I can do and how much I can see and manipulate. This should not be a surprise to you."

"Contrary to popular opinion, I do not see everything."

I breathed out and shook my head. "Sure. Let's go with that. Lucky for you I happen to be on the side of your school. Your acromantula problem is under control now by the way. They're mine now."

Dumbledore sighed. "I assumed as much after I saw your affinity for the charmed insect construct. I must confess, Miss Hebert, I am uncertain if this is a kinder fate than killing them."

"I have very little sympathy for them overall. They were all looking forward to sinking their fangs into your students. While I may not feel right killing them out of hand, I don't actually mind suborning them. They have an insect mindset, none of the living even mind this new state of affairs. The only one that had issues with control, willingly ceded the brood to me before asking me to kill him honorably."

"Ah. Aragog is dead then."

"On that note, do you have anywhere farther away that I can establish a smaller colony of acromantula? A place where they can settle a tinier brood and start growing outward in a safer direction?"

Dumbledore looked at me, his fingers steepling. "I find myself confused over your request, Miss Hebert. I thought you said that the leader of this brood had just passed on."

I lowered my arm to the desk. A small spider with extremely intricate whorls and coloring slowly crawled down out of my hair and settled on the back of my hand. "This is Annabeth. She's a baby. She has two sisters. All three are very young and not really smart enough yet to understand much. As they get older I'm going to want to move them to their own habitats. The way it was explained to me, the Queens among their kind can keep the acromantula civilized. Aragog was never going to be able to manage; yet he and his ilk had massacred her and her people a long time ago. I'm bringing them back."

Fawkes leaned down, casting his head one way, then the other, staring at Annabeth through each eye. He trilled, extended one wing, and touched the tip to the spider. Annabeth lifted up as tall as her small legs could get her, and waved her two front legs in greeting.

"I must say, Miss Hebert," Dumbledore murmured, his voice nearly too soft to hear. "You are constantly full of surprises. I will find groves that will work for your children and inform you of their locations in short order. Do ensure that they are aware of the centaurs. I would caution you to introduce Annabeth and her sisters to the local herd as well before taking them to their new homes. It may ease relations."

"Thanks for the tip." Then I processed what he said. "Wait! There are centaurs in those woods?! Centaurs. Half-man, half-horse? Actually centaurs ?!"

"Indeed," he was smiling again. Bastard. A girl can get excited over more awesome magic fantasy creatures. Sue me.

"I'm never going to hear the end of this, and if you tell Daphne you will regret it for weeks, but… Can I ride a centaur?"

"If you wish to gravely insult them, then yes!"

Oh that smug jerk.

"I hate centaurs. Fuck centaurs. Okay, moving on."

Dumbledore laughed, waving for me to continue. Annabeth scurried off of my hand and started to explore his desk top.

"How sure are you that Fudge isn't working with Voldemort?"

That threw Dumbledore for a loop. His laughter stopped like a switch had been thrown and he simply met my gaze, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open. "You think the Minister is - No. No, Miss Hebert, I do not follow your logic. Cornelius is… I am loathe to say this, however the more I interact with him recently the more convinced I become: the Minister is not intelligent enough to walk such a route. As obstructive as he may appear, he is simply a particularly frightened individual. Frightened men often take unfortunate actions, actions that can seem threatening and villainous in hindsight."

I shook my head and held up a hand starting to tick off fingers. "Yeah, I don't believe that for a second. I heard your meeting this morning. He's not just racist, he's also actively malicious. He's trying to turn an entire country against a teenager and - unless I'm wildly missing my mark - a war hero. Not to mention that from what people keep telling me Harry is supposed to be some sort of golden goose when it comes to Voldemort. He's survived what? Four direct fights with the guy and Fudge is trying to vilify him?"

"As I said, he is a scared man. Cornelius Fudge does not wish to acknowledge even the possibility that the Dark Lord could have returned. He is lashing out in the only way he understands how: the political theater."

"I'll tell you this, Dumbledore, if Fudge isn't a plant, then he's a better villain than all of the villains I knew. And that's saying something."

The Headmaster sagged, again showing his age. "I understand your concerns. I have them myself at times. Yet, I assure you, he has his heart in the right place. He just needs to be reminded of that. I am uncertain how to do that at this point however, considering he is making it quite clear that we are enemies at the moment."

"I noticed. Thank you for getting your teacher in before he could get another stooge planted by the way."

Dumbledore winced. "I would not want another repeat of 'Hogwarts Justice' as the students have taken to calling it."

I smirked. "Gonna have to remember to call it that."

"Dolores is not expected to survive."

"Good."

"Miss Hebert," he paused, seeming to collect his thoughts before continuing, "everyone deserves a second chance."

I scowled. "No. They really fucking don't. Anyone who tries to better themselves, who pushes to be a person worth redemption, they deserve a shot. People like Umbridge, like Fudge? They don't deserve shit. They beat people down and torture and hurt and kill and then go home and pat themselves on the back while sipping their tea. I'm pretty strong here. I'm not going to let that stand. Not anymore."

"Those are dangerous words, Miss Hebert. You should take care to ensure you don't jump down a slope that is too steep to climb back up."

I glanced around the room seeing the collection of portraits on the walls. Turning back to the Headmaster, I met his gaze. "Can you blind and deafen those?" I asked, jerking my thumb over my shoulder to point at the paintings.

He was silent for a long moment, then nodded once and snapped his fingers. The portraits all seemed to freeze in their current position. Satisfied, I stood up, Annabeth running up my arm and settling back into my hair. I started to pace, making an effort to not offload any of my reactions into the swarm around the castle.

"I think you've figured out that I'm not from around here. Right?" Dumbledore nodded. "My world, it's not like here. There is very little hope to go around, Dumbledore. We're dying by inches. Everyone born in my world knows that it's only a matter of time before the Endbringers live up to their name. The only question is whether that happens in our lifetime or in our kids' lives. Nobody wonders if it will be longer, they know better. We can pretend to fool ourselves for a bit, live our lives, pretend to be happy, believe in happy endings, that the good guys will win. But in our hearts, we all know that the comfort is not real , it's a fabrication so we can make it to the next day. But one day, there's going to be a fourth Endbringer, then a fifth. My world fights the darkness, but there's no hope , Dumbledore."

"I can see why you would be eager to protect your charges if that is the environment you were accustomed to," he said, voice carefully neutral.

"It's not that. That's background noise." I turned to him, my fists at my side, my chest heaving. "You have magic here! You have unicorns, and centaurs. You can alter reality with a wave of a stick! People like Umbridge, Fudge, and Voldemort, they're pulling that magic, that wonder from this world. They're dragging you down into the darkness that surrounds my world. I'm not going to let that happen. I'm not going to let this beautiful place drown in death and despair and hopelessness. You have magic . Keep that magic. Keep it shining bright."

Dumbledore stood, his hands spread wide. "Miss Hebert, Taylor, you need not become the monster of this story just to ensure that others have a happy ending."

"I can walk in the dark if it means that others can walk in the light. I'm okay with that, I've never really had a problem with that. If it means that the world as a whole has improved, I'm perfectly fine being the darker shade of gray."

"Taylor -"

"I've seen monsters, true monsters. Fudge isn't that bad, but Voldemort sounds pretty darn close, and I guarantee you that no tears will be shed over a child torturer like Umbridge. This place of wonder can't be destroyed because of monsters."

"There must be lines that can't be crossed, otherwise we become as bad as those we fight."

I nodded. "I agree with you, Dumbledore. You and I are on the same side, the only thing is, we both have very different lines in the sand."

I turned and walked back towards his office door. "I'll be available if you need assistance with moving against Fudge. In the meantime, if you find my methods so inherently distasteful, ensure that any future meetings with the Minister are away from Hogwarts."

I had reached the door when Dumbledore's soft voice called out one final time. "Taylor, promise me this: that no matter what, you will be able to live with yourself afterwards. And that the ones you care for will be able to forgive you your actions. That… That is the bit people like us always forget."

I stopped, my hand on the doorknob.

"I did say I had a foolish youth. I was in love with Gellert Grindelwald. You are very intelligent, I'm certain you can determine the rest."

"I can. I'll… keep that in mind, Dumbledore. Though if what I do protects the magic and wonder of this world then I doubt I will ever have a sleepless night."

The door closed behind me.

Walking down the stairs, my thoughts were far more chaotic than I had expected them to be.

Chapter 13: Teacher's Pet 02Notes:AN: Ah I had forgotten just how much spellcheck despises Fleur's accent. So many red lines…

Chapter TextTeacher's Pet 02

"This school has a love affair with secret passages and hidden rooms. You just have to keep diving further and further into the cliches," I sighed. I was standing in front of where I knew the kitchens were. But, of course, they were not there. Was it too much to ask for a simple door into the room?

I could feel the space for the kitchen just past the wall and the - vanishingly small amount of bugs and magical pests - inside could smell the food. There were also… I was pretty sure those were house elves. They seemed to have the same general stature and shape as the little guy back at the Greengrass home, but it was hard to tell. There just weren't enough critters inside the room to be sure.

Ah well, if I couldn't brute force it, I could try being polite. I stepped forward and knocked on the wall to the side of a painting of a bowl of fruit. "Hello? Would you mind opening the door for a moment? I have a few quick questions that I think someone in there could help with."

Several seconds passed before the painting swung outwards. (Of course it was behind the painting. That had been the only painting I'd found in the castle so far without someone living in it. Stupid. I should have checked the painting.) Well, at least my guess of the workers being house elves was spot on.

"How can Dobby be helping, Mistress Hogwarts?"

I stared at the house elf in front of me. My bugs throughout the castle buzzed and chirped. Luna looked up, smiling at a cluster of swarming billywigs in the corner of her classroom. Astoria chuckled as several vampire mosps performed an intricate dance in the ceiling of her potions class while Snape eyed the group until they settled down.

"Good morning, Dobby," I said, my voice perfectly level. The elf stared back at me, wide-eyed. His 'uniform' was a fairly garish combination of shorts, sweaters, and far too many socks. I may be fashion challenged, but even I could see that this elf needed an intervention. "Is there any particular reason that you are calling me Mistress Hogwarts?"

Dobby smiled, his grin more crafty than I would have ever expected. I probably shouldn't have been surprised really. Dad had always said that the janitors were the ones who saw everything that happened.

Maybe I should have made friends with Winslow's janitor…

"The elves know how you protected the students, miss." Dobby bowed so low I worried for a second that he was going to fall over. "We aren't being allowed to help in human battles; not unless Hogwarts itself is under attack. But just because we can't help, doesn't mean we can't see. Dobby thanks Mistress Hogwarts for protecting the castle's students in our stead!"

Well… That was a… thing. "I just did what was right. I don't really want my actions getting around though - can you and your friends keep it a secret, Dobby?"

"Of course, miss!" Dobby straightened, his head bobbing quickly enough that his long ears flopped. "Dobby and his friends don't tell secrets, miss, no we don't! Now, was the miss wanting a meal? A picnic setting? A platter?"

"Actually," I shook my head, "I was hoping one of you guys might be able to point me towards a room that my friends and I could use to meet up for some training. I need to teach my charges some general self-defense among other things." The best lies were built on truth and I did want to make sure that Daphne and Astoria could take care of themselves without a wand.

The little guy nodded again. "Dobby knows, miss! He can show you if you wish?"

"That works. After you, Dobby."

The house elf bounded off down the corridor at a pace that I nearly needed to start jogging to keep up with. Someone remembered to take his enthusiasm pills this morning.

On the other hand, there was something… incredibly refreshing about seeing someone just so inherently happy. I might need to come visit Dobby - and the rest of the local janitors - more often.

Except Filch. Screw that guy. I was constantly surprised that he didn't have a secret murder room. The man just screamed 'Evil Cliche' from every pore; it was only a matter of time before I caught him red-handed at something.

"Here, miss, the Come and Go Room is here!" Dobby exclaimed, stopping right next to a rather fancy tapestry.

"Are those - Dobby I'm fairly new to this continent, please tell me that this scene isn't based on a real person."

Dobby's big eyes blinked slowly. He glanced at the trolls in the scene, then he looked back at me and just stared. "Barnabas worked very hard for his ballet performance, Mistress Hogwarts."

Wizards were insane.

"Did he happen to survive his trolls' ballet?"

"Not that Dobby is aware of. Dobby was told it was a full theater when he asked though! Barnabas would have been very proud!"

Utterly. Insane.

"Right. Okay then. Come and Go Room?"

The house elf nodded rapidly, a huge grin spread on his face again. "Just walk past Barnabas three times, thinking of what the miss needs. Be very specific! Then the Come and Go Room hears you and shows itself."

That would explain why I couldn't see anything hidden in the walls if it wasn't even technically there until I gave it form.

"Alright, let's try it out." I strode a few paces away from him, then turned around and came back. Keeping my specifications firmly in mind, I repeated the motion a total of three times… and nothing.

Dobby stared at the blank wall across from the tapestry. "Did the miss think of a room for the Room of Requirement?"

"Yes." Fuck, this was the stupid gargoyle all over again!

"Dobby has never heard of it not working unless someone is already using it. Let Dobby try." The elf ran back and forth down the corridor and in mere moments there was a door there and the room beyond had appeared to my senses.

A frankly terrifyingly huge room with enough slumbering bugs and magical pests that it probably qualified as a safety hazard. And there were so many things! My eyes widened as I set critters to start cataloging everything they could see and touch. Piles, I needed piles of the useful stuff! Oh the salvage! So much salvage!

Aisha would have been convinced she'd died and gone to heaven from this room alone. Lisa probably wouldn't have been too far behind her. There were so many bookstoo! So much knowledge just sitting there!

"Dobby," my voice was so soft I was amazed he could hear me as he started to turn around to run back down the corridor. But the guy was good, and he froze in place just looking up at me with his big eyes. "What did you ask for?"

"The hidden things room, miss. It's be a simple, easy room to thinks about. Quicker than trying to summon cleaning supplies as Dobby would have to focus on whatcleanings he wants done. There is simply so much cleaning that is needed for a castle this large! It's wonderful, but one can't be vague when asking for cleaning tools, no one cannot." He shook his finger at me. Apparently, seeing that I wasn't planning to ask anything further, he ran off. As he reached the end of the hall the door - and my knowledge of the room - vanished. Coming back to stand at my side, Dobby frowned. "Can the miss try again? Dobby isn't sure why the room didn't work."

"I have a theory," I muttered. Sighing, I went to the end of the hall and tried the march again. Still nothing. Dobby hopped from foot to foot, biting his lip. I held up my hand before he could do or say anything. "Let me try one more time. I'm going to try talking to… Hogwarts this time."

Dobby frowned more, but didn't say anything.

Walking back down the corridor one more time, I focused on my ring, casting my mind… somewhere. I wasn't really sure what I was even reaching towards. I just knew that there was something there, looking out behind my eyes, riding shotgun with me. I wasn't magic, I didn't have magic. That seemed abundantly clear after the past few weeks. But, considering the powers that parahumans had, was it really so much of a leap to say that my passenger did have magic?

Hi, I don't know if you can hear me. I doubt you can really respond. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with all of this if you could, to be perfectly honest. But I could use your help here. If you really are linked to me, can you read my mind or something, or focus on what you want and make it similar to what I want? So that we can get this room open? There's going to be cool things in there. You like cool stuff right? My range hasn't dropped since I started showing you the fancy magic. Don't you want to see new hidden magic?

When did my life get so insane? I was dangling interesting magical tidbits like a lure in front of a power I barely understood that was attached to me in a way I really didn't want to think about just so that I could pretend to be a witch long enough for a magic castle to be fooled into thinking I belonged here.

I was as crazy as Barnabas.

And it was apparently working. There was… something. Something stirred in a not-direction. Maybe. Attention? My brain itched. And my ring was warm.

Squaring my shoulders I stalked back towards Dobby, turned on my heel and repeated it. After the third time, a door appeared in the wall again.

I couldn't feel inside this one, there were no lingering bugs already inside it. This was my choice - well, my power's choice - and not the Hidden Things room.

Baring my teeth in a feral smirk, I grasped the door and wrenched it open. "Ha! Take that magic gatekeeping castle!"

Dobby followed me inside, wringing his hands. "Mistress Hogwarts, yous be bleeding."

I wiped my gloved hand under my nose, coming away with a streak of red on it. Filing that note away for later, I shrugged it off and glanced around at my training and conspiracy room.

"This will do."

//\(oo)/\\ //\(oo)/\\ //\(oo)/\\ //\(oo)/\\

Classes for the day were nearly done when I found myself outside on the grounds and staring at the lake. My nose had stopped bleeding and I had resolved not to think too hard about the implications of that event. It wasn't something I could really do anything about. Either my power could fix whatever it had messed up when it tried to push too hard, or it couldn't. There wasn't any point in making a mountain out of a molehill, especially not when I had asked for it myself.

And if I could get myself recognized by these magic gatekeeper spots, it would be worth it. I doubted it would be important 9 times out of 10, but that 10th time was always going to be the one where it was life and death. Always. That was just the way luck and life worked. After all, I hadn't ever thought I'd need an epipen. And then I had nearly killed a cute blonde villain and suddenly it was relevant that I carried them.

Cute. Blonde…

"Oh motherfucker!" I hissed. I kicked a rock hard enough that it skipped several times across the surface of the lake. "Was I flirting with Lisa too? Was she flirting with me? Did I stop trying to be a hero because I liked watching her ass in spandex?!"

A throat clearing behind me pulled me out of my thoughts. It wasn't like I hadn't realized the woman was coming closer, but she didn't know I knew she was there. It was nice to know that witches still had manners.

I probably should've controlled my personal outbursts though. Goddammit. I hadn't been this conflicted about things since I first started going out with the Undersiders!

"I have found watching women in tight clothes to be rather distracting myself."

I looked over my shoulder and barely managed to suppress a groan. None of my buggy spies in Dumbledore's job interview had been the types to let me see in color. Apparently Fleur Delacour was also a tall, thin, leggy, blonde.

And she was hot.

I did have a type. Fuck.

"Well at least I'm not the only one," I said, holding onto some small shreds of my dignity. "It just would have been nice to have realized it sooner."

Fleur stepped up next to me, arching her eyebrows. "You are wearing a tight suit, wiz a tie, and gloves. Miss 'ebert, you are ze one distracting people right now."

"Yeah, I've figured that out this morning, thanks." I still had to talk to Daphne. How the hell was I going to talk to Daphne? I had successfully avoided her for most of the day. But I couldn't avoid her forever.

Could I?

I could try…

"Well, at least you're aware. Beautiful people do have to take measures to protect zemselves from rabid fans at times."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not beautiful. I just apparently look good in a suit."

Fleur frowned. "Whomever filled your 'eart wiz zat nonsense deserves to be fed to ze grindylows." I raised my eyebrows and Fleur sighed. "But, I am not 'ere to speak of zat. Zee 'eadmaster suggested I introduce myself to you. 'Ello, I am Fleur Delacour. I will be zee new Defense Against Ze Dark Arts teacher for the remainder of the year." She paused, her eyes narrowed as her gaze raked over me. "I am not entirely certain why I was specifically directed to speak with you when you are not a member of ze staff or ze student body. Yet zere is… somezing…" She shook her head and her grin was firmly back in place as she stared into my eyes again.

That was pretty good. If wasn't so practiced at reading people by now I probably wouldn't have picked up on the fakeness in her shift. So Fleur could sense something was off about my 'magic' huh? Good to know. That meant there would be other people who could do the same.

"It's nice to meet you, Professor Delacour. I'm Taylor Hebert, bodyguard for Astoria and Daphne Greengrass."

Fleur took my offered hand, nodding once. "Bodyguard hmm? Zat is a fairly unusual position for one of your age."

"I'm pretty competent at my job." I shrugged.

"I would expect no less. And ze sisters? Zeir family is worried about zeir safety with Voldemort on the return? Or is zere something more concrete zat I need to be on the lookout for in 'Ogwarts?"

I smiled, "How much did Dumbledore tell you about me?"

"Not much." Fleur crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed. The bugs I had on her told me how close her hand was to her wand. Smart girl. I liked her already. "But zere are stories in what is not said, just as much as what is said. I have heard zat my previous holder lost her position due to an attack by a mass of doxies? Several different varieties of the pests too. Enough so zat ze rumor in St. Mungo's 'Ospital was zat 'Ogwarts 'erself took action against ze 'pink menace', as I 'ave 'eard 'er called."

"It sounds like you have some personal experience with Professor Umbridge." Didn't she live in France? That was what I had gotten from Fudge's shouting earlier at least.

"Ze woman tried to block my application to work for Gringotts. She and her associates were able to 'old it up for review for several weeks. Solely because I am, in 'er eyes, a creature," Fleur hissed. Her features shifted momentarily, becoming more angular and lengthening. My ring warmed, though I kept my expression from changing. Within moments, she was back to normal, not a sign of the change having occurred. "Prejudiced bitch zat she was, I am not sorry to hear she is dying. I amconcerned for ze cause. Zis position I have agreed to. It is supposed to be cursed."

She was fishing and she wasn't subtle. I'd done my research as soon as I found out her name though. Fleur could be a strong ally and I might need some more of them. Especially if it came down to an actual war. Dumbledore didn't seem like the type to be willing to make the hard choices. Fleur on the other hand had leaped into a death game tournament at 17 and was willingly working a job where no one had lasted more than a year for decades.

I pulled at my glove, adjusting its fit as I replied, "Professor Umbridge was a danger to a lot of the students here."

"Including your charges."

"I take my job very seriously, Professor Delacour."

Fleur's grin took on a predatory bent as she chuckled. "Oh I like you, Miss 'ebert. Please, call me Fleur. I am not much older zan you and it feels strange to be referred to as 'Professor', especially by someone who is not one of my new students."

"Well, in that case, you can call me Taylor."

"Well met, Taylor," she nodded. "Should I be on ze lookout for any further instances of 'Ogwarts defending 'er students?"

I smirked right back at her. "Only if you and your new colleagues don't take your jobs as seriously as I take mine. Just ask the house elves, the castle listens to me when I make suggestions."

"And should we find ourselves in a battle, say a battle against a foe who runs a cult of fools and murderers. Would the 'castle's' influence suddenly expand?"

"Oh I'm fairly certain that she would send backup to help with such a fight. You might want to talk to Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley. I hear they are trying to get a bit of a group together to start a sort of Defense club. You could be their advisor!"

Fleur laughed. She dropped her arms to her sides and her hair floated in waves over her shoulders as she let out her amusement. "Ah I missed having equal partners to engage in conversation wiz! I zink I will like zis job far better zan Gringotts. Ze goblins are a bore and far too literal-minded. Zank you for the - 'ow do the English say? - fred discussion."

"I think you mean 'frank' discussion, Fleur."

"Yes, zat! I will search out your compatriots and zee what spells we can start learning. 'Arry was quite advanced last year. Perhaps I can 'elp him - and his friends - improve furzer and faster! La meilleure défense, c'est l'attaque."

"What?"

"In English, it is… A good defense is a best offense? No, good offense. I swear, zis language is barbaric."

I nodded. "If it makes you feel better, I'm from America. I have no idea what my friends here are saying half the time and I speak their language too."

"Zat does not 'elp. Not at all." Fleur snorted and gave me a small wave as she started to walk away. "Good day to you, Taylor. And my advice to a fellow connoisseur, if you wish for more stares, shake your hips as you walk."

My swarm buzzed and swarmed over each other, the crabs churning up the local lake-bed.

… Fleur was lucky I liked her. She really did deserve at least one sting for that comment.

Chapter 14: Interlude: DaughterSummary:Taylor avoids a difficult conversation like a champ after getting a really neat gift. Then her daughter gets into a bit of a tight spot.

Notes:AN: Nine months? Nine months?! … I'm sorry.

There's a bit of backstory for the AU portion of this fic as I've nailed things down now for exactly what the history was. I've read through prior chapters as well to make sure that nothing mentioned here contradicts the earlier things. While fights with Lung happened, they did not happen like in the stations of canon.

Also, yes, I know that most spiders, besides potentially the jumping spider, can't see as well as I'm describing here. They are magic spiders that can ignore the square cube law, I'm not going to try and handwave this too hard.

Chapter TextInterlude: Daughter

Annabeth scampered along the corridor seeking Mother, her legs moving faster than she had ever ran before, her pedipalps working in silent fury.

Ink of the Kraken was so infuriating!

Following the subtle thread of the link connecting them, she closed the gap until Mother's pheromones reached her. Losing her grip on their link, she followed the scent instead. As Annabeth turned yet another corner in this endless maze of stone and fire, she finally found Mother! Mother and Annabeth's sisters were standing next to Daphne and Tracey, gazing into a large box. Mother was entirely still, but her eyes were wide and her pheromones radiated shock and glee as loudly as if she had been shouting from the treetops. The scent leaking from the box was not one she was familiar with, though it did leave her fangs glistening.

"Mother!"

Mother straightened, twisting her whole body and crouching in a single movement, extending her hand with a large grin on her face. "Hi, Anna. Did you enjoy your playdate?"

Annabeth bared her fangs. "Ink spit wa-Ter. At me!"

"Oh? Did you throw a dirt clod at him to get back at him?"

"Couldn't! Ink dove!"

Mother nodded, her expression grave. "I have every faith that you will show him who's queen of the shore next time you two play. In the meantime, want to see something awesome?"

"Yes!" Annabeth shouted, jumping at the limb and running up Mother's arm to rest on her shoulder. Her sisters chittered, Lisette tapping her front legs against Mother's hair in emphasis.

~So quickly she forgets her anger!~

~Be fair, Mother soothes us all, Annabeth can be angry again later when there are no tasty morsels just below,~Racelyn said, all eight eyes locked on the mystery box.

Mother stood, reaching up to run a finger along Racelyn's back. "You gotta start talking soon. I can barely understand you. These guys are not for eating. Everyone stay legs off of my critters."

Racelyn wilted, sinking down to rest her belly on Mother's shoulder. "Ye-S, Mo-Ther."

"Good girl."

"You are the strangest girl I have ever met," Tracey giggled. "I love it! Daph, please tell me these new grubs are going to end up terrifying Draco somehow? Or Blaise? I really want to get back at Blaise. He turned my hair red! Oh the payback from these babies would be glorious!"

Daphne looked at her friend, her eyebrows arched. Annabeth still did not understand that human gesture. Was it intimidation? "How would you use glowbugs to scare Blaise? That doesn't make any sense. Why do you even care about them? Those were just freebies. We're lucky they weren't all eaten in transit."

Mother snorted, a smirk crossing her face. "Tracey, did we forget to show her the Hollow Man?"

"Didn't forget, I've been saving that one for a rainy day. I have no idea what your excuse is, Miss Beautifully Terrifying Wonder of Hogwarts.

Mother paused, both her and Daphne staring at Tracey. "That's a new one," Mother muttered.

Daphne just sighed and glanced at Mother. "Hollow Man?"

"I'll show you later, guaranteed to scare the pants off of anyone. Glowing eyes will make it even more fantastic. And yes, I'm very happy there are enough glowbugs left to start breeding, Tracey."

"I really don't understand you two," Daphne sighed again. "You try to get a girl something nice and —"

"I'm sorry, Daphne, did you think I am not cooing over the adorable bejeweled crab too? It's a crab that has sapphires in its shell! And it shoots fire!"

Mother finally moved close enough to the box that Annabeth could see inside it. She focused her eyes downwards, skittering along Mother's arm for a better vantage. Oh! Those softly glowing grubs were the source of the delightful scent. She could certainly see why her sister thought they would be prime foodstock. Such a shame. Ah well, there was more than enough game in and around the castle without having to risk upsetting Mother.

And the many legged, shiny thing was rather pretty even if it didn't have much of a scent to it, besides 'acrid'.

"Shiny," Annabeth murmured.

"Yes, very shiny," Mother agreed. "That's a fire crab. Really rare, really endangered. Jerks use their shells as cauldrons. Who would hurt something this beautiful? Daphne, how did you get this? Don't you need special permits to keep a fire crab?"

The witch mumbled, her voice too low for Mother to hear, but more than loud enough for Annabeth's senses. "Fleur helped."

"What?"

"Father talked to the reservation owners. They've been having trouble getting these ones to breed and there was mention that you might be able to help. They're young, but old enough that they can start having clutches so…"

"Ohh, okay, that makes sense." Mother nodded. "So how widely known is my — uh, magic affinity?"

Daphne shrugged. "Not at all? You would be surprised just how far throwing around the name of an unknown race gets you."

Tracey's head bobbed fast enough that Annabeth nearly fell off of Mother's shoulder trying to follow the movement. "All sorts of power gets attributed or insinuated. The Veela were basically shapeshifting, siren, harpy, sex goddesses for almost a decade before someone wrote a book about them."

Mother held up a hand. "Tracey? Isn't that what Veela actually are? I mean, even I find it pretty hard not to stare at Fleur when she's just… I mean they can grow wings and have some sort of hypnotic effect. Right?"

Annabeth tasted the tumult in Mother's pheromones, swiftly joined by triumph and despair in equal measures from Daphne. Tracey just radiated even more of her natural amusement.

~Humans are strange animals,~ Lisette said. She settled on Mother's head, her body shaking momentarily from side-to-side.

Annabeth bobbed up and down. ~It would be easier if they could taste their own pheromones as we can.~

"Talk girls," Mother murmured. "You gotta practice."

"Yes, Mother," a quiet trio of voices resounded.

Tracey in the meantime had taken to rubbing the back of her neck and gazing at the ceiling. "I mean, yeah. But the old stories were extreme. I have some… material. I'll share."

"You trollop!" Daphne laughed, the other joining in as well. Silently, Annabeth agreed with her sister. She doubted she would ever fully understand humans. Daphne's words and actions did not match her feelings at all.

"Anyway, seriously, Daphne, these are wonderful," Mother said. She stepped forward, arms raising halfway before she almost seemed to freeze, then lowered them and clutched Daphne's forearms. "Thank you so much. I really can't explain how amazing this is."

"I just wanted to get you something nice," Daphne murmured. "And we don't actually know when your birthday is because of the…" she trailed off, her eyes glancing at Tracey for a moment. "Ritual backlash… thing."

Tracey snorted. "You don't have to lie around me, girls. I'm not an idiot. I'm not going to pry unless you piss me off. You don't want to tell me what Tay's deal is? No worries! Just let me keep joining in on the fun and the chaos that's following in your wake. And I reserve my right to take a crack at Harry."

Mother winced, her arms dropping to her sides. "I'm sorry, Tracey, it's not you, it's just —"

"I said I don't care, I really don't. You're fun and you're friendly. Keep your secrets, Tay. I just like enjoying the spoils. Like getting to baby this adorable little man! Who's a cute little abomination against nature? You are! Yes, you are!"

Daphne had finally torn her attention away from Taylor and focused back on her friend. "What do you mean, 'take a crack at Harry'?"

"Have you seen that boy's abs? And I can only imagine his stamina. Quidditch players, yum."

"Ugh, is that all you think about?" Daphne asked.

"Well, it certainly helps he's nice to a fault, with a badass streak right to his bloody core. But I can't lead with that. He's a boy, he's an idiot. I'd scare him off if I went mushy. Right, Taylor?"

Mother backpedaled two steps holding her hands in front of her as if to shield herself. Annabeth hissed. Humans, warding themselves with so few legs! "I am really not the person to talk to about relationships. Really, really not."

"Yeah, but, Taylor," Daphne said, also rounding on Mother. "You have to have some —"

"I'm going to take these guys into my room and get their terrarium set up. I might need to pop over to Hagrid and get some help, so if you both have to head to class, I'll catch up!" Mother grabbed her box and nearly ran away back to their room. As she gently set the box down on the dresser, she dropped onto the bed with a groan. Annabeth and her sister rushed off of her, settling down in a circle around her.

"Mother? Okay?" Annabeth asked.

"I shouldn't have run away," Mother sighed. "I have to stop avoiding this. I just wish I understood how I felt. I never had these problems back home. Though… that was probably because I didn't realize that I liked my boss. Maybe it's for the best that I didn't figure out how I'd felt about her. That would have been ugly considering I'm stuck here now."

"What was. Home. Like?" Annabeth asked, tapping her front legs against the bed and gazing up at Mother.

"Sto-Ries? Sto-Ries!" Lisette exclaimed, twisting herself around twice in her excitement. Only Racelyn stayed stoic; though she did shift closer to Mother.

"It was… dark. Gritty." Mother let out a breath, her pheromones twisting against themselves, Annabeth unsure what she was tasting amidst the swirl of scents. "This world is a lot happier even for all of its problems and weird adherences to cliches. I miss my friends though. Did I tell you girls about how I started working with my friends?"

Annabeth shook herself as did her sisters.

"I ran into them when I was trying to take out an Empire group I'd found. They were the Nazis I was telling you about the other week. We got the bad guys, then I tried to arrest the Undersiders. That didn't go well for me. I eventually ended up talking with the heroes afterwards who were more annoyed that I'd even tried and said I should have let them go."

Annabeth wet her fangs. "Why angry? Not help?"

Mother smirked, her gaze focused on the ceiling. "Apparently my friends were like a buffer. Lisa was really good about making sure they threaded the line just right. They were villains in name, but they only stole from the right targets so the heroes turned a blind eye. And, it wasn't all fun and games — they worked with the heroes to put down real threats. We were harsh, when the Protectorate had to be soft. Everybody won. That's why I joined them. It was… fun."

"Mother li-Ked to h-Unt?" Racelyn asked, raising herself up.

"I don't know if you would call it hunting," Mother said, shrugging. "I just enjoyed being able to flex my power. The Undersiders could go a lot further than the Protectorate. It helped that controlling bugs isn't really media friendly."

"What i-S media?" Lisette asked.

"It's like the Wizarding Wireless here, but with pictures. It's not really important. Anyway, we had a good run until Bakuda went insane. I miss my friends. I only really knew them for three months, but I miss them."

Mother's pheromones stabilized. Annabeth trod forward, patting Mother's hand with her legs.

"I'm going to go up and talk with Fleur. I think I need some advice. Do you girls want to come with me?" Mother sat up, her body as still as any hunter, her movements sure and steady as she pulled her hair back up into the ponytail.

~We have upset Mother.~ Lisette murmured, crushing herself against the bed.

~Nonsense,~ Racelyn said, her legs stretching out languidly. ~Nothing upsets Mother. Mother is Mother and Mother is eternal.~

Annabeth twisted, keeping her sisters in view along one half and Mother in sight along the other. ~We must provide Mother space to calm.~ Her sisters rubbed their fangs, but after a moment, bobbed in agreement.

"We explore. The castle?" Annabeth asked, her attention focused fully again on Mother.

Mother looked down at her, frowning. "I'm going to be on the upper floors. That's pretty far from the Dungeons. It's only been a month. I know you're about the size of a small bird, but that's still not huge. Are you okay to be on your own?"

Annabeth swelled, pushing herself up so that she was angled correctly to stare directly up at Mother. "Annabeth ready!"

"And Mo-Ther help. If danger," Racelyn added, not bothering to stir.

"Dangerous," Lisette corrected.

Mother held Annabeth's gaze for several more seconds, finally standing up straight and holding out a hand with her thumb up. "Alright, Anna. But I'll be watching for you. Just reach for me if you need me."

Annabeth nodded and scrambled for the door even as her sisters trilled that they would wait in the room.

Mother opened the door and Annabeth was free, rushing down the corridors faster than the humans below could follow. Mother had spoken of her adventures before. Annabeth knew of the Great Dragon and the Steel Wolf. Annabeth had not understood at first how Mother could be satisfied moving from hunting such fine prey, to exploring empty corridors.

And yet, the more Mother spoke of the things she lost; the more Annabeth watched Mother's wonder at her growing swarm; the more Mother explored her territory; the more Annabeth understood.

The Hunt was pleasure, but the Hunt was fleeting. The Hunt did not last. The joy from a new discovery, from a new family, those persisted.

So Annabeth would explore as well. She would understand her territory and the creatures in it. She would follow Mother's example. She and her sisters. They would quell the swarm. For the Hunt was fleeting.

A door slammed behind her, and Annabeth spun around, her legs clicking on the stone.

Filch of the Shadow.

Perhaps she should seek to quell the swarm with another target first.

"Well now, ain't you a big beastie," Filch of the Shadow spat. "I suppose we have Hagrid to thank for you. Dumbledore won't be happy. Get down here, beastie!"

Annabeth hissed, and Filch of the Shadow laughed. He slapped the handle of his mop against his palm, grin spreading wider. She did not give him a chance to make the first move. Running to the side, she aimed straight for the cabinets in the wall. Most of the castle walls had gaps large enough for her slip through. Filch of the Shadow would never be able to follow her quickly eno—

"Hah!" Annabeth barely managed to dodge to the side as she felt the wind of something large passing her by. As she continued running, she saw a bucket crash into the cabinet. Annabeth hissed again, but dove into the woodwork even as Filch of the Shadow started rushing towards her.

There! The gap was perfect, just as she knew it would be, she thrust through and —

And bounced off. Annabeth's fangs ground against each other, venom dripping as she rushed forward only to bounce back again.

She had been small enough to fit through only a week prior!

The door of the cabinet was wrenched open behind her, a leering face hanging over her. "Got you now, beastie."

~Mother!~ Annabeth's legs drummed and she instinctively hauled on the invisible thread between them. It took less than an instant for Mother's comforting embrace to surround her, Annabeth's control of her own limbs surrendered. Mother would see her through the crisis.

Filch of the Shadow's hand was already dropping towards her, something large and flat clutched tight in his fist. Annabeth watched as Mother directed her legs to kick, propelling her to the side, wrapping around a can she'd barely even noticed. As she fell on the can, her weight shifted, the can toppled between her and Filch of the Shadow's tool; the flyswatter — Mother's non-voice supplied at the back of her mind — bent over the can and left Annabeth well clear of the danger. The flyswatter pulled up, leaving a gap, and Mother struck immediately, Annabeth's legs shoving the can forward. It flew true, leaving an angry red welt on Filch of the Shadow's hand, the man crying out in pain and lurching backwards, his head falling out of view.

Annabeth silently preened as Mother flung her from the cabinet, landing in the middle of the room. She turned, once, twice, then came to a halt, body centered once more, eyes focused on the door, venom dripping from her fangs.

Any remaining dredges of Annabeth's fear fled. Mother knew what to do.

Filch of the Shadow shouted, on his feet again and lurching towards her. Under Mother's direction Annabeth's legs lurched forward, leaving her running for the door, though her direction changed the moment that Filch of the Shadow attempted to cut her off. Instead Annabeth felt herself leap forward, landing right on Filch of the Shadow's belt.

He screamed, swatting at his side. It did not matter; Mother had already ensured Annabeth had jumped off of the man. She had not left empty legged: Filch of the Shadow's keys were clutched tight in her pedipalps. Leaping from the floor to a desk, then to his face, Annabeth had an instant to feel a pang of worry.

She should not have doubted Mother's plan. Her thought barely had completed, before she was airborne again and Filch of the Shadow was bashing his own nose with the flyswatter.

Annabeth landed on the door, Mother carrying her swiftly up to the lock, and in a matter of moments, there was a click and the door was falling open under the combined weight of her and a recovered, lurching, Filch of the Shadow.

Mother had no trouble directing Annabeth's body in evading the pursuing man, rushing away onto the ceiling and dashing down the corridor.

Filch of the Shadow pursued. Annabeth silently cursed him. She hadn't even eaten his cat as she so wished to do! Why did he hate her so? Perhaps Mother was right and he was just a Bad Man.

The pursuit lasted through three floors as Mother wound Annabeth higher and higher. Finally, she caught Mother's scent. Still… she was glad that Mother did not relinquish her control until Annabeth was safely ensconced on her shoulder.

"Fleur, I appreciate the advice, but you realize there is no possible way I am going to do that right?"

Fleur laughed, holding a hand over her mouth. "I just enjoyed seeing your face when I suggested it. 'Onestly, Taylor, if you are truly zis conflicted, talk to your amour. Tell 'er zis yourself. It is not as bad you are zinking it is."

Before Mother could respond, Filch of the Shadow caught up, lurching around the corner, his face purpling. Annabeth laid herself low, belly brushing Mother's shoulder.

"There you are!"

Mother held up a hand, pointing at herself. "Me? Did we have an appointment that I missed? I'm sorry?"

Filch of the Shadow bared his teeth and stalked closer, chest heaving. "That there's an acromantula. Give it here, girl."

Mother crossed her arms, quietly directing Annabeth to climb from her shoulder to crouch on her head, legs folded in under herself. "Oh, did Professor Dumbledore not read you in? She's mine. Her and her two sisters. I'm teaching them to be the castle's first line of defense."

Filch of the Shadow froze, one foot raised, his mouth hanging open. Fleur stared at Mother as well, blinking rapidly. Her scent was so sweet…

"What?"

"Say, hello, Annabeth!" Mother chirped. Annabeth did not need her scent to feel the amusement radiating from Mother.

Raising herself slightly, Annabeth rubbed her pedipalps. "Hel-Lo. Hello Filch of the Sh-Adow."

Filch of the Shadow's foot lowered, touching the ground as if it carried a weight too heavy for it. "What?"

Mother laughed, and Annabeth was preened. She may have erred, but Mother was amused! "Scion above, I lovemagic."

Chapter 15: Teacher's Pet 03Summary:Taylor gets tired of listening to a ghost talk about goblins, and seeks the council of a veela regarding a centaur.

Chapter TextTeacher's Pet 03

As I knocked on the half-open door to Fleur's office, I heard a resonating chime echo back out into the halfway. I chuckled, the corners of my lips lifting at the casual use of magic. Why put up a doorbell when you can just magic the whole door into being a doorbell? Wizards.

Not that it wasn't cool. It was awesome. I was totally going to steal that trick if I was here long enough to own my own house.

Did I want to be here long enough to own my own house?

Lisette ran from one shoulder to the other, patting my neck as she stopped roving, her quiet coos completely unintelligible. I didn't bother reminding her to try speaking English though, there wasn't much point. She wasn't actually talking, she was just trying to reassure me. How the girls constantly knew my mood I still hadn't figured out, even weeks later. The link I had with them was supposed to be one-way. They could call my attention if they pulled on my control hard enough, but they shouldn't be able to sense my emotions or thoughts like I could with theirs.

Ah well, more magic. Maybe if Hagrid was ever free I could talk to him about it. He seemed like the person most likely to at least have a theory, considering he was the resident acromantula expert and all.

"Come in!"

At Fleur's invite, I strode inside, pushing the door closed behind me and dropping into the chair in front of her desk. Fleur raised her eyebrows at me, folding her arms and leaning forward to rest on the desk. "Taylor! Welcome to my office 'ours!" She gestured around the empty room, rolling her eyes. "As you can see, zere is no one else interested in seeking 'elp, so my time is all yours! As is only right for such a pretty young woman."

I felt my cheeks heat up and Lisette cooed again, twirling in place. "I really wish you wouldn't do that so much."

"What? Compliment you?"

"Yeah."

Fleur frowned, her eyes narrowing as she breathed out. "Taylor, do you actually want me to stop teasing you, or are you just complaining because you are not used to zese sorts of comments? It is very 'ard to tell wiz you and I don't want to cross lines you are not comfortable with."

"I can't believe I need a safeword for casual conversation," I groaned. "Is this what my life has turned into? Am I really that insecure?"

"I can just stop if it makes you zat uncomfortable," Fleur said. "But you are very attractive, and considering you don't believe it yourself, ze more you 'ear it, ze more likely you are to per'aps believe it one day."

I shook my head. "No, it's fine. Emma just got into my head more than I had realized. How about this, if I ever say 'Fleur, apples,' then just knock it off at that point."

"You are so very strange," Fleur said, though there wasn't any rebuke in the statement and she was smiling again. "Very well. I will abide by your safe word convention. You deviant."

I groaned. "Low blow, Fleur."

She shrugged. "Maybe. So, why are you invading my office 'ours? Considering zere has been gossiping in my recent classes, I'm guessing you have not spoken with Daphne yet?"

Lisette pushed herself up to her full height. That the girls hadn't grown much beyond the size of small dinner plates was a bit strange, but not something I was concerned with. Another thing to ask Hagrid about. "Mother has been looking for 'The Right Time'!"

Fleur nodded. "I see. We will 'ave to engineer zis time for her zen. Can I trust you and your sisters for 'elp?"

"Yes!"

I put my hand in front of Lisette. "Thank you so much for conspiring with my daughters against me. It's very much appreciated."

"You are most welcome." I just glared at her. She completely ignored me. She would learn. "Seriously zough, what did you want to talk about, Taylor?"

I sighed, leaning back in the chair and staring at the ceiling as I idly twisted my ring. "I'm bored so I figured I would come get your advice while you were free."

Fleur's eyebrows rose again and she stared at me quietly for several seconds. "Bored?"

"Yeah."

"You are raising acromantulas, I am all but certain ze doxies and pixies somehow see you as zeir leader, and now zat ze toad 'as left, you can audit classes wizout fear of prejudice. You 'ave no magical background, 'ow are you bored?"

I just stared at her. "I really want to know that too. You would think a class entirely devoted to wars with goblins, taught by a literal ghost, would be entertaining, but nope. It is almost impossible to stay awake if I try to audit that course. I can't even sit in on Astoria's class while Daphne's there; she has a free period and I don't want to bother her while she's doing homework."

Fleur stared back, barely blinking. "I wasn't aware 'ogwarts 'ad a Goblin 'istory course." She grabbed a large planner and dragged it in front of her, flipping it open, and glanced up to meet my eyes. "Daphne is in Slytherin, no?"

"That's right."

"… 'istory of Magic. Zis should be a general 'istory class."

I shook my head, Lisette following along, but wiggling her whole body in imitation. "I don't know what to tell you, Fleur. It's been over two months and Binns hasn't taught anything except goblin revolutions, or revolts, or wars."

Fleur snapped her planner closed, her eyes slitted. "I will sit in on one of zese classes myself and speak with Dumbledore. I am sure ze 'istory 'ere is different zan France, but certainly zere are not enough Goblin Wars to encompass two months of instruction."

Lisette pushed herself as tall as she could, trilling, "The Hermione stated that is all the course work! For all years!"

I chuckled as I reached up to poke at one of her legs. "Not 'the Hermione', just 'Hermione,' Lisette. You don't need articles when talking about a person."

"Yes, Mother!"

Fleur shook her head. "I don't zink I will ever get used to zat. Zey are razer adorable despite knowing how titanic zey will become." Fleur trailed off, biting a finger as she stared at Lisette. "Isn't she a bit small now zough?"

"And tingly!" Lisette chirped.

I shrugged at Fleur's arched eyebrows. "Yeah I haven't figured out what they mean by that either yet. The growth thing is a part of why I have a meeting with Hagrid. The books I've found do say they should be larger, but the books are all focused on males, so I have no idea. I'm hoping Hagrid might have more information. Subject matter expert and all, right?"

"I would assume so, I have not spoken to ze man much. It is… awkward." She winced, casting her eyes to the side as her gaze unfocused. "You were not 'ere last year. 'agrid and my old 'eadmistress became… involved."

"Ah."

"I stumbled across zem during one of zeir trysts."

I blinked, trying not to imagine that scene. "I really hope there were potions or spells or something involved. He seems nice enough, but yikes."

Fleur shook herself. "Oh, no, Madame Maxime is also part giant. Zere is minimal size difference. It was more, hmm, what is ze English phrase… like seeing your parents slapping the bed?"

I frowned, trying to work that one out. "I have no idea what expression you're reaching for, Fleur, but I get the idea. Metaphor is not needed."

"English. Such a useless language," she muttered. "Ze point is, it was not a pleasant experience."

"Says the woman who has not stopped flirting with me since she saw me," I replied, crossing my arms. Lisette settled down, doing her best to cross her front forelegs and loom. It was adorable.

"You have not said apples yet!" Fleur crowed, her usual spunk back even as I rolled my eyes. "But we digress. What did you want my advice on? Certainly it was not ze 'istory course. And considering you 'ave still not spoken with your charge…" She trailed off and I grimaced.

"Yeah, I'm working on it." Any excuse I could give would be incredibly lame, and we both knew that. I also knew it was only a matter of time before I had to sort myself out and actually confront myself. Confront Daphne.

"I really want advice on how to talk to the centaurs. Hermione said that there was bad blood between them and the acromantulas, so I want to introduce the girls to the locals. But I could use some tips on a good approach."

Fleur leaned back, her gaze settling on Lisette. "One magical creature to another?"

"Pretty much."

"Don't insult their intelligence. Don't insult their personhood. Don't imply zeir magic is less zan 'uman magic. Lean on whatever you are pretending to be." She held up a hand, cutting off my protest. "I am not a fool. Parahumans certainly exist, you're obviously not lying about zat, but you are not a magical creature. What you are do is something… different. Intriguing. Magical, but not magic."

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table, allowing myself a small smirk. "I think I figured out why I like you and don't mind talking to you at all. You really are a lot like my friend back home."

"Oh?"

"You're a gadfly, Fleur. You needle for reactions but, unlike her, know when to back off. You're also far more intelligent and observant than most people would assume from your looks. The main difference between the two of you is that she constantly has to remind everyone she's the smartest one in the room, whereas you strategically lash out like a whip when people least expect it."

"One cannot be beautiful and intelligent?" Fleur asked, dramatically tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder and thrusting her chin up in the air.

"My mom would have said: men certainly don't think so."

We both stared at each other for a long moment before bursting out laughing.

Lisette ran from one shoulder to the other, patting my neck with one of her legs. "Mother, I do not understand."

"I'll explain it when you're older. It's just a joke."

Fleur for her part shook her head, her laughter petering off. "Do not feel you need to explain your origins to me, Taylor. We are friends. Tell me when you feel comfortable doing so. Or don't. I will not deny being curious, but I 'ave far too few friends to lose one over a foolish matter like zat."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Good," she said. Then she shook her finger at me. "But! Most importantly! Do not lie to ze centaurs. Zey are mean. Nearly all 'erds of centaurs are mean, and if you lie to zem, you will lose any credibility you 'ave. You need not say everything, but do not lie. And do not belittle their divinations. Zeir magic is strange, but it tends towards ze accurate. Wizards and witches are stupid. Zey forget zat just because a centaur likes flowery language, zey do know what zey are talking about and zeir predictions tend to come true more often zan not."

"Okay. That helps a lot." I stood, pushing the chair in and started towards the door. As I grasped the knob, I twisted enough to meet her gaze again. "Oh, I almost forgot, if you're interested in stopping by, Harry and Daphne have managed to get their Defense club set up finally. The first meeting is —"

"Tonight, yes." Fleur smirked, chuckling. "You are out of ze know! I am zeir faculty advisor. Myself and Flitwick."

"Oh. Well, that works."

"I zink Dumbledore is going to be stopping by as well. Perhaps we can have a bit of a mock battle, no? It would be fun!"

She probably meant it as a joke, but she wasn't wrong. And I really did need to test my skills against a real wizard. I needed to know where I stood against the more competent people in this world and I needed to know before I was thrown into the middle of a real fight for my life. A duel could be the perfect opportunity.

"I think I might just take you up on that, Fleur. See you tonight." I stepped into the hall, Lisette's small cries of encouragement buoying me on.

I needed to gather my swarm. I had a headmaster to prepare for.

Chapter 16: Interlude: Beauty and GraceSummary:Taylor and Dumbledore have a friendly spar. Taylor still looks distressingly good in a suit. Poor, poor Daphne.

Chapter TextInterlude: Beauty and Grace

Daphne flexed her fingers again, tapping at her wand. Everything was fine. There was more than enough room for everyone and she was doing excellent with setup, as well as continued management. The schedule wasn't perfect, but the deviations were acceptable and they were still right on time. Just another five minutes. There was nothing to be concerned with. It was perfectly okay.

She could not have asked for a better turnout for the inaugural meeting of the Hogwarts Inter-house Defense Engagement Network — H.I.D.E.N. as Tracey had so helpfully workshopped with her over the past several days. While it certainly wasn't a perfect name — they were still missing a "D" for instance — she was going to take far too much enjoyment comparing HIDEN to SPEW. Amusingly enough, even Draco had shown up, though without his typical flunkies for once. Not that she minded. Having to pay extra attention to her wayward housemate just to ensure he didn't embarrass her was more than enough trouble.

She really couldn't afford to split her attention any further. Especially with Taylor flitting in and out between the rows of sparring students, pushing an arm up here, holding a pillow out there, nudging a leg back here… Taylor couldn't even use magic; how did she have all of those spells' movements memorized?!

Only someone capable of truly astounding feats of —

"Neville, I zought you said you 'ad problems with zis spell? Zat was extremely powerful, you just need to aim better. Most 'ave ze opposite problem. Aiming is easy. I can teach you aiming."

Daphne shook her head, wiping the grin off of her face along with the movement. She glanced over at Fleur, taking note of the tips that the young woman was passing along. Fleur's slender fingers were resting easy on her wand, dancing gracefully through the air as she gently guided Neville through the movements, emphasizing the flick at the end. So controlled, so elegant, so —

Daphne tore her gaze away from the Veela, coming to rest instead upon her well-dressed bodyguard.

"And yet again I am reminded of just why she hangs out with our new professor so often."

"Muttering to yourself now, Daph?" Tracey spoke from right beside her. Daphne managed to swallow her yelp, though she wasn't able to stop the reflexive side-step that left Tracey giggling. "Careful, that's the first sign of madness!"

"You are horrid," Daphne sighed.

"Nah, I'm great. "

Taylor crossed her arms, staring down a seventh year Ravenclaw. Daphne glanced around trying to find what he might have done, but didn't see anything immediately standing out to her.

"So we only got a few minutes until the big fight. Any chance I can convince you to have Taylor throw it?" Tracey asked.

The man stood his ground for nearly a minute, though Taylor was a statue. And before Daphne's widened gaze, he wilted, seeming to mumble something, before walking away, a shiver apparent, even through his robes.

"If you seriously think she would go for that, then you have not been paying attention when you speak with her," Daphne said.

"Eh, a girl can dream." Tracey glanced around the room, licking her lips. "Now if you'll excuse me, it appears we are all moving to the bleachers and I need to claim my seat before Weasley steals it."

Tracey wasn't wrong. Harry had noticed the time before she did and called for the inaugural meeting to wrap up. Not that they had anything formal like that. Not yet at least. She would think of something. Daphne indulged herself for a moment and wondered how many people would be coming back for the second meeting when there wasn't going to be an exhibition match between her bodyguard and the Headmaster?

That hadn't even been decided until five hours ago! How had the word spread so fast? Was it all Tracey's fault? It had to be Tracey's fault. It was always Tracey's fault. Certainly Taylor wouldn't have mentioned it herself. She was always saying how the best defense was attacking from the shadows. Or was it being too scary to attack in the first place? There had been a lot of reputation theory and her suit had been oh so very tight…

"Wow, Daph, you have it bad."

Daphne startled again. This time as she finished hiding evidence of her grin, she replaced it with a scowl as she glared down at her sister. "What do you want, Astoria?"

"I don't know why you're so embarrassed. Whatever. Come on, tall, blonde, and googly eyes. You need to sit so we're not in the middle of the area."

"But, wait! I was supposed to —"

"Hello!" three concordant voices rang out from below her. Daphne blinked, cutting off as she looked down. Taylor's acromantula…adoptees? She still wasn't sure what the appropriate term was. They seemed to prefer being spoken of as her daughters and Taylor hadn't corrected them, but it was still odd to think of a human with what effectively amounted to spider babies as children.

Only Taylor, and probably Hagrid, would consider the trio of younglings 'adorable.' Yet she could not deny that they had a certain indelible charm to them and she'd quickly grown fond of them. It was… still creepy. But it was a creepy that she found amusing now. And wasn't that strange enough. Spiders as large as dessert plates hanging sitting on her shoulders? And she wasn't running screaming? The world had truly gone insane somewhere.

Probably somewhere between those deep green eyes, dark hair, and far too tight suit…

"Mother said to stay with the Daphne!" Lisette trumpeted from Daphne's left shoulder. She looked like an adorable little bandit with the gray stripe running right over her eyes. Though the waving pink pedipalps did rather spoil that mental image.

"Did you let Luna color you again?" Daphne asked, chuckling.

"I am accessorizing the Daphne!"

"Not 'the Daphne', just 'Daphne', Lisette. Mother has already told you this!" Annabeth yelled from her other shoulder. For a little spider, her voice was so filled with eye-rolls that it gave Daphne a flashback of arguing with Astoria. The black stripes down Anna's back were distinctive enough that Daphne had no trouble picking her out.

Racelyn was the only one that waited to be acknowledged, lifting herself up on her back legs and extending herself up towards Daphne. Bending down, she held out a hand to the young one. "Go on, climb up with your sisters."

"Thank you!" Racelyn didn't have as many markings as the other two, but her pitch black coloring still stood out just as well.

The five of them barely managed to find their way to seats before Dumbledore was striding inside the room, his arms spread wide and his eyes twinkling like a madhouse.

"Truly remarkable room, truly remarkable! I had been wondering why Gryffindor would have created his own Chamber of Pots. Apparently there was more to it than I had realized!"

Astoria sighed. "I never can tell whether that man is being serious or joking."

"I'm sure that's intentional," Daphne replied.

Dumbledore came to a stop in front of the large group of students. There had to be nearly a quarter of the school present… This was insane. Truly it wasn't that rare to see their Headmaster fight? He might rarely participate in duels these days, yet certainly it was often enough that this was not a spectacle. Unless it had to do with something else… Had they done such a good job with Taylor's reputation? Was this crowd as much for her Knight as it was for Dumbledore?

"Good evening everyone, good evening!" He smiled and patted the air. "Now I had not originally intended for this night to be a duel of sorts, yet I have been drawn into the action, as the young folks say." He chuckled along with the laughter of the crowd. "Miss Hebert, are you certain you wish for this? I am rather experienced in these matters."

Taylor pulled at her gloves as she stepped up to the edge of the dueling ring, her face entirely stoic.

When did a dueling ring appear? For that matter, when were the bleachers conjured? Where did the training dummies go?

"I wouldn't exactly be able to do my job if I didn't have some experience myself, Headmaster." A soft drone, barely audible, tickled Daphne's ears, and Taylor smiled. "I've been getting a good lay of the land here recently. I'd like to know where I stand against someone with experience and versatility."

Dumbledore's seemingly ever-present smile shifted to one she often saw on her father before his meetings. The Headmaster nodded once to Taylor. "Very well then. Has Professor Delacour informed you of the standard dueling precautions and rules?"

"No death or permanent injuries, safety spells around the edges to protect spectators and immediate retrieval of combatants in the event of danger. Otherwise, no holds are barred. Did I miss anything?"

Dumbledore chuckled. "Always so blunt. No, you did not. As you are effectively the challenger, Miss Hebert, you have the first move."

She kneaded her fingers, stretching her arms out. "You know, I debated about holding back. Trying to fight like a witch. But then, I remembered that you're supposed to be like the Triumvirate here."

"I confess, I don't know what that means Miss Hebert."

"It means that it would be foolish to hold anything back. It means that I want to know where I am in the power scaling. I need to know what areas I'm failing in if I hope to do my job better."

Dumbledore let out a breath that was not quite a sigh. "I have said my piece already, I will not lecture you again, Miss Hebert. Let us begin."

Taylor smirked. "I've already started."

Without warning, the once-quiet drone turned thunderous, drowning out all other sounds as the entire room flooded with insects. Only the fact that the stands were left alone allowed Daphne to see her fellow students screaming and jumping to press themselves against the wall. She couldn't hear anything that they were shouting over the beating of wings and scampering of legs. The only thing she could hear were the muted exclamations of "Mother!" from her passengers, and "Wicked!" from her sister.

Daphne tried to pick out the magical insects, but quickly lost the vampire mosps and doxies amongst the sheer bulk of the swarm. She never would have thought that she could lose track of vampire mosps, but here she was. The red terrors were just a part of the terrifying whole.

That was when Daphne saw it, the swarm wasn't just idle, it was attacking something… What had…

"A shield!" Daphne exclaimed. She leaned forward. Now that she knew what to look for, she saw the insects dive bombing towards a translucent, hardened bubble of air. They didn't die when they touched it, but they weren't able to maintain purchase on it for but a scant moment. It appeared that Taylor had realized the problem, as the swarm stopped actively attacking the barrier and instead spread out to obfuscate as much of the battlefield as it could. As she watched, Taylor charged through the wall of insects, rushing towards the barrier, her body covered entirely in bugs.

In response, a whip, made of flame, trailing licks of flame in its passing, shot through the air towards her. Daphne stopped breathing.

As the flame whip struck Taylor, she just… broke apart?

Daphne sucked in a breath. "Not her, she created a mimicry from insects. That's… wow…"

Three clones rushed the shield bubble this time. The whip cracked again and again the clones dissolved into a large mass of insects that rejoined the swarm. In the next attempt, there were six bodies as part of the surge. Dumbledore was able to take out four of them, but the remaining two reached his shield.

And one passed through.

The crowd gasped. Astoria pointed. Daphne held a hand to her mouth. "How did she get through the enchantment?!"

The swarm's behavior abruptly changed. The instant Taylor slipped through Dumbledore's shield, the insects immediately all dove towards the hardened air. This time they slipped through as well. A cry of pain cut through the beating of wings before Taylor was blasted back, soaring through the air. Part of the swarm changing configuration even as she flew to clump under her, softening her landing.

Taylor fell onto her back, hundreds of insects dying under her, yet it did nothing to interrupt the assault that Dumbledore faced. The main mass had contracted into a tight ball around the Headmaster, the droning louder than ever before. She started to roll to her feet when the entire area was blanketed in a surge of flames.

Daphne gasped, her fingers digging into her knees, abruptly able to hear her classmates again with the sudden lack of buzzing and chirping.

"Wow, I haven't seen a flame burst since Flitwick's championship four years ago!" Daphne didn't recognize the voice, she didn't bother to look at who had spoken. One of the upper year Ravenclaws most likely.

"Is that it? Is it ove-shite! She's getting back up!"

Taylor pushed to her feet, a wall of insects having already risen between her and Dumbledore. She grunted, spitting out a glob of blood and turned to regard the insect wall, shaking her head.

"How can she even see past that? How does she know Dumbledore hasn't moved?"

"Shh!"

"That's what you want to know?! I want to know what spell she's using to control all of those bugs!"

Astoria licked her lips, her voice quiet but insistent. "Why isn't Dumbledore attacking?"

"They're sizing each other up," Daphne murmured. "Taylor got a strike when she shouldn't have. He wants to make sure that she doesn't have another trick up her sleeve."

Without warning, a cry sounded from Dumbledore's side of the field. The crowd gasped as Taylor rushed forward again, one hand extended, a baton appearing in the blink of an eye. Taylor moved so fast, if Daphne hadn't known better she would have said it was conjured. The insect wall collapsed around her to form more swarm mimics, cloaking her as she rushed. Through glimpses stolen in the gaps between bugs she saw that Dumbledore had started levitating — upside down.

"Billywigs!" Daphne gasped. "She was asking about billywigs the other day!"

Parts of Dumbledore's body were also covered in silk and Daphne narrowed her eyes as she saw a trio of small spiders rushing about the Headmaster's body, silk nearly flying out of their spinnerets.

"Those aren't… acromantula, are they?" Astoria asked. "That's too fast."

"Cocoon spiders maybe? According to the books they can web up a man in 30 seconds but are otherwise mostly normal."

Taylor and her clones had almost reached the near-fully cocooned Dumbledore when the field around them erupted into rocky spikes, several of the spikes slicing right through the silk around Dumbledore. A murmured spell that Daphne couldn't hear saw the Headmaster back on his feet, his wand weaving through the air even as the insect clones ducked and dipped through the maze of hazards.

The spikes broke off, all of them lurching through the air, flying at individual clones, scattering the bugs upon impact. Taylor was the only one that dodged, ducking under the piece of stone aimed at her and running full tilt at Dumbledore.

Again, Taylor managed to strike him with her baton, though it barely made contact before she was thrown halfway across the field with a stream of water, soaring over the field of rock. Coughing, Taylor immediately lunged back to her feet again, the drone of insects increasing to a fever pitch as more came in from… somewhere.

"How many bugs does she have?" Astoria asked.

"She just doesn't stop," Daphne whispered. "It's beautiful."

Little cackles echoed from her swarm and Daphne gasped as she saw doxies and fairies mixed in, each one clutching some form of weapon in their small hands. Dumbledore apparently saw it as well, for he crouched, spinning once and with a wide flourish, all of the loose stone turned into animals. Lions, wolves, bears, alligators, all of them surged forth, aiming for Taylor.

Taylor scowled, pulled off her torn suit jacket, holding in one hand and rushed forward again. She leaped over a lion, ducked under a jumping wolf, and finally swung herself onto a bear, using the jacket to cover the eyes and pull it sideways, aiming it back towards Dumbledore.

Meanwhile, the Headmaster was busy with his flamewhip again, attempting to thin Taylor's swarm. He had cut a large swath through the surging mass of chitin when Taylor's stolen mount leaped over the closest obstruction. Unfortunately, Dumbledore was ready. He immediately pointed his wand at Taylor, and she lurched off of the bear, flying through the air, and into his extended hand. Her baton came around and her swarm descended, but Dumbledore held his wand to her chest and a chime rang out through the room.

"Match." Fleur shouted. "Ze winner, Dumbledore!"

As the crowd yelled and screamed, Daphne jumped to her feet and ran towards the two. Dumbledore had already set Taylor down, both of them breathing hard as they shook hands.

"That was really helpful," Taylor said. "I'm going to have to work out countermeasures to that conjuration."

"Actually, the animals were transfiguration. The principle is ultimately the same however, so yes, I would recommend strengthening that area of your prowess. Also, your duplication technique is very effective — until someone uses homenum revelio."

Taylor winced. "Yeah. I'm still trying to figure out a way around that."

"It is not a widely known or used spell. Speak with Professor Snape, I believe he had developed a potential counter during his time as a student, though I am uncertain how useful it would be for you in particular."

"Worth a try," she nodded.

"You held back on the doxies."

Taylor shrugged. "It was a training and exhibition match. I needed to know where I stood, and warn people off of coming after my friends. I didn't want to actually hurtyou. I don't know how much doxy venom is safe."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "I was under the impression that you were attempting subtlety, Miss Hebert."

"I've done little except confirm the rumors around the castle about what a parahuman can do." She smiled and a shiver ran down Daphne's spine. "All anyone knows for certain is that I can control a room very well with a lack of visible spells."

"Miss Hebert," Dumbledore sighed, "I fear you took the wrong lessons from today."

"I had a few good teachers before you, Headmaster. Sorry about hitting you by the way."

Dumbledore shook his head. "It is nothing that Madame Pomfrey won't be able to fix. I will reimburse your damaged wardrobe. I dare not try to fix such specialized attire as my ears will never hear the end of the resulting tirade from your supplier. Please, send me the invoice."

"Will do."

Taylor finally turned from the Headmaster and met Daphne's gaze. Her daughters were quiet after their initial cheer of congratulations.

"Well I lost, but I have some really good ideas so I'll put forth a better fight next time. I don't plan to lose again." Taylor's gaze dropped. "And I know I've been avoiding you lately. Can we talk this weekend?"

Daphne could only nod, her voice having left her.

Taylor wanted to talk. Taylor, who was so determined. So strong. So humble. She'd struck Dumbledore! Twice! No one had managed that in over a decade.

Daphne found it very hard to swallow past the lump in her throat. She was going to need a strategy for dealing with the political fallout that would come to her family when her… proclivities became known. If it was just witches, that would be one thing. But Taylor was not a witch. She'd be painting a target on her entire family.

Oh her father was not going to be pleased with her. Not at all.

Taylor turned, greeting Astoria. Astoria pointed at her hair and Taylor winced, holding a hand up to the mass of brunette locks that had escaped her ponytail during the fight. Her shirt was ruined too. At least her pants were okay. Her oh so tight pants…

"I am in so much trouble."