Despite what many children, and adults for that matter, were led to believe Hogwarts was not impenetrable. Magic was complicated, Wards even more so. While the primary entrances, and school grounds, were protected by a complex system of protections there were always ways around them. Secret passages that either weren't, or even couldn't be included in the spells woven around the castle. And, of course, exceptions had to be made.
Portkeys could be designed to bypass the defenses and Floo travel was virtually unhindered. Then there were the objects that could permit someone normally not allowed to walk upon the grounds.
Press permits, Auror badges, Government Identifications could all get through.
Even worse were the days in which the school was opened to parents and guardians alike to visit their children.
Remi sighed as she walked down the hallways of her youth. So much had changed since then, and yet so little. The Magical world had always been a dangerous one, filled with so many unseen horrors and monsters that it was surprising humans were ever able to survive in it.
She herself was living proof, attacked by a werewolf at such a young age, yet she had survived. A voice, the same one she tried so hard to suppress growled about how all she did was survive. Moving from one job to the next, one town to the next. She didn't hunt, didn't prowl the streets or wilderness for victims, didn't give in to any of the darker urges.
She was alive, but not truly living.
The witch shook her head, banishing thoughts as before, and returned herself to the present situation. It had been nothing short of a miracle that none of those attacked had been seriously injured and Remi intended to ensure it stayed that way.
While the curse could only be passed on during a 'natural' transformation during the full moon, there existed more than one artificial means of causing the shift.
Regardless, step one was to find all the old secret passages she had discovered because of her own desperation during school and at the very least secure them if not completely seal them off.
Next, an early warning system would need to be installed, something to alert anyone present should a lycanthrope approach the school in any manner. Just because they were most dangerous while transformed did not mean they lacked the capacity to do harm while in their normal appearance.
"Everything okay?"
She just about jumped out of her skin at the sudden voice behind her, spinning in place, heart pounding, ears already alert for any potential threats, and fingers curling for want of either her wand or a weapon. It was just a boy though, a young student who had managed to sneak up on her due to her own carelessness and drifting thoughts.
With a mental curse at her own ineptitude, because how was she supposed to help safeguard others if she couldn't even notice someone walking up behind her, she addressed the boy she had come to know was the 'hero' of the school.
Harry Potter
"Yes, yes of course I was just going over my plans for the morning."
His eyes, the most piercing green she had ever beheld, studied her, seemingly ripping through her defenses and exposing her in a way she couldn't quite fathom. "Well, you should start with breakfast. I can never think on an empty stomach."
She had considered it, but there were likely students already in the Great Hall and while her presence wasn't exactly a secret it was still better to keep her distance to avoid being called out or scaring anyone with her disease.
"Ah, right, well I will head down to the kitchens and grab something soon." He stood unmoving and she couldn't help but fidget. "Is something wrong?"
"No," he casually answered, "just waiting for you to finish up and come down to get breakfast in the Great Hall with me."
Remi's eyes widened to almost comical proportions. "I... don't know about that. It would be better if..."
But the boy, the small, teenage boy, crossed his arms with the posture of someone who was ready to withstand a hurricane if necessary and at that moment she knew it would be easier to move mountains than win an argument against him.
With a, somewhat reluctant, nod she gestured to lead on and followed quickly after him.
Neither noticed the woman who stepped out of the shadows of a nearby hall, face passive and considerate as she watched her protege's interaction with the werewolf.
****
"Harry," said boy glanced up to where his head-of-house stood at the doorway to his shared room, his two roommates currently in one of their electives, "I wanted to talk to you about a few things, if you have time."
He nodded and the woman strolled in, glancing about at the few decorations which had been setup, most notably around the area used by Crabbe and Goyle.
"No posters?"
Harry shrugged, earning a slight frown from the woman, "I used to, back before… well you know, but I haven't really been into Quidditch much this time around. Don't get me wrong I love flying and watching Amy play but as far as the professionals go? Well, that was always Ron's thing, not mine."
Her mind quickly shifted to other options, "What about books? I know you certainly have a lot of those."
"Not that I want to leave lying around. I doubt either of my roommates are into defense but no sense in risking them trying something and hurting themselves or someone else."
It was a good point. Neither of the two boys had shown any real inclination, but teenagers did stupid things all the time.
Harry focused his attention onto the woman, "What is it you are really here for? I doubt you came all the way here just to ask about my decorating habits."
Her lips curled up into a smile, "Very astute, I wanted to speak to you about your living arrangements, specifically where you will be staying."
The Potter frowned, "Like… during the holidays?"
Now it was a teasing smile that replaced her previous one, "No, I mean during the school year, I would like you to live in my quarters."
He blinked then blinked again as he processed the statement, "Is… that even allowed?"
Riddle chuckled softly, "I still find it rather strange the first thing you ask is if living in a professor's room is against the rules. It isn't exactly common by any means but so long as favoritism isn't being unfairly applied then yes, there are exceptions to the normal rules. These exist primarily for betrothal contacts and such but also apprenticeships, especially the ones that turn physical."
Then there was understanding on his face, "So you want me to move into your room so you can sleep with me more often…" He sighed, a long drawn out sigh which she knew would be followed by some sort of sarcastic or joking remark. "I knew it, you just want me for my body."
"Who would blame me?"
He snorted before answering with a shrug, "As long as I don't have to deal with offhand jokes about sleeping with a professor then I don't mind. I'm sure my roommates would enjoy the extra space anyway."
The packing and moving doesn't take long, and she even pretends not to see the looks given to them by students situated in the common room.
Everything from confusion to jealousy and especially mixtures of lustful envy. It isn't like they are being discreet after all.
Riddle manages to wait for his trunk to be on the ground, and secure the door behind her, before pouncing on him.
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