The Summer Before
Chapter 1: The Summer Before
Moody had gotten back in shape after his year in a trunk. Zara made sure of it. Now her father had apparated them somewhere she didn't know. It was mid-July now. He had taught her many new spells. She was really good at undoing curses and blocking them. Luckily, their property was covered in wards that would allow her to do magic without the Ministry finding out. She had permission too to do magic.
Her Dad had told her to pack her trunk and her owl Legend. As they would be staying somewhere else now.
"Where are we Dad?" Zara asks looking around she could smell the dark magic.
"Read this", Moody orders handing a piece of parchment to his daughter.
It read: The Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix is at 12 Grimmauld Place.
Zara handed it back to her father. Knowing this place was under the Fidelius Charm. So was her father's house (they had moved to another after Barty Crouch Jr found them) so it was perfectly safe. Zara knew this was one of the Pure-Blood houses. She was a Pure-Blood after all.
"Let's go inside. Be quiet in the hallway. There is a portrait the screams if there is too much noise", Moody instructs leading them into the house.
Zara did not like it. It was dark and literally smelt of dark magic. She would have wanted to stay at home. But she wanted to be with her Dad. Especially after everything that had happened with him this past year.
They entered the kitchen to find Mrs Weasley making dinner everyone was around the table. They looked up at their arrival.
"Zara!" Ron exclaims giving her a hug which she returned.
"Hi Ron. I have missed you. How has your summer been?" Zara asks giving him a kiss on the lips.
"I missed you too. And it had been boring to you showed up. Are you hungry?" Ron asks.
"Yes I am. Hi Mrs Weasley", Zara says politely.
"Hello Zara dear it is good to see you again", Mrs Weasley says smiling.
"Hello Zara", Sirius Black says with a warm smile.
"Hello Lord Black", Zara replies formally smirking sitting down next to her Dad and Ron.
"None of that Lord Black stuff. You rescued me and I haven't been cleared of the charges yet. So, call me Sirius", Sirius says waving the formality off.
"Alright Sirius", Zara agrees smiling.
She had to admit he looked better than he had the last time she saw him.
"Dinner!" Mrs Weasley calls out to everyone.
"Are we staying here Dad?" Zara asks.
"Yes, we are", Moody replies.
"Where will I be sleeping?" Zara asks curiously.
"There is a spare room with Tonks. You can share that", Mrs Weasley informs her.
"All right. Can you show me? I want to get settled in", Zara asks finishing her dinner.
"I'll show you", Ron offers surprisingly.
Everyone was shocked Ron would willingly leave a meal for anyone.
Zara smiles, "Thank you Ron. Let's go"
They left the kitchen together, much to everyone’s surprise, and went upstairs.
"This is Tonks room", Ron informs her.
There were two beds in there and a desk. Zara flicks her wand and her things unpack.
"How are you allowed to do magic out of school?" Ron asks his Girlfriend.
"Dad got me special permission from the Ministry. Where are Hermione and Harry?" Zara asks him, she really wanted to see her other two best friends.
"Hermione will be here tomorrow. But I do not know about Harry", Ron answers.
"Are you whole family here?" Zara asks curiously.
"Yes. But Percy", Ron states.
"What happened with Percy?" Zara asks, noticing her boyfriend's mood darkest the mention of Percy.
"Mum and Dad had a huge fight with Percy. Because Percy refuses to believe He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named is back. Percy is siding with the Minister and declaring all of us fools for following Dumbledore", Ron says, "Don't mention Percy around my parents. Mum cries and Dad gets angry. Bill and Charlie are angry and disappointed. Ginny as you know has a temper and wants to use her favourite curse on the Git and Fred and George look like they are going to prank him to hell and back. So best not get involved with their plans”
"Alright I will remember that", Zara agrees.
"How is your dad?" Ron asks changing topic.
"Good. He is proud of me for rescuing him. Doing what I was taught", Zara replies with a pleased smile.
"You're lucky to be the daughter of Mad-Eye Moody. I bet he taught you lot of spells", Ron says looking envious.
"Yes, he has. I am lucky to have him as my father", Zara replies.
"And I am lucky to have you as a daughter", Moody says from the doorway making Ron jump.
Zara goes and hugs him they were doing a lot of hugging lately making up for a year apart.
"Tomorrow, can I go to Diagon Ally? I want some new books", Zara asks him.
"Fine by me as long as I go with you", Moody replies.
"Thanks Daddy. I am going to sleep now. See you in the morning", Zara says giving him another hug and leaning up to kiss his cheek.
Moody kisses her forehead then leaves.
"Goodnight Zara", Ron says kissing her.
"Goodnight"
The next 3 weeks went by quickly Hermione had joined them. Only her and Zara had done their summer homework they were trying to get Ron to do his. Finally, Ron caved in and started doing it. That's when they hear Mrs Black begin to scream downstairs.
"Looks like Harry's here", Zara says happily.
"Yeh he is not going to be happy", Hermione agrees looking worried.
"I agree", Zara agrees with a nod looking a bit worried.
After Harry had yelled at them more at Ron and Hermione then Zara. They head downstairs for dinner. They all eat quietly. There was an Order meeting tonight. Zara had talked to her father about it and was surprised by his answer. He said she could sit in after all she took out a Death Eater for him. So, when Mrs Weasley told them to go upstairs there was an uproar. Zara remained quiet and listened.
"You can't stop Fred and George they are of age", Mr Weasley informs her wearily.
"Harry deserves to choose for himself", Sirius says speaking up.
"I want to stay", Harry sats quickly before anyone else can protests.
"Fine. Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Zara upstairs", Mrs Weasley orders angrily.
"Zara will be staying she is my daughter and my decision", Mad-Eye tells her.
"Harry and Zara will tell us anyway", Ron informs his mother with a shrug.
"Fine. Ginny bed", Mrs Weasley says angrily.
Ginny storms out of the room. Dumbledore was not pleased by the extra additions but there was nothing he could do. After the meeting Dumbledore pulls Mad-Eye aside.
"Alastor, I want you to teach Defence for years 5-7 this year", Dumbledore informs his old friend.
"Why?" Alastor asks.
"Because I need someone there, I trust the Ministry is sending someone to teach the other years. But I want you to teach 5-7", Dumbledore says to his old friend.
"Ok I want to be with my daughter anyway. She had a tough year last year", Mad-Eye tells him.
"I know I am sorry old friend. But this year she will be happier you are there", Dumbledore assures him.
"Alright I'll do it", Mad-Eye agrees.
"Thank you. I will see you soon", Dumbledore says flooing away.
The Next Day…
"Zara", Mad-Eye calls out the next day.
"Yes Dad?" Zara asks.
"I am going to teach Defence this year for years 5-7", Mad-Eye informs her actually smiling a little at the joy on his daughter's face.
"You will be a great teacher dad", Zara tells him hugging him, "You taught me. And it will be good to have you close"
"I know but you listened", Mad-Eye says, "No other children will be that interested in learning”
"Don't worry you will scare them into listening", Zara assures him smiling.
Mad-Eye chuckles, "That I will. Go along Mr Potter is back home"
Harry had got off the charges and everyone was happy. That's when the owls come in with their 4th year results and 5th yearbook list. Zara quickly opens hers.
Zara Moody Results Fourth Year:
Ancient Runes: O
Arithmacy: O
Astronomy: E
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Charms: O
Defence Against the Arts: O
Herebology: E
History of Magic: E
Potions: O
Transfiguration: O
She smiled widely she pasted every class. And there was a Captaincy badge in the letter. It said she was joint captain with Harry. This was great.
"How did you do?" her father asks.
"Here read it", Zara replies.
"You did good baby girl. Even with the imposter. I am proud of you", Mad-Eye says hugging her.
"Thanks Dad. You taught me everything I know", Zara says pulling away.
"I am glad you listened. Go see what your friend got", Moody says to his daughter.
"I got Prefect", Ron states shocked.
"Congratulations Ron", Zara says kissing him.
"I am Prefect too", Hermione says beaming.
"Well done, Hermione", Zara says.
"I got joint Quidditch Captaincy", Harry informs them.
"With who?" Hermione asks.
"Me", Zara replies smiling.
"Congratulations this is going to be a great year", Hermione says.
Was it really going to be a good year? Only time would tell . . .