Mad-eye Moody
They had been given the next hour off their lessons much to Ron's excitement. Harry had gone off with Lucius Malfoy of all people to discuss the plans for the primary school and the younger kids had all gone through the door in search of the goblins so they could get their family tree mapping rituals done. But Ron wasn't interested in that. he'd have much rather spend the hour with Harry playing chess but that wasn't an option since Harry seemed to constantly be busy with something or other. If it wasn't the primary school, it was creature rights, and if not that it was changes to Hogwarts.
He didn't really understand why Harry thought Hogwarts needed to change. For almost everyone - except himself, Harry and Hermione - Hogwarts was perfectly safe when there weren't death eaters running about.
But no one cared for his opinion. Not even Hermione. She'd disappeared off to find a house elf or two and Ron could only hope that she'd actually try and listen to them this time. Instead of talking at them. In the end, Ron settled for going off in search of his brother Bill. He had promised to help him with his charm work after all. And he really needed to improve if he was ever going to make his own line of brooms. He found Bill sitting with Kingsley Shacklebolt. He rolled his eyes when he realised they were discussing arrangements for Harry's safety. He didn't really begrudge Harry the need for security - at least not any more - but he was finding it a little annoying that all anyone seemed to talk about was Prince Myrrddin. As if he wasn't still just Harry.
He was pretty sure Harry wouldn't like it either. He liked people treating him the same as everyone else. And now as Prince Myrrddin he was even less like everyone else.
That must be really upsetting for Harry, Ron thought to himself. Ron was pretty sure he'd enjoy the perks of being Prince Myrrddin more than Harry ever would but he also suspected Harry would be a thousand times better at the actual responsibility part. Ron didn't especially like responsibility. Being a prefect had proven that for him.
"Alright Bill," Ron said, coming up to the table the pair were sitting at. "Kingsley."
"Hey Ron," Bill replied. "Decided against a visit with goblins?"
"My younger self has gone," he said with a shrug. "Although he doesn't look that excited about it."
"We're just discussing the Prince's security," Kingsley said.
"Yeah, you should discuss that with Harry," Ron said. "He doesn't like it when people make plans for him without discussing them with him. The order and Dumbles did that a lot."
Kingsley nodded. "I was thinking that I'd come up with a general plan before bringing it to the prince for his approval."
Ron nodded. "That's the other thing, you should knock off the prince stuff. He'd much rather everyone continue calling him Harry."
"I can't," Kingsley argued. "It would be different if he asked, of course. But it would be the height of disrespect to just presume."
Ron got that but he wasn't sure Harry would. "Well, at least make sure he knows that."
"You're all having lessons on this stuff, Ron," Bill said. "He knows why people are calling him Prince Myrrddin. Besides, he's going to have to get used it it. The title isn't going to go away."
Ron shrugged. "That's another thing. Harry doesn't like too much attention. So, you'll want to make sure you plan to keep the crazy fans at bay. But you'll have to be nice about it. Harry doesn't like people being mean."
Kingsley chuckled lightly. Ron Weasley might actually be a better friend than these books suggested. Then again, he had to be, considering everything these kids had been through together. At the age of twelve, he'd willingly sacrificed himself in a game of chess for his two best friends. There was honour in that.
They talked some more, eventually their conversation turning to the book they were currently reading.
"I was a right jerk to Harry in fourth year," Ron said with a sigh. "Actually, everyone was. But I should have been better. I was his best friend and I messed up."
Neither Bill or Kingsley knew what to say to that.
"I can be quite selfish sometimes," Ron said thoughtfully, "and hotheaded."
"You're a Weasley," Bill said softly.
"That's no excuse," Ron said. "Do you know Harry hasn't once let me down? He's a thousand times the friend I am."
Ron stared at the bookshelf on the far wall. "I'll do better this time around. I know better now."
Before long it was time for them to meet the others for lunch and so Kingsley put all his plans away. Everyone else was already in the dining hall. Several of the kids were showing off their family trees. Seamus rushed over to his younger self and demanded that he hand over his family tree, much to the annoyance of several adults.
"Mr Finnigan," Minerva said, "what are you doing?"
Seamus refused pointedly to explain his actions, putting the family tree into the pocket of his robes. Minerva tried to force him to hand it over but to no avail.
Seamus frowned at her, and said "I am a grown up and no longer your student," before taking his seat once more.
Now everyone was sitting uncomfortably as there was an awkwardness as Seamus and younger Seamus glared across the table at one another.
Finally the meal came to an end and they all made their way back to the chamber, eager to read the next chapter. Just as they were entering the chamber, there was a sudden flash of light and a whole crowd of people appeared, much to everyone's surprise. It had been quite some time since they had a new arrival. Hannah Abbott, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Ernie Macmillan and Eloise Midgen all stood transfixed as they stared at their younger selves. They hadn't even noticed the other people in the chamber. Meanwhile, Terry Boot, Anthony Goldstein, Michael Corner, Mandy Brocklehurst and Morag MacDougal were all blinking back in shock, they'd been pulled away from the battle so their wands were still outstretched, a hex on each of their tongues. Their younger selves shied away behind them, confusion clear on their faces.
Blaise grinned when he noticed quite a few new Slytherin arrivals. Finally, they wouldn't be outnumbered. Millicent Bullstrode, Tracey Davis, Marcus Flint, Terence Higgs and Cassius Warrington, were all glancing about the chamber nervously. The older three looked exceptionally concerned. They'd all been forced into taking the mark by their families and now... They were in a strange room with people they knew to be dead. Including none other than Harry Potter. Cassius felt faint. He'd literally just watched Potter drop to the ground dead in the Forbidden Forest. How was this possible?
Harry almost laughed as the adults went about trying to explain everything to the twenty-eight new arrivals. The older ones seemed to take it relatively well, even if they did share suspicious looks between them. Their younger selves, however, looked genuinely terrified.
"We'll give you a copy of the first three books so you can catch up," Filius said, "but for now, take a seat and get comfortable. We're just about to start a new chapter."
The new arrivals looked ready to argue but decided against it. This really didn't make a lot of sense and they were seriously beginning to question whether they were dreaming or perhaps they'd been exposed to a hallucinogenic potion during the battle. Yes, that must be it.
The storm had blown itself out ... the Triwizard Tournament.
Albus's eyes twinkled. Let them try. If he was personally guaranteeing that no underaged wix entered, there was no chance that they'd succeed.
"Today's not bad ... damn it, we're still with the Slytherins... "
"What I've never understood," Sirius said, "is why they insist on putting Slytherin and Gryffindor together for the most dangerous classes. It's like they want to get someone hurt."
The teachers all glared at Dumbledore. They'd made that point a thousand times but Albus always refused to listen.
"Double Divination this afternoon," ... which he found extremely annoying.
Sybil huffed. Some people just couldn't appreciate the workings of the inner eye.
"You should have given it up ... sensible like Arithmancy. "
Harry frowned. In hindsight, he thought Hermione had a point. Although, he thought he might have preferred Ancient Runes. He'd already decided that in the new timeline he'd take the courses he hadn't studied the first time around. He and young Harry deserved a challenge. After all, the other classes should be relatively easy after already sitting their OWLs in the original timeline.
"You're eating again, I notice," ... elf rights," said Hermione haughtily.
No one said anything. They had a horrible feeling that elf rights would be a constant theme in this book.
"Yeah. . . and you were hungry," said Ron, grinning.
A couple people laughed at that.
There was a sudden rustling noise ... Neville almost always forgot to pack something.
Neville blushed scarlet. Why did this book have to point that out?
On the other side ... supply of sweets and cakes from home.
Lucius frowned at that. "He'd only been gone one night, Narcissa," he said, shaking his head indulgently.
"That wasn't from me," Narcissa said, eyeing Draco suspiciously.
"I may have bribed one of the house elves," he muttered.
Trying to ignore the sinking feeling ... Sirius hadn't even got his letter?
Sirius frowned. Just how far away was he that it was taking this long to hear back?
His preoccupation lasted all the way ... You will collect the pus -"
"Yuk!" Young Ron said.
"The what?" .... bubotuber pus. "
The adults also looked somewhat disgusted. Many of them remembered doing that in Herbology and wished to forget.
Squeezing the bubotubers ... rid themselves of pimples."
Poppy smiled. She could never have enough bubotuber pus in the hospital wing.
"Like poor Eloise Midgen," ... "She tried to curse hers off."
Amelia looked at her niece's friend in surprise. That wasn't very kind.
"Miss Abbott!" Young Professor Sprout said coldly. "That was unkind."
"Sorry Eloise," Hannah said with a blush.
Eloise merely shrugged. She was used to it. Her younger self however looked close to tears so she pulled her closer to her side and murmured that it was okay in her ear.
"Puffs are often unkind," Harry said. "They're just better at hiding it than other people."
Plenty of people in the chamber looked scandalised by the idea and yet more still remembered how some of the hufflepuffs had treated Harry during his second year and couldn't really disagree with him.
Professor Sprout seemed to think Harry might have the right of it. She hadn't forgotten what they'd read in the second book. "We will be having a house meeting after dinner," she said sternly, "and I expect all Hufflepuffs, past, present and future to join."
"How do we know we'll definitely be in the same house as our older selves?" Young Susan asked.
Susan looked surprised but she had to agree. This experience was changing them, hopefully for the better. Everything could be different.
"Well, I don't suppose we do," Pomona said, "but until the hat sits on your head and announces that you belong elsewhere, I am your head of house and I am responsible for you."
"Silly girl," ... back on in the end. "
"POMONA!" several of the teachers muttered. "What were you just saying?"
Pomona blushed. She shouldn't have said that.
"You do realise that your students are entitled to their privacy?" Lucius said snidely. "Especially with regards to their medical records."
"I should not have said that," Pomona said with a sigh. "I apologise Miss Midgen, I will do better in the future."
None of the adults looked particularly impressed and Eloise looked particularly hurt. It was one thing for the other students to laugh at her, but her head of house was supposed to be in her corner. Even when she was stupid, she expected Professor Sprout to be kind and understanding. She'd certainly seemed to be when she let Eloise cry into her shoulder after the incident in question.
A booming bell echoed ... minor explosions.
The students all groaned. They knew what was in those crates.
"Mornin'!" ... Blast-Ended Skrewts!"
The ministry officials sat forward. What did he just say?
"I'm sorry, Hagrid," Amelia said politely, "but just what is a Blast-Ended Skrewt?"
Hagrid rubbed the back of his neck as he considered how to answer. Eventually, he settled for the truth. This hadn't happened yet and he probably wouldn't do it again in the future. They hadn't been particularly useful creatures. "Er... a cross between a manticore and a fire crab."
"Please tell me you did not breed them yourself," Amelia said with a sigh.
Hagrid said nothing, merely grimaced.
"Did you at least have a permit?"
"Er... They gave me a backdated one so they could be used in the tournament," Hagrid muttered. He'd nearly gotten into quite a bit of trouble for that one and only managed to get away with it because the headmaster told the ministry officials that they were to be included in the maze. Fortunately, Barty Crouch had already disappeared by that point and couldn't point out that the beasts were not on the list for the maze.
Amelia grimaced. Another example of people bending the laws to suit themselves.
"Come again?" ... propelled forward several inches.
The adults all looked horrified. This was a complete waste of a lesson. These beasts would never be on the OWL paper. They could only hope that Hagrid might use the lesson to discuss the ban on experimental breeding. Although given he'd clearly broken that law, that was unlikely to be the case.
"On'y jus' hatched," ... Thought we'd make a bit of a project of it!"
The idea had merit, Amelia had to admit. If they weren't so dangerous. Hagrid could have gotten a permit to breed a cross between a Mooncalf and a Niffler or something. Then the project he described might have been educational. They could have discussed the ban, and learned about the two creatures in question, before evaluating what the offspring would be like and how to care for it. A project like that, could have covered many of the class aims and objects. But a cross between a manticore and a fire crab? One creature they wouldn't learn about until NEWT level and another that they probably shouldn't learn about until fifth year. This might have been a project more suited to seventh year students, but even that seemed questionable.
"And why would we want ... "What is the point of them?"
Narcissa didn't comment on Draco's rudeness. Personally, she wanted to know the same thing.
Hagrid opened his mouth ... "Tha's next lesson, Malfoy. Yer jus' feedin' 'em today.
Amelia sighed again. That right there was the problem. Hagrid knew nothing about the beasts he'd breed and was willing to let a class of fourteen year old children near them. Did the man have any sense of danger?
Now, yeh'll wan' ter try 'em ... just try 'em out with a bit of each. "
"I mean it's not the worst idea," Remus said. "But did it really need to be a cross between a manticore and a fire crab? What about Kneezles or Mooncalves or Nifflers? Something age appropriate. Puffskeins?"
"First pus and now this," ... skrewts didn't seem to have mouths.
"No mouths?" Amelia asked.
"I hated those," Tracey Davis muttered to Millicent Bullstrode.
"Ouch!" ... showing Hagrid a burn on his hand.
The parents in the chamber all glared at Hagrid.
"Ah, yeah, that can happen when they blast off," said Hagrid, nodding.
"And you didn't think to warn them of that?" Sirius asked, raising an eyebrow. He liked Hagrid but this was absurd.
"Eurgh!" ... I think they might be ter suck blood."
The adults were looking more and more concerned by the second.
"Well, I can certainly see why ... burn, sting, and bite all at once?"
Amos was not impressed. His department would have had the lot exterminated if he'd known about this.
"Just because they're not ... want a dragon for a pet, would you?"
Everyone looked at Hermione like she was deranged. What possible use could those monsters be?
Harry and Ron grinned at Hagrid ... the more lethal, the better.
Lucius sighed. He really wanted to say something to that. But he decided it was better if he didn't. It was enough that he'd had to arrange extra tutoring for Draco to make up for this shamble of a class. He'd wasted quite a few galleons making sure Draco passed Care of Magical Creatures. It was such a shame too because it had been the class Draco had been most excited about.
"Well, at least the skrewts are small," ... I expect they'll be six feet long. "
That was a concerning thought. The adults really hoped that wasn't the case. And the students all grimaced as they recalled just how big the got.
"Well, that won't matter ... before they start attacking us all. "
Draco smirked at that. He had never imagined Hermione Granger of all people would agree with something he said.
They sat down at the Gryffindor table ... make yourself puke instead?"
The gryffindors all rolled their eyes. That year had been awful. The common room had been less tidy than normal, because Hermione insisted on trying to free all the elves.
"No," ... We haven't even got homework yet!"
Even Hermione's parents were looking at her in surprise.
Hermione shrugged ... making him jump.
Several of the Gryffindors sniggered.
A very thin woman ... and perhaps sooner than you think. . . "
Sirius glared at the woman. Harry was worried about him. And now he'd be even more worried. Although come to think about it, she could be talking about Voldemort... That was worrying too. Better to think she was just a great big fraud.
Her voice dropped almost to a whisper ... Professor Trelawney really was an old fraud.
Sybill looked unimpressed by this, muttering under her breath about people who cannot see beyond the mundane.
He wasn't dreading anything ... lucky guesswork and a spooky manner.
"Very wise, Mr Potter," Minerva said.
Except, of course, for that time ... Harry had described it to him.
"Well, there are always exceptions," Minerva added.
"Harry!" ... under the baleful influence of Saturn," said Professor Trelawney,
Sirius laughed. "He was born in July."
a faint note of resentment ... hanging on her words.
Sybill frowned at the book.
"Born under - what, sorry?" ... your mean stature...
"I don't have a mean stature," Harry muttered.
tragic losses so young in life ... midwinter?"
"Huh," Tom said. "Strange."
"What's strange?" Harry asked.
"I can think of someone else who that all applies to," Tom said, "and at that time you were carrying a part of his soul."
Harry gaped at him. He couldn't be right? Could he? Was Trelawney seeing the horcrux?
"Carrying part of someone else's soul?" Terence Higgs asked Cassius Warrington who just shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know what they were talking about either.
"No," said Harry, "I was born in July. "
"Awkward," Susan Bones muttered to Hannah Abbott.
Ron hastily turned his laugh ... calculation of angles.
"And yet if you did it properly," Sybill said, "you might have passed your OWL. You don't have to have the ability to pass the theory test. You wouldn't have excelled but you would have done better than you did."
No one could argue with her there.
"I've got two Neptunes here," ... "that can't be right, can it?"
Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Aaaaah," ... midget in glasses is being born, Harry. . . . "
Almost everyone laughed at that. Even the adults. Although they did their best to try and hide it.
Seamus and Dean, ... Uranus too, Lavender?" said Ron.
"RONALD WEASLEY!" Both Mrs Weasleys screeched and the older Mrs Weasley looked ready to whip out her wand and cast a spell to wash her son's mouth out with soap.
Most unfortunately, ... and no excuses!"
The Gryffindors all glared at Ron.
"Miserable old bat," ... "Professor Vector didn't give us any at all!"
Everyone looked at Hermione like she had too heads. They would have expected her to be disappointed not to have homework.
"Well, bully for ... pleased about something.
Draco groaned. He didn't want to remember this. And he certainly didn't want everyone else hearing about it too.
"What?" ... he's a complete nonentity, isn't it?" he crowed.
Lucius tutted, clearly unimpressed by his son's antics. He'd always been told that Potter and Weasley started their fights. It was sorely obvious that was not true.
Everyone in the entrance hall ... a handshake and attempted murder.
Moody frowned. He could tell the difference alright, he just didn't want to have to shake hands with the likes of Rita Skeeter.
Unsurprisingly, Mr. Weasley found, ... losing a bit of weight, couldn't she?"
The Weasley children all glared at Draco as his mother instructed him to apologise to Mrs Weasley. Draco did as instructed without any hesitation.
Ron was shaking with fury ... or is it just the picture?"
Lady Malfoy took a deep breath. It wouldn't do to lose her temper with her son in public.
"You know your mother, Malfoy?" ... you were with her?"
Narcissa actually snorted. Now that was a good come back, it was just unfortunate that she was the butt of that particular joke.
"I apologise Lady Malfoy," Harry said, blushing slightly.
"No mind," she said with a small smile.
Malfoy's pale face ... turning away.
While Sirius didn't like what Harry had said about his cousin, he did appreciate a good come back and what's more, he was proud that Harry had decided to walk away.
BANG!
"Now what?" Sirius groaned.
Several people screamed ... "OH NO YOU DON'T, LADDIE!"
"Laddie?" Moody groaned. He couldn't remember ever saying that.
Harry spun around ... a pure white ferret,
Several of the children gaped at the book. Why was there a ferret. Ron struggled not to laugh. Harry glared at him. It wasn't funny. Not now with hindsight, Draco had been attacked by a death eater while at school.
which was shivering ... Malfoy had been standing.
"You turned my son into a ferret?" Lucius demanded.
Moody blinked in surprise. "Apparently I did."
He was surprised himself. Transfiguration wasn't his usual go to, but he supposed he couldn't actually hex the students.
There was a terrified silence ... "missed."
Sirius couldn't decide who to be angry with. For one thing, Malfoy had attacked Harry when his back was turned. But equally, teachers weren't supposed to attack students. Ever.
"LEAVE IT!" ... could see out of the back of his head.
The youngest in the chamber were looking at Moody with new found respect.
Moody started to limp ... bounced upward once more.
Moody was staring at the book in horror. What was he doing? Sure, he might of done that to an of age wix. But a child? The Malfoys looked positively enraged. And Moody for once couldn't really blame them.
"I don't like people who attack ... "Stinking, cowardly, scummy thing to do. . . "
Tonks glanced at her mentor. She'd never heard him say the word scummy ever. And she knew he wasn't the best at Transfiguration. It's why he'd always been so impressed with her metamorphmagus gift.
The ferret flew ... hit the stone floor and bounced upward again.
"Now that is physical and magical assault," Amelia said sternly. Alastor knew the laws. He'd helped draft some of them.
Moody himself was looking a little sick. Although he did his best to hide it.
Harry wondered if he should tell them that it wasn't Moody, but he thought it would probably be better to let them work that out for themselves. He couldn't help but wonder if they'd work it out quicker than Dumbles.
"Professor Moody!" ... "Teaching," said Moody.
Everyone glared at Moody. He didn't even flinch. Something was off about this. He just couldn't put his finger on what it was.
"Teach - Moody, is that a student?" ... He got to his feet, wincing.
"You should have come to the hospital wing," Poppy said softly, her eyes pitying.
"Moody, we never ... Or speak to the offender's Head of House!"
"Don't you think this is a conversation for later, in private?" Sirius asked. "For now, you should be checking that Draco is alright. And then take the issue to the headmaster. Teachers can't just assault students and get away with it."
"I'll do that, then," ... the words "my father" were distinguishable.
"He surely doesn't intend to give the boy detention after that punishment?" Remus asked in horror.
"Oh yeah?" ... Now, your Head of House'll be Snape, will it?"
Lucius looked close to losing his temper. The only thing stopping him was the fact that the Moody in the chamber had yet to do this. Otherwise, he'd be asking for an honour duel. No one treated his heir and son like that. No matter how much of an annoying little shit he could be.
"Yes," ... Come on, you. . . "
Moody frowned at that. He and Severus got on well enough. He didn't always agree with Albus about keeping Snape around, but he had to admit that the man had his uses. Especially when he was hunting down death eaters. He'd gotten a surprising amount of help from Severus in the early days after the war. They'd never be friends, but they were at least cordial.
And he seized Malfoy's upper arm ... "Why not?" said Hermione in surprise.
People were hardly listening to the book. They were still sitting in shock at what had just happened.
"I'm sorry, kid," Moody said gruffly. "I don't know why my older self would do that to you. But he shouldn't have."
Draco nodded nervously. The ex-auror still scared him years later and he'd lived with the Dark Lord.
"Because I want to fix ... "Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret. "
"Ronald, it wasn't funny," Molly chided.
"Seemed it at the time," Ron defended.
Harry and Hermione ... each of their plates.
Sirius gave Harry a disappointed look. "I know its not funny now," Harry said gently.
"He could have really hurt ... best moment of my life!"
Mrs Weasley tutted.
Hermione made ... "Loads to do. "
Hermione's parents eyed her suspiciously. She was up to something.
"But you told us ... taken by Fred Weasley.
"Definitely up to something," Mr Granger said to his wife, earning a nod.
"Moody!" ... this afternoon," he told Harry and Ron.
Everyone in the chamber sat forward eagerly, wanting to know exactly what Moody's lessons were like if that's how he was behaving in the corridors.
"What was it like?" ... "He knows, man," said Lee.
"Knows what?" young Ron asked.
"Knows what?" ... "Fighting the Dark Arts," said Fred.
Moody grinned at that. It was fleeting, his mind still stuck on that transfiguration. But yes, he did know his stuff. That was certainly true.
"He's seen it all," ... disappointed voice.
There were groans all through the chamber. They wanted to see what Moody's lessons were like.