Backfire

"Which of you can tell me how many unforgivable curses there are?" He asks, Holland having an uneasy feeling about how this man was speaking. Something felt wrong, as if he had drastically changed from the man he was when they first met.

"You alright?" Ron whispers, not taking his eyes off the professor in front of them. Holland must have not been too discreet about her uneasiness, decided to straighten up in her seat and clear her throat.

"Yes, sorry. Just a bit hungry again is all." She smiled at him, and in the corner of her eye, she saw him return an uneasy grin.

"Three, sir." Hermione says grimly, eyeing Harry and Neville. Holland couldn't help but feel sorry that the two had to endure a lesson talking about the spells that had caused the demise of their parents. Holland knew about Neville's parents, Rufus and Imelda had been the ones on Lestrange's case after her Cruciatus curse on the two. The two were alive and all, but not in the state that would have them capable of raising nor even speaking to Neville. It was just as heartbreaking, possibly even more heartbreaking than death.

"And they are so named.." Moody trails off, Holland feeling even more uncomfortable. She wanted to clear her throat again, but she was afraid that if she did, attention would be brought to her. So Holland decided to try her best to keep quiet.

"Because they are unforgivable. The use of any of them will—" Hermione was cut off.

"—will earn you a one way ticket to Azkaban. Correct!" He finishes, feverishly writing the word 'unforgivable' on the chalkboard. "The ministry says you're too young to see what these curses do. I say different!" Holland jumps at the man's words. He was frightening. She could now understand why he was called 'Mad-Eye'. "You need to know what you're up against! You need to be prepared," By that moment, Seamus Finnigan had just finished with chewing his gum, and thought to just stick it under his desk. "You need to find another place to put your chewing gum besides the underside of your desk, Mr. Finnigan!" He roared, the students giving each other looks of astonishment as the man was not even facing him.

"No way," Seamus shakes his head in disbelief, all eyes on him. "The old codger can see out the back of his head." Chalk flies from across the room, all heads ducking as Professor Moody undoubtedly heard what he said.

"And hear across classrooms!" He bellows. "Now," He quickly moves on. "Which curse shall we see first?" Holland grasps Ron's hand in fright. Was he going to demonstrate? Ron wasn't looking too well, himself.

"Blimey. Is he actually going to do it in here?" Ron whispers in disbelief, partly in awe.

"This isn't right. This is so wrong." Holland did her best to whisper, afraid he'd hear her like how he'd heard Seamus.

"Weasley!" Both Ron and Holland jump at his voice. Hermione shooting them a worried, sideward glance from where she sat. The professor was standing in front of the two now. "Yes?" His Ron'a fragile voice asked,

"Stand," Ron slowly rises, afraid to let his eyes meet the man's crazy ones. "Give us a curse."

"Well, my dad did tell me about one," He starts. "The Imperius curse." He finishes.

"Oh yeah, your father would know all about that." Holland's eyebrows knit together in curiosity, not knowing what the man was talking about. "Gave the ministry quite a bit of grief a few years ago," He eyes Ron sternly before continuing, "Perhaps this will show you why." He trods to the glass containers located behind the chalkboard and gets his hands on an arachnid.

"Engorgio!" The animal now three times its own size. "Imperio!" Alastor says before flying the creature up and down with his wand like it was a rag doll. It first lands in front of Dean Thomas, who was not too happy about seeing the creepy creature so close. The class begins to laugh when he flies it over numerous students. "Don't worry, she's harmless!" He laughs manically, as the creature lands on Parvati Patil's shoulder. "If she bites, it's lethal!" He jokes, the arachnid now on Ron's face as Ron tried his best to keep it together and failing miserably. Holland was scared as well, not being able to do anything but squeeze Ron's forearm, seeming to be more in panic than comfort.

"You're alright." Holland calms him down as the insect was now on Draco's nose, Gregory Goyle trying to find a way to get it off Draco. "Don't do that!" Holland whines at Goyle's idiocy as he was holding up his book, ready to splat the spider with the book that would also crush Draco's face.

"Talented, isn't she?" Moody asks in mad delight. "What should I have her do next? Jump out the window?" The animal was slapped against a giant magnifying glass, the class slowly coming to silence from laughter. "Drown herself?" He suggests as he lets it float just above a bucket of water. The insect returns to Moody's palms as he explains. "Scores of witches and wizards have claimed that they only did You-Know-Who's bidding under the influence of the Imperius curse." Holland nods in understanding. There had been a time members of the ministry were actually compromised and did things that were to the Dark Lord's favor. It was Alastor Moody who proved an innocent newcomer of the ministry innocent, that must have been Ron's dad if he knew so much about it.

"You dad was one of them, right?" Holland asks Ron quietly. Smiling a bit, being reminded that Alastor was a good man, perhaps really just crazy.

"Y-yeah, how'd you—"

"I think it was him who got to prove your dad innocent. My parents told me he solved a case on a newcomer at the ministry, it happened years ago. It makes sense, he seems to know about your father so much." She smiled softly at him, and he tries to give one back, but fails. Ron was clearly still shaken about the spider. The entire atmosphere of the classroom was a mixture of fascination and fear, for their professor was clearly a psycho. A dangerous, incredibly gifted, psycho.

"How do we sort out the liars?" He asks rhetorically.

"Another, another.." He tries to get another student to volunteer. Neville slowly raises his hand, surprising Holland.

"Longbottom, is it?" He shyly nods before standing up. "Professor Sprout tells me you have an aptitude for Herbology." He comments, probably having intended to praise the boy. But nobody could tell as the man always sounded like he was accusing you of something.

Neville nods before answering. "There's the .. The Cruciatus Curse." He says. Hollands eyes soften, feeling her heart break for the boy.

"Correct, correct. Come, come." Moody invites him to come closer to the insect. Holland shakes her head, the professor seemed to be enjoying this too much and it was bothering her.

"Particularly nasty. The torture curse." Holland gasps, realizing he was going to demonstrate that as well.

"Why is he doing this?" She wonders aloud.

"Crucio!" The creature began to shriek in pain, bringing forth discomfort from everyone in the room, some Slytherins seeming to be indifferent if not gritting their teeth and stifling their faces of delight. Holland's chest began rising and falling quickly, grabbing onto Ron's forearm once more as she felt sorry that Neville of all people were the one to see it up close. Neville was wincing, chest heaving at the sight before him, seeing the creature go through the same hell his parents did.

"Stop it!" Hermione yells, no longer being able to watch this. Holland lets out a sigh of relief, finally. "Can't you see it's bothering him? Stop it!" Alastor kept his eyes on the mangled creature for another second before blinking and facing the class in astonishment, as if he had forgotten that he was teaching. Neville was still there, standing still with his eyes closed, trying to get the image of the tortured creature out of his head.

"Um.." The teacher clears his throat, placing the insect in front of Hermione. "Perhaps you could give us the last unforgivable curse, Miss Granger." Hermione had tears in her eyes, shaking her head. Holland wanted nothing but to bury her head in Ron's chest in fright, knowing what was about to happen.

"No?" Professor Moody asks before readily chanting, "Avada Kedavra!" A flash of green illuminates the entire room, eliminating the creature. Holland was enraged. He has casted the spell so easily, as if he had practiced. She turns her head to check on Harry, whose eyes were transfixed on the now-dead creature.

"The Killing Curse." Moody says. "Only one person is known to have survived it. And he's sitting in this room." He makes his way to Harry and gives him a long look, flicking his tongue out like a snake before drinking from his flask again.

-

Holland ran to the Owlery, deciding that she couldn't wait any longer.

Dora,

School's been well, so far. Moody's a professor now, can you believe? He's quite terrifying. He's actually demonstrated the unforgivable curses right in front of the class! Bit of a shocker since he's fully aware that each curse had people related to their victims. I've got Ron Weasley, his father was a victim of the Imperius curse, Neville Longbottom, we know what happened to his parents, and of course, Harry. It just seemed a bit mad. Anyway, other than classes, you'll never guess what's going on at school. We've been chosen to hold the Triwizard tournament, isn't that amazing? Fred and George want to give it a go, but thank Merlin they aren't old enough. That's all I've got to say, so far. I hope you're well and in time, I hope to see you as an auror soon.

Love, Holland.

Next was Holland's parents, to whom she'd purchased two chocolate cauldrons for. She'd wrapped the sweets in scribbled and doodled on parchment before attaching a letter that read,

Mum and dad,

Turns out there'd been a mishap at the World Cup. Another time you and dad were right to have me just stay at home. It surely gave Harry and the others quite a scare, I'm just glad they're alright. Alastor Moody's my professor now, by the way. Interesting method of teaching, he's got. But I can't help but feel like he's quite changed a bit. Maybe because he hasn't come over in such a long time. I reckon you and him are still on good terms though, yeah? He seemed to have greeted me a bit weirdly this morning, or maybe he just didn't want to broadcast to the entire class that we knew each other. No worries, though. It seems that he still means well. Hogwarts has been chosen to host the Triwizard tournament, too! What a thrill. Don't exactly know who's out to compete, but I sure do hope they make it. I've hear it's quite dangerous. That's it, for now, I'm afraid. I'm actually on my way to the Great Hall for some lunch. Hope you two are doing well. I love you.

Love, Holland.

Holland then quickly makes her way to the Great Hall, sitting next to the only spare seat which had been next to George, much to her delight.

"There she goes again," Ron mutters, fully aware that one of his best friends is in love with his brother.

"Hello, you two." She chirps as she sits down next to George, already grabbing a chocolate chip muffin. Holland had not eaten since dinner, and she was ready to scarf down the entire table if she could.

"Hello to our favorite Slytherin friend," George replies, throwing his arm around her shoulder, making Holland blush despite the fact that he had been like this with her for years. Holland scanned the table in front of her, wondering what her first meal of the day was going to be, happily deciding to go for mince pie, mashed potatoes, some lamb and pumpkin soup for her appetizer. As she began to eat, she was then wondering what would be her main course.

"I'm your only Slytherin friend," Holland raises her eyebrows at him, while taking a bite of the pie. George then pretends to be shocked by this, then falling into a silent ponder. He had fallen silent for over a minute, and Holland was just watching him. Watching him this close, with his arm around her, it was too good to be true for Holland. She felt heat rushing to her cheeks for the second time that day. Harry and the others seemed to notice the two silent and still, now watching and waiting to find out what on earth was going on with them.

"Good point." Was all he had to say after a full moment of silence he made Holland sit through. She then smacks his head.

"Ow! Oi, what was that for!" George exclaims, rubbing the back of his head as Fred and the rest of the table watches them in amusement.

"You wasted a good minute or two when I could have finished my appetizer by now!" Holland retorts, clearly grumpy again and resulting in George using his finger to nudge at her ribs. This causes Holland's eyes to widen in alarm, grateful she hadn't let any giggles out. But George had no plans of stopping, and it was evident.

"Stop." Holland says sternly, not wanting to let him know how much it had really affected her. George never liked it when Holland was grumpy in general, let alone when it was because of him. So his usual method of cooling her off and letting her forget about it was by simply having her beg for mercy.

"All I ask for is an apology for hurting me and calling me silly." George simply says, hands coming to a halt, their friends still watching them banter.

"How long do you reckon until he finally grows a pair and asks her out?" Ron asks Harry, who seemed to shrug while his eyes remained on the scene unravelling before them.

"Got to be honest, if he doesn't ask her out, maybe Cedric will." Harry comments, Ginny and Hermione no longer watching with them and talking about something else instead.

"You want me to apologize for the truth?" Holland wonders aloud.

"So you've chosen death," George says simply and returns to the tickling, Holland tries to squirm away from him.

"Mate. Don't look now, but Cedric's watching you two." Fred says, eyeing the Hufflepuff as he pops a chip in his mouth.

"Good one." Holland breathes out after George decided it was time to stop his assault.

"I'm being absolutely serious, take a look right now. He's still watching you." Fred waves his fork of food as he spoke and then shamelessly points to Cedric with it. Holland rolls her eyes and looks behind her to look for Cedric, and there he was, as Fred said he'd be, looking at her. His light brown hair shining in the afternoon sun, cheeks still that annoying shade of scarlet, and eyes glistened with an unidentifiable emotion as he kept his gaze on Holland.

"What's his problem?" George mutters as Cedric was keeping his eyes on her, as if refusing to break contact. This remark surprised Holland, as George sounded a bit angry.

"Aren't you friends?" Holland snickered.

"As if. After that stunt he pulled in the match last year?" Fred answers coldly.

"The stunt of playing the role of a team seeker?" Holland retorts, the others seeming to have heard and chuckles along with her. She then tore her eyes away from the Hufflepuff.

"Well even then, you know we'd pick you over him any day!" Fred smiles.

"You better," Holland says sharply. "Was hoping I wouldn't have to make you choose because my first prank takes place this afternoon." Holland says deviously, not noticing the young Hufflepuffs that were walking behind her as she began to quietly explain her plan.

-

An excited palm grasps a wand in anticipation. Holland was waiting for Cedric to walk right into the exact place the levitating bucket of goblin slime would empty itself. Holland thought that the goblin slime was a nice touch, as it was the wondrous slime that begun this war. It was a beautiful afternoon, all the students had just finished eating their lunch, and it seemed that it was a free period for all students as there were so many out in the courtyard, some students even talking to delegates from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Holland grins evilly at the thought of her glorious prank unravelling in front of an audience.

"There he is, Holly." George snickers, watching what he thought would be hell about to break loose. Cedric was talking with his friends, it seemed that he was on his way to his common room. Look at him laugh with his straight, white teeth and his glowing cheeks, Holland thought to herself. The image of his perfection angering her even more. She couldn't wait any longer. He was two steps away, Holland nearly wetting herself in excitement.

"Oi, calm down over there. You look like you're about to combust." Fred nudges the girl that was bouncing in anticipation. The three of them hold their breath as Cedric was one step away from it now, until a first year decided to talk to him. The three were all bunched together, hiding from a turning corner of a corridor, only their heads peering.

"Ugh!" Holland grits her teeth. Losing her patience, actually fully exposing herself to everyone in the corridor as she pointed her wand at the bucket and directed it to him. A smile forming on her face as she watches the bucket move closer to the boy and empty itself, but as the slime seems to have already hit the ground without but the boy and the people surrounding him, the smile disappears. Only a wizard who'd knowingly charmed themselves with Protego could have caused the slime to bounce like that.

"What the bloody hell was that!" Holland seethes, ready to stomp over to Cedric. The twins moved quick and held to both her arms to keep her in place. She pushes them both away, looks at them with her back to the failure of a prank that had just taken place.

"I'm so mad!" She rants to them. While she was muttering and grumbling a bunch of profanities to the twins, the two redheads watched in horror as Cedric points his wand at the slime and makes it levitate above Holland's head. They knew what was about to come.

"Holly, we have to leave." George urges, grabbing her by the arm. She shakes off his grip off once more, and before the twins could do or say anything, she approaches the boy, ignoring the fact that he was waving his wand.

"What was that?" She demanded.

"You weren't exactly discreet nor private about your plans with me today." Cedric smiles, chortling at the girl's enragement. "I do have one thing to say, though." He follows. Holland didn't even ask, she just raised her eyebrows as she was still upset.

"Kiss me." He pulled her closer with one arm, the crowd of Hufflepuffs ooh-ing in surprise, loving the drama of the sight before them. Holland looked around, not knowing what on earth was going on.

"Holly, come on!" George bellows, sounding angry. Holland ignores this.

"What?" She snorts, not expected to hear what she just did. "What are you on about?" She scoffs, staring the boy down. If he thought he could shake her by a stupid little staring contest, he was dead wrong and Holland was set on proving so. The two were on complete stare-down mode, and the twins knew what was going to happen.

"Holly, let's go." Fred urges, knowing that winning a staring contest should be the least of her worries.

"Hang on, Freddie." She says angrily, focused on making sure she could redeem herself. Even with just a stupid staring contest. After two seconds, Cedric blinked.

"Aha! Sorry." Holland gloats, tucking a piece of her dark hair behind her ear.

"No, I'm sorry." Cedric says before dropping the levitation spell on the slime and having it pour on her. All of the students surrounding them fall silent, surprised and reminiscent of the girl soaked in slime in front of them.

"You're joking." Holland heaves. "You best be joking!" She yells in frustration. This was not happening. Not again. Holland couldn't mutter anything, didn't even look at Cedric nor the twins before stomping her way to the Slytherin common room.

-

"He's a right foul git, I'll tell you that." Draco storms in the common room, rushing to a freshly bathed Holland. Pansy was for some reason, nowhere to be seen. Holland had been alone and in a rut for two hours since that backfire in the courtyard.

"Thanks, Draco." Holland breathes out. She was too upset to say anything else. Her pranks never failed, let alone backfire. This was so embarrassing. Her next one had to be heaps better than what it already was. She had to be at least 50 steps ahead of Cedric. She needed to get back at him.

"I need to get back at him." She shakes her head, making eye contact with Draco. She always appreciated how platonic this friendship was. Draco Malfoy was not actually a heartless bastard like the school says he is. Well, maybe he was. But he's got a sweet side, if you're lucky enough to see it.

"You will get back at him. Did you know he wants to try out for the Triwizard tournament? We could use that against him! His little Hufflepuff friends said it was a secret until when and if he gets chosen, but by how loud they were talking, it's no secret anymore." He scoffs at how pathetic those 'Little, yellow badgers' were.

"Oooooh." Holland taps her fingers against each other in interest. "What can we do? Feed him wrong information? Like he'd trust us." Holland was basically talking to herself at this point. "Maybe we could actually feed him stuff!" She begins to pace.

"I've got it. You can be his tutor of some sort." Draco smirks at his marvelous idea as if that were easy.

"How do we do that though? That should't be allowed, don't you think?" She sits next to Draco again, throwing her arm around her friend's shoulders. "Even then, how would he even trust me?"

-