Professor Moody returned to Hogwarts after a week away. After several serious interrogations and medical checkups, the investigators at the DMLE determined he was still the Light-oriented, retired Auror they all knew, with no lingering effects or other deeply hidden orders from the Imperius curse. The investigators still couldn't determine the identity of the infiltrator, and as Peter Pettigrew was still officially listed as deceased, none of them could take Dumbledore's advice to investigate that lead. Moody's suggestion that there would be a possible assassination attempt was the most likely, and they began stationing extra Aurors at Hogsmeade, with two patrolling the Hogwarts grounds itself at all times. Kingsley Shacklebolt was now directing security around the Triwizard Tournament, and was doing a fairly good job for someone who had only two weeks to redo everything before the champions would be chosen. Moody, taking caution to the extreme, had suggested that he not return to Hogwarts at all, but since there were no more traces of any influences on his will, and since Dumbledore couldn't find a replacement Defense professor in time, he agreed to return to his teaching post.
Some of the students had heard the rumours. Mad-Eye Moody was under the Imperius the whole time by some dark wizard. Some held hope that his brutal style of teaching was a reflection of the one controlling him. Most of them enjoyed the one-week break without defense classes. They waited for the return of their teacher, the first day classes would resume, hoping to see a change in personality from their professor. As Moody walked into the room, he immediately began tossing silent full-body-binds at the class. Tables and chairs bounced as bodies in a seated position suddenly snapped straight as a plank and fell to the floor. Harry and Hermione, who had learned quickly from the experience at breakfast a week ago, both quickly snapped their wands up from their holsters. Unlike Malfoy, who had arrogantly purchased a professional's wand-holster that simply threw the wand into the caster's hand, they bought the beginner's model, which snapped it upwards and held it at their palms. It wasn't quite as fast or as flexible to use, but it did let them grip their wands easily despite the chaos. They protected themselves with the shield charm.
"Good job, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger. Glad to see you two didn't let your skills waste away like the rest of the class," grunted Moody. To the rest of the class, he barked, "One week, and that's all it takes for you to soften like sponges. What have I been teaching you? Constant vigilance!" He began pacing across the room.
"Even with my skill and security measures, I was still captured by a Dark wizard and placed under an Imperius. How do you maggots think you'll do out in the real world? This is Defense Against the Dark Arts, and none of you managed to put up any defences, other than Mr. Potter and Miss Granger here. It looks like I'm going to have to push all of you even harder to get it into your thick skulls. Why are you still sitting there without your wands in your hands?" When he shouted the last line, the half of the class that was still empty-handed scrambled for their wands while desperately trying to dodge the unending stream of stinging hexes coming from Moody. It was going to be a very, very long year.
After class, Harry and Hermione stayed behind. "Mr. Potter, Miss Granger. I'm glad you two managed to free me from that damned curse. You certainly seem to take my advice to heart, probably even more so than the rest of the staff here." Moody chuckled in amusement, which came out as more like a throaty rumble of a revving motor. "I'd like to thank you for what you managed to for me, but I'm not quite sure what I can offer you."
The two students looked at each other, unsure of what to make of his offer. Tenatively, Harry asked, "Well, we both know you're quite skilled at combat, sir. Could you teach us some? Last week when we fought, we both managed to do little more than raise our shields, and the other staff members took care of the rest."
Moody roared in laughter. "You really take your security to heart, don't you? Splendid idea, lad. How about a spot of training each weekend? Meet me at the edge of the Forbidden Forest after breakfast on Saturday."
Harry and Hermione both nodded. "That sounds perfect, sir."
"Oh, and let me give you an old Auror's training handbook, circa 1950. It's better than the ones they use today, in my opinion. They lowered the entry requirements in the 70's to get more recruits to fight Voldemort, but didn't bother raising them again. It should tide you over if you have any extra spare time. Follow the exercise regime if you can."
.
.
.
.
🎉The novel is available in PDF, visit us in our Ko-Fi store🎉
🎉ko-fi.com/madarasama125🎉