::Gasp:: Two chapters in less than a week! I told you that updates would be coming sooner! Okay, so I know that the last two chapters (chapters 6 & 7) are shorter than usual. Before, it was one massive chapter. It was just too much, so I split it into two separate chapters. Anyway, thanks to haria, Corona14, and MCR-rox-667, who have withstood my millions of questions and without whom this story wouldn't be possible. Thanks you guys!
Enjoy!
Chapter 7- Judging Books by their Covers
Days passed, and soon Sam was at her first Hogwarts detention. It'd started in Defense class. Sam had been zoning out in class, thinking about Josh. She didn't even see Professor Moody standing next to her desk until his hand slammed on the top of it, making her jump.
"Miss Biluxy," he barked, "would you care to repeat the last sentence I said?" It wasn't a question.
"Um..." Sam thought for a moment. "Miss Biluxy, would you care to repeat the last sentence I said?" She hounded hopeful.
"Detention, Biluxy, for your cheek. I'll be expecting you at six o'clock tonight. Don't be late." He turned and walked toward the front of the room, Sam sticking her tongue out at the man's back.
"Congratulations, Biluxy, that little display of immaturity just bought yourself a week's detention," Moody said, not turning around,
Sam looked at the man in open-mouthed shock. How could he have seen her? When the teacher got to the front of the room and turned to face the class, Sam shut her mouth and crossed her arms, slouching down in her seat and glaring at the professor.
"Keep that up and it'll be two weeks."
Reluctantly, Sam sat up and uncrossed her arms, glaring down at her desk. She remained that way until the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Sam collected her things and was out the door before half the class had stood. She power-walked away from the classroom, angry thoughts running through her mind.
Too soon in Sam's mind, she was making her way back to the classroom, dread in every step. She heard the clock strike six, and she was knocking on the door before the chimes had faded away. The door opened and Sam walked in, seeing Moody finish taking a swig from the flask at his hip.
"Biluxy," he said as he saw her, "good. At least you're on time." He handed her a plethora of strange objects, along with a rag and a can of polish. "Polish these. No magic."
Sam looked down at the rusty and incredibly dirty objects, mentally sighing. Knowing that she'd most likely be doing this for all seven detentions, she found a seat in the middle of the room and began polishing.
Time slowed to a crawl as Sam rubbed at the brass object she was currently polishing. She looked up at the wall clock and was startled to find that she'd only been there for ten looked back down, moments later looking back up at a knock on the door.
"Malfoy," barked Moody, "you're late."
"I was--,"
"I don't want to hear it. Go, you're doing the same as Biluxy. Polish thost, no magic."
A rag and can of polish was thrust into Draco's hands. Looking disgusted, he walked over and sat next to Sam.
"Seriously?" he muttered under his breath. "No magic. We'll be here all night!"
Sam fought the urge to chuckle, asking instead, "What're you here for?"
The boy smirked. "Pranked a Ravenclaw in Herbology."
"Nice."
Time passed much quicker with Draco, and seven o'clock came quickly. Sam and Draco looked to Moody as soon as the clock struck seven, hoping to be let out. As soon as he finished taking a swig from his hip flask, he addressed the two students.
"That's all for today. You can leave."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Draco and Sam were up and heading for the door.
"Well, I guess I'll see you around," Sam said once they were in the hall.
"I'll walk you to Gryffindor Tower. That is, unless you don't want--,"
Sam slapped a hand over his mouth. "I don't mind. C'mon."
The question that had been lurking in the back of Draco's mind sprang out of his mouth as they were walking.
"Are you over Josh yet?" Mentally the boy winced. "I mean--,"
"It's alright," interrupted Sam. "No, not completely, not yet. But I gotta feelin' that I will be soon."
They chatted amiably, soon reaching the Fat Lady. Draco, who hadn't actually been to the Tower before, looked skeptically at the painting.
"This is what guards your dormitories?"
"I can hear you, you know!" said the Fat Lady, crossing her arms indignantly.
"Don't worry," Sam told him quietly, "she's better-behaved when she's tipsy."
"Really." The boy looked thoughtful.
"Well, I'll see you later, then."
"Yeah, I guess. Goodbye, Sam."
Sam stepped forward and hugged the boy in front of her. "'Bye, Draco." He watched her go over to the Fat Lady, saying "Balderdash" just loud enough for him to hear. The portrait opened, and Sam winked before raising a hand in farewell and climbing into her Common Room. Draco also raised a hand before leaving, going back to the dungeons.
"Hey, Hermione?" asked Sam a few days later at lunch. "Can I ask you somethin'?"
"Sure, Sam," replied Hermione, looking up from her book.
"D'you know 'bout any potion you need to take every hour to keep workin'?"
Hermione looked uneasily at Ron and Harry, who'd heard the question.
"There's one... It's called the Polyjuice Potion. Why?"
"What does it do?"
"It turns the drinker into someone else for an hour. Why?"
"It's nothin'... I just had an idea, is all."
"What kind of idea?"
"Well, everyday, Moody takes a swig of whatever's in his flask when I get to detention at six, and one when I leave at seven. But he never does it any other time."
"Are you saying that Moody's an impostor?"
"I ain't sayin' nothin'. It's just weird."
By this time, Harry and Ron were fully in the conversation.
"Well, there's only one way to find out, isn't there?" asked Harry.
"What?" asked Ron, Hermione, and Sam at the same time.
"You want to know if Moody's taking Polyjuice, right? If tonight, just before seven, you take his flask, and if he's taking it, we'll find out who he really is."
"'Kay, but what happens when a madman starts shootin' spells at me?" asked Sam.
"We'll be waiting outside the room for you."
"Alright, let's do it."
That evening, at exactly six fifty-nine, Sam stopped polishing the brass object in her head and pulled out her wand, murmuring, "Accio flask." The flask flew into her hand, Moody not noticing a thing. Seven o'clock came, and Moody let her go. Sam stood up, sliding the flask into her pocket.
"Biluxy, wait."
"Sir?"
"Where's my flask. It was on my hip not a moment ago."
"I have no idea, sir."
"Don't lie to me, girl. Where it it?"
Before Sam's eyes, Moody began to change. His scars were disappearing, his skin became smooth, and his nose shrunk. His hair shortened and became straw-colored. With a clunk, the wooden leg fell out and was replaced with a normal one; his magical eye fell out and a real one replaced it. Sam stared at the new man, shocked. The man looked down at himself and became furious.
"You little bitch!" he screamed, pulling out his wand. He started shooting curse after curse at Sam, who ducked and dodged the best she could.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione burst into the room. As soon as they saw what was going on, Harry produced two Patronuses that left the room at full gallop. Hermione Disarmed the man who, at the loss of his wand, charged toward Sam and started attacking her.
Completely forgetting the fact that they were wizards, Harry, Ron, and Hermione ran forward, trying to pull the man off of Sam, who was struggling to stand up and get a punch in. The man threw a punch at Ron, who took it in the temple and was knocked out cold.
"Ron!" shouted Hermione, but she kept pulling at the man, desperately trying to get him away from Sam.
"STUPEFY!" came a yell from the doorway.
The man suddenly went limp and unmoving. Harry and Hermione turned to see Dumbledore and Snape standing in the doorway, Snape's wand outstretched. The fury coming off the two men was almost tangible. Gone was the usual smile on Dumbledore's face, gone was the twinkle in his eyes. Anger was radiating from him, though it was nothing compared to Snape.
Cold fury was rolling off him in waves, making the tip of his wand shake slightly. There was a murderous glint in his obsidian eyes, and Harry and Hermione were suddenly glad they'd never made him truly mad before.
Dumbledore strode forward, kicking the man so that he rolled off Sam, resting on his back.
"Barty Crouch jr.," he muttered. He then noticed a bloodied and bruised Sam, who was trying to sit up. "Are you alright, Samanthat?"
"I've been worse, believe me," Sam answered. "I dunno 'bout Ron, though."
At hearing Sam's voice, Snape rushed forward, kneeling in front of the girl, who was now sitting. He placed his hands on her shoulders, holding her at arm's length and studying her, taking in the various cuts and bruises. Finally, he pulled the girl to him, hugging her. After a few moments he let go, standing up and addressing Dumbledore.
"Shall I take them to Poppy, Albus?" he asked, referring to the four teenagers. Harry and Hermione had gotten a few minor cuts and bruises, and Ron would definitely have a headache when he awoke.
"If you would... Oh, wait a moment, would you mind taking Alastor as well?"
"I...What?"
"Dumbledore took a key ring from Crouch's pocket, walking to a trunk with seven locks on it. He opened the first six locks, but none of them contained anything Dumbledore was interested in. Finally, the seventh lock proved useful; there was a ten-foot drop, and at the bottom sat the real Alastor Moody. He was ridiculously thin and weak-looking, seeming to be asleep. Dumbledore raised him out of the trunk and laid him on the floor.
Snape raised both Ron and Moody with his wand and started directing them out of the room. Harry, Hermione, and Sam followed the three, heading to the Hospital Wing.
News had spread quickly about the impostor, and the next day everyone was informed that Defense classes were cancelled until a new teacher was found. They didn't have this break for very long, though. Hardly a week had passed before Dumbledore announced the new teacher.
"We have a bit of good news," he said one day at breakfast. "The position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor has ben filled. I trust that all returning students remember Professor Lupin?"
A great cheer erupted from the students, except from the Slytherin table, where the students remained silent. Sam, confused, looked over to Hermione.
"Who?" she asked.
"Professor Lupin, the best Defense teacher we've ever had!" Hermione exclaimed. "We had him last year; we didn't think we'd ever have him again!"
"Why not?"
"Because," said Harry, "he had to quit."
"How come?"
"He's a werewolf," explained Ron matter-of-factly. "He didn't think, after we all found out, that parents would want a werewolf teaching their kids. He quit so Dumbledore wouldn't have had to fire him."
"So what makes him think parents'd be alright with it now?"
Ron shrugged. "I dunno, maybe it's because of the Werewolf Registry."
"The what?"
The Werewolf Registry," answered Harry. "I read about it in The Daily Prophet. They register so the Ministry knows how many are out there, and employers know that they're able to take the Wolfsbane potion every full moon."
"Huh, so is he really a good teacher?"
"Yes, he is!" Hermione looked blissful. "I've never learned more about Defense than when he was teaching us!"
"And he's fun, too," added Ron.
That sold it for Sam. "Well, I guess I'll give him a shot. It sounds good, but you never know."
Their first class of that day was Defense with the Slytherins. As they came to the classroom, they could hear them speaking.
"I heard--,"
"Why is he back? I thought--,"
"Well, he won't last long. I bet--,"
"Wait until I tell Father--,"
Sam walked up to the white-blonde boy, whose back was facing her. Smirking to herself, she thumped him on the back of his head.
"Ow! Bloody hell, what was that for?" He spun around, first glaring, then looking confused.
"Don't be such a daddy's boy, Draco. You're a big boy; suck it up and deal with it."
The Gryffindors, hearing this, snickered behind their hands. Draco looked angry.
"Now see here, Sam, I'm not a--," Something seemed to have caught his eye. He stared for a moment before asking, "You're a blonde?"
Shock ran across the girl's face for only a second before she collected herself. "No. I got black hair, remember?"
"You say 'black', but your roots say 'blonde'."
Sam stepped forward, poking a smirking Draco in the chest. "Get this through your thick head, Daddy's Boy," she said, her voice low and venomous. She began to poke him hard between each word. "I. am. not. a. friggin'.--"
The classroom door opened, revealing Professor Lupin, looking mildly amused at the scene in front of him. Sam, upon seeing him, backed down and walked away from a smirking Draco, back to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The two boys looked pleased with Sam's actions; Hermione, however, did not.
"Sam, you could've just gotten into loads of trouble," she reprimanded the other girl.
Sam shrugged. "Aw, lighten up, Hermione, I didn't get in trouble. They couldn't prove anythin' anyway. Either way, Lupin looked like he was 'bout to bust out laughin'." It was true. As they passed the teacher, he looked at the four with amusement in his eyes.
Everyone stood inside the classroom, wondering where the desks had gone. After the last student had gotten in, Lupin shut the door and addressed the class.
"Hello again, everyone," he said, picking up a scroll of parchment. "I'm sure you all remember me. I'm going to call roll before we begin. And don't worry, there's a good reason as to why there aren't any desks."
As he started calling roll, Sam looked over to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, rolling her eyes. "This is the new Defense teacher?" she whispered. "There don't seem t'be anythin' special 'bout him."
"Just wait, you'll see," Ron whispered back.
"Biluxy, Samantha," called Lupin.
"Call me Sam," Sam replied automatically.
"Alright; sam it is. You're the new transfer student, I presume?"
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes, but just barely. "Yessir."
"And where are you from?"
"Rockledge, Florida, sir."
"Ah, so you're not a Yankee then, are you?"
"No, sir. I'm a South'ner through and through."
"What school did you go to?"
"Kennedy Middle, though I would've gone to Rockledge High this year if I stayed."
"I've never heard of those schools before. Are they Wizarding schools?"
"Nah, they're regular schools. My dad didn't want me to know I'm a witch, apparently. My mom had to write here to get me in."
"I see. Well, it was nice meeting you, Sam."
"You too, sir."
Lupin continued calling roll, and Sam looked to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "Maybe he ain't so bad after all." Roll was soon over, and class begun.
"Now, I'm sure you all remember at least some of last year's classes," Lupin began, "but you may have forgotten some. So I decided to start with a review of one of last year's creatures. In here," he motioned to a trunk, "is a boggart. We are going to get rid of it. In case some of you have forgotten, a boggart shows itself in the shape of whomever's facing its deepest fear. To get rid of it, you say the spell 'Riddikulus' and imagine it as something funny. Everyone line up now, single file."
Everyone did as he said, lining up in front of the trunk, chatting about what they'd been afraid of last time, and whether or not it'd be the same this time around.
"D'you reckon he'll let you go this time, Harry?" Ron asked.
"Why wouldn't he?" asked Sam, confused. "He's in this class, ain't he?"
"Last time, Professor Lupin didn't let Harry face the boggart," Hermione told her. "He didn't want to run the risk of having Harry's worst fear being You-Know-Who."
Sam nodded; it made sense. She wondered idly what her deepest fear was. Would it be her dad? Josh? Something else completely? She wasn't afraid of any animals; she wasn't particularly fond of bugs, but she didn't freak out around them. Would it have to do with her claustrophobia?
"God, I hope not," she thought. She couldn't handle having a claustro-moment in class; in her mind, everyone already thought she was a wimp after her asthma attack.
Sam watched with some amusement as fears were turned funny. She laughed particularly hard when a boggart version of Snape was put into an old lady's clothes. She'd definitely tell the man about that later. She was confused about the animal Draco was afraid of, until Harry told her about their lesson on hippogryffs the year before and how Draco's own stupidity got him hurt. Then she laughed; very hard.
She watched, mildly nervous, as Hermione, then Ron, who were right before her, went. Hermione seemed to be afraid of clowns while Ron was petrified of spiders. Sam held back a shudder as the giant spider was put on roller skates. It was a creepy sight. Finally, it was her turn. She stood, one hand on her hip, the other holding her wand at her side, in front of the trunk, seemingly unbothered. She watched as the giant spider shrank. Sam gasped, her wand falling to the ground.
Chapter 7- End
Did you guys like it? I hope so. Please review with any questions/comments you may have. It really means a lot to me. Also, Chapter 8 (Memories and Fears) should be up within a week (I hope). Thanks for reading! Hope to see you next time! ~artyluvr
