Chapter 38
The Real Alastor Moody
Author's Note: This story has passed the 2000 Review Milestone on FFN! Once again, thanks to all of you who have reviewed this story, whether it be one chapter or all of them.
I am sure a few of my readers will be disappointed with the direction I took with Dumbledore in this chapter. It is better explained why in the bottom Author's Note.
Warning: Discussion of non-graphic torture.
(Saturday, December 26th, 1994 – 3:45 PM)
Albus Dumbledore stared in disbelief at the emaciated, pale form of his good friend, Alastor Moody, as the man lay in one of the Hospital beds. Alastor had bald spots and shortened hair on parts of his head, where the hair had either been torn, or cut from his head, in order to use for Polyjuice Potion. He had an eyepatch over his empty eye socket, where his magical eye was no longer. He had never seen his good friend looking so vulnerable before.
So many questions were running through his mind. How had Bartemius Crouch, Junior – a man long-thought dead of Dementor Exposure in Azkaban – been able to impersonate his good friend, Alastor Moody for nearly five months without him knowing? He knew someone like Amelia Bones, or even Minerva McGonagall, might doubt him for saying it, but he had absolutely no idea his good friend had been imprisoned and impersonated for five months!
Not only had Bartemius Crouch, Junior been able to perfectly act like his good friend, absolutely none of his spy – ahem – security system in Hogwarts had reported anything odd or off about Alastor! Yet, there were also vital clues that something was very off. Severus Snape had reported constant thefts of certain ingredients, and now that Albus thought of it, most of those ingredients were needed for Polyjuice Potion. Albus remembered all those times he had seen Alastor drinking from the flask. Why had he never realized that the man was drinking it every hour?
Then there was the whole Goblet of Fire thing. As much as Harry Potter's name being entered into the Goblet of Fire had been great for his future plans, Albus still questioned how it had happened! Now, it was obvious, wasn't it? Bartemius Crouch, Junior had done it. Obviously, the man was in contact with Voldemort. Obviously Harry Potter's name being entered into the Goblet of Fire was all part of some plot between Junior and Voldemort. And Albus had trusted his good friend, Moody, to help him figure out who had placed Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire, when it had been Moody himself – well, the Moody impersonator.
Albus grimaced as he thought of Junior and Voldemort laughing at him for this whole thing. Tom Riddle had never been able to fool him like this in such a convincing way! It was as if Tom was taunting him.
"Alastor Moody is an old friend of yours, Albus," Tom would say, "A good friend of yours. Isn't he? How did you not know he was being impersonated?"
He knew people like Amelia Bones and Minerva McGonagall were going to ask him similar questions. He wouldn't blame them if they thought he was lying. It was hard for him to convince himself he was being honest about this entire thing.
"Albus," Minerva's pleading voice whispered behind him; he turned around and found Minerva McGonagall looking not at him, but at Alastor. "Tell me you didn't know about this. Tell me you didn't knowingly allow our friend – your good friend – to suffer through this. Tell me this isn't another Philosopher's Stone plot where Harry Potter must figure out the clues for himself."
That last accusation stung. Mostly because it was true.
"I did not know, Minerva," Albus said, "I would make an Unbreakable Vow on that, if it soothed yours, Alastor's and Amelia Bones' minds."
"Well, you might just have to do that soon enough," Minerva said. "I contacted Amelia and told her about this. She's making her way here with a couple of Aurors. She might already be coming up to the Castle in a Carriage, as we speak. I asked Hagrid to provide her one and meet her at the Gates."
Albus sighed. He was not surprised; he knew that was coming.
"I am glad you did," Albus said, "If you hadn't, I might have done it myself after I made sure Alastor was alright."
"I cannot believe this, Albus!" Minerva said, "This is almost as bad as the Philosopher's Stone fiasco! A Death Eater was able to impersonate Alastor! A Death Eater we thought was dead! Did he… did Crouch put Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire?
"I believe he did," Albus said, "I believe we also found who is responsible for casting the Dark Mark into the sky at the Quidditch World Cup."
"To what end?" Minerva asked.
"Something to do with Voldemort gaining strength," Albus said, "But how or why? I honestly do not know."
But he would find out. There had to be a reason Bartemius Crouch, Junior was still here, after all this time. Long after he had successfully entered Harry into the Tournament. Was he supposed to guide Harry through the Triwizard Tournament? Did Tom's endgame have something to do with the Second or Third Tasks? He knew one thing. Tom Riddle would not give up. He would have a back-up plan, and probably a back-up plan for that plan, and so on and so forth.
"What do we do, Albus?" Minerva asked. "What do we tell the students and their parents? We have to tell them something, especially the parents. Their students were taught by a Death Eater!"
Albus frowned. He had been so worried about everything else surrounding this newest fiasco, he hadn't thought of this. There was no way he could cover this up. Amelia Bones would never allow it. Not with her investigating him. She'd probably try to convince Cornelius Fudge that a cover up was a perfect reason to cancel his pardon!
"The truth, Minerva," Albus sighed, "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution. However, in this case, we must allow caution to fall aside. We will send letters – in a mass-delivery, like the booklists – to the students and their parents to explain what has happened. And we will tell them the truth."
"We have to find a new Defense Professor, Albus," Minerva said. "We cannot have Alastor teach. One, he is going to need to recover from this for weeks, maybe months. Two…"
"No student will want to be taught by someone who looked like the Death Eater who was teaching them," Albus said.
"Indeed," Minerva said. "Their parents would complain too. Merciful Merlin, we might lose several students from this anyway! We may be dealing with a minor exodus of students whose parents wish to transfer them elsewhere!"
Albus grimaced. He knew Minerva was completely correct about this.
"I will write the letter to the parents and students myself, Minerva," Albus said, "Hopefully my voice will reassure the majority of the students and their parents, and the exodus – as you call it – won't be as severe."
Minerva nodded. "That is probably for the best, Albus."
Poppy Pomfrey walked over to Albus and Minerva.
"Alastor wants me to give him an Invigoration Draught so he can stay awake to speak to you, Albus," Poppy said. "I told him this might make his health worse, and he told me to do it anyway. Stubborn coot says it won't be – his words – 'that bastard who kills Alastor Moody!'"
"Director Amelia Bones will be here momentarily, Poppy," Albus said, "Naturally she'll want to speak to him too. Give him an Invigoration Draught, then you can do whatever you need for him after we are done questioning him. Whatever you can do, Poppy. We cannot take him to St. Mungo's. Crouch, Junior might find out and attempt an assassination. I am sure Alastor would tell you the same thing."
"Of course, Albus," Poppy said. "I will work on him all night if I must. He's not just your friend, Albus. He's a good friend of mine too. I can't believe we didn't realize this was going on!"
"I know, Poppy," Albus said, "Thank you, my dear."
Poppy smiled weakly then walked over to her cupboard of Potions to find the necessary items. Albus sighed and conjured two chairs for him and Minerva, and set them at the end of Alastor's bed. He and Minerva sat down.
"Albus?" Alastor said, hoarsely, "I… forgive you. We all… make mistakes."
"We do," Albus said. "Mine –"
"Are just… bigger than… the rest of us," Alastor said.
Albus smiled. "You know me too well, old friend."
Too well, indeed. In addition to Amelia Bones, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Minerva McGonagall, Sirius Black and Tom Riddle, Alastor Moody was one of those who could very well be a great danger to his future plans.
In fact, Alastor Moody very well might be the most dangerous threat to his plans. Yet he had been in the bottom of his own trunk for the past several months. So he knew nothing about Rita Skeeter's articles, nor Amelia Bones' investigation, nor everything to do with Harry Potter.
Yes. This weak, emaciated man in front of him might just be the biggest threat to one Albus Dumbledore. And he could do nothing about it. Not with Minerva McGonagall, and Amelia Bones so concerned with the health and well-being of Alastor Moody, and their suspicions surrounding him.
(Saturday, December 26th, 1994 – 4:05 PM)
For the third time in two weeks, Director Amelia Bones, Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt and Rookie Auror Nymphadora Tonks were making their way through the corridors of Hogwarts Castle. In fact, they were on the same route they had been no less than eighteen hours ago – toward the Hospital Wing.
Nearly half-an-hour ago, while Amelia had been in her office in the DMLE Headquarters, a house-elf by the name of Sadie – belonging to Minerva McGonagall – appeared in her office and brought her a letter from her Mistress. For the second time that day, Amelia had stared at a piece of parchment in disbelief. She couldn't believe it. Bartemius Crouch, Junior – the previously-thought dead son of the recently late Bartemius Crouch, Senior, was apparently alive. And he had been impersonating Alastor Moody for the past five months. The real Alastor Moody had been found at the bottom of his own trunk, emaciated, with great clumps of his hair missing – obviously used for Polyjuice Potion.
Immediately, Amelia had wondered how Crouch, Junior had been able to accomplish this. Alastor Moody was one of Albus Dumbledore's greatest friends. They had fought in two wars together! How had Crouch, Junior been able to impersonate Albus Dumbledore's friend, in Albus Dumbledore's own castle, where the man had his own spy system! How?! Did Albus Dumbledore know that Crouch, Junior was impersonating his good friend, Alastor Moody?!
Minerva's letter also answered two more questions that had plagued her mind. The first: Barty Crouch, Junior was obviously responsible for casting the Dark Mark in the sky. Amelia still found it rather amusing that she and Shacklebolt were just talking about this very event just hours prior to her receiving what was likely the proof that she had finally discovered that particular culprit.
The second: he was the reason Harry Potter found himself competing in the Triwizard Tournament. That just brought up more questions for Amelia. Did Albus Dumbledore know Crouch, Junior was going to put Lord Potter's name in the Goblet of Fire, and that was why he allowed the Death Eater to impersonate his good friend?
Then there was the biggest revelation that wasn't from Minerva, but from Amelia's own thoughts. Barty Crouch, Junior had likely placed Harry in the Tournament to help Voldemort – in Albus Dumbledore's own words – return to full strength by next summer! Obviously Crouch, Junior had been here to guide Lord Potter through the Tournament, which was why he had still been around, impersonating Moody, long after his target was in the Tournament. But why? Obviously Crouch and Voldemort had planned for something big to happen during one of the Tasks? Was the plot assassination-by-proxy? Did they hope the Tournament would kill the Boy-Who-Lived?
Amelia shook her head. So many questions. She put these thoughts aside, as she stepped into the Hospital Wing. Her heart sank at soon as she saw Alastor Moody. She suddenly heard a whimper behind her, and looked over her shoulder, just in time to see Tonks hastily run out of the Hospital Wing.
"He was her mentor over the last three years at the Brighton Auror Academy," Shacklebolt explained, "I warned her this might happen, but she said she wanted to be here for him."
"Go to her, Kingsley," Amelia said. "Believe me, I understand. I am sure you do too."
Shacklebolt nodded. Alastor Moody meant a lot to many people, especially those who had worked in the MLE or Auror Departments for several years. If he wasn't one of their co-workers, he was their mentor or teacher in the Auror Academy. And now he lay in a Hospital bed, emaciated, weak and vulnerable. Three things she never expected to see when it came to the strongest Auror she had ever known.
As Shacklebolt left the Hospital Wing to comfort the Rookie Auror, Amelia walked over to Alastor's hospital bed, where Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall were keeping vigil.
"Amelia," Albus said, "Alastor has volunteered to take a Invigoration Draught so he can answer our questions before Poppy does what she does best. Please, do sit down."
Amelia conjured herself a chair next to Minerva and sat down. Poppy, who had been waiting and watching, stepped over to Alastor, and gave him a cup filled with what Amelia assumed was Invigoration Draught.
"You're not going to choose now to be paranoid and accuse me of poisoning you, are you, Alastor?" Poppy asked.
"There are… very few people… I trust with my life, Poppy," Alastor said, hoarsely, "You are… one of them."
Poppy smiled. "Thank you, you old soldier. I feel the same way. Now, take your medicine."
Alastor gave a weak smile and allowed Poppy to feed him the Draught. He swallowed it in two gulps and grimaced, then cleared his throat.
"Feeling better already," Alastor said, his voice no longer hoarse. "Feel like I could get up and find that bastard Death Eater!"
"You let us do that job, Alastor," Albus said, "Besides, you're missing a leg."
"Yes, about that," Amelia said.
"She took what appeared to be a small stick and an eyeball out of her robes. She pointed her wand at the stick, and it grew back into the peg leg that belonged to Alastor.
"Found your fake leg, and your magical eye laying in the road a few feet from the Hogwarts Gate," Amelia said; she stood up and placed the peg leg and magical eye on the table next to Alastor's bed.
"The Polyjuice Prevention Ward," Albus said, "Minerva, it seems as if we owe you a great deal. It was you, after all, who implored me to place that ward up around the school. It is temporary for now, but it will be permanent before the students return. It would appear that Crouch, Junior – who wasn't in the Castle at the time I placed the ward up - walked up to the Gate, and ran into the ward. Obviously, it canceled the Polyjuice, and forced him to turn back into his own appearance."
"You find my wand?" Alastor asked, "I assume the bastard was using it."
"No, I am sorry, Alastor," Amelia said.
"It's alright." Alastor said, "Scum probably used it to Apparate away from Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Not like it was my original wand anyway. I've lost count how many wands I've used over my life. Just have to visit my good friend Garrick and buy another one."
"What happened, Alastor?" Amelia asked. "Start from the beginning. I remember a report of you being attacked in your own home. Arthur Weasley was called to disenchant some dustbins that went wild."
Alastor laughed. "I used those in my fight against that bastard. It was him and Peter Pettigrew! Pettigrew! He's alive Amelia. Which means Black is –"
"Innocent, Alastor, we know," Amelia said. "He had a trial a week ago and was found cleared of all charges. In fact, later that night, he proposed to me and I said yes. We marry during Easter break."
Alastor smiled. "Good for you, Bones. Course, if you ask me, you two should have already been married for years now, with a child or two of your own."
"In a perfect world, we would have been," Amelia said, "Please. Continue your story. We need to get through it before the Draught wears off."
"You're right, of course," Alastor said. "Anyway, Pettigrew ambushed me. He's a rat Animagus, in case you don't know. I saw a rat scurry across my sitting room floor. I pointed my wand at it, ready to kill it, and it turned into Pettigrew! Pettigrew distracted me while I tried to curse him. Meanwhile, Crouch, Junior – I'll call him Junior, I suppose – he enters the house while I am fighting Pettigrew, and tries to attack me. Junior – that bastard is still an outstanding duelist, you know. Course he was likely taught by Bellatrix Lestrange, so it isn't surprising. I fought a good fight for about fifteen, twenty minutes, before I was finally overcome. Dustbins weren't the only thing I used to assist me in the fight. I was using everything and the kitchen sink. But they got me in the end.
"They didn't take me anywhere, though. Kept me in my own house. In the basement. You mentioned Arthur Weasley earlier. Think I heard his voice, and he was apparently talking to me!"
"Junior's first time impersonating you," Albus said.
"Yeah," Alastor said. "I was, of course, worried about Weasley, thinking he was either going to be a prisoner with me or worse. But Junior had let him go. Pettigrew was already gone, off wherever he was hiding. Junior realized my secret of dosing myself to the gills with various preventative Potions and Draughts. Realized I had a concoction that prevented Veritaserum was working. So the bastard starved me for a good three days. I pissed and shit myself a lot, thanks to all the water and flushing draughts he was giving me to purge the preventative concoction from my body.
"Then he finally succeeded in ridding me of the anti-Veritaserum concoction, and stuffed me with truth serum. Interrogated me for hours. But not about any Auror, DMLE or Ministry secrets, or anti-Voldemort secrets. He asked me questions about myself. Personal questions, all of them."
"He was researching how to successfully impersonate you," Amelia said.
"It worked, whatever he did," Albus said, "He fooled even me."
"Really?" Amelia asked Albus, with a doubtful tone, "He was able to fool you into believing he was one of your greatest friends. A friend you've known for a very long time, and fought wars with! He was able to fool you, inside your own castle, where you claim to be able to know everything that happens at all times?"
"Cut it out, Bones," Alastor grunted. "I've already forgiven him for it. I believe it when he says he didn't know it wasn't me. If you can't believe him, believe me! Especially after I tell you this. When he was good and done with getting all the personal information from me, Junior impersonated me again. He did it so well, it felt as if I was looking and talking to a mirror! Yes, that is how good he was, Bones! I felt like I was talking to myself! I was staring right at the guy, knowing who he was and what he was doing, and he had even been able to convince me that he could pull off impersonating me!
"Do you realize – truly realize – how horrifying that is? Especially coming from someone like me?! Junior was able to do this to me, Bones. I may hate that bastard and want to kill him myself. But damn me to hell if I don't respect the scum for what he was able to pull off!"
Amelia grimaced. Alastor was right. Junior would have to be quite cunning to not only fool and overpower Alastor Moody, but also fool Albus Dumbledore, and everyone else in the castle.
"Fine," Amelia said, "I'll believe you, Albus."
This time, she thought to herself, Albus doesn't deserve your loyalty, Alastor. I hope you realize that soon enough.
"Anyway, you can figure out what happened next," Alastor said, "He trapped me in my own trunk, so he could take hair from my head while he impersonated me."
"Did he ever tell you what his plans were?" Amelia asked.
"Never," Alastor said, "Which was rather surprising. I would have assumed he'd be to the type to brag about how he was fooling everyone. No, he never said a thing about his plans. Whatever they are, they're serious and dangerous enough that he was keeping silent about them."
"Well, it is pretty obvious what some of his plans are or were," Amelia said, "Harry Potter's name came out of the Goblet of Fire during the Choosing Ceremony. He's the fourth Champion."
"Damn," Alastor muttered. "Kid's in the middle of a dangerous tournament. Why? Assassination-by-Proxy, you think?"
"That was a possible motive running through my mind," Amelia said. "The other possibility is that it has something to do with Voldemort."
Alastor snorted. "I could have told you that. That was one thing I heard Junior muttering on about. He kept talking about how once his Master had returned, all the Death Eaters who never went to Azkaban would pay for their betrayal. Mentioned Snape and Karkaroff specifically."
"Karkaroff is here," Amelia said, "As Durmstrang Headmaster."
"Three Death Eaters in your castle at the same time, Albus?" Alastor asked.
Albus sighed. "I trust Severus Snape, Alastor. And I am keeping a watchful eye on Karkaroff. Before today, Karkaroff was a suspect for putting Harry Potter's name in the Goblet of Fire."
"You know how I feel about Snape, Albus," Alastor grunted. "You might trust him, but I do not. But we'll pass him by for the moment. Junior may not have given up any of his plans, but I do believe he, or Pettigrew, or both of them, are in contact with Voldemort. Which means Voldemort is getting stronger."
"Yes," Albus said, "The Dark Mark on Severus' arm is getting darker. I suspect Voldemort may return by this summer. The question is how?"
"Search me," Alastor grunted. "It might have something to do with Potter. If he wasn't put in the Tournament to die, he was put it in it for another reason. Follow that line of thought, and you might find out what is at the end of it before it is too late."
"Is there anything else, Alastor?" Amelia asked. "Anything you can tell us? Anything would help."
"Sorry, Bones," Alastor said, "I've given you all I… all I can think of. Bugger it. Damn Draught is… wearing off."
"Language, Alastor," Minerva huffed.
Alastor snorted, and relaxed back on his pillow.
"Alright, that is enough," Poppy Pomfrey said, "He needs his rest and my help if he is going to survive this ordeal."
"I told you, Poppy!" Alastor grunted, "it ain't Junior… who is going to kill me… damn it!"
Poppy tutted and waved off Amelia, Albus and Minerva. Amelia stood, vanished her chair and found Aurors Shacklebolt and Tonks standing a few feet away. Obviously they had heard part of what Alastor had to say.
"Is he going to be okay?" Tonks asked, hoarsely.
"He'll be fine, lass," Minerva said. "Poppy isn't going to let him go, and Alastor is too stubborn to go himself. He might outlive us all."
Tonks smiled. "Thanks, Professor. It is just scary… seeing him like that."
"It is a real eye-opener," Albus said, "Especially for these old eyes. A vivid reminder what Voldemort and his followers are capable of."
"I just realized something," Amelia said, "He isn't going to be able to teach anytime soon, is he?"
"He is not," Minerva said. "Albus and I already decided we needed to find a new Defense Professor. Also, there would likely be several students who would likely wish to drop out of Defense, than be taught by someone who looked like the Death Eater that had taught them."
"So you're going to tell the truth about this, Albus?" Amelia asked.
"I am, Amelia," Albus said, "I am going to write a letter myself that will explain everything."
Amelia nodded. That was certainly surprising. She had been ready to argue against a suggestion of a cover-up. Then she smirked as an idea crossed her mind.
"Well, if you need a Defense Professor, search no longer," Amelia said; "Auror Shacklebolt? How would you like to be the Defense Professor until the end of June?"
Shacklebolt raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure, boss? Surely I could be more useful at Headquarters."
"I am quite sure, Auror Shacklebolt," Amelia said, "In fact, Rookie Tonks can be Assistant Professor."
"Me, really?!" Tonks exclaimed. "Blimey – that might be wicked! We could teach the kiddies how to duel like Aurors!"
"At the very least we could teach them how to protect themselves," Shacklebolt said. "I am sure the younger students are rather lacking in this department."
"I think that is a wonderful idea," Minerva said, "What say you, Albus?"
Amelia could see the frown trying to hide itself on Albus' face. Had he suspected her other motives for suggesting two Aurors as Defense Professor? So they can keep an eye on him.
Albus sighed. "It would release the heavy burden of me having to find someone by the time term begins. And I am sure I could find no one better than Aurors Shacklebolt and Tonks. Very well, if you wish to volunteer as Defense Professor, I will accept."
"Auror Tonks and I would be happy to accept this offer, Headmaster," Shacklebolt said.
"Excellent!" Minerva said, "How about we meet on Monday and we can discuss it?"
"Monday is Ron and Ginny Weasley's trial, Minerva," Amelia said. "I expect you'll be there as Lady McGonagall?"
"I will be," Minerva said. "Tuesday then. Meet me here, Aurors Shacklebolt and Tonks, and we can discuss your new role as Professor and Assistant Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"We accept, Professor," Shacklebolt said; Tonks nodded eagerly.
"Albus, Minerva?" Amelia said; as a thought ran through her mind, "Was Junior here through the entire night?"
"He was," Albus said, "He did not leave until earlier this afternoon. In fact, he probably left around lunchtime. He was not present for it. Why do you ask?"
"Just eliminating him as a suspect in his father's death," Amelia said.
"I wonder if that is why he left in the first place?" Minerva suggested. "To find out what happened to his father?"
"Boss?" Shacklebolt asked, "Is it possible Crouch, Senior had something to do with his son's escape from Azkaban?"
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "It is, Auror Shacklebolt. When I return to the Ministry, I'll send someone to Azkaban to dig up Crouch's grave and see who is inside it."
"I believe you might discover that it is Bartemius' wife," Albus said. "She was very sickly at the end of her life. Polyjuice Potion might be a culprit in that too."
"The old switcharoo, as my father likes to say," Tonks said.
"Junior must have been weak from his time in Azkaban," Amelia said. "Dementors are blind, wouldn't have realized anything was different. One weak, sick individual entering the prison, one weak, sick individual leaving the prison. Yes, it is certainly plausible that we will find Bartemius' wife inside that grave. Which means if we exhume his wife's grave, we'll likely find it empty. Alright then! Let's get going, so we can prove it! I will see you Monday for Ronald and Ginevra Weasley's trial, Albus, Minerva."
"You're actually allowing me to be there for their trial this time?" Albus asked.
"Depends," Amelia said, "Are you going to interfere with proper justice, Albus?"
"No," Albus said, "Not after what they did last night, and intended to do. It was monstrous. You're not intending on placing them in the Maximum Security, are you?"
"Minimum security with the human guards, Albus," Amelia said. "They're still teenagers, after all. They wouldn't survive even a minimum sentence in Maximum Security."
Albus looked rather relieved at that. For someone who believed Ronald and Ginevra Weasley were "monstrous", he still seemed rather close to the pair of them.
He's a suspected Dark Lord, isn't he? Amelia mused, Monster feeling empathy for another monster, the only ones they feel empathy for.
"We must be off," Amelia said. "Come Shacklebolt, Tonks. I'd ask if you wanted to say goodbye to Alastor, but… he might not be able to hear you."
"I'm not saying goodbye to him," Tonks said, "Because I know I will see him again."
"Aye," Shacklebolt said, "No need to say goodbye when we will see each other again."
Amelia, Minerva and Albus all smiled at this.
"Amelia?" Minerva asked, "Do you not wish to search Alastor's office for any clues Crouch might have left behind."
"Do you believe I'll find any, Minerva?" Amelia asked. "I don't. He was so meticulous, and so careful through everything he did. He would not have left the castle, while leaving evidence of who he was behind. No, the only things he left were that eye and peg leg."
"And Alastor Moody alive to tell us who was responsible," Shacklebolt said.
"Only because he didn't suspect the Polyjuice Prevention wards," Amelia said. "He left the castle with full intentions of returning to continue his role as Alastor Moody. Only reason Alastor is alive is because he needed his hair. Alastor's lucky he even remembers Junior's identity. I am rather shocked he remembers anything. I imagine if Crouch was here until the end of the Tournament to finish his plot, our good friend, Alastor, might not have survived his ordeal."
"Again, thank you, Minerva, for suggesting the Polyjuice Prevention wards," Albus said. "You helped divert a true disaster and tragedy in the making. And you saved our good friend's life."
Minerva smiled, misty-eyed, as Amelia and the two Aurors agreed with Albus' sentiments.
"We must be off now," Amelia said. "See you Monday."
Farewells were exchanged, and Amelia and the two Aurors left the Hospital Wing. Amelia decided when she returned to her office, she would mirror call Sirius to tell him about these new developments. Then she would advise him to tell his godson about it. Lord Potter needed to know they finally discovered who was responsible for him being in the Triwizard Tournament.
So what did you think? I loved writing Alastor Moody's character in this chapter. Especially his story and stuff – my favorite part was him talking about how convincing Junior was about impersonating him. Loved that.
I am sure a lot of people are disappointed that I had Dumbledore completely fooled by Crouch, Junior, but I decided it would be a weakness in Dumbledore's armor. He was distracted by other things.
So what do you think about Shacklebolt and Tonks being the new Professor and Assistant Professor of Defense? The main reason I did this, was so Tonks is around to help Harry with his Metamorphmagus tutoring. But having them around to teach dueling and actual defense is great too.
Next Chapter: Harry deciphers the legend of the Deathly Hallows. Then, Harry and Hermione speaks to Sirius again and finds out what happened to Moody, and who put his name in the Goblet of Fire. Harry meets Hermione's parents, finally!
Can you believe my original plan was for him to meet the Grangers in Chapter 37? Then I decided Crouch, Junior was going to fail in his plot, and Alastor Moody would be found, and it created this chapter! So two chapters later than intended, Harry will meet Hermione's parents! And more!