Disclaimer: The Potter Universe & all characters are owned by JK Rowling
Authors Note: The last section of summer plus the opening feast
For anyone confused, I forgot to add in the announcement of the Triwizard Tournament and so had to take the chapter down and add that in.
Chapter Twenty Seven: The Dark Mark, Mad Eye Moody and The Opening Feast
Harry took his Sisters hand and together with Draco, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Luna and The Twins they ran for dear life through the mass of panicking people, trampled tents and camping debris as they headed for the nearby woods.
Harry turned for a moment and the New Marauders watched in horror as wizards and witches with masks walked leisurely through the campsite throwing out curses, laughing all the while.
Some people fell down dead from the Killing Curse while others were vilely tortured.
"That is sick!" Ron commented as they saw one Deatheater holding a muggle girl up and spinning her round like a puppet.
The farmer and his wife were also being levitated and they could hear the woman's screams and cries.
They turned again and ran.
Somewhere in the mass of people they lost the rest of the New Marauders and it was just him and Molly alone.
They found a place to hide and Harry held her close as the sound of spell fire erupted nearby.
He prayed that his Dad, Uncles and the other adults out there fighting the evil witches and wizards would be safe and well at the end of the fighting.
The spell fire seemed to go on for an interminable amount of time but eventually the night was silent save for the sound of crying, screaming, footsteps and fires raging.
Harry stood up cautiously.
When he saw there were no enemies nearby he pulled his Sister to her feet and they began to walk.
After a few minutes they came to a section of campsite where there were less bodies and less debris.
Harry froze in place.
Not far away from he and Molly stood a young man with straw coloured blonde hair wearing a leather jacket.
The man looked at Harry for a moment as if sizing him up.
Clearly deciding he was no threat for now, the man took out a wand, aimed it at the sky and shouted "Morsmordre!".
Before Harry and Molly's eyes a large green skull shape formed in the night sky, visible through the smoke and flames.
Harry felt sick.
He'd been told a few years ago by their Father of a certain shape made of green mist that appeared over houses of people killed by Deatheaters.
It was a skull and it's name was the Dark Mark.
"Harry what is it? why are you shaking?".
Harry looked down at his arms and found he was indeed shaking.
He looked at his Sister and he saw she was worried. Very worried.
He swallowed, looked back up at the mark and said "a few years ago...Dad told me of a certain mark that often appears when someone is killed by Deatheaters, it's called the Dark Mark and it's...it's skull shaped, it was created by Voldemort during the last wizarding war to instil fear and terror in their enemies and innocents alike".
His Sister began to shiver despite the summer heat and Harry drew her closer to comfort her.
She rested her head on his shoulder.
Suddenly witches and wizards apparated in front of them and must have mistook them for Deatheaters as they began to aim curses at them.
Harry pushed his Sister to the ground managed to duck just in time to avoid a curse that he knew would have sliced his legs off.
"Stop that's my children!" he heard his Father roar in outrage.
He had never been so glad in his entire life to see him.
His Dad appeared alongside Sirius, Remus and Peter.
"Are you both alright?" their Father asked tenderly.
Harry nodded shakily while Molly merely sobbed in response.
He drew them both into fierce hugs.
When he let them go Sirius, Remus and Peter moved over to check on them.
Harry knew that most of the Aurors who had thrown the curses were young and had probably only just finished their training which would be bound to make them more nervous and spell happy.
His Dad wasn't happy though "the Aurors that nearly hit my Son and Daughter with curses are hereby on probation until they learn not to be so damn spell happy!" he announced angrily.
"Where are the others?" Molly asked shakily.
"They managed to make it to the woods" Sirius informed them and Remus added "Arthur, Bill, Charlie and Percy are bringing them back now".
"Here they come" Peter said.
Harry looked towards the clearing and found that, sure enough Draco, Ron, Neville, Ginny, Luna and The Twins all looking fairly shaken were emerging from the woods and heading towards them with the rest of the Weasley's.
As they all drew level, Ginny broke away from the group and ran towards Harry flinging her arms around him and planting kiss on his face "oh thank god you're alright!" she exclaimed "thank god! thank god!".
Ginny and Luna both hugged Molly while Draco in rare show of major emotion hugged Harry fiercely "you scared the crap out me" he said and wagged a finger at Harry "don't go getting caught up in a battle like that again!".
Harry laughed shakily "I'll try not to" he promised.
Ron clapped him on the shoulder and said to both him and Molly "glad to see you're both alright" in typical understated fashion.
Neville gave them both hugs while The Twins, Percy and two eldest Weasley children also made sure they were alright.
"Are you sure you're ok both of you?" Mr Weasley asked in concern.
Harry nodded "I'll be fine Mr Weasley but Molly's very shaken up about everything".
Mr Weasley nodded in understanding.
It was just then that Harry's Dad looked up at the night sky and his face turned the colour of clay.
He turned to look at his children and asked gesturing to the mark "did either of you see who conjured that?".
Molly didn't nod or react in any way, she was clearly still too traumatised.
James recognising this called over Remus and Peter "take everyone except Harry back to the tents and make sure they're alright. Harry seems the most calm and I think he knows what happened".
Remus and Peter nodded and shepherded the children away even a reluctant and argumentative Ginny "I'm not leaving!" she shouted as Peter pulled her away from the scene.
Once they were all gone it was just the Aurors and Auror Trainees left.
Soon they were joined by Minister of Magic Amelia Bones who looked up at the mark and asked shakily "where did that come from James?".
Harry's Dad looked at him "I think Harry may have seen who conjured it. Am I right Harry?" he asked gently.
Harry sighed heavily and nodded.
His Dad instructed an Auror who had a quill, parchment and ink to write down the description.
Harry went all the way through from leaving the tent to arriving in the open piece of ground and seeing the other wizard "he had straw coloured blonde hair and he was wearing this long leather jacket".
Harry paused for a moment "his hair was messy, he was average height about five foot eleven maybe six foot, I'm not sure" Harry swallowed and tasted some acid "for a moment he looked straight at me and Molly, then he took out his wand and aimed it at the sky" Harry pointed to where the mark hung, menacing in the night sky "he conjured that thing".
"Me and Molly didn't see where he went but when we looked back at him he'd gone".
Harry's Dad swore "he must have disapparated from the campsite" he said in disappointment.
He then ruffled Harry's hair "great work on the description Harry".
"Who do you think it is?" Harry asked him curiously.
His Dad's face became grim and he revealed to Harry all about Barty Crouch, how he'd spirited his Son who was due to die, from Ministry custody, how he'd been executed for it and his Son had never been found.
"So you think..." Harry faltered "you think it's...".
"Yes Harry I think it's Barty Crouch Jr" his Dad hugged him "and if it is then things just got a lot more dangerous for us all".
Today had not been a good day for James.
The morning had been spent going through an a virtual mountain of paperwork as high as the ceiling which were not just Auror reports but also new rules and regulations instituted by the Ministry.
Then at lunch the staff canteen was out of his favourite sandwich filling which meant he had to settle for ham and he really did not like ham.
Then the lift on his floor broke down necessitating using the stairs from Auror Headquarters six floors up all the way to the Lobby on the ground floor.
The final straw came as he was heading towards one of the fireplaces in the Lobby to floo home.
He was feeling tired and irritated and a voice called out "Mr Potter!".
He ignored it and kept walking.
He heard urgent footsteps behind him and turned around fully prepared to yell at whoever felt it necessary to make his day worse.
Before he could say anything however the man who was the Lobby receptionist Tom, handed him an urgent message that had been sent by one of the duty Aurors.
James tore open the envelope, read the message and sighed.
The message said that his old mentor Alastor Moody needed to speak with him at once. It was a matter of urgency according to the message.
He cared a lot about Moody. Owed a lot to the man.
He'd been the one to teach James everything he knew about being an Auror and had recommended him for the position of Head Auror when he'd retired.
And then of course he'd helped rescue Harry and Draco all those years ago when they'd been kidnapped.
Sentimentality had it's limits however.
For the past few years his old mentor had been ranting and raving about threats to his person in the past few years.
He'd disturbed the peace several times by throwing curses at rubbish bins and attacking objects he suspected to be people transfigured.
He even refused to have any pets on the off chance that they might be Animagi in disguise.
Wearily, James made the trek all the way back up to Auror Headquarters and made a firecall home.
It was his wife that answered.
Lucy was in the drawing-room reading. It was one of her favourite past times.
He coughed to get her attention.
She glanced over at the fireplace and smiled "James" she said happily "what time are you coming home, Peters got beef stew warming in the oven".
James sighed "I've just received a message from my old mentor Alastor Moody, you remember him".
"Oh yes, has one eye missing and a wooden leg, lost a chunk of his nose, very paranoid these days from what I've heard".
James nodded "seems he wants to see me though I'm not sure what about".
"Will you be very late?" she asked in disappointment.
James nodded resignedly "I think so. Moody does like to go on a lot".
Lucy smiled sympathetically "I'll tell Peter to save you some and leave it in the oven".
James grinned wearily "you are an angel. You know that right?".
Lucy laughed "you have said a few times love".
She blew him a kiss "I'll see you later then. I'll wait up for you".
James nodded "I'll see you later love".
He ended the firecall.
Taking some floo powder he threw it down in the fireplace and called out "Alastor Moody's House 25 Camden Town, London".
He disappeared in a whoosh of flames.
Not too long later he landed on solid stone and stepped out of the fireplace.
Before he had the chance to dust himself down he grabbed by someone who threw him against a wall and pressed a wand to his throat "what were the words of condolence I spoke to James Potter when his wife died?" the gruff voice demanded.
Feeling irritated and exhausted James said "come on Moody. You know it's me stop pissing around!".
"Answer the question!" the gruff voice demanded more aggressively.
James sighed and said with some effort "lower the wand a little and I'll tell you".
"You think I'm stupid?" Moody said.
"Right now? yes!" James answered hotly.
Moody lowered his wand slightly and James said "you told me that even though Lily had died she'd always be with me and always love me. You said I needed to live on for her sake as she wouldn't want me to be miserable".
After hearing these words Moody lowered his wand completely.
James glared at him "what the hell Moody!?" he walked over to the sofa and sat down "I know you are paranoid but that was pushing it!" he massaged his throat and Moody had the good grace to look embarrassed.
The wizard sat down near him, took out a hip flash and drank deeply.
Wiping his lips and replacing the cap he said "sorry James but I can't be too careful these days. Enemies everywhere".
Moody looked round "they could be waiting outside at this very moment".
James rolled his eyes "of course you have enemies Moody. We all do, they're called Deatheaters".
"Yes but the Deatheaters don't want to impersonate you do they?" Moody replied gruffly.
James couldn't believe he was hearing this.
It seemed Moody had finally cracked completely.
Replace him?.
It made no sense and James said so "Moody this idea is mad. No one is trying to replace you. What would be the point? you're retired".
"Actually I've just agreed to come out of retirement to teach" Moody informed him calmly.
James was surprised by this.
Moody had never shown any particular inclination to teach before "why?" he asked.
Moody shrugged "Albus asked me to. He hasn't been able find anyone to take over the position and besides that I'm bored and then..." Moody grinned, a sight mad terrifying thanks to his various scars "then there's the protection I'll have once I'm in the castle. Once I'm there I'll be safe".
James shook his head "I'll help you take one look around Moody and then I'm leaving. I'm telling you, there is no one out there".
James and Moody spent the next three hours thoroughly tearing the house apart looking for any possible intruder in either human or animagus form.
As James had suspected they found not one sign of anyone on the property except for himself and Moody.
"Goodnight Moody!" in irritation after they had check his bedroom for the third time.
He stepped into the fireplace and flooed home feeling more exhausted than he had done in years.
When James arrived in the fireplace of the drawing-room of Marauder Manor he was so tired that he stumbled out and only just fell onto the sofa before falling asleep.
After a while Lucy woke him up.
He ate his supper quickly, brushed his teeth and headed up to bed with his wife.
He fell asleep before his wife could even ask him how it had gone at Moody's house.
And as James Potter slept soundly a situation that nobody could ever have predicted was taking place at Moody's home.
Alastor Moody felt suddenly very foolish at his paranoia.
Perhaps he was wrong to see enemies hiding in the shadows.
He laughed loud and long and sat down to enjoy a glass of fine Scotch, neat over ice just as he liked it.
He'd only taken a few sips when a crash sounded from outside.
His paranoia was back in full swing.
He snatched up his wand and made for the front door.
Unlocking all of the chains and bolts he peered outside, wand at the ready for any intruder.
He was so busy looking at the fallen over bins which he righted, that he failed to see what looked like two animals enter his home.
The first was furry and looked very much like a grey tabbycat. The second was ferret with brown fur and bald patch on it's head.
The two creatures snuck inside and concealed themselves.
Moody went outside, righted the bins, came back in put back all the locks and chains and bolts securing the front door.
What he didn't realise was that he had just locked himself in his house with two very dangerous Deatheaters.
Moody was just about to sit back down when the dark detectors began to whine loudly.
He stood up. The glass fell from his hand and shattered.
He turned round wand raised for battle and was forced to dodge out the way of an expertly thrown Jelly Legs Jinx.
He took cover behind the sofa and fired a Knockback Jinx.
The other wizard ducked and spell hit the wall behind him uselessly.
Moody ducked again avoiding the Bombarda Curse which blew his grandfather clock to smithereens flinging wood splinters in all directions.
Moody threw a knife at the wizard to throw him off but it slammed into an armchair.
"Dammit!" Moody swore.
He moved from the sofa and threw a Knockback Jinx at his opponent who was unable to move on time as he tripped over some furniture.
The Jinx hit him full in the stomach causing him to be flung back and crash down hard on a side table.
Moody cautiously moved closer but the wizard was still conscious and fired back before Moody could throw up a shield.
Moody was hit with a severing charm that slashed his arm painfully.
As he grasped it he found himself being fired upon by another opponent.
At last he got a clear look at his assailants and nearly laughed.
He was battling two vicious Deatheaters and he'd not even left the house to do so.
"Impedimenta!" he called out.
The spell hit the Mundungus Fletcher on his wand arm preventing him throwing out more spells.
Moody knowing he needed back up made a dash for the fireplace, seized some floo powder and was about to throw it down when a voice called out callously "Crucio!".
He fell to the ground writhing in pain as the curse shot through his limbs, his torso and his brain like fire.
After what seemed an eternity the curse was broken.
Moody grasped the mantelpiece in attempt to haul himself up only for a voice to call off roughly "Petrificus Totalis".
His world faded into nothingness but not before he thought 'what a bloody fool'.
James received the news the following morning of much crashing, explosions and shouting going on at Moody's house.
James though had had enough.
It was not a day for pandering to the whims of a paranoid old wizard.
He told one of his Junior Aurors to deal with the issue and he set about making breakfast for everyone which he'd been learning to thanks to his wife, Remus and Peter who were all good cooks.
As James waited for everyone to come down to breakfast he felt that today was a very special day.
Not only were Harry and Draco returning to Hogwarts as Fourth Years 'god how time flies' thought James.
Not only this, Molly was finally heading off to Hogwarts as a First Year.
they'd gone into Diagon Alley a week before and purchased all of her school things including her very first wand which she had been overawed with and kept in pristine condition, polishing it constantly.
He and Lucy had also got her her own owl a lovely barn owl which she had named Lawrence.
Speaking of his Daughter, said Daughter entered the kitchen breaking him out of his reverie and kissed him on the cheek "morning Dad!" she said brightly.
He could see that she was very excited about going to Hogwarts after all the tales told to her by himself and others.
He was amazed at his Daughters determination as well, for when she had been asked which house she thought she'd be in she'd replied immediately "Gryffindor" no hesitation.
She was a girl who knew what she wanted and how to get it.
He was certain she'd do well at school.
For Harry the first of September was always a rush as despite having seemingly packed everything before hand he usually forgot something, whether it be a sock, a dung bomb or owl treats for Hedwig.
This morning was no different as the fourteen year old searched his room desperately for his harmonica.
He'd bought one earlier in the summer as a bit of a laugh as he'd heard one of his favourite musicians John Lennon playing it on the song Love Me Do.
What had started out as a joke had turned into a very serious hobby.
He now played the harmonica most days practising with different songs and seeing how they sounded on harmonica.
Everyone had been most impressed by his progress and Ginny seemed to love him playing for her which gave extra motivation to play.
"Where is the bloody thing?" he cursed through gritted teeth "it must be here somewhere!" he said loudly "items don't just grow legs and walk away!".
"Having some trouble?" an amused voice said.
He looked over at the door and found his Mother standing there smiling "need some help?" she asked.
Harry nodded sheepishly and explained "it's my harmonica. I want to take it to Hogwarts but I can't find it".
His Mother smiled "I'm sure that together we'll find it no problem".
They searched all round the room and then Harry heard his Mum say "ah ha! here it is!".
Harry looked over to his bed and saw his Mum holding up his harmonica.
It looked quite dirty.
He walked over to her, took it out of her hands and said "thanks Mum".
She ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead "any time sweetie. Any time".
After she left he set to work polishing it carefully before placing it back in it's case, wrapping it in a tea towel and placing it in his trunk near the top.
From downstairs he heard his Dad call up "Harry, Draco! time to go!".
Harry called out "Molter!".
In a flash the young House Elf was standing front of him smiling and bowing "what does Master Harry require of Molter?".
Harry smiled "err, I can't get this downstairs on my own, could you...".
The House Elf smiled "say no more Master Harry" the Elf clicked his fingers and the trunk was gone.
He heard muffled curse and someone shout out "who put this trunk here!?".
He sniggered at Sirius' annoyed voice. "Thanks Molter" he said.
The Elf bowed again "happy to help Harry Potter" and he disappeared.
Harry grabbed his wand holster, fastened it round his wrist and slid his wand into it securely.
Once this was done he took a last look round his room, grabbed Hedwigs cage and headed off downstairs.
As ever they had to go back to the house several times for this or that item that Harry, Draco or Molly had forgotten to take with them and only just made it to Kings Cross Station at ten fifty am.
As Remus and Peter were at work and had already said their goodbyes the people seeing them off consisted of Harry's Parents, Draco's Parents and Celia.
Due to the lateness of the hour the goodbyes were very short "you all take care of yourselves" Celia said hugging them.
"We love you all" Janice said hugging each of them in turn.
"Behave yourselves and keep safe" Lucy said kissing each of them on the forehead and hugging them.
James and Sirius meanwhile took the three students aside and said "make sure to play a few pranks this year ok?".
Happily, the three students promised to do just that and after James Sirius said they loved them and to take care, they hauled their trunks onto the Hogwarts Express and moved a short way down the train until they found their usual compartment.
Inside, already waiting for them, were Hermione, Neville, Ginny, Ron and Luna who all greeted them happily and made room for Molly to sit down.
The train journey seemed to fly by happily this year with the only downside being the now semi annual visit of Nott and his two goons Crabbe and Goyle.
Harry and the others spent much of the journey speculating about just why their Parents were excited for them to be at Hogwarts this year.
Harry loved Hogwarts but couldn't think of anything new that would prompt the excitement.
He decided that adults could be very odd sometimes.
when the train arrived at Hogsmeade Station in the failing light, the New Marauders all stepped off the train and Harry doing his Brotherly duty guided Molly over to Hagrid who smiled at her warmly.
"Hello young Molly" he said.
She smiled back and said "hi Hagrid".
Harry gave her a hug "now you listen to what Hagrid says ok? he'll get you safe across the lake. I'll see you later Sis".
She nodded.
Draco hugged and told her something similar and the two Fourth Years joined their friends for the carriage ride up to the school, something they were particularly grateful for given the rain that poured down heavily.
Molly had been so excited to come to Hogwarts at last after all the stories but right now she was freezing cold and shivering thanks to the water splashing up from the lake and rain beating down.
After much time the boat she was sharing with three other First Years bumped against rock and she saw that the boat had reached it's destination.
"Firs Years this way" Hagrid called out to them and they scrambled from their boats, climbed up the steps and followed him along the pier to the rock face nearby.
They followed Hagrid up to a pair of large, old, iron double doors sunk into the rock.
As Hagrid approached the doors opened by themselves to admit him and the students.
As they stepped inside, the doors closed.
Hagrid turned to them all, took out his wand and waved it over them.
Molly patted herself down and was amazed to find that she was dry.
'I love magic!' she thought to herself happily as she and the other First Years walked up the steps behind the half-giant.
When they reached the ground floor the doors to the Great Hall opened and Molly saw Professor McGonagall.
She was looking pretty stern at that moment as she surveyed all of the First Years but Molly knew that she had a heart of gold and cared deeply about people.
She especially cared about her students.
"Here are the Firs Years Professor McGonagall" Hagrid informed her.
She smiled slightly "thank you Hagrid".
Molly had heard that despite Hagrid being a professor now he didn't like being called it outside class.
She had further been told how he still called his colleagues Professor.
After Hagrid had walked off into the Great Hall the stern witch said "follow me into the Great Hall. We shall proceed up the centre of the room to the steps near the staff table. You shall put on the sorting hat and be sorted into your Houses".
Molly had an attack of nerves.
'What if it puts me in another House?' she thought worriedly.
She didn't want to be separated from her Brothers.
"Follow me" the Professor said.
She turned and strode through the doors which opened before her
Molly was hit with a wave of noise as people talked, joked and speculated who would be in what House.
Molly nervously followed along with the other First Years looking around in awe at the Great Hall.
They only place as grandiose that she had seen was St Paul's Cathedral when the family had gone on a weeks holiday up to London.
As she drew level with Harry, Draco and their friends they were offered smiles of encouragement and Harry mouthed "see you in a bit".
Draco mouthed "good luck".
They reached the stool and spread themselves out "right First Years, I shall be calling names in alphabetical order. When I call your name please come up to the stool, sit down and place the hat firmly on your head. Do you understand?".
Molly and the others nodded, some nervous like her and others more sure of themselves.
As the names were called out Molly realised that many seemed to already have Brothers and Sisters here.
Her name was one of the last. She was called up after Lisa Young was sorted into Ravenclaw.
She noted the names of those girls sorted into Gryffindor "Caroline Bolton, Wendy Turner, Victoria Dance and Alexandra Farmer.
She was grateful to have a good memory for names and faces.
She stepped up in trepidation, sat on the stool and slowly put the hat on her head.
She realised her hands were shaking.
"Ah what do we have here?" the hat spoke causing her to jump.
"No need to panic" the hat said calmly "another Potter I see".
"Yes sir" she said politely.
The hat laughed "you must be the first in many years to be so polite young lady. Now lets see, you are smart but you don't spend all day with books, you're brave and despite you're intelligence you are not ambitious".
The hat smiled "I know just where to put you".
She shut her eyes and whispered "Gryffindor. Put me in Gryffindor".
Again the hat laughed "you read my thoughts" he said "if that's where you want to go it'll be...Gryffindor!" it shouted.
The Great Hall was awash with noise.
Molly took the hat off carefully, sat in on the stool and said "thank you".
As she ran over to her new House Mates at the Gryffindor Table she noted that everyone at said table was applauding, stamping their feet or cheering.
Some were even doing all three.
She took a seat in between her fellow First Years Caroline Bolton and Alexandra Farmer.
They were smiling at her and she introduced herself "I'm Molly Potter" she said.
They shook her hand "Alexandra Farmer" said the girl with light blonde hair "but everyone calls me Alex".
"And I'm Caroline Bolton but I prefer Carol" she told Molly.
They three of them sat and watched the rest of the sorting.
Once "Zabini, Thomas" had been sorted into Slytherin, the stool and sorting hat were taken away by Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore stood up "hello returning students and First Years. Another years begins at Hogwarts. I have the usual start of term announcements. Will all students please note that the Forbidden Forest is completely out of bounds to you all, no exceptions. Secondly, the list of contraband this year now includes Dung Bombs".
Nearby Molly heard Harry curse and grinned.
Harry was listening to Professor Dumbledore speak when the ceiling of the Great Hall began to change from it's calm night sky to stormy and angry as if some great god had been displeased.
People began to murmur and then a figure stepped out of the shadows of the Great Hall doors, aimed his wand at the ceiling and wordlessly settled it back down.
The murmuring turned to muttering.
Some people gasped.
Harry was amazed.
As the man came further into the light and began moving up the central aisle to the head table Harry saw that it was Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody.
He had met and spoken to Moody on several occasions.
Moody always attended his birthday party.
As Moody drew level with his table, he flashed Harry and his Siblings smiles and continued walking.
Harry grinned after him for a moment.
Moody reached the top table, Professor Dumbledore moved down to greet him with a warm handshake and a clap on the shoulder.
Harry knew that the two men were old friends and he surmised that Moody must have agreed to take on the Defence Against The Dark Arts post as no one else wanted it this year.
Dumbledore smiled at the students at the various House Tables and said "students, this is Alastor Moody. Very great friend of mine. No doubt you've heard of his fame as an Auror".
Moody waved it away as if it wasn't important "he has agreed to take on the post of Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher this year as a favour to me".
Before Dumbledore say any more Harry rose to his feet and clapped wildly at this news.
He was followed by all those who knew Moody and even many who only knew of his Auror cases.
Quite a few students though, mostly Slytherins, stayed seated.
Some students thought Moody to be mad based on the reports in the Daily Prophet while others didn't like him as family of theirs or people they knew had been imprisoned as Deatheaters or other Dark Wizards by Moody.
Moody waved politely in acceptance of the applause and went to take his seat at the head table.
Harry noticed Severus was staring at Moody warily and he knew that with Severus being a former Deatheater he was worried that the other man might curse him.
Moody however didn't even glance at Severus.
Professor Dumbledore stood behind his seat and said "before our feast begins I have a major announcement to make. The Quidditch season at Hogwarts has been cancelled for this year!".
He couldn't speak for several minutes as a sound like the buzzing of hundreds of angry bees filled the Great Hall.
Harry was furious. How could they cancel it?. He was sure Ron would have been playing Goalkeeper this year.
There was much shouting of "rubbish!" and even some "bullshit!".
Once the anger had quietened somewhat they were all hit with a bombshell "this is so an event not seen in a hundred years can take place here. It is called the Triwizard Tournament!".
The angry muttering changed to bewilderment as everyone digested this news.
Harry was stunned.
He'd heard of this tournament but never thought it would happen while he was at school.
"The Headmaster/Headmistress of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons will be bringing their best pupils to Hogwarts at the end of October. On the 31st the champions shall be chosen. That is all. You may dig in" he finished and spread his arms wide to indicate the feast had begun.
Harry had heard from his Dad that Moody didn't trust other alcohol not to have been poisoned or drugged and so he carried his own about with him everywhere.
As he began to eat some of his beef he smirked.
Moody had stabbed some chicken with his fork and was sniffing at it looking dubious.
Evidently his Dad's mentor must have thought it to be alright as he ate it.
After the feast ended Harry, Draco and the other New Marauders headed to their common rooms with the rest of the New Marauders bidding Luna a good night.
When they entered through the portrait hole giving the password for the term which was "Quaffle", Harry saw his and Draco's Sister standing in a corner chatting to the other First Years girls.
Two of them left as Harry and Draco approached but two of them stayed with her chatting and Harry guessed she'd made friends already.
She did have that capacity for it.
"Hey Sis" he said as he reached her and pulled her into a tight hug.
Once he'd finished hugging her Draco did so as well and then Harry turned to the other girls, extended a hand and said "hi I'm Harry".
Both of the girls turned red in the face and mumbled their names.
Harry laughed "no need to be nervous I don't bite and I'm really not that important" he told them.
After this pronouncement the two girls laughed and seemed to be themselves again.
They introduced themselves as Caroline "Carol" Bolton and Alexandra "Alex" Farmer.
He shook their hands as did Draco "if you three need help getting to any of the classes let us know. We know most of the shortcuts and we'll be happy to help as will our mates" Draco told them.
The other two girls thanked them as did Molly "hey it's the decent thing to do" Harry told them.
They then left Molly but not before telling her "we'll help you get to your classes tomorrow and find the Great Hall. It's not always easy the way the stairs change".
"Thanks guys" she said hugging them.
That night as Harry fell into bed he took a while to fall asleep.
Even though he was tired a thought kept circling in his head.
He felt there was something off about Moody tonight but he couldn't place what it was.
In the end he gave up and went to sleep.
Hey everyone. So that's summer completed the opening feast done.
Fourth Year or in Molly's case First Year, will start in Chapter Twenty Eight.
Don't forget to keep reviewing.