Disclaimer: The Potterverse belongs to JK Rowling
Chapter Thirty Three: The Horntail, Investigating Moody, Learning to Dance & Yule Ball
Harry was feeling very nervous as he stood there facing the colossal Dragon perched on the rock ahead of him.
Despite this he was resolute in doing what he needed to to finish the task and leave the arena in one piece.
He turned his back to the Dragon and called out "Accio Broom!". He had had a words with Ron and Neville before the game and had got their assurance that one of them would make sure the window was open for him and the other make sure that his broom was ready on his bed to be summoned to him.
For the longest time he heard no noise after the incantation and began to wonder if he had done it right. Or if he had done it right but that perhaps the spell had a certain range and the broom was beyond it.
After what seemed an age, he heard a loud whistling of air as if something was hurtling towards him at very high speed.
Instinct told him to extend his right arm which he so did while transferring his wand to his left hand.
His instinct paid off as a few seconds later his Firebolt flew into his outstretched hand and Harry gazed at in exaltation.
Not only had he said the incantation properly, he had also got the one item he needed to complete the task.
He wasted no time in turning round, holstering his wand securely, mounting up on the broom and kicking off from the ground.
He soared through the air glorying in the feel of the wind in his face and his messy hair.
God how he had missed this!.
Not for the first time that year he lamented the fact that Quidditch had been cancelled.
How he longed to be pursuing the elusive snitch and helping his team to victory.
He zoomed towards the rock on which the large angry Dragon perched. Ignoring the crowd, shutting them out completely he entered his element.
Harry had decided shortly before the task that he would treat it as if he were chasing a snitch.
He reached the rock and made for the egg only to be forced to back off by a tail whip from the Mother Dragon who bellowed protectively.
For a minute he circled the beast trying to think how he could possibly grab the egg and keep it intact.
An idea came to him. Using his wand he transfigured a rock into a wolf that snapped aggressively at the Dragon.
It was a spell he'd been working on with his friends in the Room of Requirement. He'd not been sure it would work but much to his gratification it did. The Dragon was completely thrown off as it attempted to attack the wolf and thus gave Harry his opening to grab the egg.
As the Dragon moved further down the rock exposing the egg Harry took his chance, swooped down and snatched it up.
Unfortunately, just as he had taken the egg and was about to fly off over to the judges, the Dragon disposed of the wolf with a very powerful tail flick that caught the wolf in the side and sent it flying across the arena.
The Dragon then bellowed in rage as fire flew from its nostrils and it began to fly towards Harry.
The great chain that kept the Dragon back should have kept Harry safe but to his horror and no doubt the horror of most people in the arena, the chain snapped and the Dragon zoomed off after Harry as he flew as fast as he could to escape the enraged animal "damn this stupid tournament!" he said aloud.
He flew under the wooden bridge of one of the Hogwarts exits hoping the Dragon would not pursue.
It did and caused great damage in the process as it brought part of the structure down.
Harry flew on and on, zooming over the castles turrets, through archways and under the ancient stone bridge that led to another exit.
The Dragon got momentarily stuck under the bridge but soon broke free and Harry found himself hurtling back towards the arena attempting to avoid the snap of the Dragons very powerful jaws and the swish of its vicious spiked tail.
He zoomed back down into the arena and hovered in front of the judges holding up the egg as the Dragon arrived behind him.
Handlers sprang from their positions and moved to subdue the creature which they managed to do after much time and effort and many burns to their skin.
Harry stumbled on over to the medical tent where Madam pomfrey was checking over the other three Champions.
She beckoned him in and began to check him over for any signs of injury both external and internal "I'm fine Madam Pomfrey just a bit tired is all" he assured her but the dominating school medi witch was not having any of it "I'll be the judge of that Mr Potter" she said sternly.
Harry saw that the other Champions had not got off as lightly as him.
Fleur had a nasty gash on the top of her head, Cedric had a face blackened by soot and rather burnt arms and Victor seemed to have hurt his leg.
"You're fine thank goodness" the medi witch announced.
As Harry exited the tent he found himself being hugged and clapped on the back as his friends and family joined him "that was incredible Harry!" Ron exclaimed in awe.
"Best flying of the lot" his Brother declared.
"Amazing!" Molly and David both said together.
He received claps on the back from Neville and Luna. His Aunts and Uncles and Parents all hugged him.
Ginny pulled him into a near bone crushing hug and murmured "I was so worried for you!" she kissed every inch of his face "I love you so much!".
Harry kissed her and assured her he loved her just as much.
Sirius said "with flying like that you could be a Pro Quidditch player!".
Peter and Remus both nodded and voiced their agreement to this while Harry's Dad said "well done Son. You did very well. I'm proud of you".
"I'm just glad he got back in one piece!" his Mother exclaimed as she wrapped up in a firm hug "I was so worried for you sweetie" she said tearfully.
"Harry they're about to announced the scores!" Hermione cut in.
The Champions and their families stood in the arena and watched as the judges held up their scoreboards.
Fleur received a seven from everyone for her effort as she had accidentally caused the Dragon to set her skirt alight after causing it fall asleep.
Harry could see she was more annoyed with herself than anyone else for losing points.
The next score was for Cedric who was waiting in anticipation. He was awarded a nine by everyone with a point being dropped for getting the egg but getting his face burned.
Victor was award a six from everyone except Asimov who gave him a ten as despite retrieving the egg successfully he used the Conjunctivitis Jinx causing the Dragon to stumble around blindly smashing many of the real eggs.
He did not look happy at losing points for this and glared at the judges.
Harry's own score came up last and he waited. To his astonishment he received full marks from everyone except Asimov who only gave him a six, much to the fury of the Gryffindor's who shouted that Asimov was showing favouritism.
"That means you've got thirty six points Harry!" Hermione said in excitement.
"You're in the lead mate!" Ron shouted.
Harry couldn't believe that he was in the lead right from the First Task.
Before he left the arena Ludo Bagman stood up and informed the Champions and everyone else that the Second Task of the Tournament would take place on the 24th of February and that the egg was a clue as to what the Champions would have to do.
Harry stroked the egg in reverence and wondered what he'd have to do to open it.
He didn't give it too much thought as he strode out of the arena and back up to the castle carried on the shoulders of the proud Gryffindor's who chanted his name.
He didn't see the scowl forming on Cedric's face at the glory Harry was receiving.
When the Gryffindor's returned to their common room a loud and very raucous party began.
Not long after he arrived in the common room with his friends and family Harry asked the assembled, cheering students whether he should open the egg to check the clue.
The answer was a loud and resounding yes from everyone.
Harry grinned widely "here goes nothing". He twisted the egg and opened it and then promptly grimaced in pain as the egg emitted the most horrible sound he had ever heard.
It was like nails being dragged along sandpaper stuck to a chalkboard.
Everyone else in the common room had covered their ears in horror at the noise and Harry's Brother Draco shouted "close the egg!".
Harry couldn't hear him though.
In the end Harry's Dad stepped forward and he closed the egg with a snap.
The scraping, wailing sound ceased and everyone present looked around them in stark relief at the fact.
"As the party resumed Harry stared at the egg and in confusion muttered "I just don't understand it. It shouldn't make that noise should it?".
He was thoroughly nonplussed about the whole situation as he was sure the egg should have contained a clue.
"Maybe there's a special way of doing it" Draco posited as he checked the egg carefully.
"Well no need to worry about it today!" Ron said cheerfully "time to celebrate".
And celebrate they duly did with all of the Gryffindor's and some of the Ravenclaws including their friend Luna stopping by to celebrate as well.
Ginny kissed him on the lips "I'm really proud of you love" she said.
"What for?" Harry asked in bemusement.
"Because you were afraid but you still completed the task" she replied as she hugged him.
The party lasted well into the early hours of the morning.
Harry's Mum and Aunts left around ten to put David to bed and kissed him goodbye while Harry's Uncles and Dad stayed in the common room to party until twelve am with the Marauders showing off various tricks, their dancing skills and cheering for Harry.
Despite the fun party atmosphere though Harry was kept awake after he went to bed that night by two issues.
The first being the egg and how to get the clue that resided within and the second more pressing matter was what to do about Professor Moody.
Harry made a decision that night as he lay in his bed. He would investigate Moody. Judging by the absence of his Brothers snore and a voice that entered his mind saying "I'll help" he knew he hadn't been alone in thinking about it.
"Say that again Harry" Ron said his face a mask of confusion.
It was the day after Harry's triumph in the First Task and all of the New Marauders were lounging around in the Room of Requirement eating their lunch "I said that somethings up with Moody" Harry repeated for what felt the umpteenth time.
"He's probably just being eccentric Harry" Neville said sensibly "you know what Moody's like".
"Yeah I do know what he's like" Harry replied chewing his lip "that's just the problem. The Moody I know wouldn't act the way he has been".
"Moody's been the same as he always has Harry, you're reading too much into it".
Hermione weighed in "Harry might have something. He's been giving Harry some very odd looks since he came here to teach and usually he's friendly to Harry".
"Not to mention that he used the Unforgivable Curses" Draco added "me and Harry have know Moody since we were young and he's always said he hates them and he'd never use them even to demonstrate".
"I agree with Harry, Draco and Hermione" Ginny declared followed shortly by Luna "I think we need to get into his office and find out what he has in those flasks".
"Good idea Ginny" Harry said "he's hiding something I'm sure of it".
Hermione now looked worried though "but he's a teacher" she said nervously "won't we get into trouble for breaking into his office?".
"Possibly" Harry replied "but what would you prefer, letting him get away with whatever he's up to or catching him?".
Hermione sighed "alright fine, but we need a good plan".
Afternoon classes went quickly and soon the New Marauders found themselves up in their common room clustered around with all of the other Gryffindor's who'd been called to a meeting by their Head of House Professor McGonagall "anyone know what this is about?" Harry asked Seamus.
Seamus shook his head "not sure, just that McGonagall wants to talk to us".
"You haven't pulled any pranks recently have you Harry?" Dean said.
Harry laughed "no we haven't".
Just then the portrait hole opened and in stepped Professor McGonagall looking as severe as ever.
Harry still couldn't believe what she'd told them earlier that week. The whole house had been told that everyone that a Yule Ball would be taking place this year due to the Triwizard Tournament.
Needless to say after that announcement most of the House signed up to stay at Hogwarts save for those below Fourth Year who hadn't been invited by anyone.
Harry was not very happy about the fact he'd have to stay at Hogwarts on Christmas Day.
He loved Hogwarts like a third home but the fact was that he had never yet missed a family Christmas at Marauder Manor and he didn't like the idea of having to start now.
McGonagall had explained it as his attendance being mandatory due to his being a Champion.
As McGonagall called everyone's attention to her her he came back to the present and concentrated on what she was saying "as I have told you all the Yule Ball is taking place on Christmas Day and I understand that most of you are staying here for it" she gazed round at them with piercing eyes "now I'm sure some of you that know how to dance but also a great many that don't, as a result those of you who don't and have no one to teach you will be offered dancing coaching by me".
Following this announcement the meeting broke up and McGonagall called Harry over to speak to her "I strongly suggest you have some dancing coaching too Harry" she advised.
"Why?" he said in puzzlement.
"Because Harry the Champions and their partners open the dancing at the Yule Ball".
Harry gaped at her in open horror at this "b..b...but I c..c..can't d..dance!" he stammered "I'm awful!".
The Professor just about restrained herself from rolling her eyes in response "I know that Harry which is why you need dancing coaching. I assume your Parents can teach you" she said.
Harry nodded feeling ill. A thought came to him "but I hate being gawked at!" he protested "you know that, I don't do well with everyone staring at me!".
McGonagall patted his arm reassuringly "I'm sure with Miss Weasley there you won't notice anyone" she said.
She then exited the common room and Harry flopped down heavily onto a sofa and held his head in his hands.
Ron approached and sat down "what's up mate?" he asked sounding a bit worried.
Harry groaned "I have to open the dancing at the Yule Ball" he said miserably.
Ron commiserated patting him on the back "I'll look an idiot Ron. I'll make Ginny look an idiot. I'm a horrible dancer".
Ron smiled "then there's only one thing left to do" he said.
Harry looked at him pleadingly "contact your Mum and Dad and get their help in learning to dance. I'm sure Dumbledore will let you go home this weekend".
Harry stared at him for a second before his face lit up into a massive grin. He kissed Ron on the forehead "Ron you are a bloody genius!" he shouted before realising "eurgh I just kissed you on the forehead!".
That night Harry contacted his Parents on the two way mirror and was pleased to find that his Dad wasn't busy.
"Harry!" his Dad said in surprise.
James set aside his glass of beer "something up?" he asked in concern.
Harry laughed "no Dad I'm fine I just...it's...we..." he faltered unsure of how to say it "you know that the Yule Ball is happening here on Christmas Day" his Father nodded.
"Well" Harry continued 'here goes nothing' he thought and then said "I need to learn how to dance so I can open the dancing!" he blurted out.
His Dad broke into a wide grin "is that all?" he said "no need to be so worried about that Son" his Dad assured him "I assume you want some help from me and your Mum".
Harry nodded feeling foolish for worrying so much "we'd love to help, if I do say so myself I'm an excellent dancer".
Harry laughed loudly at his Dad's boast "you never change Dad" he remarked through his tears.
His Dad smiled "neither do you. Come on over tomorrow morning. You can have lunch here at the Manor and I'll teach you how to dance".
"Thanks Dad I really appreciate it" Harry said feeling grateful.
"I assume you're taking a certain redhead named Ginny Weasley".
Harry nodded and chuckled "I wouldn't dare ask anyone else" he joked "you know the famous redhead temper" he said.
His Dad nodded "I do indeed. Well I'll see you tomorrow Son. I'll let your Mother know".
Harry nodded. His Dad's face disappeared and Harry ended the call feeling much happier and more confident than he had before the conversation.
The next morning Harry walked up to Dumbledore's Office. Walking next to him were Draco and Molly who had evidently also asked to be taught to dance.
He smirked as he thought of the reason both wanted teaching.
He knew that with Luna being Draco's girlfriend he'd ask her to go the ball while Molly would hope for Neville to ask her if he hadn't already.
"I'm guessing you've invited Luna" he said to his Brother as they reached the gargoyles guarding the spiral staircase.
His Brother grinned "yep and she said yes" Draco said happily.
Harry smiled. He was really happy for Draco and for Luna.
"Has a certain black haired boy asked you yet?" Harry asked his Sister.
"Yeah Sis" Draco added.
Molly smiled "he was a bit nervous about it but yeah he asked me".
"He'd better behave himself" Harry warned.
"Harry!" she exclaimed and glared at him.
Draco and Harry laughed and Draco gave the password to get to Dumbledore's Office "fizzing whizbees".
The gargoyles sprang aside to reveal the staircase.
The three of them stepped on it and stood still as it spiralled upwards towards the corridor in which lay the entrance to the Headmasters Office.
In a short time the staircase stopped moving and the three Siblings stepped off and began walking down the corridor towards his office.
To the surprise of none of them the doors opened before they had even reached them and behind the desk they saw a smiling Dumbledore.
As they entered they all said "hello Professor".
The twinkle was very bright in the old wizards eyes today "hello Harry, Draco, Molly, I hear you are off to have some dancing coaching".
Harry grimaced in embarrassment as did Draco.
"There is no reason to be embarrassed about it boys" Dumbledore assured them amiably "believe it or not I once needed to have dancing coaching as well".
Harry and Draco gaped at him in stunned disbelief and the old wizard laughed "oh yes I did. My Parents used to say I had two left feet when I was a child".
He laughed heartily and the Siblings joined in.
The three of them waved goodbye to Dumbledore, took some floo powder, stepped into the fireplace and threw it down saying clearly "Marauder Manor!".
After flying past numerous fireplaces Harry and his Siblings found their feet touch solid stone.
Harry peeked his head out and took a look round "we're here" he said grinning.
They stepped out and were met by Molter the House Elf who was personally loyal to Harry now.
"Master Harry, Master Draco, Mistress Molly!" he said happily as he bowed.
Harry had managed to get him to take wages weekends off and to not bow so low but he'd not been able to get the elf out of the habit of calling him Master.
He wasn't very comfortable with being called such but decided not to say anything "hey Molter good to see you" Harry said with a smile "where are Mum and Dad?".
The House Elf smiled back "Master James and Mistress Lucy are in the Ballroom clearing away the furniture".
Harry thanked him and made to move off as Draco and Molly greeted the House Elf and followed him.
As they reached the Ballroom and pushed the door open Harry could hear the sound of music floating through into the hallway. Harry knew at once it was his Dad's Queen Album as he could pick up the first notes of Don't Stop Me Now which was one of his favourite tracks.
"Mum, Dad, we're here!" Harry called out.
"Oh Harry, Molly, Draco there you are" his Mother said as she walked across the Ballroom and greeted her Children and Nephew and with hugs.
Just then James appeared and greeted them as well "so, ready to dance?" he asked them all with a grin.
Harry noticed that Molly looked eager while thoughts from Draco told him that his Brother was as nervous as he was "I can't believe we have to do this I've always had awful footwork!".
"I know but just follow Mum and Dad's directions and you'll be fine" Harry assured his Brother.
"Now the first dance we're going to show you is called the two step. Watch me and James. Molly follow my movement, Harry, Draco follow James' movement. Ok?".
The three of them nodded.
James and Lucy stepped up to each other grasped hands together, got their feet in position and began to move effortlessly back and forth in a two step motion.
The three children watched in amazement at the dancing.
After some time James and Lucy stopped dancing and James called out "Molly you try with Harry now".
Harry and Molly took their place. Unlike their Parents it was not effortless. There was much stepping on toes and accidental head bumping before they began to improve.
After Harry, Draco took a turn with Molly and managed to do very well as Harry knew he would.
The dancing coaching went on until lunch which they had at the Manor. They then carried on throughout that Saturday afternoon mastering the two step and moving on to other dances that were likely to pop up during the ball.
The three of them stayed at the Manor until seven pm when they flooed back to Hogwarts after having dinner.
When they entered the common room that night they found Ron, Ginny, Neville and Hermione all sitting close to the fire talking in hushed voices.
The chatter ceased when they realised that their friends were back "alright guys?" Ron said "we were just talking over an idea we had for getting into Moody's Office and searching".
Harry, Draco and Molly sat down with Harry slipping onto the sofa next to Ginny and squeezing her hand, a gesture she returned with a smile "carry on" Harry said to Ron and the others.
"Well" Ron began "we figure that a few of us need to corner Moody outside of his office and engage him in conversation about school work or whatever and that if we have four of us do it two can snoop around his office while one warns of danger".
Harry grinned "I should have know you lot would come up with a genius plan in just a few hours. It'll take a lot of learning his routine though" he cautioned.
And so just like that they had a plan.
The next day Harry, Draco and Molly returned to the Manor again for further dancing coaching which meant they were absent from Hogwarts for most of the day and thus it was not until late when they returned and agreed with the others that the search of Moody's Office would have to wait until Friday night so they had time to observe his routine.
That next week passed uneventfully enough.
There were no strange occurrences and no run ins with Nott and his goons. The New Marauders merely got on with their homework and classes.
One thing did occur mid week however.
It was on Wednesday at lunchtime.
As it was a surprisingly sunny day for November and in fact was the last day before winter began.
The whole group of New Marauders had decided to just grab some food from the kitchens and eat it outside near the Black Lake.
They had walked for some way until they reached the very tree which Harry and Ginny had rested against on their picnic.
Some of them settled down against the tree while others gazed into the lake at the Giant Squid who was doing laps.
Harry decided to approach the lake itself and stared down into it's murky depths, deep in thought.
While he was thinking he lent forward, his school bag fell from his shoulders and he realised to his horror that he had forgotten to zip it up and as a result the Dragons Egg for which he had flown so hard, was rolling down the bank.
He scrambled after it but could not stop it before it fell with a splash into the lakes might depths.
In full blown panic and ignoring the cries of the others, he jumped in after it.
To his great relief he managed to catch it halfway down.
He had no idea what made him do it but as he floated in the lake, the egg clutched in his hand, something whispered to him to open it.
Thinking to himself that it was most likely a waste of time he nevertheless listened to the voice, turned the top of the egg and waited for the horrible screeching sound as had happened every other time he'd opened it.
However, instead of the screeching sound ethereal music ushered forth from the egg and a voice sung softly "come seek us where our voices sound, you'll not hear us above the ground, an hour long you'll have to look to recover what we took. While you're listening ponder this, we've taken what you'll sorely miss. Past an hour the prospects black, too late it's gone and won't come back".
Harry gaped in astonishment but listened several more times until he was absolutely certain he'd heard not just every word but every letter to get it right.
He then swam upwards and broke the surface of the water.
He reached the shore and was pulled carefully from the lake by Ron and Neville.
"Harry what happened!" Ginny said sounding hysterical.
He was quick to reassure her as he uttered the incantation for the drying charm "nothing to worry about Gin Gin I'm fine".
He didn't realise he was grinning until his Brother demanded "what's so amusing?".
Harry gazed round at them all smiling broadly "when I got to the egg I opened it and instead of the usual screeching sound I heard the clue".
Harry said to Neville "Nev, get parchment, a quill and some ink quickly. I need to write it while I remember it".
Neville jumped to it fishing the required items out of Harry's bag while Hermione also took up position with some writing implements.
Harry relayed the clue to them word for word thankful that he had a good memory for information.
When it was written down all of the New Marauders crowded round and Ron began to read it through several times "come seek us where our voices sound?" he said in confusion "what does that mean?".
Hermione sighed in frustration "it could mean any number of things..." she paused and caught Draco's eye.
It seemed Harry's Brother had just had the same thought as her "the Black Lake!".
"What?" Harry said in confusion.
"Don't you see Harry?" Hermione said in excitement "whatever the next task is it must involve the Black Lake!".
"Yeah. You were able to open the egg under water and hear the clue so I'd guess it involves something under water" Draco said as he scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"Must do. This line says you'll not hear us above the ground, so they must either be in a cave or under water and I'd bet ten galleons it's under water and there's nowhere else under water here except the lake" Neville pointed out.
"But what can the task be?" Ginny said.
"we've taken what you'll sorely miss" Luna read in her soft voice "isn't it obvious?" she said.
Everyone shook their heads and the Ravenclaw rolled her eyes "something or someone that Harry values the most in the world will be taken to the Black Lake and kept there for him to rescue and complete the task".
Suddenly everyone realised.
Ron was paling as he stared at first Harry and then Ginny.
Everyone else was staring at Ginny too including Harry, his face a mask of abject horror "no...they can't" he said simply, in denial of the facts "I won't let them" he declared.
"You will have no choice Harry" Hermione reasoned "if Ginny is the most precious person in the world to you she'll be part of the task".
Harry knew she was right and he collapsed to the dirt as a wave of intense guilt washed over him.
If he didn't love her she wouldn't be getting put in this position "this can't happen" he muttered over and over.
"What have I done?" he held his head in his hands feeling despair.
What if something happened to Ginny during the task?.
He knew the answer to that. He'd never forgive himself.
"Harry" a gentle voice said.
Harry ignored it until it said more insistently "Harry, look at me!".
He raised his head from his hands and gazed into Ginny's warm brown eyes so full of tenderness "you are not to blame yourself Harry Potter" she said sharply "that's an order".
She put a hand under his chin "you love me and I love you. That's all that matters".
She pulled him into a hug and in that hug they stayed for a long time just breathing in each others scent.
"You bravest person in the world" he said in a choked voice.
Over the next week and a half Harry and the others staked out at various locations observing Moody's movements.
They found that the Defence teacher generally only came out of his living quarters to teach lessons and to eat.
They also found that he would return to his office at night, casting looks around as if suspecting someone to be watching, went in and usually locked the door behind him.
Consulting the map Harry could see that he would hurry to a specific spot in his office each time and then stop there for a while.
He would eventually emerge casting a furtive glance into the shadows.
Not only did all this seem suspicious but Moody also drank out of a hip flask. This fact in of itself would not have meant anything were it not for the fact that no matter how many sips he took from it he never got tipsy.
It was finally the ten of December. It was a Hogsmeade weekend which was one of the key reasons for choosing it.
The plan which they were about to put into operation was thus, Harry and Draco would break into Moody's Office and search for evidence while Neville, Hermione and Ron kept Moody busy.
Luna and Ginny would be stationed outside the office as look outs and to get help if necessary.
It was the afternoon when the New Marauders put the plan into operation.
At the time, Moody was in the Great Hall eating lunch and conversing a bit with Dumbledore.
"The coasts clear!" Ginny informed Harry and Draco.
The two of them approached the office door.
Draco took out his wand and muttered "Alohamora". The door swung open to admit them and they closed it quietly.
They then began their search.
The search had been going on for ten minutes and despite checking every possible area they couldn't find anything incriminating.
Harry was just about to say to Draco that they should give up as a waste of time when his Brother shouted out "hey Harry come over here!".
Harry ran over to him "what is it?". "vials of potion" Draco said grimly.
He took one out of it's rack, uncorked it, sniffed and gagged at the smell "that's Polyjuice" he said holding his nose "no doubt about it. I'd remember that smell anywhere".
"That settles it then" Harry said feeling disappointed "whoever the man is that's teaching us Defence it isn't Moody. We need to tell Dumbledore".
At that moment he heard a muttered spell "Petrificus Totalis" and saw Draco pitch forwards completely frozen.
He was hit with a stunning spell that left him dazed and then hit with a full body bind.
He was hauled up roughly onto a chair and there was no mistake in recognising who the person was that had attacked them. It was Alastor Moody.
Authors Note: I'm going to end the chapter here so it doesn't overrun like the last one.
What will happen to Harry and Draco?.
What happened to their look outs and their distraction?.
Wait and see in chapter Thirty Four.
Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.