Classes get busier. Near the end of October, a poster informs the students that the delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving on October 30 in the evening. After potions class I waited till everyone had left. "Draco," Severus says, "How good to see you. How are you?" I was glad he did not say anything about the badge, I was sure he had taken notice.

"Good," I answer.

Severus looks sceptically. "You look a bit sullen."

"I do not like professor Moody," I admit.

"I hope he has not given you any trouble," Severus says warmly. "I would be more than happy to convey some worries to the headmaster about the new Defence against Dark Arts teacher."

"No," I quickly say. "It was just a bit.. disturbing." And it had been, I realise now, it had just happened so quick at that time I barely took notice. Severus nods, showing that he is listening. "Did professor Moody really get permission from Dumbledore to show us the unforgivable curses?" Severus slightly inclines his head. I can see from the look on his face that he actually agreed with this decision. "You think we should see this?"

Severus then hesitates. It is clear he formulates his next words carefully. "If things go downhill once more, it might be good to know what you will be up against, would it not?"

"I guess so," I say. "It was not only seeing it. Those curses. It was the way he taught, as if casting those spells brought him great pleasure."

Severus shortly interrupts. "I can ensure you that Moody was one of the aurors that never killed if he could avoid it. Moody may seem harsh but he is not as bad as you are making him out to be."

"And he made it sort of personal." I shift in the chair. "When Weasley told him the first curse, imperious, he was all like, your father would know about that one and with the cruciatus curse he just ushered Longbottom to the front so he'd clearly see the spell on the spider and with the killing curse he started all about Potter and how he was the only one to ever survive it."

Severus looks a bit surprised. "I think Moody has forgotten how he was before he was hardened by the war, I will mention it to Dumbledore. I believe however you now have class. Good luck." I get the feeling he knows exactly whose class I have and what the class will be about.

Professor Moody looks just as grim as last time. "Today You will get a chance to fight off the imperious curse." And we did. I felt horrified. I did not want my turn to come. Everyone till now had done what Moody said, almost without second thought. Of course some seemed a bit more hesitating, like Hermione, Greg and Theo had been. And some had seem incredibly eager, like Weasley and Pansy.

Then it was Potters turn. It took him four times and then he was able to throw it off as he painfully bashed against the solid desk. Of course after that example it was my turn. I felt myself grow defiant. If Potter could do it, surely I could as well.

"Imperio," professor Moody said.

It was the most wonderful feeling. I felt a floating sensation as every thought and worry in my head was wiped gently away, leaving nothing but a vague, untraceable happiness. It was almost as if I was dreaming. "Dance," I heard a voice in my mind. I felt only bliss as I listened to the voice. He then lifted the imperius curse from me and I was left feeling embarrassed.