Mad Eye Moody
Later that week, on Wednesday night, James approached Lily in the common room while she was busy doing her homework.
"Lily…" James said, sitting down at Lily's table, and rudely shoving some of her books out of his way.
"What is it, James? I'm trying to concentrate…"
He just waved that aside, and brought out a book from his bag. "I thought that this might interest you." He replied, passing the heavy, leather volume to her.
"And why would it interest me?" She asked accepting the book.
"Give you three guesses." He teased. Lily rolled her eyes and observed the book. The cover was well made, and looked old. The deep red had faded slightly, and the edges of the pages were tinted yellow with age. It was titled A Guide to Magical Mechanisms in large gold writing. "And the first two guesses don't count."
"I don't know, James. Make your point." She said, holding the book out for him to take back.
"Seriously, Lil. Look inside." James pressed.
"James--"
"Do it. Really." He said, pushing the book back to her. Lily glared at him for a second, but opened the book. The pages stuck together slightly, and Lily had to be careful so as not to rip them. Inside was elegant handwriting that Lily didn't take the time to read. She turned another page, and saw, in big, loopy letters: THE STONE OF RIALLE.
"Oh my God… James…"
"I know! I found it while researching hobgoblins' weapons of the 17th century for Professor Binns." He said proudly. "Pretty cool, huh?"
"Very cool." Lily agreed. "What did it say?"
"Nothing that we didn't already know. Well, except…"
"Except what, James?" Lily urged.
"Well," He began, lowering his voice. "It is here at Hogwarts. See, Nick Flamel- the guy who--"
"I know-- the guy who made it… go on…"
"Well, Nick and Dumbledore are good friends." James continued. "So Flamel gave the stone to Dumbledore to watch over, at least until he's ready to expose it to the world… But it's here, Lily. In this castle!"
"How can you be so sure?" Lily asked. "I mean, what if Dumbledore moved it?"
"I didn't think of that…" James admitted. "I guess he could have…"
"I mean, this book seems really old. Who knows how old this information is…" Lily said. She watched James's face change from excited to disappointed.
"Well…" He said, his smile returning, as the gears in his head started to churn. "There's only one way to find out, isn't there?"
"What are you talking about?" Lily asked. "It won't get us into trouble will it?"
"No! Of course not." James said. "Who is the one other person that knows about the Stone?" He asked her.
"I'm not going to Dumbledore about this…"
"Not Dumbledore… Moody!" James said triumphantly.
"Mad Eye Moody? Are you kidding?" Lily replied.
"No." James said, sharply. "Why? Do you think it's a bad idea?"
"It's not that… it's just… he's so creepy." Lily confessed. "With his eye, all-- twitching around… and it's just gross."
"He scares you." James laughed.
"No… he just…" Lily began. "Okay, so he scares me." She admitted. "But honestly, doesn't that huge gash on his face kind of give you Goosebumps?"
James shook his head. "He's just an ordinary human."
"Yeah, with an electric blue eye and a cut on his face." Lily added.
"Okay, so he's kind of freaky looking, but he could help us figure out where the crystal is." James replied, convincingly.
"Why do we need to know where it is, James? It's none of our business." She reminded him.
"I don't know about you, but I like to know what's going on in this school-- especially as Head Boy." He replied. It was an argument Lily couldn't top.
"Damn you, Potter." Lily muttered in defeat. We'll talk to him after class tomorrow."
So on Thursday morning, Lily headed to Defense Against the Dark Arts class with the Slytherins. She reluctantly took her seat, and waited patiently for the bell to ring. Lily watched as the other students entered the classroom. Siverus glanced at her quickly, but turned away, blushing, when their eyes met.
James caught Lily's eye as she was pulling her books out of her bag. He winked at her, and she wrinkled her nose. She was not looking forward to talking to Moody after class.
As the bell sounded, Lily turned to face the head of the class. Moody came through his office door, his black cloak askew. His mangled hair was tied back, as always. But Lily couldn't help but notice that he had a fresh cut dented into his face.
She watched him descend the two flights of stairs. He crossed to the desk, and smiled. The effect was not pretty.
He pulled out his role sheet that was attached to a clipboard. The class didn't say a word, and Moody glanced over the page. When he was finished, he slammed the clipboard back onto his desk, making everyone jump slightly. He watched them silently, as though sizing them all up.
"CONSANT VIGILANCE!" He barked, causing everyone to jump again. Lily exchanged a nervous glance with Belle. "That's what you all need…" Moody continued. "Constant vigilance… to be ready… aware at all times… but most of all, you need to know what you'll be up against.
"I'm sure you've all heard what's been going on in and outside of Hogwarts recently…" Moody said. A few students nodded. "Death Eaters." He replied, pausing for effect. Lily bit her lip.
"I know you know what they are." He said gruffly. "But how do you know who they are? How can you be sure? How are you supposed to tell them apart from any other person in a cloak?" He asked. Everyone seemed clueless.
"Firstly, when doing their dirty work, they'll always be wearing a black hooded cloak, and a mask. That right there is a sure sign of trouble…" Moody said, eyeing his class. "Black cloaks, hoods, and masks. Got it?"
The class watched him intently, eager to learn more.
"And the Dark Mark…" Moody continued. "I'm sure that you all have seen them up in the sky recently." He said softly. "But the sky isn't the only place you'll find them… try a Death Eater's arm. Right here…" He replied, pointing to his forearm. "You'll find the Dark Mark whenever You-Know-Who is calling for them."
Peter raised a quivering hand up into the air. Moody nodded to him.
"Sir, how do they get the Dark Mark into their arm?" Peter asked softly.
"Well, they burn it in, Petigrew. It's magically branded into their skin." Moody said. The class grimaced, and Lily looked away.
Her eyes fell on Lucius Malfoy. She noticed that he was clutching his left arm tensely, staring straight ahead. He felt her gaze, and turned to glare at her. She looked forward again.
"Now, mind you, it's only visible when the Dark Lord needs them… otherwise, it's invisible." Moody said. "And Death Eaters are heartless." He added. "Don't ever show them mercy, because they won't show mercy to you. They aren't afraid to kill you, and they're not afraid of Azkaban Prison." Moody said grimly. "Don't get in their way, because they won't think twice about producing an Unforgivable Curse on you."
"Are you serious?" Madison replied, by instinct.
"No." Sirius interjected. "I am!"
Some of the class chuckled at his pathetic attempt to lighten the mood. Serious… Sirius… Lily rolled her eyes, but smiled half way.
"Very funny, Black." Moody said, though he seemed annoyed. "But Death Eaters won't find your tactics amusing in the slightest." Sirius coiled back into his chair. "In fact, they'll think you're trying to be smart with them, and most likely kill you for it." Moody added. Both of his eyes were focused in on Sirius. It was worse than a detention… "I see great potential in you, Sirius." Moody replied, genuinely. "If only you'd let it show through, I think you could succeed in this subject."
Sirius looked around the room uncomfortably-- anything to avoid Moody's stare. But Professor Moody would not be ignored.
"I'm being honest, here, Mr. Black." He pressed. "I could see you as being one of the greatest Aurors of your time, if you'd let your natural instinct lead the way…"
"Sir, what's an Auror?" Belle asked, not bothering to raise her hand. Sirius looked at her appreciatively.
"An Auror is someone who hunts Death Eaters. They are basically just like Muggle police men, only Aurors deal with magic, and every Unforgivable Curse you could think of." Moody said quickly. A Slytherin girl shifted her weight uncomfortably, and her chair creaked. "And I think Sirius would make a good one, if he could straighten up."
Sirius looked Moody right in both eyes. Lily noticed his cheeks were slightly flushed with humiliation. "I want to be a Quidditch player." He said defiantly.
"Do you?" Moody said, almost laughing. "Mighty fine job, playing sports, but I think that you should play to your strengths."
"He is good at Quidditch." James said. But Lily shot him a look. If they wanted Moody to answer their questions, they would have to be polite.
"I'm sure he is." Moody chuckled. "But back to Aurors… their main purpose is to capture Death Eaters and put them in Azkaban. It's a very new career, and is good for anyone brave, and strong of heart… and stomach…"
After class, Moody headed up to his office. James looked at Lily and they waited in their seats until the rest of the class had filed out. Since classes were finished for the day, they wouldn't be rushed.
"You set?" James asked, nodding towards the staircase.
"Are we seriously going to go through with this?" Lily asked, scrunching up her nose. James nodded, as though it were the obvious thing to do.
"Oh, dang it…"
Lily turned to see Siverus on the floor, trying to gather up papers that had fallen off his desk. He quickly glanced up at James.
"Need help?" Lily asked politely.
"No… no, I'm fine… really…" Snape said, slamming one of his books on his desk. Lily looked at James.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go…" James urged.
"Okay, okay." Lily replied, pulling her book bag over her shoulder. "See you around, Siverus."
"Yeah…" Snape said, grabbing a bright green quill.
Lily moved up the stairs, one by one. Honestly, she didn't know what they were doing. Moody wouldn't talk to them… why would he waste his time?
But, too soon, they were at the door to his office. James knocked gently, and they could hear Moody's voice from behind the door.
"Come on in, Potter."
Lily glanced behind her at Snape before entering the room after James.
The room was circular, and the stone walls were dotted with age. Hanging on the walls were a few random pictures… and one, tall, mirror that reflected foggy images. There was a long trunk placed under the window that had at least seven locks. And there was Moody, seated at a desk.
"How can I help the two of you?" Moody asked, not looking up- well, his brown eye didn't look up, anyway. The steady ticking of a clock was the only sound, as James tried to think of something brilliant to say.
"Don't tell me…" Moody chuckled. "Sirius sent you to prank me for embarrassing him in class, did he?" Finally, he took his eye off his work and looked up at them.
"No, sir." Lily said. "We just had some… questions for you." She replied, nudging James forward.
"Well… uh…" James began unsteadily. "We, er…"
"Brilliant, James…" Lily muttered under her breath.
James shot her a look, but seemed to have regained his confidence. "As Head Boy and Girl, we feel the need to understand what's going on at Hogwarts… so we can prepare ourselves." He said. Moody nodded. "And, we… found out that there is a stone at Hogwarts… the Stone of Rialle… do you know anything about it?" He asked.
Moody's face went from bemused, to serious. "Close that door." He demanded. Lily did so, and Professor Moody offered them seats before his desk.
"I do know about the Stone. But, for your safety, I think the little you know, the better." Moody replied.
"But Professor…" Lily argued. "We need to know what we're up against-- you said it yourself!"
"Yes, but not in this case…" Moody replied.
"This case?" James repeated irritably. "I'd like to know what's going on at this school… for my sake, and the students'."
"I'm sure you would, Mr. Potter." Moody snapped.
"Moody, we're two of the most reliable students in this school." Lily said. "Do you honestly think that we can't be trusted?"
"It's not that I don't trust you…" Moody said. "I just think it would be best if you didn't know about it. You may leave now…" He said, turning back to his work.
But James wouldn't be pushed out the door. "Know about what?"
"That Voldemort is after it!" Moody exclaimed, exasperatedly.
The only sound was the rhythmic ticking of the clock again.
"Why?" Lily asked.
Moody sighed. "I'm sure you both know how powerful that stone is. You wouldn't be here if you didn't think it was important. But the truth is, Voldemort wants that stone."
"Why?"
"Because it's so powerful." Moody replied. "That stone is enough to keep you living forever. It would make you immortal… it would make you untouchable. Voldemort wants to be that unstoppable."
"And the Stone of Rialle would do that for him… wouldn't it?" Lily clarified.
"Yes. And more." Moody said gravely. "Nick Flamel told Dumbledore to hide it a few years back."
"We knew that." Lily said softly.
"Did you?" Moody grinned. "But anyway, it's still here. Waiting… and growing more and more strong."
"You mean it can get stronger?"
"Oh yes." Moody said. "And it is. That's one of the reasons Voldemort waited… he wanted it to be as strong as it could be before he needed to use it."
"Where is it?" James asked. Moody paused. His bizarre blue eye scanned around the room, as though someone would hear them. It stopped just behind Lily… at the door.
"I can't tell you. Especially not here." Moody said.
"Why? We're alone…" James pressed.
"The walls have ears." Was all Moody said. Lily and James exchanged a look. "Listen," Moody began. "It's here. That's all I'll say."
"Where?" Lily asked. "In this room? In the Forest? In the dungeons?"
"No. Somewhere safer than the dungeons." Moody said. "And I don't want either of you to go looking for it… ever."
"Why would we?" James scoffed.
"Ever." Moody repeated. "Go now. I have to grade these papers by tomorrow."
Lily nodded, and she and James headed for the door. When they opened it, they saw something familiar on the floor. A bright green feather quill was sitting just near the doorway.
"This is Siverus's." Lily said, bending down to get the feather. "Why would it be up here? He was just picking it up a few minutes ago…"
"That would mean, he was…" James turned to face Moody, who was bent over his papers again. "You knew he was listening in on us, didn't you, Professor?"
"You thought this eye was just for decoration, did you?" Moody chuckled.
"But… how…?"
"I'm an Auror, James." Moody said. There was silence as the words sank in.
"That would mean that you're here for a reason…" Lily said. "You're here to protect the stone, aren't you?"
"Maybe. And maybe something else too… or someone…" Moody said, glancing at James.
"Me." James said flatly. "You're here to protect me and the stone from Voldemort." He gulped, his anger rising. "Well, Moody, listen up: I don't need you. I can protect myself. In case you hadn't already noticed, I've been doing a fine job up until now."
"James…" Lily scolded.
"I know that, Potter." Moody said. "That's why I've left you to do whatever you wanted. McGonagall would have me swooping behind you everywhere, if she had her way. But that's not my style." He chuckled again.
"Come on, Lily. Let's get out of here." James said, turning quickly and dashing down the stairs.
"James…" Lily called after him. "Don't be stupid…" But she followed James out the door, and down the stairs. Moody didn't follow them.