17. MOODY

J.K. Rowling owns all

"Professor Moody,have you seen Harry?"

"I've not seen him,Ron. You seen the Headmaster?"

"No,I haven't."

Hermione came around the corner,her arms loaded with books.

"Where ya headed,Granger?"

"Library," Hermione said.

"Lemme take a few of those," Moody said. She handed a few books to

him,and the rest to Ron. "You haven't seen Potter or the Headmaster

either,I'm guessing?"

"Sorry,I haven't."

"Blast it,where's everyone going?"

"Are there others missing?" Ron asked.

"There are people I've been looking for that I can't find,is what

I mean. Merlin,I can't believe you're the second last one. Tell

your parents to have more children,would you? This place

isn't the same without at least one Weasley around." He looked over

at Hermione. "You don't have any brothers or sisters,do you?"

"No,I don't."

"Your parents are dentists,are they?"

"Right."

"I've never even been to a dentist," Moody said.

"Really?"

"Every time me baby teeth were fallin' out,I'd just do an Accio

spell and it'd fall into me hand."

"Wow," Ron said.

"'Course,it could get painful,with the roots and all. I got used to

it,though. Pain and me are on a first-name basis. Me scars may not

be pretty,but they're mine and I wouldn't trade 'em for nothin'."

"I'm amazed I don't have any scars sometimes," Ron said. "I mean,

with five brothers..."

Moody chuckled. "Don't go looking for permanent marks,Weasley. Some

of 'em go beyond the flesh. Look at Harry. Look at me. You know how

many children I've scared just by smiling at 'em?"

"We're not scared of you," Hermione said.

"Not even a little?" He sounded disappointed.

"I like you,Professor Moody."

Moody opened his mouth,but nothing came out. He looked at Hermione.

They were almost the same height. "You do?"

"You've always taken me seriously."

He took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Granger, you wouldn't stand for anything else," Moody said. He

turned to Ron and mussed his hair. Ron laughed.

"So have you met Willy, Professor?"

"A little while ago,yeah. He's not bad. I don't trust a lot of

people on my first meeting 'em, but he should be fine."

"I'll be happy when Hagrid comes back," Hermione said.

"I know what you mean," Moody said. "This place seems smaller."