The next week the rainstorm that had blown the first week of Brooklyn and Harry's return to Hogwarts finally disappeared, giving way to sunny skies. Brooklyn once again was watching over the Care of Magical Creatures lesson, where Hagrid brought in the most revolting creatures ever: Blast-Ended Skrewts. They had these nasty stingers plus they shot fire from their rear ends.

Hague had volunteered Brooklyn again to look at them, even tried having him pick one up to show the class it wasn't vicious, but it's end exploded, leaving Brooklyn with burnt hands, and forced to the Hospital Wing, where Madam Pomfrey had wrapped his hands with cloth and medicine that stung. Hagrid even blamed him for holding the thing too tightly! Was he for real with these monsters?

His friends and brother visited him later before Divination and Muggle Studies, where he was sitting there with his arms folded in irritation at having to be here again!

"Well," muttered Brooklyn, "At least they were small, or I'd be at St. Mungo's right now."

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "Not the case, Brooklyn. Skrewts can grow to be much bigger than possibly you, giant size if Hagrid figures out what they eat!"

He rolled his eyes. "Wonderful. If Hagrid makes me touch those things again, I'd lose my hands for sure!"

"Pretty sure that probably won't happen, But let's hope not!" Harry assured.

"So, what do you have after Divination?" Brooklyn then asked, changing the subject from Skrewts, which he decided now were his least favorite creatures next to Dementors.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts Thursday," Ron said. "You'd better heal up soon, Brook, you don't want to miss spying on Moody's first lesson!"

The gargoyle nodded, as Madam Pomfrey shooed them out, needing to apply more healing medicine on Brooklyn's hands.

Fortunately, he didn't have to stay in the Wing for very long, on Thursday the burns healed thanks to the medicine, and he was reluctantly allowed to leave by Pomfrey who had wanted to keep him longer, but Brooklyn insisted he didn't want to miss watching the new Professor's class.

He caught up with Harry and the others, staying back as they went in.

As class began, Brooklyn found a spot near the door to listen in.

Moody introduced himself along with telling the class about the Three Unforgivable Curses. They didn't sound like good news to Brooklyn, as he began demonstrating the first, the Imperius Curse, which he tested on a spider that he made do tricks. The class laughed, except for him.

Brooklyn began to tremble slightly, having deja vu flashbacks of his mind suddenly having no control over itself, starting with that warm numb feeling that made him fall. Was Voldemort somehow using that curse on him when he used the diary? He felt himself shiver again at the thought.

"You! Gargoyle!" Called Moody suddenly, snapping him out of his thoughts, eyes widening as Moody stared at him.

"Sir? I was just looking," Brooklyn protested. Moody gave him a crooked grin. "That's okay, youngn'. How'd you like to join us?"

Brooklyn then knew he couldn't back out, and he wasn't in trouble. He was interested in this anyway, so he nodded, stepping in and standing near Harry's desk.

"Now, kids, the Imperius curse could work on any creature, not just spiders or humans. Which is why I volunteered Brooklyn here to show you," Moody suddenly said, much to Brooklyn's horror, and Harry gasped.

"B-but sir! He's already had that ordeal from Voldemort! Please, he doesn't want to do this!" Harry begged, while Brooklyn backed away. This is definitely something he didn't want to do!

Moody frowned, looking disappointed. "If that is what he wants, I wanted to see how he can fight it, to show you this curse could be overcome. Dumbledore gave me permission to prepare you all for what lies ahead. This could be an opportunity to show everybody you aren't weak minded. If you could fight Voldemort, you could fight me." He said in a despondent tone.

Brooklyn struggled for a bit, not sure to believe this crazy Professor, until he saw Malfoy sneering at him. Then he felt determination. Hell no he didn't want the brat to call him a coward for this! He stepped forward, glaring.

"I'll do it, Professor. This will show the students what they can do," he said in a determined voice. Moody smiled, looking pleased.

"Wonderful. Now hold still. Imperio!"

Immediately, Brooklyn felt warm and numb through his body, and it was wonderful, floating peacefully, his mind blissfully blank standing there, vision going foggy, as everything melted away, his shoulders slumping in a relaxed state, dimly aware of eyes on him in the room, but all that didn't matter, he felt too relaxed right now to care about anything else.

Jump into the air... Moody's voice echoed dimly in his thoughts. Right away, Brooklyn felt himself wanting to obey, until his inner voice spoke back.

No, this is silly, I don't want to, it said, causing him to pause mid spring.

Jump into the air, it came again, more forceful, but Brooklyn knew better. No way will it happen in front of the class.

No, I won't. You can't make me do it…

Jump now! Roared the voice, Brooklyn struggling, his mind fighting against the peaceful blankness. He knew this didn't feel right now. He wouldn't jump, he wouldn't!

No! You won't control me to do it! I won't jump! He suddenly screamed inwardly, feeling his surroundings starting to come back into focus, seeing Moody's face before him until it disappeared again.

You will do it! I command you!

NO!

It became a voice as Brooklyn shouted it out, managing to break free of the spell, much to Moody's surprise, and the class except Malfoy applauded. Brooklyn felt rather embarrassed, but felt somewhat proud he had been able to overcome mind control again.

"See, class? This can be overcome if you're strong willed like Brooklyn here, who has demonstrated most wonderfully. He could have given in and jumped, but no. Which is why whenever someone is about to use Imperio behind your back, you always need Constant Vigilance!" He barked, making the students jump, along with Brooklyn, who never heard that phrase before.

"Thank you," he then said to Brooklyn, who nodded to Moody and stood near Harry again.

"Are you okay?" Harry murmured to Brooklyn. The gargoyle nodded silently back to him, his body feeling a little weird after the curse, but okay. He just hoped to never have the Imperius Curse hit him again for a long time.

"Scores of witches and wizards claimed to only do His bidding under this curse. But here's the big question: how do we sort out the liars?"

The gargoyle thought about it. For he heard of one or two witches and wizards who were right there with Voldemort: Bellatrix for example, who was still in Azkaban, and maybe Lucius Malfoy, who claimed to be right in his inner circle.

They then moved onto the next one: the Cruciatus Curse. Neville spoke up about it after Moody called on him, who described it as the torture curse. He pulled out another spider, and cast the spell upon it.

The spider began to writhe in agony. Brooklyn winced, watching it. This one was definitely the second worst next to the mind control curse. If the spider had been given a voice, it would be screaming.

Brooklyn suddenly noticed Neville, who had gone rigid, his face pale. He narrowed his eyes. This wasn't good if he was reacting to the spell this way!

Before he could tell Moody, Hermione shouted first.

"STOP IT! CAN'T YOU SEE IT'S BOTHERING HIM? STOP IT!" She screamed, even having tears in her eyes. Moody removed the spell at her words, leaving the spider shaking. Brooklyn was glad now that he wasn't the practice victim here, especially with what was next.

Moody placed the spider on Hermione's desk, who looked scared. "Perhaps you could give us the last Unforgivable Curse, Miss Granger?" He asked. She shook her head, and the gargoyle couldn't blame her after seeing the two others, especially the first one on him!

Moody suddenly pointed his wand at the spider. "Avada Kedavra!" He roared. Brooklyn flinched as there was a blast of green light. He shut his eyes, the light grazing through his eyelids, not wanting to see what happens. He thought he heard a whooshing sound in the air, though, so he peeked them open, to see the spider keeled over on its back, dead.

His legs felt numb. So that was what killed Harry's parents, just from that green light. Moody swept the dead spider off the desk Brooklyn couldn't speak for a while as he just stared at where the spider's body used to be until class was over.

"Brook? Come on, we're leaving," Ron called, while Harry pulled his brother's arm with him,

They all went out, the class talking about the curses as though it was some spectacular show.

"It was amazing! Brooklyn being able to fight being controlled…"

"Did you see that spider twitch when it was being tortured?"

"And the way it died, just snuffed it out like that…"

Brooklyn growled softly. He didn't find the demonstration amazing at all, especially when he had the Imperius curse performed on him in front of everybody. Why did Moody or even Dumbledore think it was a good idea, anyway? They were crazy! Moody especially was nuts about it, as well!

Then he noticed Neville, who was staring out the window in a daze.

"Guys, it's Neville," he murmured softly to his friends. Harry walked up to the boy.

"You okay?" He asked when Moody appeared, a hand on Neville's shoulder.

"Son? You alright?" Neville looked scared, but nodded. Moody then offered him tea, and Neville went along with him.


When they entered the Great Hall later, as it was time for putting names into the Goblet of Fire, Brooklyn noticed a misty circle around it, called an Age Line to prevent anybody lower than 17 from entering. Already, two Durmstrang students, the girl from Beauxbaton Brooklyn kept staring at, and Cedric Diggory had put their names in, while he watched with Harry and Ron. Hermione sat on a bench reading.

"Eternal glory, that's going to be me when I'm old enough to be chosen," Ron said blissfully, staring at the blue flames.

"Yeah, rather you than me, I get plenty of that stuff," Harry said back, nudging him in the arm. Brooklyn was glad he didn't need to enter. Who needed Eternal Glory anyway? Not him! He was perfectly fine where he was now!

It wasn't going to stop Fred and George from entering, as they seemed to have invented an Aging Potion. They tried crossing the line with it, only for the Goblet to throw them out, making them grow beards. Brooklyn and the others laughed, as they rolled over each other, until Viktor Krum came, watching Hermione as he put his name in. Hermione cleared her throat awkwardly and continued reading.

At last, it was time for the Champion choosing on the next Thursday, as the Great Hall was packed, including Beauxbaxton and Durmstrang students sitting at the Ravenclaw and Slytherin tables, and the judges for the tournament all there at the high table.

Brooklyn sat with his friends, wondering with just a hint of excitement who was going to be the Three Champions.

Dumbledore lit up the Goblet, a name tag shooting out. He caught it and read aloud.

"The Durmstrang Champion: Viktor Krum!"

Ron was cheering and fist pumping noisily next to Brooklyn, who looked over to the boys that were cheering and slapping Krum on the back.

Figured it would be him, he's also a big Quidditch star! He thought, as Krum walked over into the other room after shaking Dumbledore's hand.

The next name came out.

"The Beauxbatons Champion: Fleur Delacour!"

The girls cheered as the blond girl who Brooklyn now knew was Fleur, who smiled as she strode up. When she passed the Gryffindor table, she noticed Brooklyn looking, her eyes widening in surprise. He grinned nervously and waved, but instead she threw up her nose and continued walking, ignoring him completely now.

Brooklyn flushed in embarrassment and disappointment. He himself then knew he never had a chance with a girl like her, with the way she always seemed clean and looked like she had never done any kind of hard work in her life, looking down on anybody that looked like him, scarred emotionally and figuratively, and not human.

He tried his best to focus on Dumbledore, who pulled out the third name.

"Hogwarts Champion: Cedric Diggory!"

Brooklyn smiled, seeing his new friend standing up, getting slapped on the back by his Hufflepuff gang. Ron looked pretty miffed about the Hufflepuff Seeker getting chosen, but Brooklyn didn't mind at all. At least he didn't turn up his nose at him like Fleur because of his scars. Even when he asked about it, Cedric respected Brooklyn's wishes to not speak about it, which he liked about the boy.

At least Flint wasn't chosen! He thought privately. For he had seen that troll put his name in a couple days ago before Fred and George tried their luck. He could see Flint sitting there looking sulky.

"Excellent! We now have our Three Champions! But in the end, only one will go down in history. Only one will boast this chalice of victory, the TriWizard Cup!"

A cloth was lifted revealing a gleaming silver and blue trophy. Now Brooklyn began to feel a little excited. Perhaps this could be fun, watching other schools compete. Unless they had better safety guidelines, of course!

Surprise filled him when the Goblet's flames turned red again, then it spat out a fourth piece of parchment. Dumbledore caught it, and read the name.

"Harry Potter."

Brooklyn's mouth fell open. What in BLOODY HELL?! He screamed inside in disbelief. Harry? How could it be him? This wasn't right!

"HARRY POTTER!" Dumbledore suddenly yelled. Hermione pushed Harry forward, and Brooklyn, not wanting Harry to go through this alone, stood and walked with him, aware of everybody glaring.

"He's a cheat!" Called a Hufflepuff student.

"He's not even 17 yet!" Yelled out a Ravenclaw.

"Did his guardian write his name in for him?" A Slytherin accused, making Brooklyn's eyes flash. Now he needed to tell Dumbledore about Harry's new ability more than ever if he is forced to compete in this thing.

It was complete chaos in the trophy room, when Harry was being accused of putting his name in, Brooklyn was also being blamed for helping. Moody did his best to defend them, saying the Goblet's magic was way beyond a fourth year's talents, along with it preventing any other creature besides a human putting their name in.

Now, with Harry going to bed, Brooklyn had been called to stay by Dumbledore. They both stood there, concern in Dumbledore's eyes.

"Brooklyn, since Harry now has to compete, it will require more of your protection skills than ever—." He started, before Brooklyn interrupted. This was the perfect opportunity, and he couldn't keep it in.

"Sir, I forgot to tell you last year, but-but Harry is an Animagus now. He can turn into a gargoyle. We had Sirius train him when we were meeting."

Dumbledore was surprised at this news, but then he smiled softly.

"Of course. It is said that when somebody is born from one who had taken the Animagus potion, that ability passes onto their offspring. It can take a year or two for this ability to develop, but it seemed that Harry was able to find it inside him last year."

"But do you really think he needs to use it for the Tournament? He's unregistered. I don't want him accused for cheating!" Brooklyn protested. Dumbledore thought for a time.

"We can find a way to work around this, Brooklyn, as long as you continue to be able to protect him. Whatever comes in the Tasks might have him end up using it," he murmured. "Now it is time for you to go to bed."

Brooklyn glared slightly, but nodded and turned to leave. He was at least grateful that Dumbledore wasn't angry, but he was angry that they were going to have his little brother compete at all!

"Wait, does anybody else besides Sirius know?" Dumbledore asked. Brooklyn paused, before glancing back.

"Only Ron, Hermione, and the Weasleys. Nobody else. Not even the Dursleys," he simply said, and Dumbledore nodded gratefully. Soon the rest of the world will know, but only until things settled down with this whole four champions business.

Brooklyn entered the Dormitory, avoiding anybody there who began to ask questions until he found Ron and Harry, glaring at each other. What had he missed?

"Uh, guys?" Brooklyn started to say, but was interrupted.

"I didn't ask for this to happen Ron, okay? You're being stupid!" Harry snapped, annoyed.

"Yeah, that's me, Ron Weasley Harry Potter's stupid friend!" Ron snarled, hands balling. Brooklyn was baffled. Could Ron be jealous? That was ridiculous! Did he want to make himself a prat in front of the whole school?

"I didn't put my name in! I swear I didn't!" Harry snapped back, before Ron noticed Brooklyn, glaring again. This is where Brooklyn knew Ron would call him out for it, like Scabbers.

"Yeah, ask your brother who helped you enter!"

Brooklyn's face heated again. "I didn't have anything to do with this whole bloody thing! And I agree with Harry, you're being really stupid right now! We both don't know what happened, just leave it at that!"

But Ron just ignored them, going to his bed. Harry and Brooklyn both huffed in anger as they went to bed, too, Ron muttering "Piss off," behind their backs.

Brooklyn gripped his sheets, closing his eyes as he worried about how he was gonna protect Harry and ensure him getting though this madness safely.