After returning to the dormatories and unpacking Harry said he was going to see if the snakes were around. He asked if anyone would like to join him but no-one said yes. As he passed through the common room a few students were still there. They asked where he was going and Harry said he was going to visit the snakes. Nobody wanted to come along.
When he entered the snake room he found one snake waiting there. ((Hello, Stuart. How are you?)), he asked the snake.
((Welcome back, Harry. We are all fine but we miss you. We have been taking turns to wait for you in this room. The others are away hunting but I will tell them you are back. They are all eager to see you and Luna again.))
((Well, we are all back now. I am sure Luna will want to visit you as soon as she can but I daresay she is too tired to come here tonight. I really should get back to bed too. It has been a long day and the weather was terrible all the way here.))
Stuart nodded before slithering up to Harry and licking his fingers. Harry noted the snake's tongue was very rough and that it darted about quickly. ((Goodnight, Harry,)) he said. ((I look forward to our regular chats in the future.))
((Goodnight, Stuart,)) Harry said before leaving.
Harry returned to the common room and asked Ron if he wanted to meet the snakes. Ron said no and asked why he had even asked. Harry replied some people liked them and the snakes wanted to meet more people.
Classes started the next day. The storm had blown itself out overnight so the 1st classes, Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures, would not result in them being soaked through. Harry would get his first chance to talk to Hagrid during Care of Magical Creatures and he wanted to ask him something. They were working with creatures called a Blast Ended Skrewt, a creature Harry knew was an illegal crossbreed.
After class Harry stayed back to talk about them. Hermione and Ron joined them. "Hagrid," Harry began, "I was wondering where you got the Skrewts from?"
"From a bloke I know," Hagrid replied, evasively.
After making sure no-one could overhear them Harry continued. "Are you sure they're legal?"
"'Course they are. I got them here ain't I?"
"Yes, but I believe the Ministry of Magic forbids cross breeding of magical species except in a controlled environment. A school is hardly a controlled environment."
"Ah well, they'll be fine. Should be interestin' to see 'ow they grow."
"Hagrid?" Hermione asked. "What do they grow into?"
"Dunno," Hagrid replied. "Never 'ad 'em before, 'av I?"
"Which is why we were asking," Harry added.
"Well, gotta go now. Lessons to prepare an' all," said Hagrid as he hurried away.
"Hagrid preparing lessons?" Ron asked. "Something fishy going on here."
"Harry? Do you think they might be an illegal cross breed?" Hermione asked.
"Knowing Hagrid I wouldn't be surprised," he replied.
After lunch Harry and Hermione had Arithmancy while Ron had Divination. Arithmancy class proved to be a straightforward introduction to the work they would be doing that year. Harry was pleased to see they did not get any homework. That made this the 1st time Harry could recall a day of classes at Hogwarts where they had not received any homework.
By contrast, Ron had received a lot of homework from Divination. According to Neville Professor Trelawney had overheard Ron make a rude comment about Lavender Brown. This may have been the reason for the large amount they were given. When Harry asked Ron about it he said it was only meant as a joke between himself and Neville. He said nobody else was meant to hear it and that Lavender hadn't heard him anyway. Harry told him not to say such things in the future as such comments were likely to offend some people.
After classes that evening they met Fred and George, who had just had a lesson with Professor Moody. Both were talking about the lesson as if they were in awe of Moody. When Ron checked his timetable they realised they wouldn't see Moody until Thursday.
Later that evening Harry visited the snakes again. He met Luna Lovegood there and got talking with her.
"Hello, Luna," he began. "How was your holiday?"
"It was good, although I am happy to be back here so I can talk to the snakes again," she said.
"I want to speak with them as well," Harry said. He sat down and turned to the snakes which were gathering around them.
((Hello. It's good to see you all here,)) Harry said.
((Hello, Harry. Welcome back,)) Sam said as she and the others slithered toward Luna and himself.
((How have you all been?)) he asked.
((We have been well. Hello Luna.))
"The snakes say hello, Luna," Harry said.
"I still don't understand what they are saying," Luna replied." Tell them I said hello."
((Luna says hello and that she is still unable to understand you,)) Harry translated.
((We are unable to understand her, also. We will keep trying, however,)) Sam said.
((Thank you, Sam. Goodnight,)) Harry said before turning to Luna. "I'd better be off, Luna. I have some things to do."
"Good-bye, Harry. I think I will stay with the snakes for a while. They are fascinating creatures," Luna replied.
Harry left the room but, instead of returning to the common room, he headed toward the Room of Requirement. Upon arriving he took out the Marauder's Map and activated it. He quickly located Mad-eye Moody alone in his office so Harry began checking for other people. He soon noticed Barty Crouch was in the dungeons apparently leaving the area around Snape's classroom. Harry guessed Crouch had just been looking for ingredients for the Polyjuice Potion. Next, he looked for Snape and soon found him in Dumbledore's office. Obviously Snape had no idea Crouch had just searched his office. Harry knew Moody's false eye could see through solid walls so he guessed Crouch had waited until Snape was as far away as possible, possibly Crouch had met Snape and asked him where he was going, obviously not so openly because that would raise Snape's suspicions.
Harry decided he'd give it a week before exposing the impostor. This was because the real Moody had been Dumbledore's spy within the Ministry, a fact that Harry was unsure if he could accept. Moody was clearly loyal to Dumbledore and Harry didn't trust Dumbledore.
Another reason he was checking the Marauder's Map was he needed to get Snape's books back to his classroom. For the moment he was keeping them in his trunk, but the sooner they were returned the better. As far as Harry knew Snape hadn't missed them yet but it was only a matter of time.
Every night Harry checked the map and finally, on the Wednesday evening, the opportunity arose. Snape was in Dumbledore's office and fake Moody was in the DADA office with the real Moody. The area around Snape's classroom was deserted so Harry picked up the books and left the common room. Ron asked where he was going and Harry said he was going to the library to study. This, of course, convinced Ron to not join him and allowed Harry to slip out quietly. Once clear of the Common Room he donned his invisibility cloak and, map in hand, he made his way to the dungeons.
Getting into Snape's classroom proved easier than he expected. He was able to enter and return the books to the cupboard he had gotten them from without meeting anyone. Leaving the room was just as easy although when he returned to the Entrance Hall he had to wait until Professors Babbling and Burbage had finished a discussion they were having over their respective subjects. Even though Harry tried not to listen he couldn't help overhearing much of the dialogue. Once clear of them he headed to the library in case someone was looking for him.
In the library he met Lisa Turpin and Su Li, two Ravenclaws in his year, who were finishing off some homework. He joined them and soon they were comparing notes about the various subjects they had already had.
"Have you had any classes with Moody yet?" Harry asked.
"We had him today," Su said.
"It was weird," Lisa added. "He actually showed us the unforgivable curses. Is he even allowed to do that?"
"Probably not," Harry replied. "I doubt he will get into any trouble over it, though."
"Have you had him yet?" Su asked Harry.
"Not yet, our 1st class with him is tomorrow. I suppose he'll show us the same thing. I wonder how Susan will react when she sees him do that."
Lisa smiled at the thought. "That could be interesting, yeah," she said.
"What's Snape like? Same as usual?" Su asked.
"Pretty much," Harry replied. "Do you think he's afraid of Moody? It certainly looked like it back at the Welcoming Feast."
"Possibly, I guess," Su replied. "Moody is a very scary person, after all."
After that they returned to their homework, only leaving when Madam Pince, the librarian, told them it was closing time. Harry decided not to tell the others what he had heard from the Ravenclaws. That way they would be surprised by the lesson.
The following day the Gryffindors arrived early for their DADA lesson. When Moody arrived he took the roll and then addressed the class. He explained the focus for the year would be on curses, what they looked like and how to avoid them. After telling Lavender Brown off for not listening Moody produced a jar containing three spiders. He then asked the class a series of questions:
"What are the curses that are the most heavily punished in wizarding law?" Several people put their hands up, including Ron and Hermione. Moody pointed to Ron.
"I think there's one called the Imperius Curse," Ron answered.
Moody took the 1st spider out of the jar, pointed his wand at it and said, "Imperio." He then made the spider do all sorts of tricks which made most of students laugh.
"Think that's funny, do you?" Moody growled. "How would you like it if I did that to you?"
Everybody stopped laughing, realising exactly what Moody meant. Then Susan spoke up. "Professor Moody," she began. "Do you know it is illegal to use that spell even in demonstrations without prior written permission from the Ministry of Magic?"
"'Course I do," he growled. "How do you expect me to show you what they look like unless I cast them?"
Susan sat down and Moody lifted the curse before returning the spider to the jar. He then went on to explain how the curse had been popular several years ago and how the Ministry had been forced to be careful when trying to sort out who had been under the curse and who had been acting of their own free will. Clearly Moody was unhappy with how it had been handled.
Next Moody asked if there were any other banned spells. Neville put up his hand and Moody pointed to him.
"The Cruciatus Curse," Neville whispered.
"Your name's Longbottom, right?" Moody asked. Neville nodded.
Moody took another spider out of the jar. "The Cruciatus Curse. Needs to be a bit larger to see it clearly. Engorgio." The spider grew much larger making Ron move further away from it. Harry remembered Ron was afraid of spiders.
When Moody applied the Cruciatus Curse to the spider the whole class could see it writhing in agony. After a few seconds Hermione yelled, "Stop it." Harry realised she was watching Neville, who was twitching just like the spider. Moody lifted the curse, returned the spider to its normal size and placed it back in the jar.
"Pain," Moody said. "If you know the Cruciatus curse you can use it to torture people. That was another popular curse a few years ago. Now, can anyone tell me another curse?"
Before anyone could answer Moody's question Susan Bones stood up. "Professor Moody. Am I to assume you intend using another unforgivable curse on that spider? You know Avada Kedavra is banned even in demonstrations."
Moody turned both eyes (normal and magical) to Susan. "Avada Kedavra. The killing curse. When cast, it shoots a beam of green light at the victim, killing them. The curse is unblockable, and only one person has ever survived being hit by it, and he's sitting here, right in front of me." Both Moody's eyes switched to Harry.
After sealing the jar Moody returned it to his desk. Susan caught Harry's eye as she sat down and gave him a smile. Harry decided to talk to her after class.
The rest of the lesson was spent copying notes about the various curses. When they were released at the end of the lesson Susan came up and asked Harry to go for a walk with her. As they were leaving they noticed Hermione and Ron standing in a side passage with Neville Longbottom. Before they could ask what was wrong with Neville Moody joined them.
"You alright, sonny?" Moody asked Neville.
"I'm fine," Neville said, his voice much higher than usual.
"Come to my office. We can have a cup of tea. Professor Sprout tells me you're good at Herbology. I have some books you might be interested in."
Neville seemed reluctant to accompany Moody but when nobody spoke up he left with the DADA professor.
"What was that about?" Ron asked.
"No idea," Hermione replied.
Ron and Hermione left still discussing the lesson while Harry and Susan headed off alone.
"I assume you're going to contact your aunt about what Moody is doing," Harry asked Susan.
"Of course I am. What does Moody think he's up to? You saw how that affected Neville especially," she replied.
"Do you what that is about?" Harry asked.
Susan said nothing for a minute before replying. "I've heard rumours, that's all."
"I guess Neville will tell us when he's ready. No point in pushing him," Harry said.
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Avada Kedavra, the curse You Know Who used on you and your parents. How do you feel?"
"I'm ok with it," Harry said. "I already knew that was what had happened."
"But you saw it happen," Susan said. "I know you remember it."
Harry decided it was time to change the topic. "Avada Kedavra is probably the same curse used to kill your family. Is that why you stopped Moody from demonstrating it in there?"
"I wasn't there when Uncle Edgar and his family were killed. If I had been I would probably be dead. I only learnt about it years later. The reason I stopped Moody was because it is just so cruel to kill something just for the sake of a demonstration."
By this time they had reached the Main Hall. Professor Sprout was right ahead of them. Harry decided to tell her what Moody had done.
"Excuse me, Professor Sprout?" Harry said.
"Good afternoon, Harry, Susan. How may I help you?"
"It's about Professor Moody. We have some concerns about his lesson today," Harry said.
"You're not the first to complain about Professor Moody's teaching," she said. "The Headmaster has already been informed of the situation but he insists that Moody be allowed a little leeway, at least for now."
Harry and Susan separated and went to their respective house tables. Harry told Ron and Hermione about his discussion with Professor Sprout. Hermione agreed with Harry's actions; Ron was somewhat less impressed.
"What's wrong with Moody showing us the various unforgivable curses?" he asked. "It's not as if we are going to us them, is it?"
"You saw the effect they had on Neville," Harry said. "And just because we won't use them doesn't mean others won't try. Malfoy, for example."
"Malfoy is an idiot," Ron mumbled.
"Anyway, Professor Sprout said we weren't the first to complain about Moody."
"Who else has complained?" Hermione asked.
"Professor Sprout didn't say. She just said we weren't the first," he replied.
"Do you reckon Dumbledore will do anything about Moody?" asked Seamus Finnegan who was seated nearby.
"I doubt it," Harry replied. "He'll just keep Moody here until the end of the year then find someone else to teach DADA."
After classes on Friday Harry dropped off his school books and took out the Marauder's Map. After activating it he confirmed both Barty Crouch and Moody were in the DADA office.
Next he took out the two-way-mirror Sirius had given him years ago and called Sirius.
"Hello, Harry. How was your first week back?" Sirius asked when he answered.
"Pretty good really, although I do have something to ask you," Harry replied.
"Go ahead, then."
"Are you alone at the moment?"
"I'm at home. There's no-one else here," Sirius said.
"Do you have any idea why Barty Crouch has been spending so much time here at Hogwarts this last week?"
Sirius appeared confused. "Crouch? He's been in the office every day this week, as always. I don't think Crouch has missed a day's work in 10 years."
"According to the Marauder's Map Crouch has been here every day, at least when I check the map, anyway. He's usually in the DADA classroom or office, or hanging around Snape's office."
"That's interesting. Give me a moment, Harry, I'll get my copy of the map."
A few moments later Sirius returned. "I see what you mean. He's in Moody's office now. Leave it with me, and I'll look into it."
"Thanks, Sirius. I'd better get back to my homework. It won't do itself, unfortunately. Bye."
"See you later, Harry," replied Sirius and the mirror went blank.
Harry woke up early the following morning. It took him a few minutes to realise why, then it dawned on him. Normally Saturday at Hogwarts meant Quidditch training first thing in the morning but there was no Quidditch this year. Harry would be able to sleep in on Saturday morning. Still, now he was awake he decided to get up and go down to the common room.
Not surprisingly the common room was deserted when he arrived. Taking the opportunity to catch up on his homework, Harry was able to do a significant amount before anyone else arrived. When other students started coming down Harry packed his work up and headed off for breakfast.
After breakfast Harry dragged Ron off to the library. "You should take advantage of the opportunity to get as much homework as possible out of the way as early as possible, Ron," Harry said when Ron complained. "Otherwise you'll just find yourself unable to cope when you realise it's due the next day and you haven't finished it."
"I've always done my homework this way," Ron said.
"And invariably you've come to either Hermione or me for help getting it done. This year you may not have that kind of support. Remember, too, next year you'll be sitting your OWLS and it's unlikely either of us will have the time to help you."
Reluctantly Ron agreed to join Harry in the library. When they arrived they found most of their regular study mates already there. Harry, of course, sat next to Susan while Ron sat on Harry's other side. Soon afterwards they were joined by a group of Slytherins, much to Ron's disgust. Daphne and Tracey were there as usual but they had brought Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini with them. Harry knew that Daphne and Theodore had started dating at the end of last year but he was surprised by Blaise's presence.
"Morning all," Tracey said when the Slytherins arrived. "I hope you won't mind if Theo and Blaise join us."
Ron seemed to be the only one to object so the group sat down. Over the next two hours Harry learnt that Blaise was now dating Tracey, the two of them having gotten to know each other over the holidays. Harry couldn't help thinking that this may just be a convenience arrangement. Although he didn't know Blaise well Harry he did that he was something of a pureblood supremacist although definitely not a likely Death Eater candidate. Still, if Tracey was happy with the arrangement then who was he to question it?
The group broke up at lunch time. Harry, Hermione and a few others had finished all their homework while people such as Ron had done very little. When Harry had realised this he had shaken his head, deciding that if Ron wasn't prepared to help himself then he wouldn't help him either. Hermione agreed with Harry over this so Ron suddenly found himself alone while everybody else was enjoying the good weather.
That evening, however, a commotion disrupted the peace of the castle. The sound of breaking glass along with shouting and some loud bangs caught everybody's attention. Before anybody could find out what was going on Professor Dumbledore's voice sounded throughout the castle. "Attention please all staff and students. Can all students please remain where you are and can all staff please check the castle to ensure the students do as requested? I shall explain more fully what has happened once we have ensured that everybody is safe. That is all."
Moments later Professor McGonagall entered the common room. "Attention all Gryffindors," she began. As you are aware there has been an incident in the castle. The staff, assisted by a number of Aurors from the Ministry of Magic, have the situation under control and there is no danger to any pupil provided you follow instructions. No-one is to leave the common room between now and 7 am tomorrow. Prefects, please ensure this rule is enforced as I do not wish to see a Gryffindor in any sort of danger. Are there any students whom you know are not at present in the common room?"
"Ron Weasley is still in the library, I think," replied Hermione. "I think Neville Longbottom's there, too."
Another student said their friend had gone out for a walk while a few others said there were a small number of other people involved in activities outside the common room.
Professor McGonagall thanked them. "I shall attempt to locate those students who are out and about. Those in the library are safe, Madam Pince is there with Professors Vector and Babbling. They shall be brought here when it is safe. It is the others who may be in danger. Prefects, please ensure nobody leaves from now on. Understood?"
"Yes, Professor," a couple of the prefects replied. With that McGonagall exited.
"What do you think has happened?" Hermione asked Harry. All around them various groups of students were asking the same question.
"Let's find out," Harry replied before heading towards the boys dormatories. Fred and George joined him. They had the same idea as Harry: get out the Marauder's Map and see what was up.
They returned to the common room a few minutes later. Somebody asked Harry what he had and he replied: "It's called the Marauder's Map. Sirius Black gave it to me. He has the original while I have one copy and Fred and George have the other. Basically, it's map of Hogwarts which shows where people are and who they're with, although not what they are doing."
Soon, nearly everybody was crowded around either Harry or the twins. It didn't take long for them to realise there were a lot of Aurors in the castle while it appeared as though Professor Moody was being taken to the hospital wing. After a short while they noticed Professor McGonagall heading towards the common room with a group of students, Ron and Neville amongst them. The twins and Harry both deactivated their maps and put them away before she returned.
"Attention, please," McGonagall began when she entered. "A Death Eater was detected in the castle a short time ago. Unfortunately, he managed to escape. It transpires that this Death Eater has been impersonating Professor Moody with Polyjuice Potion for the past week. The real Professor Moody has been taken to the hospital wing to recover. Professor Dumbledore will explain more fully tomorrow morning at breakfast. Until then, nobody is to leave the common room. That is all." Before anyone could ask any questions McGonagall left the room.