M for Mysteries
Hermione couldn't decide whether to tell Harry or not. She couldn't digest this unreal event. Of all the impossible things in the universe, Fates had decided to have Ginny Weasley fall in love with her. She eventually decided to tell someone.
Lucinda was the perfect choice. She was reliable enough to keep secrets and had a very good sense of judgement as well.
"I see." she said after hearing Hermione out. "I take it that your entire existence is not vibrating with happiness."
"Have you been listening?" Hermione whispered frustratedly, "My mind is exploding with weirdness. How do I fix this? I can't be with Ginny!"
"Hold on. Are you homophobic?" Lucinda asked.
"You know what a homophobic means?" Hermione asked in return.
"I've seen a lot of Muggles who are. You're muggle raised, so I thought maybe you -" Lucinda was saying before Hermione cut her off.
"I'm not a bigot." she said dead sure. "The thing is, I'm in a relationship with Harry Potter."
"So you do fancy girls occasionally." Lucinda said triumphantly.
Hermione became as red as a tomato before whispering a very silent "yes."
"Well then you should discuss the arrangements with Harry." Lucinda suggested casually.
"I think I chose wrongly." Hermione told herself loudly.
Fortunately, Lucinda took no offence.
"You can ask Sirius." she immediately changed her mind, "Or maybe not, Sirius is too open when it comes to these things."
"And you're not?" Hermione asked.
"Not the way he is. He was quite wild in his youth. Let's say I once caught him and James Potter with a seventh year Ravenclaw doing something I cannot ever clear from my mind." she shivered. "They were fifth-year back then. Dumbledore insisted that there should be no detention for what they had done. Merrythought wisely disagreed."
She put her palm on her chin.
"Let's see who else could advise you. Lupin is a hermit, so is Moody for obvious reasons, and a pervert, too. Dumbledore is completely gay so he could understand it better, but he would not understand your problem with more love. Asking any of the Weasley's is out of option. Fleur is french, they basically kiss anything that can kiss back. Tonks is in love already, so let's not get her involved in other people's love problems. I don't think you want to discuss it with Dung either." She gave her a knowing smile.
"I think I should talk to Harry." She decided. "I might have to resort to restraining measures."
"Oh, come on! You know Harry." Lucinda said. "Trust me, he will be sensible."
Harry behaved sensibly indeed. The problem was that he simply didn't believe it had happened.
"Are you sure this wasn't a dream?" he asked for the fifth time, "Could have been a lewd dream."
"No love. We didn't kiss in the end. That's how dreams end." said Hermione sarcastically.
"Okay then. Are we gonna split up, or do I have to be there when you do it, or -" Harry started to panic.
"Harry, nothing is going to change. I've told her no." said Hermione.
"Then why is she so happy today?" asked Harry suspiciously. "It annoyed me all day, because I didn't know the reason for Ginny's unnatural cheerfulness. I thought I finally had, but now I am even more confused."
"Harry, you are going to make a good auror one day, but please don't read too much into this." Hermione begged him to drop it.
"Hold on. Then she befriended Dean to get to you? Did she make you jealous?" Harry asked nervously.
"Do I seem like someone who is into girls." Hermione asked.
"Honestly? Yes, you do." Harry answered without thinking. "You're a beautiful girl Hermione, but you're like boys too much. You don't do makeup and you don't like clothes as much as other girls do. I'm pretty sure you were once peeping on Lavender's arse"
Hermione's ears burned with shame.
"Oh, I thought nobody had noticed." Hermione's cheeks flushed as well.
"I pay attention too much, remember?" said Harry and kissed her lips, "I love you, Hermione, and that includes who you are."
"I'm not gonna have an additional relationship with Ginny." Hermione declared.
"Well, I would be much more comfortable in that case. However, let's not judge future too soon. Ginny usually gets what she wants." Harry warned her, "I think she's already started. She winked at me today."
"Harry ,we're not having a threesome with Ginny Weasley!" Hermione shrilled. Fortunately, she had warded the room.
"We won't unless you demanded it." Harry clarified nervously.
"Boys are all perverts." said Hermione and sighed. "Harry please don't give Ginny the green light. I really can't take it, okay?"
"I won't do anything without a prior agreement." Harry promised her.
"That's all I ask for." she sat on her bed tiredly.
"By the way, you said Tonks was in love. Who's she in love with?" asked Harry.
"Huh! I didn't get to ask that from Lucinda." she looked at his seriously thoughtful face and burst into laughter.
A few days later Harry finally decided to talk to Sirius about his idea that Draco was a Death Eater.
"Malfoy is a Death Eater." Harry told him as they were drinking tea in what used to be the tapestry room.
"I know," said Sirius calmly.
"You know?" Harry asked incredulously.
"Of course, how else would he be in the inner circle?"
"I'm talking about Draco." Harry explained in frustration.
"Oh I see. Then no, he's not."
"On what basis do you say that?"
"On the basis that Death Eaters are those who are marked by Voldemort and he doesn't Mark people unless they're capable enough to participate in missions. Draco is not there yet, therefore he cannot be a Death Eater." Sirius explained to Harry. "To become a Death Eater, you must murder someone."
Harry didn't know what to say.
"Perhaps, he did it over summer. Hermione and Ronald were given a potion that erased their trace. They could have done the same for Malfoy." Harry tried to support his idea.
"Draco is more useful as a student, Harry. He can feed them information from inside. Voldemort wouldn't risk losing such a valuable asset by marking Draco prematurely. Draco is already being useful to him. He will make it official later."
Harry told him what he had heard in Knockturn Alley. Sirius listened to him patiently.
"First of all, I'm glad that you guys took Hermione with yourselves. If she was with you then I wouldn't worry much considering that she could simply wipe any threat from the face of the planet. Secondly, I'm disappointed that you put yourselves in danger to spy on Draco. Thirdly, he could've shown Borgin anything. It could be a warning from Greyback. I think Draco is doing something illegal and he's just using Greyback's name to keep Borgin from babbling around. There is no evidence that Draco Malfoy has the Dark Mark."
"Come on, Sirius, you can't be so naive." protested Harry.
"Harry, you guys are going to Hogwarts. If you're really worried about what he might do just keep him under your watch. You have the map, so use it.
Sirius sipped his tea and continued, "You are going to be busy this year. You've got to prepare for N.E.W.T.s so don't waste too much time on him. Dumbledore is planning something new, try to keep up."
Harry didn't argue with Sirius any further.
September was just around the corner. In only two days, Harry, Hermione and Ron would be on their way to Hogwarts. Unfortunately, it was also the day that Death Eaters had chosen to attack Diagon Alley. Hermione become dangerously depressed after hearing what had happened in Diagon Alley. An attack had happened and quite a few of the shops were either destroyed or severely damaged. She cried when she had heard that Fred and George's flat and shop were destroyed entirely. Harry promised the twins to help them rebuild their shop.
"No, Harry we couldn't ask you to do that." said Fred with a gloomy and dirty face. He sat limp next to his twin brother, who was holding his head in his hands.
"It's not going away, is it, Forge?"
"No my head hurts. I got lucky Bellatrix Lestrange missed." said George, "Poor Alphard got torn into shreds."
"How far away where you?" asked Lucinda passively. Hermione could see light flicker in her angry grey eyes.
"Twenty metres or so."
"Then she wasn't aiming for you." said Lucinda bluntly, "You were never her target. You were spared."
"I don't know about us. But I'm sure Fortescue was." said Fred. "They stunned him and put him back in his shop. His shop isn't even scratched."
"You think he's a Death Eater?" said Mr Weasley.
"The Dark Lord had personally requested Fortescue to be able to make chocolate chips and almond ice cream." said Snape.
"For real?" said Sirius.
"He likes Almonds."
"Hermione loves Almond, too." said Ron thickly.
Harry cringed upon hearing that. Hermione looked at the floor.
She had told Lucius about her love for Fortescue's Almond ice cream. Had Lucius told his father about that or was this one of those random things she had inherited from her father. Suddenly, she remembered she had seen a bowl of almonds on Voldemort's desk before, but neither of them had eaten from it. Could it be that her father liked to eat a couple of almonds in the morning right before breakfast just as Hermione did.
"I'm sorry, but can't we send him a pack of poisoned almonds?" said Mundungus Fletcher.
Snape sighed deeply. "No, Dung. I don't even know where he gets his. He doesn't eat much, but I've seen him eating them early in the morning."
"Before breakfast," said Hermione involuntarily.
Snape looked at her sharply, but said nothing.
"I need anyone who's not a member, out," said Molly Weasley.
No one objected. Fred and George were too tired to argue. Even though they could technically be members, they stood up before others and followed Sirius to their new room.
Harry and Hermione went their room upstairs. Neither of them wanted to talk. Harry sat on the small sofa they had while Hermione lied down in her bed.
"I wish I was Rodolphus Lestrange or Lucius Malfoy's daughter." she said.
"Well, it seems your standards are falling. If we continue like this, you're going to wish you were Snape's next week."
Hermione laughed at that.
"If you're going for potential fathers go for Sirius, at least. I wouldn't mind having him as my dad."
"You are saying that so easily, because you know who your parents are Harry."
"Yes. I really can't imagine how you feel Hermione."
"No, you can't. You won't ever be able to." she whispered.
Two days later, they were all taken to Burrow so the Ministry could send their cars and pick Harry up. Hermione had made sure they had everything they needed packed. They were all excited to go except Fred and George Weasley who were going back to Hogwarts once more. Their Aunt Muriel had promised them a large portion of commission free money if they finished their education.
Ginny was very happy and cheerful until Fleur Delacour kissed Harry goodbye.
Of all things in the world that got to her. On their way she refused to talk to Harry.
"Ginny, don't you want to tell me what's wrong?"
Ginny looked at him suspiciously, "Have you been fooling around with Fleur Delacour?"
"Merlin's beard! No! She's Bill's future wife." he exclaimed.
Sirius giggled as Lucinda whispered something in his ear.
Ginny inspected him for a few seconds before smiling brightly again.
Harry wasn't sure how Ginny thought of Fleur, but certainly it wasn't in a positive light.
Like Harry, others Weasleys were surprised by Ginny's strange question.
Mrs Weasley, however, just shook her head sadly.
At King's Cross their welcoming party consisted of two Aurors in black muggle suits and a tall skinny man with a long brown overcoat a blue french hat and a very nice black scarf. Unlike the aurous he smiled softly as they arrived.
The man did not speak or introduce themselves they simply guided then through the station.
Once they reached the barrier between platforms nine and ten, one of the Aurors grabbed Harry's hand and tried to steer him toward it.
"I believe he can walk on his own." said the man in the brown overcoat.
The Auror immediately let Harry go. Harry wondered if he was the new head of Aurors.
Harry nodded at the man and he responded with a smile.
Harry pushed his trolley to the barrier and he was met with a scarlet Hogwarts Express. His momentarily joy faded as he realised his friends would be going to the perfect compartment.
Harry decided to tell Mr Weasley about Draco Malfoy, hoping that he would take it more seriously.
"Mr Weasley when we went to Diagon Alley the other day…"
"Harry, Sirius has already told me all about it." said Mr Weasley. He looked worriedly at the man with brown overcoat.
"Let's not talk about it here, alright? We can always talk on the chairs."
Harry grimaced and hurried to the train. The tall man came to help him load his trunk on the train.
His blue eyes seemed very intelligent similar to Dumbledore's.
"I - thank you Mr …"
"Stiltskin, Mr Potter. I'm an unspeakable."
Harry now understood why Mr Weasley was worried about this man. And then suddenly a memory clicked in his mind.
"You were in the Ministry when Voldemort's fled away. I remember you kept telling Fudge you had seen him."
"I had indeed. I was afraid that Cornelius might have sight issues on top his lack of foresight. I'm sorry that you had to go through what you did. We had no choice."
Harry squinted his eyes.
"What?"
"My dear Mr Potter, did you seriously think we would allow Death Eaters penetrate our department so easily? We were trying to lure him to the department so we could expose the truth. If it hadn't been for our protective spells and wards the Death Eaters would have killed you all. You survived because we had set everything up."
"But you didn't know …"
"... that the order of the Phoenix would intervene? We were counting on it. At least our head of department did."
Harry looked at the man angrily.
"Why didn't you send help?"
"Because Lord Voldemort wouldn't come. We did know he was going to come if he thought there was a chance, but we didn't think he would be so foolish to use you. Imagine the chaos once we realised you were there. I was about to abort the mission."
Harry wanted to ask why he hadn't, but the train was about to move.
"I'll explain later, Mr Potter. Please accept our apology for now, and have a nice term."
He suddenly disappeared without another word.
"Harry, make sure you prank Slytherins." barked Sirius
Harry smiled. He waved his hand for Lucinda and Sirius as the train got further and further from the station.
Ron and Hermione were in the Prefects' compartment now, so he had to find one for himself. He spotted Ginny, chatting with her friends. He tapped her on the shoulder and said, "Hey, let's find a compartment together."
"Oh, Harry, I'm sorry. I already promised these guys. I'll come by later." she said apologetically.
Harry could swear the compartments were much smaller than the first time he had got on the train. They were filled with students and wasn't eager to sit with any of the super excited girls who kept inviting him in. Finally he found Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood.
"Hey Harry!" cried Neville cheerfully.
Harry smiled brightly to him and the girl next to him. Luna Lovegood less strangely dressed than usual shook his hand energetically.
"Hi, Harry,"
"Hi, Luna," said Harry. He looked at the magazine in her hand. "So the Quibbler is still going strong?"
The magazine was now the main source of news about Voldemort thanks to Rita Skeeter and Xenophilus Lovegood's honesty policy.
"It's booming. Daddy isn't printing in our house anymore. He's got a new place and two new employees."
Harry was happy to hear that.
"Let's find an empty compartment."
And soon enough they did find one, not far away from the wagon were the Prefects' resided.
"People are even starting at us," said Neville, pointed at himself and Luna, "Just because we're with you."
"Oh, I'm afraid they're doing that because you were at the ministry, too." said Harry as he flicked his wand to send his trunk into the luggage rack. Neville seemed surprised. "As you know our little adventure was all over the prophet. People are bound to notice you now."
"I guess you're right. I was really worried at first, I thought Gran would be furious about it." said Neville and smiled, "but she was so proud, Harry. She didn't even mind that Hermione was there. She says I'm finally living up to my dad. She bought me this, look!" Neville showed Harry his brand new wand. "Cherry and unicorn hair, We got it three days ago, so it's probably the last wand he sold."
He was probably right since Olivander had been missing after the attack of Death Eaters.
Luna asked if they were doing DA meeting that year. Harry wanted to say there was no need, but Luna's eager eyes made him tell her that would make a plan for it.
"Good, I really enjoy them. It's like having friends."
Harry couldn't feel anything but pity and embarrassment regarding that statement. Shallow minded people thought Luna was simply put Loony. Harry, on the other hand, knew she was intelligent and smart in her own way.
Harry wanted to tell Luna that she did have friends when they heard a girl call Harry.
"Hi, I'm Romilda Vane," said the girl confidently as the girls behind her giggled merrily. "Why don't you join us in our compartment? You don't have to sit with them." she intentionally whispered the last word.
Now, Harry would normally just answer coldly, but having practiced Occlumency, he was a bit creative with his answer.
"Oh, honey, you're 100 percent right, I don' have to sit with them," Harry like her whispered the last word and waited for a smile from Romilda.
And Romilda didn't disappoint.
"... Because, my dear Miss Vane, they are my friends."
Romilda's smile froze. Harry pointed his wand at the door and it was abruptly shut. They saw Romilda jump back hurriedly. Her expression made Neville and Luna laugh hard.
"People expect you to have cooler friends that us," said Luna.
"Well, that depends on your definition of cool; A cool person, to me, is a person who valiantly follows me to the dept of danger. None of those people were at the Ministry that night, while you guys were by my side."
"That's a very nice thing to say," said Luna, and she opened her magazine and began reading it.
"We didn't face him, thought," said Neville. "You did. My grandmother was so amazed by your encounter- you and Hermione, I mean- with You-Know-Who. 'That Harry Potter's got more backbone than the whole Ministry of Magic put together!' She'd have given anything to have you as a grandson."
Harry was suddenly curious; "What did your grandmother say about Hermione?"
Neville's face burned red with shame. At last he uttered, "She thought Hermione hadn't been in any danger anyway."
Harry couldn't control his anger, "That's some nerve your Gran has, Neville. Hermione threw herself in front of me to stop the killing curse."
Neville and Luna froze, and Harry realised that he and Hermione had decided to tell nobody about Hermione's attempt to sacrifice her life instead of his.
Of course, Augusta Longbottom hadn't been entirely wrong. Voldemort probably could have saved Hermione himself.
Suddenly a very harsh scream was heard from distance.
As Harry was trying to find an empty compartment Hermione and Ron went to the compartment of Prefects. There they found the Head Students and Slytherin Prefects next to them, grim faced. Hermione's natural Legilimency kicked in. A simple look into their minds told Hermione everything.
She subtly flicked her and put Arlane McDougall's cat under the Imperius curse.
The cat did nothing out of the ordinary as she had not poisoned its mind with the euphoric sensation of the curse yet.
Arlane and Archie wanted to have control over her. First they would crush the old members of the Inquisitorial Squad, and then they wanted to scare her into submission.
Hermione wouldn't let them do that to her and her friends.
Arlane had already confiscated Draco and Pansy's wands.
Archie disarmed Hermione and Ron as well. Ron was surprised and angry, while Hermione just looked at them passively.
"Thank you for joining us, Lestrange," said Arlane casually.
"What's the meaning of this?" exclaimed Ron.
"We have decided to make sure a Lestrange won't run Hogwarts next year." said Archie Bloom. He was a Slytherin so he seemed to be more hesitant. He knew Hermione's parents were dangerous people, but he believed she didn't have their favour.
"Archie be reasonable. How could I run Hogwarts without Umbridge's backing. The squad was disbanded last year the moment Dumbledore returned." said Hermione softly.
"Then make an unbreakable vow." said Arlane.
"I will do no such thing." Hermione responded calmly.
"We will make you!" spat Archie nervously.
"Really?" said Hermione with a feral snarl and a voice too similar to Bellatrix.
Draco suddenly grabbed Pansy and pulled her away.
Arlane's cat suddenly went rabbid. She attacked her and poor Archie who screamed violently.
Hermione raised her wand arm and shouted, "Accio wands"
The wand immediately left Arlane's pocket and landed in her hand. The cat jumped away and two Full-body bind spells hit the Head Students.
Draco and Pansy stood up, panting heavily.
Archie and Arlane were looking at Hermione in horror as she approached them with a steady pace.
"Do you two know what I'm gonna do now?" she said very quietly.
Draco Malfoy gulped. Hid experience told him that Bloom and McDougall could very well end up next to Alice and Frank Longbottom.
Ron was frozen behind her. He had never seen this side of Hermione Lestrange. Hermione had imprisoned Rita Skeeter in a jar before, hadn't she. Maybe she was planning to keep some new bugs in her jar.
"I'm going to exactly nothing … to you. All I have to do is tell Dumbledore what you two were trying to pull off today. You can say goodbye to your Head privileges. Unless you are interested in joining our little club; It's called DA, short for Dumbledore's Army. You could teach so much to our members.
Hermione relaxed the spell slightly so they could move their heads and talk.
"We are truly honored!" said Archie with a high voice.
"We promise we'll obey the rules." said Arlane pleadingly.
"Good!" said Hermione cheerfully.
She gave Arlane's wand to her cat which bit it softly.
"You have a nice cat, Arlane."
Arlane whimpered. She was certain Hermione would do something to the cat, but she simply gave Pansy and Draco's wands back, and walked out of the compartment, taking a horrified Ron with herself.
Ron and Hermione sat next to Harry.
"Hermione, what have you done to Ron. He's shaking." asked Neville.
"She pulled a Bellatrix, Harry." he said nervously, "It was so scary. I think Bloom and McDougall wet themselves."
Crookshanks suddenly jumped on Ron's laps.
"God, what's wrong with your cat, Hermione?"
This sudden shock called Ron down a bit.
"Before you make any judgement, Bloom and McDougall totally deserved it. They disarmed us and tried to get an unbreakable vow from, Hermione. You should have seen how Hermione summoned all the wands with a bare hand."
"Did you really doubt it?" said Harry. "Hermione can take us all out in mere seconds."
"That's not true, Harry," she said.
"Love, let me brag about you a bit," said Harry.
"Harry Potter, if you think I'll agree to do that you're very, very mistaken." said Hermione cryptically.
Harry smiled uncomfortably and said nothing, hoping that no one would notice what she had meant. Hopefully they would think of something innocent.
"We should go for a patrol." said Hermione.
"Hey, guess what?" said Ron, "Even Malfoy's not doing prefect duty. He's just sitting in his compartment with the other Slytherins, I saw him and Parkinson go into their compartment."
"Maybe he was just saying hi." said Hermione dismissively. "And he had a stressful situation just now. Let him be."
"You're on his side, because he's your cousin." said Ron jokingly.
Suddenly the compartment door slid open and a breathless third-year girl stepped inside.
"I'm supposed to deliver these to Neville Longbottom and Harry P-Potter,"
She went pale once she saw Hermione.
"What are those?" Hermione inquired.
"An invitation, for us."
Harry showed her the invitation.
"Harry and Hermione,
I would be delighted if you would join me for a bite of lunch in compartment C.
Sincerely, Professor H.E.F. Slughorn"
"Who's Professor Slughorn?" asked Neville, confused by the invitation.
"New teacher," said Harry, "I think we should go if we don't want to upset him before the term has even started."
"I mean… what would he want from me?"
"Why don't we go and see." said Neville as he stood up.
Harry didn't know how, but Slughorn had somehow managed to make his compartment twice as large as the others.
Upon seeing Harry he jumped on his feet. His large belly rattled excitedly as he said, "Harry, m'boy! Hermione!"
He guided Harry to sit next to himself.
"Good to see you two, and you must be Mr Longbottom!"
Neville nodded nervously. Slughorn asked Hermione and Neville so sit next to Blaise Zabini who Hermione knew very well. Sometimes Harry forgot Hermione was running the Inquisitorial Squad for sometime.
"Ah I see you know Hermione, Blaise."
"Well, Hermione is sort of our leader," said Blaise, making Neville to spit out some of his tea.
Slughorn smiled and with a wave of wand he cleaned the mess.
"I'm intrigued, but we have to do the introductions, don't we?"
"This young man Harry is Blaise Zabini, he's in your year, but I guess you already know each other."
He then pointed at a boy with large build and wire-haired head. "This is Cormac McLaggen, perhaps you've come across each other –? No?"
"– and this is Marcus Belby, I don't know whether –?"
Belby, who was thin and nervous-looking, gave a strained smile.
"– and this charming young lady tells me she knows you and Miss Lestrange!" Slughorn finished.
Ginny grimaced at Harry and Neville next to McLaggen.
And this as you all probably know is Hermione Lestrange, Harry's lovely girlfriend.
McLaggen smirked. Seeing that, Zabini frowned and looked at him threateningly.
Slughorn began with Belby, once he realised he didn't have much of a connection with his uncle, Damocles, he immediately went to McLaggen. What made Harry surprised was his calm and controlled manners. Despite his enthusiasm, Slughorn was also alert and calm. He demonstrated that by helping Belby with a well cast Anapneo. He was clever about awarding them with food whenever he felt they had even more influence. Lucinda had once told him that Slughorn was very much like a spider; He loved collecting people and trapping them in his web.
Just as Harry had expected, most of the other invitees were also influential or wealthy. That of course didn't cover Ginny.
Slughorn spent ten full minutes asking questions from Neville, whose parents were tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange who happened to be the mother of the girl sitting next to Neville.
Wisely enough, Slughorn avoided asking Hermione any questions right after interrogating Neville.
"And now,' said Slughorn, shifting in his seat moving like a compère introducing his star act. 'Harry Potter! Where to begin? I feel I barely scratched the surface when we met over the summer!'
His eyes were focused on Harry. For a moment Harry felt as though he were a particularly large and succulent piece of pheasant. 'The "Chosen One", they're calling you now!'
Harry said nothing. Belby, McLaggen and Zabini were all staring at him. Hermione looked bored as she was eating some pie.
"Of course," said Slughorn, watching Harry closely, "there have been rumours for years … I remember when – well – after that terrible night –Dear Lily – Poor James – and you survived – and the word was that you must have powers beyond the ordinary –"
Zabini gave a tiny little cough that was clearly supposed to indicate amused scepticism. Hermione did not mind him, but an angry voice burst out next to McLaggen.
"Yeah, Zabini, because you're so talented … at posing …"
"Oh dear!" chuckled Slughorn comfortably, looking at Ginny on his right who was glaring at Zabini next to Hermione. 'You want to be careful, Blaise! I saw this young lady perform the most marvellous Bat-Bogey Hex as I was passing her carriage! I wouldn't cross her!"
"Anyway,' said Slughorn, turning back to Harry. 'Such rumours this summer. Of course, one doesn't know what to believe, the Prophet has been known to print inaccuracies, make mistakes – but there seems little doubt, given the number of witnesses, that there was quite a disturbance at the Ministry, and that you were there in the thick of it all!"
Slughorn looked at Harry anticipating an answer hungrily.
All Harry gave was a very short nod.
"So modest, so modest, no wonder Dumbledore is so fond – you were there, then? But the rest of the stories – so sensational, of course, one doesn't know quite what to believe – this fabled prophecy, for instance –"
"We never heard a prophecy," said Neville, turning geranium-pink as he said it.
"That's right," said Ginny staunchly. "Neville and I were both there too, and all this 'Chosen One' rubbish is just the Prophet making things up as usual."
'You were both there too, weren't you?" said Slughorn with great interest, looking from Ginny to Neville, but both of them sat calm like before his encouraging grin. Slughorn gave a lopsided smile, 'Yes … well … it is true that the Prophet often exaggerates, of course …' Slughorn continued, sounding a little disappointed. 'I remember dear Gwenog telling me – Gwenog Jones, I mean, of course, Captain of the Holyhead Harpies –"
Slughorn momentarily let Harry go by retelling a memory from the post. Harry knew it was most likely just a maneuver to distract him.
Slughorn eventually let them go as it got dark.
Hermione who was just glad that the party was over, left Harry, Neville and Ginny behind so she missed Ginny's funny story of hexing Zacharis Smith.
"Well then, inviting you made much more sense than inviting someone for their famous mother or their uncle."
Harry's voice trailed off as she realised where Zabini was headed. He could go into the sixth-year compartment after Zabini without anyone noticing. He had his cloak, and that was all he needed.
He said good-bye to Neville and Ginny and followed Zabini.
He almost failed to get in, but persistence always works. Harry hoped that no one had seen his feet and ankles, because he was sure they had momentarily been revealed.
Fortunately, it seemed that no one had noticed him as Crabbe went back to his comic and Malfoy lay back with his head in Pansy Parkinson's lap.
"So, Zabini," said Malfoy, "what did Slughorn want?"
"Just trying to make up to well-connected people," said Zabini, "Not that he managed to find many."
This information did not seem to please Malfoy.
"Who else had he invited?" he demanded.
"McLaggen from Gryffindor," said Zabini.
"Oh yeah, his uncle's big in the Ministry," said Malfoy.
"– someone else called Belby, from Ravenclaw –"
"Not him, he's a prat!" said Pansy.
"– and Longbottom, Potter and the Weasley girl," finished Zabini.
Malfoy sat up very suddenly, knocking Pansy's hand aside.
"He invited Longbottom? You've got to be kidding me!"
"No, Malfoy, he was there right next to your cousin. I don't know why Hermione bothered with Slughorn.
"She knows what she's doing. You should mind your own business." said Pansy.
It felt odd that a bunch of Slytherins were defending Hermione in the most vigorous way. It was even more comfortable to hear them in their own distorted way compliment Ginny's beauty.
"...I don't think he's interested in Death Eaters." said Blaise.
"That's nonsense! He invited Hermione Lestrange, with that sodding Longbottom at the same time!" said Pansy.
"Who cares what are Slughorn's interests, in girls or otherwise. He's just a stupid teacher. I mean, I might not even be at Hogwarts next year. Does it really matter if a fat old has-been likes me or not?"
"What do you mean, you might not be at Hogwarts next year?" said Pansy indignantly, ceasing grooming Malfoy at once.
"Well, you never know," said Malfoy with the ghost of a smirk. "I might have – er – moved on to bigger and better things."
Harry felt thrilled once he heard him talk about Voldemort. Would he confess to his friends? He, unfortunately, did not say many useful things. Only maybes and possibilities in the future. Harry was so focused on Malfoy he failed to see Goyle swing down his trunk. It hit Harry's head and he gasped in pain. For a moment Malfoy looked in his direction. He stood up and gathered his things patiently. He asked Pansy to leave before him. Harry did not how unlucky he was about to be.
Tonks found Harry and got him off of the train in time.
"Who did it?" asked Tonks.
"Draco Malfoy, Thanks for helping me."
"Oh, no problem. Hermione told me you might be in trouble. She came off of the train pretty late. She asked me to find you."
Tonks smiled. Harry looked at her carefully. She seemed depressed and miserable. Who was her love? Was she being rejected? Harry, of course, wouldn't dare asking.
"I can fix your nose if you stand still."
Harry was not confident if this was the best idea; Tonks was not a professional healer after all. However, Harry hated to be rude to his savior. He faced Tonks and closed his eyes and stood dead-still.
"Episkey,"
"Thanks, I didn't know you could heal." said Harry.
"I learnt it from Sirius." she said, "Put this on, and we can walk up to school."
She handed Harry his invisibility cloak. Then she cast what appeared to be a Patronus; A huge four-legged animal that had great similarities to a wolf that ran fast toward the castle.
"Did you send a Patranus?"
"I'm sending a message to the castle that I've got you, we don't want them worried. Now let's hurry up."
"So, what brings you here?" asked Harry.
"Extra protection for school. It's kind of unnecessary, considering who's the next Defense teacher."
"Really? Who's he... or she?" he added hastily.
"You'll see. It's not just me, Dawlish and Savage thing the same. Proudfoot thinks there's still a chance we could be of use."
Tonks despair made Harry worried. Who was this prick to reject her and make her sad? He would like to have a very serious talk with them.
After a long walk, they saw the pillars of either sides of the gates. Harry gave a sigh of relief. He stared at winged bore at the top of the right pillar. It had a bit of unnatural glow.
"Have they warded the gate?" he said.
"Well done! How did you notice?"
"The boar." he said simply.
Harry waited patiently as a tall man with another, who was obviously Filch, came with a bobbing lantern. As they got nearer Harry realised that Snape was the man next to Filch.
"I thought Potter would have climbing the wall by now. You little rude law-breaker, where have you been?" said Filch not far away from them.
Harry was surprised because he had yet to remove the cloak, but Filch clearly knew where he was.
"Can you see me?" he asked.
"No, idiot, but where else could you be?"
Harry immediately took off his cloak. As Snape looked at Harry disappointedly, Harry gave him a shameful smile. Snape tapped the chains that keeping the door closed.
"Nice of you to turn up, Potter, although you've evidently decided that wearing the school robes would detract from your appearance."
Harry grimaced. Snape was being too harsh, but Harry decided to keep his opinion to himself.
"There's no need to wait, Nymphadora. Mr Potter is quite safe in my hands."
"Sorry to bother you, sir" said Harry politely.
Snape gave Harry a suspicious look. Harry wondered what was in his mind right now. Snape tried to probe Harry's mind with his Legilimency. Harry took a deep breath and deflected the attack easily. Snape smiled half-heartedly.
"I meant Hagrid to get the message," said Tonks with a frown.
"Is that so? Then why did Mr Filch get it?" said Snape.
"Oh, that oaf was late to the feast, so I took it," said Filch.
While he offended by Filch's rude language toward Hagrid, Harry for a moment wondered if he had actually learnt some magic from Kwikspell.
Tonks seemed uncomfortable that Filch had intercepted her Patronus.
Snape led Harry inside as Tonks left. Filch simply walked ahead with his lantern.
"Professor, are you teaching defense this year?" asked Harry cautiously.
"I am, in a way," said Snape, "May I inquire who did that to your nose?"
Harry felt slightly ashamed. "I was eavesdropping on Malfoy. He found out, used the full-body bind on me, broke my nose and finally covered me with my own invisibility cloak."
"Uh… and how did Nymphadora know to you saved you?"
"Hermione told her that I had been missing."
"I see," Snape whispered, looking cautiously at Filch, who was marching ahead. "You should be careful, Miss Lestrange left the train after Mr Malfoy. Why didn't she look for you herself?"
Harry couldn't answer his question. Why indeed? Had she not told Tonks, he would be on the train now, that was true. Why Hermione hadn't come for him herself?
Filch opened the great oaken doors with little effort. In the Entrance Hall stood Hermione with a calm and confident smile. Something about her was different.
"Miss Lestrange, why are you wearing the Slytherin uniform?" asked Snape in bewilderment.
Only then Harry realised that Hermione's robes were the wrong sort. They were Slytherin robes and she had a green and silver tie as well.
"A little request from my besty, Pansy," said Hermione joylessly.
"To join the Slytherins?" exclaimed Filch.
"Oh, no. I just have to wear this for one night. I accepted because she had done me a great favour."
Snape didn't say anything. He simply coughed theatrically and stepped to the door designated for instructors only.
Filch walked away as well, but not before smirking at Hermione and saying, "That tie looks so good on you, Lestrange."
"Come here you 007! What have you done to yourself?" she berated Harry.
She aimed her wand at face. Suddenly, Harry felt the dry blood go away.
"What was that spell?"
"Tergeo,"
She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the Great Hall. Two seats next to Ron were empty. They sat comfortably next to him.
To Harry's surprise Hermione's Slytherin attire received more attention than the fact that Harry Potter was late again.
Harry looked at the High Table. The sitting arrangements had changed apparently because Snape was sitting next to Dumbledore. In the place of DADA instructor sat a man with a muggle suit and very ordinary short haircut. In Snape's former seat sat Professor Slughorn.
"What's he doing here?" Hermione asked looking at the new defense teacher.
"You know him?" Asked Ron.
"Yeah, that's Jim Moriarty the head of the Department of Mysteries." Hermione said.
"What?" snorted Harry.
"Doesn't look like much." Ron frowned as he said.
"Appearances can be deceiving you, big brother," said Ginny. "You are a brilliant chess player and most people you the IQ of a garden gnome.
Harry smiled nervously as Hermione laughed brightly. They had tried to pretend that nothing had happened between Ginny and Hermione, and Ginny had played along.
"Where did you meet him?" she asked Hermione.
"He was in Dumbledore's office last year when I went to ask his permission to stay with Harry." Hermione responded. "He asked a few questions. He was, to be honest, a bit weird."
"We've got a real villain as DADA instructor this year." Harry who was constantly looking at Malfoy said.
"Harry stop glaring at Malfoy." Hermione warned Harry.
"He broke my nose." protested Harry.
"I know, Harry, but you have to stop obsessing over him."
"Come on, Hermione, you know he's up to something." said Ron, "We should keep an eye on him."
"I really doubt he would do anything here and now." Hermione reasoned. "Wait until he actually behaves strangely."
"Well, Malfoy is really quiet." said Ginny. "That's not like him. I mean he's a nasty piece of work but he always socialises. He seems reclusive today."
"Seriously? You're siding with Harry on this." asked Hermione.
"Look, all I'm saying is that his behavior has changed." Ginny explained. "It's gotta mean something."
At that moment Dumbledore stood up to start the feast. Harry and Ron were too hungry to argue any further. Hermione was safe for now.
After they finished eating, the remaining desert vanished and Dumbledore stood up once more.
"Again we're here. As you've probably noticed Hogwarts will be patrolled by aurors. Please cooperate with aurors Dawlish, Tonks, Savage and Proudfoot." Dumbledore said calmly. "Considering the delicate situation we're in, unity is the most important issue today. As you all know Lord Voldemort and his followers are back and are rapidly gaining power. We must ensure your safety and we have strengthened our magical fortifications. Yet careless acts can occur at time, so we will be guarding against such actions scrupulously. I must encourage you all to pay attention to your surroundings and keep an eye for any probable threat. Please inform the staff members immediately if you notice anything." he paused momentarily and then he continued, "We have made some changes in our curriculum. This year we have a new staff member: Professor Moriarty, who has graciously accepted to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts to our sixth and seventh years. Professor Snape will be taking care of those below sixth-year. Professor Snape will also be taking Alchemy students from sixth and seventh years therefore we brought professor Slughorn back from his retirement to teach Potions once more. Professor Moriarty has asked me to inform you that he will be teaching Occlumency to any willing and capable student who wishes to learn, as you all are hopefully aware, all members of Voldemort's inner circle are capable of Legilimency. We think it's necessary to provide extra protection for our students."
Many didn't know what Occlumency and Legilimency were so they just stared at Dumbledore.
"You'll find out what those terms are tomorrow on the briefing that we've scheduled for you." Moriarty yelled, "See yah."
"He's an odd man." They heard Neville say.
"With that I suppose I think we've had enough talk so please follow your Prefects to bed. Have a good night. Pip pip." Dumbledore concluded. Hundreds of students left their seats to go rest in their dormitories. Ron and Hermione stayed with Harry to get details from him. Harry explained what he had heard in the cabin. Hermione seemed a bit worried and Ron had become interested in what he had said.
Harry just knew that he wouldn't be sleeping well that night.
"What is mind?" asked professor Moriarty as he was looking at a little skull in his palm, He had barely looked up at the students. Nobody answered.
"Hoo hoo? I thought somebody ought to know here." He smiled, "Why don't you tell us, Mr Malfoy?"
Draco fidgeted in his place. He had no intention of participating in this nutjob's class, "It's where your thoughts are assembled." Draco responded curtly.
"It's not exactly a where, but a what." said Moriarty, looking at Draco curiously. "Mr Potter give me the correct answer before I lose all hope in you guys."
"It's what organises the information." Harry suggested.
"A better explanation than Mr. Malfoy's, at least." Moriarty said as he walked in the circle of the students.
"Mind is a structure built over time. Initially it's non existent, but upon gaining your sensory inputs you start forming a mind. Your mind is how you deal with problems in your brain, whether they're logical or emotional. Your brain deciphers the sensory input and your mind tries to make sense of that. The more you develop your mind the easier things become. That, of course, means that you become aware of more complex things woven in our universe. When you look at the sun you assume it's going around Earth, but once you grow up you realise the opposite is true yet your perception deceives you. Therefore if someone can access our sensory input they can affect our mind." He explained. "Our mind depends on our sensory inputs. Legilimency disturbs the input. A Legilimens attaches his magic to your sensory input to either access data or put additional data. Legilimency can induce fear or false sense of security. It can induce trust amongst enemies and distrust amongst friends. It can inspire people to things they wouldn't normally do." He glanced at Hermione briefly and she felt a slight thrust against her mental shields. Her breathing quickened as she realised that he knew about Umbridge.
"Occlumency is the defense mechanism our brain develops over time against this potentially nasty piece of magic. Long exposure to Legilimency helps your mind realise it's been attacked and block the induder. However, it must recognise the attack in the first place." he explained and looked at Hermione, "Miss Granger, can you name a practitioner Legilimens?"
"Voldemort is quite famous for that, sir." she said politely.
"Ah yes. I meant someone who had learnt it, someone who had acquired it through practice. Voldemort is a natural. He was born with the capability of mental manipulation." Moriarty expanded his question.
"Professor Snape has learnt the art." said Harry without permission, but Moriarty didn't rebuke him.
"That's a very good example, Harry." He said coyly. "Using Legilimency is not illegal unlike unforgivables or even some more moderate spell and it will never be because a Legilimens is usually smart enough to use it only for acquiring information and if they do use it for other purposes it's very likely that no one will ever find out."
"Bullshit! You found out." said Hermione in her mind.
Moriarty smiled knowingly at her.
"Who can name a practitioner Occlumens?" he said looking at Harry intensely. Harry immediately knew what the correct answer was.
"Also professor Snape." he responded.
"Ten points to Gryffindor." said Moriarty as he looked away. "Those who learn Occlumency experience Legilimency first hand. Therefore they have a better grasp at the art when they decide to learn that we well. However, not every mind is suited to learn Legilimency so there are many who have a basic grasp of Occlumency while they can do no Legilimency."
He looked at his skull in his palm again before asking the next question.
"Who can name a natural Occlumens?" He asked.
No one could answer him. They all stared at him.
"I won't blame you for not knowing or not telling." he said. "Let me name a few naturals. For a natural Legilimens; I have already mentioned Voldemort. Add Lucinda Malfoy and Augustus Rookwood. I'll invite Lucinda to teach you a thing or two. For natural Occlumens; I know of Rodolphus Lestrange, Bellatrix Lestrange and Sirius Black. There are of course some who play for both teams like Miss Lestrange and I."
Hermione flushed not because she was revealed as a natural Legilimens and Occlumens. She was irritated by his hopefully unintentional pun at her sexual orientation. Ginny was smiling madly at her.
People looked anxiously at her. They hadn't known she could read their minds. Hermione hoped that he wouldn't go into details; how different Legilimency and Occlumency were in their natural state.
"I'll schedule four sessions every week all held in the afternoon. Feel free to join us if you're interested. Not everyone will be admitted though. Alright, class dismissed." Moriarty finished his introduction to mind arts.
"I'm definitely going to his sessions." said Ron. "He seems to know a lot about these things."
"I thought you didn't want anyone prey into your mind." Hermione said.
"I don't want Snape in my head. I don't mind Moriarty." Ronald said.
"Really, you don't mind someone called Professor Moriarty in your head?" Harry asked amusedly. Hermione laughed.
"Harry, I don't think Ron has read any of Arthur Conan Doyle's works." said Hermione.
"I mean he'd really be fit for the part." said Harry. "He's got the right accent."
"Harry, Moriarty is an Irish name." Hermione pointed out. "However, I didn't know it was a name of magical ancestry as well."
They went to McGonagall's office were she was supposed to give them their their time table and tell them in which N.E.W.T. courses they could participate. McGonagall started with Hermione.
"It's really rare to have a student who is the best performer in seven subjects. I'm very proud of your transfiguration results dear." The old animagus said. Hermione would you be with taking Herbology, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Defense Against Dark Art, Transfiguration and Charms?"
Hermione immediately agreed.
"Okay, here comes the hard choice. Professor Snape is taking those with at least two Outstanding O.W.L.s - or one in Potions if you got it- into his Alchemy course. Can you handle it? You could drop Herbology if you wish, but I wouldn't suggest dropping Ancient Runes or Arithmancy as they are very useful when it comes to Alchemy."
Hermione thought about her options a bit. Alchemy was something she'd always wanted to study, but dropping Herbology was a bit risky since it was quite important for Potions.
"I think I'll just add Alchemy to my schedule." Hermione decided.
"All right. Unlike O.W.L.s subjects you can drop at anytime you want. Now participating in Alchemy is mandatory, but you can drop it after three months. I suppose you're making a reasonable decision." McGonagall's agreed. "Ancient Runes starts in ten minutes, don't be late, Hermione."
Harry took Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms as well as Herbology and Transfiguration.
"Potter, Professor Snape wants you in his Alchemy course. Are you up to it?" The Head of his House asked.
"I think I'll manage." Harry said confidently.
"Good, you have a good grasp at Transfiguration you'll be fine."
He waited for Ron and Neville to get their N.E.W.T. courses set up. He didn't have many N.E.W.T.s to work on as most professors demanded 'Exceeds Expectations' or 'Outstanding' O.W.L.s.
Harry and Ron went to their common room where Katie Bell the new Gryffindor Captain told him about the trials which she had planned for next week. It was a relief that Harry had not made Captain.
An hour later Harry and Ron made their way to Defence Against the Dark Arts class. Before entering the class, Harry suddenly stopped while Ron went through the doorway. With a pang Ron's hair turned blue. Harry looked around and saw a very small innocent looking hex bag on the ground. He shot a simple incendio at the hex bag and it turned into ashes. Although the hex bag was destroyed, Ron's hair remained blue.
"Ten points for noticing the hex box. You'll lose five because you failed to warn your classmate." said Moriarty behind the desk without looking up.
Harry and Ron sat on the only remaining seats next to Hermione.
Moriarty stood up and rubbed his hands together. His class was empty. There was nothing there that would give them a hint about what he was about to teach them.
"What are -" he paused momentarily to savor their awaiting faces. "-the Dark Arts?"
Harry could swear the little skull on the desk moved slightly. He waited patiently for them to think about it.
"Any type of magic that harms?" Offered Ron.
"Yes. Dark magic is at times accompanied by harm. It's not always physical though." Moriarty agreed. "Dark magic is sacrificial magic. When you sacrifice 'A' to achieve 'B' you've essentially done dark magic. Not all Dark Arts are bad and not all dangerous spells Dark. Healing spells are dark magic at times. On the other hand, one of the most dangerous spells in the history of magic is not Dark Arts at all. Yes Fiendfyre is not Dark magic while it's quite destructive. It's classified under Emotion magic like Patronus as it requires a certain state of mind. You might think that's also true for Unforgivables too but don't be fooled. While they require you to truly want to do them they like opioids are addictive. They provide pleasure at the expense of the victim. We don't ban spells because they are Dark. We ban them because they are dangerous or might be dangerous if they are done by inexperienced casters." He walked toward Ron and fixed his blue hair with a lazy wand movement.
"Tell me Mr. Weasley is a colour changing spell considered Dark?" He asked.
"No, sir." Ron responded.
"Yet Mr. Potter destroyed my hex bag. Why did you do that Mr. Potter?" Moriarty asked Harry.
"I didn't want to have blue hair." Harry said.
"You defended yourself from unwanted consequences." Moriarty explained. "There's a misconception in the minds of many wizards, including your Alchemy teacher professor Snape. They consider Dark magic to be many, varied, ever-changing and eternal. They assume it's a many-headed monster that sprouts a new Head once you cut its head. They are not describing Dark magic. They are describing human mind to you. Humans are innovators. They have different styles and ideas and therefore when they decide to cause harm different measures are required."
Moriarty pointed his wand at the ceiling and everyone saw a faint green light emit from it. Next to Moriarty a body appeared. It was scrawny and unsightly and had an awful odor. Harry instantly noticed that it wasn't breathing. To his horror, he realised that Moriarty had brought an Inferi into their class. Apparently, Pansy Parkinson had noticed too, since she started whimpering.
"A few of you have already figured out what this precious is." Moriarty clapped and said.
"It's an Inferius." Harry said with a hitch.
"Ah let's see if you know something really useful about inferi." Their instructor said and a second later the Inferious attacked Harry.
Hermione drew her wand so fast that Harry was more surprised about her speed than the approaching inferius. "Incendio." Hermione cast loudly. The fire hit its target and the Inferious to her amazement disappeared and then reappeared next to Moriarty where it had initially been.
"Twenty points to Gryffindor for swift reaction and five points for using something that actually works on the Inferi." He said calmly. "This is just a representation of an Inferius. The real Inferi are never made individually. They are always operated as a group in large numbers. They are not magical beings rather very complex hex bags like the one Mr. Potter destroyed. They're programmed for finding humans in order to make more of inferi. In the process of making these babies Dark wizards must sacrifice a living being to bind the spell to the Inferious. Seeing a bunch of rotting bunnies is usually not a good sign. Although the said wizard usually leaves no marks there are some exceptions." He forced the image move slowly among students. It smelled even worse when it was nearer. Students realised that it was a female.
"Human corpse is dead and it's brain barely functions. Necromancers use this husk as a mere vessel to animate their magic. The enchantment gives Inferi a form of magical awareness. They can detect heat and light to avoid them since they can easily interfere with the spell. It also gives them a limited sensory power to feel movement. Although they are usually programmed to attack anything that moves, they can be modified to attack specific targets as well. Most Inferi attack humans and are programmed to infect them in order to enlarge the army of undead."
He looked to his skull on the desk and then he looked at Draco.
"What's the difference between a ghost and an Inferius, Mr. Malfoy?"
"The Inferius is a corpse that has been reanimated by a Dark wizard's spells. It is not alive, it is merely used like a puppet to do the wizard's bidding. A ghost is the imprint of a departed soul left upon the earth." Draco said. His face looked even paler under that dim green light.
"Yes, but the greatest difference is that as ghost is conscious of its actions. Inferius simply acts based on magical impulses and stimulants, and yes it's more tangible than a ghost." Moriarty completed Draco's explanation with a dull face.
He let the Inferious disappear by passing his wand through it. Instead appeared a woman who was screaming painfully and twitching on the ground. The woman stopped screaming and started sobbing.
"Now this one is really interesting." Moriarty spoke as if he was talking about the weather. "What is she suffering from, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Cruciatus Curse." Draco, who looked like he was about to faint, responded quickly.
"Precisely. Mr Longbottom, how do you defend yourself against the Curse?" he asked Neville.
Neville just stared at him. He was frozen.
"Professor, Neville has had a bad experience with this spell, if you let me-" Hermione said.
"How ironic that you would say that, Miss Lestrange." Moriarty said cooly.
"There is no way, sir." Neville finally said. "The curse is famous for its capability to penetrate any shield. It can't be deflected."
"Well done, Longbottom." Moriarty smiled at him. "Come here."
It felt surreal. Neville and their instructor were standing in front of each other.
"Do you know the incantation?" he asked Neville.
"Yes sir." Neville said bravely.
"Then cast it on me. I'm one of the rare individuals who can give you permission to cast it aside from the Head of MRD." He paused as he saw Neville's reluctance.
"Sir, I don't think he could cast it on you-" said Draco trying to save Neville.
"We have already covered unforgivables, sir." Harry protested.
"I am aware." Moriarty answered with a dangerously low tone.
Everyone kept their mouths shut. The lighting around him changed and his features changed to someone they knew very well.
"Will you escape again?" said Bellatrix Lestrange taunting Neville.
"No! Crucio." But before the spell could hit her she waved her wand lazily and the desk flew between them. The spell shattered the desk and Moriarty was back.
"Listen carefully." Moriarty said. "Every spell in the world can be stopped. Do not resign when an unforgivable flies toward you. Losing yourself means losing you life."
He looked at Neville calmly. "You better not lose your temper when you're facing the real deal. You children did well last time, but there is no guarantee next time you will get lucky again."
"I want two essays. One describing how is an Inferius made and how it can be neutered in one hundred lines at least. The other on how unforgivables work and how they can be avoided in seventy lines at least. Use what you've seen here as well. Word by word copying is not acceptable." He told and ended the class by changing the lighting back to normal.
A/N: Wow! I think this is the longest chapter I've posted so far.
If you need to picture Professor Moriarty, just take a look at Andrew Scott.
