Rodrick's attention turned to the headmaster as soon as the man had started speaking.
"It is also my painful duty to inform you..."
Rodrick stopped listening, he wasn't sure if he heard the man correctly but did he just say that there was no-
"No Quidditch!?" He heard Malfoy exclaim loudly.
The biggest grin possible graced Rodrick's face, as he, unable to help himself, whooped out.
"Yes!" Earning glares from even his own housemates. He blinked as he took in all the eyes on him.
"Ahem, Sorry headmaster, continue," He remarked quickly sitting down.
"As I was saying," The headmaster chuckled, "This is due to an event..." Before the headmaster could finish however, a distant rumble was heard echo throughout the hall as the doors were suddenly flung open.
Rodrick turned towards the entrance before tensing up. A man, stood in the doorway, leaning upon on a long staff, shrouded in a black travelling cloak. However, that hadn't been what had caught his eye. No, it was the dark chord surrounding him. He could almost feel his breathing strain for a moment before shaking his head. The man was clouded in dark magic. He hadn't felt like this since the Black manor.
"You alright?" He heard Blaise question. Rodrick nodded, his eyes on the man as he lowered his hood. He winced. The man made his arm look perfectly healthy. Though when he focused on the man's magical eye, something seemed off. The eye was definitely magical if the way it practically glew to his own however that wasn't what grabbed his attention, it was the way it seemed out of place on the man. As if it weren't yet used to the person wearing its magic. It was difficult to explain but it almost looked like a puzzle piece that was forced to fit in with the rest.
"That's Mad-eye Moody," He heard Malfoy speak up. The halls eyes all locked on the man as he moved towards the dais at the front. Rodrick narrowed his eyes for a moment. The man's eye seemed to pick him out of the students even as he greeted the headmaster.
"Did they get him out of a cereal box or something?" He heard Astoria quip.
He laughed.
Probably shouldn't have done that.
...
"You want to explain to me why there's a kid with Transfiguration running across his head?" Moody questioned in a gruff voice as he took his seat beside the headmaster.
"Later," Dumbledore answered quietly before turning back to the hall.
Facing the hall, Dumbledore had a smile slowly growing on his face. "May I introduce the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher," Dumbledore let the hall fall into silence as the students took in the words. "Professor Moody,"
...
"What?" Rodrick deadpanned. If Moody was teaching Dark Arts then what was Lockhart teaching...
"No..." He started, his eyes going wide, "No... You can't ruin one of my favourite subjects like that..." He remarked numbly, his eyes fixed on the headmaster. And yes, the headmaster just confirmed that Lockhart will, in fact, be teaching Ancient Runes.
"Fun," Nott snorted.
Rodrick ignored the rest of the headmaster's speech as his head fell on the table.
"Is... Is he pouting!?" Malfoy questioned amused.
...
The Goblet of fire was no surprise to them, the rest of the hall didn't agree if the way they're excitement started and promptly ended when the headmaster revealed the age limit. One Fred Weasley had, to the hilarity of it all, questioned if the headmaster was joking. Apparently the headmaster had a sense of humor, at least about a hag, leprechaun and a troll.
As soon as Astoria heard about the age limit, a gleeful smile found it's way onto her face.
"Who wants to bet Rodrick's getting through it?" She questioned innocently.
Daphne snapped her eyes to her sister for a moment, "You're not allowed to gamble."
"It's not gambling if you know you're gonna win," Astoria answered back.
Blaise shrugged, "She has a point."
"How are you planning to get past it?" Malfoy questioned the still pouting Grindelwald.
"What?" Rodrick raised his head.
"The age limit..." Malfoy repeated.
Rodrick waved his cursed arm around.
"I don't know what that means..."
"None of us do," Nott added on.
Rodrick shrugged, "Spread the message, make sure everyone in our house knows I am competing."
"Why?" Tracey questioned curiously.
"So they don't throw in their names themselves," Blaise answered.
"Worried about the competition?" Nott asked with a smirk.
"It's pointless to gain a reputation if I am not going to use it to my advantage. Anyway, the more important question is..." Rodrick started, amused to see the concentration on everyone else's faces.
"What did the leprechaun, hag and troll do in a bar?"
"Start the ministry of magic?" Astoria considered innocently.
Sirius Black evidently heard that, he was one of the closest professors to their table, as he suddenly started laughing
"Was the bartender a Black?" The History Professor questioned through his fit of laughter. The idea his 'ancient' family started off as bartenders was frankly hilarious. Maybe that's why they were all crazy, hundreds of years of consistently dealing with alcohol probably left them a little out of touch with reality.
Harry Potter promptly lowered his head.
...
"So, they stopped hosting the tournament because too many people died..." Rodrick shook his head, "Then why's Quidditch still running?" He questioned as he walked towards the dungeons.
"Quidditch doesn't have a lot of casualties," Draco frowned.
"Its existence is a casualty, the game simply makes no sense." Rodrick shook his head.
Oddly enough, no one wanted to argue with him, Rodrick figured it was because they were afraid he'd convince them he was right. Yea, it was probably that.
"So, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, know anything about them?" He turned to Malfoy.
"Not really, I know that Durmstrang favours teaching Dark Arts b-" However he stopped at Rodrick's bewildered look.
"Durmstrang teaches the Dark Arts?" He questioned shocked, before he suddenly looked down. "I made a terrible mistake..." He grumbled. This day just wasn't going in his favour.
Malfoy rolled his eyes, "And Beauxbatons is French."
"Like you?"
Malfoy flipped Nott off.
"It's still true." Astoria chuckled. Malfoy didn't flip her off.
"Wait, when did Dumbledore say they were coming again?" Rodrick turned to Blaise.
"October,"
"Perfect..." Rodrick grumbled.
"Where's Luna?" He suddenly questioned.
"We're going to the dungeo-" Nott started but stopped himself. "Yea where is Luna?"
Rodrick snorted, 'He's learning.'
"She said she'll meet us tomorrow, she want's to indocternate the new first years or something."
"Indoctrinate," Daphne corrected her sister.
"I still don't know what that means."
"It's controlling people without the Imperius," Malfoy answered.
"That's not it at all..."
"Hmm... We should probably do something like that, to be honest... " Rodrick mused, up ahead he could see the entrance, followed by two of the prefects talking to the new batch of first years. He could spy Avery among them, the boy's eyes widened at the sight of him before a nervous look overtook the boy's face. The prefect seemed to regard him for a second as he walked up to them.
Rodrick raised an eyebrow at the approaching student, "Yes?" Before he realised the 6th year had been waiting for him.
"What do you want us to do with them?" He questioned pointing a finger at the group behind him.
Rodrick blinked, "What?"
"Last year it was Cassius that decided but well, you sort of changed that," The prefect added on.
Rodrick nodded before looking towards the first years himself.
"Just tell them what Snape expects and leave out any bigotry on Muggleborns."
"Muggles?" The prefect questioned further.
'What the hell were they putting into the new speeches?'
"I don't really care what you say in regards to them," He shrugged. He didn't mind those born with magic, but it didn't mean he cared for those who weren't. He was still a Grindelwald at the end of the day.
The prefect nodded before turning back to the first years as Rodrick and his own simply walked past them.
...
"Did you see that? Avery heard the students beside him whisper, "The guy that can fly's in our house!"
"I was talking to one of the second years, apparently he's-"
He ignored the ramblings of his classmates, his eyes intent on the prefect that had just come back. He walked towards them.
"Does he control the house?" He questioned the sixth? He was pretty sure it was a sixth year.
The prefect smirked, "Aren't you the little brat that tried to start a fight? And yes, he does."
"He's in fourth year isn't he?" Avery questioned incredulously. He'd found out by accident.
The prefects eyes glinted for a second, "I'd take care around him if I were you, might be a fourth year but there isn't a student more dangerous then him at this school."
He didn't need the warning to avoid getting on a Grindelwald's bad side, the muggles did and apparently that dark lord, he had to keep reminding himself that he was now studying in the same school as a relative of one, started a war on them. Though he was confused about why they were taking him seriously even without knowing that piece of information. Malfoy likely knew which explained why he was following him. Nott as well for that matter but the rest of Slytherin likely didn't... So why where they so scared of him? They had to be scared, no one willingly takes orders... The prefect in front of them had definitely been waiting, as if to get permission for something.
And what scared him more was the fact the sixth year was being honest with him. Avery frowned, Slytherins weren't meant to be honest, it was a show of weakness and yet the one before him didn't care. Why? This wasn't what his father had told him about the house.
"What about the seventh years?" Avery questioned earning a huff out of the other. He seemed impatient about something. Maybe it was another speech.
"He tossed three of them around last year, was as one-sided duel as any, sent them straight to the infirmary," Was the shocking answer he got.
...
Entering, Rodrick scanned the dungeons before his eyes lit up as he found Snape walking through, he gave his goodbyes to his friends before disappearing under a Disillusionment charm as he quickly started following the potions professor.
Entering the man's office, Rodrick removed the invisibility.
"Mr Grindelwald," Snape remarked without even turning back as he took his seat. "I heard you can fly,"
Rodrick grinned, "Levitation charm runes etched onto robes and Sticking charm for better control."
Snape raised an eyebrow before nodding slightly, "Do take care in high altitudes, levitation can only get you so far."
Rodrick nodded, he agreed with the thought, he could probably get up to 20 feet before his runes likely started failing. Of course 20 feet off the nearest surface, be it water or ground. While it wasn't exactly all that much for general use, in a duel? It was a good advantage, with his apparating potion it was one of the best advantages he could get, no longer limiting him to sticking to the ground. Speaking of which, he took out both potions, placing them on the desk with a grin on his face.
"I was hoping you could keep this a secret for a bit, at least until the first task." Rodrick started.
Snape eyed the potions with a steel look before raising his head slightly.
"You intend to participate." It wasn't a question.
Rodrick nodded.
"There's an age limit."
"17 correct?"
Snape nodded.
"It's fine then," Rodrick grinned before indicating his arm, "Thousand-year-old curse."
Snape couldn't control the snort, "An amusing solution as any," Before his eyes trailed down to the potions, "Very well, I am certainly curious as to what you've invented."
"Reinvented one and accidentally created the other," Rodrick felt the need to point out. Pointing at the left potion, "This one allows one to gain a magical Animagus form,"
Snape's eyes snapped to his own, causing his grin to widen slightly.
"Show me." Snape almost demanded, proof was naturally required.
"Assuming I managed the Animagus transformation?" Rodrick questioned amused.
Snape raised an eyebrow, "You are capable of Human Transfiguration, I highly doubt the Animagus theory was all that difficult after that."
Fair point, Human Transfiguration took him years to master. Particularly, years 10 and 11.
...
"That... That is... Of all the transformations I don't think I expected that one..." Snape remarked.
Rodrick quickly transformed back, a grin on his face. "Can't wait to see the look on Dumbledore's face," He chuckled.
"Yes... I imagine it'll be rather amusing." Snape admitted before turning to the other potion.
"This one?" He questioned, was that eagerness? Rodrick wasn't sure. Though in all fairness the previous one did essentially create an entirely new sub branch to Animagus Theory, he couldn't wait to show his Transfiguration professor.
"I can't test it out, Dumbledore would likely notice," Rodrick started, his words increasing the man's interest. "But it basically allows me to Apparate through wards."
The words sent the room into silence, Rodrick watched as the man's eyes slowly widened. His eyes switching between him and the potion... Was he shaking? He'd expected surprise but his professor looked like he was about to go into shock.
"Professor." Rodrick's voice filled the room.
Snape blinked as he stood. "Those are dangerous words Mr. Grindelwald,"
Rodrick stiffened as he looked up.
"Dangerous?"
Snape simply picked up the potion, viewing it in the nearest light source.
"If this does what you say it does... Do you have any idea exactly what it means to go through wards?"
Rodrick gulped, "A general one... I can stop my enemies from apparating around me..."
"Duel convenience while important is not what I am referring to," Snape stated.
Rodrick's eyes widen as he took in the professors meaning, the man had placed the potion back on the desk, he was sifting through his stores for something.
"Apparate through wards..." Rodrick repeated the words on his tongue, his heart slightly quickening as he took in the true implications.
"Azkaban." He heard his professor speak up again.
Rodrick turned his attention to the man.
"The most terrifying place to any wizard, no matter the age no matter the power, even the dark lord himself feared it,"
The professor turned towards him, a small vial in hand.
"And you can apparate through its wards, which evidently they recently added as an extra measure of safety. Do you understand the implications of such a thing?"
"I can't be imprisoned," Rodrick stated.
"Yes, but at the same time, if they knew about this, would they bother?" Snape questioned lazily.
"No," Rodrick remarked.
"Do consider those implications before you decide to showcase them to the Tri-Wizard Tournament. If you get picked of course,"
Rodrick nodded, "Of course if I keep it hidden, it'll only make them trust me less later on,"
Snape shrugged. The boy could take care of himself as long as he knew his risks. He placed the small vial on the desk, "Do you know what this is Mr. Grindelwald?"
Rodrick eyed the vial, "May I?" He questioned.
Snape nodded as he moved back, he watched as Rodrick opened the vial and peeked through the top.
Rodrick's eyes widened, "Felix Felicis?"
Snape nodded, "I am sure you understand its effects. It's arguably one of the rarest potions in the world."
Rodrick nodded numbly, he didn't even need to try to make it to know he'd fail.
"I'll trade you that bottle for this," Snape remarked holding up the apparating potion.
Rodrick blinked. What? He wanted to trade? Judging by the teacher's serious expression. Snape wasn't joking.
"Are you sure?" Rodrick blurted out.
Snape raised an eyebrow, "I take it the potion is easy to replicate?"
Rodrick nodded. He wasn't sure if it meant that his professor was capable of creating Felix Felicis and so wasn't as limited in case he ever wanted another bottle of luck. He wouldn't even be surprised if he had more stores of it...
Snape stared at him for a few moments longer, "Well done."
...
Of course, he'd accepted the deal. Snape had wanted to research the potion himself, he'd offered to tell him how to make it but the man had shaken his head stating he already had a good idea. That had surprised him. He wasn't sure how obvious it was but the man had known immediately that it required the extraction spell, which is why he felt more than okay with handing it over, it's not like anyone else could replicate it. More than anything, the man probably saw it for the escape solution it was. Having the ability to apparate anywhere anytime you wanted was rather valuable. Which meant he could make it cost as much as he wanted and people would still buy it. Which with the Lestrange fortune was practically pointless.
In exchange, he got to be lucky.
He was definitely using it up this year.
He was definitely drinking it on the last task of the tournament.
Who knows, he might get lucky enough to kill Voldemort. Or take out another Horcrux. He'll settle for nothing less. Maybe bringing his mom back to life but that was unlikely. Or his grandfather, though the world probably wouldn't appreciate that all.
Necromance was probably frowned upon in the world anyway...
Rodrick shrugged.
They probably frowned upon Grindelwalds so he didn't have much to lose.
Though his mom might not appreciate it.
He should probably avoid learning it on purpose. If he accidentally learned the subject though, it would hardly be his fault.
...
Their potions lesson had, in a sense, passed by without issue. Considering it was one of the four classes with Gryffindor, History, Defence and Runes been the others, it was surprising. Apparently, Snape had been in a good mood for once, good enough to completely ignore Harry Potter's existence.
Normally when a professor ignored you ought to be worried, when Snape did it to Harry? It was like a birthday gift.
Rodrick had been allowed to skip ahead on his own, he'd taken the potions book with him rather intent on seeing what other potential potions he could create though from what he'd seen so far there weren't many he could attempt any time soon. The Majority of the potions ingredients requiring some sort of license to get a hold of.
...
Rodrick entered the Transfiguration classroom somewhat eager. Slytherin shared the class with Hufflepuff, meaning Nott felt completely at home.
The lesson had gone on as it usually did, only this time, the professor had simply asked him to show her whether he could already do the practical part of the course. He received 5 points. Apparently, it wasn't as impressive since he'd already shown her he was capable of Human Transfiguration, it simply seemed out of place not to reward him.
She set the class on their work before offering to teach him the vanishment charm.
He made an empty desk disappear.
McGonagall blinked before she took a N.E.W.T book out and placed it on his desk.
"You can multi-task?" She questioned with a raised eyebrow.
Rodrick nodded.
"Very well, you may use your modified quill to keep any notes on this year's theory work, in the meantime I want you to go through that book and see if there's anything you have trouble with."
Rodrick raised his hand as the Professor finished.
"Yes?" She questioned bemused.
"I've already finished this book as well." Rodrick deadpanned, earning laughter out of the rest of the class.
McGonagall stared.
"When?"
"Summer holiday, I had no homework and a lot of free time. The theory is still a little vague but I am fairly confident with the practical part," He added on.
Daphne twitched. 'He had free time!? When!?' She turned to him.
"You did sleep over the summer didn't you?"
"Every now and then," Rodrick shrugged.
McGonagall sighed, a wistful smile on her face, "I take it you've already learned how to make an Animagus transform back to their human form?"
Rodrick nodded. "I sort of had to learn," He remarked cheekily.
"I am not sure there is anything else I can give you to work on that is neither hidden in the department of ministry nor a new branch of the subject itself," She remarked shaking her head.
Rodrick's eyes lit up, he was about to start speaking.
"Don't tell me you've discovered one yourself? I am to assume your potion was a success?" She questioned, somewhat apprehensive and a tad eager.
Rodrick had a sheepish smile on his face as he scratched the back of his head.
"What am I to do with you," she shook her head.
Muffled laughter filled the classroom at the look on the professors face.
"Oh, you can help me with my conjuration!" He remarked eagerly, that was a part he had some trouble with.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow at the words, yes, there was that to teach as well. The textbooks only gave the barest hint of its possibilities.
"Very well, allow me to set the rest their work and I will give you a list of things I want you to practice, starting off from the easiest forms going up to the more difficult..."
She wasn't sure how she felt about the fact he'd gone through a quarter the list before the lesson had even ended. Though she was certain he'd have more trouble the further he got, she didn't expect it to last him the whole year, only something as seemingly ambiguous as Magical Extraction would probably manage that. For that matter, it was likely his success with such a spell that made Transfiguration easier. Still, it was always a warming experience to see such talent.
She sighed as she heard the unmistakable sound of a spell as it hit one of the Hufflepuffs in the room.
"Mr Malfoy, put that wand away before you receive detention."
...
The days passed without much incident, if anything Rodrick may have considered it a rather good week... If it weren't for the fact he had Ancient Runes with Lockhart on Friday morning and what would come to be by far perhaps Rodricks most tense lesson yet.
It was a normal Thursday. It had been at any case until the moment he'd stepped through the Defence classrooms door. At least Friday would end with History and only then would he realise how much he needed that break.
He'd been late, as evidenced by the scowl on Moody's face.
"Grace," The man started in a gruff voice, "Heard of you, thought yourself too good to show up on time?"
Rodrick blinked before simply apologising.
"I was held up,"
"By what?"
"Fawkes." Rodrick shrugged. He wasn't lying, he'd visited the headmaster's office in hopes of securing another feather, he hadn't needed to enter as Fawkes had evidently known he was coming considering he'd been waiting outside the Gargoyle Statue.
He'd been surprised to learn that Phoenixes were actually capable of understanding most, if not all, languages, they simply had trouble communicating in said languages. Still, the detour had taken longer then he'd thought.
Moody's eye seemed to swirl around ominously, gazing at him before Mad-eye let out a gruff and indicated the boy to sit down.
With a relieved sigh, Rodrick took the seat beside Nott, being the only free seat available.
"What's he said so far?"
"Grace! No interruptions" Moody exclaimed throwing a piece of chalk at the boy.
Rodrick watched as the flying piece splattered meaninglessly against his Protego.
Moody raised an eyebrow before he let out a low growl? Chuckle? He wasn't sure, though the man looked like he approved as he simply moved on.
"Is that always on?" Nott questioned, a frown on his face.
Rodrick nodded.
"Huh,"
"As I was saying, you're very behind on dealing with curses,"
That piqued Rodrick's interest.
"So I'm here to bring you up to scratch on what wizards can do to each other, I've got one year to teach you how to deal with Dark-"
"What!? Aren't you staying?" Ron, of course, suddenly exclaimed. He definitely liked him so far.
The man's eyes swivelled towards the Weasley in question, before, a very small smile seemed to etch itself on his face. "You'll be Arthur Weasl-"
Rodrick tuned him out at that moment, wondering what kind of curses they'll be learning to deal with, if he was lucky it might even be one he doesn't kno-
"-I'm not supposed to show you what illegal Dark curses look like until you're in the sixth year."
Rodrick froze.
Unforgivable Curses. The man was talking about showing them Unforgivable Curses. Rodrick instinctively lowered his head, in an attempt to avoid calling any attention to himself. He cursed the moment Moody's eyes swivelled towards him, the man said nothing.
...
"So... Do any of you know which curses are most heavily punished by wizarding law?" Several hands rose into the air, including Ron's and Hermione's. Moody pointed at Ron, though his magical eye was still fixed on Rodrick.
"The Imperius curse," Ron answered quickly.
Moody's eyebrow rose, "Where'd you hear of that?"
"Dad might've mentioned it once... Seen someone use it on a troll aswell though." Ron couldn't help himself.
Harry stiffened before kicking Ron's leg under the table.
"Ow!"
"Who?" Moody questioned, completely ignoring Potter's action.
Ron had been about to answer before Hermione spoke over him.
"One of the old defence professors,"
Ron turned to the girl and almost recoiled at the glare he received.
"Which one?" Moody asked gruffly.
"His name was Quirrell," Harry answered immediately. He was glad that Moody seemed to recognise the name. Though that left a strange feeling in his stomach, as if he shouldn't. Wasn't the whole Quirrell incident kept a secret? He didn't expect those outside of Hogwarts to know... Especially someone who by all accounts should be retired.
"Dumbledore might've mentioned him,"
Ah, That certainly made more sense. Harry shrugged.
Rodrick was barely controlling his temper at his cousin.
"Yes, The Imperius curse, the power to take over one's mind," Moody turned towards his desk before producing three glass jars, each one holding a rather large spider.
Rodrick watched unamused as the man showed off the Imperius to a class of fourth years, showed off its power by opening the jar and stopping the spiders leap in midair with one word. He watched as the spider dove around the room, cartwheeling and dancing and quickly making the class fall into fit's of laughter, even he almost found himself smiling the moment it landed on Draco's head. Nott didn't have his control as he openly called attention to himself with his laughter.
It was the second part that worried him.
"Mr Potter, if you would please come to the front," The man exclaimed as he set the spider back down on the table, petrifying it quickly.
Harry did as asked.
"Now, as powerful as these are, they are not easy to control. Mr Potter, I want you to repeat after me."
Rodrick gulped as he watched the man show off the exact way to cast off the spell.
Harry looked nervous but once again, did as he was told. The class watched with baited breath as the spell hit the spider and didn't even faze it.
"Anyone can cast it, it takes a great deal more to make it work, the first lesson of the day, if you run into someone capable of casting it, run away until you can manage it yourself, don't be a fool, a dark wizard that knows how to cast the spell can use it to devastating length as proven by You-Know-Who himself."
What the hell was this guy trying to teach!? Sure he wasn't exactly wrong but... Learning how to cast a spell is without a doubt the easiest way to learn how to overcome it but... Did Dumbledore sanction this? He sure as hell wasn't going to ask Moody. He had to admit though, the man was right... And he would usually believe that, if he didn't already know where this was going.
"Sit down Potter,"
Harry quickly scampered back to his own seat.
"You cast the Unforgivable!" Ron let out in a chuckle, "Don't let the minister find out!" He added on barely holding his laughter.
Harry shook his head amused.
"For the next two weeks, I will be teaching you how to avoid them, how to defend against them and perhaps the best way I can recommend to stop an Imperius from taking over your mind is to follow these words..."
"CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" The man barked.
Rodrick sweatdropped. Where, oh, where did Dumbledore find these wizards and witches.
"Next one!" Moody let out, watching as two hands flew up, Granger, again, and surprisingly enough, Longbottom.
He chose Longbottom.
"The Cru-Cruciatus!" The timid boy held his ground at the word, looking with a steel gaze at the man.
Moody nodded grimly, before to the shock of the class he turned to Granger.
"You, up to the front."
Hermione paled slightly before gulping and standing at the place Harry had been in.
"Copy me," He ordered before showcasing the Cruciatus' wand movement.
"Repeat after me," He remarked indicating the spider.
"Crucio!"
Nervously Hermione copied, she watched, trepidation rising quickly, as the red spell hit the spider but sighed in relief when the Arachnid simply shuddered, as if to dry itself after a night in the rain.
"Nothing," The man gruffly remarked before ordering the girl back to her seat.
"This is what's supposed to happen." He quickly exclaimed before he started torturing the spider.
Thankfully it hadn't lasted long, barely a second before Moody turned back to the class. "You will learn how to defend against that in your next lesson..." The man seemed to stop as he made a show of scouring the class.
"Rodrick Grace. Front, now!"
Rodrick calmed himself, his Occulumency a great help. He walked up to the front and stared down at the spider.
"The last one,"
Rodrick stared directly at the man's face, "Killing Curse," He answered.
Moody tilted his head slightly, he didn't ask if he knew how to cast it, he simply waved his wand in a V Pattern.
"Know the words?" He questioned sardonically before chuckling about something. "Repeat after me, Avada Kedavra."
The tension in the room was palpable.
Rodrick didn't budge, his eyes simply moved from the last spider to the professor.
"What are you waiting for brat? It won't do anything unless you know how to cast it, you'll at the very least manage a green light, if you're worth your salt!"
Rodrick still didn't move, his eyes fixed on the spider.
"Gah, it's just a little green light, are all those rumours of your talent exaggeration-"
Rodrick took his wand out and pointed it at the professor. He heard someone stifle a gasp.
Moody narrowed his eyes, "What are you doing?"
"Showcasing the curse," Rodrick remarked icily, "You said it yourself, the most I'll manage is a green light," He finished, staring straight into the man's eyes.
The two stared at each other for a moment, the wand promptly aimed at the professor and for a split second, Rodrick was worried the man might actually ask him to go through with it.
"Heh," The man... Chuckled? "Sit down," He remarked gruffly. Rodrick turned.
"Avada Kedavra!" The man barked, his wand pointed at the spider.
Rodrick stilled, gritting his teeth, his back to the Defence professor. It was only a moment before he continued on walking, the professor's words echoing in the background.
"There is no counter curse, no method to block it and only one has ever lived through it." Mad-eye finished, his eyes on Harry Potter.
Rodrick returned to his seat.
"The killing curse requires a great deal more power behind it to get it working, you could all point your wands at me and say the words and all I'd get is a nosebleed."
Rodrick wanted to test that theory... He shook the thoughts away, though his glare didn't lessen. How dare he... He tuned out the rest of the warnings on their use and their punishment. He tuned everything out. For the first time in his life, Rodrick felt a cold anger. How dare he threaten him like that. To use the killing curse so abruptly with his back turned... He could've thought any number of things, that he was under attack, under threat... If it hadn't been for Occulemncy, that cold anger would've been enough to use it, he knew that for sure. If he hadn't collected himself at that moment he knew he would've returned that spell back at him.
He idly wondered if he should bring it up with Dumbledore... No, that would only antagonise the professor towards him... If he forced something similar in the future... No, he wouldn't go to Dumbledore then either. He'd deal with it himself. It was difficult keeping track of the old man and if the professor had indeed gotten the sanction then the worst case for the professor would be Moody simply admitting that he had no idea Rodrick could've accidentally shown off his ability to cast the unforgivable, he didn't need the man coming after him personally. The only solution that would likely work would be a permanent one and he definitely didn't have enough of a reason to get out of the punishment that lay there.
The snake bides its time before it strikes. Bides its time until the perfect moment. If Moody ever pushed him that far down. Only one of them was coming out of that hole.
He was a Slytherin. He would act like one.