Author's note: A short follow-up chapter to the confrontation with Moody in the previous one. The next will get more of the action rolling, with the arrival of the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please review!

Author's note 2: On an unrelated note, as you've probably noticed, I've changed my username again. The idea came from my friend, based on the fact I write all my first drafts by hand. It amused me, so it's stuck.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I referenced Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire while writing this.

Warnings: Swearing

Further Complaints

"How is Mister Malfoy?"

Severus nearly spat out his coffee. He turned to stare at Minerva. "I'm afraid you may need to admit me to St. Mungo's," he said drily. "I believe I just hallucinated you asking after the well-being of one of my Slytherins."

"You don't have to sound so surprised," Minerva replied primly, sitting up a bit straighter. "I know that Alastor is not- does not always make the best judgement calls."

"Oh, is that what you call utter lunacy?"

"I spoke with Albus and he assures me it won't happen again."

"As if Albus can control the actions of mad men," Severus muttered under his breath, and sensed rather than saw Minerva roll her eyes at him. Moody arrived at breakfast shortly thereafter, and Severus choked down his food as quickly as he dared before swiftly excusing himself.

The combination of seeing Moody in the morning and the lengthy parchment that had arrived from Lucius the previous evening was enough to put Severus in a fouler mood than usual. He took great pleasure in making Longbottom disembowel horned toads after the boy melted his sixth—sixth—cauldron in Potions class that day. Longbottom had looked like he might vomit or faint the entire time, and Severus half-hoped he would, although Minerva would have his head, because it would give him an excuse to take house points and assign another detention. Really, disemboweling anything was unpleasant, but if Longbottom thought that horned toads were the most gruesome thing the world had to offer, he was in for a big shock later in life.

Aside from the incident with the cauldron and the great amount of time Severus spent trying to placate Lucius Malfoy, the next couple days passed without incident.

Then came the day of Moody's first class with the fourth-year Gryffindors and Slytherins.

Although he didn't know how the Gryffindors received the lesson, the Slytherin common room was abuzz with gossip.

"…cast them right there, right in front of us!"

"…amazing…"

"…not sure if this is sanctioned by Dumbledore…"

"...wonder if he'll let us have a go…"

"…not in his right mind, if you ask me…"

"Is it true Moody cast all three Unforgiveables in front of the fourth-year class?" Severus asked crossly as he stormed into Dumbledore's office.

"I wondered if I'd hear from you," Dumbledore said mildly. "Sherbet lemon?"

"For fuck's sake, Dumbledore, no, I do not want a sherbet lemon," snarled Severus. "That man is a terror! He's less qualified to teach children than I am!"

"Rest assured, my boy," said the Headmaster, "Minerva has already brought all these concerns to me."

"And?"

"And I agree his methods may be a little, ah, harsh, shall we say—but Alastor has years of practical experience to impart."

Severus snorted. "You did hear that he turned Draco Malfoy into a ferret and bounced him around like a beach ball, didn't you? I was surprised Lucius didn't send me a bloody Howler after that incident."

"Yes, and Alastor has been thoroughly chastised."

"Chastised? Chastised? He should be removed!"

"And where would I find another Defence teacher?"

Severus fell silent. He would have enjoyed teaching Defence, but Dumbledore had been turning him down since his first year as a teacher; and aside from him, the applicants were admittedly slim. He changed tactics.

"And he's always drinking out of that flask," he said, as though this were a follow-up to an argument he'd already made. "Are we allowing staff to drink on the job now? Because if so, I think I'll start a little drinking game with myself. I'll take a shot every time a student asks a stupid question. I guarantee you I will be utterly smashed before noon."

Dumbledore laced his fingers together and stuck them under his chin, regarding his pacing Potions Master with a twinkle in his eye and a small, wry smile on his face. But he only repeated, "I'm afraid Alastor will stay. He has lots of experience, we will simply have to keep reminding him of some of the disciplinary limits the school places on its teachers."

Severus snorted again, scowling. "This is almost enough to make me miss the werewolf," he grumbled.

Dumbledore gave him a wide smile. "Why, Severus!" he said teasingly.

"Almost, Albus, I said almost."