Pretty Boy

Chapter 41

The End Of Moody

It had been a month since the newspaper spilled the beans on Dumbledore. The reactions had been mixed, at least within Hogwarts and the Order. They weren't sure about the public's reaction, since they'd not been out when it happened. Half the Order barely spoke to Dumbledore, the only reason they remained was for the good of the war. The other half seemed to believe him when he said it was faked. Surprisingly the Weasley's had been cool in their dealings with Dumbledore and Moody. They weren't sure if it was true or not so they remained distant. They'd also remained distant with Bill, which infuriated Severus, Hadrian, Sirius and Remus badly.

Alastor Moody had received it worse than Dumbledore, he'd been fully retired and his pension halved. He had been banned from the Ministry, and any of the events they'd hold. Everyone was treating him like a leper, the respect and fear everyone once held for the 'great' Auror had been reduced to all out loathing. His medals had been taken from him, and he was a disgrace to wizard kind.

Dumbledore was taking to holding the Order meetings in Hogwarts. He was no longer allowed access to Grimmauld Place. In fact Sirius hadn't been seen in Hogwarts or near Dumbledore since the newspaper incident. Neither had Remus come to that, but they were always coming down to Severus quarters though. They couldn't keep holding it there; the whole point of the Order was that they were meant to be secret. It's not much of one when they were seen wandering around Hogwarts, now was it? It hadn't been so bad, since most students had gone home for Christmas. Hadrian had

Celebrated his first Christmas at Hogwarts with his lover, Remus and Godfather. They were back now, and it couldn't continue. No doubt Dumbledore realized this, and would act accordingly.

"Severus," said Albus nodding his head, none of his staff would talk to him other than his Potions Master. Even that was strained at best; the fact the vow he swore had been affected made him angry.

"Albus," said Severus as he sat down, as always Hadrian wasn't far behind him. As always Dumbledore treated Hadrian as though he was an Ex boyfriend. That is to say with disgust and general moodiness.

"When shall you return to teaching full time?" asked Albus his twinkle as it had been all month noticeably absent.

"I don't think I will," said Severus, enjoying the constipated look on the Headmasters face.

"I see. I'm surprised no student has ended up in the hospital wing. Mr. Williams is just an apprentice after all." said Dumbledore his disproval clear.

Hadrian just snorted as he continued to smirk; nothing Dumbledore did riled him up. Especially not today, he'd started round two; Skeeter's will probably have the paper printed by now. Salivating over the news, he had waited until now since it's the student's reactions that wound Dumbledore the most.

The smirk turned vicious when he heard the tell tale of owl wings flying into the hall. Oh this was going to be good; the best part was Dumbledore wouldn't be able to talk himself out of this one.

"What could the Ministry want?" frowned Albus opening the letter, his curiosity getting the better of him. His eyes widened as he read the missive, utterly shocked by its contents.

Albus Dumbledore

In regards to the allegations brought forth by the Daily Prophet we have decided to set a trial. As you know we take child abuse very seriously, as each magic child is important. Given whom the child was we feel we must get the matter cleared up.

By public demands we have decided a trial will take place.

Trial Date - 30. 3. 1999

Trial time - 3.35

Trial place - Courtroom ten (full Wizengamot body)

Amelia Bones

"Damn it," murmured Dumbledore unable to believe this was happening. Everything was unravelling and Potter was somewhere in the magical world. He had realized very quickly, that it must have been Potter. He must have overheard them and ran; now he was back and apparently getting revenge. When he found the brat he would make him pay for this. He'd been looking for him every free available minute. So had Alastor come to that.

Just then he realised how… unearthly the silence in the great hall was. Looking up he frowned in confusion, when he saw the shocked looks he was getting. Surely he hadn't been that loud when he cursed? So what had caused it? Had they put the trial he was to attend in the newspaper? Merlin he hoped not it, everything was bad enough as it was. No it was much worse; his heart sank deeply when he saw the headlines.

Albus Dumbledore A Thief - Stealing 'The Boy Who Lived's Money' Is This The Reason For The Abuse?

Severus had to admit she was good at what she did; no one could put it quite like Rita Skeeter. It didn't only reflect badly on Dumbledore but Gringotts as well. They had been handing money over to Dumbledore from the Potter accounts. Thankfully though they had brains and had stopped it as soon as it was legal for them to do so.

"Get to class now!" boomed Dumbledore angrily, furious at the looks he was receiving. Startling the children so badly, a few first years actually began crying. Wide eyed Dumbledore high tailed it out of the room, he was loosing his composure and everything was falling to pieces.

"I cannot believe this…I guess the prophet was telling the truth last month?" whispered McGonagall almost to herself.

"It looks like it." said Severus warily. He couldn't be seen enjoying himself too much now could he?

"The world is going to go to hell with this information…no one will trust him again…even I wouldn't and I've known him for years!" said McGonagall barely stopping the tears from falling. She had protested against sending Harry to the Dursley's and she felt guilty about not doing more. For listening to Dumbledore when she should have just spoken to someone, anyone about it.

"I know," murmured Severus, he so wanted to laugh at the faces of betrayal that surrounded him. This was something he had dreamed about for years! But never actually imagined it to happen. Dumbledore had just been too damn popular for anyone to hate. He was just even gladder now that Harry had come into his life, or he had been bodily thrown into Harry's.

The rest of the day passed in a haze, Harry couldn't seem to get the children to concentrate. The only people that managed and seemed less affected were the Slytherin's. It got so bad that Harry cancelled the rest of the Potions lessons, after the tenth potion explosion. Severus agreed it was the best thing to do after all - they were obviously very upset more so than he would have originally thought. Did people really trust Dumbledore so fully to be this badly affected? Even the students, not just the Order? It was unexpected and disgusting to say the least.

"Moody is at the door, Master." said Kreacher grudgingly. Glaring at Remus nastily before disappearing again.

"Sirius, don't," said Remus but he was too late, Sirius had already Floo'ed to Grimmauld Place. Cursing angrily, he grabbed a handful of the Floo powder and following him.

"Come in," said Sirius, a dangerous glint in his blue eyes. He'd sworn not to touch Dumbledore - nothing was said about Moody. He'd been stewing for a month, and he just wanted to hurt someone.

"You don't think we really would do such a despicable thing do you laddie?" asked Moody thumping into the kitchen. "I taught you everything you know, and you think so badly of us? Not just us but the entire order? You are putting them all in danger."

"I know it's the truth Moody," snarled Sirius, glaring at Moody for his lies.

"Do yer now?" asked Moody his wand twitching as his eyes moved alarmingly around the house. As if he was looking for Harry, thinking perhaps he was here, it's the only way he'd know after all.

"YES!" hissed Sirius.

"Obliviate!" snarled Moody, but Sirius moved out of the way in time.

"Crucio!" snapped Sirius, as the old man began writhe in agony.

"Sirius stop!" yelled Remus coming from the fire. "That's enough!" but he realized belatedly it had gone too far. Moody couldn't survive this, otherwise Sirius would be arrested. He couldn't see Sirius going back to prison, he wouldn't survive it again.

Sirius stared at Remus a stone look on his face; he had to do this, for Harry. "Avada Kedavra!" and before Moody could stop writhing in agony his life ended in a flash of green light. Not dying of old age or against a Death Eater as he always imagined.

"Sirius," said Remus looking stunned.

"You best get Severus and Harry," was all the man had to say as he sat down. He didn't even look sorry for what he'd done, but after what the arsehole had done to his godson, he didn't really care. Just a while ago, he'd got to spend his first proper Christmas with him. Feeling awkward for receiving gifts and it was his and Dumbledore's fault. He hadn't got Harry half of what he wanted to, because he knew how he'd be. So he just made sure he got a few things that were considerably expensive.

Remus did what Sirius asked still completely stunned. Sirius had just killed mad eye moody in cold blood. It was different with Lucius Malfoy; they'd done the world a favour. It was different now, what did they do? There would be an investigation now.

"Hogwarts, Severus' Snape's quarters!" shouted Remus, his face unknowingly shockingly pale.

"Snape?" called Remus, making sure to call him Snape just in case he has company. Well the Dumbledore company anyway, since nobody else ever ventured down there, apart from them.

"What is it?" asked Severus coming into view.

"You best get over here," said Remus, there was no point in telling him to bring Harry. He would regardless; they were two peas in a pod, always together.

"Very well," said Severus glancing into the fire, as if somehow hoping to read Remus' mind. Remus simply nodded before he disappeared, without another word.

Severus and Harry both Floo'ed over to Grimmauld Place together. Stepping out the fire and into Grimmauld Place. Sirius was sitting calmly at the table, and Remus was leaning back against the fridge, arms crossed.

"What the fuck happened here?" asked Hadrian, he was furious he had wanted his revenge damn it. Now it was gone, staring at Remus and Sirius stonily.

Alastor 'Mad Eye' Moody was dead.

"You let him die easy," said Severus bitterly recognizing the signs of the killing curse immediately. Nothing else was wrong with the ugly, bitter, vengeful Auror. This was the Auror that had cursed him when he had been first arrested as a Death Eater. Then continued to call him one even after all those years of spying for them. Always going on about how he was 'once a Death Eater always a Death Eater' the disgusting oaf that he was.

"I couldn't help myself," snarled Sirius angrily, kicking the body of the dead Auror.

"I tried to stop him." said Remus from where he was standing.

"Idiots!" snapped Hadrian furiously.

"I wouldn't have bested him in a duel. There's a reason he's the best Auror in the division." said Sirius.

"So you took him out quickly?" said Severus. He had to concede the point. There would have been no way Sirius could have bested him. Severus was sure Moody could give him a run for his money. Maybe even beat him or come close to it anyway. He wasn't sure but they would never know now.

"I am sorry Harry," said Sirius slumping down on the chair. Maybe he shouldn't have killed him, just bound him and let Harry have his revenge.

"I wanted answers damn it!" snarled Harry. He wasn't angry at Sirius just at the entire situation.

"Calm down, I think you already know the answers," said Severus, touching the delicate skin of Harry's neck. With just one touch Harry relaxed, shaking his head warily.

"Do you think I didn't?" asked Sirius angrily.

"Just forget about it…at least I can get an answer from one of them." said Harry shrugging his shoulders. No point in 'if' 'what' and 'butting' it made no difference. Mad eye Moody was dead and nothing was bringing him back no matter how much Harry wished it. He would die again within an hour or two anyway, since he'd just kill him again after some torture.

"What are we going to do with him?" asked Remus calmly.

"I'll take him back. I can hide my magical signature the best, and I'll throw the Dark Mark into the air." said Severus. He was the only one with a spare wand, so not to draw attention, if someone actually tried to use Priori Incantatem. That's if any of them were suspected of course.

"Be careful," was all Hadrian said. The quicker Severus went the quicker he got back. Harry Floo'ed back to Hogwarts by himself, leaving the three men there.

"Is he going to be alright?" asked Sirius looking depressed, he felt bad now; Harry had obviously wanted to be the one to do it.

"Yes, he just wants answers. None would have ever satisfied him. Even if we had plied Moody with Veritaserum. They viewed him as a tool, a weapon he knows this but still hopes for a more valid reason. I think he would rather have Moody blame Harry for his parent's deaths, than just letting him suffer to hone their weapon." explained Severus quietly.

Sirius and Remus nodded in understanding, their eyes full of sadness for their godson. Perhaps he wasn't as healed as they originally thought; Severus it seemed knew this and wasn't surprised.

Before both men knew it they were alone, Moody had been Apparated away with Severus. Thankfully Severus knew where Moody stayed, not many ventured there knowing the defences he had on his home. Severus just levitated him past his wards and hid him behind the trash cans.

Firing the Dark Mark into the sky and Apparating away, nobody would notice Moody missing for at least a few days, maybe weeks with any luck.

His death was quick yes, but he was the greatest auror in the division :P he wouldnt be taken down easy if he was allowed to get up :D R&R PLEASE!