Chapter 6. First week
By morning, the storm had calmed, and only the inner sky in the Great Hall chose to remain gloomy and overcast. The morning sessions consisted of Herbology with Professor Sprout, where the students squeezed pus-filled bubotubers, and Care of Magical Creatures, where Gryffindors, along with Slytherins, tried to feed Blast-Ended Skrewts. Upon seeing these strange creatures, many expressed doubts about why they were needed, and while Malfoy speculated on who could possibly need these creatures capable of burning, stinging, and biting simultaneously, one of all the students, Jeanne, looked at the Skrewts without hiding the fire of admiration in her eyes.
After lunch, the Divination lesson took place. Harry, Ron, and Jeanne arrived earlier than everyone else, which Professor Trelawney couldn't ignore.
"Good day. You are earlier than others today, my dear," Professor Trelawney addressed Harry in a sad tone. "Lately, with my Inner Eye, I have seen your brave face covered in clouds of worry. And unfortunately, I must say that your concern is not unfounded. I see difficult times ahead for you, alas... very difficult... I fear that what frightens you will indeed happen... and perhaps much sooner than you think..."
Her voice dropped almost to a whisper. Ron rolled his eyes while looking at Harry, who responded with a stony face. Professor Trelawney cast a quick glance at Jeanne.
"Pain... a lot of suffering and pain... An eternal fire burns in the heart..." Trelawney spoke in a sepulchral voice. "I see a mighty warrior who goes towards his goal without knowing obstacles, but cannot fulfill what he considers his destiny... Not because he is afraid or makes little effort—this warrior has enough courage, perseverance, and eagerness to rival an entire army... It will be difficult... very difficult for you, if you want to fulfill your desire..."
All three of them listened attentively to Trelawney's words. After finishing, the professor left, and Ron asked, "Did anyone understand a single word? Jeanne?"
"I have no idea what she was talking about," Jeanne replied with her usual smug grin. "Who even believes she's a real prophet?"
A little later, at the doors of the Great Hall, Malfoy attached himself to the group of friends. He was incredibly interested in the fresh article written by Rita Skeeter in the Daily Prophet. They weren't even surprised by its horrible content, as she was the only author in the Prophet who wrote such nasty articles. After finishing the public reading of the article, Malfoy commented on the photo attached to the text in his own way. The photo depicted Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, standing in front of their home - the Burrow, and Malfoy couldn't resist walking around the house and commenting on Mrs. Weasley's appearance. Ron was boiling with anger and was preparing to attack the offender, so Harry and Hermione struggled to hold him back, but no one held Jeanne, so she silently approached and gave Malfoy such a slap that he could barely remain standing.
"And what about your mother, Malfoy?" Harry retorted, along with Hermione, dragging Ron back by his cloak so he wouldn't lunge at Malfoy. "It's as if she just sniffed a pile of crap under her nose - does she always look like that, or is it because you're around?"
Malfoy's pale face turned pink.
"Don't you dare insult my mother, Potter!"
"Then shut your dirty mouth!" Harry snapped and turned to leave. Jeanne did the same, spitting in Malfoy's face before leaving.
There was a slap, followed by a loud:
"THAT'S IT, PAL!"
A second later, the kids learned a few lessons from their new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher:
1. Professor Moody doesn't like to be attacked unexpectedly from behind.
2. Professor Moody is always vigilant.
3. Professor Moody's artificial eye is magical and can see even through the back of his head.
4. School rules don't apply to Professor Moody, and he can easily turn a student into a ferret, giving them a personal lesson in proper manners at any time.
The unplanned personal lesson in good manners and high manners was interrupted by Professor McGonagall, who returned Malfoy to his human form and freed him from these activities. Despite this, Ron enjoyed the experience for a few more minutes, trying to permanently capture the image of Draco Malfoy, the astonishing jumping ferret, in his memory.
Two days later, they had their first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson with Professor Grue. During the lesson, Professor Moody showed the class three Dark Curses. Everyone in the class was amazed by the lesson, but only a few students remained silent after the lesson: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Jeanne, and Neville. The last one stood pale next to the classroom. It seemed like he was replaying the moment in his mind when Moody demonstrated the Crucio Curse. Although Moody's target at that moment was just an ordinary spider, Neville saw something much more sinister in it. He wasn't himself and even spoke randomly when he noticed his friends approaching. It didn't take a minute before Moody peeked out of the classroom and took Neville with him, promising to treat him with tea and show him interesting books.
Only after dinner, the group met Neville again in the Gryffindor common room. Neville showed them the book he received from Moody - "Magical Mediterranean Water Plants and Their Properties." Undoubtedly, with his love for Herbology, reading this book was supposed to comfort Neville after what happened in the lesson and instill trust in the new professor. According to Neville, Moody decided to give him this book based on Professor Sprout's recommendation, who spoke highly of Neville's talents in Herbology.
For the rest of the evening, Ron, Jeanne, and Harry worked on their Divination homework, inventing more and more gruesome deaths for each other. Jeanne was particularly good at it, coming up with the most cruel, bloody, and downright insane deaths. Meanwhile, nearby in the Gryffindor common room, Fred and George were tinkering with parchment.
A little later, after finishing their predictions homework, the group witnessed the birth of a new school society, the S.P.E.W. (Rights for House-Elf Protection), organized by Hermione. Its members were required to wear badges with the society's logo.
Before they could discuss the new school society, they heard a knock on the windowpane. Outside, Pigwidgeon was perched and tapping on the window. Harry's beloved owl had brought a letter from Sirius, recommending that he go straight to Dumbledore if his scar started hurting again.
"Harry, I'm flying off north immediately. The news about your scar is the latest in a series of strange rumors that have reached me. If it starts hurting again, go straight to Dumbledore. They say he summoned the Mad Eye out of retirement, which means he's reading the signs – even if no one else is. I'll be there soon. Best regards to Ron and Hermione. Watch out for both eyes, Harry. Sirius," the letter read.
After discussing with his friends about what signs Dumbledore might be reading and feeling guilty for putting his godfather in danger with the trip up north, Harry, feeling upset, went off to sleep, noting to himself that he couldn't hear Neville's usual snoring. That night, two fourth-year students didn't get any sleep in the Gryffindor tower.