Apologises for the delay in updates but between completing my final year at university and some personal issues I've not had the best time of late. Once my exams are over, 2 weeks and counting, I'll have much more time to update. Hope this keeps you satisfied until then.

Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING!

Chapter Nine

By Rosa241

Percy's POV:

"I'm serious the guys mental!" Ron said for what had to be the hundredth time since coming down here. "Totally and completely bonkers!"

"It's completely barbaric…those curses are unforgivable for a reason…he had no right to use those curses in a classroom! Did you see poor Neville?" I was with Hermione on this one, what on earth Professor Moody was thinking is beyond me. He above everyone else would be aware of what happened to poor Neville's parents. I only know because dad thought it a good idea for someone to be aware of the fact, just in case he had said. I know full well that 'just in case' meant in case Draco Malfoy found out. A nudge brought me out of my thoughts.

"Sorry Hermione, what was it you said?" Ron sniggered slightly, mumbling something that sounded strangely like 'even he can't stand your lectures'.

"I asked what Professor Moody was like in your lesson, you had him this morning didn't you?" I almost asked how exactly she knew my timetable when I thought better of it. This is Hermione after all, she does have a tendency to know things she probably shouldn't.

"Oh well…it was strange…" Seeing a whole bunch of eager faces I explained.

Flashback:

"So…we're agreed Mr Flint that you know nothing about Dark Magic!" I couldn't help but smile as Flint got torn apart by Professor Moody. I still didn't feel right about the man, there's just something in me that doesn't like him, but if he's going to tear down Flint then I hardly think that he can be all that bad.

"Now we'll move on to…Mr Weasley." Maybe I spoke too soon. "What can you tell me about death eaters?"

"Oh well…they are the wizards who follow you-know-who, they traditionally follow him into battle and fight by his side. Although most are under the impression that only Pure blooded wizards are death eaters there have been known members who are half blood. After the fall of you-know-who many were imprisoned, some defected away from his side but there are still those who remain, most notably of course those who attacked at the quidditch world cup."

Have you ever had the feeling that everyone is staring at you? Sometimes you can just tell that the entire rooms eyes are trained on you. Surprisingly enough it's strangley unnerving .

"That's a lot of information Mr Weasley." That revolving eye gives me the creeps.

"My dad told me after the world cup." I say as a way of an explanation. I may not have done anything wrong but then again this is mad eye moody, he was called mad for a reason.

"Of course he did…rumour has it Mr Weasley that you had your own battles at the world cup." Oh I had hoped to avoid this.

"Um…sort of…" Once again I can feel all eyes on me.

"Yes…took down two death eaters didn't you?" I can hear murmurs of surprise run through the classroom.

"Well…Oliver and I had a run in with a couple of death eaters yes…" He's staring at me, that revolving eye of his running round and round in his head.

"Hmm…very interesting…" With that, thank god, he turns his attention elsewhere in the room interrogating another poor soul with their knowledge of dark magic.

End Flashback:

"What did I tell you? Eh? Bonkers!" Ron said, rather loudly, to Harry whilst Hermione mutters under her breath about unorthodox teaching methods.

"Can't wait for his lesson." George said to Fred.

"I can, we won't get away with anything…not with that eye of his!" Fred's words caused the smile on Georges face to turn rapidly into a frown. Well at least there's one bonus with him being here I suppose, I can bank on him keeping Fred and George out of trouble...at least in his lessons.

"Did that really happened?" Dean and Seamus ask in turn.

"Did what happen?" I have a feeling I know what they're asking but I really don't want to have this conversation.

"The death eaters…Ron and Harry told us of course, but we thought that maybe they were exaggerating…so is it true?" Thankfully Oliver bounds into the conversation before I'm forced to answer. He starts off on his tale; most of the table by this point are listening keenly to his words. Fred and George are jumping in with their own personal commentary on the events.

As Oliver talks my mind falls back to my dream and I can't help but shudder slightly. Even now, weeks after the actual event that dream still comes back to haunt me. Oliver assumes I don't like talking about it because I'm embarrassed at the attention that everyone gives me, in reality that's not the problem. Well…it sort of is but every time I think about that night my dream flies back into my head and I just can't stand it. Thankfully before long the topic of the triwizard tournament comes up.

"It's so unfair that the age cut of is seventeen." Fred moans, his words echoed by George.

"Totally unfair, why should we be not allowed to enter just because we're not seventeen yet. It's discrimination thats what it is!" George places his head in his hands and sighs heavily.

"Well I'm glad that you won't be entering." Ginny spoke up from Hermione's side. "Means that you won't get yourself killed!"

She gives Fred and George a knowing look before turning back to her food. I have a funny feeling that Fred and George might be up to something...well in all honesty I alwayshave a funny feeling when it comes to those two. But right now I just know that they're up to something.

"You okay Perce?" Oliver says gently as we wander down to the quidditch field after dinner. Having no quidditch this year is already taking it's toll on him and it's only been a couple of weeks. I dread to think what he'll be like come Christmas.

"Yeah fine…just thinking…" He gives me a look, like he knows whats on my mind before speaking again.

"About the world cup?" I merely nod and he lets it go. One of the reasons Oliver is my best friend is because he has this amazing ability to just know when I don't want to talk about it, this is one of those times. The world cup scared the living daylights out of my, I could well have lost all of them, Bill, Charlie, Dad, Oliver...even thinking about it sends shivers up my spine.

"Urgh! Look at that." Oliver nudges me and points off to somewhere in the distance. Following his gaze I can't help smiling as I see Viktor Crum exiting the Quidditch pitch. The students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang had arrived a few days ago. Whilst most people were fawning over the beauty of the girls from Beauxbatons –for one obvious reason that isn't an issue for me – or going on and on about how amazing Viktor Crum was Oliver was not.

"Can't stand that guy…he's so full of himself." His words are laced with such anger.

"Oliver you don't even know him." I force myself to keep my face straight as he pouts, looking remarkably like a five year old.

"Don't need too…you can just tell! Look at him, wandering round in shirts with cut of sleeves. He's got the whole 'look at me I'm so cool' thing going on. So full of himself." His extremely poor Bulgarian impression sends me into a fit of giggles.

"You just don't like him because he injured Mark Shanksky in that friendly match between Ireland and Bulgaria last year." He merely pouts again and continues walking towards the Quidditch field, all the way muttering about the 'Bulgarian idiot' although his language wasn't quite as nice as my own.

I don't know why but watching Oliver play quidditch has always calmed me down. It doesn't matter how many times I watch him play he's still as elegant as ever and it mezmerises me. It really does. Most people think I'm strange for coming down and watching Olivers practices so much but I honestly don't care.

Flipping open my potions book I make a start on the essay Snape set us, the sooner I start the sooner I'll be finished, that's my theory. Olivers theory is more like leave it till the last possible minute then panic, get me to help him and stay up all night. How he's made it through school so far I'll never know.

"Hi." I practically jump three feet in the air as a voice interrupts me. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you."

"Oh, Cedric hi…don't worry about it…didn't realise anyone was here is all. How are you?" I try to be polite but I've never really spoken to Cedric before the world cup and even then all he did was annoy me, going on and on about Quidditch all the time...he's nearly as bad as Oliver, the difference being Oliver at least knows when to shut up, around me anyway, but Cedric just didn't seem to get the hint.

"My fault…Oliver going mad without Quidditch then?" He smiles as he sits next to me.

"Like you wouldn't believe!" I say honestly. "What about you? Lack of Quidditch driving you up the wall as well."

"Not really, not when we've got the triwizard tournament to think of." That bloody tournament, I don't know why everyones so desperate to enter. "You going to enter."

"No way. If I really wanted to get myself killed then I would have jumped off the astronomy tower years ago." He gives me this half confused half surprised look and I can't help but elaborate. "The tournament is nothing more than a stupid competition that people enter for pride and money. Did you know that people have actually died doing this tournament? I just don't see the appeal of risking my life for pride and status…I'd rather not enter and know for a fact that my family weren't going to have to worry about me dying all the time."

The tournament may be prestigious and the fact that Hogwarts has been chosen to enter is and incredible honour don't get me wrong. It's just…it's a competition, yes it takes skill and strength but it also takes luck. Is that really something to be proud of? Getting lucky?

Evidentally my words have put to bed anything he wanted to say as he says his goodbyes and walks away. As I look out over the Quidditch field my eyes are drawn to the figure high up in the sky now no longer moving, his body trained in my direction.

Just wonderful…

Ever since the world cup Oliver has had a big problem with Cedric and I don't know why. Part of me wants to believe that Cedric did or said something but I just have this feeling...

Ooh is Oliver getting jealous? Why does Percy keep having that dream?