Between Crown and Heart - Book 1

30 - Improvement

Besides the matter of Professor Snape everything was good, as far as it was possible.

I set hard on my studies and there were little successes. For instance, I recognized a star structure in Astronomy, I only fell 4 times than 7 times from my broom in Broom Flying, my wand practice and technique improved and in Study of Muggles, not the toughest subject for me, I was always one of the best with Hermione. In fact, Hermione was in every subject the best! That's why I always learn with her. She was just outstanding!!

Well, but one thing made me wonder, in the very first lesson of DADA with that crazy and scary Professor Moody and his always moving eye.  

The Professor used the unforgivable curses. At the beginning I considered to complain this to the headmaster but then I thought that he must be in the picture of Professor Moody's approach.  

"Ministry malcontent. And your new defence against the dark arts teacher. I'm here because Dumbledore asked me, end of story, good bye, the end. Any questions?  

When it comes to the dark arts, I believe in practical approach." he said fast after he wrote his name on the board. He scared us with his last statement. But honestly, his whole appearance scared everyone, me too!  

"But first, which of you can tell me how many unforgiveable curses there are?" he asked further.  

Hermione answered of course: "Three, Sir." 

"And they are so named?"  

"Because they are unforgiveable. Use of any one of them will ..." she continued answering but Moody finished for her.  

"... will earn you a one way ticket to Azkaban. Correct.  

Now the ministry says you're too young to see what these curses do. I say different!" Everyones eyes popped out of their heads in disbelieve.

"Is he going to use them in front of us students? Will he really demonstrate the unforgiveable curses? And will he teach us these curses?!" Everyone asked in their heads. 

"You need to know what you're up against, you need to be prepared, you need to find some where else to put your chewing gum other than the underside of your desk Mr. Finnigan." 

Finnigan muttered something whereupon Professor Moody threw chalk through the classroom.  

Then he turned around and started walking in the class. Every student was more terrified now.

"So, which curse shall we see first? Weasley!" he called Ron and he stood up terrified.

"Yes..."

"Give us a curse." Ron gulped and thought of a curse.

"Well, my dad did tell me about one... The imperious curse."

"How does his dad know about it?" I asked myself. 

Moody turned around satisfied.

"Ahhh yes, your father would know all about that. Gave the ministry quite a bit of grief a few years ago. Perhaps this will show you why." He went to the reservoirs with insects, worms and little animals in them and took a spider for demonstration.  

Suddenly he pointed his wand at the spider and let it flew through the classroom. Every pupil got uncomfortable.

"Don't worry. Completely harmless. But if she bites ... she's lethal." Moody comforted us but failed. Then he put the spider in nearly everyone face and the whole class laughed. But the most fun was when he did this on Draco.