Brave

Mysterious

As Professor Dumbledore began talking about the tournament, there was a flash of lighting coming from the night sky above. The doors to the Great Hall slammed open, and a mysterious figure walked in. 

"Ah, I would like to introduce you all to your new defense against the dark arts teacher, Professor Moody," Dumbledore said.

The mysterious man, Moody, was riddled with scars, including a large one running across his face. He seemed to have a permanent scowl, sand what was most intimidating about him was the fact that he had what seemed to be a glass eye where his other eye should be.

"Mad- Eye Moody!" Ron exclaimed., "What's he doing here?"

"Moody, the ex-auror?" Hermione asked. Aurora and harry exchanged a glance with one another and she could tell that the Potter boy didn't have a clue as to who Moody was- neither did she.

Mad-eye moody took a swig of whatever was in his flask, scrunching up his face in disgust after swallowing the substance.

"What'd you reckon he's drinking?" Ron asked.

"I don't know," Harry responded, "But I don't think it's pumpkin juice."

* * *

A few days later, the Gryffinfour gathered outside of the Defense Against the Dark Arts room for their first class. The door was left open, however with no Mad-eye in sight, so the four Gryffindors, along with the rest of the class, hesitantly walked in, taking their seats.

Amongst the light chatter, loud footsteps were heard and the classroom door slammed shut. At the front of the room, a piece of chalk began floating in the air with a flick of the professors wand, writing his name on the chalk board. 

"Alastor Moody, ex-auror," he introduced, causing everyone to stop talking at the sound of his voice, "Dumbledore sent me to teach ya defense against the dark arts."

He looked around the room, staring at each student individually. "Ya need to learn proper defense, you need to have constant vigilance, and you need to NOT PUT YOUR GUM UNDER THE DESK MR. FINNIGAN."

Seamus, who was originally taking his gum out of his mouth to put it under the table he shared with Dean, muttered, "Man, the old cougar can see through tables."

"AND HEAR ACROSS CLASSROOMS!" Professor Moody yelled, throwing his chalk at the Gryffindor, which nearly hit him.

"Now, today you're going to be learning about the unforgivable curses," Alastor continued, "Dumbledore says you're too young, I say hogwash."

The students looked up at him, most in fear, others in curiosity. 

"Now, who can tell me why they're called unforgivable curses?"

Hermione hesitantly raised her hand, "Because they are unforgivable. Doing one can cause you to-"

"Win a prime spot in Azkaban, that's correct," Mad-eye said, cutting her off. "You there!" he said, pointing at Ron, "Stand up, tell me your name."

Ron awkwardly stood up, clearly feeling intimidated by the older man. "R-ron Weasley, sir."

"Ahhh, Weasley. Your father got me out of a tough spot the other day," Professor Moody said, bringing his face into what Aurora assumed was a smile, but came across as a grimace.

"Name an unforgivable curse, boy."

"Um... erm... my dad told me about one, once. I think its the, erm, the Imperious curse?"

"That's correct. The Imperious curse. Any person who casts the spell will have complete control over those who the curse is held on. To demonstrate."

Professor Moody took a spider out of a jar, casting the Engorgio spell to make it bigger. Ron shook at the sight of the creature. "Imperio!"

Moody made the spider fly around the classroom, making it land on various desks and students. Everyone was laughing other than Ron, who was terrified, Mad-eye, who was concentrated on casting the spell, and Aurora, who was concerned at her professors look of enjoyment as he moved the spider.

"Think that's funny, do you?" Alastor asked the class, bringing the spider back to his desk, putting it in the jar and lifting the curse.

"Someone name the next curse," Moody said, glancing around the room. "You, stand up," he said to Neville.

The Longbottom boy stood up, terrified of both the professor and answering the question. "What's your name?"

"Longbottom, Neville Longbottom."

"Longbottom, eh? Name the next curse."

"I-its the... c-cruciatus curse," Neville announced, shaking.

After placing another spider on the younger boys desk, Alastor yelled, "Crucio!"

The spider withered under the spell, Aurora could tell it was in intense pain although it was so small. Neville seemed to be in even worse condition than the spider, if that was even possible. He was shaking, and looked as if he could faint at any moment. Aurora knew she had to say something, she couldn't let her friend and fellow housemate be in this much pain.

"Stop!" Aurora shouted, wanting to go up to her professor and slap the wand out of his hand. "You're hurting him, stop!"

Mad-eye stopped the curse, walking over to her desk and dropping the spider in front of her. "Ah, Miss. Lupin-Black. Would you like to share the next curse?"

Aurora didn't want to answer, as she knew she, along with Harry, would have to watch it happen to the spider. However, she cleared her throat and whispered, "Avada Kedavra."

The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor pointed his wand at the spider, and shouted, "AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Aurora winced as the spider was killed, right in front of her eyes.

The rest of the class was quite uneventful, the students spent it listening to their professor and taking notes.

* * *

After the class was dismissed, Aurora quickly gathered her things and left, running after Neville who ran out even faster than her.

"Neville," she said to the boy who was standing by one of the windows, staring at the rain outside, "are you okay?"

"My parents were tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange," he whispered to her. Aurora didn't really know how to comfort him, as she had never known someone in this situation.

"They're in St. Mungo's now. They don't even remember me," Neville continued.

"You should be proud to be their son, Neville," Aurora told him softly, "they stood up and fought to make the wizarding world a better place."

A few moments later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione caught up to the two of them, each asking Neville if he was okay. Right when Aurora was about to say something else to the Longbottom boy, Professor Moody hobbled up to them. 

"Longbottom," he said, immediately causing Neville to look at him in fear, "Come with me, we'll have a spot of tea together. Professor Sprout told me you have a good hand in herbology, yeah?" Mad-eye asked, continuing at the Gryffindor's nod, "Let me show you a good plant book I found in my office."

The friends watched as the ex-auror and terrified boy walked off.

I don't own Harry Potter. The series belongs to J.K. Rowling. I only own Aurora and anything you don't recognize from the books or movies.