|In The Dark|

8

Curses

ANNABELLE LUPIN-BLACK

I walked into class and luckily Professor Moody was just getting started. "Everyone take your seats." he said plainly. As I walked in, I noticed Edmund glaring at me. I walked over to sit next to him and he put his hand on the seat. "Sit somewhere else." he snapped. "Why?" I asked. "Oh I don't know, why don't you go sit with Nott. You two seem so close now." he seethed. I rolled my eyes. "Theo was just-" I started. "Oh so it's Theo now?" he asked. "So am I just not allowed to talk to other people? What's next? Are you going to stop me from talking to my dads because they are guys too?" I asked. He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'll sit somewhere else." I said. "Fine, not unexpected for a slut like you." he mumbled.

I walked over and found an empty seat next to Neville. "Can I sit?" I asked. He smiled and nodded. Neville and I weren't super close but we didn't share an interest in a certain plant. Surprisingly enough, he was the school's plug. I liked him because he was always nice to everyone. Even though people made fun of him, I don't think he was capable of being mean. We became closer last year. We were hanging out at a party and got high at the Astronomy Tower. We talked all night about deep stuff and random stuff. It's just easy to be around him.

"How was your summer?" he whispered. "Good, yours?" I asked. He shrugged. "Nan doesn't let me smoke but I got to visit mum and dad." he said. "How are they?" I asked. Sadness filled his eyes. "The same. It was nice to see them though." he said. I smiled and squeezed his hand. "I'm sure they loved seeing you too." I said. He nodded. Neville is too pure for this world.

Professor Moody had begun his lesson so we started to pay attention.

"Can anyone tell me how many unforgivable curses there are?" he asked. Hermione obviously raised her hand. "3 sir, as so they are unforgivable, any use of them will-" she started. "Earn you a one way ticket to Azkaban." he said. This dude is most definitely insane. "Where's your dad?" Neville whispered to me. "He wasn't feeling well. Professor Moody offered to step in." I lied. He nodded and we turned back to the lesson.
"Now which curse should we see first?" Moody asked.

He wasn't actually going to do this in class right?

Ron raised his hand hesitantly. "The imperious curse-" Ron said. "Oh yeah, your father would know all about that one." he replied. Moody pulled a bug out of a jar and pointed his wand at it. "Engorio...Imperio" he mumbled. He made the bug fly all over the room. Everyone laughed as it crawled over Malfoy's face. I high fived Neville. "Karma" I whispered and he chuckled.

"Talented, isn't she?" Moody asked. The room quieted down. "What should I have her do next?... Jump out the window?" he asked. It went quiet. "Drown herself?" he asked as the bug hovered over a bucket. I looked around the room and everyone was in shock. I missed my dad teaching.

"Another curse?" he asked. People raised their hands and Neville lifted his arm hesitantly. "Longbottom is it?" he asked. Neville nodded. "There's the- the cruciatus curse sir." he said. "Correct! Correct, stand over here." Moody said. Neville stood up and walked over to the desk. He put the bug down and Moody pointed his wand back at it. "Crucio" he said. The bug began to squirm and cry in pain. I watched Neville's face twist into fear and discomfort. Then it clicked.

His parents.

"Stop it! Can't you see it's bothering him, stop it!" Hermione exclaimed. Moody looked up and the curse broke. I immediately stood up and grabbed Neville's hand. "Let's go." I said. I pulled him out of that class room and to the hallway. He looked out the window, completely silent.

"Neville-" I said softly. I placed my hand on his shoulder gently, and he looked up at me. "Neville, talk to me." I said. "I remembered." he said. There was a broken look on his face. "I remembered mum and dad, in the hospital. The first time, I saw them." he said. I hugged him tightly. "I'm so sorry Neville, he never should have used those spells in class. I'm going to talk to my dad right away." I said. He just nodded. Then the students began to walk out of class.

"And did you see Neville's face?" Hermione asked as she approached us. She clearly didn't see us. Harry nudged her arm and she turned around. I shook my head indicating not to say anything. Just then, Professor Moody came up to us. "So, are you alright?" he asked. Neville nodded. "C'mon. We'll have a cup of tea. I want to show you something." Moody said. Neville nodded and followed him. "That was completely mental. How could he do that in a classroom?" I exclaimed. "That's exactly what I was saying." Hermione said. "We all have a study period so are you coming to the library with us Anna?" Harry asked. I shook my head as we walked. "I'm going to go see my dad." I said. "Where was-" Ron started. "It was the full moon last night." Hermione whispered. He just nodded. "I'll see you guys at lunch ok?" I said. They nodded and I headed for the infirmary. As I walked, I kept seeing Moody use that curse. Something wasn't right. He seemed so casual about it. Like it was something he did often. Like it was normal.

I walked into the infirmary and to the back room where my dad always stays after his transformations. Madame Pomfrey was sitting at her desk like always. "Hello Annabelle, he's resting but you can go on in." she said. I nodded. "Thank you Ma'am" I said. I walked in and my dad was asleep on the cot. There were only a few bandages on his arms so it wasn't too bad.I smiled and sat down on the chair next to his bed. I pulled out my book and read while I waited.

"I thought I told you not to come until after lessons." I put my book down and my dad was smiling at me. I got up and hugged him. "I have a study period." I said. He nodded. "How do you feel?" I asked. "Fine, You don't need to worry about me kiddo." he said. "I can't help it." I said. He chuckled. "You are just like Sirius." he said. I smiled. "You say that all the time." I replied. Then I was quiet. "What's wrong?" he asked. "It's Professor Moody, what do you know about him?" I asked. He looked confused. "Not much. He's an ex-Auror. He was very good at his job. Dumbledore asked him here because of the tournament. Why?" he asked. "It was his lesson today. Guess what he did?" I said. "What?" he asked, clearly concerned. "He performed all 3 unforgivable curses!" I exclaimed. My father furrowed his brow. "He used a bug and he used the imperious, the torture curse and then he killed it." I said. He was in shock. "Neville was in that class and you know about his parents. I can't imagine having to witness the torture curse again after his experience with it." I said. My father shook his head. "I agree. I will speak with him and make sure he knows what is appropriate to teach in a classroom." he said. I nodded and fiddled with my rings. "Is something else bothering you?" he asked. I shrugged. "Just thinking about something." I said. Should I ask him about Edmund? Maybe he can help. "Dad, this is just hypothetical ok?" I said. He nodded. "If you are dating someone and they want something from you, do you have to do it?" I asked. "What do you mean? Is Edmund pressuring you to do something?" he asked. I panicked. "No, no- nevermind. I'm fine. I should go, I have class." I said quickly. I grabbed my bag and started to rush out. "Wait Anna, talk to-" he started but I was gone.