Julia Swan-Black

Chapter 14

The next morning as they were enjoying breakfast both Harry and Julia were slipped pieces of paper. After having attempted to open the golden eggs the night before in the Slytherin common room only to be screamed at they were more than glad to be given paper clues. Julia slowly opens her paper clue that Professor Snape gave her and read through it. 

'Your task is rather simple. You are to be able to stay under water in the lake for an hour and to collect a chosen person from the merpeople safely. ' 

'Well that was quite straightforward and simple. Thanks Professor Snape.' Julia thinks quietly. Julia then makes eye contact with Harry as they smile at each other. Harry then makes his way over to Julia, "We could keep this to ourselves or share with the others, what do you think we should do?" Harry asks Julia, trusting her. 

"I think we should share our info with them and get some help and advice unless you know how we can breathe under water for an hour and find the mervillage." Julia says calmly as Harry nodded, "Agreed. We can talk with them tonight. We have defence against the dark arts class right now anyway." Harry says as they start heading to class.

Though they made it on time luckily, Moody doesn't like people being late. He had lately being making his lessons a lot harder than normal and more demanding. Though this was by far the hardest class they had ever had and Julia, Draco and Harry all looked at each other nervously. 

"Yes you all heard me right, In todays lesson I will be putting the Imperius curse on each of you in turn to demonstrate its power and to see whether you could resist its effects." Professor Moody says as the class look at him in disbelief and nervousness. 

"But - but you said it's illegal, Professor, " Said Hermione uncertainly, as Moody cleared away the desks with a sweep of his wand, leaving a large clear space in the middle of the room. "You said - to use it against another human was -" Hermione starts saying again before Moody cuts her off. 

"Dumbledore wants you taught what it feels like. If you'd rather learn the hard way - when someone is putting it on you so they can control you completely - fine by me. You're excused. Off you go." Says Moody, his magical eye staring at Hermione with an eerie unblinking stare. 

He pointed one gnarled finger towards the door, Hermione turned very pink but didn't move, though some students did slowly get up and leave. Harry, Draco and Julia though look at their other friends as they stay sitting. 

Moody began to beckon students forward in turn and put the imperius curse upon them. Julia watched as one by one her classmates did the most extraordinary things under its influence. Blaise Zabini hopped three times around the room. Daphne Greengrass imitated a squirrel. Neville performed a series of quite astonishing gymnastics he would certainly not have been capable of in his normal state. 

No one, not one of them seemed to be able to fight the curse off, and each of them recovered only when Moody had removed it. Finally it was Draco Malfoy's turn, he stepped forward and Moody put the curse on him and he was suddenly Squawking like a bird as he runs around the room and while most laughed it made Julia feel sick. Finally Draco was  released from the enchantment. 

"Potter," Moody growled, "You next." Harry moved into the middle of the classroom, into the space Moody had cleared in front of his desk. Moody raised his wand and the curse went flying and hit Harry in the chest. The next thing everyone knew Harry was laying on the floor clutching his knees in pain but he had broken out of the curse by himself. 

 "Now that's more like it!" Growled Moody's voice, "Look at that, you lot ... Potter fought! He fought it, and he damn near beat it! Very good Potter, very good indeed! They will have trouble controlling you! Black your next!" Moody says as Harry hobbles back to his desk. 

Julia slowly walked up to the desk, feeling nervous as she stood before him. Then the curse hit her and she heard it. Mad-eye Moody's voice, echoing in some distant chamber of her empty brain: Quack like a duck ...

Julia opened her mouth obediently, preparing to quack. 

Quack like a duck ...

Why, though? Another voice had awoken in the back of her brain. Stupid thing to do really, said the voice. 

Quack like a duck ...

No, I don't think I will, thanks, said the other voice, a little more firmly ... no, I really don't want to ...

Quack! Now! 

The next think that happened was nothing until the other voice vanished from her head and she looked up at moody. "Did I do it right?" Julia asks as Moody sighed. "Well you didn't do what I asked but you also didn't break out of it. You will need more practice." Moody says, looking between Harry and Julia curiously. 

By the time class had ended most of the students were hobbling out having been put throught their paces though most of them had at least hesitated before doing the action by the 3rd or 4th time. 

(What should happen next?)