𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐃 ; d.malfoy

21

The weeks of September merged into October and time seemed to fly by as we went on with our classes. Our teachers were all piling up on work even the kind Flitwick and the horrifying Snape seemed to have increased our workload by giving us plenty of homework almost every day now. That was enough to keep anyone occupied.

Lessons kept on becoming more demanding and difficult and practically no one was able to keep up with them since the teachers were saying that they were only doing it for our upcoming OWL exams.

The DADA lessons in specific got much more horrifying. I didn't think Moody would try to do anything worse following the class where he showed us all the three curses but I was wrong.

On one horrifying day, Moody informed the class that he'd be performing the imperious curse on all of us to help us build restraint towards it.

That was my last straw. After enduring it multiple times form my own mother, I didn't think I'd have to relive my trauma in school too but I guessed wrong.

Hermione informed the professor that doing so was illegal but Moody shut her up immediately by saying that anyone who doesn't one to do so can leave the class but with the way he worded his phrase made us all reluctant to leave, including me.

'Right so, Levesque! Will you do the honours and be the first one?' he said, turning to me.

My breath was caught in my throat. I couldn't believe he was doing this to me and what's worse is that I knew he was doing this on purpose. He was one of the few people who knew and to think he'd do such a thing to me...

Reluctantly, I made my way towards the center of the class where all 40 eyes of Gryffindor and Slytherin fourth years were on me. I would've run away but I didn't want to know what would happen if I went against Moody's wishes so here I was, obliging to him.

'You see, Levesque here has also survived some the curses but doesn't get half the credit,' he announced to the entire class. I could hear them all murmur and whisper to one another because of it. So much for not wanting to tell anyone anything.

'Let's see how well you've improved, eh?' he said, 'Imperio!'

Suddenly, all brooding thoughts of my past seemed to have left me. It felt as though I were floating--walking on clouds. It was so comforting. All my worries drained from me and I was in a moment of pure bliss. I had nothing to worry about. I was happy now and that's all that mattered. I was happy.

Then, I heard a voice, a voice so familiar telling me to do something--was it to perform a cartwheel? I should perform a cartwheel... wait, why would I perform a cartwheel? I don't want to perform a cartwheel.

I don't want to perform a cartwheel.

Who is this person commanding me to do so? Why is he commanding me? No thanks, I'd rather keep my dignity and not do so. I don't want do it. Stop telling me to do it.

In the blink of an eye, I was back in the classroom with all 40 pair of eyes staring at me. I looked down to my shoes and realised I was still standing where I had been initially. I didn't do a cartwheel? I resisted the curse's effects?

'--And that is how you resist the imperious curse,' came Moody's voice. 'Well done, Levesque; explain to the class how you did so, will you?'

I fiddled with my fingers behind my back and kept my gaze focused on the ground. Like a robot, I repeated the words my mother had told me: 'you have to have a strong mind, initially and once you hear the command, you must ask "why?" and if you don't have a clear answer, reject it with all your might; make sure to have a strong control over your breathing as well.'