Forsaken Bloodlines {HP x GOT}

Chapter 4.7: Madeye's Class

The classroom was abuzz with anticipation as Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students filed in for their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class with the infamous Mad-Eye Moody. Lyanna, seated next to her Ravenclaw peers, glanced around the room, noting the excited and nervous expressions on her classmates' faces. Just as the last students took their seats, a massive thud echoed through the room, drawing everyone's attention to the front. Moody had dropped a thick textbook onto Lisa Turpin's desk, identical to the ones on every student's desk: "The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection."

"I see you all slogged down to Flourish & Blotts like good little girls and boys and bought the textbook. Congratulations... it'll make a fine doorstop," Moody growled, his voice gravelly. He turned to face the class, his magical eye whirling in its socket. "I'm Alastor Moody, ex-Auror, Ministry malcontent, and your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I'm here because Dumbledore asked me. End of story, goodbye, the end. Any questions?"

The room was silent. Moody's roving blue eye landed on Lyanna, who stared back with an expression she hoped was unreadable. Internally, she was steeling herself against the old warrior's terrifying visage. Satisfied, Moody turned away and took a swig from his flask.

"Let's get one thing straight. This is not your typical class. When it comes to the Dark Arts, I believe in a practical approach," he said, pacing the front of the room. "You Hufflepuffs might be kind-hearted, but in a cruel world, kindness can get you killed. And you Ravenclaws," he turned his gaze to the other side of the room, "you may be book-smart, but all the knowledge in the world won't save you if you can't apply it in reality."

The students exchanged uneasy glances. Moody's blue eye focused on Lyanna again. "Now, who can tell me how many Unforgivable Curses there are?"

After a moment of hesitation, Lyanna raised her hand. Moody's real eye remained on the spider in the specimen jar he was holding, but his magical eye rotated to Lyanna. "I might've known. Go on, Malfoy."

"There are three, sir," Lyanna began, then hesitated. "How did you know..."

"Your name? I know more than that. You're top of your class together with Miss Granger, correct?" Moody continued, not waiting for an answer. "Naturally inquisitive?"

"Yes, sir," Lyanna replied.

"I know a Malfoy when I see one. Yet, you seem different than the others, don't you?" Moody's eyes raked over the other students before landing back on Lyanna. "I'm not about to walk into a room full of strangers without doing my homework. Constant Vigilance!"

Moody jabbed his staff into the floor right in front of Lyanna, causing the class to jump. Lyanna, however, studied his scars with a detached curiosity. "The devil likes disguises. Never forget that. Now, Malfoy, how many curses?"

"There are three," she repeated firmly.

"And they're so named...?" Moody prompted, his tone a mix of challenge and encouragement.

Cho Chang's voice cut in, "Because they're unforgivable. The use of any one of them..."

"...will earn you a one-way ticket to Azkaban," Lyanna finished.

"Correct. Now, the Ministry says you're too young to see what these curses do. I say different. Wouldn't you agree, Miss Malfoy?"

"We need to know what we're up against," Lyanna said, her voice steady.

"Yes, you need to be prepared. So, which curse shall we see first? Turpin!"

Lisa Turpin, looking uneasy, replied, "Well... my mum once told me about one... the Imperius Curse."

"Imperius," Moody repeated, letting the spider run up his hand. "Watch closely."

He pointed his wand at the spider and muttered, "Imperio." The spider began to dance and twirl, moving in ways that would have been impossible without magical influence. The students watched, fascinated and horrified, as the spider performed acrobatics at Moody's command.