Eyes on the Stars Feet on the Ground

Lessons Learnt

"Crouch," Professor Moody held Cielo back after class a week later, "what period do you have next?"

"Herbology," Cielo replied as he packed his things, "is there something you need, Professor?"

"Come see me when you have a free period."

"Alright."

Cielo left the classroom, feeling rather confused by the conversation. Why was this teacher taking such an interest in him?

"Not surprised Moody likes the kid," Kingsley remarked to his fellow aurors, "he's always had an eye for talent. Isn't that how you wound up joining the aurors, Frank?"

"You're right," Frank nodded, "Moody saw my talent at a dueling championship my mother signed me up for. Little did I know, she was trying to get the aurors interested in me. Otherwise, I probably would have wound up working as a curse-breaker."

"You're one of my best students," Moody boasted, "I've never once regretted going to that ridiculous dueling match."

"How did you get on Moody's radar?" Lily asked Alice, curious about how the older woman had made her way to one of Moody's dream auror teams. Alastor Moody, the head of the auror department, had trained two skilled squads. The first was a trio composed of Frank Longbottom, Alice Longbottom nèe Fortesque, and Kingsley Shacklebolt. The other squad had five members: Amelia Bones, Edgar Bones, Hailey Dorman, Benjy Fenwick, and Joseph McKinnion. The quintet was Moody's first group of students, who had long since gained their own footing in the auror department.

"We argued," Alice answered truthfully, astounding her young friend. The two of them met through Albus Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix, where they endeavored to fight against Voldemort, no matter the cost.

"There has to be more than that!" Lily exclaimed, certain her friend was pulling her leg.

"Ally's not lying," Kingsley chuckled. He knew that Alice was known for arguing with Moody now, but at this point, she was an established auror with a famous mentor. He understands why Lily was shocked; how could she pick a fight with a world class auror while she was a trainee?

"He wanted me to work on tracking down a low level death eater," Alice elaborated, sensing Lily's confusion, "Jeffery Serente, I think his name was. I told him that having someone of my talent track him was a waste of time and, instead, I should be tracking down someone like Yaxley. He wasn't too pleased."

"We made a bet," Moody continued, not wanting Alice to tell the story in her sarcastic, exaggerated style, "if she could catch Ferdinand Yaxley, I'd mentor her personally. If she couldn't, she'd stop being insubordinate."

"Seeing as I argue and sass him on a daily occurrence," Alice said teasingly, "I would hope that you can guess how that story ended."

"Another decision I don't regret," Moody said proudly, "Alice is the fastest learner of my students and certainly one of my most impressive."

"You were almost late," Eleanor chastised him as he walked into the greenhouses, "that's unlike you. Is everything alright?"

"Peachy," Cielo answered, setting his things up, "Moody just needed to speak with me."

"What did he have to say?" Hestia asked as she tied her hair in her purple bow.

"He just told me to see him during my next free period," Cielo said nonchalantly, "I have no idea what he could want from me."

"I don't envy you," Flora shuddered, "he's not particularly rough with Hestia and I, but you should see him with some of the others. He is especially rough with Gabe Nott. It's not like Gabe doesn't deserve it; he's arrogant and rude to everyone. But still, even then, Moody can be a little much. If you have family members that were death eaters, you're on his watchlist."