Hidden In These Walls

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Amid my dawdling about a few weeks later I had an owl come in, one I did not recognize as my own. It was a barn owl that screeched and screamed so loudly at my doorstep that even poor Padfoot was covering his ears with his paws and whining. Once I finally threw the door open did the owl stop, dropping the letter at my feet and flying off without so much as another glance.

What an awful bird! I sighed and knelt down, picking up the letter and ready the back, 'TOP SECRET, Moody, Cabin in the Woods,' I let out a small gasp and closed the door quickly behind me, rushing over to the desk by the door and sitting down, I figured I might need to for this.

The letter read as such:

Dear Ozwald,

I'm glad to hear from you, it's been a bit and I've been growing concerned myself about knowing if you are okay or not. As such I will ask to know where you are located, that way I can make sure you are safe. Don't be nervous, and keep your head held up. This is what you have signed up for, yes, throwing yourself stupidly around at people who can harm you. I figured I wouldn't tell you for fear of you up and leaving like many others do.

I am glad to know that you don't hold it against me. And you're welcome for it. I am perfectly fine, I was able to make it through the storm of people and fought off the Death Eaters. They were tough but it was a fight hard won. There is no need to fret about me, I am perfectly safe now.

You are not a coward, and I'm glad you left, you're right, I would have called you stupid for staying. I'm glad we're on the same page with that. Just don't name the damn dog, you don't need a pet! In fact, I would suggest you get rid of the flea bag tonight. Bring him to the forbidden forest I need to meet with you and make certain you are okay.

Moody

What an odd letter... It almost sounded off, it didn't sound anything like him. I was used to one-sentence letters from him, not a whole page. I shrugged, oh well, maybe it was because of everything that happened. I shook my head and put it out of my mind. There was no way I was going to toss off Padfoot! He's been nothing but sweet! I knew I needed to get ready, and at least start making my way over, apparating might be a good idea, but what if someone were to see me? I sighed trying to think of the best way to get to Hogwarts.

I threw caution to the wind, I needed to meet with my mentor, to actually see him, and know for certain he was alright.

"Come on, Padfoot, let's go..." I called for him, looking over I watched as his head perked up and tilted to the side, giving a soft whisper of a bark. I patted my thigh, "Come on buddy! We've got to go!" The dog jumped up off of the bed and trotted over to me. He sat at my feet, wagging his tail and thumping it against the floor. I chuckled and scratched behind his ear, "Who's a good boy?" He whined and his foot rapidly beat against the floor.

I stopped and walked to the door, opening it to reveal a cool and cloudy day. I took in a slow deep breath. The smell off fall was coming, the brew from down the hill, the candy swelling in the air as they were getting ready for the students of Hogwarts to arrive were all too nostalgic and filled me with warmth.

"Well, it's either we walk all the way there, or we apparate..." I glanced down at Padfoot, "What do you think?" He panted and gave a high whine, flopping down onto the floor. I hummed, "Yeah, the walk would be gruesome... and night is already falling..." I shrugged, "Apparating it is!"

I knelt and hugged around his neck, whispering, "Hold on buddy, this will be a bumpy ride!" Within a split second, we were thrown and sloshed into a warp, thankfully I held onto him quite well. When I opened my eyes I pet the shaking dog, "Poor baby..." I pouted, "Are you okay?" He pawed at his face for a moment, must be a bit dizzy.

"It's okay, you get used to it..." I promised myself then and there I would give him belly rubs when we got back to the cabin. Gazing over at the forest that lay before me. I settled myself as best I could, Dumbledore made it a very big deal for years to never go near the Forbidden Forest. Hell, it said it in the name, it's forbidden!

"Alright..." I sighed and began trekking forward into the dark woods. I could hear Padfoot padding up beside me. I stealed myself listening closely to any peculiar noises that surrounded us.

I jumped when I heard a hiss. I swiveled around with my wand out. I sighed, "Moody! Dammit, you can't do that!" Moody stepped out of the darkness, wobbling on his walking staff and grunting with each step. Padfoot began to snarl, with his head low and his fur standing up. I squinted at him, I hadn't seen him react like that before, maybe he didn't like the eye?

"Is that the damn mutt?" He grumbled. All I could do was sit there and gape at him for a moment before nodding, "Yes, this is the one I mentioned to you..." Padfoot snarled, baring his teeth at Moody. He had already met Madam Pomfrey and those in her tavern, Professor McGonagall, and Lupin, and not once had I seen him react like this. Not even to the bloke outside of the shop who sneered at me and took issue with me, he might have growled a bit once, but since then he never so much as barked wrong in his direction.

"Padfoot... It's alright, boy!" I leaned down and gently patted his head. Moody shifted and threw his staff in his other hand, stamping it down on the hard rock beneath him, "I thought I told you not to name the damn thing!" I flinched at his loud booming voice. Padfoot stepped in front of me. I tried once more to calm him down, he stopped growling, but he was still on guard, his fur still pricked up.

"So... Moody," I cleared my throat, I felt the tension between us two and the dog growing by the minute. He seemed so calm in the letter, I didn't understand... "You said you wanted me here, what's going on?"

He shifts once more and he grunts, "Dark times really are upon us... I have been taken on as the teacher for the DADA classes, and I've discovered the Triwizard tournament is this year..."

"Oh, that's must be fun though–"

"And Harry Potter is in it," I should have let him finish. My blood ran cold. I had only heard stories about how brutal these games were. They were meant to push and test people to the limit. They were designed to either torture or even potentially kill. Harry doesn't seem to be able to resist trouble.

"How? I thought they changed the age limit to 17?" I asked shuddering at the mere thought of him being there.

"No one knows..." Moody leaned forward, his voice slow and calm. How could anyone be so calm about this?! I shook my head and began to pace back and forth. There had to be a way to fix this, to help him, "Moody, I need to be there, I need to help Harry..." I glanced up at him, "Please... There must be a way!" I finally stopped my pacing enough to spin myself back around to him. He nodded once more very methodically and slowly, "I admire your courage and your strength... but sadly right now there isn't much to do just keep laying low..."

I glanced down at my feet. No, there had to be a way... I couldn't allow this to happen. Moody grunted and began walking away. What was that all about?! He was just here to tell me that and rush off in a hurry? I felt dumbfounded, so much so that I couldn't bring myself to move from my spot.

I finally closed my mouth and took a deep breath, there was something amiss. I knew that the only people at this point to talk to were Lupin and Professor McGonagall. They would know what to do and what may be going on. As much as I had respect for my boss, this was something I would go behind his back for. To hell with laying low.

"Come on, Padfoot, let's go back home...." Glancing down at the dog, he seemed much happier and more relaxed, his fur was padded back down, not looking nearly as ridged as he did before. The whole interaction was a bit too strange. Moody was off, the meeting was off, even Padfoot. Once more I found myself in the throws of yet another mystery that needed to be solved.