Hidden In These Walls

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

It was a week and a half away from the Yule Ball and I had come to a few conclusions. One, when Professor McGonagall said I would be involved she truly meant it, I had been so involved that on my first night back in so long I had been introduced in front of the whole school as a teacher's aid, though thankfully the old man didn't reveal who I would be an aid for. Moody. My mentor. Or at least that's who he proclaimed to be. At this point, after months of literally living with the man, I felt I could say I knew him well enough.

And while he had been stern and grumpy, he was never aggressive. It was either that it wasn't him, or maybe he was going through a 'midlife crisis', as muggles call it (a tidbit I found out from Arthur Weasley). Either way, I did not like the fact that he was treating me or anyone else with such violence. From what I had been clued in by Professor McGonagall, he was trying to teach the Dark Arts, not defend against them. Once more, nothing like him. That I knew for a fact. He had a hatred for wizards who performed the Dark Arts with a passion. He would never teach it.

So there I was heading to the DADA classroom. Honestly just walking down the halls I missed the smell of wood and old books, the smell of the leather from everyone's shoes as they bustled down the halls. I sighed and rounded the corner, hearing Moody's low voice reverberating.

"Once you've performed the Cruciatus curse, they'll be begging for death–"

I cleared my throat loudly as I stood in the doorway, standing tall and glaring down Moody who stood at the front of the class. Everyone's attention and eyes laid on me, some gasping as they recognized me, others muttered wondering who I was. Moody on the other hand stood in shock for a moment, "Oz, what brings you here?"

"It's Mr. Emerson, and I would appreciate it if you would keep such wretched teachings out of this classroom, especially while I am here," I stood with my head held high, watching as somehow his face paled and fell worse. I glanced around the room, my eyes turning kind to the students in the room, "Hello, class," I began to make my way to the front, "My name is Ozwald Emerson, but you may call me by my last name, and that only."

"Might as well call him Oddball..." I swiveled around, my eyes wide with anger, pinpointing directly at Draco Malfoy who was snickering with Goyle by his side. I waltzed over and put my palms on the table, "Mr. Malfoy," I smirked. He gasped and looked up, "Are we going to have issues?"

"Yeah. I take issue with your ugly pig head in my face–"

"Sixty points from Slytherin," I spoke calmly. The Slytherins began to rile up and get louder. I gave one look, "I can make it one hundred, and keep going higher," I glanced back down at Draco who was silently fuming, "Would you like to bet?"

There was no more noise from their tables, their voices seemed to cease. I took the moment to stand up straight and make my way to Moody, "As I was saying, you may call me Emerson or Mr. Emerson, I have been introduced to you as a teacher's aid, and that will be as such, but more specifically I am to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts Aid."

Mutters burst out into the classroom, most in excitement, some in dismay. It was thrilling to see. My eyes swept the room, if Malfoy was here that must have meant– I smiled and nodded to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who beamed from ear to ear. Hermione waved excitedly, trying her hardest to keep herself from causing an outburst.

"Now, what exactly are we covering, Moody?" I looked back to him, going to stand right by his side. Whatever he thought he would be talking about, he would have backed off if I was there.

"We were going over the three curses..." He stuttered, "Talking about how terrible they are!" A hint of sarcasm as he spoke. I squinted my eyes and hummed, "I see, and how are you teaching our young witches and wizards how treacherous these curses are?" I made sure that even in my short stature, that I seemed as imposing as I could, my shoulders square and my head high. Something, if he was Moody, he would know and would not react as he was the one that taught me such an intimidation tactic. Make yourself the threat of the room alone with your presence.

He gulped and his mechanical eye flickered around, I could see the sweat beginning to build on his brow. I lifted my head more, looking down on him, "What's wrong, Professor? Go ahead, show me!"

He reached to his side and pulled out a wand. A wand. He didn't have a wand. My eyes widened slightly, but I kept my composure. He nodded, "Right... Of course..." He turned himself to a small creature that sat on his desk, not bothering with what was happening around it. He called out in a hiss, "Crucio!"

That was all I needed to see, I pulled out my wand and held it at my side, "Class dismissed." I grit out. Some grumbled, but I quickly stopped it, "I said dismissed!" With a few startled looks the students began to file out in a clump from the classroom, leaving only me and Moody.

"The absolute hell do you think you were trying to pull?!" I spat at him, taking a step closer into his bubble. He had, thankfully, stopped the curse as soon as I dismissed the students. He looked like a child pouting with his hand in the cookie jar, "I'm trying to teach them so they can avoid these!"

"Bullshit!" I growled taking another step closer, I stared him down and shook my head, "I don't know what you're on about, but there was no, absolutely, no need for that!" I yelled, "Get your shit together, or I'll do something much worse next time!"

With that, I didn't stay around to listen to him, I was horribly livid and by the time I came to from my rage, I had ended up in the room that Dumbledore had gracefully provided for me to stay in. I didn't even pay attention to Padfoot who followed me around the room. I kicked the bed and growled, "Fuck!" I stomped to my desk and pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill with ink, and began to scribble, my hands shaking;

Dear Lupin,

I don't know how I didn't see it before. Whoever this man is who claims to be Moody is false. I've had my suspicions for a while now. His mannerisms and the way he's spoken have been all wrong. Today it had been proven to me. Today was my first day of DADA class as the teacher's aid. To catch you up a bit, I had been attacked about two weeks ago, by what I don't know.

But when I awoke I was in the infirmary, with McGonagall and Padfoot at my side. The dog proved to be very smart, running to get help from her (I gave him extra pets and treats), and McGonagall approached me saying something was wrong. We spoke and decided it would be safest to bring me to Hogwarts, and appointed me as teacher's aid.

What I witnessed today was nothing less than foul. Whoever this man is who claims to be my mentor, decided it would be a wonderful idea to perform the Cruciatus Curse in front of the entire class. The reason I know he isn't him is because he used a wand. Not his staff, a wand.

Maybe I'm mad, but I believe whoever he is, he's faking his identity! I don't trust him Lupin... I hope that this finds you in good health, and please send to me as soon as you can. I have a feeling this is going to get worse from here. Sadly, I don't believe I can go to anyone but you and McGonagall about this.

Sincerely,

O. Emerson

I sighed and put down the quill as gently as I could, wrapped the parchment up and immediately sent it off from the owl in my window. I heard whines behind me, and I knew I couldn't sit there and ignore him. I spun around in my seat and patted my lap, "Come here Padfoot..." He trotted over slowly and rested his head on my lap, glancing up at me with big sad eyes. I couldn't resist. I leaned down and gave him a small kiss on the top of his head, "I'm sorry if I scared you buddy..." I muttered gently brushing the top of his head, "It's been an awful day..."