Hidden In These Walls

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 The next moment I found myself trembling and standing in front of Professor McGonagall in her office. I tried to keep my body firmly planted and not show so much fear, but seeing the dead body of another, and seeing him just moments before breathing. It set me on edge. The first place I went was to McGonagall, she was the one person in the school I felt I could truly trust aside from Dumbledore, who I knew was much too busy.

"What happened?" McGonagall asked gently, her hands folded in front of her politely. I gulped and tried to settle myself before speaking. I knew that if I even tried to do so before that, I would end up a stuttering mess in front of the Professor, which I would rather avoid "I was strolling along with Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Hagrid after the last task... Harry parted from the group a bit...And I heard Harry scream... so I ran over..." I took in a shaky breath, it was hard to even recall the events.

"It's alright my boy, take your time," She muttered resting a gentle hand on my arm. I sighed heavily through pursed lips.

"Barty Crouch is dead," I spoke with a waver in my voice, my throat clenched. I choked up as the image of the mustached man flashed through my mind; wide-eyed, paralyzed on the ground flash, his mouth agape, his skin holding no color.

She took a moment to sink back into her chair behind her large desk. Her own breath was not nearly as steady as it had been moments before, "So he is...?" She shakily reached up and took off her oval glasses, "This is all too odd..."

"Whatever do you mean Professor?" I asked softly and patiently. She reached a hand outstretched, gesturing for me to sit with her at her desk. I politely did so, sitting across from her in the padded wooden chair.

"There have been odd goings on, not that we don't already have that each year, but..." She shook her head, her face grim with fear and uncertainty lying beneath that, "First a teacher turns a student into a ferret, then the same teacher shows students unforgivable curses... On top of that I worry, this man has been far too close to Mr. Potter."

"You're talking about Moody, aren't you?" I asked point blank. She gaped at me for a moment before I went on, "I have evidence that he isn't who he says he is."

"Mr. Emerson!" She gasped, I couldn't blame her, it was a shock for anyone to hear so bluntly, without any warning.

"Professor, please, I lived with this man for months. That man is not Moody!" I took a moment to give her the silence that she needed, hopefully, to help with easing her mind into the mere idea of it. Thankfully she gave me a nod a few seconds later and I sighed softly, thankful that she would listen, "You know how he uses a staff for his magic?" She gave another nod, "Well... while I was helping in the classes, he pulled out a wand and used it..."

Her eyes widened and she stiffened, "That can't be..."

"It's true Professor McGonagall," I leaned closer as if we were in public having this conversation and I didn't want another to hear, I whispered, "He pulled out a wand and began performing a curse as you said before!"

"Why didn't you tell me before?" She whispered as she shifted in her seat.

"So much had happened Professor, I figured you would have heard about the curses, besides there was so much happening between the classes and the Yule Ball coming up, I figured it would be best to keep that to myself until I knew for sure..."

With that statement alone I could see the cogs turn in her head, she stood up with purpose and rounded her desk, "Follow me."

"Where are we going?" I scrambled trying to catch up with her fast pace.

"We're going to Dumbledore," She spoke with firmness, "And this time he will listen!" I gulped, she was a woman on a mission, and I knew there was no stopping her. At this point, I didn't want her to stop, especially with the situation at hand. Somehow with her power walk, what would have taken upward ten minutes, we were there in front of the phoenix statue in only about five minutes. Although, by the end of it I was panting quite a bit with her fast pace. I was barely able to keep up with her long strides, but thankfully I made it in the end with slightly burning lungs.

"Sherbert lemon!" She called out and waved her hands in front of her. With that, the sound of scraping stones pushed the phoenix upward and a staircase appeared one by one with each step lifting. She walked forward and stepped onto one, rising up with it. I figured it would be best to follow along, so I hopped on one a few steps behind her.

The phoenix rose to the top and settled with a grinding thud. Out she stepped and I followed suit into his office, hearing raised voices from beyond the door, "I will not be seen as a coward!" I recognized that voice... The Minister. I glowered at the thought of him.

"We need to cancel this! Barty Crouch is dead!" Dumbledore argued back, I had never heard him sound so aggravated before. I tensed and realized, that Dumbledore already knew. How did he know? Did Hagrid get to Dumbledore before I got to McGonagall? That was the most likely story. In burst McGonagall without a second thought.

"Ah, Minerva," Dumbledore's voice calmed the moment he saw her. His eyes flitted over to me, mirth swirling in his eyes, "And Ozwald Emerson... What a pleasant surprise!"

I gave a small bow of my head, "Professor Dumbledore, Minister.." I gave him a small glare. After the ordeal last year with Sirius Black, even with the evidence presented, he would not listen, and Sirius was still pronounced a serial murderer. Sirius Black could not come out of hiding because of him, and I blamed him for not being able to talk to him much.

"What brings you two here?" Dumbledore muttered as he came around his desk, his hands behind his back, "Sir, I wished to talk to you about a certain teacher in this school who I believe is false–"

"Ah, yes, Minerva told me that Moody was acting odd as of late," Dumbledore interrupted with an amused chuckle. I, however, didn't find it funny in the slightest, "Sir, there is something I would consider as evidence that Moody isn't who he says he is–" Yet again I was interrupted by a knock from the door. I felt myself becoming agitated. Dumbledore beckoned them inside. The agitation left my body the moment Harry stepped in, his eyes wide as he glanced around, "Oh, I'm sorry Professor, I can come back later!"

"Oh nonsense, Harry! We were just finishing up here," No we weren't, but I wasn't going to argue with him in front of Harry. He didn't need more stress on his shoulders. His eyes met mine, and I gave him a small nod while he waved to me silently. Dumbledore ushered us all out quite quickly, flicking his hand to a pillar with a bowl that sat on top, scooting out slowly with a scrape much like the stairs. A memory bowl? Why was he opening it? I shook my head, and after the door closed we were all outside, I turned to Dumbledore, "Sir–"

"Don't worry Mr. Emerson, I'm keeping an eye out, just head back to your room and rest for now, and keep to yourself. Today has been a long one indeed," With that Dumbledore, the Minister, and McGonagall (with a small pat on my shoulder and an encouraging sad smile on her face) left and walked in the opposite direction. I sighed and decided it would be best to make my way to my room. I thought it would be best to just listen, and maybe send a letter to Remus.

Upon entering the room I was shocked not to see Padfoot sitting at the door. Usually, he would be sitting there patiently with a thumping tail on the floor. I glanced around the room, but Padfoot was nowhere to be found. Not even under the bed or beside it where he usually napped. At this point I had no energy to panic, all I could do was sit at my desk and begin to write what little I could.

Dearest Remus,

Barty Crouch is dead. Harry passed his last task, but just barely. I can't get the image of Crouch dead. I saw him with my own eyes. I tried to speak with Dumbledore, but he didn't listen, he just said he had it handled. This is the work of that traitor... Mark my words I'll kill him myself and take Sirius' cell number in Azkaban.

Oswald

My head pounded as I sent out the letter. The owl took off immediately. I trudged over to the bed, falling face first and curling up into myself. If only Padfoot were there. I sniffed and felt my eyes well up ... Padfoot... I need you here...