A Taste of Magic

Chapter 64: 64th Course - Declarations

"Ah, Alastor, thank you for coming," Dumbledore said warmly.

"Albus," Alastor Moody greeted. The man looked dangerous, there was no other way to describe him. One leg was a prosthetic of wood and metal. He had one overlarge eye that spun independently and colored in an unnatural blue. His face was a mess of scars. He was never truly still and even in Dumbledore's office, his eyes moved and he felt like he was on his guard.

"Thanks," he grunted when Dumbledore handed him a glass of firewhiskey. "So, what can an old man do for you?"

"You are younger than me," Dumbledore smiled.

"Doesn't mean I'm not an old man," Moody snorted, drinking deeply.

"I suppose not. I would like to hire you for your services."

"Which ones?" Moody asked, looking at Dumbledore with his natural eye.

"Investigation, observation, and protection if necessary."

"You sure you want me around with the Aurors around the castle for the Tournament?" Moody asked, his smile bitter. "They're not enough? For that matter, you slipping and can't handle it all yourself?"

Dumbledore chuckled as he refilled Moody's cup. "We both know that I am not infallible. Also, while I appreciate the Auror presence, there are a lot more people here at the castle, people I am somewhat wary of to be honest."

"Well with Karkaroff running around, I don't blame you," Moody said irritably. "I'm still bitter he got away."

"His information was well received," Dumbledore said mildly. "But I am not so worried about him."

"Oh? Tell me more." Moody leaned forward and listened intently when Dumbledore told him of the fourth Champion, of Quirrell's reemergence. Of the appearance of the Sanguis Verus Academy and of the changes he learned of when it came to the new school. "Huhn," Moody grunted. "Now I'm more suspicious than most normally and after hearing all that, that's really suspicious."

"I agree," Dumbledore said. "And while I have faith in Amelia and her Aurors, you can never have too many eyes open."

"So you want me to keep an eye on things, try to figure out what's going on beneath the waters, and be my general belligerent self?" Moody asked.

"Yes," Dumbledore said, nodding.

"Well, got nothing better to do and I'll admit, my interest is piqued." Moody drained his glass. "Now, tell me the real reason why I'm here."

Dumbledore smiled wryly. "Nothing gets by you, does it?"

"Not twice, you live longer that way," Moody chuckled darkly.

"I have suspicions about Quirinus," Dumbledore said quietly. "He has changed drastically since he was an instructor here. His new mannerisms actually feel oddly familiar to me, and not in a very good way. I think he might have good intentions on starting his Academy, but it seems all very odd to me."

"It sounds like a terrible idea to me. The ones going to the new place? That place sounds like a Pureblooded cesspit," Moody said baldly. "The bad kind of cesspit."

Dumbledore chuckled dryly. "Not to mention he seemed privy to information he should not be."

"Yeah, my bullshite alarm is ringing a bit," Moody muttered. "Right, I'll see what I see and learn what I learn."