Along Came Trouble | Book 2

Chapter 9: If Only Lupin Were Here

The next morning, our lessons started again. Hermione was more excited than ever, of course. Me, on the other hand, not so much.

"I wonder what the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is like," She wondered aloud.

"Probably not as awesome as Professor Lupin." I replied, pulling on my robes.

"Riley, do you have to speak so negatively? Can't you just be excited for once?"

"Of course I can. As long as it's nothing about learning, or writing. Or trying..."

She rolled her eyes at me, making me laugh. Then, we headed to breakfast together. Professor Mcgonagall handed us our schedules.

Quickly, we scanned them over, and traded. "Looks like we have Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Potions together." She told me.

"Not too shabby I guess. But, it could be better." She nodded, and we traded back.

That was when the boys walked in, and sat down. "Good morning." They chorused.

"Morning, boys." We replied.

I reached over towards a platter of bacon, wanting a few strips to go with my eggs. Apparently, Harry had the same idea, because his hand brushed against mine, as he did the same as I did.

I pulled back, my face going pink. Then, we decided that maybe bacon wasn't our best choice this morning.

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I sat beside Hermione in Defense Against the Dark Arts, waiting for our new teacher to arrive. We chatted quietly about random things, just as everyone else did.

Suddenly, we heard the door open, and one of the most terrifying things ever, came into the room. He had a huge chunk of his nose missing, and his face in general looked like it had been sewn together by a three year old. One of his eyes were strapped to his face! He had one real leg, and one metal one, and with each step, his walking stick thumped on the floor.

There were a few "whoas" and "wows." Some even gasped, or flinched. Even I was impressed, and I have seen some pretty messed up things.

"I'm Alastor Moody, ex-auror, and your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I'm here because Dumbledore asked me, end of story, goodbye, the end! Any questions?"

Hermione and I exchanged shocked expressions.

"When it comes to the Defense Against the Dark Arts, I believe in a practical approach. But first, who can tell me how many Unforgivable Curses there are?" Hermione raised her hand. How'd I know?

"Three, sir." She said.

"And they are so named,"

"Because they are Unforgivable. The use of only one of them will-" He cut her off.

"Earn you a one-way ticket to Azkaban, correct! Now, the Ministry says you're too young to see what these curses do, I say different! You need to know what you're up against, you need to be prepared, you need to find another place to put your chewing gum besides the underside of your desk, Mr. Finnigan!"

The strange thing was, he wasn't facing us when he said that. I guess people aren't lying when they say they have eyes on the back of their head...

"No way, the old cauldron can see out of the back of his head!" He whispered to Dean, who was sitting beside him.

Then, Professor Moody turned around and threw a piece of chalk at him. "And hear across classrooms!" He roared. Why am I starting to like this guy?

"So, which Curse should we see first? WEASLEY!" Poor Ron almost fell over and died of fright at that moment.

"Yes?" He asked fearfully.

"Stand." He did so. "Give us a curse."

"Well...my dad did tell me about one. The Imperious Curse."

"Ah, yes, your father would know about that one. Gave the Ministry quite a bit of trouble a few years ago. Perhaps this will show you why."

As he Ron sat back down, slightly trembling, Moody went up to his desk, and got a small spider out of a jar, enlarged it with a spell, and put the curse on it.

"Imperio!" He said. Then, he waved his wand, making the spider jump onto Crabbe's head! Of course, I was laughing hard enough to hurt my ribs.

Then, it was moved to hover over Ron's head. I probably don't even have to mention that he was freaking out. But, once it got to Draco's nose, I could hardly breathe. His face was priceless!

"Ooh, Draco's scared!" I teased him, smirking.

Finally, he brought the spider back into his hand.

"Okay, which curse is next?"

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"Well, that was interesting," I said as Hermione and I left class together.

"That was horrid! We're 14 years old, we don't need to be learning about the Unforgivable Curses! Did you see Neville's face when he was forced to watch that spider under the Cruciatus Curse?" She exclaimed.

"I know, I feel bad for him. He's such a sweet guy. If only Lupin were here..."