Silver Hourglass

Goblet of Fire Chapter Chapter 32

"Again Malfoy!" Moody barked. He had each student stand in front of him, one by one and putting the Imperius Curse on them. He called it "helping them fight off the Curse," But Harry seemed doubtful. Professor Moody had the entire class stand before him, going under the Imperius Curse and jumped up and down, or dance around the table behind him. Before Draco, Moody had Lavender Brown imitating a squirrel, Dean Thomas hopped three times around the room, singing "God Save the Queen," and Neville performed a series of quite astonishing gymnastics that Harry knew the cute boy couldn't do normally. Moody raised his wand at Draco and said "Imperio!" Harry watched as Draco stood still for a moment before taking a step forward, then doing a back flip, followed by an obviously painful split. Moody removed the curse and growled at Draco to get out of the center of the classroom. "Potter, you next." He then growled.

Harry stepped into the middle of the circle of desks and faced Moody. Professor Moody pointed his wand at Harry and said "Imperio!" It was the most wonderful feeling. Harry felt a floating sensation as every thought and worry in his head was wiped gently away, leaving nothing but a vague, untraceable happiness. It reminded him of anytime he and Draco kissed. He stood there feeling immensely relaxed, only dimly aware of everyone watching him.

Then he heard Mad-Eye Moody's voice echoing in the background of his empty brain; Jump onto the desk...jump onto the desk. ...

Harry's knees bent obediently, preparing to spring. Jump onto the desk. ... Why though? Another voice asked, awaking in the back of his brain. Stupid thing to do, really the voice said.

Jump onto the desk. ...

No, I don't think I will, thanks, the other voice said a little more firmly.

Jump! NOW!

The next thing Harry felt was considerable pain. He had both jumped and tried to prevent himself from jumping—the result was that he'd smashed headlong into the desk, knocking it over, and, by the feeling in his legs, fractured both his kneecaps.

"Now, that's more like it!" growled Moody's voice. "Look at that, you lot... Potter fought! He fought it, and he damn near beat it! We'll try again, Potter, and the rest of you pay attention—watch his eyes, that's where you see it—very good, Potter, very good indeed! They'll have trouble controlling you! Five points to Slytherin."

"The way he talks," Harry muttered as he hobbled out of class an hour later, Moody insisted on putting Harry under four more times, "you'd think we were all going to be attacked any second."

"Well, considering Draco's father you could be." Blaise couldn't help but chuckle.

"Blaise! Really?" Theo said, shooting a look towards Draco.

"We're getting better...I think." Harry said. Draco nodded and said "Father had a civil conversation with Harry when he came over."

Harry nodded and they went to their next class. The fourth years felt like they have gain a definite increase of work they were required to do this term. Professor McGonagall explained to them in their next class that it was because of the O.W.L.s that were nearing with each and every day. Justin Finch-Fletchley complained, but Professor McGonagall reminded the class that only Harry, Draco, and Theo were able to completely change their porcupines into pincushions. Divination became a bit enjoyable for Harry and Blaise when Professor Trelawney gave them top marks for their homework. She even read excerpts from them and congratulated both Slytherins on their unflinching acceptance of their doomed future, Blaise writing down that he will be set ablaze when Mars is in Jupiter's position. Professor Binns, who taught the only class Harry and Blaise couldn't help but fall asleep in, were making them write weekly about the eighteenth century goblin rebellions, the ghost barely recognizing that Harry and Draco's writings were eerily similar. Professor Snape had them research antidotes, dropping hints that he will poison one of them to test how effect their antidote was. Draco and Harry couldn't help but giggle at that, knowing that the man wasn't being serious. Instead he would just give one of the students a very minor illness for the antidote to work on. Professor Flitwick had the fourth years read several texts in preparation for Summoning Charms, a set of spells he told the Slytherins were very useful, but very difficult for their age.