I woke up on Monday morning. Today was my first day of lessons and I was excited to meet the teachers. Hermione, Ginny and I quickly got ready for the day. I brushed the wrinkles out of my robe. I give myself one last look in the mirror. My brown skin glimmered in the reflection of the mirror as I pulled my curly brown hair up into bun. I let some curls hang down loosely give shape to my plump face.
I looked over my schedule again to see what my first class was.
1. Defense Against The Dark Arts
2. Potions
3. Divination
4. Muggle Studies
5. Charms
6. Transfiguration
7. History of Magic
8. Astronomy
I folded the parchment into four sections and placed it into my book bag. I had put an Extension Charm on my bag so I could be able to fit all my textbooks in the bag. Hermione, Ginny and I left the Common Room. Harry and Ron followed along.
As we set of to our first class. I saw Cedric already seated in DADA. He took notes in his notebook. Hermione and Ginny grinned when they noticed I was looking at him.
Ginny went her separate way to her third year class. Hermione, Harry, Ron, and I walked in class. Before I could take my seat by Ron, Hermione rushed over and sat by him. I looked around for another empty seat. But the only one was left with Cedric. I gave Hermione a look that could have killed her. Hermione just smirks and pulls her notebook out of her bag.
I trudge over to Cedric. He didn't notice me until I was fully in my seat. He looked up from the book. "Hi, Phoebe." Cedric says. "Hi." I say. I pull my textbook out and look to the board.
Written on top of the chalk board are three words that made my heart pound. The Unforgivable Curses.
Mad Eye Moody limped to the front of the class. He looked over everyone before speaking. "My name is Alastair Moody. Ex Auror, Ministry malcontent. And your new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher." He explains. The room was gloomy and silent. No one dared to speak a word. "I'm here because Dumbledore asked me. End of story. Goodbye. The end." He snaps. Cedric and I give each other confusing looks. I shrug my shoulders and look back to Moody. "When it come to the Dark Arts, I believe in an impractical approach. Now which of you can tell me how many Unforgivable Curses there are?" Moody asked.
"Three, sir." Hermione says, breaking the tension. "And they are so named?" Moody begins writing on the board. "Because they are Unforgivable. The use of any one of them will-." Hermione is cut off. "Earn you a one way ticket to Azkaban. Correct. Now the Ministry says you're to young to see what these curses do. I say different! You need to know what you're up against! You need to be prepared! And you need to find another place to put your chewing gum, besides the underside of your desk. Mr. Finnigan!" Everyone turns there attention towards the back. Seamus' face turns red. "Oi. The old geeser can see in the back of his head." Seamus whispers to his desk partner. Moody throws his chalk across the room, hitting Seamus in the face. I giggle but quickly shut up when Moody gives me mean look. "I hear across classrooms! So which curse should we see first. WEASLEY!" He yells. Ron's face turns into pure terror. "Yes?" He trembles. "Stand."
Ron slowly stands up. His face turns almost the same shade of his hair. "Give us a curse." Moody whispered. "Well my dad did tell me about one. The Imperius Curse." Ron says. He looks almost as if he was ashamed for knowing such a curse. "Yeah, your father would know all about that." Moody's raspy voice whispers throughout the room. "Gave the Ministry quite a bit grief a few years. Perhaps this will show you why." Moody goes over to the front table and takes out a spider. He puts it in his hand. "Engorgio." The spider expands in his palm. "Imperio." Moody flies the spider across the room on to Goyle's head. The class erupts into laughter, even Cedric. But not me. The curses gave me a weird vibe, almost unexplainable. When Cedric noticed that I wasn't laughing he quickly shut his mouth.
Moody then flies the spider on Patil's arm. It crawls up her sleeve. The spider is suddenly above Ron. His smile completely gone. Draco laughs even harder, causing Moody to fling the spider onto his face. "Get off. Get off." Draco panicked.
"Talented isn't she. What should I do next? Have her jump out the window. Drown herself." Moody hangs the spider above a bucket of water. The class silenced themselves as they realizes that this was not something to be laughed about.
Moody takes the spider back in his palm. "Scores of witches and wizards have claimed that they only knows who bidding of influence of the Imperious Curse. But hears the deal. How do we sort out the liars?" Moody gives everyone a hard stare. I look down at my palms. I could see Cedric gazing at me with much concern. Students slowly raise their hand except, Hermione, Neville, and I. A tear falls down my face. I quickly wipe it away before anyone noticed.
"Longbottom, is it." Moody asked Neville. I felt bad for him. I've heard about his Mom and Dad. They were tortured by Bellatrix about fourteen years ago. I had admired Neville's courage. Neville slowly stand up from his chair. He doesn't dare to look Moody in the eyes. "Professor Sprout tells me you have an attitude for Herbology." Moody says. Neville ignores the comment.
"There's the Cruciatus Curse." Neville says. "Correct! Come. Come." Moody guides Neville over to the front table. "The torture curse." Moody raises his wand and points it at the spider. "Crucio."
A small wailing is cried out by the poor spider. Neville closes his eyes. Moody continues to torture the spider. It's screams get louder. I let out a small sob. I feel Cedric grab my hand and give it a small squeeze. After a few moments I finally had enough.
"Stop it. Can't you see it's bother him. Stop it!" I yell. The wailing stops. Moody take the spider in his hands once again. He goes over to me. My breathing becomes short. He lets the spider lay on desk. "Perhaps you could give us the last Unforgivable Curse, Ms. Devereux." Moody says. I don't look up. My eyes stay on the helpless spider. I start to cry even harder.
"Avada Kedavra!" The spider lets out one last wail. Her body become lifeless. And to only think she was alive a few moments ago, just made everything much worse.
"The Killing Curse. Only one person is known to survive it. And he's sitting right in this room. Moody stand over by Harry.
I push myself out of my seat and begin to leave. Before I can make it out my desk, Cedric grabs my wrist. I twist my wrist away. "Phoebe."
"Don't!" I yell. I grab my bag and leave the classroom.
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Dear Cedric,
I would much prefer it if you were alive and well.
Yours Truly
Phoebe