A Black and a Weasley

Chapter 42

"Alastor Moody."He says as he writes his name on the board. "Ministry malcontent. And your new defence against the dark arts teacher. I'm here because Dumbledore asked me, end of story, goodbye, the end. Any questions? When it comes to the dark arts, I believe in a practical approach. But first, which of you can tell me how many unforgivable curses there are?"He asks and Mione answers straight away from beside me

"Three sir"She says without hesitation

"And they are so named?"Moody asks

"Because they are unforgivable. Use of any one of them will... "Mione starts to explain before getting cut off

"Will 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 somewhere else to put your chewing gum other than the underside of your desk Mr Finnigan!"Moody says and we all turn to Seamus who is sitting with Dean few seats behind.

"Aw no way, the old codger can see out the back of his head."Seamis says as Mad-Eye throws the chalk in anger

"And gear across classrooms! So, which curse shall we see first?WEASLEY"Moody says making Ron gulp

"Yes"he answers nervously

"Give us a curse"Moody tells him

"Well, my dad did tell me about one... The imperious curse."Ron says nervously

"Ahhh yes, your father would know all about that. Gave the ministry quite a bit of grief a few years ago. Perhaps this will show you why" Mad-Eye says before he pops open a jar with a spider in it and he uses his wand to send it around the class.

"Don't worry. Completely harmless. But if she bites... she's lethal!" Mad-eye says making it go onto Pavarti which Draco laughs at "What are you laughing at?"Mad-Eye asks as sends the spider onto Draco's face making me laugh "Talented isn't she? What shall I have her do next? Jump out the window? Drown herself?" Mad-Eye says as he has the spider over a bucket of water wriggling.

"Scores of witches and wizards have claimed that they only do did you-know-whose bidding under the influence of the imperious curse. But here's the rub, how do we sort out the liars?" He asks and we all slowly raise our hands "Longbottom is it? Up."Mad-eye says and Neville stands. "Professor Sprout tells me you have an aptitude for herbology"Mad-eye says to him.

"There's the um... The cruciatus curse."Neville says

"Correct! Correct! come come. Particularly nasty. The torture curse."Mad-Eye says begins torturing the spider with magic so it squeals.

"Stop it! Can't you see it's bothering him, stop it!" I shout at Mad-eye who stops and Neville look disturbed. Mad-Eye picks up the spider which is still making a noise as places it on my books I front of me

"Perhaps you could give us the last unforgivable curse Miss Black" He tells me but I shake my head and he casts the killing curse and the spider disintegrates.

"The killing curse. Only one person is known to have survived it. And he's sitting in this room."He continues as he approaches Harry's desk and takes a drink.

"Brilliant isn't he! Completely demented of course. Terrifying to be in the same room with, he's really been there you know."Ron says as we walk down the staircase

"There's a reason those curses are unforgivable, and to perform them in a classroom. I mean did you see Neville's face" I ask them but I stop as I see him on the stairs facing the window upset.

"Neville?"Mione asks him as Mad-Eye approaches Neville and pats him on the shoulder.

"Son. You alright?"He asks Neville who nods. "Come on, we'll have a cup of tea.I want to show you something"Mad-eye says and he leads Neville back up the stairs