Timeless

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 6

-C. Owens, Hogwarts, 1994-

Classes had started and to say I understood anything would be a lie. I had lots of notes, however, I didn't understand any of them. I finally made it to DADA and was forced to sit beside Mattheo. "Keep your stuff on your side," Mattheo hissed, shoving my book to the side slightly.

"My stuff is on my side," I whispered. "Mr Riddle and Miss Owens shut your mouths," Moody snapped. I quietly looked at Moody, messing with my book cover. "I see you all slogged down to Fourish & Blotts like good little boys and girls and bought the textbook. Congratulations... it'll make a fine doorstop," Moody turned to face us all.

"I'm Alastor Moody, ex-Auror, Ministry malcontent and your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," He watched us all, "I'm here because Dumbledore asked me. End of story, goodbye, the end. Any questions?"

No one said a word. I messed with my tie nervously. Moody turned and drank from his flask, "When it comes to the Dark Arts, I believe in a practical approach. You may wonder what I mean by that. I'll show you."

"But first, which of you can tell me," Moody snatched up a specimen jar and watched whatever was inside, "How many Unforgivable Curses are?" I glanced over at Draco, unsure if he felt the same uneasy feeling as I did.

"I might've known. Go on, Granger," Moody stated. "There are three, sir," Hermione quickly stopped, "How did you know..."

"Your name? I know a bit more than that. You're top of your class- correct?" Moody asked. "Yes, sir," Hermione nodded. "Naturally inquisitive?" Moody looked at Hermione.

"Yes," Hermione mumbled. "Socially inept?" Moody asked. Hermione looked shocked, "Well-"

"And... Muggle-born," Moody pointed out, looking at everyone else, "I'm not about to walk into a room full of strangers without doing background. Constant vigilance!" He jabbed his staff into the floor.

I jumped slightly and grabbed Mattheo's arm. Mattheo looked over at me and then at Moody. "Again, Granger. How many Curses?" Moody asked. "Three," Hermione responded.

"And they're so named?" Moody asked. "Because they're unforgivable. The use of any one of them..." Hermione tensed up. "Will earn you a one-way ticket to Azkaban, correct," Moody wrote unforgivable on the chalkboard.

"Now, the Ministry says you're too young to see what these curses do. I say differently. You need to know what you're up against. You need to be prepared. You need to find another place to put your gum beside the underside of your desk, Mr Finnegan," Moody never turned from the board.

"Blimey. The old codger can see out of the back of his head," Finnegan muttered. "And hear across classrooms. So. Which curse shall we see first?" Moody turned and looked at everyone, "Weasley! Stand up."

"Ye-yes?" Ron asked, slowly standing. "Give me a curse," Moody stared at him. I quietly held onto Mattheos sleeve, looking at Moody. "Well... my dad once told me about one... The Imperius Curse," Ron slowly sat down.

Moody allowed a spider from inside the jar to crawl into his hand before making it bigger. "I expect your father would know that one. Gave the Ministry a fair bit of grief some years ago. Perhaps this will show you why: Imperio!" Moody pointed his wand at the spider in his hand.