The battle erupted suddenly, catching everyone off guard. Harry, sensing a strong gust of wind behind him, was about to draw his wand when he noticed John engaged in a confrontation. With swift movements, John grabbed Malfoy by the hair and flung him aside, effectively switching their positions. Across the marble staircase, a figure deflected an incoming spell. John, quick on his feet, waved his wand, transforming the handrails into two ferocious dogs that lunged at the attacker. However, the assailant, skilled in combat, evaded the attack, and his spell collided with John's, causing an explosion of magic.
The confrontation halted abruptly, leaving the onlookers in shock. John's expression was stern, his eyes cold and calculating. "Professor Moody!" exclaimed a surprised voice. It was Professor McGonagall, who hadn't anticipated such chaos on the first day of school.
Moody, positioned on the opposite side of the staircase, scrutinized John with his magical eye, which darted around restlessly. Professor McGonagall, pale and visibly trying to contain her anger, demanded an explanation from the two still facing off.
Moody, addressing Harry with a hint of anger, asked, "Did he hurt you?" Harry, momentarily confused, realized Moody was referring to Malfoy and replied, "No." Moody, satisfied with the answer, approached Malfoy, his wooden leg thumping against the floor. "I despise backstabbers," he growled. "It's the most vile, despicable act!"
Malfoy, struggling to contain his anger, retorted, "Then, let's see if Harry Potter dares to face me in a fair fight!"
"You boy..." Moody's face contorted with anger as he loomed over Malfoy. John, interjecting with a cold tone, challenged Moody, "Then, your actions were not a sneak attack, Professor?"
Moody, turning to face John, examined his wand and then his impassive expression. John, narrowing his eyes, questioned Moody's sense of justice. The standoff between them was palpable, neither side yielding.
The tension escalated until Professor McGonagall, informed by Hermione, declared both parties at fault. However, she was particularly displeased with Moody's use of spells against students. "Moody! We never use transfiguration as punishment! Dumbledore must have made that clear!" she exclaimed, frustrated by Moody's aggressive stance.
"Perhaps he mentioned it," Moody mused, scratching his chin. "But I believe a good scare is sometimes necessary."
"We can discuss detention, Moody," Professor McGonagall countered, "or report this to the head of the offender's house."
"I'll do just that," Moody declared, turning to Malfoy with disdain.
As Moody attempted to take Malfoy away, John intervened, his voice cold and firm. "You wouldn't want to do that."
Caught off guard by John's intervention, Professor McGonagall exclaimed, "Mr. Wick?"
Moody, undeterred, mentioned his intention to speak with Snape, the head of Slytherin House. John, tightening his grip, insisted, "You wouldn't want to do that."
Moody's annoyance was evident, but before he could act, Slytherin students gathered around, their presence intensifying the standoff.
"Let go, kid!" Moody growled.
John remained silent, but the Slytherins stepped closer, their numbers growing. Professor McGonagall, realizing the situation was escalating beyond her control, pondered if Dumbledore could resolve the conflict.
"I won't abandon my friend, especially when he's being unfairly accused," John declared, his grip as firm as if crushing stone. He stared down Moody, each word heavy with resolve. "Don't create such a spectacle, Professor," Heinrich remarked, appearing unexpectedly behind Moody, with a growing crowd behind him. Daphne stood beside John, her expression one of arrogance and disdain. The atmosphere was charged with tension, a heavy silence pressing down on everyone present. Even Moody, a veteran of countless battles, looked taken aback.
John turned to Professor McGonagall, his tone measured and calm. "Professor McGonagall, it seems our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor might be slightly unfamiliar with Hogwarts' regulations, leading him to actions that breach our school's code. I'm sure Mr. Filch would be delighted to provide him with a handbook on the matter." As he finished speaking, he released his hold, and Moody was left standing, somewhat deflated. John's expression returned to its usual calm demeanor as he said, "Let's go back," prompting the Slytherin students to part, allowing him to lead the way. Daphne quickly caught up, followed closely by Heinrich on his left. Malfoy, with a disdainful snort, turned to Harry and said, "Potter, you should face me directly, not hide behind your new guardian."
Harry's face flushed with embarrassment, and Ron, initially furious, fell silent as the Slytherin students encircled them. Hermione watched John, taken aback by the influence he now wielded. Snape arrived just as the Slytherins dispersed, noticing the Star Society badges gleaming on the chests of John and his followers, emitting a faint starlight. He muttered to himself, "John Wick," his expression a mix of emotions.
The confrontation between students and professors was unprecedented at Hogwarts, a place where secrets were hard to keep hidden. The incident quickly spread, painting the current Slytherin house in a new light, likened to a radiant gem formed from scattered sand. Dumbledore, too, heard of the event, surprised by the turn of events and concerned about Moody's harsh disciplinary methods, which even McGonagall condemned.
"John Wick, has he really come this far?" Dumbledore pondered, aware of Moody's formidable reputation. The fact that John could stand toe-to-toe with such a legendary Auror without faltering was astonishing. "Severus, what are your thoughts?" he asked Snape, who was in the headmaster's office.
"As I've mentioned before," Snape replied coolly, "Slytherin is firmly under his control. It's quite evident."
Indeed, the loyalty Slytherin students showed John, even defending him against a professor, was unprecedented. Dumbledore realized he could no longer predict John's path or influence, acknowledging the need to guide him away from potential danger.
The next day, in Potions class, Snape bombarded John with questions, testing his knowledge extensively. John answered flawlessly, impressing even Snape, who reluctantly awarded Slytherin house points, causing their score to surge. This led to murmurs and complaints from the other houses, but Slytherin students merely scoffed, confident in John Wick's leadership.
Thus, the school year progressed, with the first Defense Against the Dark Arts class approaching, a session that would see Gryffindor and Slytherin students learning together, setting the stage for further developments in this unexpected tale. The Dark Arts classes were a staple for Harry, Ron, and their classmates, eagerly anticipated each year. This year was no exception. Professor Moody's classes, particularly popular among the sixth graders, had everyone buzzing with excitement. As the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor, Harry and Ron exchanged looks of anticipation. Soon, the door swung open to reveal the scarred face of Professor Moody as he stepped into the classroom.
His entrance was always an event in itself; the aura of mystery and the tales of his past adventures as an Auror added an edge to his lessons that few others could match. The classroom, usually abuzz with the chatter of students, fell into an expectant silence as Moody made his way to the front, his magical eye swiveling to survey the room.
"Today," Moody began, his voice gruff but compelling, "we delve deeper into the defenses against the Dark Arts. Real, practical knowledge that could very well save your lives one day." His gaze swept across the students, impressing upon them the seriousness of his words.
The lesson that followed was as engaging as it was informative. Moody demonstrated several advanced spells and counter-curses, his mastery evident in each movement. The students, Harry and Ron included, were completely absorbed, practicing the spells with varying degrees of success.
As the class progressed, it became clear that Moody's teaching style, though unconventional, was incredibly effective. He challenged the students, pushing them to go beyond the theoretical and understand the real-world applications of their magic.
By the end of the class, the students were both exhausted and exhilarated. They had learned more in that hour than in weeks of standard lectures. As they filed out of the classroom, there was a unanimous feeling of respect for the scarred professor who had seen so much and was willing to pass on his knowledge to them.
Harry and Ron lingered behind, wanting to thank Professor Moody for the lesson. As they approached him, they couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude. Moody, for all his gruff exterior, had a genuine desire to prepare them for the challenges they might face, and that was something they wouldn't forget.
"Thank you, Professor," Harry said, speaking for both of them. "Today's lesson was really eye-opening."
Moody's magical eye fixed on them, and for a moment, they saw a flicker of something like pride in his gaze. "Just remember," he said, his voice softer now, "knowledge is your best defense. Never forget that."
With those parting words, Harry and Ron left the classroom, their minds racing with everything they had learned. They knew that the challenges ahead would be daunting, but with teachers like Moody, they felt a bit more prepared to face them.
_________
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https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge