Moody found himself in a predicament as a deluge of complaints from parents questioned his suitability as a teacher. While some level-headed wizards might appreciate the insights of an Auror with extensive practical experience in Defense Against the Dark Arts, the parents of Hogwarts students felt differently. Particularly, those who had lived through Voldemort's reign were all too aware of the implications of the three unforgivable curses. Naturally, none wished to see their children end up in Azkaban.
To these parents, Moody, once a legendary war hero and Auror, now seemed like a senile old man, more buried in the past than grounded in the present. His erratic behavior, such as mistaking a trash can for an enemy, did little to assuage their concerns. Consequently, when reports of his teaching methods spread, a flood of complaint letters swiftly arrived at Hogwarts, piling up in Dumbledore's office to an overwhelming extent.
"Alastor, you know I trust your expertise," Dumbledore said, attempting to offer some comfort as he picked up yet another letter, this one shrieking so loudly it made his ears ring. He glanced at Moody, whose expression was unreadable. Moody, ever the stoic Auror, typically remained unfazed by external opinions. However, the current situation visibly irked him, prompting him to take a swig from his flask in frustration. His magical eye fixated on the envelope Dumbledore had discarded. "Don't bother with that one; it's soaked in babo tuber juice," he grumbled.
Dumbledore, accustomed to such antics, set the envelope aside, adding to the growing mountain of complaints. It was clear that the discontent extended to the headmaster himself this time.
"Did some ill-intentioned individual orchestrate this?" Moody paced the office, a mix of impatience and agitation in his demeanor.
Dumbledore tried to soothe him, "Alastor, what's troubling you?" He was puzzled; Moody was not one to be easily disturbed.
"Dumbledore, I..." Moody began, only to trail off, muttering an apology. His unusual state of distress should have been a cause for concern, but Dumbledore was preoccupied with the continuous influx of letters.
Opening another envelope, Dumbledore found it filled with repulsive slugs, a sight that no longer surprised him. He placed it on the desk, where it joined the rest of the unsavory pile.
Meanwhile, in the corridor, John and several members of the Star Club discussed Moody's peculiar behavior. Heinrich shared his recent encounter, noting Moody's sudden return just as he was about to investigate a mysterious box. The box seemed to emanate a strange sound, as if from a deep well, but Moody's arrival prevented any further inspection.
John pondered the situation. "Is Moody's vigilance slipping?" It seemed unlikely that Moody, known for his paranoia, would overlook Heinrich's intrusion. The ease with which Heinrich accessed the office was suspicious.
Regardless, all signs pointed to the mysterious box. "We need to devise a plan to distract Moody," John concluded, eyeing Malfoy with a thoughtful gaze. Daphne, Heinrich, Cedric, and Fleur shared his contemplation.
"What do you expect me to do?" Malfoy asked, genuinely puzzled.
Fleur responded with sincerity, "Draco, in the short time we've been together, I've witnessed your remarkable abilities. "Fleur truly admired Malfoy, though she was unaware of the extent of his actions. The entire school seemed oblivious to anyone he genuinely cared about, as he sowed discord wherever he went. As one of the top three competitors, Fleur considered herself among the strongest, especially in drawing ire—a crucial aspect of personal safety in the third task. They had agreed that the opponent would not resort to cheating, and thus, they would never rely on Malfoy's dubious methods.
"Ah?" Malfoy was slightly taken aback by the praise, yet secretly pleased. "What ability?" he inquired.
Fleur responded earnestly, "The ability to make people despise you."
Malfoy was left speechless. He detested friends who overstepped boundaries. With a mix of surprise and irritation, he asked, "You're not suggesting I distract Moody, are you?" He sought support from his friends, turning to Daphne, who offered nothing but a silent, indifferent head tilt. This indifference stung Malfoy, prompting him to look at Cedric for reassurance.
Cedric, with a hint of expectation, said, "You don't have to go all out, just tone it down a bit."
Malfoy couldn't hide his disbelief. "Are you being serious?" The thought of facing a legendary Auror like Moody, known for his physical punishments, was daunting.
His last hope rested on John, his best friend, who surely wouldn't dismiss him as the others had. "John, you don't find me annoying, do you?" Malfoy asked, hopeful for a different response.
John pondered for a moment before deciding, "Draco, I'll relieve you of your duty to provoke Harry. For now, you can find other ways to interact with him."
Malfoy felt a surge of resentment. Was he truly that bothersome? He had forgotten the incident in their first year when John had reprimanded him for his mean behavior. Fortunately, John's plan didn't involve a direct confrontation with Moody but rather a strategy to indirectly draw him away by engaging with Harry in a peculiar manner.
Despite Malfoy's usual lack of seriousness, he had made a valid point. The incident with the mermaid and the escalating tension between the savior and Slytherin had made Moody overly protective of Harry. It seemed Moody was always on standby, ready to intervene and discipline the Slytherin students at a moment's notice. This constant vigilance made Malfoy paranoid about Moody's sudden appearances.
Meanwhile, Hagrid, tasked with the Conservation of Fantastic Beasts, decided to change the curriculum after realizing the limited use of the remaining snails. He introduced the students to Nifflers, magical creatures fond of shiny objects, found in mines. The sight of a Niffler eagerly digging up an Irish leprechaun gold coin immediately endeared them to the students, despite their penchant for stealing shiny belongings.
John observed a Niffler attempting to snatch his ring and seized the opportunity to signal Malfoy for a 'friendly' interaction with Harry. Malfoy, never one to miss a chance to irritate Harry, approached and quickly dampened Harry's spirits, nearly causing a conflict. Hagrid intervened to separate them, while Ron looked on, visibly upset.
As the commotion unfolded, John skillfully located all the hidden gold coins with the help of the Niffler, his unique ability allowing him to detect the magical aura of the leprechaun gold without any need for digging. Hagrid was impressed by John's knack for finding the coins, a testament to his exceptional magical insight. John was rewarded with a piece of Honeydukes chocolate, a premium treat that Hagrid, in his generosity, deemed fit for a reward. It was a gesture that could have made Hagrid the richest man in Hogwarts, if only the chocolate had appealed to John. Instead, he passed it on to Goyle, sparking a near altercation with Crabbe, who was envious of the treat. Daphne's face twisted in resentment at the scene, prompting John to offer, albeit doubtfully, "You want some too?" He couldn't understand the fuss over the chocolate but decided he might buy a box for her another day.
The lesson on Magizoology had just concluded, but it seemed Malfoy's penchant for conflict had not. Encountering Harry in the hallway, Malfoy wasted no time engaging in a skirmish. The fight quickly turned against Malfoy, especially with Hermione joining Harry's side. John, seizing the moment, dealt with Goyle—who was still distracted by the taste of the chocolate—signaling that it was time for them to intervene. Goyle and Crabbe, noticing Malfoy outnumbered, jumped into the fray. Together, they created a formidable force, their combined effort seemingly multiplying their strength. Why did it feel like their power was ninefold? Because, in this chaos, the usual rules didn't apply.
Amidst the commotion, John noticed Ron drawing his wand, ready to join the battle. It was then that the distinctive sound of Moody's footsteps echoed through the hallway. "Malfoy!" he barked, causing Malfoy's face to blanch. However, recalling something, Malfoy's expression swiftly shifted back to his usual arrogance.
John's attention shifted to Moody, puzzled by his timely arrival. The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom was nowhere nearby, so how had Moody known to come? A thought struck John—could Moody possess something akin to the Marauder's Map, enabling him to monitor the happenings within Hogwarts with such precision? The possibility lingered in the air, unanswered, as the confrontation unfolded.
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