Chapter 81: Unforgivable Curses
Classes soon started and Art was taking Healing from Pomfrey, Dueling from Flitwick and Wards from Dumbledore. He also ordered Alchemy books from Flourish and Blotts but had to wait for them to be delivered. Fred and George were busy trying to figure out how the Champion selection was decided but came up empty.
"Nothing! No one is saying anything." Fred said sitting down at the Gryffindor table in a huff. Fred joined him but didn't say anything.
Art wasn't bothered about how the selection would happen because it was clear that Dumbledore would tell the school when the other two schools showed up.
They slowly ate until Fred friend looked down at his schedule. "We have class with Moody! Let's leave early to get a good seat!"
Fred stood up and took off without George and Art. They stood up and followed him, weaving through students. It seemed that Fred wasn't the only one who wanted to get a good seat in Moody's class as most of the front row was full. The four of them took the remaining seats and waited patiently for class to begin.
Looking around, Art saw many Dark Detectors and other devices on Moody's desk.
'Looks like the rumors are true, he trusts no one, not even students.'
Soon the classroom filled up and Moody came limping in, his wooden leg lurching awkwardly when he walked.
"Books away." he said roughly. "Now Professor Lupin has caught me up with you covered last year. He covered curses but he didn't go deep enough."
His face blue eye whizzed around the class looking at everyone.
"There are three curses that will book you a life sentence in Azkaban, anybody know what they are?"
George's hand shot up into the air. "Imperius Curse, sir."
Moody walked to George's desk and looked down at him, making Fred nervous.
"Weasley, eh? Your father is a good man, helped me out a few days back." he grunted before returning to his desk. "Yes! The Imperius Curse!" he yelled.
He took out a large spider from the jar and muttered, "Imperio!"
Soon the spider started to do backflips and other strange things causing the class to laugh besides Art.
"Think it's funny, do ya? How about if I do it to you?" he growled.
The laughter died down and looked at the spider solemnly.
"Complete control. I could make it kill itself or kill others. Years ago, countless wizards and witches were under the control of the Imperius Curse. The ministry had a tough job figuring out the truth between those who were under the curse… and those who weren't." he said seriously, placing the spider back in the jar.
"Another one?" he looked at the class.
A few hands shot up, including Cedrics.
"You are?" he said, pointing at Cedric.
"Cedric Diggory, sir. The Cruciatus Curse." he said with a slightly frightened look.
"Yes… the Cruciatus Curse. Needs to be a little bigger for you to get the picture." Moody said gruffly, casting a growing charm on another spider.
"Crucio!" he said.
Soon the spider started to shake and its legs spent at weird angles, clearly in pain. Art's face went dark and waved his wand suddenly, cutting the spider in half.
"We get it, sir." he said, putting his wand away.
Moody looked at Art and limped over to his desk, "Cason, what is the last Curse?" he asked, he electric blue eye fixed on Art.
"The Killing Curse." he said, not looking at Moody.
Moody nodded and pointed his wand at the spider before yelling, "Avada Kedavra!"
A green beam of light shot out of his wand and hit the spider. The spider simply rolled over and died. Art's face went cold and subconsciously clenched his fists, seeing the green light.
"Not nice or pleasant… no counter curse or way to block it. Only one person has ever survived and he is in this school." Moody said in a strange voice.
"Now these three curses are called the Unforgivable Curses. Control, pain and death. You must be prepared, you must have CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" he shouted, causing the students to jump.
He started to write notes on the board and everyone copied them. The class continued like this with Moody talking about the implications of each curse.
Class ended with everyone muttering about the class.
"He might actually be crazy, you know? Too many curses to the brain." Fred said.
"He has seen it all. It is not a surprise that he doesn't trust anyone." Cedric said.
Art nodded in agreement, "Seeing friends and family betray or even kill each other, that could damage someone's trust."
"Well still, one of the best lessons we have ever had." George said, excitement on his face.
All of them agreed on this and Moody's lesson soon spread through the school. Some were filled with horror as others were jumping down with excitement.
The next Defence Against the Dark Arts class, Moody performed the Imperius Curse on them individually. The class was a fun one as many students were controlled to do strange things. Art easily shook off the curse, earning great praise from Moody.
"You see that! You see that! Never even had a chance to control him! Strong will power and CONSTANT VIGILANCE! Good job Cason!"
Cedric and the twins left the class with darks looks on their faces.
"Teach us." Cedric suddenly said. "I never want to feel that helpless again."
The twins nodded in agreement, their faces serious for once.
"Okay." he simply said.
He took out a book from his bag and made three copies of it with his wand.
"Read this book and clear your minds before you go to sleep each night. I will start penetrating your minds in a week." Art said, glad to his friends being serious about this.
He didn't believe that they would become skilled in Occlumency but proficient enough to protect their thoughts. He knew the twins were emotional so they would have a tougher time to achieve it.
Over the next few weeks, Art noticed that the castle had overnight became spotless. Even empty corridors and empty classrooms were spotless.
Art smiled internally, 'Looks like the teachers want to make a good expression.'
He was no different, today was the day that the representatives of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons arrived and he was wearing his best robes. He also combed his hair which he usually didn't do.
McGonagall was going around scolding students whose robes were ruffled or anything out of line. Art could barely contain his excitement as the school was waiting for the delegates to arrive.
"Someone is in a good mood." Cedric smirked.
"I haven't seen her in a year." Art defended.
"Maybe she forgot all about you and is dating someone else." Fred teased.
George patted Art's shoulder, "Don't worry, we will make the man mysteriously disappear."
Art gave him a light punch to the shoulder and scanned the sky, looking for Beauxbaton.
Suddenly Dumbledore from the back row with the other teachers, yelled, "Ah, unless I am very much mistaken, the delegation from Beauxbatons approaches!"
A shiver ran down Art's body and scanned the skyline, finally seeing a small dot in the sky. Students were yelling and trying to guess what it was. Soon a dozen winged horses were seen pulling a giant carriage. The horses themselves were the size of elephants and Art was immediately drawn to them.
'Abraxan.' he sighed, mesmerized by the horses.
Soon the carriage landed and a boy in pale blue robes came out and unfolded a set of golden steps. Soon a giant women walked out in a black satin dress. She had an olive skinned face with a handsome face with large opals around her neck.
'This must be Madame Maxime.' thought Art, remembering what Fleur told him about her.
The school started to clap for her as she walked towards Dumbledore with a smile on her face. She was about to say something when a scream rang through the yard.
"ART!"
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