Bab 608: Moody: Are You Suspecting Me?

Editor: Atlas Studios

Unfortunately, Ivan was disappointed to find nothing there.

"You were watching me? Why?" Moody asked, sensing Ivan's gaze on him and turning his head to stare at him.

Ivan's expression hardened. He had not expected Moody to be so sensitive.

After a short moment of shock, Ivan recovered, looked apologetic, and explained, "Please forgive me, Professor! I'm sure you're aware of the rumours surrounding the position of Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts…"

"You mean the legend that every year a wizard who teaches Defence Against the Dark Arts suffers?" Moody asked.

"I think it's more than just a rumor. The previous professors have unfortunately come true. No one can teach for more than a year!" Ivan said confidently and flatteringly. "But I think a legendary Auror like you might be able to break this curse!"

"Don't flatter me, boy!"

Moody sneered and waved his hand, not buying it. He bent down and stared at Ivan with his eerie blue eyes. "I guess that's not really what you're talking about! Your eyes told me you were suspicious of me, didn't they?"

"What makes you think so, Professor?" said Moody, once again to Ivan's surprise.

"I did my homework before I came here, boy!" Moody grimaced, the walking stick in his right hand hitting the floor hard.

"I have to say, Albus did lack consideration when he chose his students… The Defence Against the Dark Arts professors in the past were all very special. One was a Dark Wizard, the other was an incompetent liar, and the last was… a werewolf! I heard that you caught them all, so it's only natural that you suspect me…"

When it came to Lupin's status, Moody kept his voice down so that only Ivan and a few others could hear.

Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger were all surprised, wondering how Moody knew who Professor Lupin was.

Ivan was not surprised. Moody and Lupin were both members of the Order of the Phoenix, so it was natural for them to know each other well.

The only thing he didn't expect was for Moody to bring his suspicions to the surface, leaving Ivan somewhat embarrassed.

Fortunately, Ivan was very thick-skinned. Even when he was exposed, his face did not change.

"Professor is indeed a legend in the Auror world. It seems that nothing can be hidden from you! I apologize for my previous offense!"

"Hey, there's some truth in that flattery!" Moody scoffed, then added, "Besides, you don't have to apologize to me for that! It's a good habit to be on your guard!"

"I know what it's like, Harls!" Moody's head was bowed, his face suddenly tense. "I've caught too many Death Eaters in my life, and I've been a thorn in the side of many Dark Wizards on the run, who would do anything to get rid of me if they had the chance!"

"So I have to do this every time—"

As he spoke, Moody picked up a doughnut from the table and sniffed it. He then took out his silver knife and poked it a few times to make sure it wasn't poisoned.

"Well, these desserts look okay… I'll have to bring some back!" Moody mumbled, smacking his lips.

Ivan was rendered speechless by Moody's neurotic caution. Wasn't he afraid of having a nervous breakdown?

Moody didn't think his manners were inappropriate. He had taken this caution to be a habit, and after swallowing the doughnut, he spoke again.

"I read the paper a few months ago, and I have to say, that was quite a debate you had in the courtroom, Harles! If Dumbledore hadn't told me some of your stories, I would never have believed that a mere wizard could have so many legendary experiences…"

"I bet you'd be the best Auror ever if you went to the Ministry after you graduated!"

Moody looked at Ivan with open admiration.

"I'll think about it if I get the chance," Ivan said, shrugging.

"Is that so?" Moody looked disappointed at Ivan's patronizing remark, but he did not try to dissuade him. Instead, he picked up a plate and scooped some dessert off the table.

"Remember always to be on your guard, boy!"

As she watched Moody's retreating back, Ivan's doubts dissipated somewhat, as he was able to identify him as the real Moody from both his mannerisms and his acuity.

"Looks like we're going to have a great Defence Against the Dark Arts professor this year, just like last year!" Harry exclaimed.

"He's a true Defence Against the Dark Arts master, the legendary Auror of the wizarding world!" Hermione exclaimed, nodding in agreement.

The little witch then turned to Ivan and said, "I think Professor Moody is right. Ivan, you're perfect for an Auror. If I became Minister for Magic, I'd hire you as the Chief Executive. What do you say?"

"Wait, Hermione, aren't you trying to free the house-elves? Why are you talking about the Minister for Magic?" Ron asked curiously.

"It's not exactly a conflict, is it? Only by becoming Minister for Magic can one truly change the way wizards discriminate against house-elves! In the meantime, I'm going to go to the kitchens and ask the house-elves what they think…" Hermione vowed, having already thought about what sort of position to assign Harry and Ron.

However, neither of them paid any attention to Hermione's nonsense; Minister for Magic was not an easy position.

Ivan was secretly glad that his words from the night before had had some effect, at least for the time being, he did not have to worry about Hermione taking out her "vomiting" badge and forcing them to wear it.

With that in mind, Ivan returned his attention to the unfinished Daily Prophet.

In addition to the front page photo of the Death Eaters attacking the camp, Ivan also saw Sirius being captured by several Aurors.

Ivan shook his head and said, "Sirius was too reckless. The Quidditch pitch was so chaotic, he should have stayed put to protect you!"

"I think Sirius must have believed we could protect ourselves!" Harry defended his godfather.

Yvonne rolled her eyes. They were lucky at best, but if they ran into a pack of Death Eaters, what difference would it make to them if they just used the "self-defence magic" they'd learned over the years?

Ivan, however, was well aware of Sirius's hatred of Death Eaters, and it would not have been out of character for him to see a Death Eater brazenly setting fire to a campsite outside the World Cup grounds and abusing Muggles.

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