Chapter 337: Grade 4, First Defense Lesson
The first Defense Against the Dark Arts class in the fourth year at Hogwarts was a joint class between Slytherin and Gryffindor.
When Amanta, Draco and Harry walked into the classroom, there were already quite a few people sitting inside.
The air was filled with a strange sense of excitement and tension. Students were talking in low voices in twos and threes, seemingly full of curiosity and anxiety about today's class.
Their eyes kept falling on the man standing on the podium.
Alastor Moody.
He was more…shocking than they had expected.
His face was covered with scars, his nose was missing a piece, and his rough skin looked like weathered old bark. His huge blue magic eye kept turning, as if it could see through everyone's secrets, which was chilling. The heavy boots, the worn robe, and the wooden prosthetic leg all revealed the legendary experience of this man.
Although his image could not be described as "good", many people in the class, especially the Gryffindor students, were full of curiosity and excitement.
"Mad-Eye Moody."
They had heard this name countless times in various rumors.
——The most terrifying former Auror, who was cruel in capturing Death Eaters and was also the most vicious one.
A paranoid person who even casts protective spells on his own food.
It is said that his magic eyes can see through walls, invisibility cloaks, and even bones.
As Amanta took her seat, she noticed that some of the Slytherin students had noticeably stiffer expressions than the Gryffindor students.
For example, Gower, Nott, Brace, Montagu...
Their families all have some connection with former Death Eaters to some extent.
Their emotions towards Moody were obviously not simply "awe" or "curiosity", but rather a kind of instinctive fear.
Amanta withdrew her gaze and sat down.
Draco sat next to her and Harry on the other side.
They had just sat down when a mocking voice came from behind them.
"Wow, Slytherin actually produced three saviors."
Amanta didn't need to look back to know who it was - Ron Weasley.
Harry was about to turn around and retort, but Amanta gently pressed his wrist under the table, signaling him to ignore it.
Ron didn't intend to give up. He crossed his arms, glanced at them unkindly, and continued:
"What? Is the Defense Against the Dark Arts class going to be a performance stage for you Slytherins now? Oh no, Miss Merlin is the most popular person in Diagon Alley. Maybe Professor Moody will praise you today."
As soon as he finished speaking, Seamus Finnigan also laughed and patted the table.
"That's right. The Daily Prophet is talking about her. She can cast spells with both hands, she's extremely talented, a genius witch... why don't we see what this 'genius' can do today?"
Draco's face darkened and Harry pursed his lips.
Amanta turned her head expressionlessly and looked at them, saying calmly: "If you don't want to be deducted points, you'd better shut up."
Ron snorted coldly. Although he wanted to say something, Moody's magic eye had already turned and stared at them closely.
"Any opinions?" Moody's hoarse voice sounded, carrying a heavy sense of oppression that came from a lifetime of experience.
Ron shrank his neck and said nothing more.
The corners of Moody's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a ferocious smile: "Very good, now - class begins."
"I'm glad you're here for my Defense Against the Dark Arts class."
Moody slowly walked to the center of the classroom, his magic eyes moving as he scanned everyone.
"You know who I am, and you've heard rumors about me. I don't care whether you heard them, guessed them, or made them up... But I will tell you the most real thing - this world is far more dangerous than you think."
He suddenly raised his head, and his bright blue demonic eye stared at them steadily.
"In this year's Triwizard Tournament, the chosen warriors will face real danger... But I tell you, even without this competition, the world outside is still not peaceful."
His tone was heavy: "I know what you are thinking-"
"The Quidditch World Cup this summer."
"The Dark Mark."
"Death Eater riot."
"The attack on Diagon Alley."
The classroom suddenly fell into a depressing silence.
There was complete silence and everyone held their breath.
Moody glanced at them coldly, "Do you think this is just an accident? No, Voldemort will come back eventually."
A stone stirred up a thousand waves.
The students were whispering and talking among themselves, many of them looked slightly disappointed, and some timid students even lowered their heads in fear, not daring to look directly at Moody.
"This is impossible..." someone whispered.
"He's dead... right?" Some Gryffindor students looked at their companions nervously, trying to find comfort.
But Moody's eyes left no doubt: "The Dark Lord's minions never truly give up. They are always waiting, always looking for an opportunity."
His voice was low, but every word was as sharp as a knife: "If he comes back, are you ready?"
No one answered.
Even Draco clenched his fists unconsciously.
"So, you must learn the real way to fight."
Moody suddenly raised his wand and waved it towards a table in the middle of the classroom -
"Crack!"
The table exploded into several pieces in an instant.
Everyone was startled and shrank back suddenly.
"Today, we're going to try something real." Moody gave a ferocious smile. "I'm going to show you real dark magic - and how to resist it."
*
There was no nonsense in this class, Moody just threw out a few spells and demonstrated them himself.
"Today we won't talk about theories from books. I'll just teach you how to protect yourself." He fiddled with his wand and said hoarsely, "Faint!"
A red beam shot forward, and a chair instantly flew backwards and hit the wall.
"What kind of spell is this?"
"Stunning spell." Someone answered immediately.
Moody nodded. "Yes, but if someone attacks you with this spell, how will you defend yourself?"
Harry was the first to raise his hand, and Moody motioned for him to come up.
"Okay, Potter, let's try." Moody showed a slightly sinister smile, "Don't dodge, don't block, just use your wand to fight back."
Harry tightened his grip on his wand and took a deep breath.
"Stupefy!" Moody waved his wand.
"Protection!" Harry responded quickly.
The red spell hit his shield, sparks flew, and the powerful impact made Harry take a few steps back, but he steadied himself in time.
Moody looked at him and nodded.
"Yes, Potter."
He scanned the entire classroom, his gaze stopped on Amanta, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.
"Next - Merlin, you come."
Amanta stood up immediately, holding her wand tightly, her eyes calm.
"I'm always at your service, Professor."