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Chapter 107
Reading up to this point, the students looked at Dumbledore with admiration. This was the guardian of Hogwarts, the pillar that held the school upright. With his own strength, he had suppressed the violent Dark wizards of Azkaban and stopped a mass prison break.
Dumbledore calmly accepted the admiring gazes. He was long used to them. Then he spoke to the students.
"The greater the power, the greater the responsibility. I hope you remember this. After you graduate, I look forward to occasionally seeing your good deeds reported in the Daily Prophet."
The students nodded excitedly.
"Now, let us talk about something else," Dumbledore said, stretching his arms slightly.
"The Dementors have been removed from Hogwarts. Personally, I consider this good news. I have never enjoyed dealing with those creatures. However, for you, it also means that the external protection around the school has weakened."
"Sirius Black is still at large and has already managed to infiltrate the castle. The Fat Lady's damaged portrait is proof that Hogwarts is not absolutely safe. If not for good fortune last time, a tragedy might already have occurred."
"We're not afraid!" a Gryffindor student shouted, eager to prove his courage.
"Yes, we're not afraid!" others echoed.
"No, no, no," Dumbledore said gently. "I do not want you to face a fugitive head-on. A person must understand their own limits. Do not belittle yourselves—but do not become arrogant either."
"Sirius Black was once my student. He was extraordinarily talented. Aside from being somewhat mischievous, he was nearly flawless."
As he spoke, Dumbledore cast a brief glance toward Lupin.
"I once believed he would become an outstanding Auror, or enter some other respectable profession. Unfortunately, that was not to be. Most of you already know what happened back then."
"What I must emphasize is this: he is an adult wizard—an exceptionally gifted one. The majority of you are no match for him. Perhaps in the future, but certainly not now. And it is possible that he has mastered far more dangerous Dark magic."
"I cannot allow underage students to face such danger. You are my students. That responsibility is mine."
"So, since the Dementors are gone, we will require other assistance."
Dumbledore coughed lightly to draw attention.
"Come in, my old friend. And try not to frighten my students—they are still children."
With a loud bang, the doors flew open. A blast of cold wind swept into the hall, making many students clutch their robes tighter.
A man stood in the doorway, leaning on a long staff and wrapped in a black travelling cloak.
Everyone turned to look.
The cold they had felt on their skin now crept into their hearts.
The bright lights revealed a face that looked as if it had been carved from rotting wood by an unskilled sculptor. Scar upon scar covered his skin. His mouth was twisted, his nose partially missing.
But it was his eyes that terrified people most.
One eye was small, dark, and sharp. The other was enormous, round as a coin, and a vivid electric blue. That blue eye spun constantly—up, down, left, right—utterly independent of the other. Then it rolled upward, vanishing into his head, leaving only a glaring white.
The stranger strode forward, choosing a gap between tables. Students hastily dragged their chairs back.
From his appearance alone, he did not look like a good man. Some students were already trembling.
"So this is the real one…" Malfoy murmured, surprise flickering through his eyes.
His identity was unmistakable.
Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody.
That constantly spinning magical eye was unmistakable proof.
"How did he get that eye?" Pansy whispered excitedly, staring unabashedly at Moody's eye. "It's fascinating."
"I don't know," Malfoy replied helplessly. "But if you want one like that, you'd have to remove your original eye first."
Pansy shuddered. "Never mind. Handsome, maybe—but not beautiful."
Moody reached Dumbledore's side. They shook hands. They exchanged a few quiet words the students couldn't hear. Moody shook his head slightly. Dumbledore nodded and gestured for him to sit at his right.
Moody sat, tossed his grey-white hair back, and scanned the hall. His normal eye stared ahead blankly. His magical eye spun relentlessly, watching everything.
The students seated near him wished they were still eating—at least then that dreadful eye might focus on the food instead.
"Allow me to introduce Mr. Moody," Dumbledore said with a smile. "He will be responsible for Hogwarts' security for the coming days. If any of you aspire to become Aurors, he is an excellent role model."
"I know him—Mad-Eye Moody!" Ron exclaimed, slapping the table.
"That Moody?" Seamus asked, fear giving way to awe.
"That eye's proof enough," Ron said proudly. "But… I thought he retired?"
"He did," Dumbledore said gently. "But this old man persuaded him to return. Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Moody."
"I'd rather not die peacefully in my sleep," Moody replied gruffly, bowing in return. "So the thanks are mine."
The two laughed together.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, my friend," Dumbledore said warmly.
"My eye's itching to catch Dark magic," Moody growled. "But don't worry—I only go after the wicked."
Ron suddenly whispered, "Scabbers—?"
The rat trembled violently.
Can that eye see through Animagi? Ron wondered, dread settling in his stomach.
"Moody," Dumbledore said, "please explain the plan."
Moody stepped forward.
"The Dementors are gone, but Hogwarts' defenses remain. By order of the Minister and Headmaster Dumbledore, several Aurors have been recalled. This is my alma mater. I won't allow Dark wizards to set foot here."
His hoarse voice rasped like iron scraping stone.
"So cooperate. I don't want to find your corpses lying about."
A shiver ran through the hall.
"Some curses make death seem merciful. Murderers don't duel politely."
Suddenly, Moody drew his wand.
"Stupefy!"
A jet of red light shot toward a student—
"Protego."
A shimmering shield appeared before Malfoy, absorbing the spell.
Moody clapped. "Impressive."
"You flatter me," Malfoy said calmly.
"Who else could've blocked that?" Moody demanded.
Silence.
"Exactly. And I was holding back."
"Ten points to Slytherin," Dumbledore said with a smile.
"Sirius Black survived Azkaban fueled by hatred," Moody continued grimly. "That twists magic."
He glanced at Neville.
"You understand."
Neville nodded, face tight with resolve.
"Your grandmother raised you well," Moody said quietly. "Your parents would be proud."
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