Chapter 442: Get Out!!
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"When do you plan to actually teach? Let's go already."
Malfoy slung his bag over his shoulder.
He cast Ron a contemptuous look, as if saying Ron was shamelessly currying favor with Moody.
"Get out!" Moody roared.
Malfoy bolted from the classroom.
Ron burst into laughter.
He felt thoroughly satisfied.
Moody gave a low, hoarse chuckle.
"Back to the lesson. You're only in your fourth year, so technically you shouldn't be exposed to this yet…"
"But Dumbledore praised your courage."
"So, I believe you're ready."
"Ready to learn how to deal with real Dark Magic."
He swept his gaze across the classroom.
"Now then—who can tell me what the Ministry of Magic considers the Unforgivable Curses?"
Almost everyone looked toward Darren.
Ron answered hesitantly, "…The Imperius Curse?"
"Correct!"
Moody nodded.
"The Imperius Curse allows someone to control another person completely."
"When Darren was in his second year, he was put under the Imperius Curse."
"I saw his memory in the Pensieve."
"I think Darren did extraordinarily well. Within three minutes, he broke free."
Moody turned toward him.
"Darren, would you tell everyone what it felt like?"
Then he added seriously, "I know many professors avoid speaking about that incident because it reminds you of what happened."
"But you did something remarkable. You committed no crime."
"So why shouldn't you face it?"
"Come on. Stand up straight."
"Tell them your method. Loud and clear."
The classroom erupted in whispers.
Cassandra stood up immediately.
"Professor Moody, I object."
Although Potter did something incredible, that experience hurt him physically and mentally.
"I don't think he should be forced to confront that now. He's still young. This can wait."
Moody's magical eye widened.
"And who are you?"
"Cassandra Voray."
She lifted her chin.
Moody muttered something about Death Eaters under his breath, but his expression toward her was far gentler than the one he'd given Malfoy.
"You're not Darren."
"And Darren is not as fragile as you make him sound."
"He'll be the strongest Auror in the future."
"I don't need lectures. Sit down."
Moody said it bluntly.
Cassandra returned to her seat, clearly upset, but she kept looking at Darren with worry in her eyes.
Darren hesitated briefly.
Then he spoke calmly.
"I didn't want to talk about it."
"Being hit by the Imperius Curse feels terrible."
"I almost lost control completely."
"But then I heard them say they were going to bring my brother to me."
"I couldn't accept that."
"How could I let him get hurt?"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding…]
The Father values surged.
Moody laughed.
"Well said. Ten points to Slytherin."
"I hate giving Slytherin points…"
"But Darren, you're impossibly kind."
"I thought you had some special trick."
"Turns out it was just your heart."
He then faced the class.
"Don't be fooled."
"Breaking free from the Imperius Curse requires more than willpower. It requires unshakable conviction."
"Stay alert. Always."
Then he barked, "What's the next curse?"
Again, all eyes turned to Darren—
But this time, Hermione's hand slowly rose.
So did Neville's.
"You," Moody said, pointing at Neville.
"The… Cruciatus Curse," Neville said quietly.
Moody asked, "Your name?"
"Neville Longbottom."
"Oh. A Longbottom."
Moody nodded once, then dismissed him with a sigh.
"The Cruciatus Curse is a truly terrifying spell."
He turned around and picked up a glass.
Inside it was a spider.
Moody tipped it out onto the floor.
"Let's get a better look."
"Engorgio."
The spider grew until it was nearly as tall as a chair.
Ron immediately swapped places with Harry.
Moody ignored him.
He raised his wand.
"Crucio."
The spider convulsed violently, twisting and rolling across the floor.
Though it made no sound, everyone could imagine a scream.
"Stop… please…"
Hermione's voice shook.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"Don't do this anymore!"
She cried out, "Stop torturing him!"
Harry realized she said him.
Not it.
He glanced at Darren.
Darren stood frozen.
Staring at the spider.
His face drained of color.
For a split second, it looked like he had been pulled elsewhere—
Somewhere dark.
Somewhere he never wanted to return.
"Professor…" Darren said quietly.
"Please stop."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding…]
Moody lowered his wand.
"As you wish."
"Finite Incantatem."
The spider shrank back to its original size.
It lay motionless.
Only its legs twitched.
"That pain," Moody said slowly, "doesn't come from the body."
"It comes from the soul."
"It crushes the mind and destroys the will."
Then he looked at them.
"So."
"Who knows the last one?"
Hermione raised her hand again.
"Yes?"
"Avada Kedavra."
Moody nodded grimly.
"Yes."
"The Killing Curse."
He lifted another jar.
Inside was a second spider.
"Darren encountered this once—inside the Pensieve."
"And many of you saw it."
"Those Death Eaters were ordered to kill."
He drew his wand.
The room went deathly silent.
"Avada Kedavra."
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