Chapter 524: "Moody"

Just as Ivan and Caresius were negotiating the details of their cooperation, a dispute broke out in the first floor foyer.

Harry, Ron and Hermione walked out of the castle into the foyer, which was full of people lining up for dinner.

"Did you hear what the Hufflepuff students said? Ivan beat Moody in Defense Against the Dark Arts class!" said Harry excitedly. "That's really amazing, how did he do it?"

"I don't know, but I hope ivan doesn't get in trouble," said Hermione worriedly.

"Moody's the best Auror; Ivan might have.... " Ron had not yet finished his words when he heard a shout from behind him.

"Weasley! Hey, Weasley!"

When they heard the sound, they turned and looked around. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were there, each looking very happy about something.

"What?" said Ron shortly.

"Your father's in the paper, Weasley," said Malfoy, brandishing a copy of the paper the prophet and speaking very loudly, so that everyone in the crowded hall could hear him. "Listen to this! MORE MISTAKES AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC It seems the problems at the Ministry of Magic are not over, writes Rita Skeeter, special correspondent. Recently under fire for its poor crowd control at the Quidditch World Cup, and still unable to explain the disappearance of one of its witches, the Ministry was plunged into further embarrassment yesterday by the antics of Arthur Weasley of the Office for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts."

Malfoy looked at Ron with mischievous eyes.

"Imagine not even coming up with his name, Weasley... It's almost like he's completely useless, isn't it?" he exclaimed.

Everyone in the hall was listening. Malfoy straightened the paper with a flourish and read on: Arthur Weasley, charged with possession of a flying car two years ago, was involved in a fight with several Muggle guards ("policemen") over some very aggressive garbage cans yesterday. Mr. Weasley seems to have rushed to the aid of "Mad-Eye" Moody, the elderly ex-Auror who retired from the Ministry when he could no longer distinguish between a handshake and an assassination attempt. Not surprisingly, Mr. Weasley discovered, upon arriving at Mr. Moody's heavily guarded house, that Mr. Moody had again raised a false alarm. Mr. Weasley was forced to alter several memories before he could escape from the police, but refused to answer questions from the Daily Prophet as to why he had involved the Ministry in such an undignified and potentially embarrassing scene."

"And there's a picture, Weasley!" said Malfoy, turning the paper over and holding it up. "A picture of your parents outside their house? if you can even call it a house! Your mother could do with losing a bit of weight, couldn't she?"

Ron was shaking with rage. Everyone was staring at him.

"How dare you say that to my mother, I'll kill you!" he shouted.

"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry said. "Come on, Ron... "

"Oh yeah, you stayed with them this summer, didn't you, Potter?" sneered Malfoy. "So tell me, is their mother really that much of a pig, or is it just the picture?"

"Shut up, Malfoy!" Harry and Hermione grabbed the back of Ron's robe to stop him from lunging at Malfoy.

"Weasley, you can't try to kill someone just because they tell the truth! " Malfoy laughed triumphantly.

"Didn't you see your mother, Malfoy?" said Harry angrily. "That expression she's got, like she's got dung under her nose? Has she always looked like that, or was it just because you were with her?"

When he heard Harry, Malfoy's pale face turned slightly pink. "Don't you dare insult my mother!"

"Then keep your fat mouth shut," Harry said, turning to stop Ron.

BANG!!!

Several people screamed and Harry felt something hot brush against his face.

He quickly reached into his robes for his wand, but it was too late!

Malfoy's next magic hit Harry and he flew backwards.

Hermione screamed loudly, and without Harry's obstruction, Ron ran towards Malfoy.

Goyle and Crabbe stopped him and they wrestled and punched each other.

Ron was no match for them at all, he was screaming in pain and his eyes were bruised.

He roared angrily, trying to knock Malfoy down, but couldn't reach him.

Looking at Ron's miserable appearance, Malfoy sneered in front of him, very proud.

Everything happened so fast, and the entrance hall was a mess.

The next second, a powerful magical force flew out of the stairs, separating the bickering students.

Ivan ran downstairs with his wand. He had just arrived in the hall with Caresius when he saw the scene.

He waved his wand to separate them and was ready to teach Malfoy a lesson.

But behind him, Caresius was faster than him, and all he heard was a second loud BANG, and a roar that echoed through the entrance hall.

"OH NO YOU DON'T, BOY!" Caresius roared and strode past Ivan. He now looked and sounded exactly like Mad-Eye Moody. It would be more appropriate to call him Moody.

Ivan had just come to an agreement with him. At school, he would keep Caresius' secret, tell no one about his Moody impersonation, and help him complete Voldemort's mission. In turn, he would give Ivan the necessary information and help.

As a sign of sincerity, Caresius also spoke of the pact between him and Voldemort.

They made a pact with magic. Caresius would use magic to help Voldemort regain his strength, and Voldemort would help him and his people do something. After that, they would have nothing to do with each other.

Ivan was very skeptical, however. He doubted that Voldemort would keep his end of the bargain or let the vampires go.

However, in the current situation, he and Caresius had the same goal, and there was no conflict, no need to argue about it.

Later, he could have a deeper communication, but in the spirit of cooperation between both parties, that was the wiser choice.

"Despicable cowards, three against one, and sneak attacking!"

Moody was limping down the marble staircase. His wand was out and pointed at a pure white ferret, which was quivering on the stone floor, exactly where Malfoy had been standing.