Hey guys!

I'm back!

Now for the moment you all have waited for almost two years:

DRUMROLL PLEASE!

CHAPTER FOUR!

As predicted they had potions last period, it was a double and all the Gryffindor boys glared at Harry as if it was his fault, he merely pointed out he did warn them but they ignored him. They were outside all morning with CoMC and Herbology which wasn't too bad but it was gloomy from the aftermath of the storm yesterday so it would be cold. The usual flurry of mail owls swarmed in and Harry looked up to find Hedwig soaring over to him, she was highly noticeable being the only snowy owl in the mass of grey and brown, she landed neatly on his shoulder and help out the package and letter for him, he fed her some bacon whilst thanking her profusely. He opened it to find a variety of sweets and cakes from home and grinned, this would keep him going. Harry opened the letter with a smile.

Pronglet,

Milly threatened me with numerous injuries if I didn't send this to you immediately so here are your favourites and I've been told to tell you that if you don't write back when they're gone Milly will never cook again – I'm telling you Pup she's vicious! Harry laughed at that, the house elves had no qualms in ordering them around and it was funny when they went off on a tyrant at Sirius because he had done something wrong again.

Anyway, Tonks says hi and so does Moony, he wants to write now so I suppose I should let him, I don't see why because he probably wants to talk about lessons – ouch ok here Moony.

Hey cub, don't listen to that idiot, honestly he can be such a child sometimes. Now on serious matters, how in Merlin's name did you pull of this prank, every time I've tried to cancel anything it has only gotten worse and EVERYTHING I touch edits something. Come on Cub; give an old wolf a break! Harry snickered and wondered about his reaction to when he found out it would last an entire week, oops!

Hey Squirt, I stole the letter so I could say hi! Prank remembrance was a complete success if I should say so myself, you should see it here Har, it's awesome I don't know how you painted the house but hi 5 to you little bro, did you know it glows in the dark? Harry's eyes widened at that that was a complete accident, he would have to get Nym to get a picture of that.

I thought Remus was going to pass out, he was so shocked and Sirius just stood there and laughed until he cried, brilliant move but I can guarantee you will have to protect EVERYTHING when you get home. Can't wait to see you, I'm bored already!

Back to me now pup, thieves the pair of them! I thought I'd let you know I'm having all of your fan mail diverted to the house because I didn't think you would want to be flocked daily. Yes, they are still coming in everyday, you best warn Ron and Hermione because they may get letters about being friends with you, check the paper in the morning! So I will sign off, create havoc, get detention and piss off Snively the best you can and I will be proud!

Sirius, Remus, Nym.

Harry shook his head, it was mad, he was 14! Fan mail at 14 although at least this was justified by the fact he did actually do something instead of deflecting an unstoppable curse. Harry unfolded his copy of the daily profit and sighed, he was on the front page again, and there was a picture of him, Ron and Hermione on the front page as well.

"Hey guys," He called gaining their attention, "Look who's on the front page." He placed the newspaper down and watched as they both blushed.

"Oh my god, I thought you were exaggerating!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Unfortunately not, Sirius said you should be careful about getting unknown letters, he thinks you might be getting fan/hate mail." Their eyes widened in shock.
"Really,"

"I can have him screen it if you like, he directs all my mail to the castle to be checked for curses and all that and he will send me it in bunches." Harry explained.

"Cursed letter," Ron repeated weakly.

"Yup along with gifts, marriage proposals and locks of hair," Looks of disgust were sent to him and he nodded.

"I will take you up on that screening offer." Hermione agreed and Ron nodded. Harry placed his food package in his bag; he would write back later and ask Sirius then. They made their way back to the tower to collect their needed books and Harry put his snacks in his trunk for later, they walked outside towards the greenhouses where Professor Sprout had the strangest looking plant he had ever seen.

"Today children, you will be squeezing the pods and collecting pus." Majority of people looked disgusted, and Harry wholeheartedly agreed, it sounded awful. Surprisingly it was quite fun and equally horrid, they had to collect the sickly yellow liquid in the bottles given to them by the professor and it was a simple lesson.

"Madam Pomfrey will be happy." Sprout said absently as they filed out, the Gryffindor's headed towards the forest while the Puffs went back to the castle, as they approached they saw the Slytherin's were already there and so were a dozen or so creates; the trio went forward wearily.

"Righ' now everyone's ere, I got a lil project for ye this year. Blast ended Skrewts."

"I'm sorry what?" Ron asked and Hagrid cheerfully pointed to the boxes, they cautiously looked in to the rattling crated and jumped back.

"Ewwww," was echoed though out and it was the perfect sentiment. The Skrewts were the ugliest things Harry had ever had the misfortune to meet; they were utterly foul, pale slimy looking things that looked as if they were missing their shells.

"You'll be raising them." Hagrid told them enthusiastically.

"Why would we want to?" called the drawling voice of Draco Malfoy, however much he didn't want to, Harry agreed with Malfoy and by the grimaces on Ron and Hermione's faces so did they.

"I mean do they even do anything?"

"Yer be feedin' them this lesson Malfoy so get on with it!" they spent the lesson trying to tempt the creatures to eat frog liver and lettuce which seemed pointless as Harry was yet to spot a mouth, they walked back up to the castle in relief to be away from Hagrid's new pets, they fell in to their seats and helped themselves to food.

"What's the likelihood they all die before our next lesson?" Ron asked and he stabbed his potato.

"We are not that lucky." Hermione sighed and Harry nodded sagely.

"And we have potions next." Ron groaned.

"Brilliant," the trio picked themselves up and headed down to the cold dungeons as slowly as they could get away with, they approached the all too familiar potions classroom with heavy hearts and yet again they were with the Slytherin's. Snape slammed the door open and ordered them in, it seemed the potions master had taken on new levels of vindictiveness and gave Neville detention, he did nothing other than sneer at Harry who returned the favour as he handed over a perfectly brewed potion.

"You know why Snape is in such a foul mood don't you?" Ron asked as they left the dungeons.

"Of course, Moody." It was common knowledge that Snape wanted the DADA position and he had been turned down again. They grabbed a quick dinner talking over their lessons when Fred, George and Lee Jordan fell in to the empty seats next to them.

"Moody," Fred began.

"Brilliant isn't he?" George asked.

"We haven't had him yet." Harry said as Ron dived for his bag.

"He knows,"

"Knows?"

"Knows what it's like fighting the Dark Arts." Lee said in wonder.

"We haven't got him 'til Thursday." Ron complained.

"Worth the wait, just you see." Fred told them. They ate there dinner before heading back up to the common room, there was talk going around to who was going to end up in the tournament, obviously they wanted a lion, bus as long as it wasn't a Slytherin they didn't mind. Light conversation went on until Harry called it a night, he had to write back to the family tomorrow and he was tired.

Thankfully, potions class was not on the agenda Tuesday. Unfortunately, the teachers seemed to believe that as it was now the second day back that it was fair to give them homework, Harry found it easy and Hermione accepted the challenge. It seemed that, even though he moaned and groaned, Ron wanted to put more effort in to his studies because he voluntarily went to the library with them. When they sat down for dinner there was more conversation on what Moody was like as a teacher, Harry was advanced on his DADA, but he would love to have someone like Moody instruct him.

"I just can't wait now," Hermione sighed listening to the 7th years eagerly discuss their new teacher,

"Same, according to Tonks he's amazing too." Harry said to them.

"2 days left guys," Ron put in and Harry grinned at him.

"That is good news." They got up and left thinking of what Moody would be like when a scathing voice stopped them.

"Weasley! Hey, Weasley!" Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned to see Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were standing there, each looking thoroughly pleased about something.

"What?" said Ron shortly clearly not wanting to speak with the blonde.

"Your dad's in the paper, Weasley!" said Malfoy, brandishing a copy of the Evening Prophet and speaking very loudly, so that everyone in the packed entrance hall could hear.

"Listen to this!

FURTHER MISTAKES AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC

It seems as though the Ministry of Magic's troubles are not yet at an end, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Recently under fire for its poor crowd control at the Quidditch World Cup, and still unable to account for the disappearance of one of its witches, the Ministry was plunged into fresh embarrassment yesterday by the antics of Arnold Weasley, of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office." Malfoy looked up.

"Imagine them not even getting his name right, Weasley. It's almost as though he's a complete nonentity, isn't it?" he crowed. Everyone in the entrance hall was listening now and Harry was getting slightly pissed off, Rita would be hearing about this. Malfoy straightened the paper with a flourish and read on:

"Arnold Weasley, who was charged with possession of a flying car two years ago, was yesterday involved in a tussle with several Muggle law-keepers ("policemen") over a number of highly aggressive dustbins. Mr. Weasley appears to have rushed to the aid of "Mad-Eye" Moody, the aged ex-Auror who retired from the Ministry when no longer able to tell the difference between a handshake and attempted murder. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Weasley found, upon arrival at Mr. Moody's heavily guarded house, that Mr. Moody had once again raised a false alarm. Mr. Weasley was forced to modify several memories before he could escape from the policemen, but refused to answer Daily Prophet questions about why he had involved the Ministry in such an undignified and potentially embarrassing scene.

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

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

"Shut it, Malfoy," snapped Harry. "C'mon, Ron. . ."

"Oh yeah, you've stayed with the Weasley's haven't you Potter." Sneered Malfoy. "So tell me, is his mother really that porky, or is it just the picture?"

"You know your mother, Malfoy, cousin Narcissa?" said Harry - both he and Hermione had grabbed the back of Ron's robes to stop him from launching himself at Malfoy, he emphasized the 'cousin' to remind the twat that they were related and Harry outranked him by being the direct heir to the Black family. He also wanted to punch Malfoy himself, but he had been taught not to.

"That expression she's got, like she's got shit under her nose? Has she always looked like that, or was it just because you were with her?"

Malfoy's pale face went slightly pink.

"Don't you dare insult my mother, Potter."

"Then shut it Malfoy, we won't take any of your shit this year." They turned to leave but…

BANG!

Several people screamed but Harry had already spun and deflected the spell, he was glaring furiously at the blonde. He heard a second loud BANG, and a roar that echoed through the entrance hall.

"OH NO YOU DON'T, LADDIE!" Professor Moody was limping down the marble staircase. His wand was out and it was pointing right at a pure white ferret, which was shivering on the stone-flagged floor, exactly where Malfoy had been standing. There was a terrified silence in the entrance hall. Nobody but Moody was moving a muscle. Moody turned to look at Harry - at least, his normal eye was looking at Harry; the other one was pointing into the back of his head.

"Nice wand work there Potter." Moody growled.

"Thanks,"

"LEAVE IT!" Moody shouted.

"Leave - what?" Harry said, bewildered.

"Not you - him!" Moody growled, jerking his thumb over his shoulder at Crabbe, who had just frozen, about to pick up the white ferret. It seemed that Moody's rolling eye was magical and could see out of the back of his head.

Moody started to limp toward Crabbe, Goyle, and the ferret, which gave a terrified squeak and took off, streaking toward the dungeons.

"I don't think so!" roared Moody, pointing his wand at the ferret again - it flew ten feet into the air, fell with a smack to the floor, and then bounced upward once more.

"I don't like people who attack when their opponent's back's turned," growled

Moody as the ferret bounced higher and higher, squealing in pain. "Stinking, cowardly, scummy thing to do..."

The ferret flew through the air, its legs and tail flailing helplessly.

"Never - do - that - again -" said Moody, speaking each word as the ferret hit the stone floor and bounced upward again.

"Professor Moody!" said a shocked voice. Professor McGonagall was coming down the marble staircase with her arms full of books.

"Hello, Professor McGonagall," said Moody calmly, bouncing the ferret still higher.

"What - what are you doing?" said Professor McGonagall, her eyes following the bouncing ferret's progress through the air.

"Teaching," said Moody.

"Teach - Moody, is that a student?" shrieked Professor McGonagall, the books spilling out of her arms.

"Yep," said Moody cheerfully.

"No!" cried Professor McGonagall, running down the stairs and pulling out her wand; a moment later, with a loud snapping noise, Draco Malfoy had reappeared, lying in a heap on the floor with his sleek blond hair all over his now brilliantly pink face. He got to his feet, wincing.

"Moody, we never use Transfiguration as a punishment!" said Professor McGonagall wieldy. "Surely Professor Dumbledore told you that?"

"He might've mentioned it, yeah," said Moody, scratching his chin unconcernedly, "But I thought a good sharp shock -"

"We give detentions, Moody! Or speak to the offender's Head of House!"

"I'll do that, then," said Moody, staring at Malfoy with great dislike which was mirrored on Harry's, Ron's and Hermione's faces. Malfoy, whose pale eyes were still watering with pain and humiliation, looked malevolently up at Moody and muttered something in which the words "my father" were distinguishable.

"Oh yeah?" said Moody quietly, limping forward a few steps, the dull clunk of his wooden leg echoing around the hall. "Well, I know your father of old, boy you tell him Moody's keeping a close eye on his son, you tell him that from me. Now, your Head of House'll be Snape, will it?"

"Yes," said Malfoy resentfully.

"Another old friend," growled Moody. "I've been looking forward to a chat with old Snape. Come on, you. . ." And he seized Malfoy's upper arm and marched him off toward the dungeons. Professor McGonagall stared anxiously after them for a few moments, then waved her wand at her fallen books, causing them to soar up into the air and back into her arms.

"It is official, I love Moody." Harry said with a grin and they climbed the stairs back up to the tower, Ron laughed.

"I will saviour that moment forever; Malfoy the great bouncing ferret." That got a laugh out of Hermione.

"I can't believe he did that though, Professor McGonagall didn't seem at all pleased."

"No but I bet Sirius will be, I have to write to him." Harry said and Ron nodded, they fell in to the common room laughing drawing quite a few stared.

"What happened?" Fred asked and it sent them in to peals of laughter.

"Malfoy-, Moody-, ferret-," Was all Ron managed before breaking in to fits, when they finally calmed down Harry explained to the common room.

"Malfoy tried to curse me from behind and Moody changed him in to a ferret and bounced him around the entrance hall." The common room was silent before the twins cracked up and sent the rest with them, the trio grinned. Harry dashed up to get some parchment and began writing a letter home.

Sirius, Remus and Nym,

Not a lot's gone on, Snape is just ignoring me at the moment, but we know that will change and we haven't had Moody as a teacher yet, we're all excited. Tell Milly that I will write home as soon as my cookies run out, they're a crowd favourite! As for the prank, I take a bow and say I am a genius. It last the entire week so if you were worried about forgetting me I don't think that will happen. The twins are not happy about not being able to enter the tournament and have vowed they will get in, they asked me and Ron and I flat out refused. There is literally no way in hell I will willingly enter that crazy tournament as long as I can help it. I think I have a way to get you in the grounds so you can see the basilisk, I'll ask Ron and Mione to see if they want to come. Nym has to come too, I miss my big sister, who's going to morph with me to random appearances! Moony, I'm sorry but you're stuck with my prank, I know you love it really! Oooh guess what, Malfoy tried to curse me when why back was turned, don't worry I raised a shield and was about to curse him back when Moody came out of nowhere and turned him in to a white ferret. You should have seen it! He bounced him around the entrance hall in front of everyone before McGonagall stopped him, I think this tops everything I have ever seen, and I'm sending you the memory!

I'll write soon and use the mirror,

Harry.

"He Mione, you got a spare phial?" He asked her and she nodded handing him one, Harry pulled the memory from his temple and placed in the phial with an unbreakable charm on the crystal. He rolled up the letter and attached the memories, Harry got up and stretched.

"Just going to send this, won't be long." He said and left the common room, he took the quickest route to the owlery and called down his beloved owl.

"Take this to Sirius girl," She hooted and took off, Harry watched her until she was no longer visible and went back to the common room where the twins were tossing fireworks to each other. They turned to him when he stepped in and threw one at him, Harry grinned and caught it throwing it around the room before kicking it back; they cheered.

"What do you think Har-,"

"We made them-,"

"To go with our other products." They told him.

"Brilliant guys, send one to Siri, you know he's interested." They nodded.

The week passed quickly and before they knew it Thursday arrived, Harry, Ron and Hermione took the three desks at the front eagerly. Moody stumped in and up to the front of the class and there was a thick silence, he took the roll before looking at them.

"Dumbledore asked me out of retirement for this year to get you up to date with your curses." He stated in his gravelly voice.

"Professor Lupin got you pretty up to date with your dark creatures and now I'll take the rest – you can put that away Miss Brown." Lavender squeaked and shoved the magazine she was showing Parvati away.

"Who can tell me what the unforgivables are?" Hermione's hand went up and so did Harry's, she looked at him and he raised an eyebrow, she nodded accepting the challenge.

"Potter,"

"The unforgivables are 3 curses that will land you a life sentence in Azkaban. The first is the Imperious curse, it gives you total control over the person and can make them do anything even kill their own parents. The second, rumoured to be favoured by Voldemort (flinch) and Bellatrix Lestrange, is the Cruciatus curse, it's a torture curse that if someone is exposed enough can lead someone to insanity. The third and final, the worst as it is unblockable by anything other than a physical shield such as bricks, a mirror ect and it results in instant death, is the Avada Kedavra curse." Harry explained and Moody looked impressed.

"Correct Potter, take 15 points to Gryffindor. Now as Potter told you, these will land you a one way ticket to Azkaban in a high security cell. I believe you have a right to know what these curses look like." Moody pulled out a spider and enlarged it, Ron pushed his chair as far back; the red head hated spiders. He placed on his desk and pointed his wand at the spider,

"Imperio," the spider immediately began performing all kinds of stunts and tricks that it shouldn't be able to, when it began to cartwheel people began to laugh, but Harry didn't, he was watching the spider with narrowed eyes as was Hermione and Neville, Ron was looking anywhere but the spider so he didn't see.

"You think it's funny do you? Having your will removed, make you quack like a duck, sing like a siren, drown yourself?" The class fell silent and Moody brought the spider back to the desk and cancelled the curse.

"Many have claimed the imperious during the war, and the real challenge is to discover the liars from the true victims." Moody told them and Harry nodded, Malfoy Sr had claimed Imperious to get out of jail and most knew what slime he was.

"The next one is more sinister," He pointed his wand at the spider that seemed to know what was coming by its attempted to move away, "Crucio." Harry cringed as the spider seemed to curl in on its self, he was in no doubt that if it was able to it would be screaming, many of the class were looking ill, but Harry turned his attention to Neville. He knew about his parents and the boy couldn't seem to take his eyes of the spider, he was ghostly pale and shaking and Harry thought it was enough, he pointed his wand at the spider.

"Finite," he muttered causing the spider to stop twitching and relax albeit shakily, Moody's head snapped up to his and Harry raised an eyebrow with a pointed look at Neville.

"Avada Kedavra," there was a bright flash of familiar green light and the spider moved no more, Harry's eye twitched otherwise he showed no outward reaction, on the inside however was a different story. That was how his parents died, a flash of light and the end of life, he consoled himself knowing that it was at least a painless death. They were instructed to write out a description of each curse until the bell sounded, the class left speaking in hushed voices, Harry was silent as was Neville when they left.

"You guys go to the hall, I need to do something," He told Ron and Hermione, they both shot him odd looks, but they left and when the corridor was empty Harry pulled Neville to an empty classroom.

"I know it's not ok, but they are paying for their crimes even if it will never be enough." Harry said to him and Neville blinked at Harry in shock.

"You know?" he whispered terrified and Harry was confused at that.

"Yes, Sirius was friends with your mother and father as was Remus, good aurors, you should be proud." That got a small smile out of Neville.

"I am," the boy frowned, "I'll never live up to them though," he said forlornly, Harry's eyes narrowed.

"Who told you that?" He asked and it came out a bit more sharply than intended, Neville looked as if he didn't want to answer, but then he did.

"Gran always says I should be more like my father, that I'm not living up to the Longbottom name."

"Bullshit," Harry snapped, he couldn't believe Neville's own grandmother would say such a thing, no wonder the teen had confidence issues. Neville looked shocked at Harry's outburst and Harry squared his shoulders, he would raise Neville's confidence even if it killed him.

"You are Neville Longbottom, heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom, you are a Gryffindor and my friend and no friend of mine is a shame on their family." Harry told him firmly.

"But I'm useless with magic, potions are embarrassing and I'm just so weak."

"Wrong," Harry denied, "You simply lack the confidence to perform at your full ability and you are anything but weak, I can feel your magic and you have the ability to go far. Potions are the exception because we have that malevolent bat sweeping in to our personal space showing exactly why shampoo is a really good creation." Harry cracked a smile as Neville laughed.

"Do you really think that?" He asked unsure and Harry nodded.

"I do, and I'm going to prove it. From now on, I'm going to be your partner is every class and I will show you that you are quite capable of magic, we will show your grandmother how wrong she is."

"Really," Neville looked so hopeful.

"Yes, starting with transfiguration after lunch."

"Thanks Harry," Harry clapped him on the back and led him out of the classroom.

"No problem Nev," they arrived in the great hall and sat down to eat before making their way to transfiguration, Harry sat down next to Neville and motioned for Hermione and Ron to pair up. Neville looked slightly surprised, but Harry grinned and they turned to listen to McGonagall who was going over the basic principles of vanishing, it was a topic he had already covered so it would give him more time to go over it with Neville. They were handed mice for a first attempt and Harry vanished it with a flick of his wand and a muttered word, everyone around looked at him in shock and Harry grinned.

"Come on Nev," Harry instructed, "Look at the mouse and think of it being gone, then flick your wand up and say Evanesco," Neville nodded and tried, but nothing happened, he looked disheartened and Harry smiled encouragingly at him.

"Really think about the mouse being gone, you have to wait for it to disappear and let that thought fill you up. Go on, try it again." Neville took a deep breath and really focused, he wanted the mouse to go so it would.

"Evanesco," He incanted and the mouse vanished, Neville gaped in shock and Harry clapped him on the back proudly.

"See, I told you could do it."

"I did it, I actually did it." He said in shock and Harry nodded.

"Yes you did,"

"Wow,"

"Well done Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom, 10 points each." McGonagall said to them and Neville looked more shocked, he had never gained as much as a point in transfiguration. At the end of the lesson Harry walked with a happy Neville down to dinner, he was explaining the reason behind the way he taught the spell, it wasn't the traditional way, but it never failed to work, he saw it like accidental magic, if you wanted something enough then your magic would react for you.

"So this would work with all magic?" Neville asked him fascinated and Harry nodded.

"Yep, it's how I learned all my spells and I can do a corporal patronus."

"Whoa, that's some seriously advanced magic." Neville gasped and Harry nodded.

"Yes, and it was very difficult to learn, but with enough practice and will, I was able to last year and so could you."

"You think I could learn a patronus?" He repeated in disbelief.

"Of course," Harry stated, "Tell you what, I'll work with you to get all of your magic up to scratch and will get your grades up to E's, minus potions and Divination, then I'll teach you the patronus."

"You would do that, for me?"

"I'm also raising your confidence," Harry said in reply.

"But why would you do that?" Neville asked and Harry smiled at him,

"I told you Nev, you're my friend which means I will help you. Just you wait and see, you'll be great yet."