"Snape, this is the student you taught."
Moody growled, shoving Jane Yu roughly into the dungeon.
"First, she used a Transfiguration spell on a professor, and then the Imperius Curse." His face twisted, the grotesque gash on it moving with his mouth. "If this weren't Hogwarts, I'd have sent you straight to Azkaban, just like I've done for years—"
Snape's face was dark, the veins on his temples visibly throbbing.
"So you think my House has produced a Dark wizard, Moody?"
Moody's scarred face twisted into an expression of extreme distaste.
"What do you think, Snape? I've heard from students that you've been giving her private lessons for three years?"
Snape let out a cold laugh. If it had been another student dragged into the dungeon, he might have struggled against Moody's aggressive questioning.
But since it was Jane Yu, he made a snap decision to bring out Dumbledore as his trump card.
"That's a serious accusation, Moody. Why don't we let Dumbledore decide—"
Moody's face betrayed no change, still twisted as he cut Snape off.
"Dumbledore is a busy man, Snape. He has authorized me to exercise Auror privileges, to closely monitor—"
"No, Dumbledore happens to trust both me and the student you're accusing," Snape retorted through gritted teeth.
"Of course," Moody's magical eye swiveled, "he's always been too trusting. But I don't see it that way. Your stains won't ever wash off, Snape!"
Snape's face grew even more sallow, and he unconsciously pressed his left arm as if it were broken.
"Alastor!"
Just as the situation was escalating, Dumbledore appeared at the entrance to the dungeon.
Moody abruptly fell silent, seeming to calm down significantly, even his magical eye stopped swiveling.
"Albus, as you can see, I've uncovered the filth in this school."
He shoved Jane forward, his voice rough as he said, "This Slytherin student used the Imperius Curse on me during class—a spell no fourth-year should know—"
Dumbledore's expression was unusually serious, the usual twinkle in his eyes absent.
"Is this true, Yu? Did you cast the Imperius Curse on Professor Moody?"
Jane nodded, her expression unapologetic.
She decided to retract her earlier dissatisfaction with Professor Moody.
This was a perfect setup for a dramatic fall!
Though she wasn't sure how many years one would get for attacking a professor, such behavior was undoubtedly egregious—
A light expulsion seemed entirely reasonable, right?
Not to mention, this was Dark magic, one of the things her guardian despised the most!
Dumbledore pressed his temples, the wrinkles on his face deepening, making him look even older.
The idea of his child clashing with one of his most trusted old friends, Alastor Moody, was something he had never anticipated.
After all, in the past few years, she had usually been adept at socializing, easily winning over his old acquaintances.
"I believe I've told you, Yu, that Dark magic twists and confuses the mind. Showing interest in it is a very bad thing—"
"The deeper a wizard delves into Dark magic, the heavier the burden of negative emotions becomes—"
The education of a teenager was truly a challenging task.
It was giving him quite a headache.
Perhaps it was the Obscurial within her, this darkness naturally drawing her towards an interest in Dark magic.
He needed to pay more attention to her mental health.
He resolved to reread One Hundred Questions on Dealing with Teenage Wizards a few more times.
Dumbledore thought so, deciding to downplay the incident.
"But, Headmaster." His earnest advice was interrupted by a voice.
Jane turned towards it, seeing her Slytherin companions standing at the doorway after a hurried run, making her heart skip a beat.
"It was Professor Moody who threatened her first, saying he'd use the Imperius Curse on her. Yu was just acting in self-defense!"
Seriously?
Not this again?
Jane felt like she had discovered a strange pattern—
Every time she caused trouble that left her and Dumbledore staring at each other in shock, someone would suddenly jump out to deliver justice!
Dumbledore's expression changed, his blue eyes behind the glasses staring straight at Moody.
"What is this about, Alastor? I don't recall asking you to teach by threatening students with the Imperius Curse."
But Moody showed no sign of panic. Instead, he stomped his wooden leg on the ground and roared, displaying a sense of indignation at being wronged.
"Do you think I'm some inexperienced fool? I can control it, Albus!"
"These students have no idea what they'll face in the future! If they want to learn the hard way, letting their enemies seize their minds, then by all means, they can leave my class!"
This display shocked everyone present, even Jane almost found herself admiring his dedication.
Dumbledore shook his head, giving him a disapproving look.
"I understand your intentions, but Alastor, you're too extreme—"
Moody's magical eye swiveled, landing on Jane.
"Extreme? If I weren't, how could I have discovered a student here capable of casting the Imperius Curse?"
"This student—where did she learn the Imperius Curse? Slytherin... there must be a Dark wizard behind this—"
"No, no, Alastor," Dumbledore interrupted him, sighing at his old friend's growing paranoia. "I think you might not know, she's my adopted child—"
Moody took a startled step back, his magical eye ceasing its movement. After a moment, he grumbled.
"Albus, we must always remain vigilant, to prevent those claws from infiltrating the school."
"If you had such an arrangement, why didn't you inform me earlier? I could have ensured her safety—"
Dumbledore gave a wry smile, turning to look at the Slytherin students at the doorway before offering reassurance.
"Alastor, I must insist, please treat the Slytherin students with kindness."
"Threatening students with the Imperius Curse in class is not something a professor should do."
"I understand it's hard for you to let go of the past, but they're just children. You can't bring your resentment towards their parents into your interactions with them."
Moody stomped his wooden leg in dissatisfaction, muttering something under his breath, but ultimately agreed.
His magical eye swiveled again, landing on Jane.
Such a powerful Slytherin... capable of casting the Imperius Curse... adopted by Dumbledore...
This was brand-new information.
He needed to change his strategy and observe her carefully for a while.
Perhaps she could be of great use to his master.
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