Chapter 17 - Alastor Moody (1/2)

As September 1st steadily drew closer Sirsa had Dawn pack proper clothes for the twins. However, after a loud debate with Rowan, it was tactfully decreed that only pants would be packed instead of skirts. Afterward, Severus would ask for the reason for Rowan's stubborn refusal to which Rowan solemnly replied, ”It'd be weird to feel the breeze on my legs. And you do realize there are lots of stairs at Hogwarts, what's to stop a pervert from looking up my skirt?”

After which, Severus recounted said events to Reginald, who immediately asked Sirsa to desist in her attempts to have Rowan wear a skirt. Disregarding the fact that Sirsa had already done so, Sirsa did not appreciate Reginald's tone of voice and gave him a stern earful afterward. Reginald ending up sleeping in one of the guest rooms that night.

With three days only left until their departure for Hogwarts an unexpected guest showed up at the Prince Manor's front door, Alastor Moody. Sirsa and Aunt Georgine were quite pleased, but before they could properly chat with Auror Moody over tea Reginald promptly showed up. ”Auror Moody, if you would follow me,” Reginald requested as Sirsa and Georgine called out, their goodbyes.

Alastor Moody, middle-aged and average height walks firmly after Reginald without a limping gait yet. His wavy brown hair reaches his collar as he fidgetily pulls at his collar, not use to having it properly done up. The only scar on Alastor's face is on the edge of his cheek as his robust face that is somewhat ruggedly handsome in its own way.

”Thank you for that,” Alastor gratefully said in his native Scottish accent. ”But what is this all about Sir Prince?”

Reginald halts in front of the study and says, ”Please step inside.”

Alastor blinks in surprise and steps into the study room as Reginald locks the door behind him. Alastor reflexively reaches for his wand to find an eleven-year-old female child quietly sitting before him. ”Please have a seat, Alastor Moody,” Rowan graciously said as she gestured for Alastor to take the seat across from her.

”Is this a joke?” Alastor grumbled as he loosened his collar with a sigh of relief. Alastor's slumps into the offered chair and says, ”So is this about an interview with an Auror?”

”Humor me, if you will, but please cast a muting spell?” Rowan calmly asked as she poured Alastor a cup of earl gray tea.

Alastor narrows his eyes in annoyance but still casts the spell as requested. ”What is this about, lass?” Alastor barked in exasperation.

Rowan doesn't immediately respond as she hands Alastor his hot cup of tea and moves the platter of biscuits closer to Moody. ”My question is rather simple has the man known as the Dark Lord begun to move?” Rowan quietly asked.

Alastor narrows his eyes and says, ”He is barely on the Ministry of Magic's radar, why even ask?” It was just only a few days ago that an informant had brought the news that there was something fishy going on with a wizard calling himself, the Dark Lord. But how could this young lass possibly know all that?

”What about Professor Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix?” Rowan further probed.

Alastor hides his emotions as he leans back into his seat and says, ”There have been talks about should an evil arise that a secret order needs to be formed. But how would a tiny sprite like you possibly know all that?”

Rowan smiles and places her finger on her lips and playfully says, ”Ah, a woman's intuition.” Seeing Alastor's dark face, Rowan quickly says, ”Just kidding.”

Alastor rolls his eyes and rather disgruntled says, ”Then out with it, what is that you want?”

Rowan leans back into her chair and says, ”It's not quite as simple as that, Alastor Moody. What if I told you that wizard presently known as the Dark Lord will one day be known as the evilest and most powerful wizard of all time?”

Alastor freezes and sets his teacup down. ”Even if so, what does that have to do with the two of us?” Alastor pointedly inquired.

”Hypothetically, Alastor, I will propose this question to you,” Rowan explained. ”If it was you, Alastor Moody, and you found out that you could see a terrible future looming ahead, what would you do to stop it?”

Alastor freezes and quickly says, ”A seer?”

”A mild gift of sight,” Rowan replied, neither lying nor being honest.

”A farseer then,” Alastor quickly concluded. ”Hypothetically, that is. And what you say, is true, why me?” Alastor plainly inquired.

”I need someone who is rather paranoid, you, Alastor Moody,” Rowan truthfully stated.