Jane Yu and Harry were unceremoniously thrown out of the door by Snape, each firmly held by his iron grip.
—All because of the "remarkable" memories they had dared to show him.
What Jane didn't expect, however, was that she had just escaped from the bat's cave only to stumble right into Moody's lair.
The two of them ran into Professor Moody, who was dragging his heavy, uneven steps up the staircase.
Jane froze in her tracks, her hand instinctively gripping the wand hidden within her robe.
Harry grabbed her sleeve, ready to pull her back and flee, trying to avoid catching Moody's attention.
"Come out, kids."
Moody's voice rang out on the staircase. Despite its usual gruffness, this time it sounded lower and softer than she had ever heard:
"I can see you. There's no hiding from my eyes."
His magical blue eye swiveled, scanning Harry's hand clutching Jane's sleeve, the eyeball trembling slightly in its socket before shifting its gaze to her.
"Child, there seems to be some misunderstanding between us. Would you come to my office for a chat? Come now... we can have a cup of tea together."
Jane frowned, scrutinizing him for a moment.
At this moment, he seemed entirely normal, none of his usual neurotic edge in sight. He even appeared, dare she say it, approachable.
"Uh... we... we have Herbology class to attend," Harry stammered, his mind racing to come up with an excuse to get her away.
Moody's mouth twitched, as if he had just heard something amusing.
"Professor Sprout just went to lunch. Don't worry about that; it's just a chat to clear up some misunderstandings."
Jane gave Harry a look, signaling him to leave first.
Since Moody was one of Dumbledore's most trusted allies, there shouldn't be any problem. As long as he didn't have a sudden episode, everything should be fine.
The two entered the office, one after the other.
The room was filled with all sorts of peculiar artifacts, and Jane curiously looked around.
On the desk sat a Foe-Glass; a small table held a golden contraption with quivering antennae; the wall displayed a mirror-like object.
Moody seemed to transform into a thoughtful host, introducing these curiosities to her:
"A Dark Detector. It quivers when it senses plotting or lies... though it's pretty much useless here at Hogwarts, with all the students constantly making up excuses for not doing their homework."
"A Foe-Glass. If I can clearly see the figures inside... well, then I'm in real trouble."
He slammed down two cups of tea and began chatting with her:
"Yu... if I may call you that... your guardian, Dumbledore, and I have been old friends for many years. We've always fought side by side."
"We've been to many places together, of course, all in the pursuit of Death Eaters. I have extensive experience dealing with them, which is why Dumbledore asked me to come here to protect you—"
He paused, seemingly trying to ease the tension between them, and handed her a book titled Magical Mediterranean Water Plants and Their Properties:
"I should give my closest friend's child a proper gift. I hope you like it."
Jane politely thanked him, signaling a gesture of goodwill.
Moody grinned again and pulled out a chair for her, fully assuming the role of an elder:
"As his child, you must perform better than others. What expectations does he have for you?"
Extracting Dumbledore's plans from her could be critical for the Dark Lord.
If he could obtain this information for him, he would become his most favored confidant...
He eagerly awaited her answer...
Was she being groomed to become an adversary capable of standing against the Dark Lord?
Or was she being trained as a strong ally for Harry Potter?
Jane pondered carefully about how to respond to this question.
To be honest, aside from forcing her to study, she couldn't think of any specific expectations Dumbledore had for her.
"He forces me to study hard? Get twelve O.W.L.s?" she replied.
As soon as she said this, she noticed Moody freeze for a moment, nearly spilling his tea.
What was so shocking about twelve O.W.L.s?
She wondered in confusion.
Moody's magical eye spun in its socket, and the scars on his face seemed even more menacing. Yet, she had never heard his voice so soft before:
"Having a headmaster as your guardian must be quite stressful—he must have a very different life plan for you."
Jane shrugged.
He did have a different plan, she thought. She wanted to leave the school and stay away from the plot, but he insisted on keeping her locked down for three years.
"I don't think I can fulfill his plans," she replied. "My goals and desires are completely at odds with his."
Moody gave her a peculiar look, then burst into laughter, pouring her another cup of tea:
"I get it, you're at that rebellious age!"
"Defying strict parents, dabbling in some Dark Arts, using the Imperius Curse just to piss him off, am I right?"
He was certain this child had long embarked on the path of studying Dark Magic!
He couldn't believe a fourth-year student could master the Imperius Curse just like that!
She was just like him, secretly researching these things during her school years... and she was a Slytherin, after all!
Jane felt puzzled once again.
When had she ever studied Dark Magic?
Wasn't the person who taught her the Imperius Curse sitting right in front of her?
Was this professor... having another episode? Some kind of intermittent amnesia?
Seeing her silence, Moody instead showed an encouraging demeanor, comforting her:
"Rebelling against strict parents takes a lot of courage—you're very brave!"
"Let me think... aside from the Imperius Curse... the Killing Curse... have you encountered it? These are things you'll need to learn to resist in the future."
Jane thought back to the memory of almost being hit by the Killing Curse in the Chamber of Secrets.
She nodded.
Moody let out a short laugh, then stood up, guiding Jane to the door:
"But these spells aren't something you should be learning to use just yet! In the future..."
Jane once again felt like they were speaking two different languages.
Talking about Dumbledore, she could understand—it made sense since they were close friends, and he was her guardian.
But why did he insist on fabricating this rebellious phase of hers?
Was his paranoia acting up again?
Sometimes, she truly found it hard to understand people's thoughts.
...
After seeing Jane off, Moody—or rather, Barty Crouch Jr.—took a sip of Polyjuice Potion from a curved flask and let out a silent laugh.
He had been impersonating Moody and hiding at Hogwarts for some time now.
He never expected that this conversation with Jane would lead him to discover the most amusing thing in the world!
The renowned white wizard Dumbledore had somehow raised a child who was obsessed with Dark Magic and sorted into Slytherin!
Just like his own father, Bartemius Crouch Sr., a high-ranking Ministry official, had ended up with a Death Eater son!
It was utterly laughable!
Yu Jane was just like him, burdened with a strict and cold parent.
His father only cared about power, and her guardian Dumbledore likely only cared about reputation!
Forcing a child to aim for twelve O.W.L.s... that was merely the product of oppressive authority...
And so, their paths diverged...
This Yu Jane girl, rebelling against Dumbledore's oppression, delving into Dark Magic, and using the Imperius Curse in public, was all to fight back and tarnish his reputation.
She must have been planning this for a long time, even secretly practicing the Killing Curse.
The only step left was for him to introduce her to the Dark Lord.
If Dumbledore saw his child standing beside the Dark Lord, serving him, what kind of expression would he have?
Would it be the same look of disgust and hatred his father had when he joined the Death Eaters, refusing to acknowledge him as his son?
He needed to find an opportunity to send her to his master—
She would become a great asset to them, and she would be grateful for his help.
Perhaps during the upcoming Triwizard Tournament.
Both Harry Potter and Yu Jane.
He would gain more honor than any other Death Eater!
He would become the Dark Lord's most favored confidant, more cherished than a son!
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