008 - Special Training
The air was crisp, filled with the scent of freshly cut grass, and the last rays of sunlight bathed the castle in a warm, golden glow.
It had been a long day of classes, but there was an undercurrent of excitement among the group. This evening was their first training session with the famed Auror, Alastor Moody.
"Any bets on how this goes?" Tonks asked, her hair flickering through shades of electric blue and violet as she glanced at the others. "Because I'm not sure if we're about to learn some secret Auror techniques or get turned into ferrets."
Alex chuckled, adjusting his robes as they walked. "With Moody? Probably both."
Beth, walking beside him, smiled but didn't say much. She had been unusually quiet since hearing about the extra lessons.
Alex had a feeling she was nervous about what was coming, but he admired how she kept her nerves in check.
Victor, towering over the rest of them, kept his usual stern face, though Alex knew him well enough to spot the faint traces of excitement in his eyes. "I hope Moody is as tough as the stories say," he muttered. "I like a good challenge."
Ben, walking slightly behind, muttered something under his breath, clearly less enthusiastic about the prospect. "I just hope we make it out alive..."
They arrived at the Quidditch field, where a group of students had already gathered. Alex immediately recognized his own batchmates – Sebastian, Merula, Penny, Jae, and Rowan. From the sixth year, a few more students he had seen in passing, though he didn't know their names.
Towering above the rest of the seventh years stood William "Bill" Weasley, his long hair catching the fading light.
The juniors, though present, were noticeably more anxious, casting wary glances at each other, they were here just to catch a close glimpse of Moody
Suddenly, the heavy thump of footsteps echoed across the grounds, and the murmurs died.
Moody arrived, his magical eye swiveling in all directions while his normal one fixed itself on the students with a piercing stare.
He limped towards them, his staff clacking on the stone path. His presence was commanding – Intimidating even – and the younger students instinctively took a step back.
"Listen up!" Moody barked, his voice gravelly and full of authority.
"You're here because you want to learn how to stay alive. Dark wizards, curses, hexes – they don't care how many spells you know. They care whether you can think fast and fight back. Some of you won't be able to handle it. If you're scared, leave now."
As said, wave of oppressing magic erupted from his being as most of the students unknowingly took a step back.
Several of the juniors exchanged glances, fear flickering across their faces. A few of them hesitated before retreating, their footsteps echoing in the silence as they left.
Moody's magical eye followed them as they left, his face set in a harsh scowl. "Good riddance," he muttered.
Once the stragglers had gone, Moody turned back to the remaining group. His voice was stern as he began his lecture.
"Magic isn't just about waving wands and muttering words. There's a structure – a hierarchy – to what wizards can do. Most of the world? They don't even make it past Category-1, which is where you lot are now."
"You're equivalent to third through fifth-year students, what we call OWL-level. Now, Category-2, that's what you're aiming for – where Hogwarts tries to push you to, which is about the level of a NEWT graduate."
He scanned the students, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"But here's the harsh truth. Most wizards? They get comfortable. After their OWLs, they think they've made it, and they never push themselves harder, they stay stuck"
"Becoming Category-2 after a decade or so, and remaining there for the rest of their pathetic lives."
"Category-3? That's where things start getting fun"
"It's for accomplished wizards – Aurors, Ministry officials, Hogwarts staff. The ones who dedicate their lives to being the best."
"Category-4? That's where it gets rarer. People like myself, McGonagall, Shacklebolt. Snape might be one of them, though he's too slippery to pin down."
Alex exchanged glances with his friends as Moody continued. This wasn't the kind of breakdown they got in regular classes. This was the real stuff.
"And then there's Category-5," Moody said, his voice lowering. "That's for the best of the best. Dumbledore. Voldemort. Grindelwald. The Founders of Hogwarts. King Arthur and his knights. Wizards who can bend the world around them."
Tonks raised an eyebrow, looking impressed. "And there's something beyond that, right?"
Moody's magical eye fixed on her for a moment, and he nodded. "Category-6. Merlin. Morgan Le Fay. The ones who broke the bonds of their humanity and ascended to immortality. But don't get any ideas about that. Most of you will be lucky if you make it to Category-3."
A few of the students shifted uncomfortably at Moody's bluntness, but Alex could see some of the others – like Tonks and Victor – were intrigued, even motivated.
Moody wasn't here to sugarcoat anything.
"Now," Moody continued, pacing before the group, "magic isn't just about spells and wand work. Spells have tiers too, much like magical creatures."
"Most spells you know – your simple charms and hexes—are X or XX rank. Basic stuff. Easy to cast, no real harm done. But then there's XXX and above. These are the spells that require more than just knowledge. They need power, control, and sacrifice."
His voice grew darker. "Spells like Fiendfyre – Category XXXX – can not only cast a shadow over your mind, they can drain your magic dry in an instant. Get sloppy with it, and it'll consume you as well as your target."
The students listened in rapt attention, and Alex could feel the seriousness of Moody's words settle over the group. This wasn't just theory anymore. This was life or death.
"And the Unforgivable Curses?" Moody's voice dropped to a growl. "Category XXXXX. Not only do they stain your magic, but they leave scars on your soul. Use them too often, and they corrode everything – your mind, your sanity. That's what makes Dark wizards dangerous. They lose control, give in to the madness. Voldemort? He found a way to wield these curses without breaking. But that's what makes him so powerful – and so dangerous."
Moody's one good eye scanned the group, letting the weight of his words hang heavy in the air.
"So, if you ever face a Dark wizard, remember: they're like firecrackers. Unstable, volatile, and deadly. If you don't handle them properly, you'll lose more than just a limb – or an eye."
The group was silent, each of them taking in Moody's warning.
Victor felt a chill run down his spine. This was the reality they were preparing for, and Moody was giving them a glimpse into the darkness they might one day face.
"Now!" Moody barked, snapping them out of their thoughts. "Enough standing around. If you want to survive, you need more than knowledge – you need speed and reflexes. Run! Ten laps around the pitch, now! Move it!"
The group groaned but immediately set off, the sound of their feet pounding the earth echoing through the evening air.
Alex sprinted alongside his friends. His friends were already feeling the burn in their legs, but for Alex? Just another Tuesday.
Ever since he was small, a great amount of importance regarding to one's physical strength was imparted to him from his father.
And it wasn't like Alex was a slacker, quite the opposite so.
He knew that his training at Vatican would mostly be physical, if he didn't have a strong base right now, he might have to face steep challenges later on.
As such, he trained the physical aspect of his body daily alongside the magical one.
After the laps, Moody gathered them again. "Reflexes are key! If you can't cast fast enough, you dodge. You don't get hit; you stay in the fight. Now – try to dodge these."
Without warning, he raised his staff, and arcs of blue lightning crackled from its tip.
Alex reacted instinctively, stepping to his side while ducking as the electricity sizzled past him.
His heart racing, as more arcs zipped through the air, forcing them all to dodge again.
Alex dodged a dozen waves of lightning with his fast speed and reflexes as he saw others getting hit over again and again.
"Good, very Good! Now take this!" Moody said as an intensified wave of electricity buzzed in the air.
Alex tried to dodge the arc of electricity, but it changed directions mid-air "Fuck!", he cursed as he felt one of the electric jolts hitting his legs.
Tonks yelped to his side as one grazed her, and Ben wasn't so lucky, taking a hit to the shoulder that left him yelping in shock.
"If you don't want to feel that again, dodge!" Moody barked, grinning a bit sadistically.
By the end of the session, everyone was exhausted, sweat pouring down their faces as their robes has many burnt marks spread through them.
Then, they all gathered for one last word from Moody.
"Eat good, eat more protein," Moody grumbled, surveying the group that was out of breath "Can't have weak students."
As they trudged back toward the castle, Alex couldn't help but grin.
This was going to be brutal – but it was exactly what they needed.
As for him? He had his trait.
[ Mission : Moody's Magic
Objective : Take part in Alastor Moody's special training sessions and surprise him
Mission Rank : D
Reward : Auror's handbook – MoM standard issue
Time Limit : 1.5 Hours
Status : Completed ]
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A/N : Those who give power stones be blessed with big PP.
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Peace.