Contents
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Overview
Moody’s first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson reveals the Unforgivable Curses, deeply unsettling Neville and reminding Harry of his parents’ murders. Moody later comforts Neville and encourages his Herbology strengths. Outside class, Hermione launches S.P.E.W., and Sirius writes that he’s flying north, prompting Harry’s worry.
Summary
Days pass uneventfully except for Neville melting a cauldron and suffering Snape’s harsh detention. The Gryffindor fourth years eagerly attend Moody’s first lesson. Moody skips textbooks, announces they’re behind on curses, and decides to show what illegal Dark curses look like.
Moody demonstrates the Imperius Curse on a spider to show total control, warning the class it was once widely used and hard to resist. At Neville’s suggestion he enlarges a spider and casts the Cruciatus Curse, causing visible agony; Hermione protests, and Harry notices Neville is traumatized.
Moody then performs Avada Kedavra, killing a spider with a flash of green light, and states there’s no countercurse and that only Harry has survived it. Harry is shaken by memories of his parents’ deaths. Moody stresses “constant vigilance” and has the class take notes on the Unforgivable Curses.
After class, Hermione finds Neville in shock. Moody approaches gently and invites Neville for tea, later lending him Magical Water Plants of the Mediterranean after hearing from Professor Sprout that Neville excels at Herbology. That evening, Harry and Ron fabricate Divination homework as the common room empties, while Fred and George quietly work on a secretive parchment.
Hermione returns with badges and a manifesto for S.P.E.W., appointing Ron treasurer and Harry secretary. Hedwig arrives with a hurried note from Sirius: he’s flying north, urges Harry to go to Dumbledore if his scar hurts, and notes Dumbledore brought Moody out of retirement. Harry immediately regrets writing to Sirius, fearing he has prompted Sirius to risk capture, and goes to bed worried.
Who Appears
- Alastor 'Mad-Eye' MoodyNew Defense teacher; demonstrates the Unforgivable Curses; comforts Neville and lends him a Herbology book.
- Harry PotterWitnesses the curses; recalls his parents’ deaths; later receives Sirius’s letter and worries he caused risk.
- Neville LongbottomShaken by the Cruciatus demonstration; invited for tea by Moody and encouraged in Herbology.
- Hermione GrangerObjects to the spider’s torture; founds S.P.E.W.; organizes roles and badges.
- Ron WeasleyAmazed by Moody’s lesson; helps fabricate Divination predictions; named S.P.E.W. treasurer.
- Sirius BlackSends a rushed letter saying he’s flying north and advising Harry to see Dumbledore.
- Severus SnapePunishes Neville harshly after a Potions mishap; seems wary of Moody.
- Fred WeasleyWorks secretly with George on a parchment, speaking cautiously about its wording.
- George WeasleyCollaborates with Fred on a secret document, mindful not to sound accusatory.
- HedwigDelivers Sirius’s letter; offended when Harry snaps and leaves.
- Lavender BrownCaught by Moody’s magical eye showing a horoscope during class.
- Parvati PatilShown a horoscope by Lavender; observes Moody’s lesson.
- Professor SproutReported Neville’s Herbology talent to Moody, prompting Moody’s supportive gesture.