A Cat And His Wizard

Blaise thought on the way to his classes, 'He looks and acts like the real Moody, then. But there are Metamorphmagi, and there is Polyjuice. Yet Metamorphmagi are rare, and Polyjuice wears off after a short time. And Moody seems so reliable! But if he's an impostor, I MUST unmask him, and Macavity never have been so wrong as to think an innocent man an impostor.'

Blaise entered the classroom.

'Good morning, class. Today I shall tell you about Lethifold. As I cannot possibly procure one, I'll just tell you what I know about them. They are very dangerous creatures that live, fortunately, only in tropical climes. They resemble most of all a black cloak two inches thick. They attack sleepers, suffocate and devour them. Now, the only defense against the Lethifold, if you wake up in time, is the Patronus Charm. It is an incantation that calls forth a spectral form, the Patronus, which drives the Lethifold away. The Patronus takes its strength from your happiest memory, and so you must concentrate on this happiest memory and say the spell, 'Expecto Patronum!' If your happiest memory is strong enough, the Patronus shall appear from your wand and banish the Lethifold. So you must think of something that means the most to you. Let me demonstrate this to you.'

Blaise took out of his pocket a long wand of white smooth wood, pointed it into the space and enunciated, 'EXPECTO PATRONUM!' Something appeared out of his wand - a silvery Siamese cat, sleek and slender. It arched its back, raised its tail, walked proudly on the air and disappeared.

The class gasped and then smiled. Blaise smiled too.

'Yes, I'm a great lover of cats,' he said. 'But more to the point: so that the Lethifold doesn't catch you fast asleep, close the door and put mosquito nets on the windows.'

* * *

After the class Blaise said to the leaving students:

'Good morning! And you, Diggory, please stay.'

Cedric Diggory, a handsome seventh-year Hufflepuff, tarried, unsure of what to expect. When the rest of the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs quit the classroom, Blaise said:

'Mr. Diggory, I want you to know that Mr. Potter is no more cheater than you are. He didn't put his name into the Goblet. I spoke to him, and I assure you this is true. His best friend, Mr. Weasley, is now not on speaking terms with him because he thinks like you do. Mr. Potter is very upset by this. I have no authority with either Mlle Delacour or Pan Krum, otherwise I'd tell them the same, but I trust I have some authority with you, Mr. Diggory.'

Cedric looked confused.

'Well, if you say so, Professor...'

'Now good morning, Mr. Diggory,' Blaise said.

'Good morning, Professor,' Cedric said and left, but Blaise could tell the young man was vacillating. Blaise smiled. The seed was planted.

* * *

Classes over, Blaise went to his rooms, found on a bookshelf the Book of Changes, opened it at random and read:

'He climbs the hill. He hides the weapons in the shrubbery, but it takes him three years to climb the hill.'

Blaise sighed:

'Oh well. Someone in our midst poses a threat, but it will take them time to do what they intend. Maybe meanwhile I'll discover who they are. Moody, perhaps.'

Blaise looked at his familiar.

'You know what, Macavity, watch Moody, and if you see something odd, go to Professor McGonagall.'

'Yaow!' Macavity said.

'I WONDER what the three tasks are,' Blaise mused. He knew there must be three of them, he read about it in some history book or other as he loved to read history books. He remembered the tasks of years past sometimes were about getting around large dangerous creatures. He made note to himself to ask Rubeus Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper, about this, as Rubeus would be trusted with these creatures. Rubeus knew how to handle them, and moreover, he loved them. Rubeus was a good man. Blaise regretted that Rubeus was once expelled from Hogwarts on the charge of unleashing a monster on the school, but fortunately, two years ago it was discovered that it was not Rubeus who did it, and Rubeus was cleared of the charge and granted the status of a full wizard, as he should have been on leaving Hogwarts. Rubeus was a beautiful name, and it fitted very well - it meant "of bramble". Rubeus was rustic and honest, just as brambles have nice berries. Blaise decided to go and visit Rubeus.

* * *

Some time later Blaise knocked on the door of Rubeus' hut.

'Who's there?' A thunderous voice asked.

'It's me, Blaise.'

The door opened, and Rubeus let Blaise in. Rubeus was tall, with wild long hair and beard, in an old coat and high boots. Blaise thought there was surely some giant blood in him.

'Welcome then, Blaise,' Rubeus said. 'Wan' a cup o' tea?'

'Certainly,' Blaise said.

Blaise sat down at the large round table in the middle of the room, and Rubeus put a kettle to boil and searched in the cupboard for some biscuits. As the tea was served, Blaise turned to Rubeus.

'Rubeus, you would know if some powerful creatures were involved in one of the tasks, wouldn't you? Surely you would have to watch over them.'

'That's righ'. I would, Rubeus said.

'You see, I am thinking about Harry,' Blaise said. 'He has right to know what he faces, surely?'

'Yeh're righ', he does,' Rubeus said.

'There was a cockatrice involved in one of the past tournaments, you know,' Blaise said.

'I see yer point. I'll let yeh know,' Rubeus said.

'Excellent,' Blaise smiled.