Alastor Moody's Hogwarts Letter
Title: Alastor Moody's Hogwarts Letter.
Characters: Alastor Moody, Keernin Moody (Grandfather),Angus Moody (Father)
Rating: PG
Warnings:Light Swearing,and abit of Action ...and probably REALLY bad Spelling and Grammar
Summary: Alastor Moody's Grandfather is rather reluctant to let him go to Hogwarts.
Alastor Moody's Hogwarts Letter
Alastor Moody had long since grown out of his adolecent phase...or rather that was what he though...his Grandfather:Keernin Moody thought otherwise. The boy...now 10 was no more an adult than he was a Giraffe...spending his mornings raising hell at the local school,his afternoon whiling away the hours after chores before running around the Country-side mostly on his own or with his small group of friends and returning at evening for Supper before spending his evening hours on homework and finally washing up and sleeping.One thing that Keernin have to say about his grandson,he was neither a lay-about or lazy! He worked hard and did his chores.
But both Alastor and Keernin knew that there was something special about him...as there was with his grandmother, father and his mother before him...something that seperated them from the boy's he ruled the country-side with. He was a wizard...or rather that was what Alastor Proclaimed to be and what Keernin Professed that he would not be!
Keernin did not hate magic as such,or not even consider it to be evil, he did however believe it to be too dangerous for anyone to really do! Having seen the damage caused by it on several occations,something akin to small natural disasters...and his wifes death Alastor having always been a strong headed youth thought of Magic as the most wonderful thing in the world and spent many a early Saturday Afternoon in the hidden craggy caves near the home alone,talking to the hidden ghosts of knights that stayed there depths,or hunting the fairies in the hidden forest glen just behind the craggy moors and hills that could only be hidden magically.
Especially now that it was holidays was he out and about in the wild hunting down creatures and anything magical that he could lay his hands on....Leaving at the sign of first light and coming back for breakfast and chores when the earth heated in the Irish sun,and when his chores were finally done he'd get a quick packed lunch and be out until the sun began to sag lower and the light begin to dim, he'd make his way down for evening chores and dinner,before an early bed and dreams of places like Hogwarts and Diagon alley.(Having Already been to the Ministry of Magic and St.Mungo's for Pixie Pox (Somehting Similar to Measles exept the spots change colour and cause the patient to float) Though Keernin had no idea how his grandson had gotten pixie pox,he'd been nowhere near a pixie...apparently?)
...
Alastor Stormed upto the house,and onto the covered patio, bouncing around pulling his wellingtons off, and putting them on the porch for cleaning before hanging up his wet Coat up to dry and dragging his hands over his saggy wet red hair to rid it of the excess water that had gathered along with the morning due,leaving it looking slicked back until he grabbed an old over-used towl and dried it better,having been lectured a good dozen times about wet hair giving you colds,and thinking it to good of a morning to suffer through another.
After bouncing around and getting on a pair of over warn house shoes he walked in looking around to make damned sure that Keernin wasnt around before sneeking up to his room..only to be stopped, "An were de ya think yer heading Mr.Moody." came the voice that he imediatly identified as Keernins. "Upte me Room Sir... need to get some clean socks." he said with his most angelic smile, inching up the stairs.
"Oooooh are ya now...." He said making the 'Oh' sound more like the beginning of a song in high pitch than the normal deep tone. "Yes sir..." he answered getting a sinking feeling in his gut and wondered how best to get rid of the incriminating evidence before he got searched.Keernin looked him up and down,leaning against the door in his plad house coat and plain slippers,green eyes narrowed,what Alastor called X-Ray Vision working over him.
Keernin looked his grandson up and down taking in the look of nervous defiance in his Oak brown eyes,one of which was healing from a black-eye,the slight slant of the determined mouth,the tilt of the scarred chin,the normally messy hair,bedraggled from being wet and hanging in tentacles and curls in his slightly round/oval face,hanging in his eyes making him blink more,which in Keernin's opinion made him look Guiltier than sin!,The slight Defensive tilt to the boy's abnormally broud shoulders,chest and muscular legs already at his age,that made him one of Dublins most formiddle Boxers,Wrestlers and Rugby Players...which made him rather proud he did have to admit to that,the fact that for such a bulky boy he was slight on his feat also helped. "Well then Mr.Moody ya'll not be minding coming inte de kitchen an emptying out yer pockets for me?" he said pushing off the door frame and looking back when Alastor didn't move to follow crooking his finger for him to follow.
Alastor groaned and followed wondering for all his Grandfathers ranting if he was a wizard just like his Dad was after stopping him like that.Alastor walked upto the table smelling oats cooking and saw Keernin over the pot and quickly stuck his hands into his pockets unscrewing the lid off the jar he'd been keeping hidden in his pocket and somehow led the rather small cornish pixie he'd been keeping in it up his sleave and was about to close the jar when Keernin sat on the opposite him,a raised bushy old grey streaked red eyebrow. "May I go upte me room ter get some socks on first Sir?"
Keernin pulled his cup of 'Irish breakfast tea' to him and shook his head thinking that it was too early in the morning for this but not about to give the boy an inch. "No Alastor ya may not! Now empty yer pockets ..." Alastor locked his jaw refusing to budge. " Gonna give ya ter de count o 3 Mr.Moody" he said sounding almost bored "One..." Alastor Shifted "Please Granda ya dont have ter!" answered Alastor..."Dat Answer alone says otherwise Young Mr.Moody...either way I'm gonna see what yer hiding....Two." Alastor groaned and shifted abit more considering his options "Please...." Keernin stood up and started undoing his belt "Thr..." Alastor stopped him short "No Its alright! I'll do it!" Keernin sighed Relaxing back into his chair really having not looked forward to that.
Alastor Sighed taking out the jar with the lid unscrewed and couple of marbles, a sling shot with his initials carved into it, shortly followed by a couple of ball bearings he used in his thong-sling-shot, and then a metal box of pellets for his air riffle that he'd left at the door with his coat and wellingtons,never having brought it into the magic Glen and never would.2 rabbit tails,From a couple of rabbits he'd caught yesterday that were hanging in the pantry aging, a hand ful of pheasant feathers(from a succesful hunting trip a week back) he was using to make Quills from,a pot of ink,and some coloured stones with ancient Ruins on them...Alastor prayed that his grandfather would think that that was the reason for his hesitation.
Keernin pulled the jar forward looking into it and seeing nothing but some fresh leaves,he raised his eyebrow questioningly waiting for an explanation..Alastor knew better than to lie "Was catching Cornish pixies and fairies with it Sir.." Keerning snored and huffed "Yer lucky its empty! Stick ter Dragon Fly's an Frier Fly's boy" ignoring the feathers and rabbit tails,he headed straight for the stones picking them up and rolling them in his hand,looking up at Alastor,who was starting to develope quiet a problem.
The pixie he had hidden up his sleave was rather Angry at being captured,put in a jar and then let go into a dark furry place,and was now crawling up Alastors arm,trying to find the exit. Alastor took a deep breath "Da give em ter me ...please...please dont take em away Granda! I've not let anyone see em! Please...I've kept em save...Please!!" Keernin examined the carved stones and frowned,trying to stay immune to his lad's begging but failing and slamed them face down on the table "If I get wind that yer usin dese fir some kinda magic Boy ya'll be sorry!" with that he pushed them over and Alastor Quickly pocketed them and turned to run upto his room so that he can rid himself of the damned pixie that was leaving a bloody trail of claw marks up his arm and was now on his shoulder working its way across his chest,making him curse the fact that he was wearing his brown V-neck Jumper instead of his favorite Navy-Blue Crewman Jumper as it slowly but surely worked its way upward.
Alastor was just home free when Keernin called him back "You can get your socks later boy! ya need ter eat first." Alastor was getting desperate! any moment now the little pixie would be buzzing out of his shirt,and shook his head steading his voice "I...I need te go te the out-house sir..." He answered his voice abit more than tight even for a boy.
Keernin looked him up and down trying to determine what he was missing here,and put his tea down,standing up and walking over to Alastor "What are ya hiding lad?" he asked turning Alastor to look at him...even being tall for his age Alastor had not yet reached the height of Keernin's under arm and was forced to look up,but in this case he stared staunchly at his feat, the pixie having gone south instead of up(being rather stupid) was now clawing deep marks into the flesh of his stomach, but he refused to budge.
"Alastor look me in the eye please..." Alastor groans as the Pixie in his shirt started to work its way back upward after having crawled around to his back and was clawing its way up,and after some reluctance and schooling his face into what he hoped was a normal expression. "Yes Sir?" he said trying to look curious more than nervous. "You look like your in pain Alastor...did you hurt yerself an not tell me,again?" Alastor bit back a groan and swallowed nodding and after a moment managed to shakes his head the evil Pixie working its way past his lower back and onto his shoulder blade. "I'm f.fine sir." he managed to say with some semblance of his normal voice.
Keernin looked him up and down with a frown on his face and watched him standing rigid "Mind takin off yer jumper lad..." he asked thinking it would need to be washed today anyway. Alastor Swallowed "I'd rather not..." he answered but Keernins ledgendary patience was starting to wear thin "take de damned thing off or ya can take yer trousers down Mr.Moody" Alastor groaned and took off his jumper hoping that the dark brown colour would hide the blood...
Keernin spotted the stains instantly...all over alastors ring arm,and stomache....but saw no sign of his shirt being torn and wandered what made them, grabbing hold of Alastor he dragged him into the light of the small kitchen. "Take of yer shirt boy need ter see ter these cuts"he said waiting...Alastor didnt dare budge the Pixie now circling around his shirt rim just looking for an opertunity to escare "Do you want me to start countin?" Alastor tried to edge toward the window,but Keernin grabbed him by the shirt collar.
Everything seemed to happen at once,as Keernin grabbed Alastors collar the pixie flew out and attacked the first hand he could lay eyes on, in this case it just happened to be Keernins. Biting down on it Alastor stood in fasinated Horror as his Grandfather jumped back a Cornish Pixie firmly attacked to his hand spinning around trying to get the damned thing off his hand,right at the same time an owl showed up at the window and started to rap at it.
Keernin Swung his arm in a high arch and tried to throw the Pixie off,while at the same time Alastor was trying to get hold of the Pixie meanwhile the Owl flew off and came in through the open half door and landed on the table. Alastor noticed it but was distracted when the pixie let go of his Grandfathers hand flew off in the direction of the Oats and lifted the pot using it as a projectile the pixie picked it up and tossed it in the direction of the two Moody's hiding behind the counter,Oats splattering across the tiled wall and some of the cieling, the pot coming to a clang somewhere in the distant corridore a trail of hot oats following it, The owl of course having flown up to avoid the pot and the boiling hot oats was now flying around feathers spreading everywhere the Pixie now throwing knifes and other kitchen impliments having a good time of wrecking the kitchen accedently flew straight into the owl.
The owl flying around the room with a Pixie using it as horse was trying to rid Itself of the electric blue menace,while Alastor and his grandfather had crawled out of the room, through the back door and were watching through the window on there hands and knees,Alastor caught somewhere between amusement,horror and fasination as he watched the pixue upturn his grandfathers dishes and it flew past the window astride the owl,pulling off some extremely amazing airobatic stunts before the pixie was tossed off at high speed,zooming passed Alastor and his grandfather with a large buzzing WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE sound, right out the back door ending some distance from them before coming to a hault mid air dropping to the floor and standing up rather confused and disorientated having lost its bearings,before lifting off and flying as if completely drunk in zigzagging loopdiloops back in the direction of the Craggy Forest....sort of.
Alastor looked into the kitchen seeing a mess and cringing but spotted the owl that was sitting on the counter fixing its feathers and ran inside again dodging the globs of snotty oats that started to drip from the cieling and jumping over the several sharp impliments that lay imbedded in the floor,counter,table and wall,making sure to miss the broken plates and cups, and came to a hault trying to get the letter only to be bitten by the damned owl in revenge for the pixie.
"OWE!Stupid bird" pressing a bleeding finger to his lips and nicking the letter out from under it before it could get its revenge.Alastor was just about to open it when Keernin reached over him and grabbed it out of his hand "OI Thats mine! Its adressed to me That my Hogwarts letter! Da said I'd be getting it soon !!! See!!!" he tapped his finger on the seal of the letter.
Keernin looked down at the letter and read out the address out loud.
Mr.A.Moody
Lighthouse Garret.
Moody Glen Light-house
Moody Glen
Dublin
Alastor Grinned at the fact that they knew which room he stayed in and shifted from foot to foot. Keernin on the other hand having been there when he's son had recieved his letter all those years ago and wasn't in the least surprised in reading it. Alastor held out his bleeding hand "See its mine!" Keernin held it in his hand considering the wisdom of giving it over just had to be standing under a particularly large gob of Oats,as he was just about to hand over the letter and it oozed onto his messy grey hair reminding him just /why/ he was angry a few minuets ago.
"Ooooh No Mr.Moody...not a chance! Just look what a mess ya'v made,wit yer lil blue fairy!" Alastor stared at him confused before looking around and cringing,the oat meal all over the place,cracked tiles...owl feathers...deeply embedded tools.... he swallowed and the only thing he could think to say was: "It aint a Blue Fairy, ...Its a Cornish Pixie" Not that that helped matters at all...his grandfather had grown quite the distaste for anything with the word Pixie in it and grabbed Alastor by the shoulder.
Alastor Groaned and hissed reminding his grandfather why they were here in the first place, and he sighed. Dragging Alastor off to the bathroom pulling his shirt over his head and applying ointment to the scratches glad that his son Angus had left a magical healing kit for such occations...though he had to admit that this was mild compaired to the time that Alastor tried to hide a bird-horse thing** in the barn and causing it to go on a rampage...or him disappearing for a week and coming back with stories of Centaurs getting upset that he intruded on them.
"May I please have me letter now sir?"asked Alastor but Keernin sighed "First yer gonna clean the kitchen,then yer gonna go and clean out de shed an paint it me boy... then yer gonna go out ter de beach an get us some muscles an shelfish an bring it ter me an after all dat yer gonna go ter yer room an think about dis..." Alastor sunk in his seat "yer grounded fir 2 weeks boy...ya'll only get yer letter after dinner when yer father gets here" Alastor Groaned and scowled "though I dont think ya'll be going any way"Alastor jumped out of his seat and glared at his grandfather.
"What do ya mean not going? Its Hogwarts! I cant /not/ go!" Keernin scowled at him almost identically to his own. "Boy magic has caused nout but heart ache an trouble fir dis family since I married a witch all those years ago! I'm only tryin ter protect ya" ....Alastor face went from red to marroon the famous Moody temper about to flair up in style "I'm Going! you always told me to use everything I'm given! you cant stop me from going" Keernin frowned and shook his head warning in his voice "Boy I'll talk wit yer father about this but ya have no say in it!"
Alastor couldnt believe what he was hearing "THATS NOT FAIR!!!I" he growled in spectacular fashion ...for a 10 year old boy ."Life isnt fair! now get down there and clean that kitchen before the oats dry! and yer stuck chisling it off the walls." Alastor frowned ignoring the order,his voice threatening tears,but bravely fought back "Where am I supposed to go if I'm not going to Hogwarts?"
Keernin frowned "Ya'v bin given a full scholarship ter Blackrock Colledge boy! Academic's,Rugby an Wrestlin ontop o yer boxing! dont throw it all away on account o some silly desire to do magic tricks"
Alastor had to bite his tongue when he heard that! He didn't want to be a stupid muggle! he wanted to be a great Auror "I.AM.GOING.TO.HOGWARTS" he screamed his voice now thin and reedy,tears in his eyes his grandfather having to swallow hard "Ya havn't got a say boy!" Alastor stepped dangerously close into his grandfathers personal space,something no man had done in over 3 decades. "Ya just hate magic cause ya think it killed Grandmum an cause it couldnt Save Mum!"
For the first time in his long 8 years with the boy,Keernin didnt know what to say! He felt like he'd been stabbed in the gut and his urge to hurt the boy as much as the boy had just hurt him was strong,before he knew what he'd done he reached out and slapped Alastor...not hard at all...but enough to add a white mark to Alastors red face.
Alastor took a step back wide eyed,clearly shocked by his grandfathers actions...as was Keernin. Who stood still staring at his hand in disbelief ...Alastor finally Regained his wit however "I... /HATE/ ...YOU!!!!" he yelled making the windows shake...Keernin's only responce to that was "Tis a pity Alastor..cause I love ya..." Alastor stumbled back as if he'd been hit again,opened the door and fled the room.
Keernin couldn't believe what had just happened and stared at himself in the mirror, before remembering that his grandson was somewhere and he'd need to find him before his magic got out of hand again. Walking up to his bedroom ...a large but rather cramped and dark circular attic,that was attached to the lighthouse,with low beams and a few window's and sky lights that looked out to the different parts of Moody Glen, along with a door that led out onto a bridge that crossed into the lighthouse though Alastor used it for early morning escapes.but Alastor wasn't there. He decided to go downstairs and see whether his grandson was off again.
Walking down he was shocked to find him on his hands and knees scrubbing the oats off the wall and floor the ceiling clean. He walked closer his Grandson ignoring him as he walked into the kitchen, staring at the work in front of him as if it were his reason for living... "Alastor...." he said not sure what to say but the boy didn't answer him "I do love ya ...ya know?" he said softly his jaw working because he hated showing emotions.But he was ignored as the last of the oats was swabbed up and Alastor stood brushing past him to pour it into the sink, hiding his face from his grandfather,a sniffle alerting him to the fact that his grandson was crying...
"Boy come here..."he asked waiting to be rejected but alastor wiped his tears away with his shoulder before turning and walking forward eyes down cast. Mr.Keernin Moody was feeling like shite right now as he stared down at the boy infront of him. "I...I'm sorry Sir...I dont hate ya...I really dont" he said fresh tears falling from his eyes and before either of them could stop him,he hugged his grandfather burrying his face in his chest and sobbing. "I know Cub...shhh I'm here...I know ya dont hate me..." tentivly wrapping his arms around him,letting him cry it out,patting his back and rubbing soothingly...
"Ya alright?" "...yes...sir" came a little hiccup in response gripping his grandfather harder than he meant to "I...I'm sorry sir...but I...I'm going to go to Hogwarts...I'm a wizard sir...I cant deny that..." Keernin felt his heart give out for a moment...he knew he would loose this fight...but he had to try to get his grandson to admit to having another part to him..."Yer an 8th muggle aswell boy" he said quietly tilting the boys head up by his scarred chin. "At least I can be both if I go to hogwarts sir..."
Keernin nodded and frowned and sat down at the table staring at the letter for a moment "Alright dammit ya can go! yer da would never have let me not let ya go boy...but ya have ter make me a promise..." he said putting Alastor on his knee...to which Alastor went red feeling to old for such things..."Whats that Granda?" he asked resting his head against his shoulder. "Promise me ya wont firget dat ya are some part muggle lad...dat ya'll learn ter drive a car when yer old enough...an ya wont stop usin yer riffle ter go huntin when ya've learned how ter use yer wand...ya wont stop playin Rugby till yer ter old ter beat de youngsters....an ya'll at least get some form o muggle training so dat ya can stay known ter de muggle community an not just disappear...an dat no matter who an what ...muggle or wizard ya'll treat em equal..an do whats right by both?"
Alastor swallowed and nodded "Yes sir...I promise! I'll do all those things!" hugging him tightly "Can I open my letter now?" Keernin chuckled and shook his head "Give me yer oath on de name o Moody?" ...Alastor smiled and put his hand over his heart "I swear on the name of Moody,and all my forefathers behind me,an me descendants infront of me,I wont forget the muggle in me"meaning every word of it. Keernin smiled and nodded.
"Soooo can I have my letter now?" he asked bouncing on his grandfathers knee. Keernin laughed and shook his head "Nope...tenight when yer father gets here...yer still being punished boyo...so get te it...an I'll go down ter de beach wit ya later an we can pick shellfish tegether an maybe get an ice cream if we're done early enough...."Alastor pouted but stood up and started to clean the kitchen.
By the time the kitchen was finally clean it had gone into late morning and the sun was high in the sky... by the time he'd cleared and painted the shed it was late afternoon and he and his grandfather walked down to the beach walking up it to the only ice cream stall in the area, walking back both with ice creams in there hands...and by the time that they had gotten home....It was quiet dark and Angus had just arrived...
Dinner moved to slowly for Alastors liking as Keernin and Angus talked about the days events,Angus of course relieved Alastor had talked him into it... but by the end of dinner Alastor just couldn't hold it in any longer "PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE MAY I OPEN MY LETTER" he begged ...Angus and Keernin both laughed and nodded "alright lad go ahead"
Alastor Ripped open the letter and read the words over and over again.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Armondo Dippet
Dear Mr. Moody
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Deputy Headmaster
Alastor grinned and handed the letter to both his grandfather and father reading through the list with a massive smile on his face...Alastor just knew that his life was about to change for ever....and it did.
FIN
**Hippogriff
Characters: Alastor Moody, Keernin Moody (Grandfather),Angus Moody (Father)
Rating: PG
Warnings:Light Swearing,and abit of Action ...and probably REALLY bad Spelling and Grammar
Summary: Alastor Moody's Grandfather is rather reluctant to let him go to Hogwarts.
Alastor Moody's Hogwarts Letter
Alastor Moody had long since grown out of his adolecent phase...or rather that was what he though...his Grandfather:Keernin Moody thought otherwise. The boy...now 10 was no more an adult than he was a Giraffe...spending his mornings raising hell at the local school,his afternoon whiling away the hours after chores before running around the Country-side mostly on his own or with his small group of friends and returning at evening for Supper before spending his evening hours on homework and finally washing up and sleeping.One thing that Keernin have to say about his grandson,he was neither a lay-about or lazy! He worked hard and did his chores.
But both Alastor and Keernin knew that there was something special about him...as there was with his grandmother, father and his mother before him...something that seperated them from the boy's he ruled the country-side with. He was a wizard...or rather that was what Alastor Proclaimed to be and what Keernin Professed that he would not be!
Keernin did not hate magic as such,or not even consider it to be evil, he did however believe it to be too dangerous for anyone to really do! Having seen the damage caused by it on several occations,something akin to small natural disasters...and his wifes death Alastor having always been a strong headed youth thought of Magic as the most wonderful thing in the world and spent many a early Saturday Afternoon in the hidden craggy caves near the home alone,talking to the hidden ghosts of knights that stayed there depths,or hunting the fairies in the hidden forest glen just behind the craggy moors and hills that could only be hidden magically.
Especially now that it was holidays was he out and about in the wild hunting down creatures and anything magical that he could lay his hands on....Leaving at the sign of first light and coming back for breakfast and chores when the earth heated in the Irish sun,and when his chores were finally done he'd get a quick packed lunch and be out until the sun began to sag lower and the light begin to dim, he'd make his way down for evening chores and dinner,before an early bed and dreams of places like Hogwarts and Diagon alley.(Having Already been to the Ministry of Magic and St.Mungo's for Pixie Pox (Somehting Similar to Measles exept the spots change colour and cause the patient to float) Though Keernin had no idea how his grandson had gotten pixie pox,he'd been nowhere near a pixie...apparently?)
...
Alastor Stormed upto the house,and onto the covered patio, bouncing around pulling his wellingtons off, and putting them on the porch for cleaning before hanging up his wet Coat up to dry and dragging his hands over his saggy wet red hair to rid it of the excess water that had gathered along with the morning due,leaving it looking slicked back until he grabbed an old over-used towl and dried it better,having been lectured a good dozen times about wet hair giving you colds,and thinking it to good of a morning to suffer through another.
After bouncing around and getting on a pair of over warn house shoes he walked in looking around to make damned sure that Keernin wasnt around before sneeking up to his room..only to be stopped, "An were de ya think yer heading Mr.Moody." came the voice that he imediatly identified as Keernins. "Upte me Room Sir... need to get some clean socks." he said with his most angelic smile, inching up the stairs.
"Oooooh are ya now...." He said making the 'Oh' sound more like the beginning of a song in high pitch than the normal deep tone. "Yes sir..." he answered getting a sinking feeling in his gut and wondered how best to get rid of the incriminating evidence before he got searched.Keernin looked him up and down,leaning against the door in his plad house coat and plain slippers,green eyes narrowed,what Alastor called X-Ray Vision working over him.
Keernin looked his grandson up and down taking in the look of nervous defiance in his Oak brown eyes,one of which was healing from a black-eye,the slight slant of the determined mouth,the tilt of the scarred chin,the normally messy hair,bedraggled from being wet and hanging in tentacles and curls in his slightly round/oval face,hanging in his eyes making him blink more,which in Keernin's opinion made him look Guiltier than sin!,The slight Defensive tilt to the boy's abnormally broud shoulders,chest and muscular legs already at his age,that made him one of Dublins most formiddle Boxers,Wrestlers and Rugby Players...which made him rather proud he did have to admit to that,the fact that for such a bulky boy he was slight on his feat also helped. "Well then Mr.Moody ya'll not be minding coming inte de kitchen an emptying out yer pockets for me?" he said pushing off the door frame and looking back when Alastor didn't move to follow crooking his finger for him to follow.
Alastor groaned and followed wondering for all his Grandfathers ranting if he was a wizard just like his Dad was after stopping him like that.Alastor walked upto the table smelling oats cooking and saw Keernin over the pot and quickly stuck his hands into his pockets unscrewing the lid off the jar he'd been keeping hidden in his pocket and somehow led the rather small cornish pixie he'd been keeping in it up his sleave and was about to close the jar when Keernin sat on the opposite him,a raised bushy old grey streaked red eyebrow. "May I go upte me room ter get some socks on first Sir?"
Keernin pulled his cup of 'Irish breakfast tea' to him and shook his head thinking that it was too early in the morning for this but not about to give the boy an inch. "No Alastor ya may not! Now empty yer pockets ..." Alastor locked his jaw refusing to budge. " Gonna give ya ter de count o 3 Mr.Moody" he said sounding almost bored "One..." Alastor Shifted "Please Granda ya dont have ter!" answered Alastor..."Dat Answer alone says otherwise Young Mr.Moody...either way I'm gonna see what yer hiding....Two." Alastor groaned and shifted abit more considering his options "Please...." Keernin stood up and started undoing his belt "Thr..." Alastor stopped him short "No Its alright! I'll do it!" Keernin sighed Relaxing back into his chair really having not looked forward to that.
Alastor Sighed taking out the jar with the lid unscrewed and couple of marbles, a sling shot with his initials carved into it, shortly followed by a couple of ball bearings he used in his thong-sling-shot, and then a metal box of pellets for his air riffle that he'd left at the door with his coat and wellingtons,never having brought it into the magic Glen and never would.2 rabbit tails,From a couple of rabbits he'd caught yesterday that were hanging in the pantry aging, a hand ful of pheasant feathers(from a succesful hunting trip a week back) he was using to make Quills from,a pot of ink,and some coloured stones with ancient Ruins on them...Alastor prayed that his grandfather would think that that was the reason for his hesitation.
Keernin pulled the jar forward looking into it and seeing nothing but some fresh leaves,he raised his eyebrow questioningly waiting for an explanation..Alastor knew better than to lie "Was catching Cornish pixies and fairies with it Sir.." Keerning snored and huffed "Yer lucky its empty! Stick ter Dragon Fly's an Frier Fly's boy" ignoring the feathers and rabbit tails,he headed straight for the stones picking them up and rolling them in his hand,looking up at Alastor,who was starting to develope quiet a problem.
The pixie he had hidden up his sleave was rather Angry at being captured,put in a jar and then let go into a dark furry place,and was now crawling up Alastors arm,trying to find the exit. Alastor took a deep breath "Da give em ter me ...please...please dont take em away Granda! I've not let anyone see em! Please...I've kept em save...Please!!" Keernin examined the carved stones and frowned,trying to stay immune to his lad's begging but failing and slamed them face down on the table "If I get wind that yer usin dese fir some kinda magic Boy ya'll be sorry!" with that he pushed them over and Alastor Quickly pocketed them and turned to run upto his room so that he can rid himself of the damned pixie that was leaving a bloody trail of claw marks up his arm and was now on his shoulder working its way across his chest,making him curse the fact that he was wearing his brown V-neck Jumper instead of his favorite Navy-Blue Crewman Jumper as it slowly but surely worked its way upward.
Alastor was just home free when Keernin called him back "You can get your socks later boy! ya need ter eat first." Alastor was getting desperate! any moment now the little pixie would be buzzing out of his shirt,and shook his head steading his voice "I...I need te go te the out-house sir..." He answered his voice abit more than tight even for a boy.
Keernin looked him up and down trying to determine what he was missing here,and put his tea down,standing up and walking over to Alastor "What are ya hiding lad?" he asked turning Alastor to look at him...even being tall for his age Alastor had not yet reached the height of Keernin's under arm and was forced to look up,but in this case he stared staunchly at his feat, the pixie having gone south instead of up(being rather stupid) was now clawing deep marks into the flesh of his stomach, but he refused to budge.
"Alastor look me in the eye please..." Alastor groans as the Pixie in his shirt started to work its way back upward after having crawled around to his back and was clawing its way up,and after some reluctance and schooling his face into what he hoped was a normal expression. "Yes Sir?" he said trying to look curious more than nervous. "You look like your in pain Alastor...did you hurt yerself an not tell me,again?" Alastor bit back a groan and swallowed nodding and after a moment managed to shakes his head the evil Pixie working its way past his lower back and onto his shoulder blade. "I'm f.fine sir." he managed to say with some semblance of his normal voice.
Keernin looked him up and down with a frown on his face and watched him standing rigid "Mind takin off yer jumper lad..." he asked thinking it would need to be washed today anyway. Alastor Swallowed "I'd rather not..." he answered but Keernins ledgendary patience was starting to wear thin "take de damned thing off or ya can take yer trousers down Mr.Moody" Alastor groaned and took off his jumper hoping that the dark brown colour would hide the blood...
Keernin spotted the stains instantly...all over alastors ring arm,and stomache....but saw no sign of his shirt being torn and wandered what made them, grabbing hold of Alastor he dragged him into the light of the small kitchen. "Take of yer shirt boy need ter see ter these cuts"he said waiting...Alastor didnt dare budge the Pixie now circling around his shirt rim just looking for an opertunity to escare "Do you want me to start countin?" Alastor tried to edge toward the window,but Keernin grabbed him by the shirt collar.
Everything seemed to happen at once,as Keernin grabbed Alastors collar the pixie flew out and attacked the first hand he could lay eyes on, in this case it just happened to be Keernins. Biting down on it Alastor stood in fasinated Horror as his Grandfather jumped back a Cornish Pixie firmly attacked to his hand spinning around trying to get the damned thing off his hand,right at the same time an owl showed up at the window and started to rap at it.
Keernin Swung his arm in a high arch and tried to throw the Pixie off,while at the same time Alastor was trying to get hold of the Pixie meanwhile the Owl flew off and came in through the open half door and landed on the table. Alastor noticed it but was distracted when the pixie let go of his Grandfathers hand flew off in the direction of the Oats and lifted the pot using it as a projectile the pixie picked it up and tossed it in the direction of the two Moody's hiding behind the counter,Oats splattering across the tiled wall and some of the cieling, the pot coming to a clang somewhere in the distant corridore a trail of hot oats following it, The owl of course having flown up to avoid the pot and the boiling hot oats was now flying around feathers spreading everywhere the Pixie now throwing knifes and other kitchen impliments having a good time of wrecking the kitchen accedently flew straight into the owl.
The owl flying around the room with a Pixie using it as horse was trying to rid Itself of the electric blue menace,while Alastor and his grandfather had crawled out of the room, through the back door and were watching through the window on there hands and knees,Alastor caught somewhere between amusement,horror and fasination as he watched the pixue upturn his grandfathers dishes and it flew past the window astride the owl,pulling off some extremely amazing airobatic stunts before the pixie was tossed off at high speed,zooming passed Alastor and his grandfather with a large buzzing WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE sound, right out the back door ending some distance from them before coming to a hault mid air dropping to the floor and standing up rather confused and disorientated having lost its bearings,before lifting off and flying as if completely drunk in zigzagging loopdiloops back in the direction of the Craggy Forest....sort of.
Alastor looked into the kitchen seeing a mess and cringing but spotted the owl that was sitting on the counter fixing its feathers and ran inside again dodging the globs of snotty oats that started to drip from the cieling and jumping over the several sharp impliments that lay imbedded in the floor,counter,table and wall,making sure to miss the broken plates and cups, and came to a hault trying to get the letter only to be bitten by the damned owl in revenge for the pixie.
"OWE!Stupid bird" pressing a bleeding finger to his lips and nicking the letter out from under it before it could get its revenge.Alastor was just about to open it when Keernin reached over him and grabbed it out of his hand "OI Thats mine! Its adressed to me That my Hogwarts letter! Da said I'd be getting it soon !!! See!!!" he tapped his finger on the seal of the letter.
Keernin looked down at the letter and read out the address out loud.
Mr.A.Moody
Lighthouse Garret.
Moody Glen Light-house
Moody Glen
Dublin
Alastor Grinned at the fact that they knew which room he stayed in and shifted from foot to foot. Keernin on the other hand having been there when he's son had recieved his letter all those years ago and wasn't in the least surprised in reading it. Alastor held out his bleeding hand "See its mine!" Keernin held it in his hand considering the wisdom of giving it over just had to be standing under a particularly large gob of Oats,as he was just about to hand over the letter and it oozed onto his messy grey hair reminding him just /why/ he was angry a few minuets ago.
"Ooooh No Mr.Moody...not a chance! Just look what a mess ya'v made,wit yer lil blue fairy!" Alastor stared at him confused before looking around and cringing,the oat meal all over the place,cracked tiles...owl feathers...deeply embedded tools.... he swallowed and the only thing he could think to say was: "It aint a Blue Fairy, ...Its a Cornish Pixie" Not that that helped matters at all...his grandfather had grown quite the distaste for anything with the word Pixie in it and grabbed Alastor by the shoulder.
Alastor Groaned and hissed reminding his grandfather why they were here in the first place, and he sighed. Dragging Alastor off to the bathroom pulling his shirt over his head and applying ointment to the scratches glad that his son Angus had left a magical healing kit for such occations...though he had to admit that this was mild compaired to the time that Alastor tried to hide a bird-horse thing** in the barn and causing it to go on a rampage...or him disappearing for a week and coming back with stories of Centaurs getting upset that he intruded on them.
"May I please have me letter now sir?"asked Alastor but Keernin sighed "First yer gonna clean the kitchen,then yer gonna go and clean out de shed an paint it me boy... then yer gonna go out ter de beach an get us some muscles an shelfish an bring it ter me an after all dat yer gonna go ter yer room an think about dis..." Alastor sunk in his seat "yer grounded fir 2 weeks boy...ya'll only get yer letter after dinner when yer father gets here" Alastor Groaned and scowled "though I dont think ya'll be going any way"Alastor jumped out of his seat and glared at his grandfather.
"What do ya mean not going? Its Hogwarts! I cant /not/ go!" Keernin scowled at him almost identically to his own. "Boy magic has caused nout but heart ache an trouble fir dis family since I married a witch all those years ago! I'm only tryin ter protect ya" ....Alastor face went from red to marroon the famous Moody temper about to flair up in style "I'm Going! you always told me to use everything I'm given! you cant stop me from going" Keernin frowned and shook his head warning in his voice "Boy I'll talk wit yer father about this but ya have no say in it!"
Alastor couldnt believe what he was hearing "THATS NOT FAIR!!!I" he growled in spectacular fashion ...for a 10 year old boy ."Life isnt fair! now get down there and clean that kitchen before the oats dry! and yer stuck chisling it off the walls." Alastor frowned ignoring the order,his voice threatening tears,but bravely fought back "Where am I supposed to go if I'm not going to Hogwarts?"
Keernin frowned "Ya'v bin given a full scholarship ter Blackrock Colledge boy! Academic's,Rugby an Wrestlin ontop o yer boxing! dont throw it all away on account o some silly desire to do magic tricks"
Alastor had to bite his tongue when he heard that! He didn't want to be a stupid muggle! he wanted to be a great Auror "I.AM.GOING.TO.HOGWARTS" he screamed his voice now thin and reedy,tears in his eyes his grandfather having to swallow hard "Ya havn't got a say boy!" Alastor stepped dangerously close into his grandfathers personal space,something no man had done in over 3 decades. "Ya just hate magic cause ya think it killed Grandmum an cause it couldnt Save Mum!"
For the first time in his long 8 years with the boy,Keernin didnt know what to say! He felt like he'd been stabbed in the gut and his urge to hurt the boy as much as the boy had just hurt him was strong,before he knew what he'd done he reached out and slapped Alastor...not hard at all...but enough to add a white mark to Alastors red face.
Alastor took a step back wide eyed,clearly shocked by his grandfathers actions...as was Keernin. Who stood still staring at his hand in disbelief ...Alastor finally Regained his wit however "I... /HATE/ ...YOU!!!!" he yelled making the windows shake...Keernin's only responce to that was "Tis a pity Alastor..cause I love ya..." Alastor stumbled back as if he'd been hit again,opened the door and fled the room.
Keernin couldn't believe what had just happened and stared at himself in the mirror, before remembering that his grandson was somewhere and he'd need to find him before his magic got out of hand again. Walking up to his bedroom ...a large but rather cramped and dark circular attic,that was attached to the lighthouse,with low beams and a few window's and sky lights that looked out to the different parts of Moody Glen, along with a door that led out onto a bridge that crossed into the lighthouse though Alastor used it for early morning escapes.but Alastor wasn't there. He decided to go downstairs and see whether his grandson was off again.
Walking down he was shocked to find him on his hands and knees scrubbing the oats off the wall and floor the ceiling clean. He walked closer his Grandson ignoring him as he walked into the kitchen, staring at the work in front of him as if it were his reason for living... "Alastor...." he said not sure what to say but the boy didn't answer him "I do love ya ...ya know?" he said softly his jaw working because he hated showing emotions.But he was ignored as the last of the oats was swabbed up and Alastor stood brushing past him to pour it into the sink, hiding his face from his grandfather,a sniffle alerting him to the fact that his grandson was crying...
"Boy come here..."he asked waiting to be rejected but alastor wiped his tears away with his shoulder before turning and walking forward eyes down cast. Mr.Keernin Moody was feeling like shite right now as he stared down at the boy infront of him. "I...I'm sorry Sir...I dont hate ya...I really dont" he said fresh tears falling from his eyes and before either of them could stop him,he hugged his grandfather burrying his face in his chest and sobbing. "I know Cub...shhh I'm here...I know ya dont hate me..." tentivly wrapping his arms around him,letting him cry it out,patting his back and rubbing soothingly...
"Ya alright?" "...yes...sir" came a little hiccup in response gripping his grandfather harder than he meant to "I...I'm sorry sir...but I...I'm going to go to Hogwarts...I'm a wizard sir...I cant deny that..." Keernin felt his heart give out for a moment...he knew he would loose this fight...but he had to try to get his grandson to admit to having another part to him..."Yer an 8th muggle aswell boy" he said quietly tilting the boys head up by his scarred chin. "At least I can be both if I go to hogwarts sir..."
Keernin nodded and frowned and sat down at the table staring at the letter for a moment "Alright dammit ya can go! yer da would never have let me not let ya go boy...but ya have ter make me a promise..." he said putting Alastor on his knee...to which Alastor went red feeling to old for such things..."Whats that Granda?" he asked resting his head against his shoulder. "Promise me ya wont firget dat ya are some part muggle lad...dat ya'll learn ter drive a car when yer old enough...an ya wont stop usin yer riffle ter go huntin when ya've learned how ter use yer wand...ya wont stop playin Rugby till yer ter old ter beat de youngsters....an ya'll at least get some form o muggle training so dat ya can stay known ter de muggle community an not just disappear...an dat no matter who an what ...muggle or wizard ya'll treat em equal..an do whats right by both?"
Alastor swallowed and nodded "Yes sir...I promise! I'll do all those things!" hugging him tightly "Can I open my letter now?" Keernin chuckled and shook his head "Give me yer oath on de name o Moody?" ...Alastor smiled and put his hand over his heart "I swear on the name of Moody,and all my forefathers behind me,an me descendants infront of me,I wont forget the muggle in me"meaning every word of it. Keernin smiled and nodded.
"Soooo can I have my letter now?" he asked bouncing on his grandfathers knee. Keernin laughed and shook his head "Nope...tenight when yer father gets here...yer still being punished boyo...so get te it...an I'll go down ter de beach wit ya later an we can pick shellfish tegether an maybe get an ice cream if we're done early enough...."Alastor pouted but stood up and started to clean the kitchen.
By the time the kitchen was finally clean it had gone into late morning and the sun was high in the sky... by the time he'd cleared and painted the shed it was late afternoon and he and his grandfather walked down to the beach walking up it to the only ice cream stall in the area, walking back both with ice creams in there hands...and by the time that they had gotten home....It was quiet dark and Angus had just arrived...
Dinner moved to slowly for Alastors liking as Keernin and Angus talked about the days events,Angus of course relieved Alastor had talked him into it... but by the end of dinner Alastor just couldn't hold it in any longer "PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE MAY I OPEN MY LETTER" he begged ...Angus and Keernin both laughed and nodded "alright lad go ahead"
Alastor Ripped open the letter and read the words over and over again.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Armondo Dippet
Dear Mr. Moody
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Deputy Headmaster
Alastor grinned and handed the letter to both his grandfather and father reading through the list with a massive smile on his face...Alastor just knew that his life was about to change for ever....and it did.
FIN
**Hippogriff