Moody was waiting in the classroom when the students arrived. The man was gnarled and scared but still gave off an air of competent violence. He waited for the students to be seated.
"Your books are a resource." He started. "I have chosen them personally. The knowledge and spells within are will greatly strengthen your understanding of Defense. Before each class you will read two chapters and write a summary. I do not care for length, what I care about is your understanding of the subject. I want what you think is right, what is confusing, and any questions you have. Most importantly CONSTANT VIGILANCE."
Harry smiled.
"Now." Moody tapped the chalkboard beside him. "Defense against the dark arts starts with defense. Today we will be discussing multiple levels of protection."
"Sir." Seamus asked raising his hand. "Are we going to learn any offensive spells?"
"Finnigan, right?" Moody looked at the boy. "If you never learn anything more than a stunner but live to see your grandchildren, I will be a happy man. Defense is not just for you, it's for those around you. Keeping yourself and others safe."
He scanned the classroom before him. A wicked smile played across his scarred face.
"Practical lesson in order then?" Moody's wand was in his hand in a flash.
The man began silently casting spells at the students. Harry tossed up a shield, moving to intercept.
"Neville." Harry called. "Get them out of here. Hermione, protect them. Ron. Dean. Stunners."
The group moved without question. Neville had most of the students out into the hall with Hermione covering them with a shield while Ron and Seamus sent stunners at Moody. Harry kept his shield between the professor and the students.
Harry felt the first spell hit his shield. It was a simple stinging jinx, followed by a few other nearly harmless spells. Moody started to laugh. The spells stopped. He slapped away one last stunner before walking back to the chalkboard.
"Good instincts, Potter." Moody smiled. "Ten points to Gryffindor for each of you. Weasley, get your classmates back in here."
The students came back in. A moment later Neville appeared leading McGonagall and Flitwick.
"Alastor." McGonagall stared at the old auror.
"Minerva." Moody inclined his head. "Lovely to see you."
"Mister Longbottom tells me you were attacking students." She set her cold gaze on him.
"Practical lessons." Moody explained. "Ten points to Gryffindor, Longbottom. Another ten if you can explain why you went to these specific professors?"
"Professor Flitwick is a champion duelist." Neville said softly. "Professor McGonagall, well, she'd do anything to protect us."
McGonagall blushed. "If that will be all, I have a class to teach."
Moody tipped his head to the two professors.
"Now." Moody turned his gnarled smile to the students. "What was more important? Trying to hit me with spells, or getting to safety?"
"Making sure the others were safe." Harry replied.
"Exactly." Moody tapped the chalkboard. The word DEFENSE appeared on it. "You can't fight back if you're dead. What are the most common shielding spells?"
"Protego." Hermione chimed in. "And Protego Maxima."
"Good. There are more variations on the spell. " Moody tapped the board and the charm appeared. "Protego Duo is stronger than the basic spell but not as strong as the Maxima variant. Casting a charm that needs more power than you have access too will not only cause the spell to fail, but it will also exhaust your magical reserves for a period of time. Protego Horribilis protects a selected area. It was developed for use in large scale battles. Similar to that is Protego Totalum which is used to stop intruders as well as spells in an area. This can be handy while out in the wilds. The most powerful and deadly variation. Protego DIabolica creates a ring of black fire that will burn any enemy to ash in a moment while leaving allies safe. It is considered a dark charm and was a favorite of Gellert Grindelwald. Any others?"
"Resulto." Ron offered.
"Protects against bludgeoning spells and physical damage. Good." Moody added that one to the board. "Five brothers, bet you learned that early."
"Boucle." Daphne Greengrass offered.
Harry turned back to look at her. There were so few Slytherin left that he had forgotten she was there.
"French origins, small but great for mobility. It's not as effective as parrying a spell, but it can be used as a bludgeoning spell in close quarters if you know how." Moody added that as well. "Good. Now. Let's get some practice."
Harry liked this version of Moody much more than the fake. He was a surprisingly good teacher. The last time through his impression of the man was less than stellar. Sure, Moody was a force to be reckoned with, but he didn't seem the type to teach beyond yelling. This time, it was easy to see the Alastor Moody that trained aurors for years.
"Class dismissed." Moody called after a bit of time. "Chapter one and two summaries due at the beginning of class. Potter, stay for a moment."
Harry gathered up his supplies as he waited for the room to clear.
"Good thinking back there." Moody gave him a firm nod. "Tell me why you made that call."
"Neville is braver than he realizes, he's smart too. I knew he'd get them somewhere safe and get help. Hermione knows her spells, she'd keep them covered until they got out of the hall. Like you said, Ron has five brothers, he knows how to cast stunners fast. Dean could be a damned good duelist with how fast he is. I focused on your wand and your movements to intercept and block your spells."
Moody stared at Harry for a long moment. He nodded.
"It burns me up that you know so much." Moody sighed. "I fought beside your mother and father last time Voldermort raised his head. Your father was good, but your mother was scary."
"Thank you, professor." Harry gave him a firm nod.
"I was half-dead when they got attacked." Moody's voice softened. "Lost my leg in an ambush and got hit with a nasty curse that practically had me done. I would have given my life for them. After Catarina died, I was a broken man, full of hate, and I used it to make any Death Eater I came across suffer. Seeing your parents, how much they loved each other, seeing the love they had for you. It was like looking at the life I lost. Merlin be damn, I should have been there."
He felt his heart break as Moody, the more fearsome auror in memory, began to cry. Harry pulled the man into a hug. He remembered in his last life, Moody showing him a picture of his parents. The expectant look on his face. It made sense now.
"Thank you, sir." Harry whispered. "You knew my parents?"
Moody nodded.
"What would they say if they saw you talking like this?" Harry asked.
Moody snorted. "James wouldn't say a damn thing. He knew better. Your mother. Lily would tear me up one-side and down the other."
"Thank you for telling me, sir." Harry gave the man a firm hug.
"This doesn't mean you're excused from the homework." Moody straightened up.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Harry smiled.
"I've heard about your adventures." Moody said, stopping Harry in his tracks. "The ones in the past and your recent discovery of broom closets."
"I…" Harry blushed brightly.
"Be careful." The growl in his voice was back full force. "Black doesn't need to be a grandparent. CONSTANT VIGILANCE."