Professor Flitwick nodded and conjured a long rope ladder. With Harry's help they tied one end to the heavy desk in the middle of the room and threw the other end down inside the trunk. A few minutes and some colorful swearing complaining about only having one good leg later and Moody was out of the trunk and sitting down in an office chair.
"Both of you need to get to the Hospital wing." Flitwick noted while transfiguring a quill into a crutch for Moody to use. "And I'm sure Albus is going to have a load of questions."
"No doubt about that, Filius." Professor Moody agreed. He then nodded in Harry's direction and asked "Why's he here?"
"He was fighting someone Polyjuiced to look like you when I found him. He was being held under the Cruciatus at the time. Harry claims that the man said he was Barty Crouch Jr."
Moody nodded and looked at Harry, evaluating him. "Are you ok, lad?"
"I'll be fine, Professor." Harry assured him. "I landed a few hits on him, too. Your magic eye should still be lying in the classroom somewhere." Moody began to laugh at Harry's response.
"Good job. Let's go get patched up." Moody suggested and the three men began walking towards the infirmary. Professor Flitwick briefly stopped at his classroom to tell the confused students that class was dismissed early and to practice what they had been working on for the next class. Harry was walking a little stiffly, still feeling the effects of being held under the Cruciatus for so long. Professor Moody meanwhile was clearly weak but excited to be able to walk around after being trapped in a trunk for so long. When they finally reached the hospital wing ten minutes later both Madame Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore were waiting for them.
"It would appear that you three must have quite the story to tell." Professor Dumbledore noted with a small smile. "But first I am sure Madame Pomfrey would like to take a look at you." They all nodded and Harry and Moody were escorted to hospital beds while Professor Flitwick sat down in a chair explaining that he had not been struck by any spells. The healer began with Harry who was obviously still in pain.
"Madame Pomfrey, this isn't going to take long is it?" Harry asked as she began casting diagnostic spells. "I really need to get out of here and go talk to someone." The older witch frowned at her patient's desire to leave.
"Mr Potter you have a broken arm, a separated shoulder, and are still feeling the residual effects of exposure to the Cruciatus curse. Lay back down, you are not going anywhere for at least the next few hours. If your arm is as bad as I think it might be I will have to keep you overnight so we can it with Skelegrow." Harry groaned in disappointment that he would be stuck in the hospital, yet again, while he had other things he needed to do. Specifically he meant finding Daphne and making sure she was ok after that horrible article in the Daily Prophet. His only hope now was that she would hear he was hurt and come looking for him.
Harry glanced over to the other occupied bed in the room where Alistor Moody was talking to Professor Dumbledore. He assumed that Moody was explaining what had happened to him and why he spent the last few months locked in a trunk in his office. The twinkle was completely gone from Dumbledore's eyes and he clearly had a look of regret on his face. Eventually their conversation ended and Dumbledore headed over to his bed.
"Harry, do you think you feel up to explaining what happened today?" the Headmaster asked. Harry nodded and began telling him everything, beginning with his suspicions regarding Moody, seeing the wrong name on the Marauder's Map, his conversation with Barty Crouch Jr, and then their duel. The entire time Dumbledore listened silently and nodded in the appropriate places. When Harry's story was over the old Professor sat in his chair stroking his beard and thinking about what he had heard. "When you are feeling better I would like your permission to view the memory in my pensieve. Do you know what a pensieve is, Harry? No? It is a large bowl in which memories can be magically stored and relived. It helps me to organize my thoughts. You might also like to see a memory I have regarding Barty Crouch Jr's unmasking as a Death Eater and capture."
"I would like that sir, thank you." Harry answered.
"What is on your mind, Harry?" Dumbledore asked. "Surely you aren't blaming yourself for Crouch Jr's escape, are you?" Harry lowered his eyes and nodded a little.
"I almost had him, sir. And then I messed up and forgot you can't block the Cruciatus curse. I knew that, but I didn't react quick enough." Harry explained.
"I am sure you did, Harry. I must say I am extremely pleased at how well you did, better than I could have ever hoped. You must not blame yourself for your hesitation. Conditioning yourself to dodge that curse on instinct takes experience, which you now have. Tell me, do you think that you will hesitate if you are ever in that situation again?"
"No. I think I learned my lesson." Harry answered.
"Exactly. Improvement is often quite painful, a fact the best of wizards learn early. Now I shall leave you to rest, unless there is anything else you require of me." Dumbledore said while rising out of his chair.
"Actually, if you see Daphne Greengrass could you ask her to come visit me? I would really appreciate it." Harry said, trying not to act a little embarrassed at his request.
"Of course, Harry. I have found that good company often helps the healing process." Dumbledore answered with a large knowing smile before turning and walking out the door leaving Harry alone.
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