Moody's Temper

The smoke from the explosion had yet to dissipate. The once-neat walkway was now covered in charred black blast marks and shattered stones, and a pungent stench hung in the air.

Even though the powerful curse had been violently broken through, it had left streaks of evil residue on the ground, an aura that could make even Muggles vaguely uncomfortable.

The moment Mrs. Weasley saw the scene, she cried out in alarm and asked with a deathly pale face:

"Oh, Merlin! What happened? Are you all right? Were any of you hurt? ...Good heavens! Alastor, how are you?"

Mr. Weasley was equally shocked and concerned. He asked gravely:

"Alastor, Moody! Who did this?"

Fred and George immediately drew their Wands and shouted, "Are the people who attacked you still nearby?"

Harry's heart clenched. He hurried over to them and only breathed a sigh of relief after seeing that none of them had suffered fatal injuries. But that was quickly followed by fierce anger and lingering fear.

"Who was it?" the boy asked in a suppressed voice. "Who would dare attack in broad daylight?"

"They were after you again, weren't they, Wade?"

Stepping around the scorch marks on the ground, Michael pondered, "This street is full of people coming and going. How did they pinpoint the exact moment to set the trap?"

"Perhaps someone leaked their whereabouts!"

Sirius's face was frighteningly grim, fury burning in his grey eyes. He strode over and asked:

"Mad-Eye, Moony, can you tell whose 'work' this was?"

Amid the chaotic chorus of voices, Moody waved his uninjured hand and said roughly:

"I won't die! Stop making such a fuss!"

He looked entirely unwilling to explain, his attitude exceedingly forceful.

"I need to know who the enemy is, Mad-Eye," Sirius said dangerously.

"Ha!"

Moody gave a disdainful