He looked up, leg propped up as he nursed on the terrible skelegrow. Damn kid using a spell that would literally make his bones disappear. It'd be fine in the end, of course, because of magic, and he'd be as fit as a fiddle, but boy this stuff was nasty. Not to mention he had to drink it from this bottle, which could easily be poisoned, instead of his flask. He didn't trust it, but it was necessary. If he was going to die from this, he had already written a note saying to check the skelegrow and that it was Madame Pomfrey who poisoned him. After all, she had showed him herself making the tonic and no one else touched it – it was the only way he said he would take it.

He looked up as an older lady approached him. Raising an eyebrow, he regarded her, his blue eye spinning a bit and studying her, before it whirled back to its normal position as he stared forward. "Improvement? Bah. They were mediocre."

He waved her off, but he was a bit curious – he'd heard about a hit-witch who had been hired to protect the school given the mounting pressure from Voldemort. From his knowledge, she wasn't a professor, and so it was likely she was that mercenary. "What would you know about it, eh?"

Moody had to admit, she had a point. He narrowed his eyes. He didn't enjoy being outsmarted like that. "What other things?" He had to admit he was curious – he wanted to know what she thought and how he could improve. He knew he was a bit slow – in general that's how it was for him. He was more of a tank than anything else – slow but powerful. At least that's how he liked to think of himself. Whether that was true or not… well that was up to those around him.

After what had happened over this summer, he'd become a bit more… driven than before – and that was saying something seeing as he was very driven prior to this. However, seeing has he was attacked by a bunch of masked death eaters, and ended up losing his eyes and Dumbledore was the only reason he was still alive… He wanted to get better, so he didn't have to depend on others. "There's only question that I can ask that would make any difference in my opinion of you. Do you help the dark witches and wizards if they have enough money, eh?" He narrowed his eyes at her, as if her answer would determine whether or not he cooperated with her. Because it would.

With her answer, there was a grin that grew on Moody's face. Ah, so she wasn't just a mindless drone. That was very good. He was already starting to like her a bit. Tough, willing to die for a cause, a fighter. He could see the two of them getting along – even if it was just professionally. At least he wouldn't want to fight her every second he was around her. Unless it was for some friendly sparring, then possibly. "Seems we won't have issues. It would be a shame to be on opposite sides of this war." Moody wasn't an idiot – he knew they needed as many good fighters as they could get. Death Eaters played dirty. 'Moral' people had issues with killing and doing what was needed at times. Moody? He was willing to do whatever he needed.

"Smart," He grunted, feeling a bit like a dunce for having to have that told to him – he knew it, he just wasn't that great at doing those sorts of things. This new eye for one made things hard because he wasn't quite used to it – once he got used to it, he was sure he'd be better than he was before, an easier time taking in the whole battlefield and using it to his advantage. "I'll ask Flitwick and McKay for a few books." He didn't quite like books, but he knew their value – people before figured out spells and the best ways to do things – why waste that knowledge? "Then I'll practice them on my own." He nodded.

Staring at her with a completely blank look, he thought for a moment. A moral quandary. He knew Dumbledore was incredibly soft when it came to things like that – and he'd heard a lot about his relationship with a certain dark wizard, seeing as the two of them were actually incredibly close – closer than any other student he supposed. He'd call Dumbledore a friend, but that didn't mean he agreed with everything the man said. "No second chances… without precedent. If they've proven themselves somehow despite everything, then perhaps. But not every person is born with an intrinsic right for a second chance because they've made a mistake. They have to work for that chance. Everyone also do not have the right to the chance for their second chance, to prove themselves 'reformed', but killed? Only if it is necessary. In a fight for my life, I sure as hell will fight to kill them. But if they are captured, the cowards deserve a punishment – and there are so many things worse than death. A dementor's kiss is one I'm particularly fond of."

Moody let out a gruff laugh and shook his head. "No, McKay isn't very competent as a teacher. However, there are certain tests aurors have to go through, so he has to have some sort experience. Sometimes the best teacher isn't what is said, but what actions are taken. That, and if he has books, they're the teacher, not him."

He looked at her for a moment. She was offering him some books on less than savory subjects. Normally he had to talk to Dumbledore about specific things to learn about – while normally he was granted permission by the headmaster (Slughorn wouldn't let him when he talked to him for some reason, the squirrely man). He still had to have a reason for it on that specific knowledge. He was pretty sure Dumbledore allowed it because he knew that he'd go for it no matter if he had permission or not. It was better for both of them if he had access – as long as it wasn't something very bad.

"It would be good to have some… extra reading without Dumbledore breathing down my neck. Understandable, but annoying."

Flitwick? That made sense. He was one of the best duelers out there. However, he was afraid the professor would go easy on him, and he didn't want that. Yet she offered to duel him at some point. He chuckled harshly and shook his head. "So long as you promise not to go easy on me, I think it would be an interesting experience."

He raised an eyebrow looking to her for a moment before he began to respond. "That depends on what you mean by 'interested in'. I'm interested in the dark arts in order to combat them. Otherwise charms are… what I'm best in and find more appealing for actually using."

He pursed his lips and shrugged lightly. "Or they've lowered their standards. It's unfortunate seeing someone so apparently weak as an Auror. It's supposed to be the highest regarded position in the current climate. I'll have to change that so Aurors demand the respect they deserve. And get rid of those who don't deserve it." It was a bit upsetting to see someone who seems so bad at their job in the job he wanted to have when he graduated. He would turn that department around as best as he could.

"What's your price?" He eyed her for a moment. He'd never met someone without an ulterior motive. He just wanted to know hers. He was a paranoid little man, but one couldn't blame him given everything that had happened to him. Plus, she had those books – and she had to go through some hoops to get them with how the Ministry regulated things like that. However, he wasn't going to let that get in the way of his own ambition.

"I would be arrogant to say I am completely ready to fight someone with far more experience than me, but I am also willing to rise to the challenge."