Teaching the unforgivables

// THIS IS AN OLD CHAPTER. THE NEW CHAPTERS ARE IN VOLUME 2. YOU CAN READ THESE CHAPTERS IF YOU WANT SOME INSIGHT ON WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN LATER BUT SOME EVENTS CAN BE DIFFERENT BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW CHAPTERS.

Today is the first Defense Against the Dark Arts class of this year. Daphne is positioned right next to me in the back of the room, several students jostled to follow this lesson which was requested by Barty Crouch currently under the disguise of Alastor Moody.

Snape walks into the room, visibly unhappy.

"Today you will not be practicing the spells that we will see; you will have to wait until your sixth year. However, our new security officer sees fit, with the approval of Professor Dumbledore, to show you the unforgivable curses and teach you how to recognize them and possibly ... protect yourself from them. " Most of the students are particularly attentive, captivated by the forbidden knowledge. Potter who sits at the very first row does not miss a beat of Snape's words.

"Who among you would be able to tell me the unforgivable curses?" I raise my hand with a few other students including Neville and Ron whom I sent to play his minion role to Harry so that I always know what he's up to. "Mr. Weasley, it only took me two years before I finally saw you active during one of my classes. Well then tell us about the first unforgivable curse." Ron looks slightly uncomfortable.

"My father told me that in the days of You-Know-Who, a lot of wizards said they obeyed him because of the imperius curse."

"A barely acceptable answer Mr. Weasley. The imperius curse compels the person who undergoes it to be in total obedience to the person who threw it. In the most extreme cases, they are pushing their limits to accomplish the task they were given. We have seen men show greater physical ability or cast spells that would normally be beyond their reach under the influence of the imperius. Be aware that it is very difficult to resist the effect of such a spell, only someone with extraordinary resilience of mind or who has been well trained can escape the power of such a spell. " All the students are captivated by the lesson, and for once, I can see that no one is talking in a low voice or sending little papers. Snape pulls out a cage with a big white rat inside.

"Imperio" With a flick of the wand, the rat stands on its two hind legs and begins to move back and forth across the table.

"Mr. Longbottom, I think I saw you put your hand up earlier. Maybe you could give us another one of those unforgivable curses." Neville seems to waver under Snape's intimidating gaze but whispers his response so low that most of the students didn't hear him. "Louder, Mr. Longbottom. Or maybe I should turn Mr. Finnegan into a megaphone, which would teach him not to stick his gum under his desk." With just one look from Snape, Seamus crushes his gum into a piece of paper before putting it in his pocket. "I take two points off Gryffindor for eating in my class and three more points for trying to damage school materials. Now, Mr. Longbottom, please repeat what you just whispered but with enough conviction in your voice so we can hear it. And try to make it happen this time, ... you don't want to waste my time. "

Neville is terrified but finally manages to stutter a response that everyone can hear.

"There ... There is the Cruciatus Curse."

"The Torture Curse. A spell often used in interrogations, even those of the Ministry. It causes its target such excruciating pain that if used too long it takes its victim to the soft depths… of insanity. However, it takes a real will to cause pain to use this spell and few people are really capable of wanting to inflict such pain on others. " I feel Daphne's fingers tighten on mine and her hand slightly tremble as Snape gives his explanation.

"Crucio" The rat stops dancing to writhe in pain, uttering shrill cries for the few seconds Snape uses the spell before interrupting him. Neville sits back down in his chair, completely livid.

"There is one last spell to be seen. If I remember correctly your family was formerly an expert of this spell, Mr. Bones. Perhaps you could demonstrate it to us if you know it."

I get up from my chair, letting go of Daphne's hand to go and stand next to Snape who places the agonizing rat in front of me.

"Avada Kedavra" A green flash escapes from my wand to hit the mouse whose life immediately leaves its body.

"The Killing Curse. A single incantation and you take the life of your victim. It takes exceptional concentration to cast this spell that almost no spell can block, few wizards really master it, and even fewer can boast of having survived it. Truth be told, only one person can boast of such… prowess. A real miracle, ... isn't it Mister Potter? "Harry doesn't respond his attention is fixed on the end of my wand.

Most of the students are gazing at the dead mouse on the table before glancing at me, some in fear, others in admiration.

"I'm giving Slytherin five points, class is over."

I leave the class with Daphne who pulls me towards a wall before hugging me.

"I was so scared! Why do you know this horrible spell?"

"Well, it's in the sixth-year curriculum and I've already seen all the spells that Hogwarts has to offer." She runs her face to my chest.

"Promise me you won't use this spell again." Small tears appear in the corner of his eyes.

"I promise I won't use it again until it's needed." Daphne is not happy with my answer but she says nothing and we stay like that for a while until she calms down a bit.