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Harry arrived at Snape's classroom right on time as he did last night. He looked upon the professor's desk and saw that same book for the dark arts and his mind drifted back to what Hermione had said to him back at Hagrid's hut. That maybe they shouldn't be using those kind of spells, since they were the kind of spells Voldemort and his Death Eaters would be using. The question stayed with him. Should they be better than that? He already had too much in common with Voldemort than he liked. What if he became a dark wizard just like him? What if he lost his humanity? He knew that once you went down that path, you never came back. Right there, he knew what he needed to do.
"Sir." Harry began. "I don't want to learn anymore dark spells."
Up until this point Snape was paying him no mind but this certainly got his attention.
"Oh? And why is that Mr. Potter?"
"I just don't feel right about them. They're effective but they're the same kind of spells that he uses."
"That's precisely the point. The Dark Lord or any of his followers wouldn't think twice about using these kind of spells on you or one of your friends."
"I know. It's what separates us from them."
Snape gave him a look but Harry continued.
"A spell that wraps someone's veins around their heart…it's too much. We're better than that, and if we go as far as they do then how are we any different from them?"
Snape smirked but didn't respond.
"I know there are other spells out there. Can you teach me them instead?"
"As noble as ever." He then approached his desk and put the book away and took out another one that was tan and had white writing on it. "As you wish, Mr. Potter. I will start teaching you offensive light arts. I hope for your sake that your moral authority pays off in the end."
"Maybe or maybe not." Harry spoke with more force. "But in the end, I'll know that I didn't let Voldemort drag me down to his level."
The defense professor didn't answer as he began flipping pages in the book before settling on a few useful spells. Snape then turned back around to face his student.
"We'll begin with a spell called, 'Inconscientus.' It caused the victim to be knocked unconscious."
Harry casted the spell successfully and after several more times Snape gave him a different one. It was called 'Potentio Mutiplo Stupefy' a multiple stunner that fired off thirty separate stunners at different targets. Snape had him target the desks in the classroom and once Harry fired it off, he watched in amazement as stunners went off at each of them, throwing them all backwards with such force they broke upon impact.
"No worries." Snape spoke. "I'm sure Dumbledore will supply me with new ones."
They went with smaller targets for the next one. Snape set up books around the room and once Harry fired the spell off the stunners made contact with each of them. This would certainly be a spell that came in handly, espeically if he found himself outnumbered.
"This last spell makes the target feel as though all the bones in the area where hit are broken." Snape explained. "Say, if the arm were to be hit if feels like all the bones in the arm are broken. Or is that too harsh for you, Mr. Potter?"
Harry gave a sarcastic smile.
"No, professor. I can live with breaking someone's arm."
"Good to know."
The spells was called 'Akern' and Harry practiced it several times with relative ease. Snape taught him two others as well, 'Siragus' which caused the floor under or around the target to explode, and 'Paxiramonius' which paralyzed the area where the target was hit. With all these spells and constant practice he had been going for a good twenty minutes as Snape monitored him.
"Good, Potter."
Harry took a deep breath as he wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead before looking back at the defense teacher, he badly needed to take a break but wasn't going to tell Snape that.
"Have I got it down well?"
Snape nodded.
"I'm pleased to see that you're taking this more seriously."
"I can do more."
Harry got ready to cast the 'Siragus' spell again but Snape stopped him.
"You've done enough for the night, Potter. Go drink something, you look like you're ready to faint."
Truth by told, Snape wanted to get out of here as well as he didn't expect Harry to want to practice for so long. Once he got the time for his next lesson, Harry exited the classroom.
He was tired, but he felt good about this far more than he had felt last time. There were still a bunch of spells out there just as useful that didn't require the dark arts. Harry smiled a little to himself as he walked down the hall to find Hermione and tell her about it, and how she in a way had stopped him from possibly going down a bad road. They were going to beat this, he just knew it. Despite being exhausted he had so much determination right now. He would get through this, he would stop Voldemort, and he would stay alive because he had something worth living for.
While Harry continued his way through the castle, Ginny had arrived at the library due to a note she had received during dinner asking her to come here. It was empty inside and she wasn't even sure why she came at all. Just as she walked further in she ran straight into someone's chest…
And sure enough it was Malfoy.
The two of them had made eye contact several times during dinner, Ginny had tried to ignore him but she still couldn't help herself but to think about that kiss from this morning. She hadn't told anyone about it, not even Hermione but it was still on her mind.
"Still think Potter is better Ginny?"
Those words echoed through her mind every time she thought about him. She tried not to, but how could not think about getting kissed by the boy who had tormented her friends throughout the years. And as Ginny hated to admit it, she had liked it.
"Hello, Ginny." Draco grinned.
"Why are you stalking me?" She snapped. "Will I have to go to Dumbledore about you? Because I will."
"What's with you? Didn't we part on good terms last time we were together?"
"Why did you do that anyway?"
"You really want an explanation? You seemed to like it. Is that your problem, that you liked it and can't admit it?"
"Whatever Malfoy." Ginny sighed. "I'm really not in the mood for this."
"Why not?"
"Are you kidding? Did you even read the Daily Prophet at all? I'd figure you would, you probably love reading about all the damage The Dark Lord is causing."
"You really think I'm like that?" Draco questioned.
"Why shouldn't I?"
"You don't know a thing about me."
"I know enough." True, she hadn't had much interaction with him over the school years, she really only knew him from what Ron would say about him. But if any of that were true, than he was someone to avoid at all costs.
"I saved you this morning, did you forget that?"
"You're up to something." Ginny then went to walk around him. "Just stay away from me."
"I could...but I won't."
Ginny rolled her eyes and as she walked around, Draco quickly took something out of his pocket which he quickly fastened around her neck. She gasped for a second, not knowing what had just happened as her hand went up to touch what she felt against her skin. It was a necklace, silver and delicate. It had a silvery flow and a small blue diamond in the center. It was simple yet outstandingly gorgeous.
"What is this?" Ginny asked.
"A gift."
"Why?"
Draco smiled as he took a step forward, now there was no space at all between them and she didn't back up.
"I'm not going to lie. I'm interested in you, you're not like the other girls I've dated. And I think you're afraid because of what your friends and brothers think of me."
He then lifted his hand up to her face and was pleased to see that she didn't flinch at all or try to turn away as he placed it against her cheek. The necklace had worked like a charm.
"Why don't you make up your own mind?"
Ginny looked into his eyes for a moment before looking back down at the necklace evidently captivated by its little sparkle.
"It's beautiful...Draco." She breathed.
He smirked after hearing her say his first name.
"No...you're beautiful." He then leaned forward and placed his lips on hers which Ginny returned as she wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss as he placed his hands on her hips, the two enjoying the pleasure of this feeling. All thoughts of Harry Potter and the disapointment she felt when she saw him with Hermione was far gone from her mind, Ginny was completly lost in Draco Malfoy.
