Disclaimer: Much as I'd like to, I don't own Draco Malfoy, or any part of the magical world that J.K. Rowling has all the copyrights to ... please don't sue me. There are some parts of this story that are quotes from the book - it can't be helped - events are the same as in the book, but Draco's opinion of these events may vary from Harry's.
Author's Notes: Hats off to the Demon Lord, Akuma-sama, for the Dark Arts Lexicon, and for betaing this chapter - thank you. I am sorry this took so long ... thing is, I found fanfics on the game I got hooked on, and now I'm writing one, as well as this. If any of you like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, I will be uploading my fic for it to ff.net eventually (four out of five chapters written already - now you see why I've taken so long with this?).
Bob: I just thought the concept of carrying a piece of shit around for good luck was funny, is all. Well, the story about the P4 teacher is actually based on personal experience :P *grin* ok, I got 98% in the test, but still. My IQ test turning up with 164 didn't improve the teacher's mood much, either.
Elliy: Thank you *bows*.
Hrei-siesn: Thanks - "ew" was just the reaction I was aiming for.
dragonsprincess: Cat's bad mood had nothing to do with visions ... I can't actually remember why she was in a bad mood, to tell the truth! Put it down to PMS, cause it wasn't an important vision ... I think I just felt like making her snappish during that conversation *shrug*. Hmmm ... Hermione in a bad mood, ranting ... scary - I'll consider it.
dstrbd child: *grin* thanks. Sorry I took so long.
Lolua: If you think Lockart in drag is a scary thought, you should see what 'Slytherin Rising; Enemies of the Heir' did to him - so funny. I think Theo has some attention deficit disorder, or something, but I'm no expert ... but yeah, he's bored. The story about the P4 teacher is actually based on personal experience. Draco actually hasn't told me how he's gonna react to the Witch Weekly article, yet, and even if he did tell me that type of major plot detail in advance, I'd not tell the readers in the A/Ns. Thanks for understanding my addiction (the game still has me hooked - it's been over a month!).
duochang97: Cat's upset for reasons even I don't know ... don't dwell on it, it's not plot-related ... I don't think - she won't tell me.
Elizabeth: Revenge on Skeeter is definitely on Draco's to-do list. He was talking down to Potter - as if Harry were a small child who would only understand such terms. I can picture it too - that's what makes it funny.
Daintress: Thank you.
Simply Myself: The story about the P4 teacher is actually based on personal experience.
Devi: Well, a bouncing inkpot is a useful thing, isn't it? Yeah - Peeves' song was supposed to be disgusting - this is Peeves, after all. Bah Humbug is what Ebenezer Scrooge says about Christmas, in 'A Christmas Carol' - it basically means 'stupid pointless thing' ... can't believe I had to explain that to someone who can read (no offense). I wasn't dissing Coca Cola - I love them! Theo also loves them (long story - don't ask), he was just telling a story he'd heard - actually, it wasn't Coca Cola's fault Santa changed from green to red, but there was a popular rumour I heard that said it was ... he did originally wear green, though. Not seen that - is it a movie? - I don't like Jackie Chan. Dunno when the vote happened, but Draco didn't hear about it till late in his third year. Erm ... I know what Draco is, but I ain't tellin' - Theo, on the other hand, is bi. Glad you liked the Draco/Hermione thing. Wandless magic is something every with or wizard is capable of, if they try - it's just a matter of focus, and can you find me one more focused on getting what they want than a Slytherin, specifically Draco? *blink* Lockhart does not need a gay evil twin - he already is gay and evil, thankyouverymuch.
jinjo: Cat being pissy isn't important - even I forgot why I wrote her in a bad mood there!
xenelle: Skeeter's a creepy(crawly) freak - that's why she writes like that - she doesn't have or need a reaon to bug people (in the annoying sense) *innocent look*.
"You are talking to a man who has laughed in the face of danger, sneered at doom, and chuckled at catastrophe ... I was petrified." -Wizard of Oz
Chapter 23 - Dark Arts
I spent at least half an hour staring at the book - I'd 'spoken' to the Transfiguration living book, but this one was a whole different matter. It was the Dark Arts Lexicon. I carefully opened it to the first page and spent another minute daring it to do something it shouldn't - aside from the fact it was a strange colour (the pages were grey), nothing unusual happened. I then carefully wrote in it, 'Hello?'
'Hello.' it replied in different handwriting, 'Might I ask to whom I am writing?'
'You can ask ... doesn't mean I'll answer.' I wrote warily.
'Ah, a Slytherin.'
'Why is that so obvious?' I asked - the other book had guessed it too.
'Well, it was an assumption ... thank you for confirming it. The last person I guessed that for was in Schwardunmage, Durmstrang ... how was I to know that nincompoop took this book to Durmstrang?'
'Which nincompoop would that be?' I asked, amused.
'Igor ... he did not give a surname.'
'And whom am I writing to?' I wrote, noting to myself to quote that book's description of Karkaroff, to someone - anyone - it was too good not to use.
'This book was written by Salazar Slytherin, himself. It is a complete work on all Dark Arts known at the time it was written ... and a few more since.'
'I wonder ... I have encountered other living books before ... and one of them was quite hostile. Could you perhaps explain to me the difference between that, and this book?' I wrote, careful of my wording.
The book flicked through to a page, which had pre-written text on it:
'LIVING BOOKS:
Living books are currently illegal to create. Classified as Dark Arts
even when this book was written, and almost every element of the Dark
Arts has since been banned. The reason living books are considered
dangerous is because their potential is defined by the writer's intent.
This book was created with the intent to teach its knowledge to others,
learn from those it converses with, and add to its knowledge in order
to better teach the next reader ... but it is possible for a living
book to be created with intent to control, manipulate, even kill its
readers. For example, some living books are designed to read like
normal Muggle-style books, but subliminally take over the readers'
minds and force them to wander around in a fantasy based on the 'novel'
the book impersonates, for the rest of their lives. Other living books,
if the writer is powerful enough, can even contain a copy of the soul
of the writer - these are the most dangerous form of living books,
called Dementor Books, because they preserve themselves by stealing
pieces of the souls of those who write to them, and if they steal
enough, they can restore a twisted form of their creator.'
I stopped reading at that point, tapped the point I'd read to, to tell the book where I'd stopped, then flicked quickly back to the front page, 'Can you give me more details on Dementor Books?' I wrote urgently.
'What interest might you have in them?' the book asked, cautiously.
'I think I may have encountered one before - I want to know what damage it could have done to me.'
'Very well - I will give you information on their effects.' the pages flicked forwards again, to the page numbered three after the one I had been reading:
'DEMENTOR BOOKS:
These highly dangerous forms of Living Book are extremely rare, as
they are next to impossible to safely create. The trait for which the
books were named is that if anyone other than their original writer
were to write in one of these books, it would steal a piece of their
soul. If the innocent victim's soul is pure and strong enough, it can
be used to restore a twisted form of the book's creator - this would
ultimately result in the certain death of that victim, and possible
death of previous victims, depending on how much of their soul the
previous victims put into the book. If the book was capable of taking
control of motor-functions of any previous victims, they are likely to
die with the final victim.'
I stared at that for a minute - hadn't Dobby told me Father had been practically possessed, when he was writing in that diary? That means Tom Riddle would have been willing to kill him as well, not just the Weaslette. After a minute or two of trying unsuccessfully to make myself believe it, then another minute trying to think of some reason why He would do that to someone loyal to Him, I finally remembered there was more to read:
' There is only one known way to restore what has been stolen from victims
of a Dementor Book, and that is to destroy the book itself, before the
book's own 'soul' leaves its pages. People under the thrall of the
Dementor Book will find it next to impossible to resist an order from the
book's 'soul' ... rather like trying to resist the Imperius curse, one
must have exemplary willpower - moreso to resist the book's thrall,
since willpower is the first element of the soul to be taken. Also, the
Dementor Book's control is more insidious, as, unlike the Imperius Curse,
there are no sensations of dreaminess, or loss of awareness, simply a
desire to do as the book instructs - or more often, a fear not to do as
the book instructs. This is another reason for the naming of the book - it
instils great fear of the book itself in those who oppose it, and only
two magics have been known to quell this fear: the 'Crystal of Courage', a
Dark Arts artifact, which can only be found in the heart of a Chinese
Fireball dragon - or, Phoenix song, which is equally rare, as a Phoenix
will only sing for a person it truly trusts.
Even telling the book your name could give it a piece of you. And it is
ill advised to allow it to 'show you something'." - the last person
recorded to allow a Dementor Book to do so spent the rest of their life in
St Mungo's.'
I finally finished reading it. Scary, really. Then flicked back to the first page and wrote, 'And can you show me about your type of living book?'
'Certainly.' the pages flicked through to stop on a page numbered the one immediately after the first page it had shown me:
'INTERACTIVE TEXTBOOKS:
These are the most benign form of living book, only capable of conversing
with their readers to the level of intelligence their writer gives them,
turning their own pages, and showing the information written therein as a
normal textbook. Effectively harmless, magically speaking, the only danger
in these books lies in what they may teach you.
Interactive textbooks are incapable of lying to their readers, although
economy with the truth is not unheard of from them. If a question regarding
a topic found within their pages is asked, the book is unable to deny this
information to its reader, although some interactive textbooks have been
known to have and voice an opinion on their content.'
When I finished reading this, I turned back to the first page, 'And that's what you are? "Benign"?' I asked, smirking.
'Please, do not tell anyone.' the book asked.
I sniggered slightly, 'Alright, I won't.'
'Now, is there anything else you wish to learn?' the book asked, seeming intent on getting off the subject of its own impotence.
I thought for a moment, 'Can you tell me about previous students who have learned from you?'
'I can. Whether I will or not depends on the student you inquire about.'
'Tom Riddle.'
'Awfully stuck up little brat. What do you want to know about him?' the book asked, seeming eager to tell on Riddle, and the attitude practically screamed that it wanted to get Riddle in trouble.
'What did you teach him?'
'Absolutely everything I knew. All of it. He threw this book against the wall when he was told there was nothing more he could learn from it.'
Aww, crap. 'I'm - for want of a better word - bloody terrified of him. I have been for some time ... can you teach me what I will need to protect myself from the Dark Arts you taught him?'
'I don't do that Defense Against the Dark Arts rubbish.' the book wrote haughtily.
'Did you see me write "defense"?' I asked, agitated, 'I said I wanted to protect myself - through any means necessary. Actually, I'd prefer to be able to use Dark Arts to defend myself, because it is the last thing anyone will expect. The "good guys" will think I would use the Dark Arts as an offensive weapon if I learned them ... and the "bad guys" would think I would use light magic to protect myself, if I wanted to do so.'
'Your logic is impressive, boy. So, I gather you are sitting on the metaphorical fence, at this moment?' the book asked.
'Pretty much, yes.'
'Very well. Perhaps most important, from your perspective, then ... Tom Riddle is a natural Legilimens.'
Crap. Crap crappity crap crap crap.
'Occlumency is an extremely difficult form of magic to learn, and is classified in Shadow Magic, neither light nor dark - I could teach you it, but it would take years. There is an easier alternative.'
'Yes?' I asked eagerly.
'Simple, really. Few know it, though - I learned it from a powerful Legilimens, seven hundred years ago, and to the best of my knowledge, no one knows of it in this time.'
'What is it?'
'Mentally picture something that would put off the Legilimens in question. Push that one thought - preferable something easy to picture - to the front of your mind. Most effective for Tom Riddle would probably be anything involving sexuality - he finds it ... distracting.'
I sniggered, before writing, 'You're telling me all I need to do is picture ... oh, say, Theo in women's underwear ... when he tries to read me, and it'll put him off the idea?'
'It should. It does depend on willpower - you must be able to hold on to that mental picture - not laugh - and think of nothing else. It is not as strong a protection as Occlumency, but it is much easier.'
'That is useful. Thank you. What else can you teach me?'
'If you ever come across a diary by T.M. Riddle's name, beware - it is a Dementor Book, as I previously showed you about.'
'I've met it.'
'Oh.' the book did not write anything more.
So I wrote hastily, 'The diary was destroyed, though.'
'Are you certain?' the book asked warily.
'Yes, I'm positive. It's why I wanted to read about the Dementor Books - I wanted to be sure it hadn't permanently affected me. You said if the book was destroyed, it would restore all its victims, right?'
'That is correct. You should be safe, if the diary was destroyed.'
'Can you teach me ... more practical defensive forms of Dark Arts?' I asked, curiously, 'I would prefer to learn defensive first, then think about offensive.'
'Certainly - it is the most logical way to learn any form of weapon ... and not a method many prefer. Let's start with the basics:'
The pages flicked to a point near the front of the book:
'SHADOW SHIELDS:
Much more powerful than the Protego charm, the Shadow Shield is capable
of deflecting, reflecting, catching and throwing, or absorbing any curse
except for the three Unforgivables. Cast by the incantation "Atratego",
derivative of Latin, "dark shield", meanings including: black, clothed
in black, dismal, malicious, deadly. All are possible, depending on what
you are cursed by, and how you employ the shield.
When correctly cast, the shield can - depending on intent - completely
engulf the caster in shadows, absorbing, reflecting, or deflecting -
again depending on intent - all spell energy short of Unforgivables,
leaving the caster unharmed. Or, only shadow the caster's wandless hand,
allowing for the caster's own reflexes to catch the curse in the palm of
their hand, without any ill effects, and throw it back at their opponent.
Visualisation is a required component to casting this spell, as you must
actively picture the shadows that you wish to shield you. It has similar
properties to the Patronus charm, in that your protective shadows have
the echo of the spirit of the person who's shadow you feel safest in -
unlike Patronus, however, the shadows have no form, only echoed spirit.
Unlike many shield spells, this does not drain your magical energy to
maintain, only to create initially, and it is possible to cast spells
through it, as your personal shadow will only protect you, and not your
enemy.'
When I had finished reading it, a note appeared at the bottom in the book's handwriting, 'You can try practicing it, if you like - envision the safest shadow to hide in, and cast it - it will only work if you are honest with yourself about whose shadow you would prefer to hide in, however.'
'I don't understand - hide in someone else's shadow?'
'Who overshadows you - that you would gladly let protect you? Or perhaps, believe is strong enough to stand between you and danger?'
I stared at that for a minute. My first instinct would be to say my father ... but really, I've been trying to get out of his shadow for years ... and he could never protect me from his master. Dumbledore? No, I don't trust him as far as I could throw him. Who else? Snape? No chance.
No ... please, I'm not even going to consider that one. No. I'm not thinking it. I'm not - you're not thinking it either - stop thinking it! I shook my head violently, trying to get the idea out of my head. Someone I believe is strong enough to stand between myself and danger ... bloody cursed logic, I hate it! I glared at the book, then wrote, 'I know someone.'
'Then let us begin practicing.'
Then let us begin the humiliation, you mean.
Damn you, Potter!
* * *
End of chapter 23
Author's Notes: Hats off to the Demon Lord, Akuma-sama, for the Dark Arts Lexicon, and for betaing this chapter - thank you. I am sorry this took so long ... thing is, I found fanfics on the game I got hooked on, and now I'm writing one, as well as this. If any of you like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, I will be uploading my fic for it to ff.net eventually (four out of five chapters written already - now you see why I've taken so long with this?).
Bob: I just thought the concept of carrying a piece of shit around for good luck was funny, is all. Well, the story about the P4 teacher is actually based on personal experience :P *grin* ok, I got 98% in the test, but still. My IQ test turning up with 164 didn't improve the teacher's mood much, either.
Elliy: Thank you *bows*.
Hrei-siesn: Thanks - "ew" was just the reaction I was aiming for.
dragonsprincess: Cat's bad mood had nothing to do with visions ... I can't actually remember why she was in a bad mood, to tell the truth! Put it down to PMS, cause it wasn't an important vision ... I think I just felt like making her snappish during that conversation *shrug*. Hmmm ... Hermione in a bad mood, ranting ... scary - I'll consider it.
dstrbd child: *grin* thanks. Sorry I took so long.
Lolua: If you think Lockart in drag is a scary thought, you should see what 'Slytherin Rising; Enemies of the Heir' did to him - so funny. I think Theo has some attention deficit disorder, or something, but I'm no expert ... but yeah, he's bored. The story about the P4 teacher is actually based on personal experience. Draco actually hasn't told me how he's gonna react to the Witch Weekly article, yet, and even if he did tell me that type of major plot detail in advance, I'd not tell the readers in the A/Ns. Thanks for understanding my addiction (the game still has me hooked - it's been over a month!).
duochang97: Cat's upset for reasons even I don't know ... don't dwell on it, it's not plot-related ... I don't think - she won't tell me.
Elizabeth: Revenge on Skeeter is definitely on Draco's to-do list. He was talking down to Potter - as if Harry were a small child who would only understand such terms. I can picture it too - that's what makes it funny.
Daintress: Thank you.
Simply Myself: The story about the P4 teacher is actually based on personal experience.
Devi: Well, a bouncing inkpot is a useful thing, isn't it? Yeah - Peeves' song was supposed to be disgusting - this is Peeves, after all. Bah Humbug is what Ebenezer Scrooge says about Christmas, in 'A Christmas Carol' - it basically means 'stupid pointless thing' ... can't believe I had to explain that to someone who can read (no offense). I wasn't dissing Coca Cola - I love them! Theo also loves them (long story - don't ask), he was just telling a story he'd heard - actually, it wasn't Coca Cola's fault Santa changed from green to red, but there was a popular rumour I heard that said it was ... he did originally wear green, though. Not seen that - is it a movie? - I don't like Jackie Chan. Dunno when the vote happened, but Draco didn't hear about it till late in his third year. Erm ... I know what Draco is, but I ain't tellin' - Theo, on the other hand, is bi. Glad you liked the Draco/Hermione thing. Wandless magic is something every with or wizard is capable of, if they try - it's just a matter of focus, and can you find me one more focused on getting what they want than a Slytherin, specifically Draco? *blink* Lockhart does not need a gay evil twin - he already is gay and evil, thankyouverymuch.
jinjo: Cat being pissy isn't important - even I forgot why I wrote her in a bad mood there!
xenelle: Skeeter's a creepy(crawly) freak - that's why she writes like that - she doesn't have or need a reaon to bug people (in the annoying sense) *innocent look*.
"You are talking to a man who has laughed in the face of danger, sneered at doom, and chuckled at catastrophe ... I was petrified." -Wizard of Oz
Chapter 23 - Dark Arts
I spent at least half an hour staring at the book - I'd 'spoken' to the Transfiguration living book, but this one was a whole different matter. It was the Dark Arts Lexicon. I carefully opened it to the first page and spent another minute daring it to do something it shouldn't - aside from the fact it was a strange colour (the pages were grey), nothing unusual happened. I then carefully wrote in it, 'Hello?'
'Hello.' it replied in different handwriting, 'Might I ask to whom I am writing?'
'You can ask ... doesn't mean I'll answer.' I wrote warily.
'Ah, a Slytherin.'
'Why is that so obvious?' I asked - the other book had guessed it too.
'Well, it was an assumption ... thank you for confirming it. The last person I guessed that for was in Schwardunmage, Durmstrang ... how was I to know that nincompoop took this book to Durmstrang?'
'Which nincompoop would that be?' I asked, amused.
'Igor ... he did not give a surname.'
'And whom am I writing to?' I wrote, noting to myself to quote that book's description of Karkaroff, to someone - anyone - it was too good not to use.
'This book was written by Salazar Slytherin, himself. It is a complete work on all Dark Arts known at the time it was written ... and a few more since.'
'I wonder ... I have encountered other living books before ... and one of them was quite hostile. Could you perhaps explain to me the difference between that, and this book?' I wrote, careful of my wording.
The book flicked through to a page, which had pre-written text on it:
'LIVING BOOKS:
Living books are currently illegal to create. Classified as Dark Arts
even when this book was written, and almost every element of the Dark
Arts has since been banned. The reason living books are considered
dangerous is because their potential is defined by the writer's intent.
This book was created with the intent to teach its knowledge to others,
learn from those it converses with, and add to its knowledge in order
to better teach the next reader ... but it is possible for a living
book to be created with intent to control, manipulate, even kill its
readers. For example, some living books are designed to read like
normal Muggle-style books, but subliminally take over the readers'
minds and force them to wander around in a fantasy based on the 'novel'
the book impersonates, for the rest of their lives. Other living books,
if the writer is powerful enough, can even contain a copy of the soul
of the writer - these are the most dangerous form of living books,
called Dementor Books, because they preserve themselves by stealing
pieces of the souls of those who write to them, and if they steal
enough, they can restore a twisted form of their creator.'
I stopped reading at that point, tapped the point I'd read to, to tell the book where I'd stopped, then flicked quickly back to the front page, 'Can you give me more details on Dementor Books?' I wrote urgently.
'What interest might you have in them?' the book asked, cautiously.
'I think I may have encountered one before - I want to know what damage it could have done to me.'
'Very well - I will give you information on their effects.' the pages flicked forwards again, to the page numbered three after the one I had been reading:
'DEMENTOR BOOKS:
These highly dangerous forms of Living Book are extremely rare, as
they are next to impossible to safely create. The trait for which the
books were named is that if anyone other than their original writer
were to write in one of these books, it would steal a piece of their
soul. If the innocent victim's soul is pure and strong enough, it can
be used to restore a twisted form of the book's creator - this would
ultimately result in the certain death of that victim, and possible
death of previous victims, depending on how much of their soul the
previous victims put into the book. If the book was capable of taking
control of motor-functions of any previous victims, they are likely to
die with the final victim.'
I stared at that for a minute - hadn't Dobby told me Father had been practically possessed, when he was writing in that diary? That means Tom Riddle would have been willing to kill him as well, not just the Weaslette. After a minute or two of trying unsuccessfully to make myself believe it, then another minute trying to think of some reason why He would do that to someone loyal to Him, I finally remembered there was more to read:
' There is only one known way to restore what has been stolen from victims
of a Dementor Book, and that is to destroy the book itself, before the
book's own 'soul' leaves its pages. People under the thrall of the
Dementor Book will find it next to impossible to resist an order from the
book's 'soul' ... rather like trying to resist the Imperius curse, one
must have exemplary willpower - moreso to resist the book's thrall,
since willpower is the first element of the soul to be taken. Also, the
Dementor Book's control is more insidious, as, unlike the Imperius Curse,
there are no sensations of dreaminess, or loss of awareness, simply a
desire to do as the book instructs - or more often, a fear not to do as
the book instructs. This is another reason for the naming of the book - it
instils great fear of the book itself in those who oppose it, and only
two magics have been known to quell this fear: the 'Crystal of Courage', a
Dark Arts artifact, which can only be found in the heart of a Chinese
Fireball dragon - or, Phoenix song, which is equally rare, as a Phoenix
will only sing for a person it truly trusts.
Even telling the book your name could give it a piece of you. And it is
ill advised to allow it to 'show you something'." - the last person
recorded to allow a Dementor Book to do so spent the rest of their life in
St Mungo's.'
I finally finished reading it. Scary, really. Then flicked back to the first page and wrote, 'And can you show me about your type of living book?'
'Certainly.' the pages flicked through to stop on a page numbered the one immediately after the first page it had shown me:
'INTERACTIVE TEXTBOOKS:
These are the most benign form of living book, only capable of conversing
with their readers to the level of intelligence their writer gives them,
turning their own pages, and showing the information written therein as a
normal textbook. Effectively harmless, magically speaking, the only danger
in these books lies in what they may teach you.
Interactive textbooks are incapable of lying to their readers, although
economy with the truth is not unheard of from them. If a question regarding
a topic found within their pages is asked, the book is unable to deny this
information to its reader, although some interactive textbooks have been
known to have and voice an opinion on their content.'
When I finished reading this, I turned back to the first page, 'And that's what you are? "Benign"?' I asked, smirking.
'Please, do not tell anyone.' the book asked.
I sniggered slightly, 'Alright, I won't.'
'Now, is there anything else you wish to learn?' the book asked, seeming intent on getting off the subject of its own impotence.
I thought for a moment, 'Can you tell me about previous students who have learned from you?'
'I can. Whether I will or not depends on the student you inquire about.'
'Tom Riddle.'
'Awfully stuck up little brat. What do you want to know about him?' the book asked, seeming eager to tell on Riddle, and the attitude practically screamed that it wanted to get Riddle in trouble.
'What did you teach him?'
'Absolutely everything I knew. All of it. He threw this book against the wall when he was told there was nothing more he could learn from it.'
Aww, crap. 'I'm - for want of a better word - bloody terrified of him. I have been for some time ... can you teach me what I will need to protect myself from the Dark Arts you taught him?'
'I don't do that Defense Against the Dark Arts rubbish.' the book wrote haughtily.
'Did you see me write "defense"?' I asked, agitated, 'I said I wanted to protect myself - through any means necessary. Actually, I'd prefer to be able to use Dark Arts to defend myself, because it is the last thing anyone will expect. The "good guys" will think I would use the Dark Arts as an offensive weapon if I learned them ... and the "bad guys" would think I would use light magic to protect myself, if I wanted to do so.'
'Your logic is impressive, boy. So, I gather you are sitting on the metaphorical fence, at this moment?' the book asked.
'Pretty much, yes.'
'Very well. Perhaps most important, from your perspective, then ... Tom Riddle is a natural Legilimens.'
Crap. Crap crappity crap crap crap.
'Occlumency is an extremely difficult form of magic to learn, and is classified in Shadow Magic, neither light nor dark - I could teach you it, but it would take years. There is an easier alternative.'
'Yes?' I asked eagerly.
'Simple, really. Few know it, though - I learned it from a powerful Legilimens, seven hundred years ago, and to the best of my knowledge, no one knows of it in this time.'
'What is it?'
'Mentally picture something that would put off the Legilimens in question. Push that one thought - preferable something easy to picture - to the front of your mind. Most effective for Tom Riddle would probably be anything involving sexuality - he finds it ... distracting.'
I sniggered, before writing, 'You're telling me all I need to do is picture ... oh, say, Theo in women's underwear ... when he tries to read me, and it'll put him off the idea?'
'It should. It does depend on willpower - you must be able to hold on to that mental picture - not laugh - and think of nothing else. It is not as strong a protection as Occlumency, but it is much easier.'
'That is useful. Thank you. What else can you teach me?'
'If you ever come across a diary by T.M. Riddle's name, beware - it is a Dementor Book, as I previously showed you about.'
'I've met it.'
'Oh.' the book did not write anything more.
So I wrote hastily, 'The diary was destroyed, though.'
'Are you certain?' the book asked warily.
'Yes, I'm positive. It's why I wanted to read about the Dementor Books - I wanted to be sure it hadn't permanently affected me. You said if the book was destroyed, it would restore all its victims, right?'
'That is correct. You should be safe, if the diary was destroyed.'
'Can you teach me ... more practical defensive forms of Dark Arts?' I asked, curiously, 'I would prefer to learn defensive first, then think about offensive.'
'Certainly - it is the most logical way to learn any form of weapon ... and not a method many prefer. Let's start with the basics:'
The pages flicked to a point near the front of the book:
'SHADOW SHIELDS:
Much more powerful than the Protego charm, the Shadow Shield is capable
of deflecting, reflecting, catching and throwing, or absorbing any curse
except for the three Unforgivables. Cast by the incantation "Atratego",
derivative of Latin, "dark shield", meanings including: black, clothed
in black, dismal, malicious, deadly. All are possible, depending on what
you are cursed by, and how you employ the shield.
When correctly cast, the shield can - depending on intent - completely
engulf the caster in shadows, absorbing, reflecting, or deflecting -
again depending on intent - all spell energy short of Unforgivables,
leaving the caster unharmed. Or, only shadow the caster's wandless hand,
allowing for the caster's own reflexes to catch the curse in the palm of
their hand, without any ill effects, and throw it back at their opponent.
Visualisation is a required component to casting this spell, as you must
actively picture the shadows that you wish to shield you. It has similar
properties to the Patronus charm, in that your protective shadows have
the echo of the spirit of the person who's shadow you feel safest in -
unlike Patronus, however, the shadows have no form, only echoed spirit.
Unlike many shield spells, this does not drain your magical energy to
maintain, only to create initially, and it is possible to cast spells
through it, as your personal shadow will only protect you, and not your
enemy.'
When I had finished reading it, a note appeared at the bottom in the book's handwriting, 'You can try practicing it, if you like - envision the safest shadow to hide in, and cast it - it will only work if you are honest with yourself about whose shadow you would prefer to hide in, however.'
'I don't understand - hide in someone else's shadow?'
'Who overshadows you - that you would gladly let protect you? Or perhaps, believe is strong enough to stand between you and danger?'
I stared at that for a minute. My first instinct would be to say my father ... but really, I've been trying to get out of his shadow for years ... and he could never protect me from his master. Dumbledore? No, I don't trust him as far as I could throw him. Who else? Snape? No chance.
No ... please, I'm not even going to consider that one. No. I'm not thinking it. I'm not - you're not thinking it either - stop thinking it! I shook my head violently, trying to get the idea out of my head. Someone I believe is strong enough to stand between myself and danger ... bloody cursed logic, I hate it! I glared at the book, then wrote, 'I know someone.'
'Then let us begin practicing.'
Then let us begin the humiliation, you mean.
Damn you, Potter!
* * *
End of chapter 23