Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the amazing J.K. Rowling. I own nothing but the plot. Oh, and any lamely named Dark Curses and spells you don't recognize belong to me. Some have latin roots to them, but I changed most of them to make them sound cool. ::shrugs::

A/N: Hey! Guess what? I saw Die Hard at my friend's house yesterday. It's old (1988 I think), and the special effects were nothing to what they can do today. Alan Rickman (aka Professor Severus Snape) looked like Tom Green. And he played a German guy - accent sounded good, considering he's already got the British one, lol. Ohhh!! And The Borrowers was on the Disney Channel yesterday at 2:00 - I taped it, lol. Just for little Peagreen (aka TOM FELTON!!). I'm sure you don't care about my movie news, but I just thought I'd share :)

Thank you so much for the reviews. I actually wasn't expecting them, because I thought I would get this up earlier and people would just review after this part, but life got in the way of me typing. Grr. So thank you so much for reviewing, and waiting patiently for the second part of chapter 12. Like I said, expect Chapter 13 by Harry's birthday (also JKR's birthday).

As for other movie I saw twice in theaters, no one has gotten it yet. I Heart Seamus - I haven't seen Finding Nemo (although I wanted to) and I'm going to see How To Deal today. Think: what movie has everyone who has read this story probably seen? Hint: The two actors I mentioned above are in it ;-)



The Pain Within
Chapter 12: Professor Malfoy Part II: The Lesson



Ten minutes later Draco Malfoy was pacing back and forth in front of his five pupils' explaining the thirteen Deadly Curses. He was somewhat ashamed that he knew such sadistic magic, but was glad he was able to inform others of what they were up against when it came to Death Eaters. Thank you Daddy.

They're designed like the Cruciatus Curse, he told them. Their whole point is to cause the opponent horrific physical pain in the hopes of rendering them helpless in order to win. They're also used in the torturing of innocent people. Popular among Death Eaters, he remarked dryly. Unlike the Cruciatus, which causes immense amounts of pure pain, each curse pin points a specific painful action. Stabbing Curse stabs, Burning Curse burns, you get the picture.

Can they kill? Hermione questioned.

Draco nodded grimly. If used enough. They won't kill a person if a spell is only used once or twice. But if it's used numerous times, one right after the other, it can. Usually, a decent duelist has time to retaliate before it can be used continuously.

Are there any counterspells for them? one of the twins - Draco checked the pants - Fred, asked.

Actually there aren't, Draco replied. Fortunately, they only last between twenty and thirty seconds depending on the curse and the strength of the curser.

That's not that long, Ron stated.

Draco raised an eyebrow. Oh really? It is if you're the person under the curse. Believe me, I would know, he said quietly.

Draco wanted to slap himself. He was telling them too many personal things. He wanted to gain their trust, but did it have to be by being so damn open? He hadn't meant to show them his bruises; it had been an impulsive action. But it seemed to make them understand his need to help the Order. Still, he didn't want their pity either. He cleared his throat.

Anyway, I'd really like to show you the curses - let you experience them firsthand. Hear the spell, have a visual of what happens to the victim, and get a feel for about how long each lasts.

The color instantly drained from their faces. The twins glanced at the other uneasily, Ron looked skeptical, Harry looked tense, and Hermione was obviously worried. Draco rolled his blue eyes.

Oh, relax. I'm not planning on practicing them on any of you. And here I thought Gryffindors were brave. You all acted like finals had come early, he said. Well, except you, Hermione. You acted like they had been canceled, he smirked.

She glared at him as the color slowly returned to each of their faces.

Hey, Tonks, would you mind being my special assistant this evening? He flashed her a pearly grin and she rolled her eyes as she stood up.

Harry's eyes widened in alarm. You can't practice them on her either! You could just tell us about them; there's no need for inflicting pain on anyone tonight.

As Tonks walked past Harry, she playfully punched him in the arm. Oy, Harry! I'm not an Auror for nothing. Besides, I think Draco's right. I think you should see what a few of the curses are all about. Like he said, hear the incantation, see the body's reactions to each, etcetera. That way, if, God forbid, you ever encounter one, you'll know what to expect. She smiled. Don't worry about me. I can handle it. I'm woman enough, she grinned.

Harry began to argue, but Draco cut him off.

Don't get your knickers in a bunch, Harry. I'm not going to hurt her either.

Harry was surprised. You're not?

As was Tonks. You're not? she echoed. Then how are we going to show them the curses?

Draco didn't answer; just once again unclasped his robe.

Do you enjoy stripping in public? George smirked. Draco glared and with a flick of his wand, his chair and robe landed next to Harry's seat, leaving the floor clear for him and Tonks.

She eyed him suspiciously. she began sternly, how are we going to show them the curses? she repeated.

Draco looked at her innocently. Why, you're going to brush up on your Dark Magic while I stand here and attempt to ignore the pain.

Tonks' eyes widened. Oh no. Absolutely not. I am not going to purposely hurt you. Harry's right, there's no need for unnecessary pain tonight.

Draco arched an eyebrow. But yet you were willing to be put under the curses yourself a few minutes ago?

She rolled her eyes. Yes, but I'm an Auror for heaven's sake! she cried exasperatedly. I've been trained to handle Dark Magic. You, on the other hand -

- have been put under all the curses before, Draco finished.

Tonks glared. I believe you. I don't see the point in making you go through them again. Her gaze softened. You already have enough bruises.

I know, Draco sighed, reminded of his stupidly impulsive action from before. But I don't want to cast the curses on them, he said, motioning to Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fred, and George, because I don't want to hurt them. You don't need to be sore or bruised, not with all the things the Ministry has Aurors doing nowadays. Who does that leave? Me. He looked at her. Please? You said yourself you thought they should see them. You don't have to do all of them; I sure as hell don't want to go through all that pain. Just a few for demonstration purposes only.

Tonks nodded. It seemed pointless to argue with her cousin - he was quite good at it. Fine. Just a few, she warned.

Draco nodded. He turned back to the Gryffindors. The first Deadly Curse is the Cutting Curse. It, as it's name implies, leaves cuts all over an opponent's skin. They're not deep, but there's a large amount of them. Tonks?

She hesitantly pointed her wand.

Draco flinched as invisible knives began to cut at his skin. Hermione gasped while the boys were horrified. After twenty five seconds, the cutting stopped. Draco hadn't made one noise.

Are you alright? Tonks asked, rushing over.

Draco nodded and wiped blood from his cut lip. Fine. As you can see, there are a lot of cuts, he said holding out his arms. Which result in a large loss of blood that weakens the opponent.

Tonks pointed her wand at him. Draco's wounds began to heal themselves, leaving faint scars. She caught their surprised looks. I took a mediwitch course once. Figured it might be helpful, she explained.

Draco smiled in thanks. The Lightning Curse basically electrocutes the victim. Every three seconds, a jolt shocks the person. Each time the spell is used, the electric shocks get stronger, eventually killing the person. But, like I said before, the spell has to be used quite a few times before it kills. You should have time to react in between - use either the Disarming Spell or a blocking spell. Or something that slows them down for a few seconds. He looked at Tonks expectantly. Lightning Curse?

She sighed. Durus vexatio.

Draco squeezed his eyes shut as he felt his body jolt eight times. It didn't draw any blood or form bruises, just felt like a painful power surge through his body. The Gryffindors watched in horror. The pain passed after twenty four seconds. Draco slowly opened his eyes as Tonks started to interrogate him. He shook her off with an I'm fine. Tonks sighed as he continued.

The Weakening Curse is meant to drain the opponent's strength. However, unlike the other twelve Deadly Curses, it doesn't end after half of a minute. The person will be slightly weaker than they were before the curse. This spell is usually used continuously towards the end of a duel, to finish a person off, so to speak, Draco recited, using his father's exact words.

This is the last one buddy, Tonks said.

Draco braced himself, but once his strength started decreasing he found it difficult to stand. The others watched, astonished at how strong the curse was. The Slytherin was quite dizzy, and when he began to sway on his feet, Tonks levitated him into his seat, which she moved back in front of the others.

I never liked that one, Draco breathed once the spell wore off.

Well, I don't like any of them, so that's enough. Now just explain the rest out loud, Tonks commanded once the spell wore off. Draco raised an eyebrow at her tone of authority. Only one other woman could use such a voice on him, and get the effect she wanted - his mother. Must be a Black thing, he mused as he nodded and obeyed.

He described the Stabbing Curse, the Disjointment Curse, the Burning Curse, the Scratching Curse. The Gryffindors had questions on the Stinging Curse, which caused the eyes to sting until they bled. Draco told them how the Compression Curse left one gasping for breath, and how the ear-splitting sounds of the Shrieking Curse could leave a person deaf. The Ripping Curse tore at the skin, leaving sizable open wounds; the Pin Prick Curse made a person look like a sieve; and a person twisted like a snake under the Coil Curse. Draco explained each curse's purpose, when they're usually used within a duel, and spoke each incantation. Fred, George, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were appalled that wizards could create such sadistic curses.

Appalled wasn't quite the word to describe after hearing the next group of curses. Disturbed might do the trick.

Draco spoke about the five Mental Curses, which were modeled after the Imperious Curse. A person felt trapped in their own mind when under these curses. The Formidabilis Curse was a spell version of a boggart. It causes whatever the person feared the most to appear in his/her mind. The Pavareus Curse generates a tremendous feeling of panic, which lessened a person's defensive reactions. The Desiderous Curse shows the caster their victim's greatest desire; they then use that desire to manipulate and lure the person into giving them what they want (In the Death Eaters' case, more followers for Voldemort). The Diffisus Curse depletes a person's confidence, thus making them insecure in their magical ability. The last Mental Curse was the Dolescerous Curse. It caused the victim immense mental or emotional pain.

It's the only Mental Curse that I haven't been successful in fighting off, Draco drawled. You see, like the Imperious Curse, these curses must be resisted in the mind. For the Diffisus and Dolescerous curses, there are countercurses. But that's only if you can resist the curse in your mind first. The countercurses are useless if you can't.

So if we can block the Imperious, we can block the others?

Draco looked at Harry. Yes, but it takes practice. He checked his watch. Which we will begin next Friday, seeing as it's 10:00 now.

Same time? Fred inquired.

Draco answered.

We can't, Ron said, meaning Harry and himself. We have Quidditch practice until 7:30.

Draco eyed Harry. Oh? Your captain couldn't possibly end it a little earlier?

Harry shook his head. Nope. We don't want to make anyone suspicious, do we? Besides we have a scrimmage the next day. Against you.

Draco sighed dramatically. Oh yes. Then you better get all the practice you can. I've been working my team quite hard lately.

So have I, Harry smirked. We'll be here 8:00, after practice.

Draco said. Make it 8:00 for everyone.

I'll arrange the chaperone for you, Tonks offered.

The group exited the mirrored room in silence and Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred and George left through their respective tap doors. Draco sighed as they disappeared. Tonks put a hand on his shoulder.

You okay? I should not have agreed to cast those curses on you, she said. I'm sorry. I should have been more responsible, she apologized.

He shrugged. Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Hey, don't apologize, you just did what I asked. It's okay, he reassured her.

She seemed dubious. If you say so. You know, I'm sure Professor Snape has a Strengthening Potion if you still feel a little weak from the curse.

Draco nodded. Yea. Potions cabinet in classroom two, fourth shelf on the right, third potion from the left, he grinned. I've snuck into his classroom quite a few times.

Tonks laughed. Sounds like it. What would happen if I dropped him an owl? she wiggled her eyebrows.

Draco stared. You wouldn't.

She grinned. No, I wouldn't.

he smiled. He looked at the walls where the five Gryffindors had walked through, and then looked back at Tonks.

How come you accepted me so fast? You didn't even think twice. I mean, I'm a Slytherin, and a Malfoy on top of that. People don't say good stuff about us.

Tonks shrugged and focused her eyes on some faraway point past Draco's head. I've learned not to listen to what people say about others. They accuse people of doing things without getting the full story. And because of that someone can suffer.

She looked at Draco again. And people don't have your full story. They see you, and hear you, but they don't understand you. Their opinions are based on stereotypes. You just have to give everyone time to get past the stereotype they have of you and see where you're really coming from.

Draco nodded doubtfully. Yea, I guess so.

Don't worry too much, she smiled. Now get to bed. And sleep late tomorrow since it's Saturday.

He brightened and smirked. Believe me, I will, he said walking toward his tap door.

She grinned. she said as he disappeared. Then she herself disappeared through a door under the dragon-slaying painting.








~*~*~
oOoOoO!! Okay, lemme just explain one thing, cause I have a feeling someone out there will ask: Why Draco was so insistent on having the curses performed on him.
No, he is not fond of pain. He didn't understand why he was being so open with them - he thinks it will gain him unwanted pity. So he wants the curses done to him in order to prove he doesn't need their pity. Get it? If not, don't worry; I know it's a tad confusing. But hey, our Draco is confused right now. I mean, he's finally starting to think for himself, make his own choices, and it's difficult for him to break away from all that he's ever known; all he's ever been taught. Kinda scary. Still don't get it? Just review.

Can anyone spot where I used alphabetical order in this chapter? Just thought some of you may find it a fun challenge. ::shrugs:: Whoever finds it gets Dunkin Donuts Munchkins!! The box is sitting on my counter downstairs ::drools:: Munchkins are great....