-Non Compos Mentis-
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be lighted."–Plutarch
"A good teacher is like a candle; it consumes itself to light the way for others."-
The fire had been lit, but the ashes left behind of the childhood–nay, innocence of who Severus had been still sat in the crucible of suffering that had forged the new. His grandparents were not the only ones to notice. Every shy, studious and withdrawn. The child only became more so without the influence of his elder brother.
A most uncommon child, too old in spirit for his few years, fighting to hold on– hold on to a promise made silently to a brother– striving, scheming to be free, to be better-worthy of the absent-minded selfish affection indulged in rarely by his selfish family.
To distort such a mind in a person so starved for affection, by presenting it a challenge as a substitute for the affection craved –to dangle a carrot, if you will– or give it an illusive impossible goal, kindle in it a desire, and allow that desire to become an obsession... A criminal act.
Obsession: a desire so strong that the mind once sound will surrender to it, surrender everything: sanity, morals, love.
Potions: a passion, a love, an obsession. To do well at the "family business," was to gain recognition of his sad existence. Of a sort. Acceptance, in part, that he was now their Heir.
Acceptance– the darkest, deadliest of desires, for those without it will eventually commit all to its gain–and for naught, if it be but for usefulness alone. One cannot gain true acceptance from being useful to others. So, it is like a poison that slowly causes the mind and the soul to crack from within–all because of a desire of human nature. A desire that is badly serving of sanity and life.
Who needs acceptance? Better, to have fear. Fear is caused by power, and power always is given recognition, which is a form of acceptance. And nobody would ever admit that all they wish is to be accepted. Oh no. Even Niccolo Machiavelli saw that; "It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."
Of unsound mind, then unsound, the body will follow–and the soul unto darkness profound...
non compos mentisof unsound mind
©Lanenkar 2004