Their Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons had now moved on to defensive spells, much to the joy of the class.

"The most useful defensive spell is protego," Tonks said, during a mid-November lesson. "There are others of course, but theya re either two basic to be of much use or too advanced to learn straight away. Protego is a great spell, all of the Aurors learn it. So, what does protego do?" Her hair was back to her favorite purple and spiky today. She was wearing baggy, patched trousers and a T-shirt from a muggle band that Dudley recognized, the Ramones.

Hermione's hand shot in the air. "The shield charm, or protego creates a mostly invisible barrier around the caster that blocks and protects many spells."

"Five points to Gryffindor," Tonks said. "And it's limitations … Ron?" she ignored Hermione's outstretched hand.

"Oh, erm … it's difficult to cast?" Ron guessed.

"And?" Tonks prompted.

"Erm, it doesn't block all spells?"

"Good," said Tonks. "Take five points. Dudley, what are some spells it won't block?"

"The Unforgiveables?" Dudley said.

"Five points," replied Tonks. "Yes, it's a useful spell, but it won't help you against the Unforgivable curses. But minor and moderates hexes … even stunners, it can block entirely. It can even partially block some pretty dangerous spells. It's very useful."

"Is there anything that can block an Unforgiveable curse?" Parvati asked, raising her hand.

"The Department of Mysteries has tried for a long time to come up with a countercharm to Avada Kedavra or crucio, but they've had no luck," Tonks replied. "The best defence against Avada Kedavra is a physical shield."

"Like what old knights used to carry?" Dudley asked frowning.

"No, I mean any physical object. The unforgiveable curse may shatter it, but it can't pass through it. It's one of the reasons why Aurors need to be good as transfiguration. Conjure a shield or a wall and it can help you survive. We learn basic transfiguration magic later. Now, enough chit-chat," she clapped her hands together twice. "It's time to crack on."

After teaching them how to cast it, Tonks had them pair off and take turns in hexing the other while they cast the shield charm.

Dudley paired off with Dean, Ron with Hermione. All four had been able to cast the spell for a while and could pull it off well.

"Protego!" Dudley shouted, easily blocking Dean's jelly legs. "Try something harder."

This time, Dean cast a bludgeoning hex. It thudded against Dudley's shield with enough force to stagger him, but the shield held.

"Nicely done," Tonks said.

Dudley hadn't known she had been watching.

"Nice strong shield charm, and Dean—good bludgeoning hex. Five points each.

Dudley and Dean grinned at each other. This class was always an easy way to earn points—Tonks handed them out like sweets.

They switched roles while Tonks went over to help Parvati and Lavender.

"Not a bad lesson," Dean said as they left the classroom. "I can't wait to try those transfiguration shields Tonks mentioned. They'll be dead useful."

"It's interesting how they all tie together isn't it?" Hermione said. "We learn charms and transifiguartion—which then ties in with Defence Against the Dark Arts and dueling. It's not all just casting hexes, you can use charms and transfiguration and even potions to become a great dueller."

"What, you mean throw a tickling solution at them?" Ron chortled.

"No, I mean take a strengthening solution beforehand. Or that eyesight tonic Snape mentioned. Or stamina potion. All of those will be useful if we knew we were going up against Death Eaters." Hermione said.

Dudley nodded, understanding. "Yeah, I guess it's why Aurors need top grades in everything."

"And herbology, so you know what plants to use to brew your potions," said Dean. "Duelling is much more complex than you think, isn't it?"

"Exactly," Hermione said, pleased they understood what she meant. "Tonks saying how transfiguration can stop the unforgiveable curses made me realize how useful other branches of magic are in Defence Against the Dark Arts.

At the common room, Ginny was waiting for them. "I got half of what we need," she said, grinning as she handed over a bag of supplies.

"How?" Ron asked, impressed.

"I borrowed some nosebleed nougat from Fred," she replied.

"You didn't!" Ron's eyes widened.

"I didn't give it to him, you prat!" said Ginny. "I gave it to my friend, and while Snape was distracted, I sneaked in. I figured I wouldn't take it all, or he'd smell a rat. A little bit now, a little bit later on."

"Almost Fred and George-esque," George, who was listening in, said approvingly. "Couldn't have done better ourselves."

"I dunno, we'd have took it all and given Snape a wedgie in the process," Fred said.

"Shut it," Ginny gave him a punch on the arm.

"So, what are you brewing?" George asked.

"Nothing," said Ron, quickly but suspiciously.

"Come on, Ronniekins, spill it," said Fred.

"Look, we can't tell you, but we will after," Dudley promised.

Fred and George exchanged glances. "Ok, we won't nose," Fred said. "But, prefects shouldn't be up to no good ... I think you should turn a blind eye to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, don't you, George?"

"A good idea, Fred, I wish I'd thought of it," said George. "Well?"

"Fine," Hermione huffed. "But no testing your products on younger students. Eat the stupid things yourself, or sell them. Fine."

Fred and George exchanged another glance and nodded again. "Deal," said George.

Malfoy hadn't exactly been pleasant or friendly since their uneasy agreement to help, but he had started giving a small, curt nod when he passed Dudley or Ron in the corridors—and a small head spasm as if trying to nod but failing if he passed Hermione or Dean. Ron noticed that the other Slytherins looked bewildered.

"Crabbe isn't the fastest thinker at the best of times," Ron said. "But the look on his face when he tries to work out why Malfoy is acknowledging us." He did an impression, opening his mouth, making his eyes wide and dopey looking. Luna laughed loudly, causing a few passing students to give her an odd look.

"I still think he's a toad though," Dean said. "He's only been … well, I wouldn't say nice, but civilized because he needs our help."

"I feel sorry for him," Hermione said. "And that's something I never thought I'd say. He's in an awful position. It's good that he's going to oppose You-Know-Who … even reluctantly, rather than do what he says."

"Yeah, but fat lot of good the Malfoys will do in the war," Ron said.

"It's two fewer on You-Know-Who's side," Dean pointed out with a shrug. "And I bet Malfoy has loads of information on You-Know-Who."

After the Battle of Hogsmeade, the Wizarding War had slipped back into its usual stalemate. The headlines of the Daily Prophet varied between reporting on various Death Eater attacks and Auror actions and arrests—not all of them Death Eaters. Arthur Weasley made the papers for leading a successful raid against peddlers of fake protective potions. Gilderoy Lockhart had made the front page once or twice, handing out new medals to Kingsley Shacklebolt and Marcus Flint.

"I'd never have thought that troll an Auror," Ron said, shaking his head as he read the article. "A successful Auror at that. It seems like he's doing a pretty good job," he added, fairly.

"The Auror Initiative does seem to be a success, doesn't it?" Hermione said.

Dudley nodded in agreement. So far, it seemed, the new recruited Aurors seemed to be holding their own—especially Cedric Diggory. He had made the headlines two days ago for single-handedly stopping an attack on a muggle family. The Death Eaters had escaped, but he had fought both Death Eaters on his own.

Sometimes, Dudley wondered what the Order of the Phoenix was up to. Since going to Hogwarts, they hadn't heard anything at all about the Order. Were they still fixated merely on gathering intelligence and defending various things that Lord Voldemort wanted, or had Dumbledore stepped up his plans to take down the Dark Lord? The headmaster had been absent more and more often—his chair was empty sometimes at dinner. So he must be doing something.

Meanwhile, Dudley continued his lessons with Snape. This week, Snape had a pensive on his desk and a few glass vials of memories.

"Sit," Snape said, by way of greeting.

"We have talked about how the Dark Lord recruits his followers. We have talked about some of the Death Eaters and why they joined …"

This had happened in the last lesson. Professor Snape had given some examples of various Death Eaters and why they had joined—bribery, coercion, fear, a lust for power, a desire to see pureblood supremacy, a wish to kill and torture, they had all been covered.

"… today, you will see it first hand by entering one of my memories," Snape said.

Dudley sat up a little straighter.

"This is the memory of when I first encountered the Dark Lord and agreed to join his ranks. Now, come."

Dudley went over to the desk.

Snape gripped his arm and together, they descended through the silvery liquid. Dudley found himself in a dark entrance hall. Beside him, stood Severus Snape. Stood nearby, looking anxious, was a younger, pale-faced man with collar length greasy hair. The hooked nose was distinguishable and Dudley recognized him as a teenage Severus Snape.

"I had a reputation at school as a skilled practitioner of magic," Severus explained. "Naturally, those who left Hogwarts before me and joined the Dark Lord's ranks remembered."

The door opened and a handsome wizard with collar length blond hair entered. It was Lucius Malfoy in his 20s. His smirk was identical to Draco's and the two looked very much alike—Lucius' eyes were colder, his cheeks a little paler, his nose a touch longer than Draco, but they were very alike in terms of height, build, hair and the same haughty, arrogant expression.

"Severus, I'm glad you decided to join us!" Lucius said, jovially.

"Lucius," the teenage Snape greeted, shaking hands.

"We were … acquaintances at Hogwarts," the older Severus explained to Dudley. "Lucius was a prefect when I joined. While we weren't friends—too much of an age gap—Lucius made me feel welcome and looked out for me."

The memory shifted as they entered a large, room with a black marble floor. The pillars which held up the roof were decorated with serpents twisting and coiling around them. The ceiling far above was jet black. The only illumination came from green-flamed torches in brackets on the pillars. The room was empty except for a large throne in the center, upon which sat a man Dudley instantly recognized as Lord Voldemort. Flanking him were too masked Death Eaters and, Dudley suddenly saw, in the shadows, more Death Eaters were stood.

At Voldemort's feet lay a person, bound with ropes and with a terrified look on his face.

"Nightcrow Castle," Snape said to Dudley. "Nightmare Castle they nicknamed it—Lord Voldemort's headquarters during the first Wizarding War. Destroyed by Aurors—nothing remains."

Dudley nodded, watching as the teenage Severus and Lucius approached the throne and bowed.

"So, Lucius, my friend—this is Severus Snape," Voldemort said, regarding the pair.

"I believe he will be of use to us, my lord," Lucius replied. "He showed a lot of promise at Hogwarts. Professor Slughorn spoke highly of his work in potions."

Lord Voldemort nodded. "You wish to join me, Severus. Why?"

"I wish to serve, my lord," the young Snape said, bowing again. "I wish to see wizarding rule. I wish to see wizarding dominance. We … are superior to the mug … to the mudbloods."

"And yet, you were once friends with one," Voldemort regarded him.

"Once," Snape admitted. "Not any more."

"Lucius?"

"My lord, Severus will be a great help to us. He showed a lot of potential at school and often clashed with enemies of Slytherin house. He showed no inclination of harboring any pro-muggle views," Lucius said, silkily.

"Is there anyone else willing to speak on Severus' behalf?"

A young Death Eater, his face hidden by his robes stepped forward.

"Julian Avery II," Voldemort hissed. "Speak."

"I attended school with Severus," Avery said, bowing. "He was my classmate and friend. He is one of us. His beliefs are true. He is one of us."

Another stepped forward.

"Evan Rosier," Voldemort said. "Speak."

'My lord,"

Rosier had a high-pitched voice that almost made Dudley laugh. He held it in check, knowing Snape would be angry.

"I was Severus' classmate. He knew more dark magic than the rest of us combined. He invented some of his own curses and …"

Voldemort silenced him with a raised hand.

"Did you, Severus?" asked Voldemort.

"I did, my lord," the young Snape said.

"You may have noticed we have a traitor among us," Voldemort said, declining his head at the bound person at his feet. "This is Macguire Bones … he was caught by my Death Eaters protecting muggles. This … scum … came to the aid of a family of muggles who my Death Eaters were attempting to kill. He injured dear Bellatrix before Rodolphus and Rabastan restrained him."

The young Severus remained silent, but the rest of the Death Eaters were muttering angrily.

"He will pay, as will all traitors," Voldemort fixed his gaze on Snape. "Prove your loyalty—use one of your curses on Maguire Bones."

The young Severus looked stunned. Dudley looked at his professor, the older Severus Snape's face was impassive as he watched the scene—there was no trace of guilt or any emotion on his face.

The younger Severus had paled, but he raised his wand.

"Do it," Lucius said, softly, nudging him forward.

Severus Snape took a deep breath to steady himself and pointed his wand at the motionless form of Maguire Bones.

"Wait!" Voldemort raised his hand, and for a brief moment, Dudley thought, bizarrely, that he was showing mercy.

"Enervate," he said. The body began to kick and thrash against his bonds as the spell was lifted. "Now, do it," Voldemort said.

"Sectumsempra!" the teenage Snape shouted, fwaving his wand as if it was a sword.

"That will do," Snape said, grabbing Dudley by the arm just as the spell hit Maguire. Dudley had a brief look of the man screaming in agony as deep cuts appeared over his body.

Dudley emerged back in Snape's office, stunned at what he had just been shown.

"Professor, I ..."

"The Dark Lord makes all potential Death Eaters prove their worth," Severus Snape said, calmly. "Killing or torture are his favorites. Sometimes he gets them to kill or torture a captured enemy. Sometimes a random muggle. Sometimes a higher target. But all Death Eaters have gone through the same. I am telling you this and showed you that memory so you know what you are going up against. The Death Eaters are killers-each and every one of them. They are completely without remorse and feelings. You cannot reason with them. You cannot negotiate. If you encounter them, they will try to kill or maim you. Do not take them lightly."