Deadly Force

Salazar argues for a particular addition to the new Hogwarts curriculum.

"You want to show them what?"

Salazar enunciated the words with cool precision. "The Killing Curse."

Godric shook his head. "Look, Sal, I'm with you on the obligatory Battle Magic class. But the Killing Curse? Seems...risky."

Salazar raised a sardonic eyebrow. "This from the man who's wholeheartedly helping me tame our resident Attack Basilisk?"

Godric's lips twitched briefly. "Well...that's different. We're not showing all the students how to summon the thing."

"Besides," added Rowena, "you just know some fool teenager will use the Killing Curse on another when adolescent emotions are running high, and then where will we be?"

Salazar shrugged. "That can be mitigated with proper training. We make it very clear that it's deadly force and only to be used in life-threatening situations. But they should know how to use it properly." His eyes sparked with brutal memory. "Better to know it and not need it, than need it and not know it."

"And how will we make it clear that it's not just any old curse?" asked Helga, her voice a warm throb. "How do we make sure they know, Sal? This isn't the Stinging Jinx. This brings unstoppable death."

"The same way we teach them everything else. We show them how it works, what it does, and what the consequences are for misusing it."

Rowena arched an eyebrow. "And what are the consequences for misusing it? What exactly are we going to do them if they use it improperly?"

"Depending on the level of misuse...suspension, expulsion, excommunication."

"Excommunication?!" Helga was horrified. "What does that even mean?"

Salazar reached to take Helga's hand in his. "You remember why we founded this school? You remember what the Muggles do to magic-users? Especially our little ones, too young to defend themselves? Do you remember the burnt bodies?"

It was Godric who spoke finally, his voice low and grating. "We remember."

Salazar inhaled slowly. "Those who abuse their power to willfully harm other magic-users...they don't deserve our community's protection."

Helga's eyes widened. "But they're just children..."

Rowena tilted her head, considering. "Deadly force requires deadly consequences if abused. Alright - I support teaching the Killing Curse if it's properly done. It's a powerful weapon, and our students should know how to use it appropriately."

Salazar smiled, his eyes meeting hers. "Thank you, Ro." He turned to Godric and Helga. "And you? What say you both?"

Godric glanced at Helga. "They'll need very strict guidelines on when it's right to use."

Salazar's lips flicked up in a half-smile. "I was hoping you'd help me with that."

Godric nodded. "Then I'm for it."

Helga looked pained. "Sal, Ro, Ric...it's just so devastating a curse. To both victim and user."

Rowena nodded. "But when you need it, nothing else will do," her eyes caught Helga's, "as each of us knows from experience. Is it fair to deny our students that knowledge when it might save their lives one day?"

Silence curled for a few moments. "No," said Helga softly, "I suppose it's not."