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After dinner was over that night Harry found himself back in Snape's classroom six o'clock on the dot just as he had been told. He was a little nervous about the whole thing, he didn't want the lesson to go like they went last year but Harry had to tell himself that this time would be different. These were lessons about learning spells, and he had confidence that he would be able to learn much more easily. He explained everything to Hermione and she wished him luck before he left the common room.

As he waited for Snape to get ready, Harry looked on the professors desk and saw a red book with black cursive writing on it, sitting on top. Curiosity got the better of him and he asked;

"What's that?"

"A book on the dark arts." Snape responded.

Harry stared at him with unblinking eyes.

"Dark arts?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter."

"I'm going to learn dark spells? I mean, is that really...this is my first lesson-"

"How much longer do you want to wait, Potter? The Dark Lord's power is growing everyday, these are the spells you will need to know in order to beat him. And trust me, everything in here he already knows and has mastered. He wouldn't think twice on using one on you."

Swallowing nervously, Harry nodded.

"Okay."

Snape then placed a glass jar with a spider in it on top of his desk before picking up the book and going through a few pages until finally settling on one.

"We'll start with a spell called 'Venis Cardo.'

"What does it do?"

"It wraps the target's veins around the heart. It is very painful and if left on for a long time it can be deadly."

He couldn't help it, but Harry flinched a little after Snape got done explaining what the spell did. The spell had absolutely no good, it was just meant to inflict harm on someone else. Getting his wand ready, Harry pointed it at the spider knowing that it wasn't an unforgivable curse, he didn't have to mean it so it should be easier.

"Venis Cardo!"

Once the spell hit the spider began writhing in pain for a few seconds before Harry took the spell off. He instantly felt guilty even though spiders weren't exactly his favorite animal and wished that he wouldn't have to practice anymore on it.

"The next spell is called 'Sectumsempra'." Snape then continued. "It creates cuts on the victims face and chest. It can be fatal as well."

"Do I-"

"No. Just point it away from everything else. Picture using it on an enemy."

Harry did what he was told. He got into a stance and fired off the spell several times, each time picturing a different enemy in his mind that was standing in front of him. Wormtail…Bellatrix…Voldemort.

After he practiced it several more times, Snape stopped him. He was slightly impressed that he got gotten it so quick and told Harry of another dark spell to use.

"Lastly you will be turning the spider into stone using the spell, 'Stein Skulptur.'

"Turn it into stone? You mean I'm going to kill it?" Harry asked.

"Yes."

He pointed his wand back at the spider but as a few seconds went by he found that he couldn't say the words.

"Don't think about it." Snape spoke. "Just do it."

Gripping his wand more tightly, Harry finally bellowed;

"Stein Skulptur!"

Instantly, the spider began turning into stone from the back to its front until it became a statue. Snape then walked over and looked down at it.

"Very good, Potter."

"Really?" Harry asked, amazed that Snape actually paid him a compliment. That certainly had never happened before. "I did a good job?"

"Yes." Snape admitted as he picked up the spider and examined it.

"Well, why don't we keep going?"

"No, that is enough for tonight. Keep practicing these three spells and then come back tomorrow night at the same time."

"Okay. I will."

A sweat feeling of satisfaction overcame Harry as he turned around and headed for the door, grinning the whole way. The lesson went well, he had learned three useful spells but on top of everything else, Snape…the professor he could never please actually told him that he had done well. Never in a hundred years did he think that he would hear those words.

"Professor." He began as he reached the door and turned back to him. "Thank you."

Snape nodded in return, but didn't respond as Harry turned back around and continued his way out. Upon leaving the classroom, he was immediately greeted by Hermione who was standing outside the door, apparently waiting for him. Hermione figured that he might need someone right now, considered the way Snape was and the lesson could have gone bad.

"Hey." Harry greeted.

"How did things go?" She asked.

"Pretty well if you can believe it."

"Snape didn't give you any problems?"

"No. I think getting this new position might have finally loosened him up a little."

"Or maybe he realizes what's at stake." Hermione knew that Snape didn't like Harry, but what was going on in the wizarding world he had to know that Lord Voldemort needed to be defeated and Harry was the only one who could do it. And that was way more important than whatever petty grudge he might still have against him.

"Maybe." Harry responded as he then remembered something. "He told me that I did well."

"Really?"

"Yeah. He actually gave me a compliment."

Hermione looked over at Harry and could the look of near glee on his face. For some reason, she always got the feeling that he always wanted Snape's approval. He never did understand why the professor didn't like him and wanted to please him but never could.

The two then headed outside the castle and began walking around the outskirts of Hogwarts. The wind then blew by, sending their hair flying in several different directions as Hermione smiled and looked up at the stars for a moment, feeling at peace. Forgetting about the Dark Lord, his Death Eaters and everything else. An idea then came to Harry's mind.

"Why don't we go visit Hagrid?"

"Alright."

The two of them then headed around the castle and began walking down the hill to Hagrid's small hut. Harry approached the door and knocked and after a few seconds the door opened and the gentle giant stuck his head out to greet them.

"Allo, Harry." Hagrid greeted with a smile. "Hermione, what brings you lads out here tonight?"

"Just to visit." Hermione responded as they both walked in.

Of course they really didn't need a reason and they knew that Hagrid loved it when they came to see him. He then quickly noticed they were one person short.

"Where's Ron?" He asked as they all sat down. "Didn't he want to come?"

They both looked at each other as Harry awkwardly explained.

"Ron's not exactly speaking with us at the moment."

"Oh? Why not?"

"Well, he caught us a few days ago…kissing."

Hagrid raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yes." Hermione spoke as she stared at her boyfriend. "We're together now…a couple."

"I think that's wonderful." Hagrid smiled. "Two youngsters like yourself in love, it's nothing to be apologetic about. We all need some sunshine in our lives, especially now with you-know-who out there."

"We know, it's just Ron's not taking it very well."

"I'm sure he'll come around. Now, how did your first day of classes go?"

"Fine. Professor Slughorn is very good at potions, he's really a breath of fresh air after dealing with Snape for so long."

"And Snape is actually not that bad as the defense teacher." Harry spoke. "He's actually training me right now after classes. I just came from my first one actually."

"What did you learn?" Hagrid asked.

"Dark arts."

"What did he teach you?" She then asked.

"Dark arts."

Hermione then stared at her boyfriend and Harry quickly noticed her expression.

"What's wrong?"

"He taught you dark spells?"

"Yeah...what's the problem?"

She then looked down at the ground.

"Well, do you think that's right? I mean...Death Eaters use dark spells, should we really be lowering ourselves to that?"

"It has nothing to do with that, we're going to have to do anything we can to win. We can't beat them with jelly-legs curses and tickling charms you know."

They then looked to the giant to see what he thought. Hagrid took a deep breath.

"It's a slippery slope. I hope Snape knows what he's doing. When is your next lesson?"

"Tomorrow, six o'clock."

Hagrid then changed the subject as he continued to ask Hermione about her classes while Harry just sat and listened. Was learning dark spells the wrong way to go? Should they be better than that, to not go as far as Voldemort's followers did? The spells were affective, but caused extreme harm on anyone that had the misfortune of having it casted on them. If he felt bad about using it on a spider, how would he feel about using it on a living, breathing person…Death Eater or not.

At the moment, Harry didn't have the answer and had no idea of what to think.