Dark Magic

When Severus came back into the boy's room, he had to laugh. Potter was sitting on the bed leaning against Blacky and they were both reading a book. Beast had the newspaper between its covers and was chewing on it contentedly.

"It looks like a weird family photo."

Harry looked up.

"And what role do you play in this family?"

"You're getting cheekier and cheekier."

"That wasn't cheeky, just an interesting question."

Severus took off his robes and stroked Hedwig.

"What are you reading?"

"'Introduction to the World of Rituals'."

Severus looked at his student in surprise.

"Did you take rituals as an elective?"

Harry nodded.

"Yes, it's really interesting."

"I'd be willing to bet you chose Divination."

The boy snorted.

"That's what I wanted at the beginning. It sounded really interesting but then the twins told me that the teacher was a disaster. I didn't really want to believe that, after all Fred and George said it. But then all the other older students confirmed it. From our year, only Ron and the girls took it, except Hermione."

Severus nodded.

"Smart decision, with your luck the woman would have predicted your death in your first class."

The boy chuckled.

"According to the stories, that would have been the most interesting part of the whole lesson."

Harry sat up.

"So, how was it? You look a bit annoyed."

Severus raised an eyebrow and then turned to the mirror. It was true, he really did look exactly how he felt.

"I went to Gringotts after my visit to the Ministry, Mrs. Bones advised me to. And it was a good decision. The two Blacks have already tried to get into my dungeon."

Harry looked at his teacher in disbelief.

"Why would they do something like that? Just because you're the godfather doesn't give them the right to mess with your money."

Resigned, Severus sat down. Surprisingly, Blacky immediately jumped up to him and let himself be stroked.

"If I was still the godfather, Draco would have the right to my money and so would Narcissa, up to a point. The role of godfather is taken very seriously in the wizarding world. In the event of the parents' death, you are fully responsible for the child's welfare. And in the event of divorce, for the child and the injured party."

"But then many people would withdraw their sponsorship to avoid this responsibility."

"That's true, but it's almost impossible. There are only a few exceptions and Narcissa presented me with one on a silver platter, after all, she has proven to be unfaithful. That's a serious social offense in the wizarding world, as I've already told you and since I was appointed godfather by Lucius, I could resign at any time if he considers the marriage a failure."

"Interesting, so if Mr. Malfoy had cheated on his wife, you still wouldn't have to take care of them?"

"Not legally, but in the eyes of society I'd be pretty much out of the picture. If Lucius had cheated on his wife, he would have to support them but I would still have to look after Draco."

"Okay, I'm getting a headache. But that means the two of them plundered your dungeon?"

"I suppose you could say it like that but since it's already known what the good Narcissa has done, the goblins didn't let her on my property until they had instructions from me."

Harry grinned.

"And you've given them now, though I'm sure they won't be happy about it."

A nasty grin spread across Severus' face.

"That's what I mean. Draco is said to have behaved very unflatteringly in the bank, by the way. It was supposedly so bad that even his mother was ashamed of him. Now the woman is experiencing first-hand how she has spoiled her child."

Harry stroked Beast thoughtfully.

"But I thought Mrs. Black had money herself? Then why does she still want yours?"

Severus looked at Harry in disbelief.

"Your relatives took the money for you, too. People are just greedy. Narcissa wanted to live at my expense so she could squander her own money. Now she has to use it to support herself and her son. For example, to buy her own place to live. One more thing. It's no longer Mrs. but Ms. again. Since the woman has been involved with several men and it's not known who the son is from, the marriage is declared null and void. It never existed, so to speak."

Severus watched the boy closely. He could clearly see from his face what was about to happen. This child could ask a lot of questions, but surprisingly, the teacher didn't mind answering them so much. Presumably because the questions were sensible and then came the next one.

"The newspaper said that Mr. Malfoy demands compensation from her playmates for all his wife's infidelities. Whether husband or wife?"

Severus nodded.

"What happens to their marriages?"

"The same as with Lucius', at least that's what I assume. Nobody likes to be cuckolded. Especially not if it goes public and Lucius will certainly see to that. He feels humiliated and he wants to get back at those responsible."

"The man really is very proud."

"Indeed, but I can understand him. I wouldn't feel any differently."

"And what about Draco's father? Should he expect consequences? I mean, apart from having to pay for Draco's education?"

Severus' mood improved more and more. His student's questions showed intelligence, something Severus greatly appreciated.

"In the magical world, parents are responsible for their children until they are seventeen, no matter what. You can't just send a child off to relatives or give them up for adoption. The only exceptions are if the parents can no longer look after the children, So illness or sudden homelessness. So as soon as Draco's father has been identified, he will have to look after his son."

"And if he's married, his wife won't like that at all."

"You can be sure of that. If his wife divorces him, he'll also have to marry Narcissa. After all, he has a family with her but it could also happen that he takes her as a second wife."

Harry almost fell out of thebed in shock. He stared wide-eyed at his teacher.

He smiled indulgently.

"I didn't react much differently when I heard about the whole custom."

"A second wife? So bigamy is allowed in the wizarding world?"

The man nodded.

"And none of the partners is above the other. Up to four people are possible. Regardless of gender or whether they are magical beings or not."

"Four? Doesn't that always leave someone short?"

"No, not as far as I know. That's why there are also ballroom dances for more than two partners, or chess that several people can play."

Harry thought about it.

"I wonder how big the beds or bathrooms are?"

Severus grimaced with laughter and Blacky also seemed to be having a great time.

"Enough talking shop, let's eat and downstairs this time."

The boy looked at him, terrified and begging.

"Please don't."

The look could have made you go soft but Severus was firmly convinced that it would only get worse if the little boy withdrew like that.

But since he didn't want to force the boy either, he had to try another way.

"I know you don't like it. That's why I've brought you a present. If you come down with me, I'll give it to you."

Harry tilted his head.

"A present, for me?"

Severus smirked.

"That's right, so are you coming?"

"But it's not a potion set, is it?"

"Would that be so bad?"

Harry thought for a moment.

"No, I'd be happy with anything you bought me."

With that, the boy walked ahead. Blacky followed him.

The teacher couldn't stop a warm feeling from spreading through him. As he knew how much the child appreciated gifts from friends, this was real proof of his affection.

Of course, there were plenty of stares thrown their way again in the canteen but Harry tried to ignore them. He succeeded very well, he was too absorbed by the idea that his professor had brought him something.

When they had sat down and ordered, Severus handed the boy a small parcel.

Harry took it carefully and opened it.

Shortly afterwards, a delighted squeal could be heard throughout the room.

"Thank you, that's. Wow. Incredible!"

Harry looked enthusiastically at the book written by his tutor. "Life as an Animagus."

The boy was thrilled.

"You really wanted that, but don't forget your lessons."

"I won't, thank you very much."

Harry didn't put the book down until the food arrived.

Severus was genuinely touched by the child's joy. Harry kept looking at the book and his eyes really lit up. If Minerva found out how happy her lion was about her book, the woman would probably start crying immediately.

"Professor?"

"Hm?" The teacher looked up in surprise. Normally, the boy only concentrated on his plate while eating. Apparently, however, the child was already finding it easier not to gorge like that.

"I read an interesting chapter in the book about rituals. Apparently it's possible to calm werewolves with a ritual or rather, they retain their sanity during the transformation. Why isn't this commonly used? I mean, the Wers are still ostracized, but with this spell, they wouldn't be dangerous anymore."

Severus sighed, not at the question or the subject, but at the answer.

"The ritual isn't used because it's black magic."

The boy's features slipped.

"What, that's the only reason? Just because it's not white magic it's not used? That's ridiculous."

The teacher looked at his pupil in astonishment. For good measure, he cast a silencing spell around them.

"Mr. Potter, I never thought you would defend dark magic. I wouldn't have expected it from you of all people."

"Why? Magic isn't evil, only people are. Besides, most healing spells are black magic. The nurse once told me that there are almost no white magic spells that can heal properly. You can't even cure a cold with it."

"When did she tell you that?"

"After the disaster with Lockhart. She said that if the guy is so against black magic, why does he dabble in it?"

Severus smirked. He could still remember the shouting last year.

The boy gave him a dirty look.

"Not funny. In any case, I know that black magic cannot and must not be abolished. That would kill the white magic too and so would a lot of people."

"True, but how do you know all this? Only very few wizards are allowed to learn black magic and it's literature is generally forbidden."

Harry grinned meaningfully at his teacher.

"I'll show you, but only on one condition."

Severus leaned forward with interest.

"And what's that?"

The boy looked him straight in the eye.

"You tell me why you joined Voldemort back then."

The teacher immediately flinched.

"How do you know that?"

"Because it's not a secret. The Ministry published all the negotiations at the time."

Severus snorted.

"There's no question of negotiations. Do you know that everyone was denied Veritaserum after the war?"

The boy nodded somberly. How did he know that?

"So?"

It took a moment, but then the man nodded.

"Fine, but not here. I can do without discussing this in a canteen."

They both finished their meals and went back into Harry's room.

"You're here more often than you are in your own room."

Severus shrugged and sat down.

"You want to know why I joined the lord? Quite simply because he fought for black magic to be taught again. He wanted it to be legalized."

Blacky growled. Harry ran his hand over his muzzle.

"Taboo. Nothing wrong with the wish but he didn't limit himself to that?"

Severus shook his head.

"That was the reason why many turned away from him, even Lucius. The lord lured his followers with the idea that he wanted to legally reconnect the two strands of magic. Only when he had enough people did he tell us what his actual goals were. That was also the moment he branded us."

"You mean the dark mark?"

"Exactly. That's when I got out, just like Lucius. I went to Dumbledore and offered him my services as a spy. After the war, he saved me from Azkaban."

Severus looked bitter at the memory. Something Harry and Blacky also noticed.

"What did you have to promise him in return?"

Severus looked up in surprise.

"From where?"

The boy shrugged.

"He paid Hermione's tuition from my dungeon to remind her of her loyalty if necessary. I'd be surprised if he hadn't asked anything of you."

Severus laughed bitterly.

"You are right. It was two things, one, I was supposed to protect you when the lord returns and two, I'm not allowed to dabble in black magic anymore."

Harry had gone pale. He didn't like the whole thing at all.

"Does that mean the director is shifting his responsibility of looking after me onto you? Even though he's my guardian. Pah, the man hasn't done anything for me yet and then he forbids you to deal with an important branch of magic. What happens if you do something he doesn't like?"

Severus was shocked by the boy's outburst, he hadn't expected this child to be so bitter.

"He'll change his mind."

"What, but he can't? I mean, you risked your life for him and for me as well."

Severus only nodded.

"Is that why he never gave you the job for DADA?"

"He said it would tempt me too much."

Harry had stood up. He went to his trunk and rummaged in it. He came back with a book.

"Do you know why black magic is forbidden?"

Severus looked at his student in surprise.

"Yes, because the Unforgivables are black magic. After that, the Ministry thought the whole branch was evil and banned it, with a few exceptions."

"Wrong."

Both the teacher and the dog stared at the boy in disbelief.

"What do you mean? It's in all the history books."

Harry snorted.

"Yes, in books published by the Ministry. In truth, only two of the three Unforgivables are black magic. The real reason for the ban is something else entirely."

"And which one?"

Harry looked at the book for a while.

"You're not going to like this at all."