The Nature of the Dark Arts
Severus strode down the corridor to the Defence against the Dark Arts classroom and found seventh-year students already waiting, talking animatedly among themselves. He would have to teach an unusually large group: several students who should have taken their NEWTs the previous year had chosen to start their seventh year over. He marched past them, giving a flick of his wand to open the door. "Silence. Inside, all of you."
As the students took their seats, several boys rolled their eyes at one another. He glared at them until they lowered their gaze. Glancing down at the register, then back to the expectant young people, he noted how few Slytherin were in attendance. Draco Malfoy was there, though, sat with Theodore Nott. In another corner, Potter, Weasley and Granger were together, joined at the hip as ever. The Weasley boy regarded him with a mix of defiance and aversion, and it suddenly occurred to Severus that he had not been present at the trial.
"Given the events of last year, it should not be necessary to remind you of the dangers posed by the Dark Arts. However, should some of you be brainless enough to underestimate them, I will make sure to impress on you that this form of magic should not be trifled with," Severus started, his voice low and measured, his eyes piercing through each student in turn.
"Now, the Dark Arts are complex and involve many forms of magic that go beyond the obvious curses you all have heard about. Which one of you can remind the class of the nature of the Dark Arts?"
Unsurprisingly, Granger's hand shot up in the air. Severus ignored her – her rote recitation of textbooks brought little to other students' learning. If anything, her close friends relied on her to do all the hard work for them, thus not taking the time to think things through themselves.
"Mister Malfoy. Any ideas?"
"The Dark Arts … always end up hurting people, sir," the blond wizard answered hesitantly. "Even the person using them."
"Sketchy, but correct. Please elaborate on that latest notion, mister Malfoy."
"It… corrupts the mind, sir." He paused. "The Dark Lord, for instance… he hardly looked human anymore, just like his soul had lost all humanity."
"But he was the most powerful wizard the world has ever seen," Nott interjected. Severus shot him down with a glare, and the young Slytherin lowered his head.
"In case you have forgotten, he was responsible for hundreds of deaths!" Potter exclaimed.
"Mister Potter, I do not recall asking for your contribution."
"With all due respect, sir, most of us here were at the battle," the boy replied, green eyes unblinking.
"Your point being?"
"We know firsthand what the Dark Arts look like."
"Do you, indeed? In that case, maybe you do not need any more input from your teachers. If that is the case, I suggest all of you who feel competent enough to take on a Dark wizard such as the Dark Lord leave my classroom. Now."
No one moved. The Patil twins were fidgeting nervously on their seats.
"I didn't think so," Severus sneered. "Can anyone give a more comprehensive insight into the nature of the Dark Arts, or examples that illustrate their harmful properties?"
Padma Patil raised her hand tentatively.
"Miss Patil, we're all ears."
"The Dark arts are used to cause harm, Professor, or to take power at other people's expense."
"We are finally getting somewhere, thank you, Miss Patil. Yes, Mister Potter?" Severus responded to Harry's raised hand.
"Using a victim's blood is an example of using Dark magic at the expense of someone else. Like taking unicorn blood, or the use of an enemy's blood to resurrect oneself."
Severus raised an eyebrow as Harry continued. "That's what Voldemort – what! He's gone, we can use his name now ! – " the boy snapped as several of his classmates gasped at the name. Severus had to commend the boy's grit. "As I was saying", he continued, "that's what one of the things Voldemort used to restore his body three years ago."
"Indeed, Mister Potter, blood can be used to regain strength or restore oneself, but to do so inevitably causes harm, which is why such rituals would be banned in a civilized wizarding society." Severus noticed Luna Lovegood's timidly raised hand as she was chewing on a strand of her pale blond hair.
"Miss Lovegood?"
"Sometimes, if someone sacrifices themselves for the sake of another, their blood acts as a powerful protection, doesn't it, sir? Like Harry's Mum protected him. That would make it a positive use of blood magic, wouldn't it? And that's how Harry could defeat … him, right? Because he was willing to give his life for us all?"
Severus had tried not to flinch at the mention of Lily. If only they knew precisely what horrendous twist of fate had allowed her to make that sacrifice – but he'd much rather they didn't know. The whole class was silent now, their gaze going from their professor to the young man who was undoubtedly their hero.
"Thank you for this relevant comment, Miss Lovegood," Severus finally said. "As you hinted at, the Dark Arts are, first and foremost, intentional: it begins and ends within your heart. It draws strength from your craving for power, your appetite for cruelty, even your thirst for vengeance. As a result, any magic used with harmful intent, or to serve one's interests while causing harm to another person, could be considered Dark magic – although the degree of harm caused also has to be taken into account."
"The Dark Arts," he continued, "are as inventive as the Dark witches or wizards who engage in them, making them an ever-evolving, many-faceted creature that can lurk in any corner. You will never be able to fully defeat them; for so-proclaimed Dark Lords will rise again and again."
Terry Boots' hand shot up.
"A comment, mister Boots?"
"When you talk about inventive Dark wizards, are you talking about yourself, sir?" the boy said aggressively.
A murmur of assent rose from a number of students, but suddenly the Granger girl stood up. "Professor Snape is not a Dark wizard! He was Professor Dumbledore's spy for our side and behaved heroic – "
"Enough, Granger," Severus snarled. "I do not want or need your advocacy on my behalf, and I do not have to justify myself in front of my students. If mister Boots, or anyone else, has any objection to my teaching in this school, I suggest you leave. Now. Take it up to the Headmistress if you wish. As it stands, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor lose ten points each – for Mister Boot's insolence, and Miss Granger's meddlesomeness."
Stifled groans of annoyance came up from the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors. Unperturbed, Severus added, "The next person interrupting my class with irrelevant, aggravating comments, will sorely regret it. Am I making myself clear? "
Without waiting for the reply, he continued.
"I am aware that my predecessor actively taught Dark curses. This year, you will learn how to protect yourself from them with any possible means. We will begin with shield charms, which you will practice in pairs."
"On your feet, wands out," he ordered as he moved the desks to the walls with a flick of his wand.
The rest of the lesson passed without further polemic, and Severus had to admit to himself that fighting an actual battle had brought out quicker reflexes in his students. Even Longbottom was faster, more accurate, and more efficient. It would not do, however, to let them get complacent: they still had a lot to learn, and Severus would make sure he'd keep them on their toes.
As he dismissed the class after two hours, he wondered whether he should have a cup of tea in the staff room, or remain in his office. He decided for the former, reasoning that he would have to face the rest of the staff sooner or later anyway, and that hiding away would be tantamount to an admission of guilt, or, worse still, weakness.
As he passed several groups of students in the corridor, he overheard the Weasley boy's vindictive voice. "Well, what did you expect, Harry? That he'd treat you like his new best mate? Why would he change?"
Severus walked on. Let the ginger runt think whatever he wished: his job was to teach, not to be liked, and certainly not to be friends with his students.
A deadly hush fell in the staff room as he entered. The looks, however, were more inquisitive than hostile, with the exception of Sybil, who regarded him with intense fear, and Aurora, whose ebony face was as unreadable as his own. Yet, she was the one who walked up to him and voiced the question that was, undoubtedly, on everyone's mind.
"Minerva said you always remained loyal to Albus. Fine. But how does that fit with actually killing him, Severus? Surely that's a high cost for maintaining your cover? Why? Why did you do that?" There was hurt and disbelief in her voice, and her onyx eyes never left his. Feeling cornered, Severus snapped angrily.
"Do you think I took pleasure in murdering the only wizard who ever trusted me, ever understood me? Do you think I would have done it if I had had any other choice, Aurora?"
"If you want us to understand you, Severus, you could try talking to us! Explain what happened!" Her voice was pressing, almost imperious.
"He was condemned, all right? He had put on a cursed ring. He was weakened both by that curse, and by a potion he had to drink as he searched for Voldemort's Horcruxes with the Potter boy. The Death Eaters would have finished him, that day in the Astronomy tower, and if I had risen to defend him myself, I would have lost all ability to bring about our victory. Do you understand now?" His voice was sharp, the words he uttered felt like barbs in his own heart. "It's the most horrendous act I had to commit in this bloody war, and one of the things I have to live with – for the rest of my life."
Silence fell again, stretching slowly, unbearably. Finally, Horace exclaimed in a tone of forced joviality, "There, old boy, have a cup of tea, won't you?" Aurora placed her hand on Severus' and squeezed it, nodding slowly. Conversations resumed, and when Horace started discussing lesson planning again, Severus allowed his tensed muscles to relax slightly. Sitting next to him, Pomona leaned over and whispered, "I am so sorry, dear. Minerva explained everything. What a terrible ordeal." Repressing a biting reply, Severus watched the whisps of milk dissolve in his tea.
All in all, Severus was relieved when it was time to head back to his classroom. He was due to teach first-years over the next period, and he did not relish the thought. He had never felt especially skilled as an educator with children that young.
The children in question were already seated when he strode into the classroom. He swirled around to face the class, crossed his arms and regarded them sternly. While calling the register, he noticed that, as usual, members of the same house were sitting together, with the notable exception of Gryffindor Karam Saddik, who had sat with Slytherin boys Hopkins and Ollerton, and Charlotte Belby, from Hufflepuff, who had sat with Slytherins Cassiopea Prewett and Winifred Sprottle.
"The Dark Arts are the deadliest danger you can ever face as a witch or wizard, and this, not only because they are by nature dangerous and intentionally harmful, but because their seeds reside in each of you, should you choose to let your darkest emotions and thoughts define who you are. There are as many types of Dark Arts as there are Dark wizards and witches. To underestimate them is to bring about your own demise."
"In this class, you will learn how to perform basic protective magic, and how to call for help if you find yourself in danger, as your lack of experience makes you most vulnerable. Overestimating your own abilities can be fatal. You will also learn to recognize various dark magical creatures and their characteristics, as well as healing spells and potions that can alleviate the harm caused by Dark spells. Well? Aren't you going to copy any of this down?"
Soon quills were feverishly scratching parchment, and once he was satisfied that the students had taken notes appropriately, Severus moved onto a basic practical exercise.
"The Lumos charms is one of the simplest ones, yet it will enable you to repel malevolent spectral entities," he continued, demonstrating the wand movement required. "You will now practise it until you are able to cast a glow illuminating a perimeter of about two feet." At this, Severus muttered, "Nox", and the classroom was plunged in darkness. A few yelps rose from the back rows. "There is no need for foolish whimpering. You may begin."
As he moved between the desks, Severus nodded in appreciation as Sarah Abergel and Ophiuchus Sharp already managed to cast a clear light from their wand. Belby and Sprottle were doing quite well, too, and after several minutes, Sprottle's wand gave a bright light that illuminated her whole desk.
"Excellent work, Miss Sprottle. Five points to Slytherin."
Slipping into the usual routine had proven easier than he would have thought, with one significant difference: instead of spending the evening in the Dungeons, he would be heading back to Hogsmeade – back to Morag. The thought was enough to sustain him for the day as he carried on.
