The Dark Arts

Chapter 6 – The Dark Arts

"When I first experienced true power, I was sixteen years old. The Dark Lord promised me power beyond my wildest dream, and he kept his word."

His voice sounded hoarse. The night had long since fallen over the loch, and stars lit the sky in the enchanted window. No reaction came from the girl at his words, her eyes glassy and far away. Clearing his throat, he continued.

"You felt it today--that rush of infinite potential, of pure ecstasy surging through your veins. The obvious difference between us is that when I was first infused with Dark Magic, my guides had a decisively different agenda than what is planned for you. Then again..."

He turned his head and faced her, a scrutinising gleam in his eyes.

"You don't know what your true part is in the events that will follow. You undoubtedly have some misguided idea, but I would be very much surprised if you even knew what the true definition of Dark Magic is, as this is ruled by tradition rather than schooling. Your background dictates that this knowledge is to be hidden from you, unless purposely taught by a 'true' member of society. This is where much of the actual racism within our society takes place, and most Muggle-borns, and even half-bloods, never realise it."

He could tell that he had her full attention now. She was sitting ram-rod straight in the plush armchair (a quite amusing image really), giving him his best top-student look. In a way, it illustrated his point all too well.

"Though not an actual pure-blood due to my grandfather's indiscretions, I was raised according to the traditions and principals of that sphere. We weren't considered a rich family, but then the old ways and ancient traditions are not a matter of social class, per se. I grew up with Dark Magic and consequently never thought much of it before I came to Hogwarts. There, I learnt that there was a certain kind of magic which was hushed up and frowned upon by the administration--if not outright forbidden. It took me a while to fully grasp the distinction, and by the time I had, I was known throughout the school for mastering what I did. You see, Hermione..." His eyes were back on the water, as though the gently rolling waves were his only audience. "... most wizards outside of the pureblood families these days assume that the difference between Dark and Light is in the intent of the caster. The concept has been deliberately muddled by the Ministry and by the press for quite some time."

"Muddled how?"

In response, he raised his wand, twirling it gently around his fingers.

"Muddled in the way that there is no correlation between what Dark Magic actually is and how it is portrayed to the everyday wizard. The official party line is that magic is an ever-changing force and can mirror every aspect of wizardkind. It is neutral, waiting to be given life and colour by the creatures who wield it. The placement on the grey scale is determined by the intent of the person casting the spell, and the relative placement in wizarding society in general is a reflection of what intent is the most common for a certain spell. This is the official, Ministry-approved explanation."

In long, fluid motions, he withdrew a button from his pocket and transfigured it into a small frog, which croaked merrily in his hand.

"An Engorgement Charm on the entire creature would only enlarge it, whereas one focused on the heart would kill it in a manner far more painful than using Avada Kedavra. Yet the Engorgement Charm is not considered Dark Magic. The curses named 'Unforgivable' are used frequently and legally by Aurors without anyone even batting an eye, yet illegal use means a lifetime in Azkaban." He paused slightly, shaking his head slowly. "And in Azkaban, the Ministry allows--and encourages--Dark Creatures to feed off wizard souls for years on end--a treatment which addles your mind as surely as hours of suffering the Cruciatus Curse ever could."

He drew a deep breath and, with a wave of his wand, turned the frog back into a button.

"Didn't it ever strike you, Hermione, how unbalanced the rules of the Wizarding World are? How illogical and contradictory at times? How adaptable to the current holder of power? You might not fully see it yet, since you have so far, for the most time, been grossly favoured--but you will. And then you'll find it hard to keep the loyalty and faith you are so filled with now. In order to survive, my dear, you need to grasp that the capacity to understand and manipulate this is the true reason behind the Dark Lord's power."

"I'm afraid I don't fully understand."

He smiled almost gently at that, and she realised that this was probably the first time she'd admitted to such a thing in front of him.

"The truth, as the Dark Lord sees it, is that there is no good or bad, only power. To a certain extent, he is perfectly right."

He reached out and took her chin in his hand, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. Seemingly of their own accord, the chairs floated closer to one another and turned into one.

"Dark Magic has little to do with morals or intent, Hermione," he explained softly. "The Dark Arts are many, varied, ever-changing and eternal. Like a many-headed monster, they sprout a new head each time one is severed, each one fiercer and cleverer than the one before. In short, they are unfixed, mutating and indestructible. Or, from another angle, they are glorious and powerful."

She was speechless for a long time while she mulled over his words. She'd never heard him talk of anything with quite the same passion before. Something inside her mind that occupied itself with the puzzle that was Severus Snape suddenly found a piece clicking into place, and she felt a chill travel down her spine.

"You are a Dark Wizard." She was surprised at the calm quality of her voice as she uttered the words. A small smile graced his lips.

"Ten points to Gryffindor." He reached out a hand and slowly twirled a curl of her hair around his finger, letting the tension build within her when he didn't immediately elaborate. "Of course I'm a Dark Wizard. Now, in that pretty little head of yours, does that make me an evil man?"

Two conflicting responses were instantly at war within her.

"I--I don't know." Looking deeply into his eyes, she amended, "I don't exactly believe so."

"You don't exactly believe so?" he repeated mockingly. "Tell me, Hermione, in the definition I just provided you with, was there anything stated about the Dark Arts being inherently evil?"

Before she had a chance to answer, he continued to speak.

"Before there were wands, there was Wild Magic--a force manifesting itself in the elemental powers, and which could be channelled through some of the beings on this earth. Some of these beings were the first witches and wizards, and--like most magical creatures--they wielded great power because of this. Wild Magic was extremely powerful, but also unpredictable and dangerous. Fire would burn too bright, or wind would blow too strongly; water would drown and earth would suffocate. Many wizards got lost in the magic and were consumed by it, losing their minds, lives or both. Wands were developed as a means to control this pure form of magic by letting the power run through a conductor, which yielded more stable, but less powerful results. This became known as 'Civilised Magic'--in contrast to the 'pure' version which only the most powerful could hope to control. After some time, the labels shifted, and the Wild Magic gained the name of the historical period during which it was at the peak of its glory." He issued a challenging look. "Surely you don't need me to spell it out for you?"

"The Dark Ages," she half-whispered in confirmation. "How come this isn't covered in History of Magic?" She sounded indignant now, and he chuckled at her anger of having knowledge withheld from her.

"Why would it be? This is common knowledge in the pureblood families, and they are the ones who are in office at the Ministry and on the Board of Governors at Hogwarts. By keeping the knowledge of the Dark Arts in a few, select families, they ensure their own continued power. The old ways are valued and coveted because they hold infinitely more power than the foolish wand-waving most wizards praise. The Ministry rhetoric which puts 'Dark Wizard' equal to 'evil wizard' is just another tactic to keep this knowledge private. A Dark Arts practitioner is never put in Azkaban. A wizard who breaks the Ministry laws is, usually stamped with the convenient label of 'Dark Wizard' to further confuse the general public." He let these words sink in for a while before continuing. "Some of the basic principles make their way into the Hogwarts curriculum, however, though few students see them for what they really are. The study of Potions is the most obvious example."

She contemplated this for a long time. On the charmed sky that could be seen through the enchanted window, the sun was rising, setting the stars to fade and sparks of gold to shoot across the imagined waters.

"He really does trust you, doesn't he?" she asked softly, looking down at his hand where it was clasped in her own. "Dumbledore, I mean. All the rumours about his refusal to give you the Defence position because you might be tempted back into the Dark Arts are really just codswallop, aren't they?"

"Indeed. The position is actually quite literally cursed. No one has managed to stay for more than a year for several decades, and though I don't have any illusions about my place in Albus' agenda, I'm happy to say that he doesn't see me as quite that expendable. Not yet, at least."

He followed the thoughts on her face, seeing how bits and pieces connected in her mind, giving her time to put it all together. The realisation came to her gradually, as though a dimmed, inner light had been turned on and slowly raised to a burning flame.

"He trusts you because he is one too. Albus Dumbledore is a Dark Wizard."

He confirmed her thoughts by a slight nod of his head.

"Is that the only reason?"

"No," he confessed. "There is quite a bit more to it, but that is a story for another time. Now, back to the point of this lecture."

She looked back up at him, and he pushed forward.

"As you now know, the Dark Arts aren't inherently evil or even aggressive. This does not mean that they cannot be used for evil of course, and the Dark Lord has no scruples when it comes to this power. Further, they are dangerous and yield unstable results unless handled with both caution and skill. When you follow me to the Dark Lord, he will undoubtedly show you much power in an attempt to let it both seduce and control you. Before that happens, it is my responsibility to teach you enough to make it out alive and with your mind intact. Not everyone does, as Bellatrix so admiringly displays." He paused again, making his gaze penetrate hers more fully. "Have no doubt, Hermione. There is only so much I can do, and only so much I can teach you without endangering us both. You will not escape unscathed."

Never losing his hold of Hermione's eyes, Snape pulled her close and kissed her. His hand tangled in her curls as he held her to him, moving over her lips with exquisite gentleness. His touch made Hermione tremble as she felt emotions rising within her. The usual feelings of desire, or even happiness, didn't surface, however, and instead she felt as though she was swimming in despair, drinking it down greedily as it emanated from every part of his body. She felt his grief and his frustration, his fears and his anger and kept kissing him, hurting everywhere but still wanting more as she began to truly understand him for the first time. After what felt like a string of forevers, he slowly lifted his head and looked down into her eyes. Somehow, he seemed younger.

"Hermione..." His voice was barely a whisper. One hand rose to caress her cheek, and she thought she saw something akin to wonder in his eyes as he continued.

"You are so full of light. Seeing it pains me more than I could ever have foreseen. I never thought it would be this difficult to be the one who has to destroy it."

She felt his sorrow, ripe and scorching in her blood, but quickly put it down as trust swelled within her.

"You will protect me. No matter what they do to me, you will help me through it."

"Foolish girl." A sad smile graced the corner of his mouth as he caressingly contradicted her. "It's not what the Dark Lord will do to you, which will destroy you--it's what you will do for him."

"I don't understand."

"I know. That part of your education has been deliberately withheld up to this point."

"Will you tell me?"

The silence stretched in the darkness as he seemed to contemplate his answer. She curled up in his lap, waiting, following the sun's ascent through the charmed window.

"What actions would you be willing to take in order to ensure this society's survival, Hermione?" he finally asked. "Or the survival of your friends... your parents... not to mention yourself?"

When she didn't answer, he spoke again.

"There are rumours, I know, that the Dark Lord enjoys to punish his followers as well as people who oppose him; rumours of raids, of pointless murder, of Dark Revels, where Muggles and defiant wizards and witches are tortured and raped for sport." He turned his black eyes back to her. "Is this what you fear will happen to you? That you should be tortured and raped, perhaps even killed by the Dark Lord or his followers?"

A small nod was all she managed, though he could see the doubt in her eyes, the wheels turning behind the hazel orbs.

"You are correct to question this. The Dark Lord doesn't openly oppose his followers for no good reason. To do so would breed defiance and rebellion. He will punish those who fail him, but he doesn't abuse his servants without cause." The corners of his mouth turned slightly. "And as for the fanciful rumours of orgies and decadence, I'm sorry to report that they are just fiction. While Death Eaters in general are not known for chastity, there are few who enjoy acts of blatant exhibitionism."

She smiled thinly at that. Deeming the lesson over, he gathered her into his arms and relaxed into the silent morning.

A/N: A big thanks to Red Hen, whose theories always leave me with a sense of awe. Thanks for reading. Please review!