Chapter 62 — Yes, This Is My Purpose
"Enough gossip. Let's get down to business."
Douglas glanced briefly at Theodore's movements before addressing the class.
"I know that most of you have learned some dark magic from your elders or from books.
Of course, you don't need to be nervous.
As your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, I have no objection to your learning behavior.
Knowing dark magic does not automatically make someone a dark wizard. Dark magic itself is not entirely evil magic.
However, perhaps no one has ever explained to you what happens when dark magic—especially advanced dark magic—is used carelessly.
What kind of damage it can cause to the caster."
At that moment, Draco Malfoy hesitated before raising his hand.
"Professor, my father said that dark magic is extremely destructive magic. It can protect you from being bullied and make others respect you."
Douglas recalled the description of Lucius Malfoy in the books.
Lucius was not an especially powerful wizard. Whether fighting alone or in groups, he rarely displayed overwhelming magical ability.
Yet through cunning, shrewd judgment, and a keen understanding of situations, Lucius had become one of the most successful figures in the wizarding world.
Perhaps Lucius had once thought that if he possessed overwhelming magical power, life would not feel so exhausting.
After hearing Draco's answer, the other Slytherin students nodded in agreement.
In their view, strength meant respect.
Why did the older students in their House have the authority to order them around?
Because they were stronger.
Douglas nodded slowly.
"You're not wrong.
Because of its destructive power, dark magic easily causes people to become fascinated with it. Eventually they forget the damage it causes to themselves.
Some of you may still be confused about that.
You will learn this properly in about two years.
But I don't mind explaining it now—so you won't hurt yourselves or others simply because you didn't understand the dangers.
Why do so many people in the wizarding world oppose dark magic?
Is it only because of its destructive power?
No.
It is because using dark magic damages both the body and the mind.
The stronger the dark magic, the greater the damage."
Douglas looked around the room.
"To put it bluntly, many of you claim to come from noble pure-blood families.
I doubt any of you would enjoy becoming mentally unstable, irritable, filthy, and completely disheveled.
Imagine your hair falling out.
Or part of your face disappearing.
When you stand in front of others, you might look rather… unusual."
He paused briefly.
"And the consequences of dark magic cannot simply be reversed with potions."
Douglas looked at their skeptical expressions.
"Oh? You don't believe me?
Has anyone here visited Knockturn Alley?"
A few students shifted uncomfortably.
"Then you've probably seen the state of the dark wizards who spend their time there.
Is that what you want to become in the future?
As far as I know, there was once a master of dark magic who spent years wandering through abandoned forests, filthy ditches, and ruined houses in order to research forbidden spells.
In the end, he lost his nose.
He had no hair anywhere on his body.
His mind became unstable, and he spent his days giggling at everyone he met—
'Heh… heh… heh…'"
Draco instinctively touched his carefully combed hair.
"With no hair at all," Draco said with visible disgust, "he'd just look like an… egg."
Douglas suppressed a smile.
"Exactly. A boiled egg.
Just like the boiled eggs served at the Hogwarts breakfast table—smooth and completely nose-less.
If you ever have the chance to meet him someday, show him your perfectly styled hair and flawless faces.
Then laugh at him and call him a boiled egg.
I believe Slytherin courage is no less than Gryffindor's."
Douglas paused.
"Of course, after you say it, you'd better run."
The students burst into laughter as the ridiculous image formed in their minds.
Douglas noticed something interesting.
In the corner of the room, Theodore Nott subconsciously touched his nose.
Then his hair.
Douglas's words had clearly frightened him.
After touching his hair, Nott seemed convinced that he had already lost some.
He suddenly remembered finding two strands of fallen hair on his pillow two nights ago.
Could that have been caused by secretly practicing the Fire Curse?
His thoughts even drifted uneasily toward his father—old Nott.
It had to be said that most Slytherins possessed excellent genetics. Many of them were strikingly handsome or beautiful.
After hearing Douglas describe the consequences of dark magic, several students who had secretly practiced forbidden spells began worrying about their appearance.
Some even recalled that certain Death Eater relatives seemed to display similar aftereffects to the ones Douglas had described.
Of course, Douglas had no intention of explaining the full truth.
There were many types of dark magic, and not all of them caused severe physical consequences.
Nor did he believe that a simple lecture could prevent Slytherin from producing dark wizards in the future.
He had merely planted a seed of doubt in their minds.
Whether it would grow or not remained to be seen.
Still…
Douglas couldn't help imagining the day these Slytherin students might eventually meet Voldemort face to face.
Seeing the students deep in thought, Douglas clapped his hands.
"If you truly intend to study dark magic," he said calmly,
"My personal advice is to wait until fourth year, when you have a better understanding of magical theory before making that choice.
Being exposed to those things too early will only harm your health."
He paused.
"Now let's return to the content of this lesson."
At that moment, everyone remembered that they were still in the middle of a practical class.
Douglas turned to Theodore Nott and Vincent Crabbe.
"You two may return to the classroom and write a twelve-inch reflection on this practical exercise."
Theodore froze.
He had barely taken a few steps inside the passage.
What exactly was he supposed to write about?
Crabbe was equally confused.
Homework?
And by himself?
What experience?
Running forward?
I can't write that!
He looked anxiously at Draco.
Draco also looked uneasy.
After all, Crabbe hadn't explained anything about the passage yet.
When Draco saw the pleading expression in Crabbe's eyes, he mistakenly believed that Crabbe was thinking the same thing he was.
Draco suddenly felt deeply moved.
After all these years of loyalty, Crabbe had finally begun thinking like him.
Draco raised his hand cautiously.
"Professor, I've carefully considered the rules you mentioned earlier.
You didn't say that students entering the passage had to keep the information secret.
Of course… that's just my small guess.
You know, Slytherin values unity."
Under Douglas's sharp gaze, Draco suddenly felt unable to continue his fabricated reasoning.
Douglas shook his head inwardly.
This child was always trying to imitate his father, but the result always felt somewhat awkward.
Still, Douglas simply smiled.
"Of course. I'm glad you noticed that.
However, the premise is that the student is willing to share the information."
The moment Douglas finished speaking, every student's gaze turned toward Crabbe.
Theodore, standing nearby, felt furious.
Everyone had already gone inside once.
Why did they think that Crabbe—of all people—knew more than he did?
Poor Theodore still hadn't realized that the map on the wall displayed the positions of everyone inside the passage.
Everyone had clearly seen that Theodore had failed before completing even one-third of the first corridor.
Crabbe, on the other hand, had almost completed the second passage.
Seeing everyone staring at him, Crabbe blinked awkwardly.
At first he wanted to explain that this wasn't what he intended to say.
But after seeing Draco's encouraging—yet faintly threatening—look, he reluctantly began speaking in broken sentences.
"When I went in… it looked like a cave.
Then I just kept running forward…
There were some puddles…
I even tripped…
After turning the corner…
There was a huge shadow chasing me…
I kept running…
And then I saw a pair of green eyes…"
The students listened in confusion.
It sounded like someone recounting a vague dream after waking up.
Helplessly, they turned to Theodore Nott.
Even Theodore was confused.
Why had Crabbe encountered the creature in the second stage, while he himself had faced it in the first?
Could the professor be adjusting the difficulty depending on the student?
Seeing everyone staring at him, Theodore nodded stiffly.
"Yes. That's correct.
It really is a pair of green eyes."
After saying that, he turned and walked out of the classroom.
Crabbe hesitated briefly before following him.
The remaining Slytherins frowned.
They now understood that the strange creature had been present from the very beginning.
Draco cautiously asked again,
"Professor… may we discuss this among ourselves?"
Douglas nodded.
"Of course.
But remember that class time is limited."
Draco glanced at the others.
Pansy Parkinson whispered quietly,
"Don't forget the spells Professor taught us last lesson.
If he taught them then, they must be useful for this exercise."
So Draco immediately selected another student who had learned the Detection Charm to enter the passage.
By the time the class ended, four Slytherin students had still not entered the passage.
Draco was among them.
Most of their time had been spent discussing strategies.
During the process, Draco repeatedly reminded everyone:
"Anyone who comes out must report everything about the tunnel without hiding anything.
We need to find the perfect way to clear the challenge.
That way, everyone can pass perfectly on the second attempt.
If someone hides information and Gryffindor surpasses us because of it—
I, Draco Malfoy, will report it to the prefect, the Head Boy, and even the Head of House."
Although the other Slytherins still had selfish motives, they understood that this matter concerned the honor of their House.
If Slytherin somehow ranked behind Gryffindor, it would be humiliating.
However, the information brought back by each student was different.
Some reported that as soon as they entered and cast the Detection Charm, they sensed a creature nearby.
Others said that in their panic, they eventually saw a pair of green eyes reflected in the puddles.
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