"So, why must we study Dark Magic with such caution?"
Professor Flitwick stood atop the wooden desk, waiting. He had asked the question countless times before, and the usual answers—about its destructive force and the difficulty of controlling it—no longer impressed him. He was hoping for something different from this Ravenclaw boy.
"Dark Magic is often said to have an irreversible corrupting effect on the caster," Sean replied steadily. "That's one of the main reasons it carries the name 'Dark.'"
Sean knew the subject well, thanks to the extensive descriptions in the original texts. Dumbledore himself had once pointed out that any Dark Magic involving murder damages the soul. He had told Snape that Draco Malfoy's soul was "not yet so mutilated," meaning the boy had likely never killed anyone. But if he ever did, his soul would be "ripped apart."
This meant that using truly dark spells, such as the Killing Curse, would wound a wizard's soul.
And creating a Horcrux—an even darker magic—required splitting the soul deliberately, all in pursuit of the unnatural goal of immortality.
"Furthermore," Sean added, "just as every spell requires a clear intent to cast correctly, powerful Dark Magic requires malicious intent to succeed."
That last point had always stood out to him. A wizard who casts Dark Magic must harbor pure malice—and such malice could have a devastating impact on a young witch or wizard.
"Incredible answer!" Professor Flitwick exclaimed, nearly bouncing with excitement.
"But remember this, Mr. Green," Flitwick continued, pacing with energy. "Dark Magic takes countless forms. It shifts, multiplies, and evolves endlessly. Battling it is like fighting a many-headed beast: cut off one head, and another—sharper and fiercer—springs up in its place.
"It is unpredictable and indestructible. However—" He flicked his wand suddenly. "Flipendo!"
A squirrel had just scurried through the open window and was promptly blasted back out. Oddly enough, it wasn't harmed, for Flitwick's silent Levitation Charm cushioned its landing.
"Flipendo!" he cast again, this time at a stack of books. They flew across the room and crashed into the wall.
Sean fell silent, lost in thought.
In the end, Dark Magic always came down to the wizard wielding it—and the intent behind the spell. Dumbledore's final memory with Snape proved it: he had insisted that Snape killing him, an act of mercy to spare an old man from pain and humiliation, would not damage Snape's soul.
Just as a knife in a robber's hand and a knife in the hands of someone defending themselves may both cut, they cannot be judged in the same way.
"Do you see now, Mr. Green?" Flitwick asked warmly. It had been years since he'd seen such brilliance and diligence in a student.
"Yes, Professor," Sean replied, raising his wand with both concentration and anticipation. The first sparks of magical talent were always most clearly seen at the beginning.
Flitwick, cautious as ever, kept his wand at the ready—first-years often struggled with control.
"Flipendo!"
An immense surge of power erupted from Sean's wand, blasting through the classroom in a single instant. Desks, chairs, kettles—even the squirrel climbing back in—were flung outward as if the room itself had exploded.
Caught off guard, Flitwick was hurled into the air and smacked the ceiling before quickly casting a nonverbal spell to right himself.
Sean blinked, dazed. Inspiration darted through his mind like a sprite. Guided by instinct, he reversed the motion of his wand, pouring into it the strong desire to pull everything back.
And impossibly—the flying objects obeyed, snapping back to their places.
[You have cast the Knockback Jinx with expert precision. Proficiency +50]
[You have cast the Knockback Jinx with expert precision. Proficiency +50]
[A new Dark Magic title unlocked—check details]
[A new wizarding talent unlocked—check details]
Oh no… I really am a Dark Magic genius, Sean thought.
And worse—Professor Flitwick is still in the air.
"Unbelievable talent!" Flitwick exclaimed as he touched down, not angry in the slightest. His voice trembled with excitement. "Too extraordinary… too astonishing…"
Seizing the chance, Sean opened his panel:
[Title: Dark Magic Acolyte]
[Slightly enhances sensitivity to Dark Magic; slightly increases Dark Magic aptitude]
He held his breath and read further:
[Wizard Sean Green — Dark Magic Talent: Gold (augmented by Dark Magic Acolyte title). Note: Average wizard talent level is Green.]
[Evaluation: You are a rare genius in the field of Dark Magic. It will embrace you willingly. You are destined to be the Dark Magic King.]
The Dark Magic King? Isn't that just another way of saying Dark Lord?!
Sean froze. This is slander! Absolute slander!
---
By Friday, Sean had fulfilled all requirements for the scholarship—Herbology, Potions, Astronomy, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration. In just a month, he had practically mastered everything expected of a first-year.
His skills in Charms and Transfiguration rivaled those of much older students, and his History of Magic notes were apparently so thorough that even graduates wanted copies. How they got wind of it, he had no idea.
That afternoon, he stood nervously outside the Headmaster's office, waiting for the scholarship ceremony he had worked toward since the day he arrived at Hogwarts. His love and focus on learning magic had shaped nearly every moment of his time here.
Inside the beautiful circular office, silver instruments ticked and whirred. By the hearth, a blackened kettle gurgled and bubbled away.
"Ah, Minerva," Dumbledore said from behind his vast oak desk, half-moon glasses sliding low on his crooked nose as his piercing blue eyes gazed at the sunset. "Do you believe Mr. Green will earn the scholarship?"
As if by chance, he lifted a letter from a pile of finely sealed envelopes and read aloud:
To the Hogwarts Scholarship Committee,
It is with the greatest respect that I recommend Mr. Sean Green for this honor. In both talent and character, he is one of the most exceptional students I have ever taught. He has not only mastered all the core subjects with excellence, but his precision in Charms and his aptitude in Transfiguration far exceed the level of his peers. More importantly, this young man, relying solely on his own determination, has displayed resilience, discipline, and kindness far beyond his years. The brilliance of his gifts and his efforts can no longer be hidden by his modesty.
He fully deserves this support and has the potential to become a true pride of Hogwarts.
— Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress, Head of Gryffindor House