Hearing "Unforgivable Curses," students present couldn't help but hold their breath.
Taking a deep breath, Justin said, "The Unforgivable Curses are the Imperius Curse, the Cruciatus Curse, and..."
Here he paused.
"The Killing Curse."
"Correct," Hermione said. "These are the three spells evil Dark wizards love most. Corresponding to control, torture, and killing."
"I've always believed—to defend against Dark Magic, you must first understand it."
"Don't even know what effects they have—how can you defend?"
"So..."
Watching Hermione's gradually rising smirk, Snape suddenly had a bad feeling.
This girl, she couldn't be planning to...
Next second, his premonition became reality.
"Let us witness firsthand—what are the Unforgivable Curses."
Hermione chose to directly copy Barty Crouch Jr.'s lesson plan.
Ah, such an excellent lesson plan.
Would be a waste not to use it.
Words fell. Everyone's eyes widened.
Holy— Lockhart nearly choked. Looked at Hermione in horror.
Asked you to prepare teaching materials—you teach THIS?!
Even he knew how taboo this was.
"The Ministry has always said young wizards aren't suitable to know these three Dark spells. But I disagree."
Hermione's voice somewhat cold.
"Defending against Dark Magic means being ready to face them at all times."
Then pulled out a small box. Opened it.
A palm-sized spider appeared.
"Engorgio!"
The spider instantly became half-human sized.
"This is an Acromantula I caught in the Forbidden Forest last night. Typical dark creature. Cruel, murderous, feeds on human flesh."
"I shrunk it and put it in the box. What you see now is its true form."
The half-human-height giant spider on stage raised its fangs. Hissed.
Its fierce appearance made surrounding people retreat. Triggered screams.
"Ah!" Parvati let out a piercing scream. Gripped Lavender's hand tightly.
Justin's face pale. Legs trembling uncontrollably.
Just as the Acromantula lunged at the nearest Justin—fangs about to pierce his skin—
"Imperio!"
A ghostly voice sounded.
Hermione's wand pointed at the spider. It immediately stopped attacking. Stood quietly. Only the shaken Justin still gasping.
"Go!"
Wand pointed at the window. The spider like a controlled puppet, dazedly passed through the crowd. Climbed the window.
Then pointed at Lockhart.
He froze.
Just about to retreat when Hermione said, "Professor Lockhart, you're our official Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Even I, an assistant, am working so hard to help you teach."
"Don't tell me you're about to do something inappropriate."
"Move again—I'll lift the curse. Let you deal with this thing yourself."
Seeing the threat in Hermione's eyes, Lockhart forced a smile. Endured his fear, stood in place.
He felt his cold sweat coming.
Seeing the spider climb onto Lockhart yet obediently follow orders without attacking, surrounding people exclaimed.
"Correct. This is the Imperius Curse. The cursed lose self-will. Become puppets only knowing to obey the caster's commands."
Hermione said lightly. "I guess you don't want to become this. Then remember everything you see today."
"Neville!"
Hermione suddenly looked at Neville.
Neville startled. Body shook.
"Her—Hermione, can I not..."
Neville stammered.
"No," Hermione's gaze cold. "Crucio!"
Before Neville finished, she struck directly.
Air seemed to freeze.
Red light flashed on the Acromantula. Then its entire body twisted. Curled together. Rolled on the ground continuously.
"Ahhh!"
The spider let out human-like screams. As if enduring immense pain.
Though this pain wasn't directly inflicted on everyone, just watching made them feel chilled.
Neville especially couldn't bear this stimulus. Face pale. Body trembling.
Snape's eyes darkened.
Surrounding people's eyes flashed with sympathy.
But intimidated by the Witch's terrifying aura, none dared speak. Could only turn away.
In the crowd, only Luna watched Hermione. No fear. Beautiful eyes instead filled with curiosity.
Hermione walked to Neville. Crouched down.
"I know about your family. But the past already happened."
"If you can't overcome it—when the same thing happens to your friends and family in the future, you'll regret today's weakness."
Hermione's calm voice echoed in the hall.
Neville bit his lip hard. Gradually raised his head. Forced himself to watch the scene.
His eyes filled with struggle.
Until the Cruciatus effect disappeared—his strength drained. Could no longer support himself. Knelt on the ground. Sweat pouring.
"Better?"
Hermione's voice very soft.
Neville slowly raised his head. Though expression weak, still showed a relaxed smile.
"Much better. Thank you."
Harry and others exchanged glances. Now understood Hermione meant well. But wasn't this method... too extreme?
Ron swallowed. Quietly stepped back.
Ignoring what others thought, Hermione continued. "As for the most evil and darkest of the Unforgivable Curses..."
Hermione slowly looked at Harry.
Snape's eyes gradually widened.
What is she doing?
Oh no!
He suddenly stood.
Unfortunately, before he could stop her, Hermione already struck!
"Avada Kedavra!"
A flash of sickly green.
Air filled with death's aura.
The Acromantula's previously moving body suddenly stopped. Fell to the ground.
In one instant—lost all life.
The entire hall terrifyingly quiet.
But not just it lost breath. Under the green light's illumination, everyone seemed to stop breathing. Didn't dare even gasp.
Harry only felt his forehead scar faintly ache again.
He clenched his fists.
But over the years, he'd long developed resolute character. Expression only changed slightly for an instant. Then returned to normal.
Then nodded lightly to Hermione.
Hermione seeing this, showed satisfied expression.
Harry indeed grew rapidly. Much faster than peers.
Snape seeing this, expression also changed from shocked anger and worry to relief.
Only when looking at Hermione, brows still furrowed. Eyes alternating between dangerous and nostalgic. Extremely complex.
He couldn't understand this girl.
Kicked the lifeless spider corpse twice. Hermione said lightly, "This is a dark creature. Attacking humans is their natural instinct."
"Don't waste your limited compassion on such things. There's much more worth your concern."
Ron couldn't help but nod. Looking taught.
This terrifying spider finally dead. Thank goodness. Hermione did great.
He quietly wiped forehead sweat.
Luna suddenly spoke. "But won't using these spells get you sent to Azkaban?"
Hermione nodded. "Only using them on people isn't allowed. So..."
Before finishing, Luna had a flash of insight. Seemed to understand. "Just don't get caught!"
These words—even Hermione froze.
Entire hall silent.
Everyone looked at Luna.
Hermione's mouth twitched.
Actually she meant to say "so just use them on dark creatures." Who knew Luna would directly say this.
This...
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