In the classroom of the Defense Against Dark Arts, the little wizards put down their feather pens one after another. They kept glancing at Professor Brian by the window, then at Professor Moody on the podium, who had just told them something remarkable, and their hearts were filled with doubt.
What is this really all about?
Professor Moody had just personally shown them the three Unforgivable Curses, allowing them to understand why these spells were strictly prohibited, but then, Professor Brian put forward a different opinion.
Professor Brian is not happy with Professor Moody, so is he discrediting him?
Harry couldn't help thinking that, but then he immediately rejected this view. With Professor Brian's current position in the wizarding world, he doesn't need to use such a poor method to demonstrate his authority. However, he actually said that these three notorious dark spells are not as terrifying as people imagine and can be resisted!
These little wizards are not just beginners entering the wizarding world. Many of them come from wizard families, just like Ron, who had already heard some magic basics from his father, Mr. Weasley, before coming here. And those oral experiences tell us that the Imperius Curse, the Cruciatus Curse, and the Avada Kedavra Curse are definitely terrifying spells.
Professor Moody stood on the podium, staring at Amos, and he did not become angry or ashamed in front of the many young wizards; instead, his single normal eye held a strange, uncomprehending gaze.
"Why don't you share your insights, Professor Brian?"
said Moody.
That's strange!
Harry's heart couldn't help but be confused, when he heard Professor Moody's words to Professor Brian——not the content was strange, but the voice. It was as if Professor Moody's voice, which remained rough and deep, had a hint of gentleness in it.
Not just him, but many others, including Professor Brian, cast astonished glances at Professor Moody. It was clear that Moody also realized something was amiss; he quickly cleared his throat and barked harshly,
"And I, along with these young ones, are waiting to hear your opinion, Amos. I'd like to see what new ideas you have. Of course, most wizards wouldn't be able to do anything to you even if they used Unforgivable Curses on you because it's unlikely you'd be so easily hit. But these young ones don't have your abilities, Amos. They still need to stay alert at all times!"
"Staying vigilant is only natural—"
Professor Brian stood up from his seat and addressed the young wizards, who were staring at him, with a small smile.
"But I do not want to see you overly mystify a certain spell, which will deepen your inner fear."
Professor Brian did not rush to the podium to take Professor Moody's place. He crossed his arms and wandered a few steps along the aisle between the rows of seats, as if pondering how to make the young wizards understand. Finally, he stopped by Harry's seat.
"I prefer to trace the origin of a spell rather than its effects," said Professor Brian. "The Unforgivable Curses you all know, the Imperius Curse, the Cruciatus Curse, and the Avada Kedavra Curse, also known as the three Unforgivable Curses, firstly, you need to understand what they are essentially. That is, what exactly do they do?"
Professor Brian spoke calmly, with no trace of the solemnity and intimidation that Professor Moody showed when talking about these three spells. He glanced around at the young faces, as if expecting something.
How could anyone possibly know?
Harry knew from the bulge in Professor Moody's forehead that this question was difficult, and he muttered to himself in his heart.
In class, the professor's question was like a stone thrown at a proud rooster, full of provocation and needed to be answered - for Hermione, it was just so, but even she fell silent in the face of Professor Brian's question, eagerly awaiting an answer.
Harry wished he could stand up and strangle Professor Brian's neck, ordering him to give the answer. His parents had died under the Avada Kedavra Curse, and if there was a way to resist it, then if he understood it, perhaps his parents might be consoled.
Perhaps finally realizing that the fourth-year wizards and a retired Auror were unable to answer his question, Professor Brian sighed slightly disappointed, speaking slowly and deliberately.
"Out of the three Unforgivable Curses, in terms of classification, they can be defined as mental spells. They target the life's mind or soul, so to speak--"
Faced with many confused faces, Professor Brian began to walk back and forth with his hands behind his back again.
"The following views are all my personal opinions, which may not be completely accurate. After all, studying and discussing these three Unforgivable Curses is against the law. However, they are generally close to the truth. We all know that the body and soul form life. There are extremely mysterious and complex connections between the body and soul. Throughout history, whether it's Muggles or Wizards, we have been studying the relationship between these two after realizing the existence of the soul. But unfortunately, so far no one has been able to understand this connection--"
Professor Brian walked back to the place where he had just been listening, standing in a beam of sunlight that had penetrated the curtains and cast a radiant glow on his graying soft hair, turning it golden.
"The soul gives life to the body, and it is the source of thought and the power of the mind. The three Unforgivable Curses, simple spells in their casting, have effects that are difficult to resist and cure because they do not attack the flesh--"
Moody was probably the only person in the classroom who could barely understand what Amos was saying. The rest of the young wizards looked perplexed, and Professor Brian clearly noticed this as well. He paused for a moment and changed his approach,
"Let's talk about the Imperius Curse first--"
Amos looked at the pale and awkward looking Draco, who had once personally experienced the feeling of the Imperius Curse. He had been controlled by the Little Ginny Weasley for several months with the Imperius Curse.
"The Imperius Curse, the caster covers the thoughts of the target with magic, have you noticed that, my dear students? There are two key points here: one is magic, and the other is thoughts--"
Professor Brian said with an obvious tone.
"The Imperius Curse is the least harmful one among the three Unforgivable Curses after the victim is cursed, because it affects the deepest level of thought, then heart and soul. From what I just said about two key points, you can infer two things: firstly, using the Imperius Curse to control a creature with stronger magic than you carries a risk. Secondly, using this spell to control a creature with stronger will also carries a risk--If you do so, even if the victim doesn't use any magic to resist your control, he may still manage to break free---"
This time, most people understood the point.
Draco pursed his lips and his expression was not particularly happy.
According to Professor Brian, his magic and thoughts were utterly defeated by the treacherous Ginx Weasley.
"By the way, about the Imperius Curse, I'd like to add something--"
Amos spoke calmly.
"On a certain level, actually, it is quite easy for wizards to recognize when they have been cursed with the Imperius Curse--If you cast the Imperius Curse on someone, this means your magic and thoughts will enter that person's body. Wizards with acute perceptions can easily notice this--"
"Professor Brian!"
As Amos finished speaking, Hannah Abbot immediately raised her hand.
"If I'm not mistaken--"
Hannah asked curiously, "Is there some kind of magic that can help people resist the control of the Imperius Curse?"
"Yes, indeed--"
Professor Brian smiled and nodded.
"There is an ancient art of magic that can effectively resist all forms of mental control spells. Of course, it requires a certain amount of talent to learn, which we can discuss later. Now, let's talk about the Cruciatus Curse."
After hearing this spell, Navi's face had finally calmed down, but it turned white again.
In tribute to the greatest wizard of our time: Michael Gambon Headmaster!
(End of Chapter)
