HP North Star's Radiance

“Besides, since you’re paying attention to this matter, you must know that Longbottom is completely unharmed,” Praris said confidently. “I’m sure I can control the limits of using the Dark Magic, and Longbottom is unscathed. Amicus appreciates me greatly; it couldn’t be more perfect.”

"Sir, you know there's nothing wrong with mastering dark magic. Our future is fraught with danger. If others possess more power than we do, how will we protect those we care about?"

Finally, Praris swallowed.

Professor Snape's expression grew increasingly grim, his face darkening. Prares had only ever seen him look like this before, when Harry Potter acted recklessly.

“Praris-Prince,” Snape said coldly. “Tell me, where has your usual composure gone? All I see is the fanatical preaching of a dark magic missionary.”

Praliss was stunned. Her first reaction was to ask herself if she had really been that excited. Her second reaction was her new discovery: Professor Snape had used the surname "Prince" when addressing her for the first time.

“I think I’ve been very calm throughout,” Prarese explained. “Sir, this is a rational conclusion I’ve reached after careful consideration, not an impulsive act.”

"Oh? Always so calm?" Snape said with a sneer. "You should take a look in the mirror!"

“I’ve checked, sir.” Praris said, puzzled. “I’ve carefully examined all my thoughts and actions, and there’s nothing unusual.”

“Miss, listen to your own words first—'There’s nothing wrong with it'? What a naive and dangerous argument!” Snape asked Prareas softly. “Answer me, is this a ‘rational’ conclusion after weighing all the costs—the corruption of the soul and the stripping away of humanity—or are you merely blinded by its false power, like those so-called ‘calm’ wizards of the past?”

Chapter 233 Awakening

Sirius Black once told Harry that Snape knew more about the Dark Arts in his first year than many seventh-year students did.

Although Snape had no idea what his nemesis was saying behind his back, even if he did, he wouldn't deny it. This stemmed from a rather ridiculous reason—dark magic was initially seen by him as one of the symbols of happiness.

During Severus's childhood, Tobias and Eileen were always arguing, arguing about all sorts of things, as if there was nothing they couldn't argue about.

At first, young Severus would be afraid and cry. Later, he got used to it, became numb, and when his tears ran dry, he stopped crying altogether.

But when talking about things related to the magical world, Eileen's eyes still lit up.

Sometimes, when Eileen is cooking pea soup in the kitchen, she will chat with Severus about making potions back in their school days, and she will even have her son stir it himself, as if they were really making potions.

Severus thought it was a bit like Muggle girls playing house, too childish, but Erin's rare calmness and gentleness made him willingly cooperate as a child.

Irene would also teach Severus some magic, even though he didn't have his own wand yet. She told Severus, "Severus, you are a wizard! Magic is wonderful and normal; it doesn't need to be suppressed."

Paradoxically, Tobias disliked magic, and even more so, wizards. While Irene hoped Severus wouldn't suppress his own hated magical powers and be forced to become an Obscurial, she also demanded that he not mention magic in Tobias's presence.

Severus didn't understand Eileen. She clearly possessed great power and could easily have escaped this long and suffocating emotional pain, yet she still chose to endure this unhappy life here.

But this is Eileen's choice. Everyone is independent, and Severus will not try to change it and can never shake his mother's choice.

However, Severus had fantasized more than once about whether he would have had a happy childhood if Erin hadn't given up magic and chosen the life of a Muggle.

The first lesson Erin taught Severus was not ordinary magic, not dark magic, and certainly not potions, but the importance of not giving up one's power for anyone or any emotion—a lesson he constantly reminded himself to refuse to become like his mother.

So, penniless Severus arrived at Hogwarts with the knowledge Eileen had given him, yearning for greater power and to change his destiny with his own. Even when Lily argued with him about it, Severus never gave up his study of dark magic or his pursuit of power.

This is the strength his mother left him; it's a way for him to get closer to Eileen, and also a way to stay away from becoming the next Eileen.

Eileen Prince is the person Severus loves and hates, the person he wants to get close to and the person he wants to stay away from.

Before Prareas arrived, Snape had spent a long time thinking alone. He believed he was the least qualified person in the world to ask Prareas to be cautious about dark magic.

Snape knew that with Prader's genius, she would inevitably come into contact with dark magic sooner or later. So, four years ago, Snape deliberately placed the temptation of dark magic in front of the child, and thankfully found that she rejected it, choosing to take a more difficult path.

This made Snape realize that although Prareas had a scarred past just like his, she was indeed different from him—her future could be bright.

Perhaps fate was playing tricks on him, for Praris still ended up on this path. Snape stood before the house-elf, looking down with disdain at the dying rooster that twitched occasionally, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

Looking through his dark eyes, Snape saw another pair of black eyes, similar to his yet unlike his—those eyes held no resentment towards fate. At that moment, the black-haired, black-eyed girl uttered words reminiscent of his younger self, and she even began to resemble him somewhat.

Praris's mood calmed down, and she appeared as gentle and polite as ever, asking softly, "And what about you, sir? I don't think you're inhuman or incomplete. You're just as normal as I am—both in the past and now."

“Sir, studying and using dark magic has not made you lose your humanity. The fact that you are sitting here now is proof of the kindness in your heart.”

This is an excellent example. Snape was once a Death Eater, studied dark magic, and now he bears a stain he shouldn't have to for the sake of many more lives. Doesn't this prove that Snape didn't lose the brilliance of his humanity because of his study of dark magic?

Arguing with Prader is a challenging task; those without a firm stance can easily be swayed by her, finding some merit in her arguments and forgetting their original intentions. Unfortunately, Snape was not that kind of person.

“Is that so?” Snape sneered, raising his left arm and roughly tearing open the sleeve to reveal the wicked mark on it. “Look at me. Do you think—have I identified with it, or have I been forever branded by it, imprisoned by it?”

Prareas stared for a long time at the Dark Mark on his arm—a form of Dark Magic. Many Death Eaters had felt the burning sensation during the days leading up to Voldemort's resurrection, including Winnie and Professor Snape.

Prarese had seen Winnie's wardrobe, which contained many beautiful tank tops and short-sleeved dresses in various styles, but for decades Winnie had always worn long-sleeved clothes.

One thing is certain: any option without a proper exit mechanism is not a good option, let alone for Death Eaters who have almost no chance of exiting.

“Miss, I understand your current thoughts better than anyone else in the world. Because the past me is the present you! You think that learning black magic is about wielding darkness—you see it as a knife and believe you can use it freely, right?”

“No, dark magic corrupts our souls, devours your pride and joy in calmness and reason, and makes you willingly make excuses for it.” Snape lowered his arm, turning it behind his back. “Today, I stand here not because my soul is uncorrupted, but because even if it were, I would have to cling to life. It’s not because dark magic is ‘not so bad,’ but because I must spend the rest of my life repenting and atoning for the sins it has brought!”

Praris's expression remained calm, but her inner thoughts were already bubbling.

She thought inappropriately, "What is your sin?" Praris wanted to ask that question, but she swallowed it back.

This was an unspoken understanding between them that had remained unchanged for seven years: neither of them would touch upon the other's past until the other took the initiative to bring it up. Even though all the details of their past were right before her eyes, she never once inquired about them.

Snape, unaware of Prairie's divergent thinking, said, "When you realize you're being corrupted by dark magic, you're already halfway down the soil of evil. When you start to defend it and think it's 'not so bad,' you're already standing on the edge of the pit."

Snape said coldly, "You think—you're calm, you're restrained, you have the power of self-control? No, your soul is already tainted with dust. You think you can walk away unscathed at any time? Ask Brown about the tears he shed for Purnell!"

Praliss felt a headache coming on. She vaguely recalled that Winnie had chosen to become a Death Eater precisely because she was drawn by "greater power." But the end of that great power was Voldemort's order for Bellatrix to force her to witness death, and even compel her to kill.

“Sir, Winnie was indeed tempted by the darkness,” Prarese argued, “but she did not harm anyone, nor did she kill anyone. I mean, she did restrain herself.”

Even with Bella, whom she hated most, Winnie didn't actually kill her. Prarese said that Winnie had restrained herself, but she was actually implying that she could also restrain herself like Winnie and use her dark power for research and salvation, instead of harming and killing people.

“Look—” Praris looked down at his hands, “I used the Cruciatus Curse on Neville, but I believe he didn’t feel much pain.”

"In the end, I wasn't harming anyone, I was saving him, sparing him from suffering, and buying time for his little group. The Guts Curse is black magic, but Harallo used it to save someone. Do you think he was harming him?"

"What a reasonable statement—if I hadn't experienced it myself," Snape said sarcastically. "So, you only ever thought of using it for good, and had no other intentions, is that it?"

"When you tortured those animals, did you never feel a moment of pleasure? When you used dark magic, did you never feel a sense of satisfaction from controlling other people's lives? When you encountered difficulties, was your first reaction never to use dark magic to brutally solve the problem?"

If Snape hadn't learned from the house-elves that Prareus had been asking them for experimental subjects for some time, he would have truly believed that his student was still as rational as ever.

A thud—it sounded like a bell in Prader's head. To her surprise, Professor Snape was absolutely right.

That's right, learning and using dark magic requires invoking negative emotions. But Praris was surprised to find that when had dark magic become her first choice? How long had she been immersed in negative emotions without realizing it?

Neville's incident was one thing, but does becoming stronger really require dark magic? It's not like she doesn't have other ways!

Why would she even think of using dark magic on the little sister she'd watched grow up, when facing Astoria? She could imagine that Lydia might face such danger, but the source of that danger, even if the sun rose in the west, could never be herself.

Why did the thought of teaching Crabbe a lesson flash through her mind for a moment when she thought of giving him a lesson, and wanted his fat head to match his fat body better?

"The greater the power, the more restraint is needed."

Prarese remembered who had said those words—it was Dumbledore.

After teaching the Death Eaters who were following them a lesson, meeting the Carter family, and visiting Hogsmeade, Dumbledore returned to her and talked to her about stopping her from killing the Death Eaters.

Dumbledore said gently, "My child, killing a person is a matter of a moment, but the wound left on your soul is a matter of a lifetime."

"Of course I know," Praris said calmly, showing no displeasure at being lectured. "I feel the same way about Draco."

If she didn't want Draco's soul to be shattered by murder, then she shouldn't have killed him, and shouldn't have thought it was no big deal.

The same magic can produce varying effects depending on who uses it. The same magic can also have different effects on different people.

Dark magic, targeting the relatively resolute Praris, would strike when she deliberately let her guard down, then gradually erode her power. Even so, those who cared for her noticed her unusual behavior and alerted her in various ways.

Or perhaps Prarese's abnormality is a manifestation of her soul's "rejection reaction," another expression of her strong will.

"The powerful force you feel is the bait it has laid out for you, the nectar that the pitcher plant uses to lure insects into its trap!" Snape said with exasperation. "It makes you feel like you're getting stronger and stronger, able to do anything you want? That means it's actually weakening your true power—your will, your judgment, your moral standards."

In the past, how could Praris not remember a sentence that happened a few months ago? Let alone a few months, in her eyes, what a stranger said a few years ago is no different from what happened a second ago!

Snape, who knew Prarese well, quickly noticed the change in her. He said in a low voice, "Prarese, I don't like talking about these things, but I'm starting to accept these ideas."

"True power comes from control, not being controlled. The most powerful magic in the world comes from love, protection, and unwavering will, not from destruction and corruption. You do not need to sacrifice your soul to obtain this power, although there are many trials ahead, and they are extremely difficult."

With that, Snape waved his hand, and a stag formed from a shimmering white light appeared in the air. It looked so solid, just like Snape's unwavering will.

“Miss, it’s your turn.” Snape’s sharp gaze was fixed on her.

Praris frowned and chanted, "Protector of God!"

The guardian spirit that she used to be able to summon without a staff or a sound is now nowhere to be found!

Praris had to draw his wand, struggle to recall, and shout a second time, "Palmtops of Protection!"

The tip of the wand emitted wisps of white smoke, even less than that of a beginner like Astoria!

Snape watched with a cold laugh, not intervening in the process, while the Patronus Stag moved its hooves back and forth.

Praris had to close her eyes and use a brain-blocking technique to process and shut down her excessive emotions, suppressing and eliminating all negative feelings with her willpower.

Chapter 234 Ginny's Plea for Help

Dark wizards neither need nor can wield the Patronus Charm. Even if they were lucky enough to use it, they would be devoured by the maggots it spews out—like the infamous dark wizard Ratchidion.

Praris had read almost every book in the restricted section. This idea comes from Miranda Goschak's "The Book of Spells," written more than 200 years ago.

Therefore, this can also be seen as a standard for judging whether Praris has successfully overcome the temptation of dark magic.

When Snape asked Prasace to use the Patronus Charm, her first reaction was resistance. For a moment, Prasace wondered if she would be devoured by maggots in front of Professor Snape.

But then again, the fact that Praris would subconsciously have this thought means that she was indeed influenced by dark magic, doesn't it?

Her reluctance to use the Patronus Charm indicates that she has indirectly accepted the fact that she has been corrupted by dark magic and become a dark wizard, demonstrating that her willpower has been weakened and that she has succumbed to the influence of dark magic on her.

Professor Snape did not ask her to use the Patronus Charm from the beginning, but only made the request after the two communicated.

Prarese believed that, on the one hand, Professor Snape trusted Prarese's nature and willpower, but on the other hand, he did not completely entrust the matter to Prarese, but rather relied mainly on his own guidance.

This time, Prarese couldn't rely on the easy, opportunistic methods she used to use to perform the brain shut-in procedure; it all depended on her own unwavering will.

This process is not pleasant; it's like someone used to taking an elevator having to climb to a high floor on foot – it's extremely painful.

In addition, Professor Snape was watching from the sidelines—as anyone who has read books knows, the presence of a teacher is a source of pressure.

Just like Neville, Hermione could never understand why Neville could sometimes succeed in making potions on his own, but in class he would seem to have lost his mind, his mind would go blank, and he would have no chance of success at all.

As for Praris, she was no longer the confident woman she once was. Having experienced two failed attempts at the Guardian Charm, even she dared not boast of certain success.

call--

She let out a long breath, banishing all distracting thoughts and ideas that might shake her will, and suppressing all negative emotions.

"Take the God's Protection!"