The mention of the Killing Curse instantly brought the atmosphere in the classroom to a standstill.
"No need to be so nervous," Professor Lupin said with a soft chuckle. "I simply felt it was necessary to set aside a lesson to talk to you about the Killing Curse and certain other evil spells with astonishing destructive power."
"They aren't that frightening. What's frightening are the wizards who use them to hurt and kill innocent people."
"For example-He Who Must Not Be Named..."
Most of the young wizards looked terrified, while a few Muggle-born children noticed the atmosphere in the classroom and felt rather bewildered.
"To be honest, I'm puzzled. About what, you ask?"
"This is something you should have learned in your first year, but I looked through the lesson plans left by the two professors before me-oh, no, to be precise, only one professor left any lesson plans."
A few snickers suddenly rose from the crowd, then immediately Evanesco'd.
"Neither of them taught you about this category of magic..."
Professor Lupin took several deep breaths, sweeping his gaze over all the young wizards and pausing briefly on Harry.
"I think I need to make up this basic lesson for you."
"In the wizarding world, there are three infamous spells-also the hallmarks of dark magic. Can anyone tell me what these three dark spells are?"
Silence filled the room. The young wizards pressed their lips tightly together, most of their faces showing clear apprehension and fear.
"Does no one know? Or are you all afraid?" Professor Lupin chuckled. "Then let's try another question. What, in your opinion, is dark magic?"
Only after a long silence did a dozen or so hands rise.
"Mr. Thomas, you answer." Lupin picked a student at random.
Dean Thomas seemed not to have expected Professor