The Last Slytherin - Chapter 24

As others were surprised that he was now dragging Ministry into the topic, Neal continued, “First of all. What is considered Dark Magic? A magic that is mainly used to cause harm to, exert control over or even kill the victim. Isn’t it?

Then if the victim is a criminal who has killed an entire village for an example on someone’s orders, then wouldn’t causing harm to him be needed while capturing him? Wouldn’t the exertion of control be needed when interrogating? Wouldn’t killing him serve him as a punishment? If dark magic was used for this cause, then would you say that he is a corrupted man and evil?.

Just like Cho said, it entirely depends on your intent. As for the corruption of the mind and soul? It is not because of the Dark Magic but because of the act done by it. Your soul and mind will be corrupted even if you use White magic to kill one”.

Then one of the opponents countered, “what you might have said is right in theory but in reality, aren’t all criminals in the history, Dark Wizards? Especially those two famous recently and their followers in Azkaban Prison”.

While Neal felt silent for a while, everyone was thinking he’s been countered finally and they can start with a fresh topic regarding it, Neal suddenly replied, “what you said is right but also wrong. Like I said previously, Ministry has to revise it and separate Dark Magic and Dark Arts because all the criminals you thought have one thing in common.

They killed innocents, Muggles as well as Wizards. Their intent is wrong when killing a person. They don’t kill to protect. They just use dark magic as a tool to kill. That’s all. Not to mention, without an intent to kill, you can’t kill anyone even if you use a Killing curse.

Moreover, all curses are Dark charms which come under Dark Magic. Every student in the school knows one or two of them, wouldn’t they? It’s just many of them didn’t even want to admit it as a Dark Magic because we think Dark Magic is evil or bad.

If they are really bad, then how come so many spells of jinxes, hexes, curses, and Dark magic spells are available in our Library? Although Higher levels are only available in the restricted section.

Not to mention, sheltering or breeding Dark creatures are also Dark Arts. Then why do we still allow Acromantulas to live in Forbidden Forest? Why do we trust Dementors as prisoner guards for Azkaban? Because they haven’t done any crime yet.

If you go to Diagon Alley, you can even see a shop that sells Dark Items officially. Why hasn’t it been removed yet, then? Honestly, I think we should have a Dark Arts class along with Defense against Dark Arts.

There is a lot of dark magic that isn’t lethal and there is a lot of white magic too that can kill or lethally damage anyone. Durmstrang Institute, which is one of the three largest institutes also teach Dark Magic. That’s why I think the problem is with the Ministry who fear Dark Magic because one person made them fear it.

In the end, I’m closing my statement with, “Dark or white. Magic is magic. It changes with one’s choice. If you choose it to be a shield, it will become one. If you choose it to be a sword, it will become one. Thank you. If anyone wants to counter, you can do so. I’m accepting it and closing down my debate”.

The class became pin drop while no one wishes to raise their hand. Prof. McGonagall was very happy inside because of Neal’s debate and thought, “Albus, you were right. Instead of judging him, I should guide him and should wait and see where he goes.

I really wonder how in the hell this boy was born into a family like Slytherin where a person like Dark lord was born. I guess it’s good that he wasn’t born in Gaunt family line like him and share their traits.

As everyone was contemplating how to counter his statement, Hermoine was staring at him as he almost defeated everyone on his own and realized only 40 minutes has been passed. The teams started to discuss it for a while. 5 minutes later, a team full of Ravenclaw said, “We concur. We admit defeat”.

Quickly as the other two admit it as everyone who participates in the Debate competition and made it to finals are intelligent. They can also think counters while arguing. That’s why unless there is a strong counter, they won’t make a fool out of themselves.

Prof. McGonagall then announced, “Ok, Team A is the winner of the competition. Each one receives 20 points as rewards excluding your personal performances which will be added later.

Hufflepuff students were happy as they gained 20 from the first round and 40 from the finals. Total of 60 points from the event as there are two participants. The same with Gryffindor.

As soon as the debate completed, Cho and Neal ran together towards Quidditch stadium as there were matches still going on. They breathe a sigh of relief after finding that they got lucky by getting a bye since there are 15teams which advanced to 2nd round.

Meanwhile, Daphne and Tracey were waiting for their turn. Daphne said, “Neal might be still at Debate, right?”. Tracey nodded, “yeah, I guess, he’ll miss our performance”.

Neal and Cho who rushed to the stadium met Wood and Flint who were sitting in the audience section watching the ongoing match. Neal asked, “when will be the next round?”. Flint replied, “in the afternoon”.

He breathes a sigh in relief, “good then. You guys continue. I’m going”. Cho Chang asked, “don’t you want to see the rest of the matches?”. Neal replied, “I’m going to the Talent show to watch my friends’ performance”.

As she nodded, Neal rushed again to the first floor in the castle where the talent show is currently going on. As he reached the hall, he heard beautiful fast tempo music along with drums going perfectly sync with it.

The audience was silent while enjoying the performance. As he moved forward to see who is playing, he was shocked to see Daphne is playing the piano and Tracey was going for the drums in front of her.

Daphne’s fingers were moving too fast while entirely concentrating on her performance. Same goes for Tracey. She was constantly beating those Floor Tom, Mid Tom, High Tom and cymbals on either side.

As the performance finished, the audience erupted in applause. The judges too stood up while they end it with a half bow. One of them asked, “this is one of the Legendary music wizard Beethoven’s work, right?”.

Daphne replied, “yes, It’s Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. We tweak it a little bit by adding a drum and increasing the pace”. As their performance finished, they step out and surprised to see Neal outside there waiting for them and clapping.

Tracey asked, “did your debate finished?”. Neal nodded. Daphne asked, “didn’t you still have more than 1 hour?”. Neal replied while they were walking together, “well, it’s been finished pretty early”. Daphne asked, “did you win?”.

Neal replied, “of course. Although I guess I gave Hufflepuff and Gryffindor more points by winning it”. Later, they returned to the common room. Then Daphne asked, “You have Quidditch and Duelling in the afternoon. Can you manage both?”.

Neal replied, “hmm, not sure. Quidditch is a team event. So, I can’t miss it. I have to see whether I will have time for Duelling or not”.