Chapter 26. The Book of Wicked Words.
In an exquisitely crafted porcelain cup, black tea steamed gently.
Lynn didn't immediately answer Professor Fawkes's question, but instead asked in return,
"Professor, I want to know if what they're saying is true? Did you really torture and kill five wizards with dark magic? And were you finally imprisoned in Azkaban?"
Without probing, Lynn directly posed his question.
Professor Fawkes's expression didn't change, but Lynn noticed that his fingers gripping the teacup handle had tightened considerably, the knuckles turning slightly white from the excessive force.
He was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"What they said is true. I was once a murderer. I tortured five wizards for three days with the Crucifixion Curse, and finally killed them with the Killing Curse. The Wizarding Court of Wizengamor sentenced me to life imprisonment in Azkaban. These are facts, and I cannot deny them..."
His voice was calm, and his grip gradually relaxed. His gaze towards Lynn was very serious.
"But do you know why Dumbledore, hailed as the greatest white wizard of the twentieth century, was willing to be my defense attorney, and why I was released after eight years in Azkaban, while those wizards who hated me were all pure-bloods?"
Lynn didn't avoid Professor Fawkes' gaze. He shook his head and said, "That's also why I believe you, Professor, aren't the cold-blooded killer they claim you to be. So can you tell me why?"
Fawkes leaned back in his chair, but his body didn't seem relaxed. His deep eyes were fixed on the cup of black tea on the table, which was gradually losing its steam, as if unwilling to recall his past.
"I actually have high hopes for you, Lynn. You possess qualities that most wizards lack. After I sat in your house listening to you tell me how you found a foster father on your own, I was certain you would be sorted into either Slytherin or Gryffindor. At the time, I thought Gryffindor was more likely. But even Slytherin isn't incomprehensible, because the requirements for admission to these two houses are extremely similar. Sometimes, whether you're a little snake or a little lion is just a matter of the Sorting Hat's decision…"
Professor Fawkes talked about many things that were unrelated to Lynn's question, but Lynn did not interrupt him. Instead, he listened quietly until Lynn was willing to speak up himself.
"When I was at Hogwarts, my Divination professor once said I had no talent for prophecy, but I've never had this strong intuition. Lynn, I feel that my life's research might not be completed before I die, which is something I can't accept, I can't accept… So I need someone to continue my research.
After I left Azkaban, I met many wizards, but most of them were afraid of the Dark Arts, let alone actively seeking it out, changing it, or exploring it.
There's no way around it; adult wizards all have their own ideas, and I can't change them. It just so happened that Dumbledore found me and told me that there were several vacancies in Hogwarts' professorships. I thought I might be able to change a young wizard's view of the Dark Arts through this opportunity, and that's how I chose you."
"Your choice is very important to me, Lynn. It concerns whether the path I've pursued my whole life is ultimately the right one, so I don't want you to misunderstand me. But…"
He picked up the now lukewarm tea, took a sip, and said solemnly.
"I don't want to tell anyone about my past anymore. Everyone has their secrets, and I'm no exception. But I can tell you that the five wizards I killed were no good people; they were scoundrels among scoundrels. They all had infamous names: Death Eaters."
Lynn looked at Professor Fawkes in surprise.
"Volverine…Volverine's followers?"
Professor Fawkes also seemed somewhat surprised.
"I didn't expect you to already know that history. I thought I'd have to explain that past that the entire British wizarding world doesn't want to remember."
"Since you know, you should know why Dumbledore was willing to defend me, why I was released eight years later, and why those pure-blooded wizards hate me so much." "
Of course, we haven't known each other for very long. I understand if you don't believe me, but Dumbledore and Minerva are the only ones who know the truth. If you still have doubts, you can ask them to determine if what I'm saying is true."
"No need, Professor." Lynn shook his head. "I haven't known you for long, but I've known Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall even less. It's even uncertain whether Professor Dumbledore knows me, a first-year wizard. I believe you."
Lynn didn't want any contact with Dumbledore too early; he just wanted to stay at Hogwarts, diligently and honestly learning magic. He had no desire to be implicated in the headmaster's savior plan because of any special performance.
Besides, he genuinely believed Professor Fawkes.
There was no reason for the other to deceive him; he was just a slightly precocious and somewhat promising young wizard. Fabricating a lie that could be exposed at any moment was pointless.
Lynn looked at Professor Fawkes with some eagerness.
"So, Professor, can you teach me dark magic now?"
Professor Fawkes chuckled at Lynn's expression; he seemed more like an eleven-year-old at this moment.
"You're underestimating dark magic, Lynn. This type of magic is arguably the pinnacle of spells, and one of the most difficult to learn. At least ninety percent of adult wizards don't know even a single advanced form of dark magic. Besides, at your age, even if you had the ability to learn it, you wouldn't have enough magic power to use it effectively."
Lynn looked at him, puzzled. "Then what do I need to learn first?"
Professor Fawkes flicked his finger at the bookshelf, and a jet-black book floated down and gently landed in front of Lynn.
The book's cover was emblazoned with its title in silver powder: *The Book of Wicked Words*.
"You should have seen an excerpt from *Standard Spells: Beginner's* where its author, Miranda Goshak, said something like this: 'Wicked spells, poisonous spells, and curses are collectively called dark spells. This book won't cover such spells.'
Dark spells are actually a type of spell, and like regular spells, they inflict specific magical effects on their targets, but the effects are primarily negative.
Furthermore, dark spells are a type of spell related to dark magic, only their effects aren't as domineering and powerful as advanced dark magic."
Professor Fawkes gently tapped the *Book of Wicked Words*.
"Wicked spells are among the darkest types with the mildest negative effects, and they're easy to learn. Many older wizards know a few wicked spells to use as jokes with their friends. This book records nine common wicked spells. Your first step is to learn all the wicked spells in this book."
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(End of Chapter)