Chapter 50 The Influence of the Killing Curse
"The Killing Curse has progressed very quickly? By killing people?" Basil keenly sensed Riddle's unspoken meaning.
Riddle nodded. "It's the Dark Wizard's Quick Guide. As you say, our world doesn't have such an efficient cultivation method as meditation. But in fact, our world does. However, it's limited to Dark Wizards. With the Killing Curse, the higher the quality of life you kill, the more feedback you'll receive."
"This spell allows a Dark Wizard's power to quickly reach the limits of their mind, personality, and will through killing."
"As you know, not in formal writing, spells are divided into Black Magic, White Magic, and Curses. There are at most several variations."
"Among them, Black and White Magic, and advanced Curses, are easier to 'come alive' than ordinary spells. They don't require perfect form or spirit. As long as they are successfully used, or mastered, they can form a 'charm' that influences the host."
"However, Black and White Magic, due to their nature, will exert a positive or negative influence on the host's values. Unlike advanced Curses, which are more neutral."
"And the Killing Curse is undoubtedly the easiest spell to 'come alive' and has the greatest negative impact on the host. Even if a Dark Wizard's nature is benevolent, the power gained from using the Killing Curse will easily reach its limit."
"But the spell itself also affects the host, drawing the host closer to it and increasing their potential."
"So, as long as a dark wizard is willing to use the Killing Curse to kill, and as long as they kill enough people, they won't be weak much."
"The person themselves won't be much better."
"That's why anyone who uses the Killing Curse must enter Azkaban."
"According to you, can't I just kill a few spiders and ants to get started? Why go through all that trouble? And while Snape wasn't a good person, nor a good teacher, he wasn't that bad either. His Killing Curse?" Basil questioned.
"You can indeed get started through killing. With the echo of the Doctor of Pyromancers, you're less afraid of mental deviation. But I don't recommend it; such a Killing Curse isn't pure enough. It's the same reason why you didn't get started through me or Boggart."
"As for Snape," Riddle said, a look of nausea on his face.
But this wasn't directed at Snape.
"Because of so-called love. Negative effects can be offset by positive ones. For example, the Patronus Charm can offset the effects of the Killing Curse. But a fallen soul can't use the Patronus. It can only be mastered before falling. And a dark wizard with so-called love is unlikely to completely fall, thus being able to master the Patronus."
"What about the other two Unforgivable Curses?" Basil asked.
"Them? They make people evil. An evil soul is definitely fallen. A fallen soul is not necessarily evil."
And the conversation ended there.
This is also why Basil hasn't mastered the Killing Curse yet.
In Charms class, recalling this scene, Basil sullenly blew on his hair.
Professor Flitwick divided the class into pairs for training.
Harry's partner was Ron.
Basil's partner was Hermione.
But coincidentally, neither Basil nor Ron was practicing the Levitation Charm very seriously.
Basil was frustrated, wondering when he could learn the Killing Curse.
As for Ron, he unfolded a piece of parchment.
Ron quietly shared his recent findings on Lockhart with Harry: "Based on Basil's clues and my extensive investigations, the wizard who freed a village from the werewolf scourge is more likely an old American wizard named Frank. He looks ugly and seems insane, which is why nobody wants to approach him."
"The witch who banished the Wren's Ghost was a cleft-lipped one."
"..." "
In summary, I've noticed a pattern. Lockhart targets wizards who aren't physically attractive or are unapproachable. At the same time, they've done something remarkable. They probably experience a significant sense of inadequacy. And then, imagine, a handsome young wizard approaches you."
"Plus, he's very eloquent; it's hard not to open up to him."
"And after taking away their achievements and erasing their memories, they, as marginalized figures, wouldn't be noticed anyway."
"That's probably why Lockhart has been able to evade justice for so many years."
Ron nodded confidently.
Meanwhile, Basil's
slacking off triggered Hermione's whistleblowing.
But due to Basil's excellence and her girlish sensibilities, she couldn't bring herself to report him.
Then, she noticed Ron.
So, after Ron finished his long-winded explanation,
she immediately raised her hand. "Professor, Ron hasn't been practicing. He's talking!"
As a result, Ron lost two points.
Towards the end of class, Ron was in a terrible mood.
"She takes advantage of her family's wealth and doesn't care about my efforts at all!" he told Harry as they struggled through the crowded corridor. "Honestly, without Basil, we wouldn't even acknowledge her. She's a nightmare."
Someone bumped into Harry and hurried past them. It was Hermione.
Harry caught a glimpse of her face—and was surprised to find her eyes were red.
Basil followed closely behind.
"I think she heard you," Harry whispered.
"So what?" Ron said, but a hint of unease crept in his voice. "She deserves it."
"Basil is following behind," Harry prompted.
"Well, I'll apologize to her at noon," Ron said reluctantly.
However, Hermione didn't show up again for the rest of the afternoon.
Basil found it quite dramatic.
In fact, with Basil by her side, Hermione didn't seem to care much about what Ron had said.
She didn't even shed a tear.
But on her way back to her dorm, Hermione ran into her roommates again at the corner.
"That bitch! Always clinging to Basil."
"Basil only took her in because she had no friends."
"Always looking down on everyone. So what if she gets good grades? Disgusting. Who wants to copy her homework?"
"Exactly, I'm very confident in my looks. If it weren't for her getting in the way, Basil would already be one of us sisters! I've noticed, he's especially enthusiastic towards us."
"Yes!"
Across the hallway, Hermione was pale, her eyes blurry with tears.
She immediately recognized the voices:
her roommates, Lavender Brown and Parvati Pettier,
and Parvati's twin sister, Padma.
She didn't care much about her roommates' taunts.
But the content… Basil was indeed more enthusiastic towards the Pettier sisters.
Parvati wasn't wrong; she was indeed beautiful, the prettiest of all the first-year students.
Not to mention she had a twin sister.
Boys would definitely like her.
Did Basil really see her as a burden, an obstacle, as Parvati said?
Basil, standing behind Hermione, looked utterly bewildered.
Hadn't Hermione's relationships with the other students improved since she started strictly enforcing the rules only against him, Harry, and Ron?
Why were these girls acting this way behind her back?
The rest is history.
Hermione hid in the bathroom and refused to come out.
Just like in the original story.
This wasn't about fate; it was a conflict inherent in their personalities.
As long as Hermione wasn't willing to change her approach, conflict was inevitable.
Fortunately, this wasn't the information age.
Idiots don't simply encounter other idiots due to a large information base, creating a resonance that makes them even bigger idiots.
Idiots gather together, saying and doing what they believe in, and then become increasingly idiotic.
At least Hermione would be able to change because of this.
But staying in the bathroom all the time, skipping class—that was going too far.
Basil couldn't persuade her otherwise.
She believed Basil was only with her because of her kind heart.
This infuriated Basil.
"Is that kindness? I crave your echo!
Silly girl!"
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(End of Chapter)