𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 17

Mad-Eye was definitely not one of Natasha's favourite professors.

From the moment he walked in, something felt off. He had introduced himself quite abruptly, ending his sentence in a 'end of story, goodbye'. Like always, Fred and Natasha were at the back, with George and Lee just in front.

They shared this class with the Hufflepuffs, and they all looked like they were going to be sick by the end of his speech. Cedric Diggory was seated at the desk next to Fred and Natasha's, and even he looked slightly queasy.

"Now! Could someone tell me why the Unforgiveable Curses have their name and what they are!" Moody asked, and Natasha raised her hand, her other one clasped in Fred's.

"They are called the Unforgiveable Curses because they are truly unforgiveable, sir. There are three curses, though some could argue that others could also be included. Currently, there are three, the Cruciatus Curse, the Imperious Curse, and the Killing Curse," she answered, getting a few wolf-whistles from fellow classmates.

For a moment, Mad-Eye almost looked impressed with the girl's knowledge, before his now familiar scowl replaced it. "Well done Miss-"

"-Black sir. My name is Natasha Black."

"Well Miss Black, thank you for that detailed explanation. 50 points to Gryffindor," he said, earning some cheers from the Gryffindors in the room. Her lack of extra-curricular activities was made up for in the classroom, where often she would receive house points.

"Now, the Ministry thinks you shouldn't be learning this stuff, that it's too evil, but I say otherwise! I believe this class should be a hands-on experience," he said, using his wand to levitate a spider from a jar.

"Now, for the first curse, we have to make our friend here just slightly bigger. Engorgio!" he cried, and before everyone's eyes, the spider tripled in size, making some students sweat nervously.

"Imperio," he muttered, and the spider started to float, controlled by his wand. Students shrieked as he directed the spider over their hands, even making it land on them. The only ones who didn't seem to be affected by it were Natasha, Fred and George, the first even reaching out to pet it.

Moody summoned the spider back to the front desk, giving it a slight break before preparing for the second curse. "Crucio!" he growled and instantly, the spider started writhing in pain, bringing Natasha to tears.

"Stop it! You're hurting it!" she cried, being pulled back down to her seat by Fred. She had never liked that spell, as it had always made her skin prickle, and even in writing, it made her feel awful.

Moody stopped, before he looked at everyone. "And finally." He paused, his blue eye whizzing to those who had already covered their eyes, including Natasha, whose head was buried in Fred's robes.

"Avada Kedavra." And with that, the spider was dead, but that didn't mean everyone was happy. A few people were in shock from seeing the curse performed; even Cedric, who had been pretty chill the whole lesson was now fiddling with his hands, not daring to look up.

"Only one person has ever been known to survive that curse, and he attends this very school, only a few levels below you all. Class dismissed!"

No student had ever hurried out of a classroom as quickly as the sixth year Gryffindor's and Hufflepuff's did, running into a few teachers whose concern was raised as they saw the pale and tear-stained faces.

Natasha, Fred, George and Lee were all silent, walking robotically to the Great Hall for lunch. Natasha was tucked under Fred's arm, and George and Lee were almost on top of each other as they stepped inside, getting glances from the Golden Trio who had already started to eat.

"Woah what happened to you lot?" Ron asked mid bite, and Natasha just sat on her seat, not pestering Ron about eating then talking for once. Harry and Hermione were immediately on edge, the quietness of the four alarming even the younger students around them.

"Tasha, do you need me to owl Padfoot?" Harry asked, and Natasha looked up, her lower lip trembling. Fred still had his arm around her, but even he couldn't bring himself to talk, the memory of the Unforgiveable Curses forever stuck in his mind.

McGonagall came up to the four Gryffindor's, and she placed her hand on Natasha's shoulder, causing her to jump. "Miss Black, Mr Jordan, Messrs Weasley, I think it would be wise if you followed me," she said, and they all stood wordlessly, with Minerva putting her arm around Natasha, leading them to her office.

As she led them down the corridor, other teachers were supporting the students of Moody's class, even Snape, who had a Hufflepuff crying into the pile of tissues he had given her. Madam Pomfrey had two students following her to the Hospital Wing, their faces completely pale.

When they finally reached McGonagall's office, she poured tea out for all of them, passing around her ever famous biscuits. "I understand Professor Moody's lesson was full on, and he will be spoken to by Professor Dumbledore, but I must ask, are you all okay?" Fred and George both nodded in sync, whilst Lee gave a small thumbs up.

Natasha was the only one who couldn't speak. "Boys, could you perhaps leave Miss Black and I alone for a moment, we won't be long," she asked, and they stood up, Fred's eyes lingering on his girlfriend for a few seconds before leaving.

"I can't stand innocent killings." It was the first words Natasha had uttered since the class. Minerva took a seat beside her and hugged her with one arm, just as she had done for Sirius in his sixth year once.

"That's quite understandable dear, but I have a feeling it goes down deeper for you," the older witch said, and Natasha nodded, lifting her head.

"My father was imprisoned because he was accused of taking innocent lives with that exact same curse. When in fact, it was his best friend that had killed innocent muggles. And the Cruciatus curse, it was my grandmother's favourite to use on my father. Even though it was just a spider, it was still innocent."

She took a deep breath and looked over to Minerva, who had a smile on her face. "My dear, that just proves how kind your heart really is. I know your father's story, because he was in your spot in his sixth year, just after he had run away."

Natasha fumbled with the picture of her father and herself in her hands, and Minerva took the opportunity to see it properly. Sirius and Natasha were laughing in the loop, as a bright 16 was above their heads, shimmering with magic. Sirius' right arm was wrapped around Natasha's shoulders, and their bond could be seen through the photograph.

"I see you and your father have gotten closer now," Minerva pointed out, and Natasha nodded, bringing a small smile to her face.

"It was my first birthday without mum, but dad being there helped with the pain. He and Uncle Remus are the best, and home has really felt like home for the first time in years," she admitted, clutching the bracelet on her wrist.

It had been the gift from her mother, carrying the tiniest of portraits showing Aurelia. It was almost as if she had foreseen her death and had captured her memory in the portrait.

"Thank you, Professor. For everything. From allowing me to use your fireplace when I visited my father to being a support system for me when I was down." She took a nibble out of the biscuit on the plate and Minerva smiled with pride as Natasha stood up, finally ready to go out to her boys again.

"I may be your teacher Natasha, but the welfare of my student's will always be my top priority," the old witch said, vanishing the tea and biscuits.

"I'll remember that, Professor."

"Your father said the exact same thing."