Order Only Private message to Mr Snape, Draco, Justin, Ron, Sally Anne, and Hermione

[alt_hydra]

I guess my conversation with Mummy yesterday must have worked, in a fashion.

She sent me an Owl this morning. You can imagine that it wasn't kindly worded, but the gist was that if I am not clever enough to design my own curses, she will give me a place to start (this way if I succeed she will still feel as if she's won, see).

What she told me is that Black's Curse has three incantation words and three distinct wand movements. The last of the three words, and the last of the three movements, are variable - probably this is how the curse is adjusted for on-set and duration.

She also provided me with one of the incantation words, and one of the movements.

The incantation is morior.

The movement is sharp upper thrust from the inside low-line, wrist pronated, wand point higher than the hand.

I'm telling you lot because as far as I know you have the best knowledge of the Dark Arts. Hermione, I know you might not have much to do with the Dark Arts, but you're very clever so including you seemed clever, too.

I don't need to tell you that this spell is incredibly dark and dangerous. We'll all need to be careful. Moreso than usual, even.

Comments

[alt_draco]

Yes, just found it. It's on a high shelf along with the other really dark texts.

Tried to pull it down, but I came over ill. Do you know what kind of handling it requires? Dragonhide gloves or other protection. Or, might it be one of those books that can only be read during daylight hours?

[alt_justin]

I should think gloves would be a wise precaution.

I'm not certain about whether it's only safe to read during the day. Professor Dolohov's only given me sections and secondary works on the volume, not the actual book.

One measure I have gleaned from those, what, is to read it in very small increments. I should say not more than a few pages at a stretch.

I'm jolly well certain it shan't react well to trying to use magic on it, either.

-Justin

[alt_severus]

I will come down and take a look at it, but from the title I suspect you may also wish to wash your hands with water that has been boiled and cooled before donning the gloves.

[alt_sally_anne]

There's a particular spell you're supposed to cast on yourself before you handle it. Does the Grimmauld library have 'On Protection' by Kamar ad-Din?

[alt_draco]

Yeah, I know the spell you mean, but it seems that won't be sufficient for a book like this. We're able to handle it now, but only for small increments at a time. It's alright, we're taking turns with it.

[alt_sally_anne]

Gloves might also work but I definitely agree with the purified water (and you'll want to use it again after you handle it. Actually before you get started you should boil some rosemary, that'll strengthen its cleansing properties. Fresh rosemary, if you have it, but dried is better than nothing.)