Spells used in fights

[Susan Smith]

No: HPFGUIDX 71392

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "adamjmarcantel" 
<adamjmarcantel at y...> wrote:
> I don't know if this has been considered, but does anyone else feel 
> that a whole class of defense against the dark arts is useless?  I 
> mean, apparently, to successfully fight off a gang of death eaters, 
> all you REALLY need to know is "stupefy", "expelliarmus", a 
> summoning spell, and how to lock/unlock doors.  

<SNIP>
  Has anyone else thought the same or I am just an idiot?
> Adam, who has tough skin and can take being an idiot...and who will 
> send you the bill for his therapy if you do call him one :)

<now, Atropos Gryffin>

I felt the same way initially.  But, then I reined in my sarcasm and 
tried to determine what exactly was the purpose of the spells that 
Dumbledore's army were using.  I had a revelation-in the name DADA-we 
are talking about DEFENSE.

So, really, Protego, Patronuses, Petrificus Totallus, Expelliarmus, 
Stupefy, Silencio and good old fashioned dueling are being used.  
It's just that the youngsters do not duel as well as the death eaters 
so they use ingenuity, i.e.: reducing the shelves and spilling 
prophecies, floating brains, etc.

Keep in mind that the majority of the dangerous and damaging spells 
you kept wishin a child would use are DARK ARTS.  The true irony is 
that DA (Dumbledore's Army) will never (we hope) stoop to DA (dark 
arts).  We see Harry attempt it out of frustration on Bella following 
Sirius' death-but he miserably fails-because he cannot.

Look at the Order members-which include Dumbledore and several 
aurors.  They, too, do NOT use DA.  There spells are defensive and 
restorative (Finite) if needed.  It is only the DEs we see sending 
jets of green light or curses of purple. 

This is a critical distinction between tactics of the Dark Arts 
practicioners and the good side.

As for Harry and his proteges, they learned several new spells (keep 
in mind Harry alone knew many of these maneuvers from his one on ones 
with Lupin and his preparation for Triwizard tournament).  Too, this 
year was a time for them to practice previously acquired spells, 
honing them and improving their accuracy.  We still see that some 
(i.e. Neville) have an accuracy problem and do not always hit what 
they are want.

A.G.  (who is sorry it is so long, but I tried to reference only 
relevant issues)