dark magic was Re: bullies? twins, padfoot and prongs

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 118673


Kneasy wrote: 
> I also wonder just how much Snapey knew aged 11; I'd be surprised
> if Sirius didn't know almost as much. We know that the Black 
family 
> was pretty nasty, we assume the Snape family was too. Add the fact
> that wizard kids seem to get their wands just before entering 
Hogwarts
> and they could both have picked up a fair amount of theory but 
probably
> not much practice.

Potioncat:
And I'd be surprised if Sirius didn't point out how much Dark Arts 
Severus knew, to draw attention away from the amount Sirius knew.
We've talked about learning magic at home from many different 
directions.  But it would be easy enough for a parent who really 
wanted to, to teach some things at home.  The kid wouldn't even need 
his own wand, you know.  He could use a hand-me-down.

The issue is, did JKR intend that.  I think we all forget sometime 
that the real back story only exists in JKR's mind. I personally 
thinks she does intend for the Snape/Black rivalry to be based on 
some deception.


>Kneasy: 
> It all seems a bit  vague; James hates Dark Arts yet  wanders 
around 
> hexing students that annoy him. Sevvy is supposedly the Dark Arts 
> expert yet there are no examples given of him using them. Sure he
> causes a cut on James's face, but what spell or type of spell it 
was
> we're not told. For all we know it might be equivalent to 
Heidleberg
> duelling stroke. 

Potioncat:
And the cut seemed slight enough to ignore.  We hear nothing more 
about it.  Seems like a bloody nose in a fist fight.

I still think Polyjuice is dark magic.  It could only be found in a 
book in the restricted section, and the book, by Hermione's 
statement was full of dark magic.