[HPforGrownups] help with JKR quote was Re: Lily and Tuney and Sev, Oh My

[Janette]

No: HPFGUIDX 176471

>
> Potioncat:
> I'll need help with this. JKR said that hexes, jinxes, curses were Dark
> Magic. I'm not sure if that was just before or just after HBP. At the
> time we were all trying to work out just what defined Dark Magic and
> what it was that made Dark Magic bad. Or at what point magic became
> gray and when it turned dark. Boy, were we coming at it from the wrong
> angle!


montims:
from her website:
 Section: Extra Stuff Spell Definitions

Every now and then somebody asks me for the difference between a spell, a
charm and a hex. Within the Potter world, the boundaries are flexible, and I
imagine that wizards may have their own ideas. Hermione-ish, however, I've
always had a working theory:

Spell:
The generic term for a piece of magic.

Charm:
Does not fundamentally alter the properties of the subject of the spell, but
adds, or changes, properties. Turning a teacup into a rat would be a spell,
whereas making a teacup dance would be a charm. The grey area comes with
things like 'Stunning Spells', which on balance I think are Charms, but
which I call spells for alliterative effect.

Hexes:
Has a connotation of dark magic, as do jinxes, but of a minor sort. I see
'hex' as slightly worse. I usually use 'jinx' for spells whose effects are
irritating but amusing.

Curses:
Reserved for the worst kinds of dark magic.


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