Snape's Role/ dark magic

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 176478

> Alla: 
> > Well, if we go by that quote, curses are much worse than hexes and 
> > jinxes, imprecise as it is.
> >
> 
> lizzyben:
> 
> OK... so when Hermione used the "Body-Bind Curse" against Neville in
> PS, she was using dangerous "Dark Magic?" Even though that curse
> actually didn't hurt Neville at all? And when James used 
a "scourgify"
> jinx to choke Snape, that wasn't dark at all? Ginny's jinxes & hexes
> against Zacharias Smith are cool & funny, even though they are "minor
> Dark magic?" It doesn't make any sense.
>


Alla:

Eh, as I said upthread I agree that JKR definition of dark magic is 
not very precise, but no I do not agree that it makes no sense. I say 
sometimes it does and sometimes it does not.

Sometimes I have to fill in the gapes for myself. I am assuming that 
not all curses for example are dark magic, only those that actually 
hurt you.

There are plenty of inconsistensies as I said upthread the fact that 
she views jinxes as minor dark magic and still amusing is not very 
clear to me either.

BUT when it matters, I in my head know what dark magic is and NO, the 
distinction is now when Gryffindors or Slytherins use it, my 
distinction I mean.

I believe it has more to do with intent of the caster, more often than 
not and  I used to believe that some curses are dark by definition 
like unforgivables, now I am not so sure.