Snape's Role/ dark magic

[lizzyben04]

No: HPFGUIDX 176480

> 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.


lizzyben:

If categories sometimes make sense & sometimes don't, it doesn't make
sense. They aren't valid categories.

Alla:
> 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.

lizzyben:

But that's not what JKR says. We shouldn't have to make up new
categories to explain the fact that the ones she made don't work. It
says - "Curses: *Reserved* for the worst kinds of dark magic."
Reserved is an exclusive term - meaning *only* the worst kinds of dark
magic are called curses. So, by this definition, Hermione used the
"worst kind of dark magic" against Neville in her first year. She came
to Hogwarts knowing more curses than most seventh-years! Who knew
Hermione was a dangerous Dark Wizard at eleven years old. 

Alla:
> 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.

lizzyben:

Oh, it's pretty clear to me. It's funny when Our Heros use jinxes to
torment & harass people they don't like. It's amusing when the heroes
use dark magic to cause physical pain to other people - just a laugh,
really. I'm actually thinking that there's a definite sadistic streak
throughout these novels.

Alla:
> 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.

lizzyben:

But, Alla, that distinction actually *works*. That's how the novels
seem to categorize these spells. That's why Lily can say that Snape's
Slytherin friends are using Dark Magic, while Gryffindor James is not.
That's why it's not Dark Magic when Hermione or James uses a
Body-Binding Curse, or Ginny uses a Bat-Bogey hex. That's why Harry
isn't a "Dark Wizard", even though he uses Unforgiveable Curses. But
Sirius' Slytherin ancestors *are* Dark Wizards, even though there's no
indication they ever used those curses. These curses/hexes/spells are
characterized as "Dark" when a Slytherin does it, but are not Dark
when a Gryffindor does the same thing.  

Alla:
> 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.
>

lizzyben:

If even the Unforgiveables Curses aren't Dark, the term "Dark Magic"
has no meaning.