[HPforGrownups] Re: Snape's Role/ dark magic

[Margaret Dean]

No: HPFGUIDX 176500

Jen Reese wrote:

> So all magic really comes down to intent then??  That works for
> things like the Unforgiveables - having to mean them - or a happy
> memory infusing a person with the ability to cast a Patronus. I'm not
> sure it holds up for each and every spell cast in the series though
> (and I don't have it in me to research it <g>).

All through this thread a quote from Randall Garrett's "Lord
Darcy" series (basically, an alternate history detective series
in which magic works) has been running through my mind:  "Black
Magic is a matter of symbolism and intent."  Of course, in that
setting wizards customarily use a lot more paraphernalia than
JKR's do.  They don't just carry wands, they carry carpetbags and
steamer trunks ... so if you open up a wizard's trunk and find it
full of stuff like mummy dust and Hands of Glory and wands made
of human thighbones, you've got him dead to rights at least as
far as his symbolism goes.  Then you look at what he's actually
been attempting with this stuff, to determine intent.

With JKR's wizards I think perhaps the symbolism lies in the
=effect= of a spell.  Let's take the Full Body-Bind as an
example.  The symbolism of this is somewhat dark because it
renders the target helpless against his/her will, though it
doesn't actually inflict harm.  However, I'd say the caster's
intent has an effect too.  When Hermione uses this against
Neville, she doesn't wish to harm him -- more to keep him from
harming himself or anyone else.  I can see a Death Eater, OTOH,
using this same spell on Neville and then attacking or killing or
imprisoning him while he was helpless.

As a side note, I tend to think that the classification of
"Unforgivable" Curses is a legal one, kind of the equivalent of a
Zero Tolerance policy in the "war on drugs."  It doesn't
necessarily have any deeper meaning than "getting caught using
these without specific official sanction will land you in
Azkaban."


--Margaret Dean
  <margdean at erols.com>