Dark Magic WAS: Re:help with JKR quote/ Children's reactions

[lizzyben04]

No: HPFGUIDX 176708

> Mike:
> I did answer the question about Hermione's jinxed DA roster. I said 
> it was dark magic, just not Dark Magic. I also clarified that not all 
> spells that have long term effects are Dark as a spell that has no 
> long term effects can still be called Dark. IOW, there is no single 
> litmus test. Crucio is Dark, yet it's effects could be over almost 
> instaneously.

lizzyben:

OK... so there's a distinction between "dark magic" & "Dark Magic"
that's never been outlined in the books at all? What is the
distinction? Is it simply that it's (lower-case) dark magic when our
side does it and (upper-case) Dark Magic when people we don't like do it?

Mike:
> Obviously "deserving it" has nothing to do with what is Dark Magic. 
> So, I suppose you'd like to know whether this makes Hermione a "Dark 
> Witch"? I also suppose I'll let you answer that one for yourself, as 
> my opinion is simply that, my opinion. FWIW, my answer is no.
> As to where we draw the line, I guess that's really two questions. 
> Personally, my line is defined by "I know it when I see it". And it 
> is not defined by who casts the spell. 


lizzyben:

But if it's such an instinctive gut reaction as "I know it when I see
it," w/no further definition, how can you be sure that your opinion
isn't being influenced by who is casting the spell (i.e. a beloved
character or hated character), or what we are told & not shown
(Slytherins use dark magic, Gryffindors don't).

Mike:

Canon's line? The $64K 
> question on this list, aint it? But I'd venture to say that Harry 
> casting Crucio, and canon depicting Crucio as Dark Magic proves to me 
> that canon doesn't define it by who cast the spell either.
> 
> Now, do ya wanna ask me if Harry is a "Dark Wizard"? LOL
> 
> Mike

lizzyben:

Well, he's certainly got an aptitude for Dark Curses, doesn't he? This
boy took weeks of practice to learn an Accio spell, but can inflict
Sectumsempra, Crucio & Imperio w/no practice at all. He's a natural.

What I guess I'm saying is that the connotations & bias are so deep
that it's really impossible to look at it objectively - we are totally
steeped in the (biased) Gryffindor point of view, even though, upon
closer examination, that POV really doesn't make any sense at all. 

I think it's very possible to create a coherent alternate POV in which
*Gryffindor* House is really the House of Dark Magic, & our
protagonists are potentially dangerous Dark Wizards. 

House A & House B - Students in House B have a reputation for
inflicting Dark Curses on people who anger them; and most especially
on students from House A. They are fanatically devoted to their
Leader, & have been known to use violence against anyone who
criticizes him. From their first year, 3 students from House B began
to use dark curses & jinxes against anyone who got in their way. One
witch came to Hogwarts knowing more curses than most seventh-years,
and one of these students spoke Parselmouth, a classic sign of Dark
Wizardry. This student later became the ring-leader of a group of
budding dark wizards. This group regularly punched, jinxed, and cursed
any student from House A who annoyed them - in fourth year, they used
so much dark magic against some House A students that those students
were knocked unconscious.  

The ring-leader formed a gang called the "DA", who met regularly to
learn various Dark Arts & defenses; this gang is known to lift tactics
from the Death Eaters. The witch created a hex that permanently
injured anyone who tried to report their illegal activities; and
the gang regularly cursed a member who questioned their activities.
One promising Dark Witch from this gang developed her own signature
hex, which she inflicted on any student who attempted to cross her.
When the Headmaster & some House A students apprehended this gang, the
gang used dark magic to inflict significant damage & escape. 

By sixth year, this "trio" of terror had so much power, nobody could
stop them. The witch used jinxes to hurt a rival from her own House,
and the ring-leader almost killed a student with a Dark Curse,
w/little sign of remorse. He later attempted to use Unforgivable
Curses against a professor. By seventh year, the ring-leader was using
Unforgiveable Curses w/ease - Imperioing innocent goblins, & Crucioing
a professor. Meanwhile, the Head of House B also used illegal Dark
Curses herself=, and attempted to kill the Headmaster of the school.
The students from House B regularly used Dark Magic against innocent
students from House A, w/the encouragement & tacit approval of their
Leader.  

Which is the real house of "Dark Magic" here? House A or House B? 
<grin>


lizzyben