Lesson 1: Introduction to Defense Against the Dark Arts
Chapter 1
~We cannot say there is a beginning to Dark Arts.
~As long as there has been light, there has been dark.
~The “Dark Arts” is a blanket term that covers anything that has the intent to harm, injure, or even kill another person.
~Once the Dark Arts have a hold on you, they never let you go.
~As the Dark Arts corrupt your soul, it will also corrupt your body.
~Dark Arts can never be defeated. We can only hold them back.
~The Ministry has made an effort to understand them by creating five categories of known Dark magic:
-Dark spells
-Dark potions
-Dark creatures
-Dark Artefacts
-Dark practices.
~DARK SPELL: Any magic used with the intent of harm.
~The dark spell are classified into three categories:
Jinx
~Does not cause much harm.
~Examples: The Tripping Jinx, the Stinging Jinx, and the Knock-back Jinx.
~Irritating and can be used as a distraction.
Hex
~A bit darker than the jinx
~Do more lasting damage.
~Examples: The Bat-Bogey Hex, the Hurling Hex, and Densaugeo.
~Cause a moderate amount of suffering.
~Can be reversed through a Hex Breaker.
Curse
~Darkest and most dangerous.
~Cast with the intent to severely harm or potentially even kill the target.
~Examples: The Reductor Curse, the Full Body-Bind Curse, and the Conjunctivitis Curse.
~Discouraged unless absolutely necessary.
~ A Subcategory: Unforgivable Curses- The Darkest.
The Wand Lighting Charm
~This simple spell will allow you to illuminate the tip of your wand. It is one of the easiest spells to master, useful whenever you need light, and makes for some good spellcasting practice.
~Now, the first known use of the Wand-Lighting Charm was in the 18th century,and was first demonstrated in 1772.
Incantation: Lumos (pronounced ‘LOO-mos’)
Wand Movement: Single counter-clockwise loop
Willpower: Low; determines the color of the light
Concentration: Low; lighting up the top of your wand
You should keep the wand movement in mind and don't put too much willpower, or mental push, into the spell or the tip of your wand will turn scarlet. Too little and it will be a pearly white. You should aim for a nice light yellow, which indicates sufficient effort.
The Wand Extinguishing Charm
~This spell has a singular purpose, and that is to counter the Wand-Lighting Charm.
Incantation: Nox (pronounced ‘NOCK-ss’)
Wand Movement: Flick of the wand
Willpower: None
Concentration: None
The Wand-Extinguishing Charm can be quickly cast and its effect is immediate. There is no harm of backlash, making it as safe as the charm it counters.
