"I don't know....I think...for me at least....sometimes the line between what's wrong and what's right is blurred." She mused with the frown that seemed ever present in every lesson this term. "Sometimes you have to do what's wrong in order to do what's right. And somethings that you consider right or wrong, might not be considered that way by me."

She paused, twirling her quill between her fingers slowly. "Your making it seem to simple too...dark magic. I don't think its that simple. I don't think dark magic is wrong...or being capable of preforming it for that matter." Her frown softened just a tad as she shrugged her shoulders lightly. "The world's not black and white, and neither is the ability to preform dark magic."

Luin listened to some of the discussion going on as far as dark wizards were concerned. She always despised anything to do with them, especially because that was the reason her mother was killed in Sweden. She frowned for a bit, contemplating as the reasons were discussed, and then raised her hand, "As far as many of the dark wizards that I have heard of, they have always seemed so believe that they are better in some standard than others, whether if be muggles or half-bloods. They seem to think they have some kind of divine rule that they hold above others." she paused, "Although there has been a tie to many in the house of Slytherin and it's heritage, there are many other dark wizards in the world who were not tied even to hogwarts, although I believe as far as Slytherin goes, A lot of that thinking stems from the founder himself. Salazar Slytherin was one of the founders who did not want those half-bloods and muggle-borns to be able to study here at the school. Also, each year the sorting hat makes a song about the houses and the Slytherin part mentions cunning a lot." she paused for breath, "Many of the dark wizards that we see have had some kind of trust issues from the time they were children, stemming from some kind of incident, or their upbringing."

Jaina raised her hand again. "Is it like when Yugoslavia broke apart in civil war and the Serbs, I think it was, were committing genocide because they felt they were better than the others and wanted to 'cleanse' their society. I don't understand that though. Why would they want to do that to non-magical people?" She was hoipng to impress Benjamin by answering a lot in this class. She turned to Belle and smiled to see if she was correct in anyway.

"Ummm.. Professor? People seem to have forgotten about Alecto and Amycus Carrow. but to answer your question, I think Dark witches or wizards tend to be drawn to the life of darkness because dark magic really has no boundries, no laws, or bylaws, or anything like that. It takes time to be a good witch or wizard, but for dark magic, all you really have to do, is pass the essential arts of magic, then go about to the dark side and learn new spells and wand movements, a few dark secrets, and you're all set. Basically. Or in theory, atleast. I'm sure there's more to it than that, but that's the basic theory of it." Benjamin loooked back at the board and frowned. " There's also Barty Crouch, Jr. that should be on the board."

Eino liked this argument brought up by Mr. Jimmy. "Supposing that they use it to break the law, that should make it wrong. However, the Witch of Edon is one of the first witches to be known to magic to summon the ghosts of the dead, which we often see floating around today." Including in their own school, they had quite a few ghosts, at least four, one for each of the Houses, then a few from past Professors, he had heard, and a poltergeist. "But those ghosts aren't evil, and today that same magic is not classified as Dark Arts." Or was it? Surely the school wouldn't have the product of Dark Magic floating around... Right?

"But in terms of the Unforgivable curses..." He began quite nervously. He didn't like talking about the subject very much, but his curiosity provoked him to speak. "O-one of them kills, right? The other inflicts severe pain, I believe. The third, allows for the target to be controlled by the caster. Now the first and second only have one purpose, a very terrible one, but is the third always bad?" He intended this question for the Professor, but he looked around the room to take answers from anyone. Is there really no way in which it could be used for good? Eino was rubbing his hands together constantly and fidgeting uncontrollably.

Hugo thought about it... Dark... Slytherin. Although Fee wasn't evil and dark, he still saw a direct connection between the two. Like a tunnel that leads to the dark arts. "I think the reason Slytherins are so drawn to darkness is, well, first of all the personality traits of Slytherins, but second of all that Slytherin will 'help them on the way to greatness'. It's easier to destroy than to restore. Greatness and power is often much greater on the dark side," he said. "I think they all have big dreams and some want to use it for bad and some for good," he said.

Emily smiled at the Hufflepuff.
"You're right, knowledge is power, it's definately a part of it, and curiosity would be a strong motivator... aside from world domination of course" Emily giggled to herself. She thought for a moment... "But I suppose you need to consider what it means to be 'brilliant'... I don't think that is too straight forward either."

"It seems the assumption is that only Dark wizards use dark magic, that only they're drawn to dark magic... but good wizards could also know and understand it without using it", she added.

Kurumi raised an eyebrow at Eino. There was a reason why those spells were called Unforgivable and not Forgivable. Ignoring his comment about the ghosts for now, Kurumi turned around in her seat to look at Eino, who seemed to be fidgeting a lot more than usual. "That spell doesn't just make the target do the biding of the caster, it makes them do it without question. It's like brainwashing," Kurumi said in a rather matter of fact tone. "Don't you think making others do things without their consent is bad?"

"I suppose so, but what about making a bad person do something, well, not bad?" Supposing it was using to stop someone from doing something bad, it must be forgiven then, no? It's use wasn't so clear as the others, there were ways about it. "Imagine Walnut is crossing the road and car is coming, but he panics and stops, and won't obey your command? Would casting it on him to order him to run be a bad thing?" Eino didn't suppose so, and if it did, well then Walnut shouldn't make a very nice pair of mittens if it was flattened! I mean, yes there would be other ways about it, but Eino didn't see anything wrong with the use of the curse in that particular situation. "Plus, there are many other spells that can be used for the wrong reasons, like Incendio, for example." What made spells like that forgivable when they could also kill someone?

Emily has stayed scilent throught this lesson so far.
Nerve-racking enought was that the headmaster was here, but they were talking about dark wizards! She didn't like this topic one bit.
She wrote down notes in her journal and mulled over what she had read in the library. Mabye there was some truth to it, and that scared her slightly.

Kurumi listened as Eino spoke, and she gasped rather loudly when he brought up the possible situation of her precious cat getting flattened by oncoming traffic. First of all, Walnut would never cross a street unless she was carrying him, but that wasn't the point. "Eino, I think you are missing the point. As far as I know, there are not any counter spells to these Unforgivable Curses," Kurumi said with just a bit of a snarl. How dare he suggest Walnut be run over! "Sure, if you has exception will you can fight the Imperius Curse, but very few people can do that." She was pretty sure that she couldn't and would be very surprised if Eino could. He had, after all, thrown his pet cactus from the Owlery. "The Imperius Curse is also almost completely undetectable! No one should have the ability to control others. That power is just wrong," Kurumi said getting a bit defensive. "Besides, if Walnut refused to move, I could use several different spells to save him." Like transfigure him into a rock.

Kurumi didn't seem to be understanding Eino's point on view on the usage of Imperio as a counter curse, and not with the intention to harm someone. "I don't mean to suggest that someone should be forgiven for using it with malicious intentions, but you ought to know that some people have good intentions even when they do bad things." Eino shook his head. It was very simple in his little brain. Incendio could be used to light a small fire and burn an entire building. Imperio could be used to control someone to their death as well as to control someone to their safety. He should like it if someone used it on him to stop him from doing something wherein he lack the ability to see it's negative effects on himself. He shrugged. "I do not condone the use of such curses to harm others." And he should like it if she stopped lecturing him, he knew what it was, he was only curious as to which limit it could be forgiven, not by law but morality. She was adamant to sticking to facts and not venturing into discussion, so he diffused the conversation and resumed to counting his eyelashes. He had stopped at fifty-three on his right eye alone. Left eye: fifty four, fifty five, fifty six, oh, pulled too hard... Make a wish. I wish for butterbeer for breakfast tomorrow morning. Fifty six again, fifty seven, fifty eight...

Watching his quill take the notes down, Salander was content just slouching lazily, listening to the discussion going around him, until this--


A deep scowl crossed his features as he shifted in his seat to see who that was. Josh? Is he serious? Well he's laughing but why cant he shake off the feeling like the Gryffindor meant it? "Snape wasnt a coward." Salander replied in even tones "He made a terrible mistake-- and he spent the rest of his life correcting that mistake. He had to play both sides for over a decade just to bring Voldemort down. Voldermort-- the deadliest and most powerful wizard of the time. Can you imagine how insanely dangerous that was? Instead of cowering away for his life and betraying his friends-- like Pettigrew-- Snape took the task of helping defeat Voldemort from within. If that isnt courage I dont know what you call it."


Boy this is really testing his thinking cap now ain't it? "Because theres not a whole lot thats known about Dark magic. Brilliant people get bored easily with what is known-- what is safe. Their curiosity allows them to push past the safety zone and discover what is it that makes something unknown-- or dangerous-- regarded as they are. Its the thirst to confirm or debunk it--is this Dark Magic really dark by its purpose, or is it something thats just categorized as that simply because no one dared to demystify it?"




"Family mostly" started the Slytherin lad "Families-- parents-- they're the first teachers. Belief from the forefathers gets passed down the generations. Some just grow up and swallow it whole and then pass it on to their kids without question. Some are pressured to keep in line because the rest of the family is expected to behave the same way. And then as I mentioned before-- some are just attracted naturally to the mysteries of dark magic and find themselves in the same company. Slytherins." shrugs.

Damian thought for a moment. Dark Wizards, huh?
"Professor, Dark Wizards are drawn into dark arts because of it's power... the ability to go beyond..." she smiled with a spark in her eyes.

Jake stalled, looking genuinely confused.

"What?!" he responded. Manners? Why be polite about that guy? "You're telling me Remí whatsisname isn't Dark?"

Jake folded his arms and full on pouted. Dude.

"Didn't do anythin'," Jake mumbled. HMPH. He let Neptune fiddle with his collar but still poutpoutPOUTED.

Jake… kind of stayed quiet for a moment. He had quite a valid view on this, but feared it wouldn't be met with much… happiness.

But he had to say it. "Dark wizards aren't always… bad, I guess. I know I'm guilty of associating 'Dark' with bad… but dark only describes the wizard. They don't always have bad intentions."

He kinda… knew. What did people think he'd been learning over the past year.

That… was a nudge.

Yes Neptune. We see you.

Jake gave the girl a smile and a squeeeeeze of the hand. "Super smart too, huh?"

She was perfect. Yup.

Those were a lot of questions and Sakura had answers for a few of them. Answers that she wanted to share no matter how touchy this subject was for her personally.

Now to tackle them one at a time.

"Sir I believe that the hatred of muggle borns and muggles comes from a feeling of fear as others have stated, a well founded fear. One only has to look back in history to see the damage muggles have done to our society and the more muggle borns that are introduced to our world the larger chance there is that they will tell someone of their magic who thinks that we are unnatural and will try to attack us. Added to that I think that if we look at people like Voldemort he grew up with muggles and saw how cruel they could be, his childhood wasn't the best so I think in a way he wanted to take that out on all other muggles. And lastly there is the superiority complex. These Dark Wizards believed they were better than most light wizards, that superiority complex I believe would be doubled or tripled when it comes to how they feel about muggles, people they don't believe are on their level because they can't see how they could possibly measure up against us." At least those were things she'd been taught by her parents concerning muggles. Personally Sakura thought it was wrong, she did however believe in preserving the pureblood status.

"The thing about a lot of Dark Wizards being brilliant I think can be explained by the fact that they got bored with light magic. They felt they learnt all they could using light magic and so turned to dark magic to continue learning. Now I believe that one has to be powerful to achieve at least the most difficult dark magic, just as one also has to be brilliant to achieve the most advanced light magic. Many of Dark Wizards we learn about have reached the pinnacle of Dark Magic, which is why they were so successful, and therefore they appear to be brilliant wizards. The ones that we don't learn about are the not so brilliant ones, and that is because they never achieved enough control over Dark Magic to become successful," she hoped that her answer made sense.

Ahh, now the question that was directed at her about her previous answer. "Speaking from experience sir I believe that in the end they can't form proper relationships based on truth and love. They can feel those emotions certainly, and they can have relationships. However, eventually if the people in their lives don't share the same views they become disposable. Even when it comes to family. Parents will hurt their own children simply to get what they want. If you hurt someone enough times they stop trusting you, and they may even stop loving you because they simply fear you," Sakura paused to take a few deep breaths to calm herself before continuing. "If however they share the same goals as the people they were originally with then yes I believe that they can maintain loving and trusting relationships."

"The connection between Slytherin and Dark Wizards I believe is simple. We are known to be ambitious, and certainly Dark Wizards, at least the famous ones were ambitious. I also believe some of it comes down to the prejudice that used to exist between the houses. Slytherins used to be hated and we had to work hard to get ahead. We needed to build up walls to protect ourselves from the rest of the school. If everyone assumes that you are a horrible person and will be a Dark Wizard I believe that eventually you may give them what they expect because you grow bitter and come to resent others, and therefore when the chance comes to have retribution some people can go too far. Our house was attacked the most and therefore I believe it is no surprise that we had a lot of people who reacted and in that reaction ended up going overboard and becoming dark. Then there is the fact that a lot of Slytherins used to be Pureblood's and therefore they believed they were superior to others, especially muggles, and would do anything to reach the goals they had and to make sure that a hierarchy was maintained where muggles were at the bottom of the food chain."

Did she really just say all of that?

She did.

Well at least now it was all out of her system and they were meant to be having a discussion...

Cass, who had been silently fuming in her seat was listening to her classmates answers. How there they insinuate that Slytherin was a house made especially for dark wizards! hmp!

She raised her hand and said in a clipped manner "Professor, I sort of disagree with what my other classmates are saying. Not all Slytherin's are prone to the practice of dark magic, it just so happens that one Slytherin trait is that we Slytherins know what we want and we would use every means available to get it, and most of the time, the easiest way is the bad way." Then she took a deep breath to calm herself down and continued on "I also think that most Slytherins are drawn more to power than evil in itself, therefore, they are drawn to dark magic because of the belief that 'it is better to be feared than respected'"

When she had finished, she sat down and silently glared at the chalkboard.

"I think that a lot of the time they actually do want to be respected. At least at first, but the further they delve into dark magic the more twisted their views become, until eventually I don't think they can distinguish between people fearing them and people actually respecting them and their ideas. Dark magic is simply an avenue we are unafraid to explore, and I agree that we explore it really to get what we want, I just disagree with the statement that they delve into dark magic to make people fear them." It was meant to be a discussion and therefore she was allowed to disagree with the other girl, even if she did believe that most of what she said was correct. Just not all of it.

SPOILER!!: Jake xo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

Jake stalled, looking genuinely confused.

"What?!" he responded. Manners? Why be polite about that guy? "You're telling me Remí whatsisname isn't Dark?"

Jake folded his arms and full on pouted. Dude.



"Didn't do anythin'," Jake mumbled. HMPH. He let Neptune fiddle with his collar but still poutpoutPOUTED.



Jake… kind of stayed quiet for a moment. He had quite a valid view on this, but feared it wouldn't be met with much… happiness.

But he had to say it. "Dark wizards aren't always… bad, I guess. I know I'm guilty of associating 'Dark' with bad… but dark only describes the wizard. They don't always have bad intentions."

He kinda… knew. What did people think he'd been learning over the past year.



That… was a nudge.

Yes Neptune. We see you.

Jake gave the girl a smile and a squeeeeeze of the hand. "Super smart too, huh?"

She was perfect. Yup.

...Giggle.

"I think he's saying you're being very naughty, Mr. Morgan. But it's okay. I'm watching you now." Neptune griiiiiiiiiiiiiinned. "I agree with you though. Dark and evil aren't the same. Professor Duskurk was anything but and HE taught us Dark stuff."

He was good people. Neptune took a moment to miss him.

"Super smart, too." Giggle. Yup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mellamaet

Cass, who had been silently fuming in her seat was listening to her classmates answers. How there they insinuate that Slytherin was a house made especially for dark wizards! hmp!

She raised her hand and said in a clipped manner "Professor, I sort of disagree with what my other classmates are saying. Not all Slytherin's are prone to the practice of dark magic, it just so happens that one Slytherin trait is that we Slytherins know what we want and we would use every means available to get it, and most of the time, the easiest way is the bad way." Then she took a deep breath to calm herself down and continued on "I also think that most Slytherins are drawn more to power than evil in itself, therefore, they are drawn to dark magic because of the belief that 'it is better to be feared than respected'"

When she had finished, she sat down and silently glared at the chalkboard.

Neptune turned to give this Slytherin a look.

Slytherins. Pah. True it was the 2nd best House and all but.. Neptune HAD to giggle at them.

"This is why," her eyes flashed over to Jimmy, "I'm proud to be a Ra-ven-claw." As he was so expertly proving himself to be. " Not that I think you're wrong in your assessment, Cass, on the contrary. You would know and all."

She nudged Jake again, glad that HE was a Hufflepuff.

Dianna was taken aback by the Professor's question. The fact that he was saying Slytherin's are prone to being evil because of the influence over Dark Magic or other words that associate with being evil. Although she wasn't saying it was a lie either. Not that she was one of those, of course NOT.

"Just like what my other classmate was saying, not all Slytherin's are prone to Dark Magic and all that evil stuff. Although for me, I think it all started with the fact that Salazar Slytherin's house was only for pure bloods, with exception to some other Dark wizards, and that he himself built the reputation of Slytherin's being... a bit... um...wait, let me rephrase that. Because Slytherins used to think highly of themselves and only themselves, loving the Dark Arts only, and sometimes being quite snobbish to others... ," Di said.
"But that was before... Honestly, in my opinion, all the houses at Hogwarts is cool to me.." she added with a smile.

"The thing about opinions is that everyone is entitled to their own. In my OPINION, things ARE that simple. That is how I look at them. When Dark Arts are performed on you or around you it tends to give you a different outlook on things," she said in a small voice.

Finding a lovely spot on her desk to STARE at she continued, "YOu say that the world isn't black and white. Never said it was. To me Dark Arts is a very clear line though. They are called DARK for a reason. There is a certain stigma connected to them for a reason. But again... everyone is entitled to their own view point."

OPINIONS. She had them. Didn't mean everyone had to agree with her. That was kind of the point. Her personal beliefs on the matter stemmed from years of watching people get hurt...she being one of those people. Kind of made her see things a little differently.

"I agree with you," Sakura said as she looked at the girl, recognizing in her somebody who could be a kindred spirit. "The reasons behind someone performing Dark Arts can be complicated, some of them do it because they think they're doing what's right, but delving into them is never correct. Everyone can make an argument for why the line shouldn't be as clear cut as some of us say it is but until you've been hurt by people who practice the Dark Arts I don't believe you can judge those of us who think that it is. Because the harsh truth is that a lot of the time it's the people you should be able to trust that are hurting you and others you love." Sakura spoke up, backing - or at least trying to- the other girl. She didn't know her name but she didn't need to, to agree with her.

"I completely agree", said Claire in response to the Slytherin girl.
"It's too easy to stereotype people based on their heritage or what house they were sorted into. I believe that more dark witches and wizards have come out of slytherin than any other house but thats more of a personality trait, WHICH may also be exhibited by people from other houses. Ambition... is something we all have- or most of us at lease. We want to be successful and powerful and respected... and so some people turn to the dark arts because it can offer them that. There are no boundaries to restrict them from achieving what they want, the dark arts provides them with the power the get it. But hell, doesn't mean a Ravneclaw couldn't be a dark witch or wizard... or a gryfindor or hufflepuff. It just comes down to personality, ambitions and choice.. but mainly choice."

Chloe was gobsmacked bythe response of one young Slytherin girl to the headmaster and responded, "Thats quite a mature statement for someone as young a yourself to make and I quite agree with you. Not all Slytherins are bad and your reasoning is quite well put. There are a lot of Slytherins that end up becoming evil. But look at Peter Pettigrew, he was a Gryffindor but he became evil. Why is that? Could it be maybe it is more the individuals choices and less the house they came from. Some may say Peter Pettigrew is a special case but I really don't think so. Harry Potter as an individual who grew up with an aunt and uncle who was treated him horribly chose to be a good person and fight the dark arts when he could have easily given into them. Did Harry have some Slytherenesque qualitiies? Yes. Harry knew what he was sneaky in getting what he wanted and faught for it ever since learned he was a wizard. He wasalsototallyloyal to his freinds. And Hermione had the whit of a Revenclaw, the loyalty to her freinds of a Huffle Puff, and sly sneakyness of a Slytherin who worked hard and knew what she wanted with was to get what she needed to help her freinds which often involved the bravery of a Gyffondor. I daresay we all have the qualities of every house in this school within us all. They are what makes us human. Therefore to say it is not a certain house that makes a wizard even more prone to becoming dark. It is are backround and who we chose to be our freinds and what comes as a result of that. Also in certain cases a once good person could make an extremely bad choice for whatever reason that spirals their life to the dark side. But it has nothing to do with house in my opinion and everything toto with the individual".

"Could we not look at Dark magic as black and white? Like it's a very simple thing that could be explained concisely and completely at any rate? I agree with Arya here, sir." Cedric threw Arya a quick glance and shifted his head to the Headmaster at once. "I think we couldn't really tell what makes a Dark wizard a dark wizard. Perhaps it's his intentions, choices, purposes, beliefs that are classified as bad or may be bad to us. Or maybe his actions, demeanor, a circle of friends that he has.. but could we really tell if one is a Dark wizard? Or bad, in that sense." His face took on a pondering air. "That's why we couldn't really tell if you're a Dark wizard, sir, just because your friend, Voldemortist, is." Let's not kick him out class, please?

"And yes, I too think that Dark wizards aren't always bad or completely bad as they seemed to be. Perhaps there are certain circumstances that triggered them to be bad or do, have done what we deemed as bad things." Cedric paused, and let out a sigh. "I really do sometimes wonder if there is even such a thing as bad at all." Well, you see, that was his Hufflepuff-ness right there.