Originally Posted by Tegz

Angelo stayed silent as Hirsch introduced him. The students would see soon enough that his status as a YATI trainee wasn't the sole reason, or even the main reason he was here. He nodded a few greetings at those he could recognize but otherwise stayed silent as the lesson began.

It would be interesting to see who made what with their clay. Hopefully there'd be at least a few creations based on living creatures of some sort. Two legged or four.


And this one had nothing to say. Angelo's eyes had lingered on Magdalena when she'd come in, because of reasons mostly (but not completely) relating to his younger brother, so he saw when the boy sat down with her.... and didn't answer the question. Oh well, maybe his interest would be caught by the topic a little later.

And the activities of course.


So first of all:
"Those of you who are using the clay, no need to concern yourself with taking notes. You can copy them down off the blackboard later if you wish." He paused and then began addressing the topic at hand.

"The Dark Arts is also known as Maleficium, or Black Magic. It includes spells, creatures, potions, Dark items and artifacts. Most of you have likely been brought up to believe that its always bad. Sometimes even 'evil'. If you take a step back from the textbook definition and think about it, you may realize that despite being indoctrinated with that opinion, you yourself may have employed a magic that is inherently 'dark' in nature. Those Curses, Hexes, and Jinxes you learn to hurt or harm others in a duel? Those are all dark magic. Potions which can be used to control someone? Arguably dark.

Likely you can think of examples in other subjects, if you think creatively- and often that is what dark artists do: think creatively. Think outside the box. The Dark Arts are said to be unfixed, mutating, and indestructible. This is interesting because it is historically said that Wizardkind in particular are resistant to change and innovation. People are often afraid of what they don’t understand, which is why some schools include the Dark Arts in their curriculum, and not simply Defense Against the Dark Arts like you have here at Hogwarts. I myself went to the Durmstrang Institute, where Dark Arts is a required class throughout our schooling." Angelo said. It was just different, that was all. And if you understood something and were educated in it, you were better equipped to deal with it.

"Dark doesn't mean evil. A weapon itself isn't evil on its own, the intent of its wielder and how it is used is what is most important. There is a difference between a criminal and a Dark Artist.

Some dark spells are legal, some dark magic is socially acceptable in some countries but not others. One of you mentioned the International Confederation of Wizards. The Unforgivable spells are deemed such by that particular organization, and the legal repercussions, IE imprisonment in Azkaban, is enforced by most -but not all- Ministries for Magic, in the case of Wizarding Britain, by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. In Britain only Aurors can legally use all dark magic if necessary." Angelo said, going over some of the answers and adding a few extra points on the matter.

"So, I'm here today because I'm more than just a YATI - which is the Youth Auror Training Initiative for those of you who are unfamiliar- I'm a dark practitioner myself. Other than my time at Durmstrang, I've been brought up with the Dark Arts, and by that I don't just mean spells that might be cast with a wand. I trust you aren't all completely worried about my soul." Did he look corrupted by his magic? Wasn't scaly. Didn't have a funny nose. Hmm? No. "I'm not here today to encourage all of you to employ the dark arts, or break any laws, or be hauled off to Azkaban for any reason." So... don't go asking, for that, kids.

"For now lets go over what is required for dark spells to work. As with any spell, you need a wand movement, and an incantation. We also know that the intent is important. But when it comes to dark magic, there is a fourth factor to successfully cast a dark spell without it backfiring in some way. Can anyone guess what that fourth factor might be and why that fourth factor is necessary?"

ooc: Feel free to think creatively! You're not going to find an answer spelled out for you anywhere Make sure any suggested fourth factor also comes with a reason for it! Also feel free to have your charrie ask questions if they are inclined. And keep going with the clay. HINT: While you can make anything you like and inanimate objects are totally fine (within SS rules) something based on a living creature miiiiight be useful.

Originally Posted by Lislchen

Aaaah there he was!

Maggie had almost missed Zeke walking in, she was a little busy wondering what Angelo was doing here. She did see him though. And she'd like to say she sensed him coming in too. Boyfriend vibes or something. Maggie could just FEEL when he was near. Yes. That. So he got a big grin. Hi. She was the best girlfriend, wasn't she? Saving him a seat and all that. Yes.

Giving his hand on her knee a soft squeeze, Maggie then used both hands to knead the clay. Hmm. Into what though? Hmm. For now she simply played around with it a little, to get the feel of it. Would she be able to form it into a unicorn? Was she artistically inclined enough for that? Where were her artsy friends when you needed them? Dima could probably do it.

Were they allowed to use magic?

As for Angelo's little speech, Maggie did pay attention to that. She totally did. It reminded her of what Dima once told her about his studies. Interesting. And she even thought about Angelo's question too. Seeing as she felt weird raising her arm for someone who wasn't technically a professor (and someone she kind of knew too) AND considering the fact that both her hands were busy with the he clay, Maggie decided to just speak up once it was quiet for a moment (okay maybe she even spoke over some first year but who cares?).

"Everything has to be right. Like, you don't just have to want to cast the spell but you have to be absolutely...determined to do it." Was that the same as intent? "Like, with a regular spell you have to want to cast the spell too obviously but like, the Dark Arts aren't just more advanced but also like...you have to be emotionally invested if you're casting one of those spells? Like, it's part of you. The whole spell." Was she making any sense at all?