Raiden raised his hand tentatively; there were goosebumps all up and down his arm. It was too cold and too dark and there were ghosts, of whom he wasn't particularly afraid, but still... they added to the overall creepiness of the room. He looked first at Sir Nicholas, trying to manage a smile, then at the Bloody Baron. No smile was possible on that one, really...

Galloping Gargoyles, even Myrtle was coming out? He bit his lip. Just what was going on?

"Dark Creatures aren't afraid of humans, whether they're wizards or Muggles," he started, voice shaking a little bit. He really wished he'd thought to bring his sweater with him, rather than leaving it in his room... "They like to prey on humans, in general... and I think for the most part, they don't have the same life-like thing as normal creatures. They don't have baby-dark-creatures..." He paused and gulped a little bit. "And...they have some type of power that they use to hurt people or cause pain. Like a sphinx, they do riddles, and if you don't answer right, they'll kill you. I don't know if that's really a good example, but..."

Right. No more. He put his hand down and under the desk, rolling the vial between his fingers anxiously.

Daniel cleared his throat and raised his hand, "Dark creatures differ with sometimes not too greatly with magical creatures, but they do differ. For one, dark creatures are magical in nature and they are not animals. Another is that they do not have a normal life cycle like other animals do, they cannot reproduce, and they exists only as an embodiment of an evil intention.

Lastly, they often seek to harm others, not to sustain life, but for unknown reasons. The Red Caps are a great example. They bludgeon unsuspectingly travelers so that they can use their blood to stain their cloth caps red. It doesn't give them food, it doesn't allow them to reproduce, they do it purely out of nastiness. One way of thinking about it is to say that they are a physical embodiment of an evil, harmful intent. And if you think about the essence of magic being intent, Dark creatures are a physical embodiment of Dark Magic.

Daniel then paused and sighed. And then he added, "Sometimes the difference of a dark creature and a magical creature can get a little blurry. Werewolves are a great example. Sometimes they are not Dark creatures, but when they are, they attack people with the intention of passing the disease on to others or kill them. Daniel sighed after saying the last word, he had never meant to say so long but he actually did...

Celandine raised her hand and provided the textbook answer with her own little additions, "The three primary ways a dark creature differs from typical magical and mundane creatures are; They are magical in nature- like how the Pogrebin makes you not care anymore and lose all hope and will to carry on," Cela shuddered, those things were quite horrible and their brand of hope-sucking magic was really hard to resist.

"Secondly, they often do not have a complete life cycle the way a typical animal would but exist simply as a physical extension of an evil intention. In other words they aren't born and do not grow in the sense that typical magical or mundane creatures do. In most cases we don't actually know how they... ummm... well spawn isn't really the right word either is it? We don't know how they come to exist." Hmm, the words 'evil intention' tugged something in her mind, but Cela put it aside to finish her answer.

"They seek actively to harm, often for no other reason than that's what they do. They don't kill out of necessity, no hunting to eat or grow or anything like that. A lot of dark creatures lure people to their death with no obvious purpose; into bogs and rivers and things like that, at least Hinkypunks and Kappas do that- Even the muggles know about those ones through their myths and legends."

Celandine wrinkled her nose, mentally reviewing all the dark creatures she had personally come in contact with and surprising herself with how many there were. But the words 'evil intention' still tugged at her. Cela raised her hand again, this time to ask a question, "Excuse me Professor Kazimeriz, is it possible that dark creatures may have come about from extremely powerful and malevolent curses, maybe even being used alongside illegal breeding techiques? Because something like that could in theory be self-perpetuating since there is always 'evil intent' in the heart of some witch or wizard, somewhere." She could point a few out quite easily herself.

"That could possibly fuel or feed a dark creature, not to mention the sorrow, fear, hopelessness and death that the dark creatures extract and maybe absorb from us." Did that even make sense? Cela cleared her throat and added, "It just seems there is a bit of a common thread of dark magic between dark creatures like lethifolds," Cela supressed a shudder, " And curses with malevolent intent."

Defense Against the Dark Arts was confuzzling.. and getting creepier by the second too. Shudder. He had to try and be brave though. Yup yup. He didn't want Evangeline thinking he was a wimp.. or anyone else for that matter. Especially Kazimeriz. Hmpf.

"Well Professor," Clifford started, trying to keep his voice steady as he raised his hand. "These spooky dark creatures yeah? Well, they ain't really animals ... and they're magical in nature. Creepy, huh?" He certainly thought so.

"And - And they don't have like.. this normal life cycle that ordinary animals have.. like we have. They just live as this physical extension of an evil intention. They're just here to cause harm.. and to cause fear, I think."

Cringing at the thought, Clifford took a steadying breath before finishing his answer.

"Dark creatures.. they're like bullies. For no apparent reason right, they try to cause harm.. to hurt us. That's just what they do.. what they're here for. They don't attack to eat.. they simply attack for the sake of attacking. I'm not a huge fans of unicorns, but jeeez, I'd rather bump into one o' them than a drak creature."

Herminny raised her hand cause she had some thoughts on this issue as well and said, "Well sir, dark creatures are more dangerous then normal ones cause they are more more spontaneous, they don't think of the effect it will have on others cause it's just there nature, they are not trying to hurt anyone. Another major difference is they usual look more dangerous built for combat, it's just the kind of creature they are. And the third major difference is that dark creatures usually lurk in areas not so pleasant or freindly which means they don't have time to think whats good, whats bad, what becomes seccond nature to them is survival and thats why there dangerous, they have to be".

Paris wanted to beam. She hadn't earned any points in DAD before and she was rather proud that Kazimeriz had pointed her out and even her Slytheirn tendencies. She raised her hand, "Dark creatures tend to seek out humans or wizards to cause them harm. Dark creatures are usually crossbreds of other types of creatures. They were created by a witch or wizard like a basilisk." She offered.

Emalyn fought very hard, telling herself not to just say "dark creatures are just plain dangerous." Instead, she let this question go, listening to the other students' answers with interest.

Miles raised his hand, shaking only slightly. "Dark creatures are ... darker." He snorted. "Plus, instead of being a lot like a normal magical creatures, like unicorns, as you said, they normally have abilities to inflict dark magic. And also, they're just not very nice. I guess that's what makes them 'dark', they create fear."

Ana raised her hand "Well they're impossible to train or domesticate and will probably harm with no reason. They can cause negative effects on humans like dementors, right? and they don't have a normal life circle, like other animals"

Joanne glanced over her shoulder to Nearly Headless Nick. All the ghosts seemed to be there. She scratched her nose as she heard the professors speech and question
She raised her hand to answe" Dark creatures, in opposition to other magical animals, have a strong intent to kill and or hurt human beings. For example, most animals life goal is to reproduce, dark creatures is to provoke panic, pain and kill. That's one of the differences. Their instincts and goals. The other one is that Dark creatures rarely can be called animals, they are not domesticable and don't allow wizards to approach them. That's the second difference, they are not domesticable. And and the last one, is that they they cannot be called animals because they are the incarnation of evil spirits, brought back by really dark magic." she finished he answer and folded her arms close to her chest.
Dark creatures were a fascinating subject but she did not want to have any kind of encounter with them. She looked around the room again. No one seemed to acknowledge her presence as usual. She sighed and listened to her classmates' answers.

Twilight sat there and listened, she knew there was more to this then thatr. WHat had her parents said again..... her mother was an auror, she had heard talk. Plus her grandfather had gone and sat her down this summer and had talked about several dark creatures.

Slowly Twilight raised her hand, then she said. " It is tru that dark creatures are totally magical beings and dont complete a natural life cycle. There is a debate if werewolves and vampires who are part human during sometimes are such or not. Maybe it depends on where thier loyalties and intent lies? But i think what really makes them differetn from other beings is what they live off of: most live off the fear of thier victims, who consist often of humans wizards or muggles. THey either detect them and kill or feed off the fear of thier victims until thier vicitms are like a vegetable. Or they lure them and kill thier victims. They use deciet, fear and lure to gain thier vicitms."

Evangeline had figured out all she had to do in order to dont run away screaming. And that was concentrate on the questions Kazimeriz was asking, as well as the answers her classmates were giving. It was working too!

Sorta, anyway. When she began her answer, after raising her hand, her voice was still a bit unsteady.

"Dark creatures are nasty little creatures that have no other purpose than to harm something or someone. Like ... Banshees. Their scream kill people, right? But they don't fed on those people. They just .. kill them for the heck of it." The Prefect said with a curt nod. She had heard that there was once a singer that sang with Banshees as the backing group - she couldn't understand how that worked, though. Wouldnt they kill the singer's fans? Hmmm. "Also, dark creatures are magical in their nature, they ain't animals really. For that, they don't really have a complete life cycle and many times they just ... exist."

Evangeline had a slight idea that all she had just said made little sense. Ah well.

Emiliano raised his hand to answer to the question. "Well, dark creatures differ from the magical creatures or animals...on the fact that they just attack to do harm, to feed from their fear towards them, they don't have a complete life cycle, and they cannot be domesticated like magical creatures can..." He said with sort of a firm voice. It was turning quite chilly since the arrival of the ghosts around the classroom.

Anna continued to look forward as Professor Kazimeriz spoke. She listened as he spoke of fear and its role in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Anna thought carefully about the three primary ways dark creatures differed from other creatures and then raised her hand. "First of all, dark creatures differ from other creatures in that they are magical in nature. For example, a boggart is a shape-shifter that can take the form of a multitude of different people or objects, depending on what a particular person fears the most. Boggarts exist simply to cause another to fear. They have no other purpose," she said. "Second of all, dark creatures often times do not have a complete life cycle the way a typical creature would. Dark creatures exist only to assist in evil intentions. They exist only to do harm and damage, such as the banshee---a dark creature whose screams have the power to kill. Finally, dark creatures set out to harm another simply because that is the creatures sole purpose for existing. Red caps, for example, seek to kill humans, so they can use their blood to stain their cloth caps red," she finished. "Dark creatures act only out of pure nastiness and evilness."

Abby raises her hand. "Dark creatures are not animals. They don't have a normal life cycle like regular magical creatures do. Dark Creatures attack to just hurt someone not for food. They are the physical enbodiment of evil and Dark Magic."

"That'll be two points for conversing in my class, Diggory. Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington is here as my guest, not for your entertainment. Focus on the lesson." Kazimeriz said sternly.

"Very good- but refrain from quoting the texts verbatim. I presume all of you know how to read; what I wish to hear is proof that you are comprehending the material." Professor Kazimeriz cautioned the boy.


"A good guess, but not completely accurate. True dark creatures are not usually crossbred or wizard-generated; instead they are literally corporeal evil-- that is, the physical embodiment of what society views as 'evil' or negative intentions. That being said, many such creatures are deeply misunderstood. For example, werewolves and vampires fall into somewhat different category, being that they are part-human and merely act on a base, animalistic level to satisfy a very dangerous need. But we will talk more about werewolves, vampires, and other complex creatures during another class... for the purposes of this class we are going to be focusing on specific dark creatures: those that feed on Fear." A ghost of a smirk crossed Professor Kazimeriz's face.

"They do not inflict dark magic in the same way that we as wizards think of 'magic' with wands and such, but yes, they are capable of altering mood and doing physical and psychological damage to their victims."

"Very true. With some rare exceptions, you will never see a juvenile dark creature for this very reason. I am sure this disappoints those of you who would find a baby boggart to be a delightful pet, but regrettably, as Miss Green stated, they merely exist with no true life cycle." Kazimeriz nodded. "Two points are awarded to every student who offered an opinion. Now then... let's get to it. As you are aware, the topic of this class is Fear, so let us turn our attention to dark creatures and fear. Who can name one dark creature that feeds on fear?"

Emiliano raised his hand..."A boggart, perhaps. It takes the shape of our greatest fear..." He said.

"Dementors do, right Sir?" Clifford asked shakily, raising his arm in the air. "They suck all the happiness right out of a person.."

Dominic should have known that the first year would have lost points... He had almost guessed it, judging from first and foremost the Professor. Glowering again at the Hufflepuff in disapproval (as if lost points weren't enough), he sighed and redirected his attention back to the ancient one.

Raising his hand, the fifth year spoke of the first creature he knew of that would maybe "feed on fear". "Professor, I believe that the Boggart would be classified as one of these dark creatures that you speak of."

William put his hand in the air, "A Dementor feeds on fear I think Sir." He replied, not quite sure on his answer, but thought he'd give it a shot anyway.

Seymour raised his hand, pushing his glasses back up his nose with the other. "One of a few select dark creatures that feed on fear is the boggart, sir." He paused, considering something. "Sir-- how exactly do these dark creatures use one's emotions as sustenance? I understand that they do not have the typical body circumstances or life cycle as most creatures, so how do they use a bodiless form of psycological feeling to operate their biology?" It was really a fascinating study, if not slightly befuddling at times. How would that work?

"Dementors suck on our fear and bring us fear" said Barry hand raised.

Other people were saying Boggarts fed on fear, but Tobi wasn't sure he would go along with that.

He raised a hand, "Sir, I'm not sure it's accurate to say a boggart feeds on fear, uses it against us yes, but it doesn't seem to grow stronger, except by comparison, as we are paralyzed by our own fear if we don't keep our wits about us," he said. If he was wrong, then he could get into some serious trouble, and that thought made him a little apprehensive indeed. He continued anyway, "The creature that feeds on fear is a Dementor. It also feeds on other emotions, all strong emotions really."

"Dementors. They feed on fear and bad experiences absorving all the hapiness from people" she said raising her hand

Joanne thought about what to answer for a few moments. Dementors were the most obvious answer, they feed from such emotions as fear. Then there was the Boggarts, whose attack was based in the infliction of fear... "Dementors feed on fear. Actually feeds, it is his way to survive. Other creatures inflict fear mostly."