INTO THE DARK
A practical approach to understanding and defending against dark arts and common magical attacks
By Corruptia Vlakh

Chapter One: Hexes and Jinxes and Curses, Oh My!

Introduction: What are Dark Arts?
The term 'Dark Arts' refers to all magic that is negative, harmful and potentially illegal in nature. The term includes all incantations, creatures and objects that are singularly focused on damaging or inflicting injury on another. The classification of magic as dark or neutral is therefore determined in large extent by the outcome of the magic performed. A secondary consideration is the intent of the wizard using it. While most magic is neutral in nature, some spells are unquestionably evil in their intention. Spells of this nature are classified as dark magic. Dark Magic may include vengeful hexes, moderately damaging jinxes and malicious or even deadly curses.

Other examples of Dark Arts include any magic that interferes with free will or the natural order of things, such as creating life-extending magical objects, impairing the ability of another person to use free will, or victimizing another human or creature ruthlessly and offensively.

Understanding the difference among common legally approved spells and known Dark magic is crucial for witches and wizards in training. Equally important is the knowledge of how to defend oneself against the malicious and damaging Dark Arts. Playful or relatively benign hexes and jinxes are not considered Dark Arts, but are often utilized in Defense Against the Dark Arts class and dueling arenas to allow students the opportunity to practice defensive spells and maneuvers.

Note that the laws may vary from country to country regarding magic classified as Dark Arts. Some, such as Romania and certain Carribean islands, are far more liberal in their tolerance for alternative magical practices and dark magic. For the purpose of this text we will be using the classification set by the current law according to the United Kingdom's Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards.


What is a Hex?
A hex is generally a spell or bewitchment that is historically known as bad but is not overly dangerous. The etymology of the word is reputed to come from the folklore of the Pennsylvania German hexe, German hexen or Hexe (witch), or from Old High German hagzissa; akin to Middle English hagge or hag.

There are a wide variety of hexes in the wizarding world and hexes often come in and out of vogue. Most are relatively benign or have negative but short lived effects. Hexes often involve some sort of transfiguration effect or other negative physiological effect on the victim. Hexes are among the simplest malevolent spells to cast and do not require great magical skill to execute successfully. This makes them especially popular with younger, more inexperienced witches and wizards who often find them to be a bit of a laugh. But because they are very easy to execute, they also require less focused energy to block. While it is of course ideal to block a hex, it is also not difficult to end a hex cast by an opponent.

Popular Hexes:

• Bat-Bogey Hex-
• Bedazzling Hex
• Canary Transfiguration Hex
• Hurling Hex
• Knee-reversing hex
• Stinging Hex
• Twitchy Ears Hex
• Toenail-growing Hex

What is a jinx?

A jinx is a spell cast to cause damage or other negative effect. The etymology of the word "jinx" can be traced to an alteration of 'jynx wryneck', based upon the use of wrynecks in witchcraft and especially divination. A jinx is similar to a curse, but typically is not as powerful or cast with such negative intention. Jinxes are often used as part of defensive magic in self-defense or as part of a legitimate attack. A jinx is removed or undone by a counter-jinx. Defenses against jinxes are called "anti-jinxes." Some jinxes are also referred to as hexes, though because jinxes are more malevolent and damaging than most hexes, jinxes are considered a far more serious offense. Jinxes often also may have long term effects, which hexes rarely do.

Popular Jinxes:

• Anti-Disapparation Jinx
• Backfiring Jinx
• Finger-removing Jinx
• Hair-thickening Charm
• Impediment Jinx
• Jelly-Brain Jinx
• Jelly-Legs Jinx
• Revulsion Jinx
• Snitch Jinx
• Stretching Jinx
• Trip Jinx

What is a Curse?
Curses are by far the most dangerous of the Dark Arts. Curses are spells that are often intended to cause grave harm, and are usually directed at a victim. This malevolent intention of an incantation is what differentiates a 'friendly' spell from one that is from the realm of the Dark Arts. However, do not despair! Simply casting a Curse doesn't mean that a person is necessarily using the Dark Arts. The spell and the situation, as well as the intent and outcome, are what determines if the spell may be categorized as 'dark arts'.
A curse is a malevolent spell that is purposefully done to inflict harm upon another. Many curses are considered to be dark magic and therefore curses are often the focus of Defense Against the Dark Arts instruction.

When casting a curse, focused intent is more important than with any other spell. Carelessness or shoddy execution can make the simplest spell fail, but without focused, malevolent intent a curse is unlikely to successfully be cast. This is especially true of the more damaging curses; the greater the damage a spell does, the more focused magical energy is necessary to successfully execute it.


Examples of Common Curses

• Babbling Curse
• Blasting Curse
• Body-Bind Curse
• Cruciatus Curse
• Curse of the Bogies
• Entrail-Expelling Curse
• Fiendfyre
• Flagrante Curse
• Gemino Curse
• Impediment Curse
• Imperius Curse
• Jelly-Fingers curse
• Killing Curse
• Leg-Locker Curse
• Reductor Curse
• Sponge-Knees Curse
• Thief's Curse

Unforgivable Curses

The Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards have listed three curses as Unforgivable. These curses are listed as such because of their extreme cruelty and disregard for life, free will, or freedom from torturous pain. In Wizarding Britian, using any of these three curses on another human being can result in a life term in Azkaban, the notorious prison. Other societies have similar penalties in place for those who choose to execute any of these three curses, though some societies with a larger population of dark wizards have more lenient laws with regard to the Unforgivable Curses.

The three Unforgivable Curses were used extensively by Lord Voldemort's followers during his rise to power in the 1970s, and in a surprising move they were also authorized for use by Aurors against suspects at that time. The Killing Curse, arguably the worst of the three curses, was used by Lord Voldemort himself on Harry Potter, but the curse backfired and Lord Voldemort was defeated in the legendary Battle at Hogwarts 17 years later. In modern times, the Unforgivables are rarely seen in regular use by even the most notorious wizards except in rare instances.

The Unforgivable Curses:

• Cruciatus Curse (CRUCIO)- This curse physically and mentally tortures the victim to incapacitation and has historically been used to commit slow, painful murder.
• Imperius Curse (IMPERIO)- This spell causes the victim to be completely under the command of the caster; the caster can then make the victim do anything. This spell is extremely difficult to ward off especially as few wizards are trained to successfully ward against it.
• Killing Curse (AVADA KEDAVRA)- The Killing curse; this spell will instantaneously kill the victim.

Defensive spells

"The Dark Arts are many, varied, ever-changing and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible.

Your defences must therefore be as flexible and inventive as the Arts you seek to undo."
- Severus Snape, Former Hogwarts Headmaster and Wizarding Legend


Any spell can be used for defense if the circumstance is appropriate and the witch or wizard casting it uses it prudently enough. However, there are quite obviously some spells which every young wizard or witch should have in his or her arsenal to aid in defense. These spells are basic defensive spells and include the following:

• Hex Deflection Charms (several)
• Impediment Charm
• Expelliarmus
• Protego
• Shield Charms
• Stupefy
• Petrificus Totalis
• Disillusionment Charm

Please note that all spells used for defense can also be effective in offensive attacks, so it is especially important to learn how to perform them well. In coming chapters we will discuss the theory and practice behind some of the more common hexes, jinxes, curses and we will delve deeper into the realm of defensive spells.