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Gráinne had been there listening to everything – seriously…she wasn’t exactly the most as…astute person in the world or anything but it was already clear that everyone seemed to be listing off people that were named…that were historical that likely made up their own dangerous sounding name because they wanted to live the life of a hermit in solitude. Seriously, that would have been the most brilliant and the biggest rouse of all the world. Right? |
Dark wizards. Which made Eiji assume that this was going to be mostly a theory lesson and that was perfectly fine with the Slytherin. He was not all that keen on all the flashy razzle dazzle of spellcasting and looking like the Gryffindor hero. There were other means of being proficient in defense. Taking out a fresh piece of parchment, labeled and dated it, and then proceeded to do what he usually did during lessons: sit back and listen. Typically this meant he held his tongue...but today he was feeling particularly opinionated. Quote:
Was he purposefully being a pot stirrer? Why yes, yes he was. Had he actually stated his view on the topic? No, he had not. Was he expecting outrage over his addition to the list of Dark witches? Most certainly. |
Gráinne wasn’t slightly outraged over the older Slytherin boy’s addition to the list. It fit, if they were simply going on the merits of labeling someone as a dark witch or wizard because of a death any death…then it fit. |
There seemed to be a debate aboutto begin, and Stasya truly wondered if the headmaster had meant to start it. On the one hand, probably not. The class was Defense against the Dark Arts after all so an understanding of dark magic was to be expected. But she hardly expected accusations to be thrown around as to whether or not established heroes actually qualified as Dark wizards, or judging simply based on the poor wizard’s name. Maybe they’d done something to deserve the name, maybe not, but it wasn’t always Dark. “Just killing someone doesn’t mean you’re necessarily Dark. There are all sorts of circumstances. Intent,” she pointed out, before going back to the actual topic of discussion. “Could the Williams twins be considered Dark, as they were willing to not only influence Professor Stewart’s actions but also possess a lot of us in order to try and get their goal across?” It wasn’t really a positive response as it was asking for an opinion, and it was certainly a personal matter since she still remembered what it had been like not having any memory of how she’d gotten places or what she’d done. But it also wasn’t quite as black and white as saying everyone who had killed someone was automatically Dark. Accidents did happen, and most heroes weren’t absolved of all their actions. A lot actually, probably, felt guilt over their actions. And on that note, she’d spiraled into wondering if her father was Dark again. |
Been here the whole time Patrick was not thrilled to be in DADA because it was usually a ridiculous class that he did not want to participate in. However he was surprised when he walked in and saw desks and a few things covered. Holy Merlin, it was a semi-normal looking room today. He had sat in a normal seat and felt relief. This was going to be nice to have before break. And there it was. This was not going to be fun. Dark wizards? Oh boy. Patrick listened to the names people rattled off surprised that so many of his classmates knew the names, sure he had done the reading but still it seemed l that they knew this many of them. Raising his hand he was prepared to ask a question more than five an answer. ”Professor, while the names are people who have been deemed dark wizards, aside from maybe the unforgivable curses, it’s more of a grey area is it not? How can we set a criteria but then let someone who is a good wizard use the same spell to get a dark wizard? Or something similar...” he could feel it now his house prefect position would go bye bye because he looked like he was siding with the dark side when he wasn’t. |
Been here the whole time.. Ellie sat in her desk, pondering the question Headmaster Trent had poised moment’s later. It had been a huge relief to have somewhere to sit down at upon entrance to the classroom earlier, she had not been very keen on sitting on the cold stone floor. She had of course read up on dark wizards for the class. It was an interesting topic since it was hard to really label what differentiated a really dark wizard from a simple murderer. Raising her hand in the air Ellie said "Merwyn the Malicious was a medieval dark wizard that invented many jinxes and curses that are still in use today. He is also immortalized as both a portrait hanging here in the castle and as a picture on a chocolate frog card for his super disgraceful actions ages ago." After a short breath Ellie added "Um, I think you're also seen as a dark wizard by the public if you illegally breed dark creatures." Other than that she didn’t know what to contribute to what everyone else was already saying. |
Lili actually found this kind of conversation fascinating. Defence against the dark arts wasn't really her best subject, but she tried. Talks about dark wizards, who they were, and what made them dark was a pretty fascinating subject to her. Not that she wanted to go into a career chasing dark wizards, but having an understanding of what made them dark, was something that was cool and pretty useful really. She listened to her class mates, shaking her head at some of the answers. She didn't agree with what everything people were saying. Simply killing made one a dark wizard? Azkaban would be overflowing if that was the case. She put her hand up, and spoke when it was her turn. "I don't think Narcissa Malfoy was a dark witch. Yes. She made bad choices, but choices alone doesn't make you a dark witch or wizard. Acting upon those choices... maybe that does. Being misinformed, or going along with what you believe is right.... I don't think that makes you a dark wizard. Like Stas says... It's the intent, the want to do evil, not just being married to a deatheater. Narcissa Malfoy lied to the Dark Lord, saying Harry Potter was dead. Who knew if we would even be here if she hadn't lied" She mused with a little shrug. That was her thoughts on the piece. |
Pot stirring? Yes please. In her opinion, there were TOO MANY people who were afraid of doing so in the wizarding world right now, which made for a very boring time for all. So, bring on the pot stirring. And in that spirit.... Quote:
Now, for the whole killing debate. Yes, killing people was not typically something good wizards did. But, and it was a big but, crap happened. Not only were there the obvious examples of Harry Potter and Molly Weasley, but there were other things to consider. "What if someone gets in the path of a spell you cast at someone else? Should hitting an innocent person in that way label you a dark wizard?" The answer was obvious, people. "Obviously, intent has to be considered a big part of what makes a person dark or not." Duh. |
. . . . . Dorian rolled his eyes. They had realised that the Headmaster had told them to simply answer the questions right? So why did some of them get in to a discussion? Though it was luckily not a heated one The Headmaster wouldn't mind if he was just going to distract himself right? Of course he would keep the distraction on topic and grabbed his textbook, placed it flat on the surface so that he could see he wasn't doing his precious puzzlebook and began reading the chapter about Dark Witches and Wizards for the -nth time this year. |
all the serious answers were already taken already and Eloise really wanted to say her sister just for the fun of it but then she remembered something about the Head Girl a couple of terms ago. She knew it wasn't true but hey it was an answer. Sorry Professor. "There were rumors that the Head Girl from like two years ago was one, Cambridge or something. I forget why tho." Think it had to do with necromancy or something but did that make someone a dark witch wizard or whatever the fourth year had no idea So she was just going to wait for Headmaster to dismiss her answer as just rumors. |
Dark wizards? Analiese gulped. She racked her brain for names of wizards and witches involved in the dark arts. She had read numerous books about them. Now they were all flooding into her head. Bellatrix Lestrange... Emeric the Evil... Lucius Malfoy... But unfortunately, they had all been said by other students. Ooh! "What about Gormlaith Gaunt, Headmaster? She is mostly known for being the aunt of Isolt Sayre, the founder of Ilvermorny. Her deep hatred for muggle-borns, halfbloods and muggles made her incredibly strong in the dark arts. Also, Morgan Le Fay, more popularly known as Morgana, was a dark witch from the Middle Ages. Her skills included healing and transfiguration. One might think these skills are not in any way associated with the dark arts. However, her magic was very dark. She even made herself queen of the Island of Avalon, now Glastonbury, using her skills in dark magic. " |
SPOILER!!: Replies The responses were as interesting as he imagined they would be. Mixed, as expected. Some more black and white than reality ever strictly called for but he was glad to see that some of the students could dive below the surface and realize that it wasn't so clear cut as many would lead them to believe. The subject of dark wizards could sometimes become a touchy one. While there were some who considered the line as clear as day, there were others who knew the complications that accompanied such a label and the dangers of throwing it around all willy nilly. "It was a good mix of answers." He began, calling the students to attention again. This was the sort of topic that could easily bring with it a debate but that wasn't where this lesson was heading, not really anyway. "Intent. Some of your classmates mentioned this in their responses and I'd caution you all to remember it moving forward. Actions don't always line up with beliefs." And that went both ways, in case they were wondering. "Sometimes our actions are not our own, sometimes they're a direct result of someone else's actions. They should never be the only measure of a man's heart and how dark it truly is." Bringing Molly Weasley, Narcissa Malfoy and Rubeus Hagrid into the mix were good examples of this. By the textbook definition and some of these students, they did qualify for the heinous label and yet...how many considered them as such? "The unforgiveable curses become a bit more forgiveable when used to end violence and wrongdoing. Does that make Aurors dark wizards? What about a man who breeds and smuggles dark creatures illegally because his wife and child have been taken hostage with malice their only reward if the man refuses? Has he lost his humanity and become a dark wizard? I'd like you all to give this some more thought before we get into the activity. Is a curious individual with a lust for knowledge who finds themselves reading the darkest of tomes going to be the next dark lord or simply an avid reader with a greater understanding of the mechanisms behind certain spells than those who never read such works? Does merely possessing objects that are considered dark make you dark? What makes the items dark? Their existence or the intent of the person wielding them? Does not agreeing with the views of the majority and those in power make you the bad guy or a free thinker with enough gut to do something about the things that bother you? Who decides what's right and what's rebellion and how do you know you're on the right side of such choices?" He paused then to give them a moment to think it over. "I'd like to know where you draw the line. Forget whatever you've read in your textbooks for a moment. While desperation is by no means the only alternative to dark intent, I'd like to know where you stand. What separates a "desperate" or curious man from a dark wizard in your mind? Give me an example of something that would be considered bad circumstantially but is otherwise acceptable." OOC: This took longer than I thought. You guys had some great responses! :D For the next question, your students should think of a situation in which an action would be bad but another in which the same action could be considered passable or normal. I'll likely move this lesson on in another 20 hours or so. |
This was actually really interesting. It seemed that in a desperate situation, almost anyone probably had the abilities to become do something bad, and become that bad wizard. All of them here would probably say they would never go that far, or become that person, but really nobody knew what would happen in the future, or what they would go through that would push them to the edge. Lili stayed quiet, making a few notes as she thought. She wanted to have a good think about the question before she answered. She wanted to be able to really understand her answer, so that she could defend it if she needed to. Eventually, the blonde did put her hand up into the air. "My action could be considered pretty simple really. It kind of links to the acquisition of potion ingredients. If one is desperate enough, say someone requires this potion to live, then possibly one would go to extremes to get those ingredients, an example being acquiring ingredients from the black market, or potentially taking advantage of others, just to get the ingredients. Being desperate for ingredients that could save a life would be acceptable, but the circumstance of going to the extreme, and looking at the black market, or taking advantages of others to obtain those ingredients could make it a bad action." She paused for a moment, catching her breath. "Like I said.... it's a simple thing? And probably wouldn't make someone a Dark Wizard. But I believe it's an action that could be at the top of a slippery slope? If someone is willing to do this.... what more could they be willing to do?" And then she shut up, because she'd spoken for a long time. |
Austin thought about this for a while, at least it seemed lime a while, to him. What makes a dark wizard or witch? He then came up with an answer. A simple one but an answer. He raised his hand. "I think that the line between a dark witch or wizard and a non dark one is very grey," he said. He didn't give any explanation. If the bead master asked for one, he would try his best but otherwise.... |
At the mention of possessing dark objects, Alessandro’s mind flashed to the little shops in Knockturn Alley. Admittedly, the PR for that corner of town was not the best, but Alessandro would argue some of the most fascinating and truly diverse array of magical objects were there. How many Herbology Professors had walked those cobblestone streets in search of materials to maintain the greenhouses? Magic had grey areas. And sometimes, darkness had its values. Alessandro raised his hand, “Professor, I take issue with differentiating witches and wizards as dark or not.” He really, really did. “It feels like you are building in an excuse to paint a witch or wizard in one single shade. They are not all bad and they are certainly not all good.” He rolled his shoulders back and continued, in his best approximation of being respectful to his professor, “Besides, we couldn’t possibly draw the line because exceptions will exist in every case. It would be hypocritical.” Every line they drew would have an exception, or two, or twenty. Anyway, students in a classroom at Hogwarts didn’t get to decide where to draw the line, history did, and history was always written by its victors. Public perception, the passage of time, was a huge factor his peers were ignoring. History decided what was and what was not acceptable because the winners wrote the narrative. So no, he did not wish to draw hard lines in the sand; or, even attempt to be clever by arguing each side of that line because, at the end of the day, a line still only ran straight. Life did not. It went every which way but sideways. |
Cassidy bit her lip trying to think of how to answer this question. She'd never really thought about any of this. This subject was really dark and way above what the little first year had ever thought of before. "Maybe the line is when it comes to protecting your family or someone you love from someone that wants to hurt them." If anyone ever tried to hurt Rhett or her parents, Cassidy would do whatever she had to to try and keep them safe. |
............ ....... uhhhhhh............. There was an argument (?) starting up, was Trent aware of this? Lucas glanced from student to student as they gave their opinion, feeling nothing short of awkward. And it definitely showed in the way he was looking around and constantly checking to see Trent's reaction. It almost felt as though he wasn't supposed to be there? As if he was interrupting something he shouldn't be. But then again, the things that were being said was too interesting to let go. It got him thinking, just like Trent's responses got him thinking as well. Intent. Intent was what the man was talking about. Creating a Horcrux was pretty bad - or questionable, as Trent put it - but the Basilisk could have been made out of an accident. He wasn't going to know but he wasn't going to not know, either. And the other examples got him thinking even more, especially about what he would do in those situations. What he considered good and bad and where he stood for those issues. It was........ giving him a headache. Trying to think of an example was....... difficult but his brain immediately landed on something: love potions. Why? He didn't know. But once it had landed on that, it wasn't going to move so..... it looked like he was going to mention that. He slowly raised his hand in the air, all the while still looking quite confused while his brain tried to form words. "Uh, Headmaster? Love potions are a bit of a tricky one." Pause. "I mean, using them because you're desperate to make someone fall in love with you would be bad, yeah? Because you're...... you're taking away someone's control of their own feelings and it could lead to other things that, uh, well, started from a lie." He could almost hear his heart thumping in his ears but he continued, "But it's hard to think of a good use for them, you know? I mean..... people have used it as a joke but..... isn't that still doing the same thing?" He didn't know. Not at all. |
Now this was a tricky question. "I think if you're killing or hurting someone to protect someone else's life, you aren't being a dark wizard or witch. However, if you're killing or hurting someone merely out of spite, then you're a dark wizard or witch. But there will always be an exception or two. I mean, even Voldemort had a good side. He was smart, he was Head Boy in his time and he always stood up for himself. Of course I'm not saying Voldemort was good, but what I'm saying is that even incredibly dark wizards or witches have a good side." Analiese's answer was pretty straightforward. Even though she now needed to catch her breath after that short essay she just made. |
Nettie had been...quiet up to this point. She'd been doing that a lot lately during classes because she found that it was becoming more and more fascinating to just sit back and listen to the class debate. She was slowly learning that she didn't ALWAYS have to speak up and insert herself in to the debate. Sure, the Headmaster HAD asked for their opinion, but did she necessarily HAVE to argue with people? Not really. Sometimes it was better to just listen. It was a lesson that she was slowly learning, and it was just as important as any magic she was going to learn here. She DID want to interject herself in to this bit, though. "I agree with Alessandro," she piped up, raising her hand. "It's not all black and white. It's very gray. I could say that I would forgive someone for using Unforgivables because of their family - but even that would be dependent on the situation. Like, if you're stealing money just to buy yourself a bigger house, you could say that was for your family, but does that mean it was justified? No. You don't need a bigger house. If you're stealing to FEED your family, though...that's a different scenario. It's really case by case, so I can't really DRAW a definitive line," she finished. |
been here allllll along ^_^ "I don't think I could say for certain what I would and wouldn't do, especially if someone I loved was in harms way or would benefit somehow from my actions, dark or not. It's hard to draw a line until you're in the moment and your gut is telling you to go through with something or to walk away. Until you're tested, you don't really know your limits, even if you think you do." She was rambling, she knew this, but this discussion was complicated and in no way black and white. She liked it because of that. |
Rylee had remained quiet up until now and even with all the thoughts and possible scenarios swirling through her mind she still said... nothing. This entire conversation was a large gray area. One could say how they would respond in a certain situation but until you're living that moment you don't really know what you'll do. No two people were the same and everyone would react different even if they were in a similar situation. When you don't know the actual intent behind why someone does what they do, well it gets difficult to say if they are good or bad. So many things could be classified as evil but that doesn't make the person that does them evil. Professors names being mentioned and the talk of being possessed sent a chill down her spin. One of the former Head Girls was even suggested as evil? This was insane. Jessa was in noway evil, all her work was done hands on with so much research and knowledge behind it. Rylee liked the older girl and still kept in contact with her... she also learned LOTS from her, some of which she was testing out herself on her own time. Did that make HER evil? No. For the longest time voices just blended together and all she found herself doing was taking down notes. LOTS and lots of notes. Finally there was a pause and she lifted her hand into the air. "I agree with Alessandro and Vita as well. Everyone has that something that would make them do something that could be considered evil or totally unforgivable but until their put into a situation that would cause it there's no saying what's bad or justified. Just because you might think you know how you would react, you really don't." Rylee paused for second before shaking her head slightly. Rambling wasn't good, especially when you're own thoughts were currently a jumbled mess. Sorry about that but this topic while a good one was also confusing. |
SPOILER!!: Replies Based on several of the responses given, it was clear the students were finally starting to truly understand the subject matter. The subjectivity of good and evil, of dark wizard and justified man, it wasn't as easy as drawing a line in the sand then stepping on either side of it. There were too many conditions, too many varying opinions--not all that got heard mind you--and human nature itself was much too complex for such a false dichotomy. This was something he'd been trying to get them to see without outright saying it himself in so many words. It was one thing to tell and another to have them come to the conclusion themselves after careful assessment of all the arguments presented. "I'll say I'm pleased with where this discussion has veered." It moved from "if you kill, you're bad" to "there's no real labels" and scenarios in which the coin could be flipped either way. He liked to have tangible evidence of progress with his students. This shift in the way they answered questions was the sort he appreciated. "It's extremely difficult to answer the question of who we consider dark wizards. Of course, make no mistake, there have been many throughout history who were righteous in there own eyes but caused great destruction and pain to others. There is true evil in this world." No one would or should debate that. Men who actively sought to cause chaos, those with a lust for the sorrow of others. "But it's equally dangerous to go throwing away such a weighted title based on such arbitrary, often hypocritical and unclear standards." Own a dark object, automatically dark. Bred a vicious creature, must themselves be vicious. It was all such a slippery slope and he hoped his students would leave here with a more balanced view of human behaviour and motivation. "Right then, I think it's safe to move on. We'll be doing a small sort of activity to kick things off. I'd like each of you to come to the front and collect a piece of parchment. When you do, I'd also like you to get in position for a...mug shot of sorts." Here, Malachi paused to display a magical Polaroid camera. "Stand on the X there on the ground. You'll be creating your own wanted posters or 'criminal profiles'. Once you've received your picture, simply attach it to the top center of the parchment and fasten it with a tap of your wand. On the parchment, you'll state what you're wanted for. Get inside the minds of the rule makers." He hoped they remembered everything from the discussion. Not everyone would need to be a murderer to be placed on a wanted list and there were many avenues and back stories they could create that would outwardly set the wider public off on a tangent. He looked forward to seeing what they came up with. It would be interesting to see if they truly grasped the average wizard's perceptions of "dark magic" and the variety of people who would end up caught under that wide web. "If you feel you're the sort who would have been caught and arrested, create a report instead, give yourself a sentence that you think Law Enforcement would find fitting based on the "crime" you've selected. Regardless of the sort of "criminal" you are," And yes, he did keep making air quotes to show them just how subjective it could all be, "I'd like you to state the driving motivation behind your crime. What drove you to whatever you ended up doing. How you carried it out. Get creative but keep it realistic." No explosions every other day in central London but never getting caught or in pursuit by MLE type deal . Actions had consequences. "You may work alone or have "partners in crime". Let's get started." OOC: Time for the mini activity! For this portion, your student will take a mug shot, create a wanted poster or criminal report and work out the small details. They'll have to state the crime, the reason behind the crime, how they carried it out and what if any consequences were passed out. They can be as creative as they like. We'll be moving on again in anywhere from 36-48 hrs. You can complete this in as many posts as you want and don't need to wait for me to post Malachi to say they've gotten their picture taken. |
Once Headmaster Trent finished talking, Analiese stood up and walked over to the X on the ground. This was exciting. In her head, she marked Defence Against the Dark Arts as one of her favourite subjects. She got ready for her picture to be taken and stood how she thought a criminal would stand. Once her picture was taken, Analiese received the picture and grimaced at it. "This is... horrendous." She muttered to herself. Holding the photograph in her hand, the 12-year-old shuffled back to her seat. She fastened the photo to her parchment in the way Trent had told them to. Then she wrote the following: Quote:
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ACTIVITY TIME. Honestly, Józef liked Defence Against the Dark Arts more than most of his other lessons (except Flying, obviously), but he was not about the questions. Especially the questions that weren't just reciting answers from a textbook and required actual thinking. Because he was better at thinking about things like Quidditch tactics, and whether Nina ALWAYS looked so good, and if Alis was EVER going to give in and kiss him, and what team he'd most like to play for when he graduated. You know, important things. But he was half listening to the Headmaster - enough to know that it was activity time. It wasn't long after Headmaster Trent had explained what they needed to do that Jó was up and heading to the front of the class. Collecting his parchment, the third year then proceeded to pull the angriest face he could (hint: not particularly angry whatsoever) for his photo. This was going to be COOL. He was ready to be a criminal mastermind. And he was definitely not the type to get caught (hint: he definitely was, but he was also 10000% arrogant and in denial about that) so there would be no report here. He practically snorted at the idea. Now, with his photo attached to the parchment, Józef needed a partner in crime. Who would be good for that?! |
@ Lissy >:D He arched his brow at the first year who had jumped on the bandwagon of labeling known 'heroes' from the history books as Dark, but otherwise had no other outward reaction to it. Not until the headmaster began moving things along and addressing all that had been said at least. The follow up was, honestly, a little boring to the fourth year. Discussions based on moral ambiguity depending on what side of history you were on were not the sort of philosophical discussions he felt like participating in. Though he did like what that one Hufflepuff was saying - and oh look at Trinetta getting on board with grey areas. A bit of growth? Maybe. And then when the professor finally got to the point, he couldn't help but roll his eyes. Right, so the whole point had been to illustrate the gray areas of magic. Though, seeing how some of his classmates had spoken, he supposed some had needed the roundabout means of reaching the conclusion. Whatever, they were moving along and Eiji found himself...not necessarily wanting to make a mockery of this activity, but more that he was interested in the skew that such posters could take. Propaganda in their own way. Which meant he needed just the right partner for this..... "Oi, Trinetta," he whispered while nudging her with his elbow. "Pair up. You make my wanted poster and I'll make yours." |
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