Introduction to Dark Objects and Dark Magic

What is a Curse?

Curses are spells with negative effects, which are used to cause harm, torture and otherwise control a person or victim. Dark Wizards are known for using curses over there intended target, which usually ends in death. Curses are an important part of a Witch or Wizard’s training at school and beyond in there Auror training program, knowing how to recognize the effects of curses is important in catching a dark wizard and protecting self and others from being stricken by one. However, the most important part is knowing how to block them by using defensive magic we learned in the last lesson and by removing effects with counter curses which will be covering in this lesson.

How to recognize effects caused by Curses!

Recognizing effects caused by curses can be a difficult task when not knowing who caused it. Aurors must recognize these effects in order to know how to remove them. Effects caused by a curse will almost always be caused by the use of a jinx, hex, and any other type of negative magic that is placed upon its target. Noticing the effects of a curse is not as difficult to spot, since the target will engage in behavior that is otherwise not normal for a Muggle or a Witch or Wizard.

If you look back at Harry Potter’s years at Hogwarts numerous curses have been placed upon himself and his friends. In Harry’s first year Professor Quirrell placed a jinx on Harry’s broom trying to know him off, Professor Snape recognized the effect and used a counter spell to protect Harry from the effects of the curse.

We know Snape was not a Auror but a former Death Eater, who was highly skilled in the dark arts in recognizing these effects of curses placed on targets which at the time were connected to Lord Voldermort. Aurors must have a quick eye when recognizing curse effects, in order to prevent the prolong damage which can lead to death and permanent effects.

What are Counter Curses?

Counter Curses are types of spells that remove effects caused by Curses. These spells are taught to students in their Defence Against the Dark Arts and Charms classes at Hogwarts in the upper years. Counter Curses however are not always effective unless they are used right away and or within a short period depending on the Curse that was placed upon them. Aurors are trained how to use these spells to protect themselves and others when seeking to catch Dark Wizards. This type of magic is taken seriously and need a high skill of magic to effectively recognize and master.

As part of this lesson, I will be teaching you the most widely used and effective counter spells used. These spells require time and practice to master so I will only be teaching you the incantation and what each spell is used for. We will get in to using these spells when we cover curses in level two and three.

Finite

Incantation ( fi- NEE-tay)

This spell is used to stop a current spell effect that is placed upon a target. This spell targets a specific object or person or creature and is most effective to remove spell effects casted on someone or an object.

Finite Incantatem

Incantation (fi-NEE-tay in-TAH-tum)

This spell is used to block all spells in a surrounding area such as a duelling arena, or a persons home. This spell is most effective and used to target a area and not an individual or object.

That is it for this month's lesson on to your assignment!

Credits:

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Finite_Incantatem

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Counter-curse

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Finite

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Curse