Hogwarts: A Future

Hogwarts a Future: Chapter Six: Food for Thought

By running fast, nearly falling over their slightly too long robes, the six late students were barely a minute behind the rest of their class. Entering the room, panting, the six chairs left were all at the front of the class. Edwin and Petra grimaced at each other, but they, like their friends, sat without complaining under the eye of their teacher.

She stood at the front of the class, waiting patiently for everyone to be present. Professor Goodfellow was a tall witch, her long black hair was in hundreds of tiny braids, each ending with a beaded star which glistened and tinkled gently about her waist. Her robes where a soft glittering yellow, and her eyes where the most amazing amber colour. She smiled as the class settled down.

'Welcome to Defence Against the Dark Arts. I am Professor Goodfellow, Head of Hufflepuff House. This year we will begin a journey of basic Defence. This will entail rudimentary spells, low-level magical creatures and treatment of magical wounds. Now, please open your notebooks and we will begin.' Professor Goodfellow spoke in a soft voice, which nonetheless carried throughout the class. She waited again while the first years rummaged in their bags for notebook, quill and ink.

'Who can define what Dark Magic is?' Professor Goodfellow asked when everyone was ready. Most of the first years eyes became fascinated with either their desks or the ceiling. There was an audible sigh of relief, accompanied by a general feeling of relaxing, when, 'Yes, Miss Jay?'

Petra nervously lowered her hand, 'um, Dark Magic is any magic which seeks to harm or injure another person?'

'Correct. Five points to Gryffindor,' Professor Goodfellow smiled at Petra, who glanced along the row to find her friends also smiling at her.

'Given that definition, are spells like jinxes, take for instance the Jelly-legs jinx, Dark Magic?'

Made bold by Petra's success a few hands rose in response.

'Miss Davis?'

'No it's not Dark Magic, because it's funny.' Most of the class murmured in agreement to Davis' reply. The Professor waited quietly as the class settled again.

Iapetus glanced at Al, and whispered, 'Vivian Davis, she's got a mother who thinks Dark Magic is alright.'

'Mr Ontrose,' Professor Goodfellow said softly, 'does your opinion differ?'

Iapetus started, and flushed guiltily.

'Erm, yes? Uh, well, I think, er that jinxes can be harmful, and hexes can injure. So that makes them Dark Magic.' He finished biting his lip.

'It depends on who's doing the spell and why, doesn't it?' Terry Swift pipped up.

Professor Goodfellow moved to the blackboard and flicked her wand at the chalk. It hopped up, and moved across the board writing a summary of the first years answers.

'So, Dark Magic is harmful, which jinxes and hexes can be, but where some spells cause amusement they aren't Dark Magic, or is it defined by who and why the spell is being cast?' Professor Goodfellow turned back to the class.

Celyn raised his hand. Professor Goodfelllow nodded for him to speak. 'By that logic any spell is Dark Magic. A wand illuminating spell could damage someone's eyes.'

'So, what does this tell us about magic?'

Al raised his hand, surprising himself.

'Mr Potter.'

'That it's much more complicated than just Magic and Dark Magic?'

'Exactly.' Professor Goodfellow spoke to the entire class, 'As you can see, Defence Against the Dark Arts is, like with all lessons, more complicated than it appears. With the exception of some incredibly dark and dangerous spells it can be difficult to tell, morally, what Dark Magic is. Jinxes can be used to harm other people, but they can also be used in self-defence. Hexes are considered a step up from Jinxes in the harmful factor, and from there Curses are the most harmful, the darkest. Over the next seven years you will all be taught not only how to defend yourselves, but what is morally, ethically, right and wrong. Begin writing down the notes on the board.'