Dark Arts (class)

Dark Arts
Class information
Professor	Igor Karkaroff (Durmstrang) (Possibly) Amycus Carrow (Hogwarts, 1997–1998 school year) Salazar Slytherin (Hogwarts) (Possibly)
Classroom	Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom (Hogwarts)
Required equipment	Wand

"And since he got out, from what I can tell, he’s been teaching the Dark Arts to every student who passes through that school of his."

— Sirius Black regarding Igor Karkaroff's teachings at Durmstrang

Dark Arts was a class taught at several wizarding schools. Unforgivable Curses and numerous other forms of Dark Magic were taught in this class. At Hogwarts, whilst Amycus Carrow was teaching the class, students were used as victims as a form of punishment.

Durmstrang Institute

"Durmstrang takes a far more sensible line than Hogwarts about the Dark Arts. Durmstrang students actually learn them, not just the defence rubbish we do..."

— Draco Malfoy comparing the two schools

The Dark Arts were taught at Durmstrang Institute. This, along with their pure-blood supremacy, were reasons why Lucius Malfoy considered sending his son Draco there, and why the school had a negative reputation for some. Sirius Black claimed that since having been released from Azkaban for having been a Death Eater, Igor Karkaroff taught the Dark Arts to every student who enrolled at the school.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Salazar Slytherin

Early after Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was founded, in c. A.D. 993, disagreements sprung up early around the teaching of the Dark Arts. Salazar Slytherin encouraged teaching his students the Dark Arts, even the Unforgivable Curses, although they wouldn't be classified as such until 1717.

1997-1998 school year

"Amycus, the bloke, he teaches what used to be Defence Against the Dark Arts, except now it's just the Dark Arts. We're supposed to practise the Cruciatus Curse on people who've earned detentions..."

— Neville Longbottom, matter-of-factly discussing the changes that have been made at Hogwarts

During the 1997–1998 school year, Amycus Carrow was appointed Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts, and changed the subject to just Dark Arts. The seventh years learned how to cast the Cruciatus Curse (which was to be practised on students who earned detention), and possibly how to conjure Fiendfyre and other Unforgivable Curses; Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were said to be top students due to their inclination to cruelty. On the other hand, Neville Longbottom refused to use the Cruciatus Curse on fellow students, resulting in him being slashed in the face. However, Crabbe apparently did not pay attention to how to control or stop Fiendfyre, which was what led to his demise later that year in the skirmish in the Room of Requirement.

After that year, Carrow was replaced and the subject returned to teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Known professors

Igor Karkaroff (Durmstrang) (Possibly)

Amycus Carrow (Hogwarts)

Salazar Slytherin (Hogwarts) (Possibly)

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (First mentioned)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (Mentioned only)
• Pottermore (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter (website) (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery (Indirectly mentioned only)