Highlights
- Spying on the dark side is made possible with Polyjuice Potions, allowing individuals to gain information and disguise themselves.
- Counter-curses are essential in fighting dark arts as they can protect against harmful jinxes and curses.
- Veritaserum is a truth potion that can reveal the true identities and secrets of dark arts practitioners, useful for identifying and exposing betrayal.
In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, just like in the Muggle world, many crimes are committed by those who are blinded by power and greed, turning them into the dark side. The Dark Arts in particular, if practiced correctly, might offer one what they always desire, whether it is immortality, wealth, glory, or simply reputation, no matter if it’s for the wrong reasons.
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Although blessed with magic, it doesn’t mean the wizards and witches can cheat death in Harry Potter. They are still humans, nonetheless. Plus, there will always be dangerous minds lurking in the corner. Therefore, preparing oneself to defeat such dangerous arts requires skills, preparation, and practice.
7 Polyjuice Potions
The Magical Disguise
Although it can also be used by witches and wizards on the dark side, the use of Polyjuice Potions can be equally beneficial for those who want to gain access to information within the dark side. The drinker of this potion may take the disguise of those who practice the dark arts while the potion’s still in effect, and spy on their plans.
Spying or surveillance is a common practice that people use in times of conflict, and it is proven to be one of the most effective methods. Even Harry Potter and Ron Weasley drank this potion and turned into Crabbe and Goyle to gain information from Draco Malfoy about the Chamber of Secrets.
6 Counter-Curses
Reliable Jinxes Breaker
Those who practice the dark arts are often losing their moral compass and will not hold back from jinxing their targets. While curses or jinxes are often aimed to harm the target, counter-curses are the answer to this problem. As can be seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Quirinius Quirell tried to jinx Harry Potter's broom during his first Quidditch match.
Harry Potter: 7 Wizards Who Survived Forbidden Curses
There exist forbidden curses in the Harry Potter world capable of extinguishing life, but what of those wizards that survived such a fate?
Thankfully for him, the curse was lifted after Hermione set fire to Severus Snape's robe, breaking Quirell's jinx. Severus Snape himself tried to alleviate the curse by casting the counter-spell. However, the spell only works if the caster maintains eye contact with the target.
5 Veritaserum
To Reveal One’s True Self
The truth potion, also called Veritaserum, is a highly potent serum that makes the drinker answer any questions, including their deepest, darkest secret, truthfully without any filter. The use of this potion is not forbidden, yet highly restricted and controlled.
This potion would be very beneficial for aurors or others who are against the dark arts, to reveal any kind of betrayal from dark arts practitioners like the Death Eaters. As can be seen from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Barty Crouch Jr–while pretending to be Alastor Moody–is forced to drink the serum, revealing his true self.
4 Felix Felicis
The Luck Serum
Felix Felicis is a great potion for many reasons, but as can be seen from its use in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows Part 2, it is a powerful liquid that can change someone’s reality. This serum potently gives the drinker a sense of confidence that one probably lacks in their daily lives. However, after consuming this potion, they will have a great boost of magical energy that will help them to solve their problems.
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Casting spells and charms requires a lot of mindpower, so drinking this serum will multiply the chance of the spell working at its full potential. Just imagine the potion is consumed by those who want to defeat the dark arts.
3 The Unforgivable Curses
Not Recommended, Only For Certain Cases
The Imperius Curse, The Cruciatus Curse, and The Killing Curse might not be the perfect answer to this issue. However, they can be used as a last resort. Although the use of these curses is illegal, it does not stop Death Eaters and the Dark Lords from using them.
And what is the most plausible counter-attack strategy for defeating them other than using it on them too? Maybe not as far as using the killing curse, but the other two curses can be highly beneficial for the casters, especially the most forgivable one, which is the Imperius Charm. Arguably, taking control of one’s mind and body can help buy time to prepare for the real battle.
2 Disarming Charm
Paralyzing The Weapon
The most significant weapon a wizard or a witch can have is their means of casting magical power. Whether it is their bare hands or other tools such as wands. The wizards in Great Britain usually use their wands, to the point that wands are considered a very personal item a wizard possesses, and can certainly be regarded as their weapons.
So, casting the disarming charm–’Expelliarmus'–as the first move in a 1 on 1 battle is a great strategy. Harry Potter often uses this charm, proving his mastery of disarming the weapon of his enemies while dueling. Along with casting the spell, one might think about their next move to prepare if the battle goes south.
1 Protective Enchantments
To Protect From Harm
Protective enchantments are used by the caster to keep an area safe for a period of time from many things; muggles, dark arts, enemies, and many more. The spells include:
- Protego Totalum (Total Protection)
- Salvio Hexia (Deflecting Hexes)
- Repello Muggletum (Repelling Muggles)
- Cave Inimicum (Invisibility)
- Protego Maxima (Maximum Protection)
- Fianto Duri (Combined with Protego Maxima, For Durable Charm)
- Repello Inimicum (Repelling Enemy)
- and many more
Harry Potter: The Dark Arts, Explained
There are plenty of famous spells from Harry Potter, but does the average fan know much about the infamous dark arts?
These spells are heavily used by Hermione Granger and the Professor of Hogwarts, who are trying to protect their loved ones from Death Eaters and Snatchers. Filius Flitwick is known to master these spells amicably, proving his strong mastery of charms work. These spells also require strong skill and focus, as they are quite complex and can be tiring to cast.