Shadowin looked around the transfigured classroom with satisfaction. The room was well lit as the students filtered in for the lecture. He was in full Professor mode now. Arms crossed against his chest, he kept his face impassive as little wizards and witches filed past him to be seated. He had decided to teach lectures to both sections at the same time, and then divide the group for labs and practical applications.

The room was set up like a muggle college lecture hall with stadium seating. Shadowin chose this configuration so that he could see each student as he taught. There was a raised platform where a table sat in the front of the room. This is where his notes were sitting along with various other items he might need. When everyone was seated he began his presentation.

“Welcome to the defense against the dark arts class.” Satori waved his hand and the classroom was darkened. A shield was generated between himself and the seated students for their protection. He held out his hand and whispered “inflammanus.” A small blue flame was produced in the middle of his hand. He pulled out his wand and whispered “lumos” and began to speak.

“Before you can mount a defense against something you must understand what it is. Just what makes a spell dark?” Shadowin indicated his hands with a nod of his head. “Here I have 2 sources of light. With my wand I can turn up the intensity of this light to an almost blinding whiteness yet no matter how bright it becomes it will never be a “dark” spell, I can not cause permanent injury with it.” He flicked his wrist and his wand disappeared.

Satori then began to toss the flame from hand to hand as he continued to speak. “This light is different, because it can be manipulated by my intentions.” Satori chanted a quiet incantation and a double of himself was produced that stood waiting. He then raised his arm suddenly and tossed the flame at his doppelganger causing it to be engulfed by flames. He watched as the thing screamed a bit before it was consumed by the flames and disappeared. “I am sure that has been many a student’s fantasy for quite some time.” He smiled, taking advantage of the shock value as he forged on.

“Spells, etc... are never completely light or dark. There are many shades of grey. Even the most innocent spells like the one I demonstrated can be twisted for evil intent just as an unforgivable can have no effect if not wielded properly. Allow me to demonstrate.’” He waved his hand and the doppelganger reappeared. He walked over to the image of himself, pointed his wand and began to chant in a sing-song voice. “Avada kedavera, avada kedavera, avada kedavera” Nothing happened. He stepped back, fixed his gaze which had become cold as ice and hard as steel and shouted “AVADEA KEDAVERA!” A bright green light emanated from the tip of his wand and struck the doppelganger right in the chest. It jerked and slumped to the floor dead. “I am sure that was good for some of you…”  He said sarcastically as he waved a hand and dismissed the image before continuing.

“You will find that the ministry classifies spells as dark based on 1 characteristic; the intention of the spell when it was created. As with the unforgivables, there are spells which are created specifically to injure, manipulate or kill. These spells are dark from their inception. They can be used for no other purpose. Even if the wizard using them is using them in a defensive capability it is still dark magic.” Satori faced the students observing them to see if he was making any kind of an impression as he continued to lecture.

“There is another category which encompasses spells which can be manipulated for evil, such as the palmed flame I demonstrated. While the spell itself and the result are not dangerous it can be manipulated to cause harm. “Many wizards are not strong enough or are unwilling to cast a so called “dark” spell but can take full advantage of manipulating everyday spells to suit their defensive needs. This is why it is so important to become familiar with, and proficient in, casting everyday spells. You never know what you can take advantage of to pull your arse out of a ringer. For example, take the incantation “Levicorpus” which suspends a victim by the leg. I can cast this at someone who is advancing on me. I can also cast  “Liberacorpus” and drop them on their head or fling them away from me. Neither of these spells is dark magic but if I do it just right I can cause injury.”

“There is also a third category; spells used for protection and this is where much of defense takes place.” Shadowin paced as he continued to speak. “Potions, spells and charms of protection are an often forgotten aspect of defensive arts. Not only are potions brewed as protection against poison, they can be used as weapons. Explosive potions are used by many Aurors. I myself take a number of poison antidotes on a daily basis as well as cast protective charms. One can never be too careful.”

Shadowin waved his hand, the lights came up and the protective shield dissipated. He grabbed a stack of parchment from his desk and passed it to a student in the first row indicating with a nod of the head that he wished it to be passed to everyone in the class. Here are lists with the spells that are approved for student usage thus far. You will be perfecting these as well as adding more advanced spells and curses hexes and jinxes to your repertoires. Thank you for your attention.” Satori turned on his heel and walked out of the classroom leaving the students behind as he headed for his office.