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"First, and understand this, Harry, 'coz it's very important... Not all wizards are good. Some of them go bad."
Rubeus Hagrid to Harry Potter[src]

A Dark Wizard or Witch is any magical person who primarily studies and/or practices the Dark Arts, other wise known as Dark Magic. They may also possess some dark objects like Horcruxes or partake in the illegal breeding of Dark creatures.

Overview

Some of the magic Dark wizards have been known to practise includes use of the three Unforgivable Curses, creating or brewing dark potions, putting to use/using dark objects, animating Inferi[1], and attracting all kinds of Dark creatures to make huge armies and command them to attack their enemies[2]. Noted Dark wizards and witches include Herpo the Foul, Morgan le Fay, Gellert Grindelwald, and Lord Voldemort, as well as the latter's followers, known as Death Eaters.

Types of wizards

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Bellatrix Lestrange, an infamous dark witch

Others who might be considered Dark wizards are the owners and customers of shops such as Borgin and Burkes, and arguably students of Durmstrang Institute, as the curriculum there teaches much of the Dark Arts[3]. Many Dark wizards and witches appear to believe in the importance of blood purity and to hate Muggles, though there is not necessarily a connection.

In Great Britain, many well-known Dark wizards and witches came out of Slytherin house at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, though this is not universal. For example, Peter Pettigrew was in Gryffindor, yet he betrayed the Order of the Phoenix and joined Voldemort[4], whereas Slytherins such as Horace Slughorn, Regulus Black, Andromeda Tonks and later Severus Snape opposed the Death Eaters.

Known Dark Wizards and Witches

File:C0634d41d6 77756546 o2.jpg

Tom Marvolo Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort, the most notorious Dark Wizard of modern times.

Dark Wizards in fictional stories

Possible Dark Wizards

Behind the scenes

  • In the Harry Potter films, most Dark Wizards appear to Apparate differently than other wizards. Dark Wizards Disapparate by turning into a whirlwind of black smoke and flying into the air, and then spiralling back down to the desired spot. Meanwhile, other wizards can just pop and disappear, or similarly can disappear in a whirlwind of white smoke. The ability to conjure this whirlwind may reflect an advanced wizard or witch.
  • In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and its sequel, only Dark Wizards could use magic on the items that had red sparks, symbolising Dark Magic.

Appearances

See also

Notes and references

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