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{{Title|''{{PAGENAME}}''}}
 
{{Book infobox
 
{{Book infobox
 
|name=Defensive Magical Theory
 
|name=Defensive Magical Theory
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|image=[[File:Defensive Magical Theory.JPG|250px]]
|image=
 
 
|author=[[Wilbert Slinkhard]]
 
|author=[[Wilbert Slinkhard]]
|released=[[1995]]
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|released=[[1995]] or earlier
 
|publisher=
 
|publisher=
 
|subject=Theory of defensive magic
 
|subject=Theory of defensive magic
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|copies=*[[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] [[:Category:Hogwarts students|students]]
|copies=Hogwarts students<br>[[Flourish and Blotts]]
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*[[Flourish and Blotts]]
|first=''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
 
|latest=
 
|last=
 
 
}}
 
}}
  +
{{Dialogue a-b-a-b|Hermione|I've read the whole book.|Umbridge|Well, then, you should be able to tell me what Slinkhard says about counter-jinxes in Chapter Fifteen.|He says that counter-jinxes are improperly named. He says "counter-jinx" is just a name people give their jinxes when they want to make them sound more acceptable. But I disagree... Mr. Slinkhard doesn't like jinxes, does he? But I think they can be very useful when they're used defensively.|Oh, you do, do you? Well, I'm afraid it is Mr Slinkhard's opinion, and not yours, that matters within this classroom, Miss Granger.|[[Hermione Granger]] and [[Dolores Umbridge]] about the text|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
 
'''''Defensive Magical Theory''''' is a [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] textbook written by [[Wilbert Slinkhard]]. Released in, or prior to [[1995]], it was used by [[Dolores Umbridge]] in [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] classes to ensure the students were taught defensive magic in a "secure, risk-free way." <ref name="OP12">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' - Chapter 12 (''Professor Umbridge'')</ref>
   
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==Known contents==
'''''Defensive Magical Theory''''' is a [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] textbook written by [[Wilbert Slinkhard]]. Released in [[1995]], it was used by [[Dolores Umbridge]] in [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] classes to ensure the students were taught defensive magic in a "secure, risk-free way."
 
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{{Quote|It was desperately dull, quite as bad as listening to Professor Binns. He felt his concentration sliding away from him; he had soon read the same line half a dozen times without taking in more than the first few words.|Harry struggles through the opening of ''Defensive Magical Theory''|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
   
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In Chapter 15, the author expresses his opinion that counter-jinxes are not named properly, because he believes that "counter-jinx" is a term simply used to make jinxes seem more acceptable. Apparently, Slinkhard disapproves of the use of [[jinx]]es. From this opinion, as well as from the chapter titles and the fact that [[Dolores Umbridge]] approves of the book, it can be assumed that ''Defensive Magical Theory'' discourages the use of any defensive magic that could be used aggressively. [[Hermione Granger]] strongly disagreed and expressed her opinion in one of Professor Umbridge's [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] classes. Although Umbridge was initially impressed that Hermione had read the entire book and was able to quote it, she was quickly irritated when Hermione critiqued the text and coldly deducted points from [[Gryffindor]] for "disrupting [her] class with pointless interruptions."<ref name="OP15">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' - Chapter 15 (''The Hogwarts High Inquisitor'')</ref> It is unknown how Hermione spent her time in Umbridge's classes after this. Possibly she was forced to re-read the book, though given her brainpower, it is likely she spent the time pretending to read while instead engaging her mind in other activities.
The book includes an index: chapter one is entitled "Basic for Beginners"; chapter two (which begins on page 19) "Common Defensive Theories and their Derivation"; chapter three (which begins on page 34) is titled "The Case for Non-Offensive Responses to Magical Attack"; chapter thirty-four, "Non-Retaliation and Negotiation".
 
   
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The contents of this book are deemed extremely boring by most students, as [[Harry Potter]] compared reading it to listening to the [[History of Magic]] teacher, [[Professor]] [[Cuthbert Binns]], whose droning is enough to put most students to sleep. Harry found himself re-reading the first line half a dozen times, while [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] was staring at the same spot for a long time.
The author expresses his opinion that counter-jinxes aren't named properly, because he believes that "counter-jinx" is a 'just a name given to jinxes to make them sound more acceptable' in chapter fifteen. Apparently, Slinkhart disapproves of the use of [[jinx]]es. From this opinion, as well as from the chapter titles and the fact that [[Umbridge]] approves of the book, we can assume that Defensive Magical Theory discourages the use of defensive magic that could be used aggressively.
 
   
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It is heavily implied that there are enough chapters in the book to keep them reading through the entire year's lessons.  Harry almost checks the contents page early in the year, wondering if there could possibly be enough chapters to keep them reading this long, but gets distracted. Much later in the year, the class opens their books to Chapter 34, "Non-Retaliation and Negotiation".<ref name="OP15"/>
   
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In [[1997]], Hermione considered this book as she was sorting supplies for their [[Horcrux hunt|mission to find Voldemort's Horcruxes]]. She tossed it into the [[Bin|rubbish]] without a second glance.<ref name="DH6">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 6 (''The Ghoul in Pyjamas'')</ref>
   
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==Known chapters==
  +
*Chapter One: "''Basics for Beginners''"(page 5)<ref name="OP12"/>
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*Chapter Two: "''Common Defensive Theories and their Derivation''" (page 19)<ref name="OP15"/>
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*Chapter Three: "''The Case for Non-Offensive Responses to Magical Attack''" (page 34)<ref name="OP17">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' - Chapter 17 (''Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four'')</ref>
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*Chapter Fifteen: (unnamed) chapter concerning counter-jinxes<ref name="OP15"/>
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*Chapter Thirty-four: "''Non-Retaliation and Negotiation''"<ref name="OP29">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' - Chapter 29 (''Careers Advice'')</ref>
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==Behind the scenes==
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*In the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film version]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', the ''[[Dark Arts Defence: Basics for Beginners]]'' book is used for Umbridge's classes, rather than this book. It has the same level of contents of theories on Defence, rather than practical information on countering the Dark Arts. However, it was constructed and produced by the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] and distributed by Umbridge herself.
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*Also the latter title of the textbook in the film ''Basics for Beginners'' is the name of the first chapter of ''Defensive Magical Theory''.
   
 
==Appearances==
 
==Appearances==
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' {{1st}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''
   
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==Notes and references==
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{{Reflist}}
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{{Defence Against the Dark Arts}}
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[[fr:Théorie des stratégies de défense magique]]
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[[ru:Теория защитной магии]]
 
[[Category:Books]]
 
[[Category:Books]]

Revision as of 18:54, 29 March 2014

Hermione: "I've read the whole book."
Umbridge: "Well, then, you should be able to tell me what Slinkhard says about counter-jinxes in Chapter Fifteen."
Hermione: "He says that counter-jinxes are improperly named. He says "counter-jinx" is just a name people give their jinxes when they want to make them sound more acceptable. But I disagree... Mr. Slinkhard doesn't like jinxes, does he? But I think they can be very useful when they're used defensively."
Umbridge: "Oh, you do, do you? Well, I'm afraid it is Mr Slinkhard's opinion, and not yours, that matters within this classroom, Miss Granger."
Hermione Granger and Dolores Umbridge about the text[src]

Defensive Magical Theory is a Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry textbook written by Wilbert Slinkhard. Released in, or prior to 1995, it was used by Dolores Umbridge in Defence Against the Dark Arts classes to ensure the students were taught defensive magic in a "secure, risk-free way." [1]

Known contents

"It was desperately dull, quite as bad as listening to Professor Binns. He felt his concentration sliding away from him; he had soon read the same line half a dozen times without taking in more than the first few words."
— Harry struggles through the opening of Defensive Magical Theory[src]

In Chapter 15, the author expresses his opinion that counter-jinxes are not named properly, because he believes that "counter-jinx" is a term simply used to make jinxes seem more acceptable. Apparently, Slinkhard disapproves of the use of jinxes. From this opinion, as well as from the chapter titles and the fact that Dolores Umbridge approves of the book, it can be assumed that Defensive Magical Theory discourages the use of any defensive magic that could be used aggressively. Hermione Granger strongly disagreed and expressed her opinion in one of Professor Umbridge's Defence Against the Dark Arts classes. Although Umbridge was initially impressed that Hermione had read the entire book and was able to quote it, she was quickly irritated when Hermione critiqued the text and coldly deducted points from Gryffindor for "disrupting [her] class with pointless interruptions."[2] It is unknown how Hermione spent her time in Umbridge's classes after this. Possibly she was forced to re-read the book, though given her brainpower, it is likely she spent the time pretending to read while instead engaging her mind in other activities.

The contents of this book are deemed extremely boring by most students, as Harry Potter compared reading it to listening to the History of Magic teacher, Professor Cuthbert Binns, whose droning is enough to put most students to sleep. Harry found himself re-reading the first line half a dozen times, while Ron Weasley was staring at the same spot for a long time.

It is heavily implied that there are enough chapters in the book to keep them reading through the entire year's lessons.  Harry almost checks the contents page early in the year, wondering if there could possibly be enough chapters to keep them reading this long, but gets distracted. Much later in the year, the class opens their books to Chapter 34, "Non-Retaliation and Negotiation".[2]

In 1997, Hermione considered this book as she was sorting supplies for their mission to find Voldemort's Horcruxes. She tossed it into the rubbish without a second glance.[3]

Known chapters

  • Chapter One: "Basics for Beginners"(page 5)[1]
  • Chapter Two: "Common Defensive Theories and their Derivation" (page 19)[2]
  • Chapter Three: "The Case for Non-Offensive Responses to Magical Attack" (page 34)[4]
  • Chapter Fifteen: (unnamed) chapter concerning counter-jinxes[2]
  • Chapter Thirty-four: "Non-Retaliation and Negotiation"[5]

Behind the scenes

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. 1.0 1.1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 12 (Professor Umbridge)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 15 (The Hogwarts High Inquisitor)
  3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 6 (The Ghoul in Pyjamas)
  4. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 17 (Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four)
  5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 29 (Careers Advice)
Defence Against the Dark Arts (D.A.D.A.)
Subjectsdada
D.A.D.A. at Hogwarts
Classroom 3C · Classroom 3C backrooms · Temporary Classroom · Hogwarts Turris Magnus · Teacher's Office · Storeroom · Staircase · Storage room · Lesson Cup · Race Cup · Duelling Club · Dumbledore's Army
Professors
Isidora Morganach · Dinah Hecat · Arsenius Jigger · Albus Dumbledore · Galatea Merrythought · 1984–1985 professor · 1985–1986 professor · 1986–1987 professor · 1987–1988 professor · Patricia Rakepick · 1989–1990 professor · First 1990–1991 professor · Olivia Green · Quirinus Quirrell · Gilderoy Lockhart · Remus Lupin · Bartemius Crouch Junior (as Alastor Moody) · Dolores Umbridge · Severus Snape · Amycus Carrow (as Dark Arts teacher) · Unidentified professor · Brindlemore
Textbooks
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection · Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts · Break with a Banshee · Gadding with Ghouls · Holidays with Hags · Travels with Trolls · Voyages with Vampires · Wanderings with Werewolves · Year with the Yeti · The Essential Defence Against the Dark Arts · Defensive Magical Theory · Dark Arts Defence – Basics for Beginners · Confronting the Faceless · Defence Against the Dark Arts
Spells studied at Hogwarts under D.A.D.A.
Aqua Eructo · Boggart-Banishing Spell (Riddikulus) · Bombarda Maxima · Cave inimicum · Concealment Charms · Counter-curses · Counter-jinxes · Cruciatus Curse (Crucio) · Curse of the Bogies (Mucus ad Nauseam) · Cursed barrier spell · Densaugeo · Deprimo Spell (Deprimo) · Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus) · Ear-Shrivelling Curse · Everte Statum · Freezing Spell (Glacius) · Full Body-Bind Curse (Petrificus Totalus) · Fumos Duo · Green Sparks · Hex-Breaker· Hex-deflection · Hex Zapper · Homorphus Charm · Human-presence-revealing Spell (Homenum Revelio) · Impediment Jinx (Impedimenta) · Imperius Curse (Imperio) · Imperturbable Charm · Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) · Knockback Jinx (Flipendo) · Lacarnum Inflamari · Langlock · Levitation Spell (Levioso) · Limbo Mist anticharm · Nonverbal spells · Patronus Charm (Expecto Patronum) · Pimple Jinx (Furnunculus) · Protective enchantments · Red Sparks (Vermillious) · Reductor Curse (Reducto) · Salvio hexia · Sea Urchin Jinx · Seize and pull charm (Carpe Retractum) · Shield Charm (Protego) · Smokescreen Spell (Fumos) · Snake-Vanishing Spell (Vipera Evanesca) · Softening Charm (Spongify) · Stretching Jinx · Tickling Charm (Rictusempra) · Tongue-Tying Curse (Mimblewimble) · Trip Jinx · Twitchy-Ears Hex · Verdimillious Charm (Verdimillious) · Verdimillious Duo Spell (Verdimillious) · Verdimillious Tria · Vermillious Duo · Vermillious Tria · Wand-Lighting Charm (Lumos)
Creatures studied at Hogwarts under D.A.D.A.
Banshee · Boggart · Chameleon Ghoul · Charmed skeleton · Cornish Pixie · Dementor · Dugbog · Erkling · Flesh-Eating Slug · Ghost · Ghoul · Gnome · Grindylow · Gytrash · Hag · Hinkypunk · Iguana · Imp · Inferius · Kappa · Manticore · Nocturnal beasts · Nogtail · Poltergeist · Red Cap · Snake · Troll · Vampire · Vampire bat · Werewolf · Yeti · Zombie