𖥔 ࣪┊𝗛𝗣𝗔 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗪𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 — 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗗.ᐟ ᥫ᭡

             ✎ #TriDurmstrang23.

             ✎ #TriPeriodical.

             ✎ #TriPeriodicalD.

             ✎ #CuratorReview.

             ✎ #featureme.

             ✎ O1.14.23, 10:39 PM. | O1.2O.23.

Hello everyone and welcome to my sixth blog!

Last week, I ed the official Lia. Though the team process for the second task was chaotic, we still managed to pull through & this is what became of it!

❥ Interviews by Grace/Enid.

❥ Fanfiction written by Lia.

❥ Article about the Dark Arts

written by Grace/Enid.

❥ Edits made by Lia.

❥ Art drawn by Grace/Enid.

For the interviews, I got to interview Americus!! And these are the lovely answers she provided us with:

O1. What do you think of Gellert Grindelwald?

He might be evil but he is extremely smart, and good looking for his age.

O2. Was he right to plan a revolution against the International Statute of Secrecy to create a new wizard-led society that would dominate Muggles?

Yes, that would just be slavery plain and simple.

O3. Would Grinderwald be a different character if Durmstrang had not expelled him?

I believe so. He wouldn't have been so dark and maybe have made more friends to put him on the right path.

O4. Would Grinderwald have actually succeeded in his plan if Dumbledore had helped him?

Probably, if he had the of Dumbledore and Hogwarts staff they could have done it.

O5. How would Grindelwald be as a character if he didn't explore the Dark Arts?

He would probably be much nicer and be respected by his fellow wizards. He wouldn't have become an outcast in the magical society.

August 31st, 1893.

A young boy no older than 11 stared up at the night sky with interest, iring the seemingly endless pool of darkness that was lit up by thousands of bright stars. It was his favourite thing to do, stargaze at night when it was the most peaceful and no one could disturb him. Not even his own thoughts which were usually plagued by the nightmares that he’d have almost every time he shut his eyes and tried to get even an ounce of sleep. Something about the stars made him want to confide his deepest darkest secrets, one’s that he would not dare to utter to anyone else apart from the stars who would listen and soon forget his words which would scatter out in the wind with no hope of ever being found again. Perhaps that’s why he loved them so much, because they would not have the power to judge him for what he has done and what he still wishes to do in the future. He sat there for hours on end, his eyes travelling over the different constellations with nothing but peace in his heart, mind and soul. At least until the sun came up. Glancing up at the clock he noticed it was just a little over five o’clock, the perfect time to begin his morning routine so that he’d be ready by eight the latest. As he showered his mind ran over all the different things he’d need to do that day, the different supplies he’d have to buy for his first year at Durmstrang Institute and the wand permit that he’d have to apply for once he got his wand. Getting his wand was probably the only thing that he found himself genuinely feeling happy about, finally he’d be able to perform his own magic without anything holding him back. He was aware that there were some forms of magic that he would definitely not be allowed to perform at Durmstrang but what they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them. He slightly smirked to himself at that thought as he finished buttoning up his shirt, throwing a black Trenchcoat on top to keep himself warm in the no doubt chilly wind. He didn’t bother eating breakfast that morning, just wanting to get the trip to the small Durmstrang village done and over with. Taking a handful of floo powder, he stepped into the downstairs fireplace stating the village name clearly as he dropped the powder onto the ground and disappeared into bright green flames. Arriving at the village that he had been to many times before, he let his eyes travel over the crowd of people rushing about to get everything that they or their children would need for the next couple of months, or a year in the case that they were buying school supplies. The village looked the same as ever, small buildings lining both sides of the street with their own personal touches in the front windows to draw customers in, showcasing the latest wizarding world news as well as some last minute sales for different things ranging from quidditch uniforms and fancy dress robes to potion cauldrons and books of all kinds for all the different subjects that Durmstrang taught. Grindelwald slipped through the crowds easily, going practically unnoticed by the people around him as he entered many of the stores, skimming through the many books and other supplies that they had to offer, knowing half the stuff he bought wasn’t even on the list of things he’d actually need but he knew he’d need them nonetheless, if not for school then for his own entertainment. Only having to get his wand now, Grindelwald left the bookstore with no hesitation, setting his sight on the infamous wand shop with clear excitement all over his face. Quickly entering the old shop, he let his eyes run over the clean space with silent appreciation for how there seemed to barely be a speck of dust in sight compared to some of the other stores he had went to where it appeared as if the place hadn’t been cleaned in years. His gaze snapped to the back entrance of the room which an old wizard dressed in fancy blue robes appeared from, a small twinkle in his eyes as he smiled a pleasant smile towards the younger boy “Ah, Mr. Grindelwald, I knew you’d show up eventually” he greeted the younger wizard with an all too knowing look on his face. Grindelwald raised an eyebrow at the older wizard “Indeed, I’m here for a wand” he hummed, approaching the front desk with a confident spring in his step. The wizard looked down at him with a slightly amused look on his face “well, of course. That’s what most people do come here for” he mused, and Grindelwald smiled a fake smile in response at his terrible attempt to make a joke. It appeared as though the wizard didn’t notice Grindelwald’s fake smile and if he did he didn’t comment on it, instead rushing into the back and coming out with a couple of boxes in his hand, all with different pieces of paper with writing on them stuck on. The wandmaker seemed to think to himself for a moment before he handed one of the many boxes to Grindelwald who was quick to open it, his eyes scanning over the wand with curiosity as he picked it up, looking up at the wandmaker as he gave the wand a small flick. The next thing the both of them knew, there was a flower vase hurling towards them and they just barely ducked out of the way as it collided with the wall next to them, shattering to tiny pieces. With wide eyes, Grindelwald immediately set the wand back down looking up at the wandmaker with a perplexed look on his face “I don’t think that’s the one” he shook his head, the wandmaker quickly agreeing. A few minutes and many broken objects later, the wandmaker handed Grindelwald another box but unlike many of the other times that he had taken the wand out of the box, Grindelwald actually felt that this one might be the one. With a small flick, the two wizards prepared themselves for another onslaught of objects to be thrown at them but it never came, instead electricity building up in the air. Grindelwald felt something that he hadn’t felt in a long time surge through him; pure happiness and what seemed to be a sense of belonging. A wand had finally chosen him. He smiled a gleeful smile towards the wizard who looked white relieved to have the whole process done and over with. He didn’t want any more broken objects added onto the list. Looking up at the wizard with a gleam in his eyes, Grindelwald nodded “thank you, the mess was certainly worth it” he muttered, glancing around at the several broken pieces of glass shatters. The older wizard, despite disagreeing with his words, nodded "Indeed. Now, will you be going?” He rushed out, hoping he didn’t sound too eager at the idea of the young boy leaving. It seemed at though Grindelwald didn’t notice at all, too busy examining his wand as he handed the man the right amount of gold for the wand, turning on his feet and leaving the store with a more excited skip in his step, shouting a short ‘goodbye’ over his shoulder. It is safe to say that that night Grindelwald went to bed with a smile on his face, and despite his peaceful sleep once again being intruded by his haunting nightmares he didn’t find it in himself to be bothered by them, far too excited by the events of the day.

The Dark Arts is the most known form of Dark Magic, mainly used by dark wizards such as Gellert Grindelwald and Lord Voldemort.

"The Dark Arts are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible." — Severus Snape.

The Dark Arts, also known as Dark Magic, was a term that referred to any type of magic that was mainly used to cause harm to, exert control over, or even kill people and creatures that were mainly spells and actions. Most people who practiced The Dark Arts were evil, but not all.

So today I will be discussing different facts about The Dark Arts and if it is as bad as the Wizard Society say it is.

Practitioners were referred to as Dark wizards or witches. The most prominent and powerful of these was Lord Voldemort, who was widely considered to be the evilest Dark wizard in all of history. His followers, known as Death Eaters, also heavily practiced the Dark Arts.

The Dark Arts were generally regarded as corrupting to those who use them (which is part of the reason they are called "dark"). After engaging in them extensively for many years, even Tom Riddle's appearance demonstrated his corruption — he lost his former handsomeness, eventually taking on serpentine physical qualities such as red eyes.

According to Snape, the Dark Arts were pragmatic in nature, where every time a branch was defeated, it only came back "fiercer and cleverer" than before. It is therefore imperative that one's defenses had to be as versatile as these foul arts themselves.

Powerful dark spells also required malicious intent to be successful. To cast the Cruciatus Curse, for instance, one had to truly desire to cause pain in and of itself, according to Bellatrix Lestrange. The Dark Arts could also be difficult to control; for example, Vincent Crabbe lost control of the cursed fire he created in 1998 during the Battle of Hogwarts and was killed by it. Injuries caused by dark magic sometimes never fully healed, such as George Weasley's ear after it was cut off by the Sectumsempra curse (he was struck with during the Battle of the Seven Potters).

As Ollivander once said,

"The wand chooses the Wizard."

He has created wood cores and woods that are more practical toward The Dark Arts than others. Dragon heartstring, Phoenix feather, and rougarou hair core are the three best cores to practice The Dark Arts.

Some woods that would mix well with these cores to create the most powerful Dark Arts spells are yew (it's a symbol of death), blackthorn, walnut, and cherry (it possesses lethal power). Snakewood is used in Salazar Slytherin's wand he made himself.

While the Dark Arts had a bad reputation, overall, dark magic was not, by definition, "evil" magic, as reflected in some of the people using them not being evil. Dark magic could be used for good as well as evil. Even the Killing Curse could be used for good, as Albus Dumbledore said that it would not harm Severus Snape to kill him (Dumbledore) as he had asked Snape to kill him since he was going to die anyway (and it would ultimately serve to fool Voldemort and lead to his destruction). Using the Dark Arts in an act of true mercy in and of itself contradicted the very stark moral view that many such as Bartemius Crouch Senior publicly espoused regarding them.

At the same time, dark magic was not the only type of magic that could be used with the intent to kill. For example, the Severing Charm could kill if used irresponsibly or maliciously.

The only exception to this rule was the spell which created a Horcrux; this was an entirely selfish act — taking a life in order to prolong one's own. This act was so reprehensible that the caster's soul became fragmented, allowing the creation of a Horcrux. The soul could only be restored by complete remorse for the murder, or repentance, which was actually painful enough to cause death.

According to Albus Dumbledore, the only power strong enough to enable a person to resist the temptation of the Dark Arts, and to defeat them, was pure love. He was perhaps referring to the sacrificial protection which Lily Potter inadvertently used to protect infant Harry Potter, and Harry himself later used to protect the defenders of Hogwarts by letting himself willingly be hit by a Killing Curse from Lord Voldemort.

However, Harry was not killed by this curse, since it only destroyed the part of Voldemort's soul inside him; he spent a brief time in limbo before returning to the land of the living.

I believe that this kind of magic itself is not evil, it is the s who practice this magic that makes the Dark Arts look evil. Yes, the name itself also to blame as it makes it look like it is only used for evil, but if used right, the magic is just more advanced than normal, "good" magic.

For the moodboards to find the pictures I used Pinterest, and then to put them together I used the layout instagram app. Then I used photopea to put on the black and white psd which I got from DeviantArt. All together it roughly took me around 15 minutes. For the wanted poster I used Picsart and once again used the same black and white psd on photopea to put on the edit. That took me roughly half an hour together.

I drew the Durmstrang Institute school and their ship using the painting app Ibis Paint X. I didn't count the hours, but it took me three days to complete it. I guess it took more than four (4) hours, but perhaps less than ten (10) since I couldn't focus on the drawing 24/7.

I am a beginner artist, so I did use a little hack where I just drew over the reference photos I used, but I still technically drew it myself, so. 🤷🏼‍♀

That was all for us! Thank you so much for reading!

SOURCES.

* Artwork in cover.

* Durmstrang Institute — artwork reference.

* Durmstrang Ship — artwork reference.

* Gellert Grindelwald — quiz information inspiration + interview questions inspiration.

* Lia didn't save where she got the pictures for her edits from, but she did say she got them from Pinterest.