Dark Arts (class)

Dark Arts was a class taught at several wizarding schools. Unforgivable Curses and numerous other forms of Dark magic were taught in this class. It is possible that students were used as victims as a form of punishment.

Durmstrang Institute
"Durmstrang takes a far more sensible line than Hogwarts about the Dark Arts. Durmstrang students actually learn them, not just the defence rubbish we do..."

- Draco Malfoy comparing the two schools.

Dark magic was taught at Durmstrang Institute. This, along with their pure-blood supremacy, are reasons why Lucius Malfoy considered sending his son Draco there, and why the school had a negative reputation.

Salazar Slytherin
Early after Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was founded, in c. A.D. 993, disagreements sprung up early around the teaching of the Dark Arts.

Salazar Slytherin may have wanted to teach his students spells of which the other three founders disapproved, and it is a possibility that he had initially constructed the Chamber of Secrets as a place in which to teach the Dark Arts.

1997-1998 school year
"Amycus, the bloke, he teaches what used to be Defence Against the Dark Arts, except now it's just the Dark Arts. We're supposed to practise the Cruciatus Curse on people who've earned detentions..."

- Neville Longbottom, matter-of-factly discussing the changes that have been made at Hogwarts

During the 1997–1998 school year, Amycus Carrow was appointed Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts, and changed the subject to just Dark Arts. The seventh years learned how to cast the Cruciatus Curse (which was to be practised on students who earned detention), and possibly how to conjure Fiendfyre and other Unforgivable Curses; Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were said to be top students due to their inclination to cruelty. After that year, Carrow was replaced and the subject returned to teaching defence.

Behind the scenes

 * Dark Arts is the only class confirmed to be taught at more than one wizarding school, though it was only temporary at Hogwarts.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
 * Pottermore