To most ordinary wizards, anyone who can skillfully use black magic is automatically a dark wizard. But what exactly is black magic?
According to the Ministry of Magic's official regulations, black magic is defined as any spell that causes irreparable or severe damage to the body or soul of either the target or the caster. Such spells are collectively known as the Dark Arts.
In everyday understanding, most wizards think of black magic as anything that inflicts harm—especially spells that attack the soul. The Three Unforgivable Curses are considered the purest form of black magic. Spells like Fiendfyre and Corruption, which can cause terrible injuries or destruction, are also listed as Dark Arts by the Ministry.
But Solim had learned long ago, back when he and Schuyler were in school, that black magic isn't as simple as the Ministry's definition makes it seem. To claim that any powerful spell is black magic is a shallow misunderstanding.
To truly understand the difference between black and white magic, one must first understand a deeper question—what is magic itself?
What Is Magic?
To most wizards, magic is merely the colorful light that bursts from the tip of a wand. They never stop to question what lies beneath. Because they don't study the essence of magic, they remain only users, and most of them are not even skilled users.
Schuyler once gave Solim an answer that stayed with him: "Magic is emotion. Magic is the will of the wizard."
That sounds idealistic—but it's true.
Think of how magic first appears in young witches and wizards. Their magical outbursts happen during moments of intense emotion. Neville bounced when he was dropped from a window; Harry made glass vanish when Dudley shoved him; and Solim, in his childhood, discovered his gift out of sheer longing to learn magic.
In those moments, the child's emotions drive their magic to act on its own. Cups float, water freezes midair, or toys dance.
For a controlled spell, however, three steps are needed: first, gather magical power; second, inject the caster's will; and finally, release it through the wand.
So, what truly separates black and white magic?
Emotion and Intention
Take the Patronus Charm—pure white magic in every sense. To conjure it, a wizard must pour joy and hope into the spell, anchored by the will to protect.
The Killing Curse, on the other hand, is the darkest form of black magic because it demands the caster's raw desire to kill. That's why frequent use of it drives wizards insane; those who live constantly in the shadow of hatred and bloodlust lose themselves over time.
Human emotion can be divided into two broad categories:
Positive emotions—joy, love, peace, happiness.
Negative emotions—anger, hate, greed, jealousy, despair.
White magic draws from positive feelings. Black magic channels negative ones.
Some spells—like the Disarming Charm or Cleaning Spell—are emotionally neutral; they depend on technique rather than emotion. Yet the Ministry sometimes labels even neutral spells as "dark" if they're too dangerous or difficult to control.
For example, Fiendfyre is not fueled by emotion, but its power is so immense and unpredictable that it often leads to catastrophic destruction. Similarly, the Corruption Curse inflicts severe physical damage—sometimes fatal if not treated immediately.
Because of their danger, most wizards lump these spells together as black magic.
Redefining Darkness
"So," Solim asked the three young wizards before him, "do you still think black magic is so terrifying?"
"Is this really black magic?" Hermione asked, disbelief written across her face. Every book she had ever read described black magic as evil, twisted, and unforgivable. Solim's words shattered that image.
"Black magic isn't necessarily evil," Solim said. "But evil is always black magic."
He looked at them seriously. "You should be cautious, though. Avoid magic like the Killing Curse or the Cruciatus Curse—or any spell that slowly erodes your mind. Those can change you in ways you might not notice."
He gave Draco a long look. "Especially you. For some pure-blood families, dark spells are as tempting as roast chicken is to Ronald."
Hermione frowned. "Even Fiendfyre and the Corruption Curse aren't black magic?"
Solim sighed. "Hermione, once an idea takes root, it's hard to change. But let me show you something."
He drew his wand and pointed it at Neville. "Stupefy!"
Neville collapsed instantly, sliding off his chair.
"My God, what are you doing!" Hermione gasped.
"Rennervate," Solim said calmly. Neville blinked awake, confused.
"The Stunning Spell," Solim said. "Do you think that's black magic?"
Hermione shook her head. The Stunning Spell was common; nearly every student knew it.
"Then listen," Solim continued. "According to the Ministry's own definition, it is black magic."
All three—Hermione, Neville, and Draco—stared at him.
"Yes," Solim said, amused. "The Ministry classifies any spell that targets the soul as black magic. That includes not just the Stunning Spell, but also Legilimency, Cheering Charms, Calming Charms, and even Memory Charms."
The Soul and the Spell
"Stunning magic affects the soul?" Neville asked in shock.
"Of course," Solim replied. "Think about it. You can knock someone unconscious in many ways—hit them with a brick, starve them, or use Muggle chemicals. Those affect the body. But the Stunning Spell bypasses all that. It jolts the soul directly."
He gestured with his hand. "Imagine the soul as water in a glass. Normally, it's calm and still. Soul-targeting magic disturbs that calm in different ways.
The Killing Curse dumps the water out completely. Some curses make the water boil until it's gone. The Stunning Spell merely shakes the glass—it's a shockwave to the soul."
He leaned back. "All of this ties into the foundation of magic—the magical pattern. But that's advanced knowledge. You'll understand more once you take Runes in third year."
He yawned. "That's enough theory for now."
The Nature of a Dark Wizard
Hermione still wasn't satisfied. "Then what about dark wizards? The books say anyone who uses black magic is a dark wizard."
Solim smiled faintly. "That's nonsense. Do you think Dumbledore doesn't know black magic? Every great wizard has studied it. You can't reach greatness without understanding the full spectrum of magic. But that doesn't make Dumbledore evil."
"The real difference between white and dark wizards isn't in the spells they use, but in how they use them."
He continued, "Imagine two wizards who both need to extract information. A white wizard might use Legilimency or persuasion. A dark wizard might use the Imperius Curse—or Veritaserum—or even torture with the Cruciatus Curse.
That's the line: compassion versus cruelty. The white wizard leaves room for mercy; the dark one does not."
He smiled wryly. "By that standard, even Aurors could be called dark wizards. But are they bad people?"
Before they could answer, he waved his hand. "Good and evil aren't determined by methods alone. Thinking white equals good and black equals bad is childish."
Secrets of Schuyler
"Did you learn all this from books?" Hermione asked curiously. She knew Solim's suitcase held several shelves' worth of rare tomes—some not found in any public collection.
"Not exactly," Solim said. "Neville can tell you more."
He stood, nodding toward Neville. "I'm stepping out for a moment. You can explain it to them."
"Need help?" Hermione asked quickly.
Solim almost tripped. "I mean I'm going to the bathroom!"
Hermione's cheeks flushed crimson.
When Solim left, Draco and Hermione turned to Neville expectantly.
Neville took a deep breath. "My uncle once mentioned Solim. He's a teacher—at a school called Schuyler."
"Wait, what?" Draco's eyes lit up. "Your uncle teaches at Schuyler? What does he teach?"
"Something like history," Neville said, hesitating. "I don't see him often."
Hermione frowned. "What's Schuyler? I've never read about it. I know of Durmstrang in northern Europe, Beauxbatons in France, and Hogwarts here in Britain. Where is Schuyler? And what kind of students go there?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "Schuyler is a special magical academy. Only those who meet certain conditions can attend."
"But why isn't it in any book?" Hermione pressed.
"How would I know?" Draco snapped, half amused, half defensive.
Neville finally spoke again. "My grandmother told me. Only children who have experienced a full magical outburst before the age of seven are eligible. And even then, they have to come from certain families—old bloodlines like the Selwyns."
He swallowed. "Solim went there. That's where he learned everything he knows about magic."
Hermione and Draco exchanged astonished looks as Neville continued explaining all he had heard about Schuyler—the hidden school for the magically gifted, where emotion and will were studied as the true sources of power.
End of Chapter Eleven