The Defense Against the Dark Arts class was taught at Hogwarts School to help students defend themselves against dark arts, including curses, Dark Magical creatures, jinxes, and more. Throughout the sevenHarry Pottermovies, several teachers assuming the role of teaching this class. However, the reason behind the frequent turnover may be quite surprising.Tom Riddle,better known as Voldemort, cursed the position to prevent any professor from teaching the class for more than a year.
While it is not referenced in the movies how the Defense Against the Dark Arts position was cursed, Dumbledore hints at the curse in the novelHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. But what exactly is the DADA Curse? How did Voldemort place the DADA curse? What was his motive behind cursing the position?
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What Is The DADA Curse?
Formerly known as Tom Riddle, the Dark Lord was actually a student at Hogwarts. Being a Slytherin member, Tom showcased exceptional wizarding skills and excelled in various subjects, particularly in Defense Against the Dark Arts. After graduating, he aspired to become a professor of that subject, as he had always been interested in the position. However, his application was rejected because he was considered too young and lacked the necessary experience. At the time, Headmaster Dippet advised Tom to reapply in the future. Unfortunately, by the time Tom became eligible, he hadalready become the Dark Lord, and Dumbledore who had become the headmaster at that time denied Tom the position.
Throughout the Harry Potter series, it is evident thatDumbledore and Voldemort had a strained relationship, with Dumbledore harboring deep mistrust toward Tom even during his time as a student. Therefore, Dumbledore denied Voldemort the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Voldemort did return to Hogwarts later as the Dark Lord, seeking to hide one of his Horcruxes, which turned out to be the Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw hidden in the Room of Requirement. During this visit, Voldemort also seized the opportunity to curse the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, ensuring that no teacher could hold the role for more than a year, resulting in their dismissal or resignation.
The exact method by which Voldemort cursed the teaching position remains unknown, as curses are typically placed on objects. However, given Voldemort’s obsession with Dark Arts and forbidden knowledge, it is speculated that he used a jinx to curse the position. Another fan theory suggests that the curse might be connected to the Horcrux Voldemort had concealed within Hogwarts.
Voldemort’s aim in cursingthe position was to weaken the students' education in defense against the dark arts, ensuring their vulnerability and making it easier for him to infiltrate the castle. Eventually, he and his followers succeeded in doing so after assassinating Headmaster Dumbledore. /Interestingly, J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, revealed that the inspiration for the curse was taken from Spinal Tap drummers dying regularly in bizarre circumstances.
Every DADA Teacher In The Harry Potter Movies
Since Voldemort’s cursing and up until his death, the DADA curse had a profound impact on the teachers who assumed the role. However, only seven of these teachers were showcased in the Harry Potter movies, and most of them posed challenges for Harry and his friends.
The curse’s effects are first witnessed in the first movie,Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stonewhen Professor Quirrell takes up the position. Initially appearing harmless, Quirrell had actually encountered Voldemort in an Albanian forest while searching for dark arts knowledge. Voldemort, existing in a weakened soul form, manipulated Quirrell and fused his own soul with Quirrell’s body. As the DADA teacher, Quirrell’s mission was toretrieve the Philosopher’s Stone, which could restore Voldemort’s physical form. However, he failed in his attempt. Due to a protective spell cast by Harry’s mother, Lily, Quirrell’s body which he shared with Voldemort perished when they touched Harry, burning alive in the process.
In the second movie, the renowned author Gilderoy Lockhart assumes the role of the DADA professor. However, in the Chamber of Secrets, he loses his memory while attempting to cast a memory charm with a broken wand, resulting in him losing his sanity. Lockhart spent his remaining days as a patient in the Janus Thickey Ward of St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
Remus Lupin, a close friend of Harry’s father and one of the members of the Marauders, becomes the DADA professor inHarry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban. Lupin proves to be an exceptional teacher, making his students feel at ease and delivering engaging lessons. However, Severus Snapeexposes Lupin as a werewolf, leading to his forced resignation from the position as a result of the curse placed on the DADA post.
The fourth movie,Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fireintroduces Alastor Moody as the DADA professor. However, it is later revealed that the person assuming the role is actually Barty Crouch Jr., who impersonates Moody. Barty Crouch Jr., a devoted servant of Voldemort, aims torig the Triwizard Tournamentto involve Harry. Dumbledore eventually exposes Barty Crouch Jr just before he was about to harm Harry.
In the fifth installment,Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix, Professor Umbridge takes on the role of the DADA professor.Appointed by the Ministry of Magic, Umbridge becomes Harry’s biggest adversary during his fifth year. Refusing to teach practical defense against the Dark Arts, Umbridge resigns only after being attacked by centaurs. This incident marks the only occasion when the curse on the DADA position proves beneficial.
Professor Snape assumes the DADAposition following Umbridge’s departure inHarry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, a role he had desired for many years. Dumbledore had previously denied Snape the position due to concerns about him returning to his dark past. While Snape proves competent in teaching DADA, hisattitude leaves much to be desired. However, Snape flees from Hogwarts after killing Dumbledore, once again showing the effectiveness of the DADA curse.
Later, Snape returns to Hogwarts as the headmaster, while Voldemort and his followers seize control of the school. Death Eaters replace the regular teachers inHarry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1, and the Defense Against the Dark Arts class becomes simply Dark Arts class. Amycus Carrow assumes the role of the Dark Arts teacher, employing terrifying teaching methods involving curses.
With Voldemort’s demise inHarry PotterAnd The Deathly Hallows Part 2, the long-lasting curse on the DADA position finally comes to an end. The lifting of the curse allows for a competent teacher to assume the role for an extended period, ensuring stability and continuity in the curriculum.
