Prior to the start of the 1971 academic year, a rare species of tree known as the Whomping Willow was planted on the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Cultivation and placement of this tree was commissioned by Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

While a few blindly claim that Professor Dumbledore created the tree himself, there are in fact mentions of similar trees, in admittedly obscure branches of study, long before this. The reason that it is so little known and heard of is that the tomes dealing with accounts of such trees are primarily concerned with the Dark Arts. This lies partially in the tree’s hostile nature; though there are hostile plants, many of which comprise the bulk of advanced Herbology lessons, few naturally demonstrate such a single-minded, nonsustinanced-based, ceaseless ferocity. However, the prime reason is not just the aggressive and dangerous nature but rather in the methods behind its creation.

While the first exact tree is not recorded, surviving records and discussions speculate that the original seed was bred from a hybrid of certain aggressive magical plants. To then make it an even more ferocious guardian, the seed was buried in the body of a particularly bitter and vitriolic practitioner of the Dark Arts, the essence of which had infused their body to a point where it lingered beyond their passing. This tree eventually produced seeds, and while not numerous, they were enough to propagate this new variety of magical plant.

The reason this theory is given more credence than various others that speculate dark origins of this or that magical oddity is that the corpse, or at the least certain vital portions thereof, of a practitioner of magic is necessary for each new seed to germinate and grow to maturity. There is some speculation that the individual must have also been a practitioner of the Dark Arts, while others emphasize the necessity of an angry and aggressive temperament in life.

Bodies of various animals differing in size and mental acuity have been tried to no avail, though the Ministry’s ban on the importation of larger, more intelligent animal species that demonstrate an aggressive temperament from abroad has hindered many avenues of experimentation. With what animals that could be acquired (and a few anonymous accounts of experiments that involved circumventing Ministry officials) seeds ultimately either failed to germinate at all, or at best withered at an early stage of growth. Out of the scant accounts that were available, more than one ascertained that no sufficient mature growth was achieved with the body of a Muggle. As of writing this, no accessible records could be found covering any attempts to grow a Whomping Willow using the body of a Squib.

There is some speculation regarding what portion of the body is best to place the seed in before burial (or rather, planting). Most claim that the heart produces the most reliable and ideal results, being both the seat of blood and of emotions during the individual’s life. Others claim the liver is best given that it is the source of bile in the human body. This also aligns with the choleric disposition in the bodily humours theory. Of course, the brain is also given a good deal of consideration, especially with memories of past angering circumstances. Whether or not one area of the body is more suitable than another, the entire body is needed for the seed to germinate and reach full growth. Notions of spells that replicate and replace missing organs are not a suitable substitute and despite many failed experiments, what remains known is that the full cadaver of a person of magical blood and talent is ultimately needed in order for a Whomping Willow to propagate and fully grow.

On the acquisition of suitable wizarding bodies, there are many ideas that have been put forward. A scattering of tales recount a benevolent family elder willing their body to help serve as a guardian beyond death. These mostly seem to be incongruent with the aggressive and violent nature supposedly needed, though sufficient fervor directed towards an outside threat or longstanding grudges towards a neighbor they were often in conflict with may be suitable. Other accounts speak of illicit deals conducted in unsavory markets or the backrooms of certain shops hidden from the Ministry’s eyes. One source wrote that a person murdered right after defiantly spitting in the face of their enemy was the best possible source to bury the seed in.

Many have speculated (none though willing to do so publicly) on who the honoured individual was that almost assuredly legally donated their body either directly or indirectly to the Headmaster of Hogwarts, having died normally and conveniently at the exact right time for the planting of this particular sapling. Even with magical encouragement years of preparation and growth would have been needed before the sapling was ready to be safely planted on Hogwarts grounds, so it would have been planned and started long before the sapling was actually planted. There is some claim that with certain skillfully brewed potions and certain spells, the body of a person that has been deceased for longer periods of time can be rejuvenated to the point where a Whomping Willow seed could germinate and grow to maturity when planted in it. There is currently little to no consensus as to whether this would be efficacious enough to work, and given the rarity and personal value of bodies available for this purpose, experimentation that has a high chance of failure is not generally done.

Now, lest anyone starts throwing around accusations and before a wave of Howlers are sent this way some clarification is needed. In no way are accusations of body snatching, murder, etc. being levelled at Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. While exceedingly rare and valuable, an upstanding wizard with extensive resources and contacts can commission a sapling of a Whomping Willows without breaking any Ministry or international laws through approved channels that are capable of creating the necessary growth conditions in an approved and legal manner.

That being settled most would likely say that despite the details of the growth conditions of the Whomping Willow not being included in the Hogwarts curriculum, and the various injuries over the years of students that have from curiosity or incautiousness come too close to the tree’s placement on the edge of Hogwarts’ grounds, that surely the Whomping Willow was a worthwhile and appropriate acquisition for one of the finest schools of witchcraft and wizardry in the world.

~G.W. (Submitted by VinumCupio)

My ultimate question here is what kinds of powers did Slytherin's locket possess? We know that it had powers of some kind, and wasn't just a regular locket-

She (being Hepzibah Smith) slid back the fine filigree clasp and flipped open the box. There upon the smooth crimson velvet lay a heavy golden locket. Voldemort reached out his hand, without invitation this time, and held it up to the light, staring at it.

"Slytherin's mark," he said quietly, as the light played upon an ornate, serpentine S. "That's right!" said Hepzibah, delighted, apparently, at the sight of Voldemort gazing at her locket, transfixed. "I had to pay an arm and a leg for it, but I couldn't let it pass, not a real treasure like that, had to have it for my collection. Burke bought it, apparently, from a ragged-looking woman who seemed to have stolen it, but had no idea of its true value-"

There was no mistaking it this time: Voldemort's eyes flashed scarlet at the words, and Harry saw his knuckles whiten on the locket's chain. "-I daresay Burke paid her a pittance but there you are. . . . Pretty, isn't it? And again, all kinds of powers attributed to it, though I just keep it nice and safe... "

To get a hint, I think we have to go through the other Founder's heirloom possessions.

#-Gryffindor-

The sword of Gryffindor was made a thousand years ago by goblins, the magical world's most skilled metalworkers, and is therefore enchanted. The sword was made to Godric Gryffindor's specifications by Ragnuk the First, finest of the goblin silversmiths. Much like a wand, the sword of Gryffindor appears to be almost sentient, responding to appeals for help by Gryffindor's chosen successors. Whenever a "true Gryffindor" needs it, the Sword will let itself be pulled out of another of Godric Gryffindor's artefacts - the Sorting Hat. As it is made of Goblin silver, it imbibes only substances which strengthens it, which can then be used against enemies. This means that it never requires cleaning. Due to Harry Potter killing Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk with it, the sword is imbued with Basilisk venom and can destroy Horcruxes.

So the sword was made by Goblins, and is enchanted by them. It also gained the power to destroy Horcruxes through the basilisk venom, though this is circumstantial. I think we can also assume that Gryffindor enchanted the sword to present itself to all worthy Gryffindors who required it (which begs an additional question, does the sword only present itself to Gryffindors through the sorting hat? Those are the only times the sword has done so...).

#-Ravenclaw-

Ravenclaw's Diadem (also known as the Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw) was the only known relic once belonging to Rowena Ravenclaw. Etched upon its surface was Ravenclaw's famous quote:"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure." It was said to enhance the wisdom of its wearer, which is Ravenclaw House's most treasured attribute.

The most clear and concise answer after the sword. The Diadem plainly endows the wearer with enhanced wisdom, or perhaps unlocked untapped brainpower.

#-Hufflepuff-

She opened the lid. Harry edged forward a little to get a better view and saw what looked like a small golden cup with two finely wrought handles.

"I wonder whether you know what it is, Tom? Pick it up, have a good look!" whispered Hepzibah, and Voldemort stretched out a long-fingered hand and lifted the cup by one handle out of its snug silken wrappings. Harry thought he saw a red gleam in his dark eyes. His greedy expression was curiously mirrored on Hepzibah's face, except that her tiny eyes were fixed upon Voldemort's handsome features.

"A badger," murmured Voldemort, examining the engraving upon the cup. "Then this was...?" "Helga Hufflepuff's, as you very well know, you clever boy!" said Hepzibah, leaning forward with a loud creaking of corsets and actually pinching his hollow cheek. "Didn't I tell you I was distantly descended? This has been handed down in the family for years and years. Lovely, isn't it? And all sorts of powers it's supposed to possess too, but I haven't tested them thoroughly, I just keep it nice and safe in here..."

As Dumbledore so apply put it, “From this point forth, we shall be leaving the firm foundation of fact and journeying together through the murky marshes of memory into thickets of wildest guesswork.”

All we have is the quote I’ve already provided. We know it was powerful, but beyond that, nothing is confirmed.

Since Gryffindor’s sword and Ravenclaw’s diadem both embodied characteristics of their owner, perhaps the same might apply for Hufflepuff. But how does “goodness” apply to a cup? One answer might come from Hufflepuff’s background at Hogwarts.

"One of the four celebrated Founders of Hogwarts, Hufflepuff was particularly famous for her dexterity at food-related Charms. Many recipes traditionally served at Hogwarts feasts originated with Hufflepuff."

So food-related charms seem like a natural fit for her artefact, and of course that goes nicely with a cup. Perhaps it provides everlasting water, turns vinegar into wine, was enchanted kind of like a cornucopia, and would produce any food or drink the wielder wished, or had healing properties. Again, these abilities are never explored.

#-Slytherin-

Finally, the greatest of the Hogwarts four /S. Slytherin left a couple of powerful magical items from his lifetime. His powerful Snakewood and Basilisk horn wand, and his golden locket.

We've learned that Slytherin’s locket possess remarkable powers, when Hepzibah Smith shows the locket to a young Riddle. What they are is even harder to figure out in my opinion. Given Slytherin’s background with snakes, it seems natural to assume that the locket might grant some sort of affinity with snakes. When Harry and Ron try to destroy the locket, Parseltongue is required to open it. That seems like a defense that might have been designed by Slytherin, and the locket’s powers could only be accessed if you could open the locket.

It’s not inconceivable that only Slytherin’s descendants could open the locket (a la the Chamber of Secrets), but that’s pure speculation. Among the ideas floating around are that it might make the wearer more charismatic. That it acts as an evil luck potion (the wearer gets super lucky, but only because it leeches the luck off other people). We could also speculate that the item had antithetical powers to what it had when it became Voldemort's Horcrux. As Horcruxes seem to sully and defile magical objects with evil, dark magic. The Horcrux induces paranoia and irritability. Perhaps it originally heightened cunning and increased capacity for intrigue? The Horcrux had the ability to show one's darkest fear, or insecurity. Perhaps its original power was to show one's desire or ambition (so the glass windows within the locket function somewhat like the Mirror of Erised).

All that to say, what do YOU think Slytherin's locket did?

Hogwarts students learn about werewolves in Defence Against the Dark Arts during their 3rd year, with questions regarding differentiating them during a transformation from a normal wolf being included in the Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. at the end of students' 5th year.

How much of their condition is presented as something they afflicted and struggle with or as what danger they pose to members of both the magical and Muggle communities often varies by each professor's personal views (changing with each passing year), how the Defence O.W.L.s are written and graded, and though uncommon, any influence that the Ministry might exert.

• Should their place in Defence Against the Dark Arts in Hogwarts' curriculum be primarily focused on the cursed nature of their condition that causes them such suffering or on the potential threat (when the Wolfsbane potion is unavailable) that they can pose and methods of defence against them?

• What theories on the origins of the Werewolf Curse do you think are the most plausible?

• We all know how the Ministry has bungled Werewolf Registration and other such failed policies, but which do you think were the result of personal terrors or petty grudges?

• Which historical or current figures prominent in the wizarding community do you think are secretly werewolves?

• Does the Werewolf Curse have a different manifestation in your region of the world? What are these differences and how do you feel about them?

Feel free to share your thoughts, opinions, experiences, or that story your Uncle Archie always tells at Christmas about his "werewolf encounter" that everyone else suspects was really just a very large and exuberant wolf-dog hybrid.

It has been said that The Quibbler will publish just about anything… and it’s true!

Has your eye-opening research into the Dark Arts been rejected with shock and disdain by staid Wizarding publications like the Daily Prophet?

Have you wanted to read and learn more about the Dark Arts, only to be given a look of distaste by the clerk at Flourish & Blotts when you ask for books that go into the proper depth and detail on the subject?

The Quibbler will publish your research, display your artwork, and you can read all about the Dark Arts and others’ thoughts on it (okay, some writings might be by cranks and loonies, but who doesn’t go a little mad after seeing the abyss look back).

If you do not wish to write or produce art yourself, please feel free to suggest here what you would love to see produced and published! What questions you might want answered, scenes you would love to read, or stories you want someone to tell.

While the theme is always optional and more of a starting point, the theme of this upcoming edition is Halloween, when the veil between worlds thins and all sorts of terrible creatures walk the earth or practice dark rites in the woods and moldering ruins. There are plenty of seasonal topics to spark ideas and interests, and all manner of terrible creatures, spells, and stories to explore. What would you most like to see or write?

Written submissions for the next edition of The Quibbler are due November 12th.

All artwork should be submitted to the Art Department due November 18th.

As winter is upon us (at least here in the northern hemisphere) thoughts turn to holidays. While many cultures celebrate the Darkest Day with fire and light, there is something truly magical about the turn of the seasons and the symbolic association with death and rebirth.

How will you celebrate the Darkest Day this year?

Living in North America outside of New England, escaping MACUSA's notice is relatively easy, but finding resources to learn the Art is much harder. Between Ilvermorny's notoriously Light history and resultant lack of the same standard of books in the "restricted section" as are at Hogwarts, and the population's strong anti-Dark nationalism that came about as a reaction to Grindelwald before most of us were even born, the only real way to get access to many materials are through the extremist groups that occasionally pop up. Naturally, this is not an ideal solution for those of us who prefer our knowledge for its own sake, and free from the sort of obligations such groups often confer.

##r/THEDARKARTS

This subreddit is for hypothetical discussion of the The Dark Arts in the Harry Potter & Wizarding World Universe as laid out by author J.K. Rowling. It is semi-satirical and is akin to subreddits like /r/EmpireDidNothingWrong etc. Our excellent CSS was done by the amazing /u/permagrinfalcon!

The sub is for those who wish to share their interest in the darker side of the Wizarding world. We're still a work in progress, we don't have everything set up yet. But we are extremely ambitious!

Please feel free to provide suggestions on how we can improve the sub, or if you are interested in helping out!

Please take a moment to check us out! And if you're interested, r/wandsmith recently launched their sister subreddit, /r/Broomsmith!

Silently Watches approaches Hogwarts as if its an actual boarding school - an exciting idea the OS left its readers to imagine - and gets into the nitty-gritty of learning and using the Black Arts.

Jen Black, ex-child prostitute and newly-created Scion of House Black, the ex-twin sister of the Boy Who Lived, does the voodoo that makes her the girl with the Power to take down Voldemort... and anyone else who gets in her way. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8233291/1/Princess-of-the-Blacks