The dark arts are always played out on unsuspecting and trusting victims. But worryingly, it seems that those who have been harmed by the academic dark arts often suffer more than the perpetrators. Some victims do stay in the academy, just coping with what has happened. Others leave. Defence Against the Dark Arts. The use of magic as a shield against evil powers is a feature of numerous cultures worldwide. Amulets protect their owner against dark magic, and focus on avoiding the 'evil eye' (a curse bestowed by a look from a sorcerer). protection is equally desirable against a variety of dark creatures, such as werewolves.