No, that does make perfect sense, and speaks well to your sense of duty -- still, I thought I would make the offer.
And yes, you're quite correct -- attitudes on the Arts are many and varied. (And of course individuals inside a culture vary considerably as well, such as how many of the prominent families of the Protectorate passed information and performed study privately, before Our Lord came to power and while societal attitudes were more restrictive.) Eastern and northern Europe, in general, have historically been more permissive -- Durmstrang has been teaching the Arts for generations -- while western Europe, pre-Protectorate Britain included, has been more restrictive. Following on from my class lectures about the social construct of groupings of magic, there are also many cultures who don't divide the categories of magics the way we do -- in my mother's culture, which is still strongly influenced by the worldview of ancient Egyptian wizardry, most forms of Divination are considered "Dark Arts" unless practised under very exacting conditions.
But I get ahead of myself! (As you may tell, I find the topic utterly fascinating, and will happily converse upon it for hours. The trick is to aim me in the direction you find most interesting.)
If we do not have time to have that conversation due to your hosting obligations -- I would be happy to host you, and perhaps Miss Parkinson and Mr Marvolo as well (as I believe you're all good friends), for tea and conversation at any point over the next two weeks. You've only to let me know when it would suit.
Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy
And yes, you're quite correct -- attitudes on the Arts are many and varied. (And of course individuals inside a culture vary considerably as well, such as how many of the prominent families of the Protectorate passed information and performed study privately, before Our Lord came to power and while societal attitudes were more restrictive.) Eastern and northern Europe, in general, have historically been more permissive -- Durmstrang has been teaching the Arts for generations -- while western Europe, pre-Protectorate Britain included, has been more restrictive. Following on from my class lectures about the social construct of groupings of magic, there are also many cultures who don't divide the categories of magics the way we do -- in my mother's culture, which is still strongly influenced by the worldview of ancient Egyptian wizardry, most forms of Divination are considered "Dark Arts" unless practised under very exacting conditions.
But I get ahead of myself! (As you may tell, I find the topic utterly fascinating, and will happily converse upon it for hours. The trick is to aim me in the direction you find most interesting.)
If we do not have time to have that conversation due to your hosting obligations -- I would be happy to host you, and perhaps Miss Parkinson and Mr Marvolo as well (as I believe you're all good friends), for tea and conversation at any point over the next two weeks. You've only to let me know when it would suit.
Regards,
Professor Dolohov