Defence Against the Dark Arts

In the Harry Potter novels by J. K. Rowling, Defence Against the Dark Arts is a subject taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which concerns the use of spells to counteract black magic, demons and evil creatures such as the Boggart. The position of teacher of Defence Against the Dark Arts is coveted by Hogwarts' Potions master Severus Snape, although he has yet to receive it, possibly due to his prior association with Lord Voldemort.

Warning: Wikipedia contains spoilers

In each of the first five books of the series, the current Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher plays a central role in the plot; each is either replaced, forced to resign, killed, or driven insane by the end of the relevant book.

Teachers

• Professor Quirrel (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone)
• Gilderoy Lockhart[?] (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)
• Remus Lupin (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)
• Alastor Moody (actually an impostor posing as Moody) (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
• Dolores Umbridge (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

It was rumoured before the release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix than the fifth Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher would be Fleur Delacour.

Harry Potter fans sometimes use the acronym DADA to refer to Defence Against the Dark Arts, but this term is not used within the books themselves.