[HPforGrownups] Potions vs. Charms

[Dave Hardenbrook]

No: HPFGUIDX 27688


Monday, October 15, 2001, 8:18:59 AM, Cindy C. wrote:

CC> But will most Charms work on the wizard casting the Charm?  I'm not 
CC> so sure.  If a wizard were depressed, could he cast a Cheering Charm 
CC> on himself?  Could a wizard commit suicide with Avada Kedavra?

I think that many (if not all) Charms require a certain amount of
emotion behind them to generate the "magical energy".  For example,
Avada Kedravra only works if you have an overwhelming hatred for
your target.*  Potions, on the other hand, can and must be brewed
using cold, dispassionate calculation.  (Right up Snape's alley!)

CC> I can
CC> only think of a one Charm (apart from Transfiguration) that 
CC> definitely changes the character of the wizard casting the Charm -- 
CC> Bagman's Sonorus Charm (to magnify his voice).

This may be possible because Bagman feels strong emotions about the
QWC or the TWT.  Perhaps we would have found it impossible to amplify
his voice in the pub with the goblins breathing down his neck...

-- 
Dave


* From which I deduce that Crouch Jr. hated spiders as much as Ron.
And given that, wouldn't it be interesting if Moody *loved* spiders --
Then Dumbeldore might have known right off the bat that Crouch-Moody
was an impostor, if only he had sat in on that first lecture!!