CRAB - LOONy correction - Workings of Imperius

[L. Inman]

No: HPFGUIDX 25657

Amy Z wrote:

> Lisa, sign me up for C.R.A.B.  I totally agree that Ron's supposed 
> susceptibility to Imperius has been way overplayed . . . not that 
it 
> might not be a red flag.  But I am going to nitpick just a bit, 
> because C.R.A.B. isn't the only organization I belong to <eg>.  Ron 
> isn't limping because he's bruised; he is skipping on every other 
step 
> because he hasn't shaken off Moody's command.  I think you may be 
> thinking of Harry's bruised knees.

I straightened out my memory later, and thought about posting, but 
figured an alert member of Another Organization would provide the 
checks and balances.  :)  This aspect of the scene has always puzzled 
me.  If the Imperius Curse operates by being laid down and relifted, 
then how could Ron still be suffering the effects of it?  The 
Imperius isn't like Harry's case of Twitchy Ears -- that is, I've 
noticed that people recover from hexes either through time or a 
counter-hex -- but victims of Imperius recover by throwing it off by 
will or having the curse lifted by the aggressor.

D'you think it's just a matter of the lingering power of suggestion?  
People who've written fanfic with Imperius in it -- you've probably 
thought of these things; help me here.

My defense has been disarmed in one aspect, but it's still true that 
nobody *except* Harry succeeded in throwing off Imperius, and that 
Ron had more difficulty in throwing off the curse than Harry -- it'd 
have been a bit blatant if JKR had said Ron was a total goober at 
resisting Imperius, had the lowest mark on that test in the class, 
and couldn't break it to save his life.  Which reminds me how much 
Dumbledore must be suspecting at this time, if he's having 14-year-
olds taught what Imperius feels like -- I mean, kids of this age are 
worried about peer pressure, which has nowhere near the strength of 
Imperius for the power of suggestion.  (And Barty Crouch, 
a "powerfully magical" wizard, can't even begin to fight the curse 
for months.)

I can see Ron getting hit with Imperius in a future plot, but I 
wouldn't call it a Testimony to His Inherent Weakness of Character; 
if it was so easy to resist by someone with a decent store of 
willpower, it wouldn't be so ruddy Unforgivable.

Cool, I have now two CRABbers with me on the subscription list.  
Badges will be completed and sent shortly.  I am accepting 
nominations for designs.  :~)

Lisa I., who created the office of "Coder" in her fifth-grade secret 
club, the 501 club.  It wasn't that secret.