limitations of UC

[ssk7882]

No: HPFGUIDX 35102

Just a quickie, on the Unforgiveables.

Tex asked:

> Why would a dark(i.e. one who is already on the sheet for using 
> an UC, so it doesn't matter if he uses more) wizard cast any other 
> spell than AK? Is it more difficult?  What spells would one use in 
> a serious duel, other than the UC's?

Crouch/Moody claimed that AK was difficult, and I see no reason
to suspect his word on *that* issue, at any rate.

More to the point, though, I think, is the fact that AK targets 
only one person.  It is unblockable, which is good, and it does
kill instantly, which is also good, but in a combat situation, 
I can easily imagine why you might want to use something with
a wider effect, even at the expense of a little bit of 
"BANG -- You're Dead!"-dom.

AK might also require careful aim, which would make it a far
less appealling option if visibility were limited, or if your
enemy had cover.

Something like whatever Pettigrew used to blast all those
muggles might be a more tempting alternative, if you got yourself
into a situation that wasn't one-on-one combat, or if you didn't
have a clear line of sight to your target.

About Imperius, Gray Wolf wrote:

> We're discovering recently that the Imperio has big disadvantages 
> (like people throwing it off at will, and it always looked 
> implausible to me that the wizard who made the curse could have the 
> imprisioned one do ANYTHING while under the curse...

Yes.  I suspect (on the basis, admittedly, of no very strong 
canonical evidence) that Imperius victim's chances of throwing 
off the curse start to rise exponentially once he is being asked 
to perform acts to which he is deeply and fundamentally opposed.

I think that canon does *suggest* this in places.  His fury at
seeing Lucius Malfoy (and the rest of the ex-DEs) all smug and
happy and successful at the QWC would seem to have acted as the
catalyst for Crouch Jr's ability to overthrow his Imperius: being 
called upon to sit there silently and watch the game, rather than to 
act on his sense of fury and outrage, would seem to have been the 
straw that broke that particular camel's back.  And I feel certain 
that Crouch Sr.'s ability to throw off the curse was greatly aided by 
the fact that (whatever one thinks of his methods) he was a 
*fanatical* opponent of Dark Wizardry -- and so probably not the best 
candidate for forcing to aid with a plot to restore Voldemort.

That said, though...

> The latest developments in Canon seem to point out that "Imperioed" 
> people need constant supervision...

I don't think that I agree.  Crouch Sr. isn't under supervision 
during his appearance at Hogwarts for the selection of the Triwizard
Champions, and while he does seem to be trying to fight it off (I 
assume that this is why Harry keeps noticing him looking sicker and 
sicker throughout the meeting in the antechamber off of the Great 
Hall), he doesn't succeed.  Unsupervised Crouch is still unable to
disobey his (rather complicated) orders, even though the original 
caster of the Imperius is *miles* away at the time.  He can't even 
manage to accept Dumbledore's invitation to tea, although I'm sure he 
would have liked to.

(I do think that one of the major reasons that Moody/Crouch stomped 
in on that meeting was to be on hand in case Daddy *did* succeed in 
throwing off the Imperius.  What he planned to do about it if that 
had happened, though, I have no idea.)

So constant supervision does not seem to be necessary to maintain the
Imperius.  It would also seem that Imperio'ed people are capable of 
following rather complex commands -- even ones that rely on a certain 
degree of thought and volition.  What were Crouch's "orders?"  I get 
the impression they were something along the lines of: "Act like your 
normal self, don't tell anyone what's really going on, fulfill your 
function as an official for this event, and then come straight home, 
Barty -- no stopping for drinks."   

-- Elkins