[[HPforGrownups] Why is AK unforgiveable was Re: Lethal Harry]

[heidit at netbox.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 40062

"random_monkey0_0" <ntg85 at prodigy.net> wrote:
> Pippin:
> > I think it's unforgiveable because it's a spell that can *only* be 
> > done with murderous intent and has no use other than killing.  

But we don't know anything from canon about the intent one has to have while
doing it. And it's also been stated that it's unforgiveable against humans -
does that mean one can use it to kill bugs at one's house? Or get rid of the
myriad of other pests described in FB? Is there anything AK won't work on?
Perhaps Acromantulas or dragons have thick enough hides to deflect it -
although if that was the case, then there would probably be some way for
humans to take advantage of that, and JKR would've mentioned it by now...
unless it's something that is as yet undiscovered. It's clear from canon that
potions are continuously being invented - the Wolfsbane Potion is proof of
that. So perhaps this is something that will develop in the next 3 books.

 
> I was under the impression that it was unforgiveable because there was 
> no way to stop it (or at least, very few ways...) 
If that was the only reason it was unforgiveable, then casting spells on those
who couldn't cast them back or block them - such as squibs or children - would
be punished more than we've heard them being so far. Given that some wizards
want Muggles classified as Beasts (FB), it's not hard to understand why
wizarding law doesn't punish spells cast on Muggles very harshly, but what
about on weaker wizards? Dropping a club on the head of a wizard-child who
doesn't know how to block it yet should then be punished at least as harshly
as AK is. It might very well be - we just don't know.

> Most people 
> wouldn't even see it coming. Like Pippin said, the only reason it's 
> used is to kill. It is the WW equivalent of shooting someone in their 
> sleep. 
Not quite - because you can duck away from it. And perhaps jumping behind
something made of stone will deflect it as well (see above hypothetical
regarding skins of magical beasts as well). Being killed in your sleep is
truly a no-warning situation, but there's no difference in wizarding law
between using AK in a duel against someone armed and using AK against someone
who is sleeping. Better to capture a lethifold and let it loose in someone's
bedroom if you want to murder someone in his or her sleep.

> Incidentally, if Imperius is unforgiveable, why did Crouch Sr. use it? 
> Would he have been thrown in jail if Junior hadn't been kissed?
We don't know what the punishment level for breaking someone out of Azkaban
would be. Crouch probably realised that by the time he put Imperius on his
son, he'd be going to Azkaban for the breakout in the first place.

heidi
http://www.fictionalley.org


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