Physical Harm from an Expelliarmus

[marinafrants]

No: HPFGUIDX 44183

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Cindy C." <cindysphynx at c...> wrote:
> Two other instances of Expelliarmus that come to mind is Harry's 
use 
> of it to attempt to disarm Voldemort (in the graveyard) and 
Wormtail 
> (in PoA).  There's also the case of Harry using the spell to 
> extricate himself from the spider in GoF.  In all three of these 
> cases, you'd imagine that Harry would want to put some serious 
> energy behind the spell if it had the potential to physically harm 
> the wizard or spider being disarmed.  Against Voldemort, Wormtail 
> and the spider, Harry is highly motivated and ought to be 
> experiencing very strong emotions, perhas akin to rage.

Well, in Voldemort's case, the Priori Incantatem effect kicked in, 
so we can't really judge what effect the spell would've had 
otherwise.  And giant spiders may not be affected by spells in the 
same way as humans.  Especially since Expelliarmus is a disarming 
spell, and spiders don't carry weapons as a rule.  Wormtail is 
another story.  Hmmm... perhaps the strong emotion alone isn't 
enough for Extra-Strength Expelliarmus (TM)?  Maybe it needs 
conscious, focused effort on the part of the caster?  Harry wasn't 
specifically *trying* to make his spell extra-violent, so it wasn't.

Marina
rusalka at ix.netcom.com