Nature of the Unforgivables - Event vs Sustained

[cherishedvette at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 87230

> bboy_mn:

> 
> Although a bit unrefinded, we know that Harry is a powerful, gifted,
> and out of the ordinary wizard, so why didn't his Cruciatus Curse 
work? 
> 
> Well, first of all, it did; it did work. He cast pain, and Belatrix
> felt pain. To what extent the curse MIGHT have been able to work, we
> don't know because Harry cast it improperly. 

Karen:
One of the things that has always occured to me when reading this 
scene is Bellatrix's words to the effect of "-righteous anger won't 
hurt me for long-". 

This has always made me think that one of the reasons Harry's spell 
fails to work so well has to do with Bellatrix's state.  She has just 
come out of about 14 years in Azkaban in which she has been trapped 
in her own worst memories.  This is something that has always been 
shown to us in the books as being a very painful ordeal.  Just look 
at what Hagrid looked liked at the end of COS after spending just a 
couple of months their. 

So while I agree with your comments on Harry not casting the spell 
properly I also think it has a great deal to do with Bellatrix she 
has lived with 14 years of constant unescapeble pain and it would 
take a very powerful 'Cruciatus Curse' to cause her pain.  I often 
times wonder if Harry had cast the curse on someone else, someone who 
had not just come out of Azkaban if the curse would have worked.  She 
does say his anger won't hurt her specifically not that it won't work 
on someone else.

I hope this post is understandable I find I think it better than I 
write it.

Karen