Crouch!Moody and the Unforgiveable Curses

[laylalast]

No: HPFGUIDX 96458

> Geoff wrote:
> This raises an interesting point.
> 
> Putting aside any thoughts from the conspiracy theorists and taking 
> what we are told at face value, it has been indicated on more than 
> one occasion in canon that the Longbottoms were tortured into 
> insanity using the Cruciatus curse. If the spell can only be 
> maintained by the wizard keeping their wand trained on the victim, 
> then for how long did someone lke Bellatrix have to stand over 
> Frank and his wife before they cracked? 
<snip>

Lilian:

Bellatrix did not need to stand over them for very long, IMO. 
Bellatrix, her husband, her brother in law and Barty Crouch jr. were 
apprehended for crucio'ing the Longbottoms to insanity. All they 
needed to do is to let the next cast crucio on the Longbottoms before 
the other lifted its wand. In that manner you can crucio a person for 
a very long time ... until they're insane, I'm afraid.

BTW, Bellatrix' shouts when they were taken away to Azkaban: 'We 
alone tried to find him!' etc. seems to me as an admission that they 
all where at the Longbottom's residence. 

Lilian