Crouch!Moody and the Unforgiveable Curses

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 96499

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "catherinemckiernan"
<catherinemck at h...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "scoutmom21113" 
> <navarro198 at h...> wrote:
> > bboy_mn:
> <snip>
> > 
> > In all cases of the Pain curse, the wizard has to cast the spell and 
> > continue to sustain the spell by intent. Only when a wizard or witch 
> > withdraws their wand and their intent does the curse cease.
> > 

> > 
> > Bookworm:
> > I hadn't heard your point before, but I think you are right. There 
> > is a difference in the description of how Bellatrix uses the curse 
> > against Neville (pp 800-801, US) and the results she and Harry get 
> > when they try to use it against each other (pp 810-811, US).
> 

> Catherine McK (me)...
> 
>Is this necessarily the case? The leg-locker curse, the various boils 
> curse, and tarantallegra are all curses with sustained effects. They 
> act on the recepient until someone removes the curse (Finite 
> Incantatem), or the curse wears off. ...edited... Perhaps the 
> casters simply stand and watch because they enjoy it, not because 
> they have to... Haven't got my copies with me, but Krum's use of the
> Cruciatus on Cedric might have some bearing on this?
> 
> It's a good point tho', and I am not wedded to my theory, simply 
> presenting a plausible alternative in teh absence of much of a 
> theory of magic!
> 
> Catherine McK

bboy_mn:

Good and valid point Catherine, but we must make a distinction between
sustained EFFECT and sustained INTENT. 

If you read each incidence of the use of the Pain Curse, you will see
a definite pattern, and that pattern is that the curse lifts when the
wizard retracts his wand, and with the retraction of that wand, I
assume is also the retraction of intent. 

---GoF AM HB pg 214-215---
Moody raised his wand again, pointed it at the spider, and muttered
"Crucio!"

No sound came for it, but Harry was sure that if it could have given
voice, it would have been screaming. Moody did NOT REMOVE HIS WAND,
and the spider started to shudder and jerk more violently--

Moody RAISED HIS WAND. The spider's legs relaxed, but it continued to
twitch.

---GoF Am HB pg 648---
Voldemort began to laugh. He raised his wand.

"Crucio!"

The Death Eater on the ground writhed and schrieked; Harry was sure
the sound must carry to the houses around....

Voldemort RAISED HIS WAND. The tortured Death Eater lay flat upon the
ground, gasping.

---OoP Am HB pg 800-801---
Bellatrix raised her wand. "Crucio!"

Neville screamed, his legs drawn up to his chest.... The Death Eater
dropped his and he fell to the floor, twiching, and screaming in agony.

"That was just a taster!" said Bellatrix, RAISING HER WAND so that
Neville's screams stopped...

--- end quote ---

In the two incidences in GoF-Graveyard where Voldemort puts the Pain
curse on Harry, we do not read that Voldemort lifted his wand to end
the curse, but I think it's safe to say that Harry was too blinded by
the pain to see what Voldemort was doing when the curse lifted.

In the Atrium at the Ministry of Magic, when Harry cast the Pain
Curse, it doesn't specifically say that Harry cast the spell and
ducked. But it's clear that he cast it quickly and the effect was just
as quick. Bellatrix was knocked to the ground but is instantly on her
feet casting a curse at Harry. 

So, I can't say with absolute certainty that I am right, but I think
my interpretation is a fair read of the various uses of the pain curse. 

Also, as I pointed out earlier in this thread, I don't think my
interpretation invalidates what Bellatrix said to Harry about anger
not being sufficient to back up a fully functional Pain Curse.

But then... that's just one man's opinion.

bboy_mn