What killed the Riddles?

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 104925

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Theresa" <anmsmom333 at c...> 
wrote:

Theresa:
> This is a rather interesting question. I had always thought Tom had 
> used AK but since they were muggles and here was this wizard who 
> obviously hated them, that they were frightened as it hit them, 
hence 
> their expression. 

Geoff:
I suspect that they knew that Tom was going to finish them off and 
had time to react with horror.

Theresa:
> Also, not having my copy of my book here at work, 
> what was Frank's expression when he hit the floor in GOF? I 
remember 
> the icky thing in the chair scared him before he was cursed but I 
> don't recall if it says his expression was of fear. 

Geoff:
His expression is not mentioned...

'And then the chair was facing Frank and he saw what was sitting in 
it. His walking stick fell to the floor with a clatter. He opened his 
mouth and let out a scream. He was screaming so loudly that he never 
heard the words the thing in the chair spoke as it raised a wand. 
There was a flash of gren light, a rushing sound and Frank Bryce 
crumpled. He was dead before he hit the floor.'

(GOF "The Riddle House" p.19 UK edition)

Theresa:
> Plus I don't think Cedric had time to react to the curse. Harry 
> and Cedric showed up in the graveyard and were still figuring
> things out when boom - here comes a guy and down Cedric goes.

Geoff:
I don't think he even had time to fully register what was said. 

'From far away above his head, he (Harry) heard a high cold voice 
say, "Kill the spare." A swishing noise and a second voice which 
screeched the words to the night: "Avada Kedavra"'

(GOF "Flesh, Blood and Bone" p.553 UK edition)

He was probably still thinking "spare? what's he mean - spare" when 
the curse hit him.