Harry's House / Sectumsempra (was re: [several things])

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 138440

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Matt" <hpfanmatt at g...> wrote:

Matt:
> Not arguing with your point, but it reminded me of something that had
> troubled me in my reading, and that I still haven't resolved
> satisfactorily.
> 
> After Harry's understandable shock when he uses the curse on Draco and
> sees what it does, I was suprised and dismayed to see him try the same
> curse two more times: against the Inferi and against Snape.  I
> understand that Harry was in extremis on both occasions, but even so,
> I was surprised at how completely out of control he was.  Will he need
> to moderate his emotions before he faces Voldemort?  Or is this just
> who he is?

Geoff:
Yes, but at least in the case of the Inferi, Harry was in dead trouble 
(excuse the pun). He had used Petrificus Totalus, Incarcerous and 
Impedimanta and they were still coming. I think this moment for him 
must have been one of the most terrifying -

"...as he backed away still further he felt arms enclose him from 
behind, thin, fleshless arms cold as death and his feet left the ground 
as they lifted him and began to carry him, slwoly but surely, back to 
the water and he knew there would be no release, that he would be 
drowned..."

(HBP "The Cave" p.538 UK edition)

Sends shivers up my spine. In that situation, I'd try ANYTHING to get 
the things off me.