Lily, Voldemort, AK and the atomic bomb analogy

[redeyedwings]

No: HPFGUIDX 144632


> Saraquel:
> > It starts with the idea that the Avada Kadavra curse is 
> > created by splitting the soul, rather like the splitting 
> > of the atom, where a huge amount of energy is released, 
> > along with radiation.  The rushing sound which is heard 
> > when the spell is cast is the blast wave rolling out from
> > the splitting of the soul.  

> Ceridwen:
> Interesting.  I like that.  I had imagined that the splitting 
> occurred once the victim was properly dead, though.  But, the 
> rushing sound being equated with something magically powerful,
> as when the atom splits, is something to think about.  The AKs 
> we've 'heard' almost all have that sound.
 

This is interesting. I don't have my books to hand, but I'd like 
to throw a wrench in here, possibly anyway:

A soul splits when its owner kills a human being (irregardless of 
horcrux-making intent), right? I'm pretty sure this is true. But 
what about when the AK is used to kill something else ... I don't 
know, maybe, a spider?

IIRC, and remember I have no books in front of me, does Harry not hear the rushing sound when Fake!Moody kills the spider in front 
of the class?

If so, by that logic, Fake!Moody's soul was sundered by the 
killing of a little arachnoid. Something seems wrong. Of course, 
it could be me, and it could be that the rushing sound we only 
hear when a human is killed .... but we need someone to quote the 
relevant canon, and as I'm stuck at work, it ain't gonna be me....

Just wondering, 
ReW