[HPforGrownups] Dolohov's curse (Was: More About Snape and Occlumency)

[Jocelyn Grunow]

No: HPFGUIDX 121837

On Thursday, January 13, 2005, at 02:06 pm, justcarol67 wrote:

> As I understand it, this particular curse was the result of a
> whispered spell which would have been stronger (and possibly fatal) if
> Dolohov had been able to speak it aloud. I don't think it's *advanced*
> magic so much as *Dark* magic performed by a powerful and evil wizard
> who can cast the spell even though he can't speak it. (Snape
> frequently Evanescoes spills without speaking the spell; I think that
> powerful wizards can perform spells without speaking them, especially
> if they have wands that suit them well

Yeah - I am sharing this book at the moment with my 8-year-old and he 
pinched it when I was at page 700!  This morning I read the second 
snippet about that incident (when Hermione is in the hospital) and went 
"aha!".  I think you're right: powerful wizards do not need to say the 
incantation aloud.  I would guess that speaking it helps to focus the 
spell, but a wizard of sufficient experience and power can cast it 
without that help.

On the edition, I am in Australia and it is always a toss-up whether we 
are getting things from America or Britain.  I have never really taken 
the time to figure out which editions I have, but you're probably right!

Jocelyn