Harry's use of an Unforgivable excused? (was: Who taught Voldemort?)

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 130674

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "eggplant107" 
<eggplant107 at h...> wrote:
> "Rebecca Dreiling" <srbecca at h...> wrote:
> 
> > Harry did use an Unforgivable curse in OoP.
> > Is he excused because of the context of the spell's use? 

Eggplant:
> No, he is excused because Wizard law is never ever enforced to the
> letter UNLESS you are in the Ministry's disfavor, and by the end of
> OoP Harry was back in their good graces. As far as the Ministry is
> concerned I imagine Harry could literally get away with murder now,
> the same privileged position Lucius Malfoy once had.

Finwitch:

Also, consider that no spell left Harry's wand when tried that. He 
did NOT cast cruciatus on Bella (as she apparently didn't feel the 
pain). It's questionable whether even 'attempt to cast that spell' 
will hold - since no spell left Harry's wand for this.

His intent and desire, however - yes, Harry's *morally* guilty, but I 
find it doubtful if he is so *legally*.

Also, it may be that Bella would need to press charges (and if she 
tried, SHE would be back in Azkaban, and no one would listen) - and, 
there's nothing to prove this... particularly if Harry learns 
Occlumency to block Veritaserum influence...

Finwitch