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

[Ethel]

No: HPFGUIDX 130679

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.


Uhhh... no VISIBLE spell left Harry's wand. But certainly Bellatrix was influenced by something, when she stopped laughing and fell down for a moment. There are many scenes in the book, where we see Cruciatus being used and as with Imperius: no flashy special effects. Harry did cast a real Cruciatus, just not a very strong one. 

However, I think it's unlike Harry will be punished. After all, no-one knows he cast the spell - only he and Bellatrix. Somehow I don't think accusations by Death Eaters are going to be believed. Harry might confess - but then again he might just forget about the incident. Lots of things happened that night.

Ethel