The power of spells ( was Re: Is Harry an idiot ...)

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 140622

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Deb" <djklaugh at c...> wrote:

Deb:
>   But it was a *failed* AK that blew up the house. One that 
> rebounded off Harry and hit LV. We see in COS what happens when a 
> memory charm backfires through Ron's damaged wand and takes out 
> >all< of Lockhart's memory not just parts of it. 

Geoff:
Interesting you should mention this particular event because I have 
often wondered whether this particular incident shows that a spell 
can have levels of intensity.

'Harry jumped forward, but too late. Lockhart was straighteneing up, 
panting. Ron's wand was in his hand and a gleaming smile back on his 
face.
"The adventure ends here, boys!" he said. "I shall take a bit of this 
skin back up to the school, tell them I was too late to save the girl 
and that you two tragically lost your minds at the sight of her 
mangled body. Say goodbye to your memories!"'

(COS "The Chamber of Secrets" p.224 UK edition)

Lockhart is prepared to sacrifice Ginny for the sake of his 
reputation. The use of "lost" seems suspicious. Is Lockhart just 
intending to take out all of their memories - which, as Deb points 
out - happened to him? I wonder how an Obliviate spell is set up; the 
wizard casting it must have to decide on the memories to be modified. 
I suspect that Lockhart was going for a complete wipe-out.