What is it with the wimpy spells?

[Cheryl]

No: HPFGUIDX 162720

det_okse wrote:
...one of the things that has really puzzled me throughout the 
series is the lack of some really decent offensive and defensive 
spells.Does anyone else feel that the spells that are out there that 
are known and in common use seem a little....tame?

Cheryl:
I'm writing my own fanfic version of Book 7 and I'm finding the same 
thing!  I have a few battles with the Death Eaters and I feel like 
an idiot having them try to scream "Petrificus Totalis!"  Who could 
get that out mouthful out in time?  I want some good Dungeons and 
Dragons type spells.  Sleep, Magic Missile, Charm Person, Fireball, 
Cone of Cold, Energy Drain, etc.  Jelly-Legs just doesn't cut it 
against Avada Kedavra.

det_okse:
But I guess I was wondering, if in a fight, what spells would 
someone ike Mad-eye know and use? I doubt he would be casting 
Impedimenta or Petrificus totalus.

Cheryl:
I had him go straight for Crucio.  Can you really see Mad-Eye 
holding back against a Death Eater?  JKR got around it by having a 
bunch of zapping jets of light in the last few fights.  No 
explanation about what many of them were.

det_okse:
This really is just a symptom of my biggest overall criticism of the 
series: Harry, (and Hermione, who undoubtedly is one of the 
brightest students at the school) just don't seem to have gained as 
much personal power as they really should have.

Cheryl:
I agree, especially in contrast with Fred and George, who have 
developed more "brand new" magic than, apparently, any wizard for 
the past hundred years or more.  They are making a mint selling 
personal protection devices, apparently because there are, like 
three personal protection spells?

det_okse:
Wouldn't we all feel better if Harry was just a bit more powerful?

Cheryl:
I keep wondering why Ron, since he's known Harry is the target of 
Voldemort since age eleven, hasn't gone to Fred and George and 
said, "You know, you guys love to invent things and we could use 
some secret weapons in the little war against Voldemort..."  I've 
been wondering if the Canary Creams spell can be cast from a wand.  
Now that would be a useful spell in a fight!  Turn Bellatrix into a 
cute little bird.  And send Crookshanks after her.