Draco's Hand of Glory and Teen!Snape's cutting curse (Was: World Building)

[wynnleaf]

No: HPFGUIDX 167674


>Carol said:  
> I do disagree with your little aside, "(I also believe the curse 
Snape
> throws at James in the Pensieve is to establish Sectumsempra)," 
however.
> 
> James wasn't "cut always." He had no problems casting more spells 
or
> defending himself to Lily. He was in no danger, nor is there any
> indication that he needed either a complex countercurse to stop the
> bleeding or dittany to prevent him from having a scar on his 
forehead
> like his future son.
> 
> There's no motive *before* the "Worst Memory" scene for Severus to
> invent that spell, but plenty of reason to seek revenge after it--
or
> after the so-called Prank. I think he used that little cutting 
spell
> (perhaps "Sectum") and developed it into something much worse,
> something Dark and deadly, Sectum*sempra*, in response to that
> incident. He wanted a spell especially developed "For enemies" to 
get
> back at James and Sirius. 

wynnleaf
Snape may not have developed it to "get back at James and Sirius."  
That is, it may not be a revenge tool.

We don't know whether Snape developed the spell as an offensive or 
defensive tool.  If he created Sectumsempra after the werewolf 
prank, it could well be defensive.  Remember, in Snape's mind the 
werewolf "prank" was an intentional attempt on his life.  So having 
a nasty defensive curse could well have been his idea of defense, 
rather than offense.


(He must not have used it, however, or
> they'd have been found like Draco lying in a pool of their own 
blood
> and Severus would have been expelled.)
> 
wynnleaf
Well, it would depend on how drastic the curse always works.  Harry 
was swinging his wand around wildly.  The curse may not necessarily 
have always cut so extensively.  Further, Snape at some point got or 
developed a countercurse.  We don't know whether he'd have used it 
or not.  If he thought James or Sirius was trying to kill him, he 
probably wouldn't have used the countercurse.  But on the other 
hand, we really don't know how drastically he might have intended to 
use it --  wild huge cuts, or smaller ones.  And, btw, we don't 
really know how deep the cuts are.

And the curse is "cuts always" not "bleeds always."  Just because 
the cuts stay open doesn't necessarily mean the blood won't clot.


wynnleaf