Imperio.

[Carol]

No: HPFGUIDX 177623

Eggplant wrote:
> <snip> Harry first used an "Unforgivable" in book 5 and then again
in book 6, so you must think Hermione hated Harry for 2 books and then
stopped doing so in book 7, and that you see as inconsistent. Being as
polite as I can I must say I find that an odd way to view the books.

Carol responds:

I realize that you're addressing Lee, but I hope you don't mind if I
add a few words here. Hermione seems to judge curses by whether
they're legal or not (in HBP, she condemns the Prince's spells as not
being "Ministry approved," a rather odd condemnation after of Delores
Umbridge's Ministry-approved DADA curriculum. Once the Ministry has
been taken over by DEs, neither Ministry approval nor legality has any
meaning, not to mention that she seems to feel, rightly or wrongly,
that their danger combined with the urgent necessity of stealing the
cup Horcrux (they will have no other opportunity) seems to justify the
use of the Imperius Curse under those particular circumstances in
HRH's view and, implicitly, in JKR's (readers, in contrast, will judge
for themselves).

As for Harry's attempts to use the *Cruciatus* Curse in OoP and HBP,
one of which barely causes any pain because Harry doesn't "mean" it,
doesn't "want to cause pain" and therefore "can't hurt [Bellatrix] for
long"; the other of which is deflected by Snape before Harry can
finish his curse, Hermione can't possibly know about them. She wasn't
present on either occasion, and Harry doesn't recount his experiences
in detail. In fact, he says as little as possible. (He doesn't state
that Snape saved him from a Crucio, either, since that action
conflicts with his view of Snape as a murderer and traitor.)

Nor is Hermione present when Harry successfully Crucios Amycus Carrow,
evidently enjoying inflicting pain on him, certainly "meaning" the
curse. Whether Hermione would have approved his use of the curse or
called it "gallant," we don't know. I, for one, hope not. I think it's
 likely, however, that she would have "forgiven" him, considering the
themes of forgiveness and redemption that permeate the last few
chapters of DH. She seems to "forgive" him for using another Dark
curse, Sectumsempra, in HBP. (Granted, he didn't know what it did, but
he was foolish to use it and it certainly wasn't "Ministry approved.")

I agree with you, however, that Harry's Imperius Curses, at least,
appear to be "forgiveable," as does Snape's Avada Kedavra, which you
don't mention, even though the AK was certainly an illegal curse at
the time it was cast. I also agree that the term "Unforgiveable" can't
be taken literally or both Harry and Snape would be as irredeemable as
Voldemort.

Carol, not sure how Hermione came to be the spokesperson for what is
and is not "forgiveable" unless she's being viewed as the voice of JKR
(a doubtful proposition in this instance, IMO)