Curse that killed Bellatrix

[zgirnius]

No: HPFGUIDX 187666


> sartoris22:
If Molly did use it against Bellatrix, shouldn't she receive a damaged soul and a prsion sentence?

Zara:
Regarding a prison sentence, sure! I have no doubt Kingsley's first priority will be to stick Minerva, Harry, and Molly in Azkaban. Maybe in adjacent cells so they could visit with one another- for old times' sake. <g> Seriously - if they were illegal when Harry, Molly, and others used themm, I nonetheless think the future government would not bother with prosecuting Voldemot opponents who resorted to Unforgivables in dire circumstances. Though, I would say there is evidence such curses *were* legal under the Thicknesse Administration. We know Crucio was used openly at Hogwarts by students and teachers.

Regarding a torn soul, the canon does not state that using the Avada Kedavra damages the soul. It states that murder tears the soul.

In DH, "The Prince's Talee", for example, Snape objects to the idea that he should kill Albus and expresses concern over the state of his soul, were he to comply with ALbus's request. Albus's answer:

> DH:
> "You alone know whether it will harm your soul to help an old man avoid pain and humiliation," said Dumbledore. "I ask this one great favor of you, Severus, because death is coming for me as surely as the Chudley Cannons will finish bottom of this year's league. I confess I should prefer a quick, painless exit to the protracted and messy affair it will be if, for instance, Greyback is involved --- 

Zara:
ALbus could be either wrong or lying, naturally, but I find the view expressed here reasonable. That only Snape can know whether the killing will harm him, because only Snape can know why he is doing it. And if Snape is doing it as a favor to Albus, as an act of mercy, then it's OK, it will not damage Snape's soul the way a murder would.

So anyway, this is why I do not think the spell Molly used, matters. She intended to kill Bella, and to the extent that is a bad thing, she did a bad thing and it does not matter what tool (spell) she used.  I would argue it was no murder, though, as she was fighting Bella in defense of her own life and the lives of others.