Wandlore and more

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 185385

> > sistermagpie wrote: 
> 
> > Especially since it's not like Draco was particularly 
> > known for Crucio either. On the contrary, in the same book Harry 
> > glimpses him being ordered to torture and not enjoying it at all.
> 
> 
> zanooda:
> 
> I don't think it matters much that Draco didn't like crucio'ing
> people. The point is, he did it - I suppose not only once, when 
Harry
> witnessed him torturing Rowle on LV's orders, but also at school 
(even
> though he didn't enjoy doing it, like Crabbe and Goyle). 
> 
> I'm still not sure if we should consider "The Tales of Beedle the
> Bard" canon, but DD says in his comments that "wands do indeed 
absorb
> the expertise of those who use them". He says that even a Muggle can
> do magic (uncontrollable magic, of course) if he uses a real magic
> wand, because of some residual magical power that it holds.
> 
> Doesn't it all mean that wands somehow "remember" spells their 
masters
> use? Draco's wand would remember "Crucio", which would make it 
easier
> for Harry to cast it successfully. Mind you, I'm not saying it's 
true
> :-). I'm just saying it's possible :-).

Magpie:
It's possible, but for me it's very hard for it not to be incredibly 
icky. It's hard not to give Harry "credit" (if one considers it a 
credit) for not being able to cast a Crucio against Bellatrix, but 
then later when he proves to not only be able to do one just fine but 
feel satisfied about it there's a little blame on his wand. Even if 
it's not complete blame, even if it's not said to be an excuse, it's 
still responsible for whatever little extra thing made the 
difference. Which gets a little too close to the way Slytherin seems 
to be used throughout the series for me, as the repository for ugly 
things that are present in other people too. I doubt, for instance, 
that if Harry had performed a successful spell that was good that 
we'd think to wonder if Draco just hadn't done it first.

If all the kids at school are indeed being forced to cast Crucio, 
then maybe the spell just isn't all that hard and Harry, now that 
he's 17 and has had a couple of tries (even if they didn't go all the 
way through) can do it.

-m