Wandlore and more

[Carol]

No: HPFGUIDX 185399

Pippin wrote:
<snip>
> But I think crucio, like some other spells, may take some practice
even if you are properly motivated. Neville says that they are
supposed to *practice* on students held in detention. That would risk
permanent damage if the students were actually good at it, something
Neville says they are supposed to avoid. <snip>

Carol responds:
I agree. And few of the students would have been properly motivated,
in any case (except possibly to use it on Amycus, which he wouldn't
allow them the opportunity to do). Clearly, he didn't pair up the
students (seventh years and possibly sixth years, the only ones who
might have the ability if properly motivated) and have them practice
on each other in class (as Snape did with the nonverbal spells), nor
would they have been allowed to practice Crucio (or other
Unforgiveables) in duels in the hallways. The only opportunity for
practice would have been on students in detention who "deserved" it,
and I imagine that most students prudently avoided detention.

Any visions some readers may have of Crucios being cast left and
right, even by Crabbe and Goyle, are, I think, erroneous. Nor, as
someone said, does Neville indicate that students were punished for
failing to cast it properly, only for refusing to try. (Imperius and,
of course, AK weren't practiced at all, apparently--at least not on
people.)

Carol, giving Neville points for moral fiber for refusing to cast the
curse that drove his parents insane