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"But the Death Eater Hermione had just struck dumb made a sudden slashing movement with his wand from which flew a streak of what looked like purple flame. It passed right across Hermione’s chest; she gave a tiny “oh!” as though of surprise and then crumpled onto the floor."
Antonin Dolohov casting this curse nonverbally at Hermione Granger[src]

This curse (incantation unknown) was used by the Death Eater Antonin Dolohov during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries in 1996. The curse was cast using "a sudden slashing movement with the wand," causing a streak of purple flame to strike the target.[2] This curse caused major injuries, and if performed with enough power, had the capacity to kill.[1]

Effects[]

The precise effects of this curse were unknown, but it was very dangerous and was potentially lethal. Given that Hermione Granger had no visible marks or bleeding from her injury with this curse,[2] but exhibited soreness for some time afterwards,[1] the curse might cause some kind of painful internal injury. This curse appeared to lose power if cast non-verbally, even by a wizard as powerful as Antonin Dolohov, and Hermione was noted to have only survived because the incantation wasn't spoken.[2]

Known uses[]

"She winced slightly and put a hand to her ribs. The curse Dolohov had used on her, though less effective than it would have been had he been able to say the incantation aloud, had nevertheless caused, in Madam Pomfrey's words, "quite enough damage to be going on with." Hermione was having to take ten different types of potion every day [...] "
— Description of Hermione Granger's recovery from a nonverbal use of this curse[src]

Antonin Dolohov used the curse twice during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, first against Hermione Granger, who was knocked unconscious but survived. Dolohov might have killed Hermione if he had been able to say the incantation, but his voice was taken by Hermione's Silencing Charm earlier in the battle and the nonverbal version of the curse was not as powerful as it normally would be.[2]

Afterward, Hermione had to take no fewer than ten different potions daily for an extended period of time, provided by the Hogwarts nurse, Madam Pomfrey.[1]

Dolohov used the curse again against Harry Potter later in the battle, but it was blunted by Harry's use of the Shield Charm. Harry described it as a "streak across his face like a blunt knife," and the force of the curse knocked him off his feet. Dolohov also attempted to use the curse against Sirius Black while they were duelling during the battle, but Harry managed to hit him with a Full Body-Bind Curse before he could complete the spell.[2]

Dolohov probably wanted to use this curse when trying to capture Harry Potter in the Luchino Caffe Duel, but Hermione Granger paralysed Dolohov with the Full Body-Bind Curse before he could cast the spell.[3]

This may be the curse Dolohov used to kill Remus Lupin during the Battle of Hogwarts, as it was noted that Remus's body was peaceful-looking,[4] and this curse was not known to cause any visible signs of damage.

Behind the scenes[]

  • In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Sirius appears to block Dolohov's curse if the film is paused at the right moment.
  • Unlike some Dark charms, this one can be deflected and blocked with the Shield Charm. It is unknown, however, if it can only stop the worst of it and not block it completely, like when Harry tried to deflect it, or if that was because Dolohov was so powerful that Harry only barely managed to ward it off due to his own inexperience as a duellist at the time.

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 38 (The Second War Begins)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 35 (Beyond the Veil)
  3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 9 (A Place to Hide)
  4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 33 (The Prince's Tale)
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