Fiendfyre

Fiendfyre
Type	Curse; Dark Magic
Effect	Unleashes cursed fire

"Like it hot, scum?"

— Vincent Crabbe, as he conjures Fiendfyre in the Room of Requirement in an attempt to kill Harry Potter

Fiendfyre (also known as cursed fire) is a type of fire made from Dark Magic. It is very powerful, as it cannot be put out by Aguamenti (or any normal type of water), but is very difficult for the caster to control. The blaze is so potent that Fiendfyre is one of the very few substances that are capable of destroying a Horcrux.

Fiendfyre initially appears a "roaring, billowing noise" and gives its victims only a moment's warning. Its flames are of abnormal size and take the shape of monsters and beasts, such as Snakes, Chimaeras, and dragons, continuously mutating. It appears to have enough consciousness to actually follow its intended victims. The fire will pursue nearby lifeforms as if it were alive itself, sentient, even the one who conjured it if they lack control. The fire will also pursue anything it can burn for more fuel and seems to incinerate anything through mere contact.

It is unknown if there is a counter-curse for Fiendfyre; Aguamenti merely evaporates before touching it. Inexperienced casters will be able to conjure it, but will have virtually no control over the flames once they are unleashed, though an experienced Dark Wizard (like Lord Voldemort) would be able to control it and manipulate it to great effect.

Known Uses

In 1998, Vincent Crabbe learned how to cast Fiendfyre, presumably under the tutelage of Amycus Carrow, a Death Eater and professor of the Dark Arts at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry when it was under the control of Lord Voldemort. He was either not paying attention when Carrow discussed how to control the curse or lacked the skill to do so.

During the Battle of Hogwarts, Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, and Draco Malfoy cornered Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger in the Room of Requirement during the latter group's search for Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem. Crabbe, who at the time rebelled against Malfoy's leadership, conjured Fiendfyre in an attempt to kill Harry and his friends, but he was unable to control it. Since the fire was used in an enclosed area, Crabbe perished in the cursed blaze. Harry, Ron, and Hermione narrowly rescued Malfoy and Goyle before barely managing to escape.

When the diadem, having been exposed to the flames before its recovery, broke apart in Harry's hands upon their escape, Hermione realised it was Fiendfyre they had escaped from. She had known that it was capable of destroying Horcruxes, but claimed it was far too dangerous for her to attempt to use.

Behind the scenes

Voldemort using what is possibly Fiendfyre.

• In the film adaptation of the Goblet of Fire, a student from Durmstrang casts a fiery bird-like creature upon entering the Great Hall. However, he casts the spell by blowing upon his wand, which is not explicit in the books.
• In the film adaptation of the Order of the Phoenix, Lord Voldemort, while in a duel with Albus Dumbledore, summons what appears to be Fiendfyre from the known description. However, it is currently unknown if this spell is meant to be a representation of the Fiendfyre spell, or of a different spell entirely.
• In the film adaptation of Half-Blood Prince, when the Death Eaters attack the Burrow, Bellatrix Lestrange possibly casts Fiendfyre as snake figures can be seen in the fire ring striking at Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks who are attempting to contain the blaze.
• The Firestorm spell unleashed by Dumbledore in the Horcrux cave may be related to Fiendfyre, due to its intensity.
• The only time Fiendfyre is ever explicitly identified is in chapter thirty-one of Deathly Hallows.
• In the second film adaptation of Deathly Hallows, Gregory Goyle uses Fiendfyre and dies as a result since Crabbe is cut from the film.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) (Possible appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Possible appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film) (Possible appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II