Harry Potter Wiki
Register
Harry Potter Wiki
mNo edit summary
Tag: sourceedit
(39 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Title|''{{PAGENAME}}''}}
 
 
{{Spell infobox
 
{{Spell infobox
 
|name=''Sectumsempra''
 
|name=''Sectumsempra''
|image=[[File:Sectumsempra Draco 2.JPG|250px]]
+
|image=[[File:Sectumempra Curse.gif|250px]]
 
|incantation=''Sectumsempra''<br/>(sec-TUM-semp-ra)
 
|incantation=''Sectumsempra''<br/>(sec-TUM-semp-ra)
 
|type=[[Curse]]
 
|type=[[Curse]]
Line 8: Line 7:
 
|light=White
 
|light=White
 
|effect=Cuts
 
|effect=Cuts
  +
|creator=[[Severus Snape]]<ref name="HBP-Q">''{{BookChapter|{{HBP}}|12|Silver and Opals}} - "Harry had already attempted a few of the Prince’s self-invented spells."</ref><ref name="PM">''[[Pottermore]]'' - [https://www.pottermore.com/features/pottermore-severus-snape-infographic All about... Severus Snape]</ref>
|creator=[[Severus Snape]] ([[1977]]/[[1978]])
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Quote|[[Blood]] spurted from [[Draco Malfoy|Malfoy]]'s face and chest as though he had been slashed with an invisible sword. He staggered backward and collapsed onto the waterlogged floor with a great splash, [[Draco Malfoy's wand|his wand]] falling from his limp right hand. Slipping and staggering, [[Harry Potter|Harry]] got to his feet and plunged toward Malfoy, whose face was now shining scarlet, his white hands scrabbling at his blood-soaked chest.|Description|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
 
{{Quote|[[Blood]] spurted from [[Draco Malfoy|Malfoy]]'s face and chest as though he had been slashed with an invisible sword. He staggered backward and collapsed onto the waterlogged floor with a great splash, [[Draco Malfoy's wand|his wand]] falling from his limp right hand. Slipping and staggering, [[Harry Potter|Harry]] got to his feet and plunged toward Malfoy, whose face was now shining scarlet, his white hands scrabbling at his blood-soaked chest.|Description|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
   
'''''Sectumsempra''''' is a [[curse]] invented by [[Professor]] [[Severus Snape]], during his [[Slytherin|childhood]], when he was known as "The [[Half-blood|Half-Blood]] [[Prince family|Prince]]".<ref name="HBP28">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' (''Chapter Twenty-Eight - Flight of the Prince'')</ref> He created it with the intention of using it against [[Marauders|his enemies]],<ref name="creation">As the book says "for use on enemies", and the Marauders were the ones he hated the most as they constantly bullied him, it is highly likely they were the enemies he meant.</ref> and it soon became one of his [[Signature spell|specialties]].<ref name="DH5">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' (''Chapter Five - Fallen Warrior'')</ref>
+
'''''Sectumsempra''''' is a [[curse]] invented by [[Professor]] [[Severus Snape]], during his childhood, when he was known as "The [[Half-blood|Half-Blood]] [[Prince family|Prince]]".<ref name="HBP28">{{BookChapter|{{HBP}}|28|Flight of the Prince}}</ref> He created it with the intention of using it against his enemies, likely including the [[Marauders]]<ref name="creation">As the book says "for use on enemies", and the Marauders were the ones he hated the most as they constantly bullied him, it is highly likely they were the enemies he meant.</ref> and it became one of his [[Signature spell|specialties]].<ref name="DH5">{{BookChapter|{{DH}}|5|Fallen Warrior}}</ref>
   
==Overview==
+
==History==
A rather dangerous [[curse]], when the [[incantation]] is uttered its effect is the equivalent of an invisible sword; it is used to slash the victim from a distance, causing rather deep wounds. The slash follows the user's wand movements.<ref name="HBP24">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' (''Chapter Twenty-Four - Sectumsempra'')</ref> Due to the depths of the cut, the victims run the risk of dying from blood loss if treatment is not applied in time, if the wounds are not instantly fatal.<ref name="HBP24"/><ref name="DH5"/>
 
   
===Counter and Treatment===
+
===Creation ===
 
{{Quote|You dare use my own spells against me, [[Harry Potter|Potter]]? It was I who invented them I, the Half-Blood Prince! |[[Professor]] [[Severus Snape|Snape]] telling Harry Potter he's the prince|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
Wounds inflicted by this [[spell]] can be cured by the song-like [[incantation]] ''[[Vulnera Sanentur]]'';<ref name="HBPf24">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)]]'' (''Chapter Twenty-Four - Sectumsempra'')</ref> the first usage eases the blood flow, the second causes the wounds to knit and the third removes the worst effects of the [[curse]].<ref name="HBP24"/> The victim would still require medical treatment, and if [[dittany]] is applied immediately, scarring can still be avoided.
 
   
  +
[[File:Halfblood-02853.jpg|thumb|240px|left|The spell copied down in ''Advanced Potion-Making'']]
Though the aforementioned [[healing spell]] may heal the wounds and [[dittany]] may prevent scars, any body parts that have been severed by this [[curse]] cannot be grown back (a trait of dark magic's permanent effects), as demonstrated by [[George Weasley]] when he lost his left ear to the [[spell]].<ref name="DH5"/>
 
   
 
The curse was invented by Severus Snape and recorded during his time as a student at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]],<ref name="HBP28" /> for use in retaliation against his enemies such as the [[Marauders]].<ref name="creation" /> He recorded it in his [[N.E.W.T.]]-level Potions [[Severus Snape's copy of Advanced Potion-Making|textbook]] and used it enough to allow [[Remus Lupin]] to recognise it as one of his signature spells. He cast it against [[James Potter I|James Potter]] during their fifth year at Hogwarts after the Marauders publicly humiliated him. The effects of the curse were not as extreme as they could have been, as he did not have a clear shot.
==Practitioners==
 
* [[Harry Potter]]<ref name="HBP24"/>
 
* [[Severus Snape]]<ref name="HBP28"/><ref name="DH5"/>
 
   
  +
=== <br />1996-1997 school year ===
==History of usage==
 
  +
{{Dialogue a-b|Draco Malfoy|Cruci-|Harry Potter|Sectumsempra!|Harry, using the curse on Draco}}
The curse was invented by Severus Snape during his time as a student at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]],<ref name="HBP28"/> in retaliation against [[Marauders|his enemies]].<ref name="creation"/> He recorded it in his [[Severus Snape's copy of Advanced Potion-Making|textbook]] and used it enough to make [[Remus Lupin]] recognise it as one of his [[signature spell]]s.<ref name="DH5"/>
 
   
Many years later, in the [[1996–1997 school year]], Harry Potter came into the possession of Snape's textbook, and learned the incantation. Without knowing its effects at the time and believing that the "Half-Blood Prince" (Snape's nickname signed into the book) merely copied it as a note of reference, Harry became interested in trying it, thinking it would have some hilarious effects as with ''[[Levicorpus]]'' and other spells found within the same book. He considered using it against [[Cormac McLaggen]] for annoying him, though it was not until he confronted [[Draco Malfoy]] in [[Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom]] that he utilised it, mortally wounding Malfoy. Snape saved Draco, and having realised that Harry got a hold of the old textbook, he punished Harry with a multitude of detentions for nearly killing Malfoy. Harry, despite disliking Malfoy, did not truly want to harm Malfoy to such an extent, and was both horrified and guilt-ridden by using the curse against him. [[Minerva McGonagall|Professor McGonagall]] considered Harry to be lucky not to have been expelled for such an act, and she full-heartedly supported the detentions, while [[Pansy Parkinson]] wasted no time in vilifying Harry.<ref name="HBP24"/>
+
Many years later, in the [[1996–1997 school year]], Harry Potter came into the possession of Snape's textbook, and learned the incantation. Without knowing its effects at the time and believing that the "Half-Blood Prince" (Snape's nickname signed into the book) merely copied it as a note of reference, Harry became interested in trying it, thinking it would have some hilarious effects similar to ''[[Levicorpus]]'' and other spells found within the same book.
   
  +
[[File:Halfblood-02934.jpg|thumb|240px|The end result of Harry's duel with [[Draco Malfoy]] after the use of ''Sectumsempra'']]
{{Quote|You dare use my own spells against me, [[Harry Potter|Potter]]? It was I who invented them - I, the Half-Blood Prince! And you'd turn my inventions on me, like your filthy father, would you? I don't think so... ''no''!|[[Professor]] [[Severus Snape|Snape]] to [[Harry Potter|Harry]] during the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]]|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
 
   
  +
Harry considered using it against [[Cormac McLaggen]] for annoying him, though it was not until he confronted [[Draco Malfoy]] in [[Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom]] that he utilised it, seriously wounding Malfoy. Snape intervened to heal Draco, and having realised that Harry got a hold of the old textbook, he punished Harry with a multitude of detentions; Snape did not turn Harry in for a deeper punishment for fear of exposing himself to be the inventor of the curse. Harry, despite disliking Malfoy, did not truly want to harm Malfoy to such an extent, and was both horrified and guilt-ridden by using the curse against him. [[Minerva McGonagall|Professor McGonagall]] considered Harry to be lucky not to have been expelled for such an act, and she full-heartedly supported the detentions, while [[Pansy Parkinson]] wasted no time in vilifying Harry far and wide.<ref name="HBP24" />
During Harry's hunt for [[Salazar Slytherin's Locket|a Horcrux]], he accidentally attracted the attention of an army of [[Inferius|Inferi]], and in an attempt to stop them, he used many spells, ''Sectumsempra'' among them. However, this merely slashed their unfeeling flesh, causing no impediment at the very least.<ref name="HBP26">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 26 (''The Cave'')</ref> Later the same night, when Snape killed Dumbledore, Harry attempted this curse against him, only for Snape to negate it and angrily confront Harry for using it against him, revealing that he is the inventor of the said curse.<ref name="HBP28"/>
 
   
 
During Harry's hunt for a [[Salazar Slytherin's Locket|Horcrux]], he accidentally attracted the attention of an army of [[Inferius|Inferi]], and in an attempt to stop them he used many spells including ''Sectumsempra''. However, this merely slashed their unfeeling flesh, creating no serious impediment to their approach.<ref name="HBP26">{{BookChapter|{{HBP}}|26|The Cave}}</ref> Later the same night, when Snape killed Dumbledore, Harry attempted this curse against him, only for Snape to negate it and angrily confront Harry revealing that he was the inventor.<ref name="HBP28" />
The next year, during the [[Battle of the Seven Potters]], Snape attempted to use this curse to sever the hand of a fellow [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]], but due to a slip, he accidentally cut off [[George Weasley]]'s left ear instead. The ear could not be repaired by any means due to the nature of Dark Arts.<ref name="DH5"/><ref name="DH33">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 33 (''The Prince's Tale'')</ref>
 
  +
  +
===1997-1998 school year===
  +
{{Dialogue a-b-a|Remus Lupin|He lost an ear.|Hermione Granger|Lost an...|Snape's work.|Lupin and Hermione discuss Snape's handiwork with the curse|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
  +
 
The next year, during the [[Battle of the Seven Potters]], Snape attempted to use this curse to sever the hand of a fellow [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]], but due to a slip, he accidentally cut off [[George Weasley]]'s left ear instead. The Order of the Phoenix was not able to regrow the wound by any means due to the nature of Dark Arts, though it is unclear whether this is because doing so is completely impossible or because they did not know how to counter the spell.<ref name="DH5" /><ref name="DH33">{{BookChapter|{{HBP}}|33|'The Prince's Tale}}</ref>
  +
  +
==Nature==
 
A rather dangerous [[curse]], when the [[incantation]] is uttered its effect is the equivalent of an invisible sword; it is used to slash the victim from a distance, causing rather deep wounds. The slash follows the user's wand movements.<ref name="HBP24">{{BookChapter|{{HBP}}|24|Sectumsempra}}</ref> Due to the depths of the cut, the victims run the risk of dying from blood loss if treatment is not applied in time, if the wounds are not instantly fatal.<ref name="HBP24" /><ref name="DH5" />
  +
  +
===Counter and treatment===
  +
[[File:Healing spell.gif|left|thumb|235x235px|Snape healing the damage the curse has done, using ''Vulnera Sanentur'']]
 
Wounds inflicted by this [[spell]] can be cured by the song-like [[incantation]] ''[[Vulnera Sanentur]]'';<ref name="HBPf">{{HBP|F}}</ref> the first usage eases the blood flow, the second causes the wounds to knit and the third removes the worst effects of the [[curse]].<ref name="HBP24" /> The victim would still require medical treatment, and if [[dittany]] is applied immediately, scarring can still be avoided.
  +
 
Though the aforementioned [[healing spell]] may heal the wounds and [[dittany]] may prevent scars, any body parts that have been severed by this [[curse]] cannot be grown back (a trait of dark magic's permanent effects), as demonstrated by [[George Weasley]] when he lost his left ear to the [[spell]].<ref name="DH5" />
  +
  +
==Known practitioners==
 
* [[Harry Potter]]<ref name="HBP24" />
 
* [[Severus Snape]]<ref name="HBP28" /><ref name="DH5" />
   
 
==Etymology==
 
==Etymology==
Line 41: Line 55:
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
  +
*It is unknown when Snape invented this spell as according to [[Sirius Black]], Snape "knew more curses when he arrived at school than half the kids in seventh year." <ref name="GF27">{{BookChapter|{{GOF}}|27|Padfoot Returns}}</ref>
* ''Sectumsempra'', like ''[[Levicorpus]]'', most likely escaped [[Severus Snape|Snape]]'s secrecy as well, seeing how [[Remus Lupin]] recognises it during the [[Battle of the Seven Potters]].
+
*[[Severus Snape|Snape]]'s invention of Sectrasumpra was not likely a secret as [[Remus Lupin]] is able to recognise it during the [[Battle of the Seven Potters]].
* In the [[Harry Potter (film series)|films]], ''Sectumsempra'' appears as a small flash of white light which causes a cut when it strikes the target.
+
* In the [[Harry Potter (film series)|films]], ''Sectumsempra'' appears as a small flash of white light launched forward like many spells, which causes a cut when it strikes the target.
 
* In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]'', Harry uses ''Sectumsempra'' on Malfoy only to find out the [[spell]] has, apparently, painlessly sliced him in half.
 
* In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]'', Harry uses ''Sectumsempra'' on Malfoy only to find out the [[spell]] has, apparently, painlessly sliced him in half.
 
* This curse's effect is similar to the [[Severing Charm]], except it is used for more malicious intent.
 
* This curse's effect is similar to the [[Severing Charm]], except it is used for more malicious intent.
Line 55: Line 70:
 
* ''[[Harry Potter: Spells]]''
 
* ''[[Harry Potter: Spells]]''
 
* ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]''
 
* ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]''
  +
* ''[[Pottermore]]''
   
 
==Notes and references==
 
==Notes and references==
Line 63: Line 79:
 
[[fi:Sektumsempra]]
 
[[fi:Sektumsempra]]
 
[[ru:Сектумсемпра]]
 
[[ru:Сектумсемпра]]
  +
[[el:Σεκτουμσέμπρα]]
  +
[[pl:Sectumsempra]]
 
[[Category:Curses]]
 
[[Category:Curses]]
 
[[Category:Dark Magic]]
 
[[Category:Dark Magic]]
 
[[Category:Spells invented by Severus Snape]]
 
[[Category:Spells invented by Severus Snape]]
  +
[[Category:Amputations]]

Revision as of 19:24, 5 May 2016

"Blood spurted from Malfoy's face and chest as though he had been slashed with an invisible sword. He staggered backward and collapsed onto the waterlogged floor with a great splash, his wand falling from his limp right hand. Slipping and staggering, Harry got to his feet and plunged toward Malfoy, whose face was now shining scarlet, his white hands scrabbling at his blood-soaked chest."
— Description[src]

Sectumsempra is a curse invented by Professor Severus Snape, during his childhood, when he was known as "The Half-Blood Prince".[3] He created it with the intention of using it against his enemies, likely including the Marauders[4] and it became one of his specialties.[5]

History

Creation

"You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? It was I who invented them — I, the Half-Blood Prince! "
Professor Snape telling Harry Potter he's the prince[src]
Halfblood-02853

The spell copied down in Advanced Potion-Making

The curse was invented by Severus Snape and recorded during his time as a student at Hogwarts,[3] for use in retaliation against his enemies such as the Marauders.[4] He recorded it in his N.E.W.T.-level Potions textbook and used it enough to allow Remus Lupin to recognise it as one of his signature spells. He cast it against James Potter during their fifth year at Hogwarts after the Marauders publicly humiliated him. The effects of the curse were not as extreme as they could have been, as he did not have a clear shot.


1996-1997 school year

Draco Malfoy: "Cruci-"
Harry Potter: "Sectumsempra!"
— Harry, using the curse on Draco

Many years later, in the 1996–1997 school year, Harry Potter came into the possession of Snape's textbook, and learned the incantation. Without knowing its effects at the time and believing that the "Half-Blood Prince" (Snape's nickname signed into the book) merely copied it as a note of reference, Harry became interested in trying it, thinking it would have some hilarious effects similar to Levicorpus and other spells found within the same book.

Halfblood-02934

The end result of Harry's duel with Draco Malfoy after the use of Sectumsempra

Harry considered using it against Cormac McLaggen for annoying him, though it was not until he confronted Draco Malfoy in Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom that he utilised it, seriously wounding Malfoy. Snape intervened to heal Draco, and having realised that Harry got a hold of the old textbook, he punished Harry with a multitude of detentions; Snape did not turn Harry in for a deeper punishment for fear of exposing himself to be the inventor of the curse. Harry, despite disliking Malfoy, did not truly want to harm Malfoy to such an extent, and was both horrified and guilt-ridden by using the curse against him. Professor McGonagall considered Harry to be lucky not to have been expelled for such an act, and she full-heartedly supported the detentions, while Pansy Parkinson wasted no time in vilifying Harry far and wide.[6]

During Harry's hunt for a Horcrux, he accidentally attracted the attention of an army of Inferi, and in an attempt to stop them he used many spells including Sectumsempra. However, this merely slashed their unfeeling flesh, creating no serious impediment to their approach.[7] Later the same night, when Snape killed Dumbledore, Harry attempted this curse against him, only for Snape to negate it and angrily confront Harry revealing that he was the inventor.[3]

1997-1998 school year

Remus Lupin: "He lost an ear."
Hermione Granger: "Lost an..."
Remus Lupin: "Snape's work."
— Lupin and Hermione discuss Snape's handiwork with the curse[src]

The next year, during the Battle of the Seven Potters, Snape attempted to use this curse to sever the hand of a fellow Death Eater, but due to a slip, he accidentally cut off George Weasley's left ear instead. The Order of the Phoenix was not able to regrow the wound by any means due to the nature of Dark Arts, though it is unclear whether this is because doing so is completely impossible or because they did not know how to counter the spell.[5][8]

Nature

A rather dangerous curse, when the incantation is uttered its effect is the equivalent of an invisible sword; it is used to slash the victim from a distance, causing rather deep wounds. The slash follows the user's wand movements.[6] Due to the depths of the cut, the victims run the risk of dying from blood loss if treatment is not applied in time, if the wounds are not instantly fatal.[6][5]

Counter and treatment

Healing spell

Snape healing the damage the curse has done, using Vulnera Sanentur

Wounds inflicted by this spell can be cured by the song-like incantation Vulnera Sanentur;[9] the first usage eases the blood flow, the second causes the wounds to knit and the third removes the worst effects of the curse.[6] The victim would still require medical treatment, and if dittany is applied immediately, scarring can still be avoided.

Though the aforementioned healing spell may heal the wounds and dittany may prevent scars, any body parts that have been severed by this curse cannot be grown back (a trait of dark magic's permanent effects), as demonstrated by George Weasley when he lost his left ear to the spell.[5]

Known practitioners

Etymology

Sectumsempra derives from the Latin sectum, "having been cut" (comparable to the English word "section" or "segmented"), and possibly semper, "always." It can be translated as "always cutting" or "sever forever", the latter being a pun on Snape's first name, Severus, as well as indicating that severed body parts cannot be regrown.

Behind the scenes

  • It is unknown when Snape invented this spell as according to Sirius Black, Snape "knew more curses when he arrived at school than half the kids in seventh year." [10]
  • Snape's invention of Sectrasumpra was not likely a secret as Remus Lupin is able to recognise it during the Battle of the Seven Potters.
  • In the films, Sectumsempra appears as a small flash of white light launched forward like many spells, which causes a cut when it strikes the target.
  • In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7, Harry uses Sectumsempra on Malfoy only to find out the spell has, apparently, painlessly sliced him in half.
  • This curse's effect is similar to the Severing Charm, except it is used for more malicious intent.

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. ''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Chapter 12 (Silver and Opals) - "Harry had already attempted a few of the Prince’s self-invented spells."
  2. Pottermore - All about... Severus Snape
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Chapter 28 (Flight of the Prince)
  4. 4.0 4.1 As the book says "for use on enemies", and the Marauders were the ones he hated the most as they constantly bullied him, it is highly likely they were the enemies he meant.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 5 (Fallen Warrior)
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Chapter 24 (Sectumsempra)
  7. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Chapter 26 (The Cave)
  8. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Chapter 33 ('The Prince's Tale)
  9. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
  10. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Chapter 27 (Padfoot Returns)