Summary
From charms to conjurations, there are a myriad of spells in the world ofHarry Potter, including countlessspells that make everyday life easierfor witches and wizards. However, there is also a darker side to magic, including the infamous Unforgivable Curses, which are extremely dangerous.
Even fairly innocuous spells predominantly used for good can be dangerous in the wrong hands. For example, many crimes could be committed with the ability to go invisible and teleport to almost any location. The following are the most dangerous spells inHarry Potter.
1Crucio - The Cruciatus Curse
This Curse Is Used To Torture And Inflict Unimaginable Pain
The Cruciatus Curse is one of the Unforgivable Curses and is used to torture victims, subjecting them to excruciating pain. While the curse may not have any physical lasting effects if only used for a short duration, prolonged exposure can cause insanity, as was the case with Neville’s parents, who were tortured for information.
When Harry saw Neville’s parents at St. Mungo’s hospital in the books, they were shells of their former selves with little cognitive ability. As a torture spell,Cruciocould also be used to extract information that could lead to even more danger and evil.
2Apparition
Teleport Almost Anywhere To Do An Evil Act & Get Away
The ability to apparate allows witches and wizards to teleport almost anywhere in an instant. While this spell is mostly used for convenience and is overall a great addition to the wizarding world, it also has its dangers. First of all, apparating in itself is a dangerous ordeal, especially for those who are new to it. If something goes wrong, parts of the body could end up in different locations. This is known as splinching.
Secondly, the ability to appear instantly in any location can be used for dark purposes, with individuals even able to get away quickly after committing a crime.
3Sectumsempra
Lacerates The Victim Possibly Causing Them To Bleed To Death
Sectumsemprais a curse that wascreated by Severus Snape when he attended Hogwartsand is one of the most dangerous spells in the wizarding world. The curse lacerates a target, and depending on where it hits it could cause them to bleed to death, especially if there is no one to heal the wounds.
Harry Potter read about this spell in the Half-Blood Prince’s copy of a Potions textbook and angrily used it on Draco Malfoy without knowing what it did. If Snape hadn’t been on hand, Draco would have bled to death.
4Obliviate - The Memory Charm
This Spell Erases Specific Memories
Even when used for good, for example, when Ministry Obliviatorsremove the memories of Muggles after they see wizarding activity, the Memory Charm,Obliviate, is morally questionable. In the hands of someone with evil intent, however,Obliviatebecomes extremely dangerous, as they can do whatever they want and then make the victim or witnesses forget all about it.
Furthermore, when the Memory Charm is used incorrectly, this complex spell can completely break the mind. This was the case for Gilderoy Lockhart who, years after his spell backfired, was still in St. Mungo’s Hospital with no memory and the intelligence of a child.
5Imperio - The Imperius Curse
Victims Can Be Forced To Do Anything
The Imperius Curse is one of the three Unforgivable Curses, and at first may seem the least evil, although that is not saying much. However, the ability to force a victim to do one’s bidding is extremely dangerous. For example,Imperioenables infiltration, something that happened tothe Ministry of Magicin both Wizarding Wars.
Individuals under the Imperius Curse can also be forced to divulge important secrets, or they could even be forced to carry out crimes themselves, allowing the caster to get away scot-free. Another dangerous aspect of the existence of the Imperius Curse is that criminals can claim they were under the influence, and did not carry out their actions knowingly or willingly.
6Avada Kedavra - The Killing Curse
This Unblockable Spell Causes Instantaneous Death
Without a doubt, the most dangerousHarry Potterspell has to be the Killing Curse, which has the infamous incantation,Avada Kedavra.This Unforgivable Cursecauses a painless and instantaneous death, allowing the caster to murder at a moment’s notice.
There is no counter to the Killing Curse and only one person has ever survived it. Lord Voldemort used the curse many times, notably on his father and grandparents, the Potters, and Cedric Diggory, an innocent schoolboy.
