When Did McGonagall Use an Unforgivable Curse?
Throughout the Harry Potter series, Minerva McGonagall, a renowned Potions master and Transfiguration professor, plays a vital role in shaping the careers of the Hogwarts students, particularly Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. Despite her crucial involvement in many pivotal scenes, McGonagall’s use of Unforgivable Curses is somewhat limited. In the entire series, McGonagall only uses an Unforgivable Curse on one occasion, which I will discuss later in this article.
The Concept of Unforgivable Curses
For those new to the world of wizardry, the Unforgivable Curses are the most heinous and reviled forms of magic that can result in severe repercussions, including immediate imprisonment. The most well-known Unforgivable Curses include Avada Kedavra (Killing Curse), Crucio (Cruciatus Curse), and Imperio (Impervius Curse). Any wizard or witch who cast these curses will face consequences, as the International War Crimes Tribunal has deemed these spells to be Crimes Against Humanity.
McGonagall’s Unforgivable Curse
Now, let us focus on McGonagall’s instance of using an Unforgivable Curse. This occurs when she uses the Imperius Curse (Imperio) on Wormtail, allowing Harry and his friends to escape death. As the professor duels Amycus Potter, Harry reveals himself, and Amycus spits in McGonagall’s face, prompting the professor to employ the Imperius Curse. This incident highlights McGonagall’s unwavering determination to protect her students, even if it means violating the moral principles of magical law.
Why Doesn’t McGonagall Use Avada Kedavra?
While many characters in the series engage in dueling, they often hesitate to use Avada Kedavra, the most destructive Unforgivable Curse. Even Bellatrix Lestrange, a seasoned Death Eater, seems to think twice before unleashing Avada Kedavra. The reason is that these spells require the caster to have a truly malevolent intent, meaning they must truly mean it. Wizards may struggle to access the raw emotional energy necessary to make the curse successful.
Comparison to Other Instances
In comparison, Draco Malfoy is known for his use of the Avada Kedavra attempt on Harry in the Ministry of Magic (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince). While this fails, Lupin’s attempt on Fenrir Greyback results in Blue Blood (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince). Furthermore, Lord Voldemort himself becomes increasingly ineffective in his later years due to his dwindling faith in the darkness.
| Character | Unforgivable Curse used | Reason/Circumstance | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| McGonagall | Imperio | Defending against Amycus Potter | Wormtail restrained |
| Malfoy | Avada Kedavra | Attempt to kill Harry | Curse fails |
| Lupin | Avada Kedavra | Preventing Greyback’s murder | Blue Blood |
| Voldemort | Various | Quest for immortality | Eroding darkness |
In conclusion, Minerva McGonagall’s exceptional display of wizardry comes to the fore when she uses the Imperius Curse on Wormtail, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to student safety and protection. This limited instance of an Unforgivable Curse, while surprising, showcases the complexities and moral dilemmas faced by even the most skilled magical practitioners.