Antonin Dolohov's curse

Antonin Dolohov's curse
Type	Curse
Hand movement	Slashing movement
Light	Purple
Effect	Injuries capable of killing

"But the Death Eater… 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 on Hermione Granger

There exists a curse (incantation unknown) used by the Death Eater Antonin Dolohov during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries in 1996. This curse is cast using "a sudden slashing movement with the wand," causing a streak of purple flame to strike the target. This curse causes major injuries, and if performed with enough power, has the capacity to kill.

Effects

The precise effects of this curse are unknown, but it is very dangerous and is potentially lethal. Given that Hermione Granger had no visible marks or bleeding from her injury with this curse, but exhibited soreness for some time afterward, the curse may cause some kind of painful internal injury.

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

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.

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

Other uses

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.

Dolohov also tried to use this curse when trying to capture Harry Potter in the Luchino Caffe Duel, but Hermione Granger hit Dolohov with the Body-Bind Curse before he could complete the spell.

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

Behind the scenes

• In the first video game adaption of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Dolohov uses this curse against Harry during the skirmish at Luchino Caffe.
• 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 most Dark spells, this one can be deflected by a 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 duelist at the time.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Possible appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Possible appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)