The Mystery of Avada Kedavra

[BD25]

I'm currently re-reading Goblet of Fire, and some points in the book I realized were quite helpful at foreshadowing coming events (such as Amos Diggory telling Cedric what a fine thing it would be to tell his grandchildren about how he beat Harry Potter and whatnot TWICE and then later we find out Diggory dies. Quite ironic :P).

Some other points I found to be VERY interesting. At the end of Chapter 1, as Voldemort kills Frank Bryce it describes a burst of green, a rushing sound and then Frank Bryce was dead before he hit the ground. Then, when Crouch JR. decides to show them the Unforgiveable Curses, when he does Avada Kedavra, there is said to be 'an invisible force, gliding around the room' or whatnot. My question to you here is, WHAT is that rushing sound, the invisible force?

I think that Avada Kedavra could very well work like the Patronus charm. Maybe you summon a force that kills the person. That would explain the rushing sound, as the force rushes towards the target. The invisible force is probably the same thing. Except maybe it works like the Thestrals. Only people who have seen certain events (death, etc...), can see the inivisble force summoned by Avada Kedavra. Now, there's only one person who can really tell and that's Harry himself.

When he remembers his parents deaths, he remembers a flash of green and then nothing more. Also, I don't think the insivible force and rushing sound are mentioned in Order of the Phoenix when the Death Eaters and Voldemort try using the curse. So what was the point of JK bringing it up in GoF then forgetting it later on? Possible plot-hole?

One thing is for certain though: the green light. Whatever that green light is, or if it is just an effect of using the curse, we currently don't know. Let's hope JK sheds some light on this mystery in later books, and perhaps it could hold some importance. Otherwise, I'm just taking the book too literally and raving on about practically nothing then JK's imagination.

Comments, other theories and such are welcomed.

[WoodenCoyote]

The idea of it being like a reverse patronus - one that takes life instead of protecting it - is very interresting. I don't think I've heard anyone descibe the Avada Kedavra that way before.

[Emperor Anubis]

The details were, IMO, just to make the curse seem more realistic. By book 5, readers have experienced the curse,and want to see something new. Or maybe she forgot. Or maybe this is too literal. But I like the idea of a reverse Patronus.

[BD25]

My friend is suggesting that whoever invented the killing curse is probably an ancestor of Tom. Meaning Slytherin most likely. If Slytherin DID invent Avada Kedavra, then the flash of green light is probably just a way to show that a Slytherin did it or something.

He also mentions the invisible force could be ghosts. The Bloody Baron? Maybe the Bloody Baron is the invisible force and the rushing sound. Bleh, probably not ^^;;

I think the green light is MORE than just a light representing Slytherin though... It's just another unanswered mystery. After I finish re-reading GoF and OotP I'll come back with more clues/proof on this.

For now, keep on posting!

[Charninja]

Personally, I think the Avada Kedavra is one of those "Ancient Curses". Not something mentioned in the book, but people have always killed people for one reason or another, and magic has ALWAYS had that use in mind, at least for some people. The patronus and the kedavra being polar opposites is a very interesting theory, and one that certainly makes a good deal of sense. Instead of thinking "happy" thoughts, you think "hateful" or otherwise "bad" thoughts in order to summon the power. I wouldn't be surprised if it would be easier to use the kedavra than the patronus, when you really think about it...

THink about the your happiest moment... and then about your most hateful one, a thought directed at someone else... see what I mean?

[Village Dag]

THink about the your happiest moment... and then about your most hateful one, a thought directed at someone else... see what I mean?

That does sound pretty logical to me.

[BD25]

Yep... Charninja, do you visit CoS forums? Because I just found out about that one and someone posted something very similar to your idea...

And I'm glad I stumbled onto a theory ^^;; Patronus vs Avada Kedavra (JK said the words actually have a meaning o.0). Wow...

[Charninja]

Yep... Charninja, do you visit CoS forums? Because I just found out about that one and someone posted something very similar to your idea...


Never een heard of 'em. Sorry man.

[WoodenCoyote]

Well Patronus is from patron or "Father", hence the shape of Harry's..

[crazynig1086]

It might very well be an anti-patronus. That would be awesome if the final battle was Patronus Stag vs. Invisible Green Force.

[RobbieBond008]

It would be pretty awesome if that final battle did turn up. I wonder though, I think there is more about the patronus than meets the eye. Does it only protect you from dementors, or any attack? I do think we've got more to learn about it.

As for the Avada Kedavra curse, I see two possibilities. A.) It's the sound of death rushing at your opponent, or B.) it's just the sound of the curse going by, an attempt to make it feel more realistic, ya know?

In example, I think you'd feel something from a red light (Stupefy) whizzing by you too. It's just that Avada Kedavra is probably the most powerful curse there is, so you'd feel more from it than other curses.

Still, an interesting theory with the anti-patronus thingy.

[Charninja]

It would be pretty awesome if that final battle did turn up. I wonder though, I think there is more about the patronus than meets the eye. Does it only protect you from dementors, or any attack? I do think we've got more to learn about it.


As I understand it, the Patronus charm works on any malevolent creature that uses some form of inherent magic. Dementors are just the only ones yet introduced. I read from the monster book of monsters (the real one, that was written for the charity) that there is also some sort of "red cloak" creature (or something along those lines) that is basically a vampiric fog or amorphous semi solid blob. It too is also weak against the patronus.

[crazynig1086]

So what your basically saying Charninja is that the Patronus can go against evil creatures only??

[Charninja]

So what your basically saying Charninja is that the Patronus can go against evil creatures only??

Oh heavens no. It's just that I can't think of a reason why you'd want to use it against a unicorn or whatever.

Though to my knowledge, the patronus charm was made specifically to fight evil. I suppose it isn't IMPOSSIBLE to use it against a unicorn, but the only person I can think of who would do it would be voldy or a death eater. And I am not entirely certain whether they could even make one.

[crazynig1086]

It is never impossible to use a patronus charm even when your not facing evil as everyone did in Dumbledores Army and on Harrys O.W.L. All you need to do is think of your happiest moment. And I can't wait until Harry is old enough to do magic outside of school, the terror he will cause to the Dursleys lol :D . And 1 more thing do any of you guys think that there will be a book of Harry after he is done with school or do you think that book 7 will be the last HP book ever??

[Detonator]

In an interview with J.K. she said there will prolly not be anymore books after the seventh one. :( As for Avada Kadavera, i think that the anti-Patronus idea is very interesting. I think it would make alot of sense. Patronus=Good. Avada Kadavera=Bad. I too hope this will be explained in the future.

[Aiyn Sedai]

Charninja, are you talking about the lethifold in the "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them", or did she also write a "Monster Book of Monsters"?

[Choika]

hey, i don't mean to be a pain in the butt, but the word "Patronus" actually means "protector." Pater would mean father. I took latin for five years, so i had to intervene. Sorry... anyways, it makes sense in the obvious ways doesn't it? As for why it took the form of a stag, i have no real idea, but i reckon it has something to do with harry's likenesses to his dad. I could be wrong of course.

I'm just getting acquainted with the Avada Kedavra vs. Patronus, and i like it. sort of like each charm has a counter-charm. well, sorta. i mean, could you fight off a killing curse with a patronus? i don't think so, the killer acts too fast to give anyone time to come up with a really happy though, doesn't it?

[Charninja]

Charninja, are you talking about the lethifold in the "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them", or did she also write a "Monster Book of Monsters"?

Yeah, it is "fantastic beasts," I just suck with title that I have only read once is all. Sorry if I caused any confusion.

[TheOneSin]

It would be pretty awesome if that final battle did turn up. I wonder though, I think there is more about the patronus than meets the eye. Does it only protect you from dementors, or any attack? I do think we've got more to learn about it.

As for the Avada Kedavra curse, I see two possibilities. A.) It's the sound of death rushing at your opponent, or B.) it's just the sound of the curse going by, an attempt to make it feel more realistic, ya know?

In example, I think you'd feel something from a red light (Stupefy) whizzing by you too. It's just that Avada Kedavra is probably the most powerful curse there is, so you'd feel more from it than other curses.

Still, an interesting theory with the anti-patronus thingy.

For the A) possibility, could it be that instead of death rushing to them, it is air rushing away from them??? The magical factor prevents pain from the vacuum effect of the curse.

And the green light part, weren't there plants around every time the curse was used (vines on the Riddle House, grass illuminated by the fire of the cauldron, etc.)??? So then maybe (following along with my previous theory) the air rushing away causes a malfunction in a certain part of your brain to where the only color you can see is the green light being reflected off of the plants.

i also like the idea of the reverse patronus, too.

[RobbieBond008]

Well, I suppose that's a good point (air rushing away) but I think it's more like sending "The Spirit of Death" at your opponent. When "The Spirit" hits your opponent it takes all the life away from them, or at least, that's my theory.

The whole plant thing I think is highly unlikely. Sure, it could happen, it's just that I think it's the light of the spell, just like a red light from a stunner.

[KeybladeMasterA]

The patronus and the kedavra being polar opposites is a very interesting theory, and one that certainly makes a good deal of sense. Instead of thinking "happy" thoughts, you think "hateful" or otherwise "bad" thoughts in order to summon the power.

That does make a great deal of sense. If I remember correctly, in OotP, Bellatrix tells Harry that in order to use an Unforgivable Curse, one really has to mean it, and enjoy it. That seems to be an example of a hateful thought, doesn't it? Of course, that was for the Curses in general, not just Avada Kadevra...

[WoodenCoyote]

In order to use a curse, or any other powerful spell, you have to be strong willed and firm in your desire. Otherwise is will rebound and attack you instead. That's basic knowlege.

[sj23vamplord]

All these ideas seem logical, but you never know, the people may be hallucinating. Just a thought.

[plauge6]

I looked on google for the definition of patronus.
Here is a definition I found : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03341a.htm

[crazynig1086]

The plant theory seems wierd but w/e. Anyways we all know that Harry is going to fight Voldemort in the end and he needs a way to defend himself doesn't he??

EDIT: 400th post YAY :D :D

[BerserkerAzn]

Wrong thread-mutliple screens up :p

Since I'm here though: Nice theory.

[Perfect Cell]

Well I disagree that Patronus = Good and Avada = Evil. Also why would you focus on a hateful thought when it makes you happy to do the avada...I think they focus on something happy for an evil intention.