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magical theory - How did Harry learn Sectumsempra?


All through the Harry Potter series we see that spells require specific techniques that need to be practiced; Wingardium Leviosa has to be pronounced exactly right (Hermione: "It's 'levioSAH'") and accompanied with a specific movement of the wand ("swish and flick").


In The Half Blood Prince, Harry encounters the name of the spell "Sectumsempra" with the cryptic comment "for use on enemies" and no other clues as to how to cast it or what it might do. Then in the duel with Draco he uses it for the first time to devastating effect. How come?



Answer



Harry apparently knew the incantation, but possibly not accurate inflection. It's possible that while, yes, the spell was intended 'for enemies' - it was not necessarily meant to be wielded with the complete devastating effect that Harry casts it with.



In the first book, we learn that inflection / tone / letter is very important in Charms. Professor Flitwick says:



"And saying the magic words properly is very important too - never forget Wizard Baruffio, who said 's' instead of 'f' and found himself on the floor with a buffalo on his chest."



When we see Snape cast Sectumsempra (book 7), he appears to have very targeted, almost surgical precision with it, though he strikes the wrong opponent:



...the spell, intended for the Death Eater's wand hand, missed and hit George instead -



Clearly - Snape was not meaning to obliterate neither the Death Eater or George, but meaning to hit a small target instead.


Harry, however, when he casts it (book 6), casts it wildly and without any precision at all, literally shredding Malfoy apart:




"Blood spurted from Malfoy's face and chest as though he had been slashed with an invisible sword...Harry got to his feet and plunged towards Malfoy, whose face was now shining scarlet, his white hands scrabbling at his blood-soaked chest."



The inflection/intention of how the spell is cast, details that may not have been included in the margins of Harry's book, could account for the discrepancy in how they affect the target.


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