harry potter - Why is Avada Kedavra considered unblockable?

There seems to be a number of ways to block an Avada Kedavra (Physical barriers conjured by magic, hitting the spell with Expelliarmus, etc) so why do people consider it "unblockable"?

You just need to have quick reflexes, right?

Answer

To the best of my knowledge, it's not truly unblockable. What has been said is that there is "no defense against it, no counter-curse" (By the fake Moody in book 4, during his lesson on Unforgiveable Curses). FakeMoody also says it can't be blocked, but please keep in mind that FakeMoody was a lying liar who tells lies, and things he says cannot necessarily be taken as completely honest.

FakeMoody then makes the point that no one has been struck by it and survived, save Harry.

FakeMoody lied when he said it was unblockable. Indeed, the opposite is extremely true. Dumbledore does clever things with statues in the Ministry, blocking killing curses. During every major battle scene from book 5 onwards, the Death Eaters make extensive use of Avada Kedavra. It, like any spell, can be blocked by physical objects (though it doesn't seem to be stopped by magical shields), it can be dodged, and (as we see in the climax of book 4) it can be struck by other spells. Book 4's climax was, admittedly, a special case, but it does demonstrate that the Killing Curse can be affected by other magic (at least Harry's magic).

Avada Kedavra isn't an Unforgivable Curse because it's unblockable, it's Unforgivable because the ONLY purpose of the spell is to kill. It can't wound, it can't incapacitate, it can only deliver death.

Comments

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