Yes, Harry Potter does use Unforgivable Curses during critical moments in his fight against Voldemort and his followers.
While generally portrayed as a character who avoids Dark Arts, circumstances compel Harry to employ powerful and dangerous magic when facing dire threats. The Unforgivable Curses are three of the most powerful and sinister spells known in the wizarding world, strictly forbidden by the Ministry of Magic due to their devastating effects.
Understanding the Unforgivable Curses
Introduced in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the Unforgivable Curses are:
- The Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra): Instantly kills the target. It has no known counter-curse or blocking spell, though sacrificing one's life for another can create a powerful protective enchantment.
- The Cruciatus Curse (Crucio): Inflicts unbearable pain upon the victim, requiring genuine malicious intent to cast effectively.
- The Imperius Curse (Imperio): Places the victim completely under the caster's control, forcing them to do their bidding. A strong-willed individual might be able to fight off its effects.
Using any of these curses on a human being is punishable by a life sentence in Azkaban.
Harry's Use of Forbidden Spells
Despite the severity of the consequences, Harry found himself in situations where he felt using these curses was necessary for survival or to achieve vital objectives. His use is typically reactive or strategic, contrasting with the casual cruelty of Dark wizards.
According to documented accounts, Harry used two of the three Unforgivable Curses:
Specific Instances
| Curse | Target(s) | Situation | Outcome/Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruciatus Curse | Amycus Carrow | Shortly before Battle of Hogwarts | Successfully incapacitated Carrow out of rage |
| Imperius Curse | Two Individuals | Gringotts Heist | Gained undetected entry to Lestrange Vault |
The reference clearly states these specific events: Shortly before the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry not only successfully used the Cruciatus Curse against Amycus Carrow, he also cast the Imperius Curse against two individuals during the Gringotts heist which allowed himself, Ron, and Hermione to get inside the Lestrange Vault undetected.
- Using Crucio on Amycus Carrow: This occurred when Amycus Carrow, a Death Eater, spat in Professor McGonagall's face. Harry, enraged by the insult and the danger to his teacher, cast the Cruciatus Curse on Carrow. This moment highlights the intense anger and protectiveness that drove Harry's use of the curse, suggesting that while he could cast it, the intent was born of fury rather than sadistic pleasure, which is often needed for its full effect.
- Using Imperio during the Gringotts Heist: To break into Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringotts Wizarding Bank to retrieve a Horcrux, Harry, Ron, and Hermione needed to bypass the heavily guarded security. Harry used the Imperius Curse on a Goblin guard and a Gringotts teller to gain access and move through the bank unnoticed, demonstrating a more calculated and strategic application of a dark spell for a critical mission.
These instances show that Harry was capable of casting Unforgivable Curses, although his motivations and the context differed significantly from those of his enemies. His use was driven by necessity, protection, or righteous anger rather than malice or a desire for control for its own sake.
