Spell effects: how long do they last?

[Goddess_Clio]

Originally Posted by MsJPotter

No I don't think so. Obliviate is used on Muggles who have been exposed to magic and it's never said that the spell has to be repeated on them, unless they are exposed again. I seem to recall that Rowling did once say that Lockhart was incurable. The same thing with Neville's parents. It would seem that the spell Lockhart used, permantly changed the brain. Just like an accident to the head would cause permanent brain damage.

In Lockhart's case he was using a damaged wand so the effects of the spell couldn't have been garaunteed. Ron, throughout COS was reeking havoc in classes because his wand was not performing as it should. Lockhart was probably incurable because the wand he used was broken and the spell went a little wrong.

In the case of Neville's parents, they were tortured into insanity, it's not like Lockhart where one spell was cast and it happened to go wrong; Bellatrix was repeated casting the curiatus curse on the Longbottoms eventually resulting in irreversible brain damage.

As for Hermione's parents we don't have conclusive evidence that she used the Obliviate charm on her parents but some other charm that could be lifted once the trio has completed their mission so my original question about what her parents would remember still stands...

As for how long individual spell effects last, I think it varies. certain hexes, jinxes or curses like Sectumsempra have a counter curses so it's effects would more or less be permanent, IMO, until the the counter curse is cast. Others like the Petrificus Totalus charm might have varying lengths of effectiveness depending on the skill or experience of the caster (the spell might only last 5-10 minutes with a first year casting it, it might last an hour or two if a seventh year casts it or longer with an adult) - but that's a theory that's not supported by canon.

[phoenixxxx7]

With many spells, I think the length they last has to do with the amount of power put into them. For example, Dumbledore's stupefy, if he put power into it, would last much longer than a first year's.

[Tiberius]

Yeah, I;d agree with that. It's like throwing a ball. How far you can throw it depends on how strong you are.

Likewise, a spell cast by a very experienced wizard will last longer than a spell cast by a beginner.

[Racket_Man]

And do not forget about how LV broke the Obliviate/memory charm cast by Barty Couch Sr. on Bathilda Bagshot. I assume he used a combination of the pain curse and other powerful spells that he did so much damage to Bathilda's mind/brain that she was essentially a veggie afterward.

[Goddess_Clio]

Originally Posted by Racket_Man

And do not forget about how LV broke the Obliviate/memory charm cast by Barty Couch Sr. on Bathilda Bagshot. I assume he used a combination of the pain curse and other powerful spells that he did so much damage to Bathilda's mind/brain that she was essentially a veggie afterward.

Barty Crouch Sr. didn't have anything to do with Bathilda Bagshot - Bertha Jorkins was the one whose memory had been modified (because of the world cup?) and LV broke that memory charm. Bathilda Bagshot was probably just straight up killed so LV could implant Nagini inside her for the Godric's Hollow ruse.

[phoenixxxx7]

Originally Posted by Goddess_Clio

Barty Crouch Sr. didn't have anything to do with Bathilda Bagshot - Bertha Jorkins was the one whose memory had been modified (because of the world cup?) and LV broke that memory charm. Bathilda Bagshot was probably just straight up killed so LV could implant Nagini inside her for the Godric's Hollow ruse.

I may be wrong but I think Bathilda Bagshot died naturally. She was very old after all. And then Nagini took her form.