Why is an Inferi so feared?

[KOTMods]

Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I certainly wouldn't want a run in with an Inferi. They seem absolutely terrifying. The thought of them just completely creeps me out. I mean it's a dead body for christ sake. Not only is it unfair, as a dead person is supposed to move on into another life, but they're keeping them from going on into their afterlife by doing something they have absolutely no control over, a Dark Wizards bidding. They're awful. For a start the way I imagine them to be is all corpse like and gross. I don't like the sound of them at all, so for me they would be a big threat.

[ecardina]

I didn't think it had anything to do with 'bottleing' their souls.
I thought the inferi's bodies were just being used.
Surely even a Dark Wizard wouldn't have the power to control whether their victims can move on to the afterlife or not- I thought that was Dementors jobs.

[KOTMods]

Surely though, if Dark Wizards were controlling what they were doing, almost like being under the Imperius Curse, they have no control over it.

[Wizard_Pupil]

Becoz it´s an animated corpse.
That´s enough thing to fear.
That´s very scary.

[jessicarowling]

i think an inferi is feared so much becauseits dead corpses walking. naturally, people would be scared because they SHOULDNT be walking around. and inferi dont have souls, so victims cant plead them for mercy.
and i dont think many people know how to defeat them.

[Voldemorts8thHorcrux]

Originally Posted by KOTMods

Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I certainly wouldn't want a run in with an Inferi. They seem absolutely terrifying. The thought of them just completely creeps me out. I mean it's a dead body for christ sake. Not only is it unfair, as a dead person is supposed to move on into another life, but they're keeping them from going on into their afterlife by doing something they have absolutely no control over, a Dark Wizards bidding. They're awful. For a start the way I imagine them to be is all corpse like and gross. I don't like the sound of them at all, so for me they would be a big threat.

actually, i dont think that it keeps their soul from passing on, it just controls the body, at least thats what i think

also, what spells would there be to stop them? stunning? petrificus tototalus?

[KOTMods]

Originally Posted by Voldemorts8thHorcrux

also, what spells would there be to stop them? stunning? petrificus tototalus?

I agree. Can you Avada Kedavra an Inferi if they're already dead?

[High_Lion]

Originally Posted by KOTMods

I agree. Can you Avada Kedavra an Inferi if they're already dead?

I think not.
I think Dumbledore's constant mention of souls, would mean that Avada Kedavra destroys the soul, rather than the body.
Note how muggle doctors can't find anything wrong with the Riddle's bodies.

[ecardina]

The killing curse wouldn't destroy the soul.
A dementor would do that with it's kiss.
Had the killing curse indeed destroyed the soul then why did Lily and James Potter help Harry on several occasions?
A killing curse basically kills the body. The soul then moves on from there.
You couldn't use a killing curse against an Inferi- the only way to destroy them is to destroy the Dark lord using them, or for he or she to sieze to need their services.

[Beatifically]

I think what's scary about them is that the Inferi have no control over what they're doing. The souls aren't in the bodies anymore, they're elsewhere in the afterlife. The fact that the one controlling the Inferi can make them do anything is scary. The Imperius curse can force people to do things, but there is always the possibility of resistance. The Inferi, however, don't do that.

Also, wouldn't it be scary if a person saw his or her loved one as an Inferi? I'd be horrified if I saw someone I loved forced to do acts of evil.

[RemusLupinFan]

Originally Posted by Raven_Girly

I think the fact they are associated with death is one of main things that makes them so disliked. Not many people like the idea of death. I personally would not appreciate a bunch of rotting corpses springing to life and coming after me.

I agree. And especially because you might see someone you once knew and/or loved in life coming back to attack you under the power of Voldemort has to be an unsettling prospect to say the least!

[Voldemorts8thHorcrux]

Originally Posted by High_Lion

I think not.
I think Dumbledore's constant mention of souls, would mean that Avada Kedavra destroys the soul, rather than the body.
Note how muggle doctors can't find anything wrong with the Riddle's bodies.

wait, doesnt avada kedavra just force the soul to pass on? but if there is no soul in the inferi, could it force the spell controling it to leave?

[iluvsnape17]

doesn't avada kedavra just chase the soul from the body? so with no soul to chase it would have no effect? i'm thinkin stun and freeze. i think it's just scary because it's sooo natural to be scared of them, because they're so unnatural! dead things are dead. end of story. But these aren't?? very scary!

[KOTMods]

I suppose the only way to stop them is to stun them. You can't very well use the killing curse on something that is already dead.

[Voldemorts8thHorcrux]

well, im thinking stun, maybe jelly legs, petrificus tototalus, or rip them to shreds and burn the pieces.

[thewbacca]

Originally Posted by Wizard_Pupil

Becoz it´s an animated corpse.
That´s enough thing to fear.
That´s very scary.

No it's not. Like I said, Slayer got it right - Piece By Piece. For all the "rambling dead body" thing, its still no stronger than a human being. You blast off its arms and it is harmless (and quite amusing - think Black Knight in Holy Grail). You chop off its head and it is blind, and deaf. You shatter the pelvis and it is immobilised. A human can think, can plan, can call for help, can plead. An inferi can't. And once again, how does it turn someone into a bloody stump, like we saw in Snapes classroom?

[ecardina]

Originally Posted by thewbacca

You chop off its head and it is blind, and deaf. You shatter the pelvis and it is immobilised. A human can think, can plan, can call for help, can plead. An inferi can't. And once again, how does it turn someone into a bloody stump, like we saw in Snapes classroom?

Hmm... Dark Magic, tut tut. I would imagine an Inferius would, if given the chance, possibly naw someone to death... nice. Quite disgusting really. I mean, if they don't use any wepons you can only imagine that they'd use their natural ones. Teeth. Still, I think it would be pretty unwise to start cutting someone up. It doesn't look like a monster. That's bad enough. It means you could be simply killing someone- and killing someone is apparently quite difficult.

As for the killing curse chasing off the soul... that could be a possibilty. I've always imagine the heart just stopping but that would probably leave some signs for Doctors etc. to find.

[LoonyLuny]

Well heck it's zombies.

And also in the Lake bit in HBP (gosh that sounded professional T-T) Harry tries to curse them or fight them and they keep coming back.

It isn't as bad as some things but I still wouldn't want to meet one in a Dark Ally at night (but to be honest I wouldn't wans to meet anyone but a furry guinea-pig in a dark ally at night.)

[Jld]

You know, strangely enough...I think ppl would find dead ruthless bodies scary? :P

[thewbacca]

Originally Posted by iluvsnape17

doesn't avada kedavra just chase the soul from the body?

Nup. People are still conscious after they get hit. Take the slow-motion deaths of Sirius Black and Bellatrix LeStrange.

Originally Posted by iluvsnape17

doesn't avada kedavra just chase the soul from the body?

Nup. People are still conscious after they get hit. Take the slow-motion deaths of Sirius Black and Bellatrix LeStrange.

Besides, a body without a soul still works, while an AK'ed body doesn't.