Overview

Sectumsempra, also known as the Laceration Curse, is a Dark Arts Curse that was invented by Severus Snape while he was known as “The Half-Blood Prince” and was still a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Curse would cause lacerations on the target's body that caused severe bleeding. This was known to be one of Snape's signature spells and was primarily marked for usage against enemies. Minor wounds caused by the curse could be cured by the incantation Vulnera Sanentur. This Healing spell caused the blood flow to slow as the wounds knit back together, removing the worst effects of the curse though the victim would still require further medical treatment. The curse specifically followed the path of the casters wand. If the caster were to slip or move it would be a dangerous accident as the curse could hit an unintended target. This was shown in the case of the Battle of Seven Potters as Snape accidentally cut off George Weasley's left ear due to a slip in firing the spell. The only known practitioners of the spell are Severus Snape and Harry Potter.

Effects

The nature of this curse was to slash the victim from a distance causing deep wounds. The slash specifically follows the user's wand movements. Sectumsempra was considered to be a very dangerous curse, its effects being compared equivalent to that of an invisible sword. Due to the depths of the cut the victims of this curse have a risk of dying from blood loss if treatment is not applied in enough time. The wounds made by this curse can be instantly fatal. The curse's effects are similar to the Severing Charm, which was a charm used to cut something in a precise and accurate manner. If used carelessly could also equally cause severe injury or death. The difference between the two spells being that Sectumsempra is used for a more malicious intent and causes more slash like wounds that can cause irreversible damage.

History

• Between 1971-1978: While attending Hogwart, Severus Snape had created Sectumsempra among other more general purpose spells such as Muffliato. As well as a couple others that were created for best use in magical fights such as Langlock, and the Dangling Jinx. The exact date of the curse's creation is unknown but it is written in his N.E.W.T- level Potions Textbook.
• 1996-1997: Harry Potter, who had come into the possession of Severus Snape’s textbook had found the curse and learned the incantation. Knowing only that it was named to be for “enemies” as well as believing that it was copied by the “Half-Blood Prince” as a mere reference used it on Draco Malfoy during a moment when Harry Potter confronted him in the sixth-floor boys bathrooms and causing serious wounds.
• 1997-1998: During the Battle of the Seven Potters Snape attempted to use the Curse to sever the hand of a fellow Death Eater. Due to a slip during casting the spell ended up following the wands movement cutting the left ear of George Weasley off. The Order of the Phoenix being unable to regrow his ear as the curse was of a Dark Arts Nature.

Credits/References

Written by Aleric Selwyn
Base code by Andrew Sutherland, edited by Iselin Merilä and Desmond Gray.