Type: Curse
Pronunciation: sec-tum-SEMP-rah
Description: Lacerates the target, as if they have been "slashed by a sword." Subsequently, the target can easily bleed to death from the wounds. This curse was invented by Severus Snape, to be used against his personal enemies.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Harry in 1997 against Draco Malfoy, and then later against both the Inferi in Lord Voldemort's Horcrux chamber, and Snape used it against George Weasley (was unintentional; aimed for a Death Eater that tried to curse Lupin) in the Order's flight from Privet Drive. Harry learned it in Snape's old Potions textbook. In 1998, the spell is said to be Severus Snape's "signature" spell.
Etymology: Latin sectum, "cut", and semper, "always".
Notes: The spell can apparently be used against any object, but was not effective when used against Inferi because they could not feel pain or bleed. The movement of the wand seems to affect how someone is cut, suggested by the erratic patterns of slashes left on Draco Malfoy's face and chest, produced by Harry Potter's wild wand-swings while using the spell against Draco. Wounds caused by this spell can be healed as proved by Severus Snape who after Harry hit Draco Malfoy with this spell he healed Draco's wounds and told him to go and get treated with dittany at once so that he would even avoid any sign of any wound. However it seems that it depends on the caster's magical abilities because Molly Weasley could not heal and restore George Weasley's ear that was cursed off by this spell.
