Harry Potter: 15 Spells Ranked From Weakest To Strongest
2. The Cruciatus Curse (Crucio)
Also known as the Torture Curse, the Cruciatus Curse inflicts a great amount of physical and mental pain on its victims, and as one of the Unforgivable Curses is one of the most horrific and powerful spells known to wizardkind.
Infamously used by Bellatrix Lestrange to torture Neville Longbottom's parents into insanity, the spell is a favourite of Voldemort and the Death Eaters, who are quick to use it as an interrogation technique against their enemies.
Voldemort attacked Harry with it upon his return in The Goblet of Fire, Professor Umbridge used it repeatedly during her authoritarian rule of Hogwarts, and even Harry himself used it on Bellatrix after she killed Sirius Black.
A vile stain on the Wizarding World, the Cruciatus Curse serves as a painful reminder that becoming a witch or wizard isn't all sunshine and rainbows.