Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing the topic of ancient magic / sacrificial protection in the wizarding world of Harry Potter and the potential reasons why this type of magic isn't used more frequently against fatal spells like Avada Kedavra.

To begin with, sacrificial protection is an ancient form of powerful magic, often referred to as a "counter-charm" - which, to be quite honest, makes it sound rather less powerful than it actually is. As rare as it is old, this particular brand of magic appears to come to a witch or wizard's aid rather unintentionally. Simply put, when a witch or wizard chooses to forfeit their life in exchange for the life of someone they love, the spell works its magic, initially shielding their loved one from immediate harm and then forming an incredibly strong and long-lasting protective after-effect. As dying in an effort to save another person's life is seen as the ultimate sacrifice by many, it's no surprise that this particular spell has been known within some communities of the wizarding world as "the ultimate protection". One that may seem rather familiar...

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