The True Horror of What A Dementor’s Kiss Does to Your Soul

A Dementor’s Kiss is the most terrifying punishment in the wizarding world. We take a look at just how sinister a kiss like this can be.

The dark, cloaked figures that began looming around Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban were supposed to help guard the grounds. But the Dementors sometimes take on a life of their own, terrorizing Harry at nearly every turn. Pottermore put out an informative article about the most serious punishment a wizard could feel: A Dementor’s Kiss.

Dementors are the guards at Azkaban, thought to be the most impenetrable wizarding prison in existence. They feed off of every good memory anyone has ever had, leaving a cold chill as they glide through the air. Harry has seen his fair share of misery and horror, so he is affected by these foul creatures the most. The Dementors never actually kiss him, but they can’t help feeding off the negativity Harry unfortunately has trouble shedding.

A Kiss happens when the Ministry sees fit. Sirius was supposed to suffer one after escaping the prison, but thanks to some patience with a Time-Turner, that never happened. A Dementor will literally suck out your soul through your mouth. All the worst trauma you’ve ever suffered in your life goes flashing before your eyes until there’s not a drop of soul left in your body. The kiss does prove fatal, but before that, there’s only vacancy. It’s evidently a fate worse than death.

Gif Courtesy: Warner Bros.

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The only person in the series that we know suffered a Dementor’s Kiss was Barty Crouch Jr. This was after Hogwarts staff discovered he was only pretending to be Professor Alastor Moody, thanks to some stolen polyjuice potion. But we’ve seen enough face/soul sucking for one lifetime. Hopefully the Dementors stay where they’re meant to stay from now on.