"Summoning Charm"
"accio" L. send for, summon
Causes an object to fly to the caster, even over quite some distance; the target object is said to have been Summoned. It would seem that the caster must know at least the general location of the object Summoned.
Mrs. Weasley used a series of Summoning Charms to find the magical items Fred and George were trying to sneak out of the house at the time of the Quidditch World Cup (GF6).
Harry learned the Summoning Charm for the first task, when he Summoned his Firebolt to him so he could fly around and past the Hungarian Horntail (GF20).
The fake Moody used a Summoning Charm to grab the Marauder's Map off the stairs on the night Harry solved the golden egg clue (GF25).
Harry used this charm to call the Triwizard Cup to him while escaping Voldemort and the Death Eaters (GF34).
Used several times during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries by both sides. The most notable instances were by Death Eaters attempting to pull the prophecy sphere from Harry's hands, by Hermione to pick up wands after a Disarming Spell hit, and most memorably by Ron in the Brain Room after he'd been knocked silly (OP35). Harry attempted to cast this nonverbally to Summon his wand into his hand after Draco Malfoy had hit him with a Full-Body Bind, but Harry couldn't make the spell work at the time (HBP8).
Harry used this to Summon Rosmerta's brooms so that he and Dumbledore could return quickly to the castle on the night of the Battle of the Tower (HBP27).
NOTE: The pronunciation of this spell has been debated by fans. The "official" pronunciation from Scholastic is "A-see-oh." This is the pronunciation used in the audio version of the books. The word is Latin, however, and in Latin the letter C is always pronounced 'hard,' the same as the letter K. Some languages which are descended from Latin, such as Italian, pronounce 'cc' as 'ch,' but this is almost certainly not correct.
incantation unknown
A thin golden line drawn on a floor, which affects anyone who crosses it if they are too young. (Presumably, an Age Line could also be set up to prevent someone to cross who was older than a given age.)
Dumbledore drew an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire to keep away anyone who was not yet seventeen years old. When the Weasley twins, who had taken an Ageing Potion to try to fool it, crossed over the Age Line, they were thrown back and sprouted long white beards (GF12).
Aguamenti (AH-gwa-MEN-tee)
"agua" Sp./Portuguese water (from Latin "aqua") + "mentis" L. mind
Charm that conjures a fountain or jet of clear water from the caster's wand.
Taught in sixth-year Charms in early September (HBP11). Oddly, the sixth years were working on this charm or something similar after the New Year as well (HBP17).
Used by Harry on Dumbledore's crystal goblet in the cave of the locket Horcrux, but apparently some effect of the potion that had previously been put in the goblet caused the water to vanish before it could be drunk (HBP26).
Harry and Hagrid together used this to cast jets of water on Hagrid's burning house (HBP28).
See CONJURING SPELLS.
Alohomora (AL-o-ho-MOR-ah)
"aloha" Haw. farewell + "mora" L. obstacle
Charm that causes a locked door to open.
Hermione used this spell to let herself, Ron, and Harry into the forbidden third floor corridor during their first year (PS9).
This spell wouldn't work on the door requiring the winged key in the chamber guarding the Philosopher's Stone (PS16).
Hermione used this spell on Flitwick's window when she, Harry, and Buckbeak rescued Sirius (PA21).
This spell is needed to open the door of the Janus Thickey ward in St. Mungo's, presumably so that Healers and visitors can get in and out easily, but mentally confused patients lacking wands cannot (OP23).
Harry assumed that Umbridge's office door had been bewitched so that this spell wouldn't work (OP29).
One of the doors in the Department of Mysteries not only was proof against this spell, but melted Harry's knife-blade (OP34).
The Death Eaters used this spell to open doors shut by the D.A. during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries (OP35).
Anapneo (ah-NAHP-nay-oh)
"anapneo" Gr. "breathe" (many thanks to those who wrote in and suggested we look at Greek for the source of this)
Spell that clears the target's airway, if blocked.
Slughorn cast this on Marcus Belby when the latter began to choke after swallowing too fast while attempting to respond to a question (HBP7).
Animagus Transfiguration
"animal" L. animal + "magus" Pers. magic user
The Transfiguration by which an Animagus takes his or her animal form, or reverts to human form from animal form. The animal form is sometimes referred to as the witch or wizard's Animagus form. See Animagi entry for further details about wizarding folk who can perform this highly complex and dangerous magic.
McGonagall transforms into a cat (PS1, PA6).
Sirius Black, James Potter, and Peter Pettigrew became Animagi while students at Hogwarts (PA17, PA18, PA19).
Animagi are supposed to be registered with the Ministry of Magic (PA18) but there are unregistered ones around, for example Rita Skeeter (GF37).
For an excellent discussion of the legend and mythology of animal transformations, see pages 9-15.
no names or words given
Prevents someone from Apparating. See ANTI-DISAPPARITION JINX.
no names or words given
Cast on quills before exams.
no names or words given
Prevents someone from Apparating.
Dumbledore captured the Death Eaters who had been fighting in the Department of Mysteries and held them with an Anti-Disapparition Jinx (OP36).
It seems a reasonable deduction that the Prime Minister's office is protected against Apparition as an elementary security measure, since Fudge's visits to the Prime Minister there have always involved the Floo Network rather than Apparition, and since protection against Apparition isn't mentioned as part of the Prime Minister's new security arrangements (HBP1).
Most wizarding dwellings are magically protected against unwanted Apparators, according to Dumbledore, who confirmed that "you can't Apparate anywhere inside the buildings or grounds" of Hogwarts (HBP4). However, the Headmaster or Headmistress can temporarily lift the restriction from a specific area of the school for short periods, so that someone already within that area can Apparate to another place within the same area, although they cannot leave the area by Apparition (HBP18).
incantation unknown
Charm which creates an innocent-looking mist which hovers above the ground. A person stepping into this mist immediately finds that up and down have reversed and they are hanging from the ground over the endless sky.
Harry encountered this mist in the maze of the third task (GF31).
various
See JINXES.
incantation unknown
Causes the victim to sprout antlers.
Pansy Parkinson was hit with this spell and had to miss some classes (OP30).
"appareo" L. to appear
Makes invisible ink become visible.
Hermione tried this on Riddle's diary, but it had no apparent effect (CS13).
Apparate, Disapparate
nonverbal spell
from "appareo" L. to appear
Advanced spell used by fully trained witches and wizards to disappear from one place and appear almost instantly somewhere else. A person who uses this spell is referred to as an Apparator.
See PS2 for a possible example of Apparition as wandless magic. However, given Harry's remarks in (HBP4) that his experience at that time was the first time he had ever Apparated, it would appear that the incident referred to in PS2 was probably not Apparition but something else, such as Levitation.
Very difficult spell. Performed incorrectly, Apparition can result in the caster being "splinched", which refers to part of the caster's body being left behind (GF5). According to Harry's Apparition instructor, this happens when the caster is insufficiently determined (HBP18).
According to Harry's Apparition instructor, there are three D's in performing Apparition: destination, determination, and deliberation. (HBP18).
Wizards must pass a test in order to be obtain a license to be allowed to perform it. To take the test, the applicant must be of age in the wizarding world (at least seventeen) (HBP4).
Apparition becomes more difficult as distance increases. Only highly trained wizards would try intercontinental Apparition (QA9).
Fudge appeared out of thin air in the cabinet room to inform the Prime Minister of the goings-on at the Quidditch World Cup (HBP1).
Apparating directly into a wizarding house is just as rude as kicking down the front door, even if most wizarding dwellings were not magically protected from unwanted Apparators (HBP4).
See also APPARITION, SIDE-ALONG and OP - Edits and Changes to the Text.
see Apparition
A form of Apparition in which the Apparator touches someone else, such as a child too young to Apparate, and Apparates with that person as a "passenger".
Mentioned in Ministry leaflet (HBP3).
Dumbledore used Side-Along Apparition to take Harry from Privet Drive to Budleigh Babberton (HBP4), and later to take him from Hogsmeade to the cave (HBP25).
Harry used Side-Along Apparition to take Dumbledore from the cave back to Hogsmeade (HBP27).
incantation unknown
Bewitches a suit of armour to sing Christmas carols.
This charm was used as part of the Christmas decorations in 1994 [Y14]. Unfortunately, a suit of armour so enchanted is still not a particularly clever thing, so many of them didn't know all the words to the songs. Peeves took to hiding inside the armour and filling in the gaps with lyrics of his own invention, usually very rude ones (GF22).
See ARMOUR.
incantation unknown
Shoots arrows out of a wand.
The supporters of the Appleby Arrows were fond of firing arrows out of their wands to celebrate goals. The practice was outlawed in 1894 (QA7).
See also WAND EFFECTS
Avada Kedavra (uh-VAH-duh kuh-DAH-vruh)
"Killing Curse"
Aramaic: "adhadda kedhabhra" - "let the thing be destroyed".
NOTE: Abracadabra is a cabbalistic charm in Judaic mythology that is supposed to bring healing powers. One of its sources is believed to be from Aramaic avada kedavra, another is the Phoenician alphabet (a-bra-ca-dabra).
Causes instant death in a flash of green light, usually leaving no sign of physical damage or of the cause of death that would be detectable to a Muggle autopsy.
One of the Unforgivable Curses (GF14), said to be unblockable and with no counter-curse, although Dumbledore managed to protect Harry by putting some statues in its way during his duel with Voldemort in the Atrium (OP36).
This spell produces a jet (OP36) or flash (GF14) of green light, and a sound as though some huge invisible thing is rushing at the target (GF1, GF14)
Harry is the only known person to survive the Killing Curse (esp. PS1, GF14, also GF34).
This was the curse used by Tom Marvolo Riddle to kill his father and paternal grandparents, who were found unmarked except for an expression of absolute terror on their faces. A Muggle autopsy could not determine a cause of death (GF1). As far as Dumbledore was aware during Harry's sixth year, the Muggle authorities never learned how the Riddles died because the Killing Curse usually leaves no sign of damage, Harry's scar being the only known exception. The Ministry of Magic, however, knew at once that the Riddles had been murdered by a wizard. Riddle had taken care to use someone else's wand - that of his maternal uncle, Morfin Gaunt - to commit the murder, so that the magical equivalent of forensics would point to a suspect other than himself, and had further covered himself by tampering with Morfin's memory so that Morfin himself believed he had committed the crimes (HBP17). It's a disgrace to the name of wizarding law enforcement that no effort appears to have been made to clear Frank Bryce of the crime, the only suspect the Muggle authorities were aware of, when Morfin was sent to Azkaban for the crime (HBP17).
Voldemort has also personally used the Killing Curse to murder Harry's parents (GF34), Bertha Jorkins (GF33), and Frank Bryce (GF1).
Wormtail, on orders from Voldemort, used Voldemort's wand to murder Cedric Diggory with the Killing Curse (GF32).
A Death Eater tried to cast this on Hermione in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, but was tackled by Harry halfway through the incantation (OP35).
Voldemort tried to cast the Killing Curse on Harry (doesn't he ever learn?) and on Dumbledore after the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. Fawkes swallowed a bolt of it at one point (OP36).
Judging from the effect, Bellatrix Lestrange killed a fox with a nonverbal Killing Curse just before she and her sister Narcissa paid a call on Snape to discuss Draco (HBP2).
Mentioned as the Killing Curse in a Daily Prophet article (HBP3).
- "That phrase...was used by ancient wizards to make illnesses disappear. However, there's no proof it was ever used to kill anyone." (pp.17-19)
Avis (AH-vis)
"avis" L. bird
Conjures a flock of small, twittering birds.
Mr. Ollivander used this spell to test Viktor Krum's wand during the Weighing of the Wands, sending the birds out the window (GF18).
See CONJURING SPELLS.
incantation unknown
Exact effect not mentioned, but one can assume it causes the victim to babble.
Lockhart supposedly cured a simple Transylvanian villager of this affliction (CS10).
incantation unknown
Exact effect not mentioned, but can be nasty.
The Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects got wind of one of these in Elephant and Castle in July 1996 [Y16], but it was sorted out by the Magical Law Enforcement Squad before they arrived on the scene (HBP5).
Banishing Charm
reverse of Summoning Charm
incantation unknown
Sends an object away from the caster; the target object is said to have been Banished.
Harry and his classmates practiced this spell in their fourth-year Charms class. Flitwick found himself being Banished around the room by Neville, whose aim wasn't very good (GF26).
Bat-Bogey Hex
incantation unknown
Engorges an opponent's 'bogies' to bat-size, gives them wings, and sets them to attacking his or her face.
A speciality of Ginny Weasley's, which she used on Draco Malfoy to escape Umbridge's office. It impresses not only Ron (OP33), but Fred and George, who use Ginny as an example of the principle 'size is no guarantee of power' (OP6)
Slughorn asked Ginny Weasley to join the Slug Club after seeing her cast a this spell on Zacharias Smith aboard the Hogwarts Express (HBP7).
incantations vary, including Incarcerous
Spells which fasten chains or ropes to restrain someone or something.
Dragon keepers used this magic to drive stakes into the ground to fasten the dragons to (GF19).
The chair in the Court of Magical Law magically restrained the accused using ropes (GF30, OP8).
Snape fired "thin, snakelike cords" from his wand to bind Remus Lupin in the Shrieking Shack (PA19).
Pettigrew bound Harry to the tombstone of Tom Riddle with a binding spell (GF32).
See also ROPES, MAGICAL; CHAINS, MAGICAL
incantation unknown
Useful spell for duels.
In the All-England Wizarding Duelling Competition of 1420, Alberta Toothill defeated Samson Wiblin, who was the favorite, using a Blasting Curse (fw27).
"bluebell" flower with blue blossoms
incantation unknown
Creates a quantity of blue flame which can be directed to a specific place.
Hermione cast a bluebell flame that could be carried around in a jam jar, sent out a short distance, then retrieved into the jar; she used it to set Snape's robes on fire during the first Quidditch match of her first year (PS11).
Hermione used this spell against Devil's Snare when working through the challenges surrounding the Philosopher's Stone (PS16).
Portable, waterproof fires are a speciality of Hermione's (CS11).
See PETRIFICUS TOTALUS.
Boggart banishing spell
See RIDDIKULUS.
See CURSE OF THE BOGIES.
bond of blood
incantation unknown
The bond of blood is an extremely powerful ancient magic which is formed when a person sacrifices himself or herself for a family member, out of love. The sacrifice creates a lingering protection in the blood of the person who was saved. It is not activated, however, until the charm is actually cast, and it is not sealed and functioning until another member of the family accepts the saved person as his or her own. As with most ancient magic, the bond of blood is mysterious and very strong and is not completely understood by most wizards.
Dumbledore decided to use the bond of blood to protect Harry against Voldemort. He cast the charm on Harry, and Petunia sealed it when she agreed to take Harry into her home. As a result, Harry is protected as long as he can call the Dursleys' house his home.
Some have wondered why it was Lily's sacrifice which created the charm and not James's, or for that matter, why the ancient magic is not in effect every time someone dies for another person. The true nature of the charm is that it requires intentional spellcasting on someone's part to activate the magic and it also requires the decision of a family member to seal it. Without these two things, the magic does not happen. These two required components are clear in OP37 (emphasis SVA's):
But I knew, too, where Voldemort was weak. And so I made my decision. You would be protected by an ancient magic...I am speaking, of course, of the fact that your mother died to save you. She gave you a lingering protection...a protection that flows in your veins to this day. I put my trust, therefore, in your mother's blood. I delivered you to her sister, her only remaining relative...
She took you, and in doing so, she sealed the charm I placed upon you. Your mother's sacrifice made the bond of blood the strongest shield I could give you...
While you can still call home the place where your mother's blood dwells, there you cannot be touched or harmed by Voldemort. He shed her blood, but it lives on in you and her sister. Her blood became your refuge. You need return there only once a year, but as long as you can still call it home, whilst you are there he cannot hurt you.
incantation unknown
Charm used on a broomstick to allow it to stop effectively.
See also HORTON-KEITCH BRAKING CHARM.
c.f. QUIDDITCH SPELLS.
When Harry fell off his Nimbus 2000, it didn't fall to the ground but instead drifted away toward the Whomping Willow, suggesting that it may have had some form of enchantment on it to keep it flying without a rider (PA9).
Harry's Firebolt, when held and then released, floated at exactly the right height for him to mount it (PA11).
Early broomsticks had only simple spells placed on them. A model on display in the Museum of Quidditch only moves forward at one speed and will move up, down, and stop (QA1).
incantation unknown
Spell which pours non-bursting golden bubbles out of the wand.
Flitwick used this spell to create decorations for a Christmas tree in the Great Hall (PS12).
Ron's broken wand was emitting large purple bubbles at one point, but from his dismayed reaction it would seem that this was a malfunction rather than a spell he was casting (CS13).
incantation unknown
Encloses the head of the caster with a bubble of breathable air.
Cedric used this spell to travel underwater and rescue Cho in the second task (GF26).
Fleur used this spell to travel underwater when attempting to rescue Gabrielle in the second task (GF26).
This became fashionable during the last month or so of Harry's fifth year, because Dungbombs and Stink Pellets were being used frequently in the corridors (OP30).
incantation unknown
A temporary hex to change someone into a giant canary. After a few moments, the Transfigured person molts back into themselves.
Fred and George placed this hex on seemingly innocent custard creams so that whomever ate one was changed temporarily into a huge canary. Neville ate one of these Canary Creams, much to the amusement of everyone in the Gryffindor common room (GF21).
no incantation used
This minor spell ignites candles and can make them float in midair.
The Great Hall is lit with thousands of floating candles (PS7)
Rita Skeeter uses this magic when she's trying to conduct an interview in a broom cupboard (GF18).
Lockhart may have used a charm of this kind when he "lit the candles on his desk" so that Dumbledore could examine the Petrified Mrs. Norris (CS9).
See also EVERLASTING CANDLE, INCENDIO, POISONOUS CANDLE, WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA.
chains, magical
magical effect, spell name unknown
incantation for rope version: Incarcerous (OP33)
This spell causes magical chains to snake out of a chair and bind a person to it.
The chair in the Court of Magical Law has these magical chains on it (GF30, OP8).
Similar to MAGICAL ROPES.
See also BINDING MAGIC.
incantation unknown
A charm that cheers a person up, makes them happy.
Cheering Charms were part of the Charms curriculum for the third-years. They were included in the final exam for that term (PA15).
invented by Felix Summerbee during the 1400s (fw31)
Cheering Charms were part of the written Charms O.W.L. exam. Hermione worried that she hadn't written enough about them, but since she was considering including the countercharm for hiccups as part of her answer, it seems likely that she wrote more than plenty (OP31)
Colloportus (co-lo-POR-tus)
spell name unknown
"colligo" L. to bind together + "portus" L. door
Seals a door, making an odd squelching noise.
Hermione, Harry, and several other members of the D.A. used this spell to try to block the attacking Death Eaters during the battle of the Department of Mysteries (OP35).
incantation unknown
A Charm that is required during the practical portion of the Charms O.W.L. Possibly the same as the flashing paint charm.
Harry mixed up the incantations for this charm and the Growth Charm, accidentally making a rat grow alarmingly during his practical Charms O.W.L. He was supposed to turn it orange (OP31).
This was an ironic test question, considering that Ron's attempt to turn Scabbers yellow during his first train ride with Harry was one of the earliest attempted uses of magic in Harry's experience (PS6).
Confundus Charm (con-FUN-dus)
incantation unknown
"confundo" L. to perplex
Causes confusion. A person who is affected by this Charm is said to be Confunded.
Snape suggested that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were Confunded by Sirius Black into believing him innocent (PA21).
The fake Moody used this charm to fool the Goblet of Fire into accepting Harry's name under a fourth school (GF17).
Hermione used this on McLaggen during Keeper tryouts in her sixth year (HBP11).
incantation unknown
"conjunctiva" L. connecting (as in membrane of the eye) + "-itis" L. inflammation
A spell that affects the eyes and vision of the target.
Sirius was going to suggest this spell to use against the Hungarian Horntail (GF19).
Krum tried this during the first task, but the dragon went into such violent convulsions that she smashed some of her own eggs (GF20).
Madame Maxime used this to force Golgomath's thugs to drop Hagrid when the giants became hostile with the ascension of the new Gurg (OP20).
no incantation used
A spell that creates objects out of thin air.
McGonagall conjured up a large fan and instructed Ernie Macmillan to waft the Petrified Nearly Headless Nick to the hospital wing using it (CS11).
Dumbledore conjured up hundreds of squashy purple sleeping bags when the students needed to spend the night in the Great Hall (PA9).
There is legislation about what you can conjure and what you can't (SN).
Most things conjured out of thin air will disappear after a couple of hours (SN). Some exceptions to this are the sleeping bags, which survived a lot longer than just a couple of hours, and the leg of Neville's desk, which had been accidentally vanished (CS16) (although this may have been an instance of Reparo instead).
"drawing up a chair" (conjuring a chair out of thin air)
Dumbledore drew up comfy chintz armchairs (OP8)
McGonagall draws up straight-backed, wooden chairs (OP22).
Arthur Weasley drew up more chairs so his visitors could sit down in his ward at St Mungo's (OP8).
Dumbledore literally drew up a chair for Trelawney to sit in at the Christmas feast in 1993 [Y13] (PA11). He also drew up a chintz armchair for himself to sit in when representing Harry at his hearing before the WizengamotMrs. Figg arrived to testify, Dumbledore drew up another for her (OP8).
Dumbledore conjured a tea tray in Hagrid's cabin (GF24).
Dumbledore arranged the Great Hall for the musical entertainment at the Yule Ball with "move objects" and this spell:
"Dumbledore stood up and asked the students to do the same. Then, with a wave of his wand, all the tables zoomed back along the walls leaving the floor clear, and then he conjured a raised platform into existence along the right wall." (GF23)
Bill and Charlie Weasley conjured up tablecoths for dinner in the garden at the Burrow (GF5).
Fudge conjured two large glasses of amber liquid (one for himself, one for the Prime Minister) on the night he informed the latter of Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban (HBP1).
incantation unknown
A type of magic that creates objects out of thin air.
Conjuring spells are advanced magic; they are N.E.W.T. level at Hogwarts, taught in sixth and seventh years (OP13).
See AGUAMENTI, ARROWS, WAND, AVIS, CHAINS, MAGICAL, FERULA, FOUNTAIN OF WINE, INANIMATUS CONJURUS, INCARCEROUS, LEEK JINX, ORCHIDEOUS, ROPES, MAGICAL, SERPENSORTIA
See CONJURED ITEMS
incantation unknown
This spell or spells makes a contract magically unbreakable.
Placing a name in the Goblet of Fire constituted a binding magical contract. The people whose names were chosen were obliged to participate in the contest Even Dumbledore couldn't undo this magic, since Harry was forced to compete in the Tournament when his name came out of the Goblet (GF16).
See also UNBREAKABLE VOW.
various
Various effects on crops depending on the specific charm in question.
The Ministry of Magic report "A Study into Muggle Suspicions about Magic" recommended that the International Confederation of Wizards impose an immediate ban on further crop-related charms until the fuss about so-called "crop circles" - really entries in the Annual International Wizard Gardening Competition - died down (DP).
various
Classification of Transfiguration magic in which one type of creature is Transfigured into another.
The fourth years had to write an essay about using these after practicing transfiguring guinea fowl into guinea pigs (GF22).
Apparently it's easier to do the spell when the creatures have similar names (e.g. guinea fowl into guinea pigs), similar appearance (e.g. hedgehogs into pincushions), or both (e.g. beetles into buttons).
Cruciatus Curse (KROO-see-AH-tus)
"cruciatus" L. torture (n.)
See CRUCIO.
Crucio (KROO-see-oh)
"Cruciatus Curse"
"crucio" L. torment (v.)
One of the "Unforgivable Curses," this spell causes the victim to suffer almost intolerable pain. Some victims of prolonged use of this curse have been driven insane.
Demonstrated by the fake Moody to the fourth-year Defence Against the Dark Arts class (GF14).
Used by Voldemort's followers during his years of power, both on wizards and Muggles (GF14).
Crouch authorized its use by Aurors against suspects during the first war against Voldemort (GF27).
The Longbottoms (see) were victims of the Cruciatus Curse and were driven insane by it (GF30, OP9, OP23)
When Neville heard the golden egg's song, he was afraid that the second task would involve Harry facing this spell (GF21).
Krum was forced to use this on Cedric during the third task (GF31)
Voldemort used it on Wormtail (GF29), Avery (GF33 and probably OP26), and Harry (GF34)
During the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Bellatrix realized that Neville was the child of the Longbottoms, whom she had tortured. She took fiendish pleasure in using the Cruciatus Curse on the Longbottoms' son.
Later, Harry tried to use the Cruciatus Curse on Bellatrix Lestrange, but it didn't do much. She taunted him that he had to mean it or it wouldn't work (OP36).
When speculating about what the weapon might be that was the focus of the attention of the Order of the Phoenix and of the Death Eaters, Harry assured everyone that Voldemort didn't need any new weapon to cause pain, since Crucio worked just fine, thank you very much (OP6)
Amycus attempted to use this on Ginny while duelling with her. Harry later tried but failed to use it on Snape (HBP28).
incantation unknown
"bogy" uncertain origin: "Old Bogey" = The Devil c. 1836; "bogle" Scottish phantom or goblin c. 1505 and "bogge" terror, possibly from "bwg" Welsh ghost and "bwgwl" fear
Yeah, maybe. But more likely:
"bogey" British slang: booger
Effect unknown.
Ron threatened to learn this curse, then use it on Hermione and Neville if they all got caught roaming the school at night on their way to a duel with Draco Malfoy (PS9)
see BAT-BOGEY HEX.
various
The following spells are known as curses.
incantation unknown
The Cushioning Charm creates an invisible "pillow" on the handle of a broom to make flying more comfortable.
Invented by Elliot Smethwyk in 1820 (QA9).
See MORSMORDRE and PROTEAN CHARM.
no incantation needed; automatic response
A charge like that of electricity runs through the body of a wizard with this automatic defensive spell.
When Vernon Dursley tried to hold Harry around the neck, he felt a sudden charge like electricity running through Harry and he had to drop him. This appears to have been an automatic defensive response on Harry's part, since there is no indication that he intentionally cast a spell (OP1).
Dumbledore used a similar spell to make Umbridge let go of Marietta, who she was shaking violently. This may be a different form of the spell, however, since Dumbledore used his wand to perform it (OP27).
incantation unknown
Aside from the fact that it is a spell to defend the caster, little is known about the actual effects produced by this spell.
Fulbert the Fearful died in 1097 when the Defensive Charm he cast to protect himself backfired (fw20).
The Magical Law Enforcement Squad gives newly-hired Hit-Witches and Hit-Wizards training in the latest defensive charms (DP).
Deletrius (deh-LEE-tree-us)
spell name unknown
"deleterius" L. destroy, eradicate
Erases the ghost images of spells revealed by Priori Incantato. Possibly can be used to remove other spell effects as well.
Amos Diggory used this to erase the ghost image of the Dark Mark he had caused to be emitted from Harry's wand (GF9).
Densaugeo (den-sah-OO-gi-oh)
"dens" L. tooth + "augeo" L. grow
Causes the victim's teeth to enlarge grotesquely.
Hermione was hit by this spell from the wand of Draco Malfoy. Draco and Harry had begun fighting in the corridor, but the curses missed and hit Hermione and Goyle (GF18)
Diffindo (dih-FIN-doe)
"Severing Charm" (?)
"diffindo" L. cleave, open
Spell that cuts something open.
Harry used this spell on Cedric's book bag to slow him down so Harry could tell him about the dragons (GF9).
Harry cast this in an attempt to sever the tentacles of thought that the attacking brain wrapped around Ron during the battle of the Department of Mysteries (OP35).
Harry used this spell to slice the cover off his own brand-new copy of Advanced Potion-Making (tapping the cover while saying the spell). He then repeated the spell for the copy of the book he had borrowed from the Potions dungeon's supply of spare textbooks (HBP11).
Disapparate (dis-AP-a-rate)
incantation unknown
"dis-" opposite of, from L. "apart" + "appareo" L. to appear
Apparition, as seen from the place a wizard is leaving.
See EXPELLIARMUS.
incantation unknown
"disillusion" Eng. to lose faith
A charm which hides the true, magical nature of something.
Hippogriffs and winged horses may be kept by wizards as long as they perform a Disillusionment Charm on them regularly so that Muggles won't notice anything strange about them (FB).
Mad-Eye Moody cast a Disillusionment Charm on Harry to protect him during the trip from Privet Drive to Grimmauld Place ("I'm going to Disillusion you..."). To Harry, it felt as though someone had broken an egg on his head, like a flood of cold running down over him. When under the Charm, his body took on the appearance of whatever was behind him. He felt like a human chameleon. When Moody removed the Charm, it felt like trickling of warmth instead of cold (OP3, OP4)
Dissendium (dis-EN-dee-um)
spell name unknown
uncertain: "dissocio" L. to sever or divide? Possibly similar in sound to "descend."
Comments from Amanda in email:
"Dissocio" in its verb form means "to part" or "to separate". The word "en" can mean both "here!" and "look!" Dium, of course, refers to the sun and normally translates as "day" or "today" but I have seen it used as a command to mean "now." So together dissendium could mean "part/separate here, now!"
Opens the secret door in the statue of the hump-backed witch.
Harry learnt this word from the Marauder's Map. It is said aloud while the statue is tapped with the caster's wand (PA10)
no incantation used
Sends a jet of sparks out of the wand that opens the target door.
Lupin used this spell to open the door of the staff room wardrobe, which contained a Boggart his class was to confront (PA7).
Harry's bedroom door opened by itself when the Advance Guard came to take him to number twelve, Grimmauld Place (OP3).
cf. ALOHOMORA
incantation unknown
Dries up water.
Harry briefly considered this as a method of getting to the bottom of the lake, but realized he couldn't dry up that much water with it (GF26)
"Engorgement Charm"
"engorger" Fr. swallow greedily
Spell which causes the target to swell in size.
The twins placed an Engorgement Charm on the Ton-Tongue Toffee that they "accidentally" dropped in front of Dudley (GF4).
Kevin, the little wizard boy in the World Cup campground, was casting an Engorgement Spell (or something very similar) on a slug (GF7).
Hermione suspected that Hagrid has used an Engorgement Charm on his pumpkins (CS7).
The fake Moody used an Engorgement Charm on each of the three spiders he had bought to class to demonstrate the Unforgivable Curses (GF14).
See RENNERVATE.
no incantation given
Apparently this curse causes the victim's insides to come out of them. Eww....
This nasty spell was invented by Urquhart Rackharrow in the 1600s. His portrait now hangs ominously in the Dai Llewellyn Ward of St. Mungo's (OP22).
no incantation given
Spells that cause the target person to fall in love with the caster.
Episkey (eh-PIS-key)
"episkeyazo" Gr. to repair
Heals/repairs damage that has been inflicted on the target.
Harry used this to repair Demelza's bleeding mouth after Ron accidentally punched her during Quidditch practice (HBP14).
Evanesco (ev-an-ES-ko)
"Vanishing Spell"
"evanesco" L. to disappear
Makes something vanish (not just become invisible, but go away completely)
When Colin was taking his picture and asking him to sign it, Harry wished he knew a good Vanishing Spell to escape the embarassment (CS6)
Another form of this spell actually makes things go away. Neville did this by mistake to one of the legs of his desk when McGonagall announced that, in spite of the attacks on students and the banishment of Dumbledore and Hagrid, they would still be given their exams (CS16)
Bill Weasley used this to make a stack of scrolls disappear while cleaning up after a meeting of the Order of the Phoenix during Harry's first night at Number 12 Grimmauld Place (OP5).
Snape used the Vanishing Spell to get rid of Harry's less-than-perfect attempt at a Draught of Peace (OP12).
the fifth years had to practice Vanishing spells for some of their first Transfiguration homework that year (OP13)
Fifth years work on the Vanishing Spell in Transfiguration, starting with snails and then working their way up to mice (OP15)
see Vanishing Magic for a more complete discussion of the uses of this spell and others like it
Expecto Patronum (ex-PEK-toh pa-TROH-num)
"Patronus Charm"
"expecto" L. expect or look for + "patronus" Medieval L. patron saint, symbolizing a patron or assistant
ALTERNATE ETYMOLOGY: "expecto" L. to expel from the chest, i.e.to send forth from one's self.
Conjures a Patronus, a silvery phantom shape, usually that of an animal, which is the embodiment of the positive thoughts of the caster. A Patronus will drive away Dementors.
Lupin taught Harry to cast this spell, which he performed with minor success until he faced a large group of Dementors who were trying to attack Sirius Black. Harry saw a Patronus come charging across the lake and later realized that he himself cast it (PA12, GF31).
Harry used his Patronus Charm to drive off two Dementors in an alley near Privet Drive. He got into trouble for doing it, although he had no honourable alternative under the circumstances (OP1).
See PATRONUS.
Expelliarmus (ex-pel-ee-AR-mus)
"Disarming Spell"
"expelo" L. to drive out + "arma" L. weapon
Causes opponent's weapon to fly out of his or her hand.
Basic defensive spell, taught at the Duelling Club by Snape (CS10) used frequently thereafter. If the exact nature of the opponent's weapon is uncertain, the spell can have unexpected results. If several people cast the spell simultaneously, the target may be rendered unconscious (PA19, GF31, GF34)
Lupin used this on Harry, Ron, and Hermione simultaneously in the Shrieking Shack on the night they first met Sirius Black (PA17).
Snape's use of this spell against Lockhart had rather violent results (CS10).
This was the first spell taught at the first D.A. meeting. Zacharias Smith thought this was silly, but Harry pointed out that he used that spell against Voldemort just a few months before and that it had saved his life (OP18).
no incantation given
Spell that puts out fires.
Used by dragon keepers; they kept them at the ready when handling the dragons for the first task (GF14).
Cho accidentally mispronounced Expelliarmus and set her friend's sleeve on fire. Marietta extinguished it with her wand (OP18).
feather-light
Spell that makes the target object weigh practically nothing.
After running away from the Dursleys, Harry considered the idea of casting a spell to make his trunk feather-light so he could carry it all the way to London on his broomstick (PA3).
Ferula (feh-ROO-lah)
"ferule" alt. spelling of "ferrule" Eng. wooden handle for strength or protection, from "ferula" L. fennel plant
Spell that conjures a wooden rod.
Fidelius Charm (fih-DAY-lee-us)
"fidelis" L. trusty, faithful
"An immensely complex spell involving the magical concealment of a secret inside a single, living soul. The information is hidden inside the chosen person, or Secret-Keeper, and is henceforth impossible to find -- unless, of course, the Secret-Keeper chooses to divulge it" (PA10).
Used to try to protect Lily and James Potter from Voldemort. "As long as the Secret-Keeper refused to speak, You-Know-Who could search the village where Lily and James were staying for years and never find them, not even if he had his nose pressed against their sitting room window!" (PA10) Unfortunately, Peter Pettigrew was chosen as Secret-Keeper, and he betrayed the secret.
Dumbledore used the Fidelius Charm to hide number twelve Grimmauld Place, the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. He himself was the Secret-Keeper for the Order (OP6). Note that he once mentioned it in front of the Dursleys (HBP3).
Snape could refer (at least indirectly) to the fact that a Fidelius Charm applied to the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, but since he was not the Secret Keeper he could not mention the name of the place (HBP2).
"When a Secret-Keeper dies, their secret dies with them, or to put it another way, the status of their secret will remain as it was at the moment of their death. Everybody in whom they confided will continue to know the hidden information, but nobody else...
"In other words, a secret (e.g., the location of a family in hiding, like the Potters) is enchanted so that it is protected by a single Keeper (in our example, Peter Pettigrew, a.k.a. Wormtail). Thenceforth nobody else - not even the subjects of the secret themselves - can divulge the secret. Even if one of the Potters had been captured, force-fed Veritaserum or placed under the Imperius Curse, they would not have been able to give away the whereabouts of the other two. The only people who ever knew their precise location were those whom Wormtail had told directly, but none of them would have been able to pass on the information (JKR)."
no incantation given
Removes a person's fingers.
Goodwin Kneen's wife, Gunhilda, hit him with this jinx after he came home a bit late from celebrating Ilkley's win in Quidditch (QA3).
Finite (fi-NEE-tay)
"finio" L. settle, end, die, cease
Stops a currently operating spell effect.
Lupin used this spell to take a Tarantallegra Hex off Neville Longbottom (OP36).
Finite Incantatem (fi-NEE-tay in-can-TAH-tum)
"finio" L. settle, end, die + "incantationem" L. the art of enchanting
Stops currently operating spell effects.
Snape used this spell to end the various unfortunate spells that were affecting members of the Duelling Club when things got a little out of hand (CS11).
Contrary to what is shown in CS/f, this spell does not blow up rogue Bludgers. The magic required to tamper with a Bludger is extremely high level and can't be counteracted a simple spell, especially not one cast by a 13-year-old (CS/f)
Hagrid started a roaring fire in the hut-on-the-rock without a wand (PS4)
Wormtail started a fire under the cauldron in which Voldemort was reborn (GF32).
at the Quidditch World Cup, a magical fire shot violet sparks twenty feet into the air (GF7).
Dumbledore used a nonverbal spell during his duel with Voldemort in the Atrium that created a fiery rope emanating from the tip of his wand (OP36). A year later, Dumbledore used a nonverbal spell to create a ring of fire emanating from his wand like a vast lasso. It acted as a barrier against Inferi (HBP26). Judging from the effects, these two instances appear to be the same unnamed fire spell.
c.f. FLOO POWDER, FIRE TALKING
c.f. WAND EFFECTS
no incantation given
Using Floo Powder in a fire connected to the Floo Network, a person can communicate with another over distance. The head of the person making contact appears in the midst of the flames and they can hold a conversation and even interact physically with the person they are connecting to.
Amos Diggory used this method of contacting Arthur Weasley when the fake Moody reported being attacked (GF11).
While in hiding, Sirius Black talked to Harry by means of a wizard fireplace (GF19).
Snape used a powder thrown into the fire to contact Lupin and ask to speak to him (PA14).
When the Ministry wanted to spy on all communication in and out of Hogwarts, they employed the Floo Regulation Board to monitor the Hogwarts fires (OP27, OP28).
Fixing Charm
no words given
Spell that magically fastens one thing to another.
Elveira Elkins wrote to the Daily Prophet Problem Page because she could not make a simple Fixing Charm 'stick'. The correspondent who dealt with everyday magical problems diagnosed that the caster was allowing her attention to wander whilst 'charming', and recommended using nails instead (DP).
See also PERMANENT STICKING CHARM.
Flagrate (flah-GRAH-tay)
"flagro" L. blaze, burn
Creates a burning, fiery line in the air which can be "drawn" with the wand into specific shapes. The shape lingers for some time.
Hermione used this spell to draw fiery X marks on the doors of the circular hall in the Department of Mysteries (OP34).
May be the same basic magic as wand writing and wand sparks.
Flame-Freezing Charm
no words given
Changes the properties of fire so that its heat feels like a warm breeze.
Spell used by witches and the wizards in medieval times who were burned at the stake. They would then scream and pretend to be burning up (PA1)
no incantation given
This "tricky little charm" makes the paint on a banner flash different colors.
Hermione used this charm on the banner that the Gryffindors had painted on one of the sheets Scabbers had ruined. It said Potter for President, and Dean, who was good at drawing, had drawn a Gryffindor lion under the words (PS11).
It is probably this charm which Hermione used to make the various squares on their revision schedules flash different colors as they prepared for O.W.L.s (OP29).
See COLOR CHANGE, POSTERS.
no incantation given
While "[n]o spell yet devised enables wizards to fly unaided in human form" (QA1), various spells create flying effects.
Wingardium Leviosa levitates objects (PS10).
Dobby used a Hover Charm to float a pudding above Aunt Petunia's kitchen (CS2).
Spells cast on broomsticks and carpets allow them to fly.
Contrary to what is seen in PS/f, it is not possible for Quirrell to fly toward Harry, either in the forest or in the Chamber of the Stone (PS/f)
no incantation given
A spell which produces a fountain of wine from the end of the caster's wand.
Mr. Olivander performed this spell with Harry's wand to test it at the Weighing of the Wands (GF18).
Similar to the spell used by Mrs. Weasley to create a creamy sauce from her wand when cooking (GF5).
See CONJURING SPELLS, particularly AGUAMENTI
See POINT ME.
Full Body-Bind
See PETRIFICUS TOTALUS.
no incantation given
A spell that causes a person to grow fur.
Fred and George, in an effort to cheer up Ginny, cast this spell on themselves so they would be covered with fur. All it did was irritate Percy (CS11).
Furnunculus (fur-NUN-kyoo-lus)
related to "furnus" L. oven?
related to "furunculus" L. which means "petty thief" and is the basis of the English word "furuncle," which is a fancy name for "boil" (as in a skin lesion, not the verb for the point at which a liquid becomes a gas). Obviously, at some point, wizards decided it was easier to say the spell when they threw in the extra "n" after the letters f-u-r. Submitted by Claire T. Nollet
Curse that causes boils to break out all over the victim.
Harry cast this spell on Draco, but it was deflected and hit Goyle in the face (GF18, GF37)
Fred and George tried to cheer up Ginny by covering themselves with fur or boils and then jumping out at her (CS11).
Obliviator Arnold Peasegood suffered a minor attack of boils while helping to break up a goblin riot in Chipping Clodbury (DP).
c.f. BOIL-CURE POTION, BULBADOX POWDER HIVES HEX, WARTCAP POWDER.
no incantation given
Spell that allows the enchanted object to be held more easily.
Gripping Charms, invented in 1875, are cast on a Quaffle to make it possible for a Chaser to hold onto it one-handed (since a Chaser needs at least one hand free to control his or her broomstick) (QA6).
no incantation given
Minor spells for personal grooming.
Molly Weasley thought that Bill's hair was too long and wanted to give it a trim. She fingered her wand as she suggested this, indicating that she would use her wand to do the trimming (GF5). (On the other hand, Molly may have had Diffindo in mind for this or some other general use spell, so there may not be a specific hair-trimming spell.)
Eloise Midgen tried to curse her pimples off, but that is not the recommended procedure and it did not work as well as she might have hoped (GF13).
During breakfast on the day of her first Divination class with Firenze, Parvati curled her eyelashes around her wand because she wanted to make a good impression on the centaur (OP27). This may not have been a spell, however, any more than the use of Muggle hair curlers would have been.
Growth Charm
no incantation given
Spell to make things grow in size.
Harry accidentally mixed up the incantations for Colour Change and Growth Charms during his practical Charms O.W.L. (OP31).
c.f. ENGORGIO.
Gubraithian fire
no incantation given
Spell to make the target object burn forever.
Dumbledore sent the Gurg a branch enchanted like this (OP20).
no incantation given
A spell which lengthens and thickens a person's hair.
Miles Bletchley cast a jinx on Alicia Spinnet that made her eyebrows grow to cover her eyes. Snape refused to accept that a member of the Slytherin team would do such a thing, suggesting instead that Alicia had cast a Hair-thickening Charm (evidently the spell used) on herself, presumably to make her hair look better (OP19).
A form of magic or class of spells that defend the caster against hexes.
The fake Moody included Hex-Deflection in his fourth-year Defence Against the Dark Arts classes (GF28).
The following spells are known as hexes.
"homo" Gr. the same + "morph": Eng. change shape [force a werewolf not to change]
or
"homo" L. man + "morph": Eng. change shape [force werewolf into human shape]
A good charm to use against a werewolf. Its exact effects aren't given.
Lockhart supposedly used this charm to defeat the Wagga Wagga werewolf and demonstrated the feat in Defence Against the Dark Arts (CS10).
no incantation given
Transfigures the target's tongue to a bony substance resembling horn, presumably.
Harry, looking for spells to help him combat a dragon, wisely decided not to use this one as it would just give the dragon one more weapon (GF20).
no incantation given
Makes a racing broom easier to handle.
Invented and patented by Basil Horton and Randolph Keitch, the founders of the Comet Trading Company (QA9).
no incantation given, but involves a complicated wand motion
Fires off a jet of hot air from the end of the caster's wand.
Hermione used this charm to melt snow and dry off her snow-covered robes (OP21).
Dumbledore used something similar on Harry's wet robes, but the spell he cast instantaneously made the robes warm and dry and didn't involve any wasted wand motion (HBP26).
no incantation given
Makes an object float in the air.
Dobby used this spell (without wand or incantation) to float Aunt Petunia's violet pudding in the air (CS2).
See also LEVITATION CHARM.
no spell words given
A nasty kind of hex that can be placed on a broom. The effect is presumably to make the target broom attempt to hurl its rider off.
When Harry's Firebolt was stripped down to be checked for jinxes and curses, Flitwick checked whether it had a Hurling Hex on it. It didn't (PA12).
This may have been the spell Quirrell cast on Harry's Nimbus 2000 to try to throw him off (PS11).
See IMPEDIMENTA.
Most of the incantations for spells in the Harry Potter series are Latin-derived, but this is one of my favorites. In classical Latin, "impedimenta" (the plural of "impedimentum") commonly refers to baggage, especially the baggage of an army. So occasionally when I read about someone using "impedimenta", I get an image in my mind of someone tripping over an invisible suitcase. You're not laughing? Oh, well. Some people. Just trying to lighten the mood…
This entry is a stop on a Knight Bus' C Line - the Classical Tour of the Lexicon. Move your cursor over the bus to read about this stop. You can use the controls to navigate the tour, or click on the bus to go to the next stop.
Impedimenta (im-ped-ih-MEN-tah)
"Impediment Curse," "Impediment Jinx"
"impedimentum" L. hindrance
Stops an object or slows it down.
Harry learned this spell to use in the third task. Ron also learned it, using it to stop a bee in midair. Harry used it to good effect on the Acromantula and on the huge Blast-Ended Skrewt (GF29, (GF31).
Madam Hooch used this to knock Harry away from Draco as they were fighting after a Quidditch match (OP19).
Harry saw his father use this on Snape in the Pensieve (OP28)
The Impediment Jinx was used by Death Eaters and by Harry during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries (OP35)
Harry used this on Amycus while the latter was duelling Ginny during the Battle of the Tower. Later Harry cast it on either Amycus or Alecto when they tried to catch him from behind, and still later he attempted to cast it on Snape (HBP28).
Imperio (im-PAIR-ee-oh)
"Imperius Curse"
"impero" L. order, govern, command
One of the Unforgivable Curses, this spell causes the victim to be completely under the command of the caster, who can make the victim do anything the caster wishes.
Lecture with demonstration in Defence Against the Dark Arts (GF14)
Cast on Krum by the fake Moody (GF31, GF35).
Cast on Crouch junior by Crouch senior (GF35).
Cast on Crouch senior by Voldemort (GF35).
Harry raised the possibility - which Arthur Weasley then refuted - that Fudge may have been acting under the Imperius Curse (OP9).
Herbert Chorley, a Junior Minister in the government of Muggle Britain, began impersonating a duck as a result of a reaction to a poorly performed Imperius Curse (HBP1).
Cast by Draco Malfoy on Madam Rosmerta, and by her on Katie Bell (HBP12, HBP27).
See IMPERIO.
Imperturbable Charm (IM-per-TUR-ba-bul)
"imperturbatus" L. undisturbed, calm (thanks to Manuel Weiss for help with this)
Creates a magical barrier on a target object, such as a door, to prevent eavesdropping. The target object is said to have been Imperturbed.
The door to the kitchen in number twelve, Grimmauld Place had an Imperturbable Charm placed on it. This prevented the kids from using Extendable Ears to eavesdrop on the meetings there. Anything thrown toward a door which has been Imperturbed will bounce off without touching it. Ginny tested the door by lobbing Dungbombs at it (OP4).
Impervius (im-PER-vee-us)
"im-" prefix from L. not + "pervius" L. letting things through
Makes something waterproof or water repellent.
Hermione used this spell to make Harry's glasses repel water during a rainy Quidditch match (PA9).
The entire Gryffindor team used it on their faces to try to practice in a driving rain, but they still gave up after an hour (OP18).
Inanimatus Conjurus (in-an-i-MAH-tus con-JUR-us)
"inanimus-" L. not living + "coniurus" L. conjure
Although not identified, the name suggests that this involves the conjuring inanimate objects.
The fifth years were assigned homework about this by McGonagall at the very beginning of the school year (OP14). Since according to McGonagall Conjuring spells are usually not attempted until N.E.W.T. level, perhaps this assignment was preparatory theory work.
See CONJURING SPELLS.
Incarcerous (in-CAR-sir-us)
"incarceratus" L., past participle of "incarcerare", from in- + carcer prison
Sends thick ropes out of thin air to wrap around someone or something.
Umbridge used this spell on Magorian the centaur, which prompted the rest of the centaurs to attack (OP33).
Harry tried and failed to cast this on Snape during Snape's departure from Hogwarts (HBP28).
This could be the incantation for other binding spells.
See also CONJURING SPELLS.
Incendio (in-SEN-dee-o)
"incendo" L. to set fire to
Starts a fire.
Arthur Weasley used this to start a fire in the Dursleys' fireplace (GF4).
Used by a Death Eater to set fire to Hagrid's cabin (HBP28).
no incantation given
Sprouts feelers on the victim's head, removes the victim's powers of speech, and forces the victim to scuttle along the ground.
no incantation given
As the name suggests, this hex removes hair.
This spell appears in Basic Hexes for the Busy and Vexed, which Harry consulted to find a spell to work against dragons (GF20)
no incantation given
Spell to make a person or thing invisible.
Cast on the new Quidditch stadium in Exmoor (DP).
See HEADLESS HAT, INVISIBILITY BOOSTER, INVISIBILITY CLOAK, VANISHING MAGIC.
Invisibility Section (of the library)
Jelly-Brain Jinx
no incantation given
Presumably affects the target's mental processes.
During the September 1999 riot that took place during the Puddlemere/ Holyhead game, a lot of Harpy supporters were using this jinx (DP).
Jelly-Fingers curse
no incantation given
Presumably makes the target's fingers like jelly, so that they cannot grasp anything properly.
After a June 1999 Portree/ Arrows game, the losing Seeker accused his opposite number of putting this curse on him as they both closed in on the Snitch (DP).
Jelly-Legs Jinx
no incantation given
Causes the target's legs to wobble uncontrollably.
Hermione used the spell to break Harry's Shield Charm as they were practicing for the third task (GF31).
Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were hit with this jinx (along with a few other hexes and curses) on the Hogwarts Express (GF37).
jinxes
A jinx is a spell cast to cause damage or other negative effect. A jinx is similar to a curse, but typically not as powerful or cast with such negative intention. Jinxes are part of defensive magic, although Umbridge tried to teach that spells should never be used in this way, even in self-defense or as part of a legitimate attack. She used the textbook Defensive Magical Theory by Slinkhard:
'He says that counter-jinxes are improperly named,' said Hermione promptly. 'He says "counter-jinx" is just a name people give their jinxes when they want to make them sound more acceptable (OP15)'.
A jinx is removed or undone by a counter-jinx. Defenses against jinxes are called "anti-jinxes." Some jinxes are also referred to as hexes.
Warrington of Slytherin was hit with a jinx that made his skin look as though he were covered with corn flakes (OP30).
Madam Pince has been known to place jinxes on library books to protect them from students who might doodle on them, tear out pages, or keep them checked out for too long (QA).
To repair the exploding toilet caused by Willy Widdershins, Arthur told Harry he would use a 'simple enough' anti-jinx (OP9).
The handle of Ron's new Cleansweep 11 had an anti-jinx varnish applied to it (OP9).
Jinxes:
Killing Curse
See AVADA KEDAVRA.
knee-reversing hex
no incantation given
Causes the target's knee to become backwards.
During the eleventh century, Gertie Keddle wrote in her diary that she hexed a man who came to retrieve a leather-covered ball from her cabbage patch, and she'd "like to see him fly with his knees back to front, the great hairy hog" (QA3).
no incantation given
Enchants knitting needles to knit.
Langlock (LANG-lok)
"lang" Eng. language (which derives from L. lingua tongue, language) + "lock" Eng. to fasten
A jinx that glues the target's tongue to the roof of his or her mouth.
One of the Half-Blood Prince's self-invented spells. Twice used by Harry on Filch, to general applause; referred to as a jinx (HBP12)
leek jinx
no incantation given
Results in leeks growing out of the target's ears.
During the tension-filled week leading up to the Gryffindor- Slytherin Quidditch match in the spring of 1994 [Y14], a nasty incident in the corridors resulted in a Gryffindor fourth year and a Slytherin sixth year going to the hospital wing with leeks sprouting out of their ears.
See CONJURING SPELLS.
Legilimens (le-JIL-i-menz)
"legens" L. reader + "mens" L. mind
See Legilimency.
See LOCOMOTOR MORTIS.
Levicorpus (leh-vi-COR-pus)
"levo" L. to lift up, raise + "corpus" L. body
Dangles the target person upside-down by the ankle in mid-air.
A spell developed by the Half-Blood Prince, the incantation for which was written down in his old Potions textbook without a description of the effects (but fortunately with the counter-jinx); Harry very rashly cast this on Ron without a clear idea of what the effects would be (HBP12)
Harry tried and failed to cast this on Snape during Snape's departure from Hogwarts (HBP28).
The counter-jinx is Liberacorpus
Levitation Charm
"wing" + "arduus" L. high, steep + "levo" L. to raise up, levitate
A basic charm that allows the target to float up to five feet above the ground
Wingardium Leviosa is a levitation spell (PS10)
See HOVER CHARM; also SNOWBALL, BEWITCHED.
Lee Jordan levitated two Nifflers into Umbridge's office. She blamed Hagrid (OP31)
Although Harry did perform the Levitation Charm as part of his practical Charms O.W.L., it is never stated that this is the same as Wingardium Leviosa. It seems likely, however (OP31)
Liberacorpus (lee-ber-ah-COR-pus)
"liber" L. free + "corpus" L. body
Counter-jinx to Levicorpus (see).
A spell developed by the Half-Blood Prince, the incantation for which was written down in his old Potions textbook without a description of the effects, alongside the spell for which it is a counter-jinx. Harry cast it on Ron (HBP12)
library book spells
no incantation given
Madam Pince puts a variety of spells and curses on the books in the Hogwarts library to make sure that kids don't damage them. (At least, not twice...)
Dumbledore absent-mindedly doodled in a library book and was surprised to find it beating him on the head (QA).
The screaming book in the Restricted Section may have been reacting according to one of the spells on it (PS12)
Madam Pince has been known to add some unusual hexes and jinxes at times, besides the usual collection of library book spells (QA).
See THIEF'S CURSE
light spell
no incantation used
Appearing with a soft, crackling sound, this spell creates a handful of shimmering light.
Lupin used this spell while on the Hogwarts Express. It lit the compartment and the form of the Dementor that was searching the train (PA5).
See also LUMOS, BLUEBELL FLAMES.
lightening spell
no incantation given
Causes an object to become less heavy and thereby easier to carry.
Harry apparently knew such a spell by the summer after his second year, since he planned to use it on his trunk in order to make it light enough to carry it to London on his broomstick (PA2).
Locomotor... (lo-co-MO-tor)
"loco" L. from a place + "motionem" L. motion
Moves an object. Typically, the spell word "Locomotor" is followed by a target word, which is the object to be moved.
Flitwick used Locomotor trunks to move Trelawney's belongings back up the main staircase, back to her lodgings (OP26)
- Tonks used Locomotor Trunk to move Harry's trunk downstairs before flying off to Grimmauld Place (OP3).
Locomotor Mortis (lo-co-MO-tor MOR-tis)
"Leg-Locker Curse"
"loco" L. from a place + "motionem" L. motion + "mortis" L. death
Locks together the legs of the victim, making him or her unable to walk.
Draco cast this spell on Neville just for kicks; Neville then had to hop all the way back to Gryffindor Tower (PS13)
See also PETRIFICUS TOTALUS
Lumos (LOO-mos)
"lumen" L. light
Causes a small beam of light to shine from the end of the caster's wand.
This spell is used frequently as people skulk about the castle or the Forbidden Forest.
Dumbledore even used one when looking for Mr. Crouch (GF28), and his beam of light was just as narrow and flashlight-like as Harry's usually is. You'd think Dumbledore would have been able to summon up something a little brighter.
When Harry lost his wand during the Dementor attack, he desperately said Lumos and to his surprise, the tip of his wand lit up even though he wasn't holding the wand at the time. The light from a Lumos spell works even when the Dementors' presence had cancelled out the light from the streetlamps and even the stars (OP1)
The spell to turn the light off is Nox.
See also WAND EFFECTS
Memory Modifying Charms
"Memory Charms"
developed by Mnemone Radford
See OBLIVIATE
messenger spell
no incantation used
Sends a magical messenger to someone in the form of the caster's Patronus.
Dumbledore sent a message to Hagrid using this spell. He simply pointed his wand in the direction of Hagrid's cabin and sent the messenger without saying a word. Hagrid came directly to Dumbledore, which suggests that it is possible to retrace the messenger's path (GF28).
This spell is the method of communication used between members of the Order of the Phoenix that JKR
mentioned on her website.
Mobiliarbus (MO-bi-lee-AR-bus)
"mobilis" L. movable + "arbor" L. tree
Moves a tree (PA10).
The basic spell for moving something starts with the "Mobili-" prefix. It is up to the caster to be able to tack on the correct Latinate word for the object to be moved, in this case a tree. It seems unlikely that there is a "standard" spell for moving a tree to one side!
Mobilicorpus (MO-bi-lee-COR-pus)
"mobilis" L. movable + "corpus" L. body
Moves a body.
The basic spell for moving something starts with the "Mobili-" prefix. In this case, the Latin word for "body" is tacked on the end.
Remus Lupin used this spell to levitate Snape's unconscious body for transport back to school from the Shrieking Shack (PA19). Unfortunately for Snape, Sirius Black then took over managing the levitation while Lupin covered Wormtail with his wand, and for some reason Sirius didn't seem to be very careful about keeping Snape from bumping into things (PA20).
Thought of the day: "A real friend helps you move a body."
Morsmordre (mors-MOR-druh)
"The Dark Mark"
"mors" L. death + "mordere" L. to bite
Conjures an immense glowing skull in the sky, comprised of green sparks. There is a snake coming out of the skull's mouth.
This spell is known only to Death Eaters, who send it up in the sky when they kill. The Dark Mark was seen at the Quidditch World Cup in 1994, [Y14], conjured by Barty Crouch Jr. using Harry's wand (GF9)
c.f. PROTEAN CHARM.
Muffliato (muf-lee-AH-to)
"muffle" Eng. to deaden a sound, making it more difficult to hear
Fills the ears of target persons near the caster with an unidentifiable buzzing, so that the caster can hold lengthy conversations without being overheard.
One of the spells Harry learned from the Half-Blood Prince's notes. Hermione disapproved of it and would refuse to talk at all if Harry had cast the spell on anyone in the vicinity (HBP12)
Ron wished Harry had used this when Sprout caught the trio talking in class during their sixth year (HBP14)
no incantation given
Spell cast to keep Muggles away from a place or object.
The Quidditch World Cup Stadium had Muggle-Repelling Charms all over it; if Muggles got anywhere near it, they would suddenly remember some appointment they were late for and hurry off (GF8).
Various wizarding schools such as Durmstrang may have Muggle-Repelling Charms on them to prevent discovery (GF11).
Nox (noks)
"nox" L. night
Turns off the light from a Lumos spell.
Harry and Hermione used this spell to extinquish the lights on their wands in the Shrieking Shack (PA17).
"oblitesco" - L. to conceal oneself
"oblittero" - L. to cancel , blot out
Removes traces or tracks left by someone.
Hermione used this to make it look as though she, Ron, and Harry hadn't walked back from Hagrid's cabin in the snow (OP20)
Obliviate (oh-BLI-vee-ate)
"Memory Charm"
"oblivisci" L. forget
Modifies or erases portions of a person's memory.
These spells are used routinely by the Ministry of Magic as they work to keep the wizarding world a secret from the Muggles.
They are used if a Muggle sees a dragon (PS14) and after an enchanted item falls into Muggle hands (CS3).
So many Muggles have seen the Loch Ness Monster that the Ministry of Magic has been unable to perform Memory Charms on all of them (DP).
According to Blenheim Stalk in Muggles Who Notice, some Muggles "escape" Mass Memory Charms on occasion that are used to cover up major incidents (FB).
Memory Charms were used on the witnesses to Peter Pettigrew's murder of twelve Muggles and subsequent escape as a rat (PA10).
Bertha Jorkins had had a Memory Charm placed on her by Crouch Sr. after she discovered Barty Crouch Jr. at the Crouch home (GF33). Voldemort broke through it, but the process left her mind damaged and he killed her (GF1).
Mr. Roberts, the campground manager near the Quidditch World Cup, needed ten Memory Charms a day or he started noticing odd things going on. Later, after he and his family had been attacked by the Death Eaters, they all received Memory Charms (GF7, GF9).
Lockhart used Memory Charms on those whose adventures he claimed as his own. He'd interview someone who battled some creature or conquered some dark foe, then write the story as if he did it himself and cast a Memory Charm on to the person so they'd forget it was really them. He tried to do the same to Harry and Ron, but it backfired onto him instead (CS16).
The Ministry of Magic arranged for the President of an unnamed country to forget to telephone the Muggle Prime Minister in order to clear time on the latter's schedule for an interview with Cornelius Fudge and Rufus Scrimgeour (HBP1).
-
A Ministry wizard whose job it is to cast Memory Charms is called an Obliviator (GF7).
-
Mnemone Radford was the first Ministry of Magic Obliviator, noted for developing Memory Modifying charms. (JKR)
Teams of Obliviators attempted to modify the memories of all Muggles who saw what really happened during the so-called hurricane in the West Country during the summer of 1996 [Y16].
"occlusum" - L. to block or close + "mens" - L. mind
Specialized branch of magic, not usually taught at Hogwarts, which consists of protecting one's mind against outside intrusion.
Dumbledore asked Snape to teach Harry Occlumency because of the continuing connection between Harry and Voldemort. The spell Snape used to attack Harry's mind as they were training is Legilimens.
"oppugno" L. to attack, assault
Causes conjured creatures under the control of the caster to attack the target.
Hermione used this to set a flock of conjured canaries on Ron Weasley (HBP14).
"Orchideae" L. name for the orchid plant family
Conjures a bouquet of flowers out of the end of a wand.
Mr. Ollivander used this spell to test Fleur's wand at the Weighing of the Wands (GF18).
Tom Riddle "produced a bunch of roses from nowhere" for Hepzibah Smith, which was either sleight of hand or a non-verbal spell, possibly a spell similar to Orchideous (HBP20)
See CONJURING SPELLS.
"pack!"
A spell that causes items to assemble themselves into a trunk.
Tonks used this spell to help Harry pack his school trunk when he was leaving the Dursleys' house. She said she wasn't very good at housework spells and that her mother used to be able to even make the socks fold themselves up together. Tonks' version was a bit messier, but it certainly got the job done quickly (OP3).
A silvery-white, conjured creature created by using the Patronus Charm. The Patronus is used against Dementors and Lethifolds.
Harry's Patronus is a stag (like his father's Animagus form) (PA21, OP1).
Hermione's Patronus is an otter and Cho's is a swan. Seamus wasn't sure what his was, but it was hairy (OP27).
- Dumbledore's Patronus is a phoenix (JKR)
- Andros the Invincible is alleged to have been the only wizard known to have produced a Patronus the size of a giant (fw)
A Patronus can be commanded by the caster to attack. Harry controlled his and told it to attack each Dementor in turn when they attacked him and Dudley in the alley near Privet Drive (OP1).
See EXPECTO PATRONUM.
Flavius Belby survived a Lethifold attack by casting a Patronus Charm against it (fw/51, FB)
A Patronus can also appear as a shapeless silvery mist, but when cast correctly, it forms a "corporeal Patronus," which means it takes the form of an actual creature (corporeal means having a physical form, from "corpus" L. for body). (OP8)
After a severe emotional upheaval, a witch's or wizard's Patronus may change form (HBP16); this happened to Tonks after Sirius' death, when her Patronus seems to have taken the shape of a wolf (HBP8).
"patronus" Medieval L. patron saint
See EXPECTO PATRONUM.
no incantation given
This charm gives the target person fiery hot breath.
no incantation given
Spell that magically fastens one thing to another. It is extremely difficult to remove anything fastened with a Permanent Sticking Charm.
Both the portrait of Sirius' mother and the tapestry showing the Black family tree were fastened to the wall with Permanent Sticking Charms. As a result, the members of the Order couldn't remove them from the walls (OP6).
The enchanted portrait in the Prime Minister's office could not be removed from the wall by Muggle means, so it may have a Permanent Sticking Charm on the back (HBP1).
See FIXING CHARM
Peskipiksi Pesternomi (pes-kee PIK-see pes-ter-NO-mee)
"Freezing Charm"?
"pesky" + "pixie" + "pester" + "no" + "me"
Lockhart's version of a Freezing Charm.
Lockhart tried this spell on the escaped Cornish Pixies. It had no effect. The spell words certainly don't fit the usual format, so it seems likely that Lockhart was making the whole thing up on the spot (CS6).
"petrificare" L. to make into stone, from "petra" L. rock
Not a spell so much as a magical effect, caused by seeing the reflected eyes of a basilisk.
The Petrification effect resembles death, except that the victim is still alive, as if in suspended animation. It takes careful examination to discern whether a victim is in fact Petrified rather than dead. If a ghost is Petrified, it turns a dark smoky grey and can only be moved by the use of a fan. The antidote is made from mandrake roots (CS9).
Petrificus Totalus (pe-TRI-fi-cus to-TAH-lus)
"Full Body Bind" or "Body-Bind Curse"
"petrificare" L. to make into stone + "totalis" L. entire
Turns the entire body of the victim rigid.
Hermione cast this spell on Neville with profuse apologies when he tried to stop them from going after the Philosopher's Stone. She referred to it as the Full Body Bind as well as using the incantation (PS16).
Used by Harry on Dolohov during the battle of the Department of Mysteries (OP35)
Cast by Dumbledore on Harry as a nonverbal spell (HBP27, HBP28)
Cast by Harry on a brutal-faced Death Eater and on Fenrir Greyback (HBP28).
no incantation given
Spell that magically positions something in place.
A simple spell, performed with the wand laying flat on the open palm of the caster. When the words are spoken, the wand rotates to point north.
Harry used this spell to good advantage in the Triwizard maze, keeping himself walking in more or less the right direction (GF31).
Portus (POR-tus)
"porta" L. gate, entrance
Turns the target object into a Portkey.
Dumbledore turned an old kettle into a Portkey to number twelve, Grimmauld Place on the night of the snake attack on Arthur Weasley (OP22).
Dumbledore turned the head of the wizard statue into a Portkey to his office with this spell after his duel with Voldemort (OP36).
When the spell is cast, the target object glows blue and trembles briefly before returning to a normal appearance (OP22, OP36).
no incantation given
Dark Magical effect of one person's spirit inhabiting or taking over the body of another.
The only examples of possession are the actions of Voldemort, the greatest Dark wizard of the age.
He used this horrible form of intrusion on snakes and small animals while hiding out in the wilds of Albania without a body of his own.
He possessed Quirrell in order to monitor and control him. In this particular case, Voldemort's face appeared protruding from the back of Quirrell's head (PS17).
Tom Riddle's memory form, freed from its diary by life energy from Ginny Weasley, inhabited the little girl off and on, forcing her to kill roosters, write on the wall, and so on. She talked about it later and said that there were long periods of time when she couldn't remember what had happened to her (OP23).
During the climactic battle between Dumbledore and Voldemort, the Dark Lord possessed Harry, trying to make Dumbledore have to choose to kill Harry in order to defeat Voldemort. Harry rememberd the love of his mother and friends and the feelings of love drove Voldemort out of him (OP36).
Prior Incantato (prye-OR in-can-TAH-toe)
also: Priori Incantatem
"Reverse Spell Effect"
"prior" L. former, earlier, preceeding + "incantatare" L. to bewirtch or enchant
Can be cast as a spell, ("Prior Incantato"), in which case it forces the target wand to emit a ghost image of the last spell it cast. The images can be dispelled using Deletrius.
When two wands are forced to duel that have core material from the same single creature, the result will be "Priori Incantatem," a display in sequence of the last spells one of the wands cast. Which wand will show the spell effect depends on the willpower of the two wizards involved.
Amos Diggory cast this on Harry's wand to discover whether it had cast the Dark Mark (GF9).
When Harry and Voldemort duelled, their wands, which share a core of a feather from the same phoenix, were linked in the Priori Incantatem effect (GF36).
"protean" Eng. able to readily assume a different form, from Proteus, a sea god from Greek mythology who could change his shape rapidly
Complex spell that makes something change form.
Hermione was able to cast a Protean Charm on the fake Galleons the D.A. used during the 1995 - 1996 [Y15 - Y16] school year to pass along the date and time of each meeting. The spell caused the numbers on the members' coins to change when Harry changed the numbers on his coin. The Ravenclaws were all astounded that Hermione, who wasn't in their house, could cast this spell, since it's N.E.W.T. level. Clearly none of them could cast this magic at fifth year level (OP19). Ironically, Hermione got the idea from Voldemort's use of the Death Eaters' Dark Marks as a means of communication.
Draco Malfoy, in turn, deliberately copied the notion of Hermione's D.A. coins to enchant coins as a means of communication for himself with Madam Rosmerta (HBP27).
Protego (pro-TAY-go)
"Shield Charm"
"protego" L. to defend
This spell creates a magical barrier that will deflect hexes thrown at the caster.
Harry learned this spell in his preparations for the third task (GF31).
Harry used the Shield Charm to defend himself against Snape's Legilimency during Occlumency training and found himself unexpectedly seeing some of Snape's memories (OP26).
Harry used this spell to defend himself and to stop various Death Eaters from Summoning the prophecy away from him during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries (OP35, OP36).
Mentioned as Shield Charm in Ministry leaflet (HBP3).
According to the twins, many adult wizards as of Harry's sixth year cannot cast this spell properly, hence the popularity of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes "Shield" clothing line (HBP6).
no incantation given
Several charms are used to make the game of Quidditch possible:
The Quaffle is enchanted to make it fall more slowly than would otherwise be the case. This spell was invented by Daisy Pennifold, hence the modern Quaffle is referred to as a Pennifold Quaffle.
The Golden Snitch is enchanted to keep it within the bounds of the pitch.
Bludgers are enchanted to try to knock any and all players off their brooms.
Dobby the house-elf managed to enchant a Bludger so that it only pursued Harry Potter, eventually managing to break his arm (CS10).
See also BRAKING CHARM, CUSHIONING CHARM, GRIPPING CHARM.
Quietus (KWY-uh-tus)
reverse: Sonorus
"quietus" L. quiet, peaceful
Reverses the effect of Sonorus, making the caster's voice normal in volume.
Ludo Bagman used this in conjunction with Sonorus to allow himself to speak to large crowds at the World Cup and at the Triwizard Tournament (GF8).
reverse: Engorgio
"redusen" Middle Eng. diminish, from "reducer" Old Fr. bring back to the source, from "reducere" L. bring, lead
Causes an Engorged object to return to its normal size.
The fake Moody, who had enlarged a spider with an Engorgement Charm, used this to return it to its normal size (GF14).
"redusen" Middle Eng. diminish, from "reducer" Old Fr. bring back to the source, from "reducere" L. bring, lead
Blasts solid objects out of the caster's path.
Snape used this on rosebushes at the Yule Ball after his talk with Karkaroff (GF23)
Harry learned this spell as part of his preparation for the third task. He used it to blast a hole in the hedge (GF31)
A Reductor Curse during D.A. training reduced a table to dust (OP19)
Used by the various D.A. members at the beginning of the battle of the Department of Mysteries to smash shelves in the Hall of Prophecy as a diversion (OP35).
Reductor Curse
See REDUCTO.
incantation unknown
Causes the target container to refill itself.
Taught in sixth-year Charms (HBP22). It is not clear how this differs from a Conjuring Spell, which is a Transfiguration.
Harry used this successfully for the first time to refill the cups/glasses used by Slughorn and Hagrid at Aragog's wake (HBP22).
Relashio
"rilascio" It. - to release, to relax, to issue
Releases a jet of fiery sparks. Underwater, this spell fires a jet of boiling water.
Harry used this spell against the Grindylows during the second task (GF26).
Note that this incantation was given a rather different result in HBP10 when Ogden used it to knock Marvolo backward - away from Merope, whom he was attempting to strangle. This is not consistent with the previous usage of this incantation.
Reluctant Reversers, A Charm To Cure
no incantation given
Broom charm.
This spell is on page twelve of the Handbook of Do-It-Yourself Broom Care (PA2).
"en-" Old French from "in-" L. cause to be + "nerves" Eng. c.1603 strength, from "nervus" L. nerve
See Edits and Changes to the Text - GF; this spell has been officially renamed by JKR from its original name. Some versions list this spell as "Enervate," which changes the etymology quite a bit. In fact, if the word was really Enervate, the Latin origins would have exactly the opposite meaning from what it meant as Ennervate.
Spell used to revive a person who has been hit by a Stunner.
Amos Diggory woke up Winky with this (GF9)
Dumbledore used it to revive Barty Crouch junior (GF35)
Dumbledore also used it to revive Viktor Krum after he was stunned while watching over Barty Crouch senior (GF28).
"reparare" L. repair, restore
Undoes damage to an object.
Probably the spell Mr. Weasley used to repair Harry's glasses (CS4), Bill Weasley used to repair the table leg (GF5), and Percy used to repair his glasses when he bowed just a little bit too low (GF8).
Hermione cast this spell to repair the broken glass in the door to a railway carriage compartment (GF11)
McGonagall used what is very likely this spell to restore the leg of Neville's desk, which he had accidentally vanished (CS16).
Harry used this to fix the china bowl of Murtlap essence he'd knocked to the floor. The spell couldn't put the liquid back in the repaired bowl, however (OP15).
Snape used this spell to repair a shattered jar in his office during Occlumency lessons (OP26).
Hermione used this to repair a teacup that Ron had broken in Transfiguration (OP30).
Horace Slughorn and Albus Dumbledore seem to have cast this spell nonverbally (and in a masterly way) to undo the damage Slughorn had inflicted upon his borrowed living quarters in Budleigh Babberton (HBP4).
After cutting the covers off the old and new Potions textbooks in his possession and swapping them, Harry "repaired" the two swapped covers simultaneously by tapping each, then giving the incantation once (HBP11).
Harry used this to repair a bowl he had broken in Herbology (HBP14).
no incantation given
Spell that keeps something away from the caster or from an object that the spell is cast upon.
Before the Golden Snitch was introduced to Quidditch, this spell was cast by the spectators to keep the Snidget on the pitch (QA4).
no incantation used
Forces an Animagus who has transformed into animal form to revert to his or her human form. The spell's effect is a bright blue-white flash of light.
Lupin and Sirius cast this spell together to change Scabbers back into Peter Pettigrew (PA19)
Rictusempra (ric-tu-SEM-pra)
"Tickling Charm"
"rictus" L. gaping mouth, grin + "sempra" L. always
Causes a person to laugh uncontrollably.
CS/f incorrectly shows this spell throwing Draco across the room, and CS/g is similarly incorrect in its effects.
Riddikulus (ri-di-KYOO-lus)
"boggart banishing spell"
"ridiculum" L. joke, from "ridere" L. to laugh
A simple charm requiring force of mind, this spell requires the caster to visualize his or her worst fear in an amusing form while reciting the incantation. When performed correctly, this forces the boggart to take on an appearance which will inspire the laughter that forms an effective defense against the creature.
Lupin taught the third year Defence Against the Dark Arts class to use this spell (PA7). The laughter it produces in onlookers is what does the boggart in.
Harry used this against a boggart in the Triwizard maze (GF31).
Molly tried and failed to use this spell against the boggart at number twelve, Grimmauld Place (OP9).
Harry did a perfect one during his Defence Against the Dark Arts practical O.W.L. (OP31)
no incantation given
Seals a room with a powerful charm that none but a powerful wizard could break.
Snape used a powerful magic spell to seal his office (GF25)
See COLLOPORTUS.
no incantation used in many cases, but possibly Incarcerous or similar
Sends out magical ropes from a wand which tie up someone firmly.
Dumbledore used magic ropes from his wand to bind Barty Crouch Jr. (GF36)
Quirrell created ropes out of thin air to bind Harry in the Chamber of the Stone. Then he clapped his hands and the ropes fell away (PS17).
Wormtail conjured tight cords to bind Harry to the headstone of Voldemort's father (GF32)
Snape used this spell to tie up Lupin. When he did it, there was a loud bang (PA19).
a similar enchantment is used on the chained chair in the Court of Magical Law. When a prisoner sits in that chair, the chains glow gold and encircle the person's arms, binding them to the chair (GF30, OP8)
See CONJURED ITEMS
no incantation used
Propels a rowboat along without oars.
Hagrid used his umbrella to cast this spell and "speed things up a bit" when he and Harry were coming back from the Hut-on-the-Rock (PS5).
Possibly it is this spell which propels the fleet of small boats from the dock near Hogsmeade station to Hogwarts castle (PS6).
See BOATS.
See SPECIALIS REVELIO.
from the Latin word 'excoriata' which means 'to be stripped of'. (thanks to Ruth Eyres)
Cleans things.
Tonks used this spell to clean out Hedwig's cage in Harry's bedroom (OP3).
James Potter used this spell to "wash out" Snape's mouth when the latter called Lily a Mudblood just after their Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. (OP28).
Possibly the same thing as the Scouring Charm.
"Scourgify" (?) or possibly "Tergeo" (?)
Cleans things.
Hermione taught Neville a Scouring Charm to clean frog guts out from under his fingernails (GF14).
A Scouring Charm is required to eradicate an infestation of bundimuns (FB)
There is no specific reference that Scourgify and the Scouring Charm are the same thing, but it seems very likely.
No incantation used
Seals a roll of parchment with a touch of the wand.
Used by Umbridge to seal the pink parchment note she sent to McGonagall by way of Harry; McGonagall slit it open with her wand when she received it (OP12).
Sectumsempra (sek-tum-SEM-pra)
"sectus" L. past participle of "seco", to cut "sempra" L. always
Cuts the target.
A spell invented by the Half-Blood Prince "for enemies" (HBP21)
Harry cast this on Draco. Snape said afterward that there might be a certain amount of scarring, but that immediate treatment with dittany might prevent that (HBP24)
Apparently the nonverbal spell used by Snape on James Potter that resulted in a gash across James' face during their confrontation just after their Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L, as seen by Harry in the Pensieve (OP28), judging from Snape's remarks during his departure from Hogwarts (HBP28).
Harry used this on Inferi in the cave, but it didn't do much good (HBP26)
Harry tried and failed to cast this on Snape during Snape's departure from Hogwarts (HBP28).
Serpensortia (ser-pen-SOR-sha)
"serpens" L. serpent + "ortus" L. past participle of "ortir", to come into existence
(or second segment could be derived from "sortir" Old Fr. to go out)
(thanks to Jake Downs for suggesting we look at "ortir")
Causes a large serpent to burst from the end of the caster's wand.
Draco cast this spell on Harry at the Duelling Club on Snape's suggestion; the serpent moved to attack Justin Finch-Fletchley (CS10).
See CONJURING SPELLS.
Severing Charm
"Diffindo" (?)
Spell to cut something.
Ron used this spell to remove the lace from the neck and sleeves of his used dress robes (GF23).
See PROTEGO.
Shock Spell
No incantation mentioned
Spell used at St. Mungo's to treat mental illnesses.
One reader of The Quibbler wrote Harry after his interview was published and suggested that he needed a course of Shock Spells at St. Mungo's, since he was obviously a nutter (OP26)
This is clearly a reference to shock therapy, a technique used in the treatment of mental illness in the Muggle world. Some see it as a bit barbaric, but it does produce results in some cases.
See SILENCIO.
Silencio (si-LEN-see-oh)
"Silencing Charm"
"silencio" L. to be quiet
Magically silences the target of the spell.
The song of the Fwooper will drive the listener insane and must therefore be sold with a Silencing Charm on it. This charm must be recast on the Fwooper every month (FB).
Fifth-years work on this spell in Charms using bullfrogs and ravens (OP18).
Hermione cast this spell on a Death Eater during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, which caused the spell he used to attack her to be a lot less damaging. He still knocked her out, though, and did "enough damage to be going on with," according to Pomfrey (OP35, OP38).
incantation unknown
Puts the target person into a deep sleep; subject is in a state almost like suspended animation and does not breathe for the duration of the spell.
Dumbledore placed Cho, Ron, Hermione, and Gabrielle Delacour into this kind of sleep while they were "held hostage" by the merpeople in the lake (GF27).
Fleur tried to put her dragon into some sort of enchanted sleep during the first task (GF20)
slug-vomiting charm
no incantation given (no, it's not "eat slugs")
Causes the victim to belch up slugs.
Ron tried to hit Malfoy with this curse after Malfoy had called Hermione a Mudblood. Unfortunately, Ron's wand had been damaged earlier, so the spell backfired (CS7)
Interestingly, Ron had only a short time before, at breakfast, snapped "Eat slugs, Malfoy!" This is not the incantation, however, although CS/f clearly and incorrectly indicates that it is.
The name for this spell is mentioned in (OP19).
no incantation given
A delayed-action jinx which writes the word "sneak" across someone's face in pimples if they break an agreement they sign. This jinx may be an invention of Hermione Granger.
Hermione jinxed a piece of parchment with this spell. Each member of the D.A. signed the parchment when the group started meeting and in so doing put themsleves under its effect. When Marietta Edgecombe told Umbridge about the DA, the word "sneak" broke out on her face instantly. Umbridge tried to remove it but couldn't, which indicates just how talented Hermione is at casting spells (OP16)
This jinx was still in effect on Marietta the following September (HBP7)
Sonorus (so-NO-rus)
reverse: Quietus
"sonorus" L. loud
Makes the caster's voice carry over long distances.
Ludo Bagman used these spells to make his voice heard throughout the Quidditch World Cup stadium and over the stands of people watching the Triwizard Tournament (GF8, GF31)
Specialis Revelio (spe-see-AH-lis reh-VEL-ee-oh)
Scarpin's Revelaspell
Used to identify the ingredients of the target potion or the enchantments on a target object.
Used by Hermione on the Half-Blood Prince's copy of Advanced Potion-Making (HBP9)
Used by Ernie Macmillan (HBP18)
Sponge-Knees Curse
no incantation given
Presumably turns the target's knees spongy, making it difficult for him or her to walk.
During the September 1999 riot that took place during the Puddlemere/ Holyhead game, a group of Puddlemere supporters were using this curse "in retaliation" to the Jelly-Brain Jinx, according to one Puddlemere supporter (DP).
See JELLY-LEGS JINX.
Stealth Sensoring Spells
no incantation given
Spells to detect anyone sneaking past them. Can be placed on physical objects such as doors.
After two Nifflers had been placed in her office, Umbridge placed Stealth Sensoring Spells on her door, which detected Harry and Hermione as they broke in to use the fire (OP32)
Stretching Jinx
no incantation given
Presumably causes the target object or creature to stretch (extend in length).
Mrs. Weasley said before their sixth year that Harry and Ron had grown so much that they looked as though they'd had this jinx put on them (HBP5).
Stinging Hex
no incantation given
A fairly low-powered hex that causes a stinging pain in the victim.
When under assault by Snape's Legilimency, Harry found it almost impossible to resist the intrusion until Snape happened upon the memory of Harry's kiss with Cho Chang. The resistence he felt to Snape viewing this memory translated into a Stinging Hex that broke Snape's spell. Harry had not consciously decided to perform that spell, so it seems unlikely that that he actually spoke any words. It would seem instead that this hex was purely an extension of his intention to fight Snape off (OP24).
Stunner
See STUPEFY.
Stupefy (STOO-puh-fye)
"Stunner" "Stunning Spell" "Stupefying Charm"
reverse: "Rennervate"
"stupefacio" L. to make senseless, from "stupeo" L. stunned
Renders the target of the spell unconscious; this spell hurls a bolt of red light.
Used by Ministry wizards to try to stop whomever cast the Dark Mark during the Quidditch World Cup riot (GF9)
Used by dragon keepers (a lot of them at once) to manage dragons (GF19).
Flavius Belby tried to use a Stupefying Charm against a Lethifold, but only succeeded in blasting a hole through his bedroom door (FB)
Harry tried to cast this on Snape during Snape's departure from Hogwarts, but missed (HBP28).
Substantive Charm
no incantation given
Effect unknown.
Seamus Finnigan, the day before Harry's year's first O.W.L., was reciting the definition of this charm aloud (OP31)
See ACCIO.
various, depending on the Transfiguration intended
A category of Transfiguration spells that swap one thing for another.
Hermione knew quite a bit about Switching Spells already in her first year, and gained some house points for it from McGonagall (PS9)
Neville wasn't particularly adept at these, managing to switch his own ears onto a cactus during Transfiguration class (GF15).
Hermione, discussing ways to combat dragons:
"Well, there are Switching Spells...but what's the point of Switching it? Unless you swapped its fangs for wine-gums or something that would make it less dangerous..." (GF20)
The definition of Switching Spells was on the theory portion of the Transfiguration O.W.L. that Harry took in June 1996 [Y16] (OP31)
talon-clipping charm
no incantation given
A charm used for dragon care.
Harry found this spell in a book in the Hogwarts library when researching ways to overcome the Hungarian Horntail in the first task (GF20).
Tarantallegra (TAIR-an-tuh-LEG-ruh)
"tarantella" It. dance associated with the tarantula, from Taranto, a city in Italy + "allegro" It. fast
Forces the victim's legs to do a crazy dance.
Dolohov used this spell on Neville during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries (OP35).
Tergeo (tair-GAY-oh)
"tergeo" L. to wipe off, to wipe dry; to scour, to clean
Cleans up the target object or person.
Hermione used this spell to siphon blood off Harry's face, which had been left there after his nose had been broken by Draco Malfoy (HBP8)
no incantation given
An unspecified bit of nastiness which can be cast on someone who steals something.
People who stand too long reading Quidditch Through the Ages in a shop without buying it might find themselves the object of this curse (QA).
See RICTUSEMPRA.
time travel
no incantation used; by magical device only
An extremely dangerous magical effect, allows a person to travel back in time. Because of the potential for catastrophe should history be altered, time travel is all but forbidden in wizarding society. Certain magical devices can be used for time travel, but access to them is strictly controlled.
Hermione once used a Time-Turner to repeat hours of the day and take more classes than would otherwise have been possible (PA21).
The Pensieve and Tom Riddle's diary allowed a form of time travel, although the person or persons traveling were not actually part of the time they entered. Instead, they became observers, unseen and unheard. This form of time travel is tied to stored memories and the traveller views the past from a vantage point near the person whose memories are used. This form of time travel might be better termed "memory travel."
Time is studied in one of the rooms of the Department of Mysteries; a Death Eater whose head fell into a huge bell jar in that room was changed from the neck up into a baby (OP35).
toenail-growing hex
no incantation given
Causes the target's toenails to grow alarmingly fast.
One of the Half-Blood Prince's self-invented spells (HBP12).
Ron recommended that Harry use it on McLaggen after the latter's antics cost them a match (HBP19)
Transmogrifian Torture
"trans" L. across + ?
"transmogrify" Eng. verb c.1656, from L. to change or alter greatly and often with grotesque or humorous effect
c.f. Calvin and Hobbes: his "duplicating machine" is called a Transmogrifier ("Calvin and Hobbes" is a very popular comic strip in the U.S.)
perhaps also related to:
"moggy" Br. slang: cat
Supposedly something which results in a cat being killed.
Lockhart pronounced with certainty that Mrs. Norris was dead, killed by the Transmogrifian Torture. Immediately thereafter, Dumbledore informed everyone that she wasn't in fact dead, rather she was Petrified, and Lockhart pointed out that he knew this all along. Knowing Lockhart, it is distinctly possible that there is no such thing as the Transmogrifian Torture (c.f. PESKIPIKSI PESTERNOMI) (CS9)
no incantation given
Trips the target.
Draco Malfoy used a Trip Jinx to catch Harry in the seventh floor corridor, running away from the Room of Requirement (OP27)
no incantation given
Causes the ears of the victim to wiggle and twitch uncontrollably.
Harry was hit with this hex as they practiced Hex-Deflection in Defence Against the Dark Arts (GF28)
incantation not given
Makes an object unbreakable.
Hermione cast an Unbreakable Charm on the jar in which she imprisoned Rita Skeeter in beetle form (GF37).
incantation not given
The spell apparently cannot be performed using wandless magic (judging from Snape's remarks to Bellatrix rather than from the Weasley twins' underage efforts) and requires that the Bonder's wand be touching the joined hands of the person administering the vow and the person taking the vow. As each clause of the oath being sworn is agreed to, a thin tongue of brilliant red flame shoots from the caster's wand and winds itself around the joined hands of the participants, remaining in place as other clauses of the oath are sworn to.
Snape swore an Unbreakable Vow to Narcissa Malfoy with Bellatrix Lestrange as Bonder (HBP2).
The Weasley twins tried to get Ron to make one when he was about five, but Arthur caught them at it (HBP16).
Three curses in particular are known as Unforgivable because using them on another human being can result in a life term in Azkaban. These three curses were used extensively by Voldemort's followers during his rise to power in the 1970s, and their use by Aurors against suspects was in turn authorized by Bartemius Crouch senior at that time. One, the Killing Curse, was used by Voldemort himself on Harry Potter, but the curse backfired and Voldemort was defeated.
The three curses are:
Cruciatus Curse (see CRUCIO)
Imperius Curse (see IMPERIO)
Killing Curse (see AVADA KEDAVRA)
During the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Harry tried to use the Cruciatus Curse on Bellatrix Lestrange, but it didn't have much effect. She taunted him:
"Never used an Unforgivable Curse before, have you, boy? You need to mean them, Potter! You need to really cause pain--to enjoy it-- righteous anger won't hurt me for long..." (OP36)
incantation not given
A magical effect on a place; makes it impossible to plot its location on a map.
Hermione suggested that this may have been done to make Durmstrang and Beauxbatons harder to locate by other witches and wizards (GF11).
Hogwarts also has wards and spells on it to hide its true nature from Muggles, but it is apparently not Unplottable.
-
The Room of Requirement is Unplottable, so that it doesn't appear on the Marauder's Map. (HBP21)
number twelve Grimmauld Place is Unplottable (OP6)
Vanishing Spell
See EVANESCO, VANISHING MAGIC.
Waddiwasi (wah-di-WAH-see)
"vadd" Sw. a soft mass + "vas y" Fr. go there
It makes sense because Lupin didn't just make a wad of gum leave that keyhole, but directed it into Peeves' nose. (contributed by Alina)
Shoots a wad of gum out of a keyhole.
Lupin considers this to be a useful little spell. He used it to remove a wad of gum from a keyhole that Peeves was putting there. The gum then shot up Peeves' nose (PA7).
The "useful spell" that Lupin was showing them was undoubtedly the "wasi" part, in this case with a target word attached, "wad." Again we see how important intention is to magic, since the wad was directed into Peeves' nose by intent with the "go there" part of the spell. In another situation, the spell might be "stolawasi" to send a robe into a student's trunk, but it would only work if the student focused his mind on where he wanted the robe to go.
wand effects
no words used
Causes loud booming noises, sparks, or flashes of light, designed to get people's attention.
Purple firecrackers to get everyone's attention (PS10)
McGonagall created a loud bang to get people's attention in the hallway (CS10)
Ollivander cast a stream of silver smoke rings and a fountain of wine during the Weighing of the Wands (GF18)
See also: BUBBLES, WAND SPARKS, WAND WRITING.
no incantation given
Emits red or green sparks from the wand, used as a signal.
Harry, Draco, Neville fired red sparks into the air to call for help in the Forbidden Forest (PS15).
Harry and Ron shot sparks to hold off an advancing skrewt (GF21).
For the third task, each champion was instructed beforehand to send up red sparks if he or she got into difficulty and wished to be rescued (GF31).
When Harry's temper was getting the better of him, his wand inadvertently gave off a few red and gold sparks (OP2).
The signal that it was clear for the Advance Guard to leave Privet Drive with Harry was a shower of red sparks, then green sparks, far off in the night sky (OP3).
wand writing
no incantation given
Emits an animated ribbon from the tip of the wand that spells words or forms numbers
Dumbledore used ribbon from his wand to form letters in air (PS7).
Tom Marvolo Riddle wrote his name in the air, then rearranged the letters (CS17)
The judges of the Triwizard Tournament showed scores with ribbons coming from their wands (GF20)
Wingardium Leviosa (win-GAR-dee-um lev-ee-OH-sa)
"Levitation Charm" (OP31)
"wing" + "arduus" L. high, steep + "levo" L. to raise up, levitate
Causes an object to levitate.
Very simple spell taught to first year Charms students (PS10).
In an excellent example of how intention affects magic, Ron used this spell to make a mountain troll's club levitate, then crash back onto its own head, even though the "wing" portion of the spell seems specific to feathers (PS10).
wizard space
Causes objects to hold more than their outer dimensions would seem to allow.
While not mentioned by name, this magical effect is seen in a number of places in the wizarding world. It would seem that "wizard space" is fairly common, since Molly Weasley didn't seem a bit surprised when their Ford Anglia could hold a lot more people and cargo than it should (CS5).
(On the other hand, Molly Weasley knew that the car "borrowed" by Mundungus for a Christmas Day visit to Arthur Weasley in hospital had been "enlarged with a spell", rather than having been built like that (OP23).)
Cauldrons apparently can hold a lot of stuff. Harry dumped an entire collection of Lockhart's books into Ginny's cauldron, for example. And apparently it didn't get too heavy for an eleven-year-old to carry as a result (CS4).
Harry's invisibility cloak also seems to have this quality, since it can expand to cover several children and a crated dragon, but still can be easily used by a single person (PS14, etc). However, it has limits. When the D.A. was first formed, Hermione pointed out that the invisibility cloak couldn't cover all the members at the same time (OP17).
The magical tents Mr. Weasley borrowed for use at the Quidditch World Cup were considerably more spacious inside than they looked from the outside (GF7).
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