Spells in Harry Potter

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In the magical world of the Harry Potter series of fictional novels by J. K. Rowling, many (often incredible) things are accomplished through the use of magical spells by the characters. A more general discussion of spells, and similar magic, in the world of J. K. Rowling, can be found in the article Magic (Harry Potter).

This article is about spells that are specifically mentioned and/or demonstrated in the novels, or other writings of J. K. Rowling, as opposed to non-canonical spells which appear only in the movies or games.

Below is an alphabetical listing of many of the known canonical spells in the Harry Potter novels. It is probably incomplete.

[edit] A note on "silent" spells

Most spells are listed by their incantation, with their vernacular name in parentheses, when known. Some spells, however, have no known incantation — the only canonical reference is by an informal name. It is possible that some of these spells simply have no incantation.

[edit] The language of magic in the world of Harry Potter

The entries below include speculation on the possible etymologies of spell incantations. Such speculation should be kept in mind by readers: most of the spells resemble Latin words of appropriate meaning, but are not exactly Latin themselves, making exact elucidation difficult.

Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

[edit] A

[edit] Accio (The Summoning Charm)

Pronunciation: Various suggestions have been made:

['ɑksio] - (audiobook/computer game)

['ɑkkio] - classical Latin (movie)

['æsio]

Description: This charm summons an object to the caster, potentially over a significant distance. It can be used in two ways: by casting the charm, and naming the object desired ("Accio Firebolt"), or by pointing the wand at the desired object during or immediately following the incantation to "pull" it towards you. In either case, the caster must concentrate upon the object they wish to summon in order for the charm to succeed.

Seen/Mentioned: Many places. Mentioned when Molly Weasley summoned all the trick sweets from the Weasley twins. Seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, when Harry Potter used the charm to summon his broom to him during the first task of the Triwizard Tournament, and at the end of the movie when he summoned the Triwizard Cup. Bellatrix Lestrange attempts to use it to take the prophecy from Harry, but fails due to Harry's Shield Charm. Also attempted (unsuccessfully) in "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" by Harry to retrieve a horcrux. It was used by Fred and George to summon their brooms to escape from Hogwarts in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."

Etymology: The Latin accio means "I call" or "I summon".

[edit] Aguamenti (Aguamenti Charm)

Pronunciation: ah-gwa-MEN-tee (IPA: /a.g^wə.'mɛn.ti/)

Description: It produces a jet of water from the witch or wizard's wand.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Fleur Delacour in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to put out her skirt (which has caught fire during her challenge against a dragon). Harry uses it twice in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, once in an attempt to give Dumbledore a drink to lessen the effects of Voldemort's potion, and once to douse Hagrid's hut after it was set on fire by a Death Eater. He also uses it to fill Slughorn's drink in Hagrid's cabin.

Etymology: Possibly an extension of Portuguese/Spanish words agua ("water") and mente ("mind").

Notes: A spell like this is seen in the Goblet of Fire video game, used for extinguishing salamanders and small fires, under the name of Aqua Eructo.

[edit] Alohomora

Pronunciation: Uh-LOW-huh-MORE-uh [ˌælohɒ'mɒɹa]

Description: Used to open and unlock doors.

Seen/Mentioned: Used throughout the series, its first use was by Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on the third floor corridor door in Hogwarts (behind which was Fluffy).

Etymology: Probably an abbreviated form of the dog Latin sentence "alo hoc mora" intended to mean "I raise this barrier", or possibly from the Hawaiian aloha, meaning "hello" or, as in this case, "farewell", coupled with the Latin mora, meaning "obstacle".

Notes: The spell can also be used to unseal doors upon which the Colloportus spell has been used.

[edit] Anapneo

Pronunciation: ahn-AHP-nee-oh (IPA: /ə.'næp.ni.əʊ/

Description: Clears the target's airway, if blocked.

Seen/Mentioned: Professor Slughorn cast this on Marcus Belby when the latter began to choke after swallowing too fast while attempting to respond to a question in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Etymology: From the Greek verb anapneo (αναπνεω), "I breathe in". Compare apnea.

Notes: Anapneo and Episkey, which are first used in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, are the only spells in the series obviously derived from Greek. It is not out of the question that they are J. K. Rowling's acknowledgment to the unknown author of a fake Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix novel, who made extensive use of spells whose etymology is non-Latin, including Greek and even Japanese.

[edit] (Anti-Cheating spell)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Cast on a quill to prevent the writer from cheating while writing answers.

Seen/Mentioned: Near exam times at Hogwarts (see Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix).

[edit] (Anti-Disapparition Jinx)

Pronunciation: apparatus

Description: Used to prevent Disapparition in an area for a time. Presumably can be used to prevent an enemy from entering a defended area, or used to trap an enemy in an area.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix during the Death Eater attack on the Department of Mysteries. Also cast a long time ago on the Hogwarts grounds, presumably by the Hogwarts Head of the time.

[edit] (Antonin Dolohov's Curse)

Pronunciation: Unknown, see below

Description: The curse appears to cause serious internal injury, but it does not show any external symptoms. It is cast with a slashing motion, and it sends out zigzagging purple flames.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Antonin Dolohov twice during the battle between the Death Eaters and members of Dumbledore's Army during the battle at the Ministry of Magic (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix).

Notes: Shortly after Hermione used the silencing charm on Dolohov, he cast this spell at her just by mouthing the words. The spell grazed her chest, massively injuring but not killing her. It is implied in the text that the spell's effect may have been weakened by Dolohov's inability to say the incantation. However, Dolohov later regained the use of his voice and used the spell non-verbally again, so it is possible the spell is designed to be non-verbal.

[edit] Aparecium

Pronunciation: a-pa-REE-see-um (IPA: /æ.pə'ɹi.si.ʌm/)

Description: This spell makes invisible ink and perhaps invisible items in general appear.

Seen/Mentioned: First used in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when Hermione Granger tries to make any hidden writing appear in Tom Marvolo Riddle's diary.

Etymology: The Latin apparére means "to appear". It is unclear where the end of the word (-ecium) comes from. The word "paramecium" is a New Latin word for a genus of protozoa; the segment -mecium here appears to be derived from the Greek mekes (μεκης), "length". In addition, -ium and -cium are not uncommon as Latin noun endings. It is probable that Rowling simply intended a meaningless mock-Latin ending.

Notes: See also Specialis Revelio.

[edit] Avada Kedavra (The Killing Curse)

See The Unforgivable Curses in the world of Harry Potter for more detailed information.

Pronunciation: a-VAH-da ke-DAH-vra (IPA: /ə.'væ.də kə.'dæ.vɹə/) or A-va-da keh-DAV-ra (IPA: /'æ.və.də kə.'dæ.vɹə/)

Description: One of the three "Unforgivable Curses". Causes instant, painless death, and leaves no physical signs of cause of death. It cannot be blocked by magical means. This spell produces a jet or flash of green light; just before it hits the target, a rushing sound (similar to an oncoming high-speed object) is heard.

Seen/Mentioned: Many places; is the curse that Voldemort used to kill Harry's parents. Seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when Barty Crouch Jr (impersonating Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody) used it on a spider-like creature as a "class demonstration"; used by Severus Snape to kill Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Also seen when Peter Pettigrew kills Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Etymology: The Aramaic avada means "I destroy/kill" whereas kedavra means "as I speak". Ergo Avada Kedavra: "I destroy as I speak". (The Aramaic "abara kedavra" means "I will create as I speak", compare non-Harry Potter Abracadabra).^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Avis

Pronunciation: AH-vis /a'vɪs/

Description: The charm creates a flock of birds which pour forth from the caster's wand.

Seen/Mentioned: Used in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by Mr Ollivander to test Viktor Krum's wand.

Etymology: The Latin avis means "bird".

Notes: A similar spell is seen in the Goblet of Fire video game under the name of Avifors.

[edit] B

[edit] (Backfiring Jinx)

Pronunciation:Protegus Reverso

Description: Causes an object or spell to backfire into the opponent.

[edit] (The Banishing Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: The opposite of the Summoning Charm. It causes the targeted object to be thrown away from the caster, but it requires good aim.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by students in a charms lesson in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Possibly used by Professor Snape to banish Harry's wand in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Notes: The students in the Charms lesson used it as they talked with each other; it is possible the spell is non-verbal.

Notes (2): See Waddiwasi.

Notes (3): Supposedly non-verbal. When used in charms they just use a swish motion on their pillows.

[edit] (Bat-Bogey Hex)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Causes "bogies" (British slang for dried nasal mucus, also known as "boogers" in the US) to turn into bats and attack the victim.

Seen/Mentioned: Particularly in reference to Ginny Weasley, who uses it on Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and on Zacharias Smith in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Ginny is considered to be an accomplished caster of this particular hex.

Notes: This may also be the "Curse of the Bogies" mentioned by Ron in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as a potential punishment should either Hermione Granger or Neville Longbottom get him and Harry in trouble. However, "bogy" also means a monster or a spectre, so it might simply be referring to that.

[edit] (Bubble-Head Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Puts a large bubble of air around the head of the user. Used as a magical equivalent of a breathing set.

Seen/Mentioned: Cedric Diggory and Fleur Delacour used this underwater in the second task of the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It was also used by many Hogwarts students when walking through the hallways in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, because of the bad smells caused by the various pranks played on Dolores Umbridge.

[edit] C

[edit] (Cheering Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Causes the person whom the spell was cast upon to become happy and contented, though heavy-handedness with the spell may cause the person to break into an uncontrollable laughing fit.

Seen/Mentioned: First seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Notes: Invented by Felix Summerbee.

[edit] Colloportus

Pronunciation: coll-oh-PORT-us /ka, lopoɹ'təs/

Description: This spell will magically lock a door, preventing it from being opened.

Seen/Mentioned: First in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by Hermione in the Department of Mysteries against some Death Eaters.

Etymology: Perhaps a portmanteau of the Latin words colligere ("gather" or "collect") and porta ("door" or "gate"). The Greek root kolla also means "glue", and becomes collo- in many English words. Colle also means "glue" in French. Notably, the spell causes a door to seal itself "with an odd squelching noise".

Notes: The Death Eaters opened the door with Alohomora.

[edit] (Colour-Change Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Changes an object's colour.

Notes: Used in Harry's Ordinary Wizarding Levels in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

[edit] (Concealment Charm)

Pronunciation:concardium

Description: Used to conceal something.

[edit] (Confundus Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: The Confundus Charm is a confusion spell.

Seen/Mentioned: First mentioned in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, when Professor Snape suggests that Harry and Hermione have been Confunded so that they will believe Sirius Black's claim to innocence. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, it is suggested that the Confundus is the charm responsible for the Goblet choosing a fourth Triwizard contestant. It is first seen in action when Hermione Granger uses it on Cormac McLaggen during Quidditch tryouts in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The spell causes McLaggen to fail to stop the fifth and final goal, causing Ron Weasley, who did block all five goals, to get the Keeper spot on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Etymology: Regardless of the actual incantation, the word "Confundus" appears to be derived from the Latin confundere, "confuse;perplex".

[edit] (Conjunctivitus Curse)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: A curse that affects the victim's eyesight and vision.

Seen/Mentioned: Suggested by Sirius Black in the letter he sent Harry and used by Viktor Krum for the first task of the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Also used by Madame Maxime in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on giants.

Notes: Presumably, the common name derived from the disease of that name, more commonly known as "pink eye" or "caterpillar eye" due to its scabby inflammation.

[edit] Crucio (The Cruciatus Curse)

See The Unforgivable Curses in the world of Harry Potter for more detailed information.

Pronunciation: ['kɹusio] (or with the middle 'c' pronounced as in classical Latin ['kɹukio])

Description: Inflicts great pain on the recipient of the curse. One of the three "Unforgivable Curses".

Seen/Mentioned: First seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when Barty Crouch Jr., who was impersonating ex-Auror Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, used it on a spider-like creature as a "class demonstration" in a Defence Against the Dark Arts lecture. Later in the book it is discovered that Barty Crouch Jr, Bellatrix Lestrange, Rodolphus Lestrange, and Rabastan Lestrange were sent to the wizard prison, Azkaban, for using the curse to torture Frank and Alice Longbottom, parents of Neville Longbottom, into insanity.

Etymology: Latin crucio, "I torture" (perfect passive participle cruciatus).

[edit] (Cushioning Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Creates an invisible cushioned area. Used primarily in broomstick manufacturing.

[edit] D

[edit] (Daydream Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Gives the spell caster a highly-realistic 30 minute daydream. Invented and used by Fred and George Weasley.

[edit] Deletrius

Pronunciation: de-LEET-ree-us (IPA: /də.'li.tɹi.əs/)

Description: An erasure spell. It erases images and magical "after-effects".

Seen/Mentioned: First seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when Amos Diggory gets rid of the echo of the Dark Mark from Harry's wand.

Etymology: The Latin delére means "to erase".

[edit] Densaugeo

Pronunciation: denz-OW-gay-oh /dɛnzau'geo/ or den-SAW-jee-oh

Description: This charm makes the victim's teeth grow rapidly.

Seen/Mentioned: Introduced in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when Draco Malfoy's spell rebounds on Hermione outside of the Potions classroom.

Etymology: From Latin dens, "tooth", and augeo, "I increase" or "I enlarge".

[edit] Diffindo (The Severing Charm)

Pronunciation: dif-FIN-doh (IPA: /dɪ.'fɪn.dəʊ/)

Description: Tears the target, or a specific area on the target.

Seen/Mentioned: In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when Harry urgently wants to talk to Cedric Diggory he casts this spell to rip his bag, delaying him for class. Harry also uses it in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in an attempt to save Ron from the brains in the Department of Mysteries, and in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince when he wants to switch the cover of the Half-Blood Prince's copy of Advanced Potion-Making for a new one, in order to keep the Half-Blood Prince's version. Ron also uses this spell to trim the lace off his dress robes in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Etymology: Latin diffindere, "to divide" or "to split".

Notes: In the Chamber of Secrets video game, it is mentioned that Diffindo cuts (or severs) things that are organic (carbon-based) in origin. However, it must be noted that the video games should not be taken as canon.

[edit] Dissendium

Pronunciation: dis-SEND-ee-um (IPA: /dɪ.'sɛn.di.əm/)

Description: Causes the statue of the humpbacked witch hiding the secret passage to Honeydukes to open up.

Seen/Mentioned: First seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Etymology: The English word "dissident" meaning to be against the laws. The name also suggests "descent", as the passage goes downword.

Notes: This is probably not a spell in the strict sense, but a magical password like "Mimbulus Mimbletonia" (once a password for the Fat Lady) and "Acid Pops" (one of the passwords for Dumbledore's office gargoyle in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince).

[edit] (Disillusionment Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Causes the target to become able to change colour to match their background, effectively hiding them without making them invisible.

Seen/Mentioned: Alastor Moody uses the charm on Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Also mentioned in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in the Ministry of Magic leaflet provided to all Magical people as a precaution against Voldemort's reign of terror.

[edit] (Drought Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Dries up a limited amount of water.

[edit] (Dumbledore's Charm)

Pronounciation: Unknown

Description: Likely an extremely powerful charm, seeing as the force of it ruffled Harry's hair as it passed and also, Voldemort was forced to protect himself.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Dumbledore in his duel with Voldemort in Harry Potter and The Order of Phoenix

Notes: Caused Voldemort to have to conjure a shield to protect himself. Directly after its use Voldemort comments on how Dumbledore is not trying to kill him. When asked about it J.K Rowling was not inclined to comment presumably due to events of the upcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

[edit] E

[edit] Engorgio (The Engorgement Charm)

Pronunciation: en-GOR-jee-oh (IPA: /ɪn.'gɔɹ.dʒi.əʊ/)

Description: Makes things grow larger.

Seen/Mentioned: Seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when the impostor Professor Moody casts it on a spider to enhance a demonstration of the effects of the Cruciatus Curse. Hagrid is also suspected of performing the charm on his pumpkins once, and it is even speculated to be the cause of Hagrid's abnormal size by Ron Weasley before it is revealed he is half-giant.

Etymology: The English word engorged means "distended" or "swollen".

[edit] (Enlarging Spell)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Expands the interior of objects, while maintaining their exterior size.

Seen/Mentioned: Mentioned in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix when Harry, Hermione, the Weasleys, Alastor Moody and Remus Lupin visit the injured Arthur Weasley the second time. It seems that the automobile Mundungus Fletcher stole for their means of transportation was put under an Enlarging Spell to make eleven people fit inside it quite comfortably. It is apparently also the spell cast on the Weasleys' old Ford Anglia, and on the Weasleys' tent for the Quidditch World Cup.

[edit] Enervate

Pronunciation: EN-er-VAH-tay /ɛ,nɚva'te/

Description: An "awakening" spell. Also brings someone out of unconsciousness.

Seen/Mentioned: In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Amos Diggory uses it to wake up Winky, while later Professor Dumbledore uses it to wake up Viktor Krum. Dumbledore also used this spell to wake Barty Crouch Jr to prepare him for questioning. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry uses it in an attempt to wake Professor Dumbledore, and Tonks uses it to wake up Harry on the Hogwarts Express.

Etymology: Perhaps from English en- (in the sense of "in") and either English nerve or Latin nervus, both in the sense of "force" or "power". There are no English or Latin words with both similar spelling and similar meaning, although the spelling is nearly identical to enervate, which means weaken or unnerve. It could also be a reference to the English word, energise. Perhaps a combination of the words energise and rejuvinate. There might also be a link made with the French word enerver which means to wake up something from an apparent lethargy, to an excited and hyperactive state.

Notes: Can be used to counter the effects of the Stupefy spell. Also sometimes referred to in the book as "Rennervate".

[edit] (Entrail-Expelling Curse)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Presumably involves expelling entrails. Invented by Urquhart Rackharrow, 1612 – 1697.

[edit] Episkey (Healing Spell)

Pronunciation: eh-PIS-key /ɛpɪ'ski/

Description: Used to heal relatively minor injuries.

Seen/Mentioned: Used in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire after the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Nymphadora Tonks uses this spell to fix Harry's broken nose; also used by Harry in the same book to fix Demelza Robins' mouth.

Etymology: The word comes from the Greek "episkeui" ("επισκευή"), which means "repair".

Notes: J. K. Rowling writes in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince that Harry's knowledge tells him this spell could belong to a family (or variety) of Healing Spells, in the same way a species of plants belongs to a larger genus.

[edit] Evanesco (The Vanishing Spell)

Pronunciation: eh-ven-ES-ko (IPA: /ɛ.vn̩.'ɛs.kəʊ/) or ee-vah-NESS-koh (IPA: /i.və.'nɛs.kəʊ/}

Description: Makes something vanish.

Seen/Mentioned: Used in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix when Professor Snape makes Harry's potions disappear from his cauldron. Also when Fred and George are showing off their puking pastilles, Lee Jordan cleared the bucket of vomit with the Evanesco spell. Bill used it to clear the table during Harry's first night at Grimmauld Place.

Notes: In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Bill Weasley uses the spell to cause some scrolls belonging to the Order of the Phoenix to vanish. Presumably, objects banished this way can be made to reappear, as Bill probably expected to recover the scrolls later.

Notes2: The incantation most likely to be used to get the object back is the incantation: Inanimatus Conjurus. This is suggested in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Eytomology: Comes from "evanescence," something that is fleeting or disappears, and the Latin evanesco, "disappear."

[edit] Expecto Patronum (The Patronus Charm)

Pronunciation: ex-SPEC-to pa-TRONE-um (IPA: /ɛks.'pɛk.təʊ pə.'trəʊ.nʌm/)

Description: The Patronus Charm is a defensive spell, used to conjure an incarnation of the Witch's or Wizard's innermost positive emotions, to act as a protector.

Seen/Mentioned: First seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, when Remus Lupin made the Dementor on the train disappear, though seen without the incantation noticed. Seen again when Lupin teaches Harry Potter to use the charm as a defence against Dementors. Later seen at the beginning of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix when Harry uses it while being attacked by a Dementor with Dudley. Harry also teaches it to members of the D.A. in Order of the Phoenix. Also according to "Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them" it is the only charm that has any effects on the Lethifold, or Living Shroud

Etymology: See Patronus Charm article.

Notes: In the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban video game, this spell is the only magic that works against the Dementors, and it is one of Harry's two unique spells.

[edit] Expelliarmus (The Disarming Charm)

Pronunciation: ex-PEL-lee-AR-mus (IPA: /ɛks.'pɛ.li.ˌaɹ.mɪs/) (British /ɛkspɛ'lia^rmʊs/)

Description: This spell is used to disarm another wizard, typically by causing the victim's wand to fly out of reach. It also throws the wizard backwards a few feet when enough power is placed behind it. As demonstrated in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, simultaneous use of this spell by multiple witches or wizards on a single person can throw the wizard back more powerfully.

Seen/Mentioned: First seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when Professor Snape disarms Professor Lockhart in the Duelling Club. Also used by Harry in the same book to retrieve Riddle's diary from Malfoy, to free Ron from the giant spider (Acromantula), and in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry, Ron, and Hermione all use it at the same time to produce the bizarre effect of stunning Professor Snape. In the Goblet of Fire movie, it is somehow used by Cedric Diggory to disarm Viktor Krum (who was under the Imperius Curse) during the third event, and by Harry Potter to Lord Voldemort during their duel in the graveyard (initiating the Priori Incantatem effect). Again it is used in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, when Draco Malfoy disarms Professor Dumbledore.

Etymology: Possibly a combined form of the Latin expello, "expel," and arma, "weapons" or "tools", thus creating "expel the weapon". Expellamus means "let us expel".

Notes: When duelling in the Prisoner of Azkaban video game, Expelliarmus can be used as a shield, much like the Protego charm. When used in the Chamber of Secrets video game, it can make a spell backfire.

[edit] F

[edit] (False Memory Charm)

Pronunciation: memorecio

Description: Implants a false memory in the mind of the target.

Seen/Mentioned: Tom Riddle (a.k.a., Lord Voldemort) uses this against Morfin Gaunt and Hepzibah Smith's house-elf in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to make them confess to murders he himself committed.

[edit] (Featherweight Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Makes something lightweight.

Seen/Mentioned: Harry contemplates using this in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to lighten his trunk so that he can carry it by broom to Hogwarts. Before he uses it, however, he accidentally summons the Knight Bus.

[edit] Ferula

Pronunciation: fair-OO-lah /fɛ'rulə/

Description: Creates a bandage and a splint.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Remus Lupin in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to bind Ron's broken leg.

Etymology: Latin ferula, meaning "walking-stick" or "splint".

[edit] (Fidelius Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: This complex charm enables secret information to be hidden within the soul of the recipient, known as a Secret-Keeper. The information is then irretrievable until and unless the Secret-Keeper chooses to reveal it; not even those who have the secret revealed to them can reveal it to others.

Seen/Mentioned: So far, there have been two uses of the Fidelius Charm in the Harry Potter series:

• In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, it is explained that when Harry was an infant, he and his parents, James and Lily Potter, were hidden from Lord Voldemort by this charm. They initially selected Sirius Black to be their Secret-Keeper, but Black recommended that they choose Peter Pettigrew instead. When they did, Pettigrew betrayed them to Voldemort (and framed Sirius for doing so, as well as for Pettigrew's own murder).
• In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix we are told the charm is also used to hide the location of the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. Albus Dumbledore is the Secret-Keeper, and is apparently able to use a letter to reveal the information to Harry.

Etymology: Latin fidelis, which means "faithful" or "loyal".

Notes: J. K. Rowling has stated that when a Secret-Keeper dies the secret they held can never be revealed to anyone else; the people who were told about the secret before the Secret-Keeper's death will still know the secret, but they will still be unable to reveal the secret to other people even after the death of the Secret-Keeper.

Notes (2): The Fidelius Charm seems to have no effect with regard to animals, as Hedwig found Ron and Hermione in the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (unless she was told by Dumbledore somehow).

[edit] Finite Incantatem

Pronunciation: fi-NEE-tay in-can-TAH-tem (IPA: /fɪ.'ni.teɪ ɪn.kn̩.'tæ.dm̩/)

Description: Negates spells or the effects of spells.

Seen/Mentioned: Professor Snape uses it in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to restore order in the Duelling Club when Harry and Draco were duelling. Remus Lupin uses the short form "Finite" in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as well. Also used in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix when Lupin stops Neville's legs from shaking.

Etymology: Latin finire, "to finish". Incantatem is obviously intended to recall "incantation"; the Latin verb form incantatum would mean "someone or something enspelled".

Notes: In the Chamber of Secrets movie, Hermione uses it to stop the "rogue Bludger" sent by Dobby from attacking Harry.

[edit] Flagrate

Pronunciation: flag-RAH-tay /flagra'te/

Description: With this spell, the caster's wand can leave fiery marks.

Seen/Mentioned: Single appearance, by Hermione in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. She used the spell to identify doors of the Department of Mysteries which members of Dumbledore's Army had already opened, by marking an "X" on them. It is also possible that the Tom Riddle that emerged from Riddle's Diary used a non-verbal incantation of this spell to leave his name "Tom Marvolo Riddle" in the air, whilst proving to Harry that he was Lord Voldemort in the Chamber of Secrets.

Etymology: The incantation comes from the Latin noun flagrate, meaning "a burn".

[edit] (Flame-Freezing Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Causes fire to become harmless to those caught in it, creating only a gentle, tickling sensation instead of burns.

Seen/Mentioned: Mentioned in the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as used by witches and wizards during medieval burnings. Apparently, one witch (Wendelin the Weird) was so fond of the tickling sensation she allowed herself to be caught and subsequently burned 47 times.

Notes: This may have been the spell used by Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to seemingly set fire to Tom Riddle's old wardrobe whilst causing no physical damage. Also, it has been suggested by the creator of DumbledoreIsNotDead.com that Dumbledore's apparent cremation/entombment may have actually been a Flame-Freezing Charm.

[edit] (Flying Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Apparently the spell cast on broomsticks to make them fly.

Notes: Draco Malfoy mentioned this spell when tauntingly asking Ron Weasley why would anyone cast a Flying Spell on Ron's broomstick which he deems a "mouldy old log" in the fifth book during Ron's first Quidditch practice. It is also mentioned in Quidditch Through the Ages.

[edit] (Freezing Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Freezes objects.

Seen/Mentioned: Hermione used it in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on the pixies in Defence Against the Dark Arts.

[edit] Furnunculus

Pronunciation: fur-NUNG-cu-lus (IPA: [fɝɹ.'nʌŋ.kju.ˌlɪs])

Description: Makes boils appear on the victim.

Seen/Mentioned: Used in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when Harry and Draco Malfoy get in a fight and Harry hits Gregory Goyle accidentally. Later, on the return journey of the Hogwarts Express, Harry casts this spell on Vincent Crabbe while George Weasley casts the Jelly-Legs Jinx; however, the mixture causes little tentacles to sprout all over Crabbe's face.

Etymology: 'Furuncle' is a medical term for a boil.

[edit] G

[edit] (Growth Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Causes an object to grow larger.

Note: Almost certainly the same spell as Engorgio.

[edit] H

[edit] (Hair-Thickening Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Thickens one's hair.

Seen/Mentioned: In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Severus Snape asserts that Alicia Spinnet might have used it on herself despite the insistence of 14 eye-witnesses that Slytherin keeper Miles Bletchley attacked her from behind in the library. This was in the runup to the first match of the season, that between Gryffindor and Slytherin.

[edit] (Hex Deflection)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Deflects spells. It seems to be similar to a Shield Charm, although deflection does not cause the spell to rebound on the attacker.

Seen/Mentioned: Professor Moody in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is mentioned to have given the class a lesson in it. Although it could be speculated to not be a spell at all, and to merely refer to the subject of stopping hexes in any number of ways.

[edit] (Homorphus Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Causes an Animagus or transfigured object to reassume its normal shape.

Seen/Mentioned: According to Gilderoy Lockhart, he used it to force the Wagga Wagga Werewolf to take its human form (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). However, it is extremely unlikely that this is possible, otherwise such a spell would have been used on Remus Lupin when he transformed into a werewolf. It may also have been used by Sirius Black and Remus Lupin in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, non-verbally, to force Peter Pettigrew to assume his human form. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire this charm was a counter-spell to the Transfiguration Spell.

Etymology: Most likely from Latin homo, "a human", (or Greek homos, "same") and Greek morphê (μορφή), "shape".

[edit] (Horcrux Spell)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: This spell allows a part of a wizard's soul to pass into an object, thereby making the object a Horcrux. One has to commit murder and take advantage of the soul's "splitting apart" by this act of supreme Wrong in order to be able to perform this spell, and it is probably very complex.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Lord Voldemort while creating his Horcruxes. First mentioned in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

[edit] (Hot Air Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Causes wand to emit hot air.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Hermione Granger in The Order of the Phoenix to dry off her robes. Also used shortly after to melt snow.

Notes: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince suggests that the Hot Air Charm can be nonverbal, and only requires a complicated wand movement to be cast successfully.

[edit] (Hurling Hex)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Causes brooms to vibrate violently in the air and try to buck their rider off.

Seen/Mentioned: Professor Quirrell may have been casting a wordless and wandless version of this spell in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on Harry's broom during his Quidditch match. Professor Flitwick suggested that Harry's confiscated Firebolt may be jinxed with this spell.

[edit] I

[edit] (Imperturbable Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown (Note: this could be the title for Impervius; the two charms seem to have the same effect.)

Description: Makes objects such as doors impenetrable (by everything, including sounds and objects).

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Mrs Weasley in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on the door of the room where an Order of the Phoenix meeting was being held, in order to prevent her sons, Fred and George, from eavesdropping. The spell is also used in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by Hermione to trap Rita Skeeter within a bottle while she was in beetle form.

[edit] Impedimenta (The Impediment Jinx)

Pronunciation: im-PED-a-menta [ˌɪmpeɪdɪ'mɛnta]

Description: This hex is capable of tripping, freezing, binding, knocking back and generally impeding the target's progress towards the caster. The extent to which the spell's specific action can be controlled by the caster is unclear.

Seen/Mentioned: Used in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when Harry is practising for the third task. Also seen toward the end of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, when Harry is fighting the Death Eaters. Stronger uses of this spell seem capable of blowing targets away; also used in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in a DA meeting, and in the same book by Madam Hooch to blast Harry off Draco Malfoy when they get into a fist fight after a Quidditch match.

Etymology: Latin impedimentum (plural impedimenta), "a hindrance" or "an impediment".

[edit] Imperio (The Imperius Curse)

See The Unforgivable Curses in the world of Harry Potter for more detailed information.

Pronunciation: im-PEER-ee-oh (IPA: [ɪm.'piɹ.i.ˌəʊ]) (classical Latin: eem-PEHR-ee-oh (IPA: [im.ˈpɛɾ.i.ˌɔ])

Description: One of the three "Unforgivable Curses". Places the subject in a dream-like state, in which he or she is utterly subject to the will of the caster, although those who are strong willed may learn to resist it.

Etymology: Latin impero, I command, and English "imperious"

Seen/Mentioned: Many places. Seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when Barty Crouch Jr, who was impersonating ex-Auror Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, used it on an enlarged spider as a "class demonstration" in a Defence Against the Dark Arts lecture. Madam Rosemerta is under the curse in the sixth book.

[edit] Impervius

Pronunciation: im-PER-vi-ous (IPA: [ɪm.'pɝ.vi.ˌɛs])

Description: This spell makes something repel (literally, become impervious to) substances including water and sound.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Hermione in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on Harry's glasses while in a Quidditch match and also by the Gryffindor Quidditch team in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, both times to allow team members to see in a driving rain, as well as it is used in the same book to keep sound from leaving the room where members of The Order were discussing (as well as to keep out the Weasley twins' extendable ears).

Etymology: It is said that the Latin impervius means (and is the source of) "impervious"; although it is the source of the word, it is better translated as inpassable, as in a mountain peak.

[edit] Incarcerous

Pronunciation: in-CAR-ser-us (IPA: [ɪn.'kaɹ.sɝ.ˌɪs])

Description: Ties someone or something up with ropes.

Seen/Mentioned: First heard in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, when Dolores Umbridge gets in a battle with the centaurs. Also used by Harry on the Inferi in Lord Voldemort's Horcrux chamber when he touched their water. This occured in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Etymology: Probably English incarcerate, "to imprison".

Notes: A non-verbal version of this spell may have been used to tie up Peter Pettigrew in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It may also have been used by Quirrell near the end of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, although he is said to have merely "snapped his fingers". In addition, Dolores Umbridge used this spell on the centaurs in the forest. Also seen (non-canonically) in the Harry Potter Trading Card Game.

[edit] Incendio

Pronunciation: in-SEND-ee-oh (IPA: [ɪn.'sɛn.di.ˌəʊ])

Description: Produces fire (or as it is usually described, blue flames).

Seen/Mentioned: Used in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by Arthur Weasley to create a fire in the Dursleys' hearth so that he could use Floo powder there. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, this spell is used several times in battle.

Etymology: Probably a blend of Latin incendium, "a fire", and incendere, "to set fire to".or Spanish "Incendio" meaning "fire"

Notes: In the Philosopher's Stone video game, this spell is used to temporarily stun dangerous plants.

[edit] (Inflation Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Causes someone to blow up like a balloon and fly away.

Seen/Mentioned: In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry inadvertently uses this charm to make his aunt Marge blow up and float to the ceiling.

Etymology: English "inflate", to blow up (as a balloon).

[edit] (Intruder Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Detects intruders and sounds an alarm.

Seen/Mentioned: In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Professor Umbridge casts this around her office. Horace Slughorn had it on a temporary Muggle owned house he was living in, allowing him to detect Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter coming in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

[edit] J

[edit] K

[edit] L

[edit] Langlock

Pronunciation: LANG-lock (IPA: ['leɪŋ.lak])

Description: Glues the subject's tongue to the roof of their mouth. Created by the Half-Blood Prince.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Harry on Peeves in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and also on Argus Filch to general applause.

Etymology: Probably from the French langue ("tongue") and the English "lock".

Notes: It has been said by Rowling that Peeves is a Poltergeist, and, since these are corporeal, in her own words: how else could he chew gum or cause mischief? Thus Peeves is corporeal; presumably the spell can only be used on entities with physical speech apparatus (thus, not on ghosts).

[edit] Legilimens (Legilimency Spell)

Pronunciation: Leg-IL-im-ens (IPA: [lɛ.'dʒɪl.ɪ.ˌmɛnz])

Description: Allows the caster to delve into the mind of the victim, allowing the caster to see memories and emotions.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Snape on Harry during Occlumency lessons in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Also used non-verbally by Snape on Harry in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to allow him to see where Harry had learnt the Sectumsempra Curse.

Etymology: Latin mens ("mind") and legere ("to read").

[edit] Levicorpus

Pronunciation: Lev-i-CORE-pus (IPA: [lɛ.vɪ.'kɔɹ.pɪs])

Description: The victim is dangled upside-down by their ankles, sometimes accompanied by a flash of light (this may be a variant of the spell).

Seen/Mentioned: Apparently invented by the Half-Blood Prince; it is a "non-verbal" only spell. Harry Potter learns it by reading notes written by the Half-Blood Prince. The previous year, Harry had seen (through the Pensieve used by Professor Snape) his father, James Potter, use the spell against Professor Snape. It has also been used in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire during the Quidditch World Cup.

Etymology: Latin levare, "raise" + corpus, "body".

[edit] Liberacorpus

Pronunciation: LI-beer-a-CORE-pus

Description: Counteracts Levicorpus.

Seen/Mentioned: Harry uses the spell in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to counteract the Levicorpus spell he inadvertently casts on Ron. It may also have been used earlier in the book by Nymphadora Tonks to free Harry from Draco Malfoy's Petrificus Totalus spell on the Hogwarts Express. Presumably some version was also used by Ministry of Magic employees in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to disenchant the Muggles on whom the reconstituted Death Eaters had used Levicorpus.

Etymology: Latin liberare, "to free", + Latin corpus, "body".

Notes: It is not clear why Levicorpus has a specific counter-spell, and is not neutralized by simply using Finite Incantatem.

[edit] Locomotor

Pronunciation: LOW-co-MOW-tor /loˌkomoˈtr̩/

Description: The spell is always used with the name of a target, at which the wand is pointed (e.g. "Locomotor Trunk!"). The spell causes the named object to rise in the air and move around at the will of the caster.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Nymphadora Tonks in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to move Harry's trunk from his room. Professor Flitwick similarly uses it to move Sybill Trelawney's trunk after Dolores Umbridge fires her. Parvati and Lavender use this spell to race their pencil cases around the edges of the table.

Etymology: Latin locus (place) and moto, "set in motion" (passive motor).

[edit] Locomotor Mortis (The Leg-Locker Curse)

Pronunciation: LOW-co-MOW-tor MORE-tis /loˌkomoˈtr̩ moʴˈtɪs/

Description: Locks the legs together, preventing the victim from moving the legs in any fashion.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Draco Malfoy on Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Etymology: English locomotion, "movement". Latin mortis, "of death".

Notes: It is unclear whether or how this spell is related to the Locomotor spells mentioned above. It could, however, be that the curse 'locks' any part of the body in accordance to where it is pointed, or moves the body into a position of the caster's choosing whilst placing them in a state of rigor mortis. There is a possibility that Draco had pointed his wand at Neville and the curse 'locked' his legs together.

Notes (2): In the Philosopher's Stone video game, the spell is used to stun enemies for a short period of time, while in the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets video game, the spell is used by the Prefects and Percy Weasley if caught sneaking around at night.

[edit] Lumos

Pronunciation: LOO-moss (IPA: ['lu.məʊs])

Description: Creates a narrow beam of light that shines from the wand's tip, like a torch. Remus Lupin also uses it in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to project a small flame (large enough to burn a piece of paper).

Seen/Mentioned: Constantly throughout the series.

Etymology: Latin lumen, "light".

Notes: The movies include different variations of the spell, "Lumos Solem" and "Lumos Maxima". In the Prisoner of Azkaban movie, Professor Snape's application of Lumos created a sphere of light, rather than a beam. The counter-spell is Nox. It also seems to be undetectable by the Ministry of Magic, or else ignored, as Harry Potter uses it in Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix, while outside school, without consequence.

[edit] (Lupin's Light)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: A small, handheld flame.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Lupin in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It was conjured non-verbally and possibly without a wand.

[edit] M

[edit] Mobiliarbus

Pronunciation: Mow-BILL-ee-ARE-bus (IPA: [məʊ.ˌbɪl.i.'aɹ.bɪs])

Description: Moves trees (possibly other plants as well).

Seen/Mentioned: In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione Granger uses the spell to move a Christmas Tree in The Three Broomsticks beside her table to hide Harry Potter who had sneaked to Hogsmeade using the Marauder's Map.

Etymology: Latin mobilis, "movable" or "flexible", and arbor (alternatively arbos), "tree".

[edit] Mobilicorpus

Pronunciation: Mow-BILL-i-CORE-pus /mobɪˌlikoʴˈpʌs/

Description: Levitates and moves bodies.

Seen/Mentioned: Sirius Black uses it on Professor Snape in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Also probably used on Peter Pettigrew by Voldemort on the graveyard to make him come forward.

Etymology: Latin mobilis, "movable" + corpus, "body".

Notes: It is possible that Mobiliarbus and Mobilicorpus are variations of the same basic spell, since they share the "Mobili-" stem.

[edit] (Morfin Gaunt's Spell)

Pronunciation: Unknown; only demonstrated use is non-verbal

Description: The spell causes the victim to painfully exude large quantities of yellow pus, probably resulting from the opening of a lesion.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Morfin Gaunt to attack Bob Ogden in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Possibly invented by Morfin. Possibly modified Furnunculus Jinx.

[edit] Morsmordre

Pronunciation: Mors-MORE-dreh /moʴzmoʴˈdrʌ/

Description: Conjures the Dark Mark.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Barty Crouch Jr in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Also seen in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince over the castle to lure Dumbledore to his death. It was apparently invented by Lord Voldemort.

Etymology: Latin mors, "death", and mordere, meaning "to bite"; this is obviously associated with the name of Lord Voldemort's followers, the Death Eaters. The English murder, or its Old French root, might also contribute.

Notes: A possible translation might be "take a bite out of death" — a fitting phrase for Death Eaters. Oddly, Morsmordre could be translated as "mother's murderers" in Norwegian. Also sounds similar to Morta, the Roman goddess of death.

[edit] Muffliato

Pronunciation: Muff-lee-AH-toe (IPA: [mə.fli.'a.təʊ])

Description: This spell fills peoples' ears with an unidentifiable buzzing, to keep them from hearing nearby conversations.

Seen/Mentioned: It is used in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by Harry and Ron on various teachers and people such as Madam Pomfrey. It was created by the Half-Blood Prince. As pointed out by Hermione, is probably not Ministry of Magic approved.

Etymology: English muffle, "to quiet", with a pseudo-Latin or pseudo-Italian ending.

[edit] N

[edit] Nox

Pronunciation: Noks (IPA: ['naks])

Description: Turns off the light produced by the Lumos spell.

Seen/Mentioned: In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry and Hermione used this spell to turn off their wand-lights in the Shrieking Shack.

Etymology: Latin nox, "night".

[edit] O

[edit] (Obliteration Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: A general description cannot be given, see below.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to remove the footprints that she, Harry, and Ron left in the snow.

Notes: The above instance in book five only reveals that the Obliteration Charm can remove footprints. There is no explanation as to what effect this has on other things. Possibly destroys things according to name.

[edit] Obliviate (The Memory Charm)

Pronunciation: oh-BLIV-ee-ate (IPA: [əʊ.ˌblɪ.vi.'a.teɪ])

Description: Used to remove or perhaps alter the subject's memories of an event.

Seen/Mentioned: First used in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by Gilderoy Lockhart on Harry and Ron; the spell backfired due to a faulty wand, causing Lockhart to lose most of his own memory. Also used on a Muggle, Mr Roberts during the Quidditch World Cup in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Etymology: Latin oblivisci, "forget". The spell is most often used against Muggles who have seen something of the wizarding world.

Notes: The Ministry of Magic employees assigned to modifying the memories of Muggles are called Obliviators. The charm can be broken by powerful magic, or extreme duress, as Lord Voldemort was able to torture Bertha Jorkins into remembering details that Barty Crouch Sr had forced her to forget using the charm.

[edit] Oppugno

Pronunciation: oh-PUG-no /ɒpʊˈgno/

Description: Apparently causes animals or beings of lesser intelligence to attack.

Seen/Mentioned: By Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, to attack Ron Weasley with a summoned flock of canaries during a spat.

Etymology: Latin oppugno, "I attack."

[edit] Orchideous

Pronunciation: or-KID-ee-us /oʴkɪˈdiəs/

Description: Makes a bouquet of flowers appear out of the caster's wand.

Seen/Mentioned: In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by Mr Ollivander to test Fleur Delacour's wand. Also used in the Goblet of Fire video game as an offensive spell (reduces enemies to bundles of flowers).

Etymology: English orchid and Latin suffix -eous, "of or bearing (the root word)". Another possibility is a portmanteau of orchid and hideous.

[edit] P

[edit] Pack

Pronunciation: As in English /pæk/

Description: Packs a trunk, or perhaps any luggage.

Seen/Mentioned: In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by Nymphadora Tonks, once verbally and again non-verbally.

Notes: The neatness of the packing seems to depend on the desire and ability of the caster.

Notes (2): It may be that "pack" is not the actual incantation, and that Tonks was finishing her sentence while performing a non-verbal spell.

[edit] (Permanent Sticking Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Makes object permanently stay in place.

Seen/Mentioned: First mentioned in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, when Sirius suspected that his mother's painting was fixed to the wall with such a Charm. Also in The Order of Phoenix, Fred and George offer to stick Ron's prefect badge to his forehead with this charm. In the beginning of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, it is implied that the portrait in the Muggle Prime Minister's office also has such a charm on it.

Notes: This might be the Epoximise spell used in the Trading Card game, which sticks objects in place with a strong adhesive.

[edit] Peskipiksi Pesternomi

Pronunciation: "Pesky pixie, pester no me!" /ˈpɛskiˌpɪksi ˌpɛstɹ̩ˈnoʊmi/

Description: Apparently causes Pixies to leave or at least desist from mischief-making.

Seen/Mentioned: Only in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by Gilderoy Lockhart after releasing a cage full of Cornish pixies into the classroom.

Notes: Lockhart confessed to being very poor in most magical areas, and seems to have been willing to go to any length to make himself appear more competent. Hence, Peskipiksi Pesternomi may have been made up on the spot as a desperate attempt to control the situation. Alternatively, knowing that he would need the Pixie Banishing Hex since his reputation would require knowing it, he may have looked it up beforehand. In that case, he would be incorrectly remembering a Latin phrase that would perhaps be Pestis Piksi vexe neme, or something similar.

[edit] Petrificus Totalus (Full Body Bind)

Pronunciation: puh-TRIH-fuh-cus TOH-tle-us (or toh-TAH-lus, depending upon the caster's preference; the spell achieves the same effect either way) /pəˈtrɪfəkəs ˈtoʊtl̩.əs/

Description: Used to temporarily make the victim be frozen in a position much like a soldier at attention; usually the person falls down.

Seen/Mentioned: First used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by Hermione, who was trying to prevent Neville from stopping her, Ron, and Harry from leaving the common room to hunt for the Philosopher's Stone. Harry uses it on Antonin Dolohov twice in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Draco Malfoy uses it in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to freeze Harry while hiding in Draco's carriage. Harry Potter also uses it to make an Inferi release him while dipping the goblet in water, in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Professor Dumbledore may have used a non-verbal Body Bind on Harry in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to stop him from interfering in Dumbledore's conversation with Draco Malfoy during the Battle of Hogwarts.

Etymology: Latin petra, "stone" and fieri (past participle factus), "to become"; totalus comes from Latin "totus", meaning "complete".

[edit] Point Me (The Four-Point Spell)

Pronunciation: As in English /'pɔɪnt 'mi/

Description: The Four-Point Spell causes the caster's wand tip to point to the north cardinal point, acting like a compass.

Seen/Mentioned: By Harry during the third task of the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

[edit] Portus

Pronunciation: POUR-tuss (IPA: ['pɔɹ.dɪs])

Description: Turns an object into a Portkey, a device which transports the toucher to a desired destination, with a blue glow.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Professor Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Etymology: Latin porta, "doorway". Latin: "portare" meaning "to carry" as in carry the caster (or target) to another location. (There is a Latin word portus, meaning "harbour", but it seems inappropriate in this context.)

Notes: Portkeys were first seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as a means of transport for Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys to travel to and from the Quidditch World Cup.

[edit] Prior Incantato

Pronunciation: PRI-or In-can-TAH-toe

Description: Makes a shadowy image of the effect of the last spell cast by a wand emerge from its tip. This is called an "echo" of the spell.

Seen/Mentioned: By Amos Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to discover the last spell cast by Harry's wand.

Etymology: Latin prior, "previous", and incantare, "to speak a spell" (past participle incantatum).

Notes: The nature of the "echo" depends on the original spell. The echo of a conjuring spell, for example, is the object conjured. However, the echo of the Cruciatus curse is the screaming of the victim; the echo of an Avada Kedavra curse is the image of its victim.

Notes (2): When two wands that share the same magical core are forced to engage in battle, a continuing reverse spell effect called Priori Incantatem takes place. This effect is seen during Harry's battle with Lord Voldemort at the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

[edit] (The Protean Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Causes copies of an object to be remotely affected by changes made to the original.

Seen/Mentioned: First used in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Hermione Granger put the charm on a number of fake Galleons. Instead of the serial number around the edge of the coin, the time and date of the next meeting of Dumbledore's Army appeared. In this case, the charm was used to avoid drawing attention to the meetings, and to avoid Professor Umbridge's suspicions. Hermione later tells Harry that she based the idea on Voldemort making the Dark Marks of his Death Eaters become warm, telling them that they must come to him. Hermione jokes that she thought it better to use coins rather than their members' skin. Also used by Draco Malfoy on a coin or coins to contact Madam Rosmerta in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Etymology: Probably from the Greek Proteus (Προτευς), a shape-shifting god.

Notes: In Hermione's casting, when the date changes the coin becomes hot, alerting the owner to look at the Galleon. This may not be a feature of the original charm.

Notes (2): The Protean Charm is an N.E.W.T. standard charm, according to Terry Boot, who is incredulous that Hermione can perform it already.

[edit] Protego (Shield Charm)

Pronunciation: Pro-TAY-go (IPA: [pɹəʊ.'teɪ.gəʊ])

Description: The Shield Charm causes minor to moderate jinxes, curses, and hexes to rebound upon the attacker.

Seen/Mentioned: First seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire where Harry is taught this spell by Hermione in preparation for the third task in the Triwizard Tournament. Harry also uses the spell in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix against Snape's Legilimency, and it is used by Bellatrix Lestrange at the Ministry in order to deflect Harry's Stunner. Used again in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince when Harry verbally deflects a jinx cast by Snape.

Etymology: Latin protego, "I cover" or "I protect".

Notes: In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Lord Voldemort conjured a shield out of midair to defend himself against an attack by Professor Dumbledore. This may have been a variant of Protego. The original description of this spell states that it rebounds minor jinxes to the caster. However, it is shown in the books that it is used to also reflect powerful spells more than minor spells, depending on the skill of the caster.

[edit] Q

[edit] Quietus

Pronunciation: Quee-AY-tuss (IPA: [kwi.'eɪ.dɪs])

Description: Makes a magically magnified voice return to normal. A counter to Sonorus.

Seen/Mentioned: Used in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by Ludo Bagman.

Etymology: Latin quietus, "calm" or "quiet".

Notes: It is conjectural whether Quietus could be used alone to magically quieten a person's voice, or only counteracts Sonorus.

[edit] R

[edit] Reducio

Pronunciation: Red-DUE-see-oh (IPA: [ɹɛ.'du.si.ˌəʊ])

Description: Makes an enlarged object smaller. Counter-charm to Engorgio.

Etymology: English reduce, "to shrink". (Latin has a verb reducere, present tense reduco. This is the source of the English "reduce", but has a different meaning.)

Notes: whether Reducio could also be used by itself rather than countering Engorgio is unknown. If it could, it would shrink normal sized items into miniature versions of themselves. References in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by Arthur Weasley to "shrinking door keys" make this seem likely.

[edit] Reducto (Reductor Curse)

Pronunciation: Re-DUCK-toe (IPA: [ɹɛ.'dʌk.təʊ])

Description: Disintegrates or destroys objects in the caster's path. It is inferred from the books that this curse is usually invisible and silent, though it was used verbally in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Seen/Mentioned: In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry uses it on one of the hedges of the Triwizard maze, and ends up burning a small hole in it; in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Parvati Patil is referenced as being able to reduce a table full of dark detectors to ashes; later members of Dumbledore's Army use it to destroy items in the Department of Mysteries. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince it was used in an attempt to destroy an invisible barrier only passable by Death Eaters, though the attempt failed.

Etymology: English reduce, "to bring down;destroy".

Notes: It may be possible to increase the spell's power, producing different levels of destruction. This is inferred from the books, by analogy in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry accidentally overdoes his Cheering Charm on Ron, causing him to go into fits of hysterical laughter. Another piece of evidence that proves this theory is in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, when Snape attempts to hex Harry in a nonverbal spell exercise. Harry uses a Shield Charm which was "so strong" that Snape was overbalanced and was knocked into a desk. Finally, in The Goblet of Fire, when Mad-eye Moody explains that without the proper amount of magic behind it, the Avada Kedavra Curse could not be executed (thus it takes certain amounts of magic to execute spells, and to use more magical power would be to raise the effect of the spell).

[edit] (Refilling Charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Refills whatever the caster points at with the drink originally in the container (eg fills a keg with the desired ale).

Seen/Mentioned: Used in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, when Harry notices that they are running out of mead.

[edit] Relashio

Pronunciation: Re-LASH-ee-oh (IPA: [ɹɛ.'læ.ʃi.ˌəʊ])

Description: Used to shoot sparks out or used underwater to shoot hot bursts of water.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Harry Potter against Grindylows in the second task of the Triwizard Tournament. Above ground it ejected sparks from Harry's wand; under water it ejected boiling water from the wand. When used more expertly by Auror Bob Ogden in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, it threw Marvolo Gaunt backwards after an attempted attack.

Etymology: Probably from Latin prefix re-, "back" or "in return", and English lash, "strike", or from the french verb "relâcher" meaning "to release, to set free".

Notes: This spell may also force a person to physically let go of someone: in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Harry confronts Mundungus Fletcher over his theft of Sirius Black's property. Harry starts to strangle Fletcher when all of a sudden his hands are thrown clean off of his victims' throat.

[edit] Renervate

Pronunciation: Ren-ner-VAH-tay

Description: Appears to rouse an unconscious person.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Harry in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to rouse Professor Dumbledore. Possibly a cosmetic variation of Enervate.

Etymology: If the supposition about Renervate/Enervate is correct, the prefix "re-" would come from Latin re-, "again".

Notes: Since Harry suspected Dumbledore was dead or dying, it may have a similar effect to a defibrillator.

[edit] Reparo

Pronunciation: Re-PAR-oh (IPA: [ɹɛ.'pa.ɹəʊ])

Description: Used to repair objects.

Seen/Mentioned: Countless times throughout the books. Shattered objects are often described as having 'flown' back together. However, substances contained in the broken objects don't get back inside. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry smashes a bowl of Murtlap essence he used for the scratches from Umbridge's detention. He could repair the bowl but the murtlap essence remained splashed to the floor.

Etymology: Latin reparare, "to repair".

[edit] Rictusempra (Tickling Charm)

Pronunciation: RIK-too-SEM-pra

Description: Tickles the recipient, causing uncontrollable, unpreventable laughter.

Seen/Mentioned: By Harry Potter on Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when they fought in the Duelling Club.

Etymology: Latin rictus, "the mouth (wide open in laughter or a grin)" + semper, "always".

Notes: In the Chamber of Secrets movie, Harry used this spell to fling Malfoy through the air; in the Chamber of Secrets video game, Rictusempra is used to stun people or animals. The reasons why are unknown, but perhaps it was done for aesthetic reasons as its use as an offensive spell capable of knocking a person off their feet or stunning them seemed more appropriate for the settings.

[edit] Riddikulus (Boggart-Banishing Charm)

Pronunciation: Ri-DIK-uh-lous

Description: A spell used when fighting a Boggart, "Riddikulus" forces the Boggart to take the appearance of an object the caster finds humorous, with the desire that laughter will weaken the Boggart.

Seen/Mentioned: First seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, when taught by Professor Lupin. Seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on a boggart that was in the maze in the Third Task. Later appears in an attempted use by Molly Weasley in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Etymology: Latin word ridiculus, "laughable" (but perhaps "absurd" or "silly" in this context).

Notes: The effect of the spell seems to rely primarily on the state of mind of the caster. It doesn't actually change the shape of a boggart into something humorous, but rather whatever the caster is concentrating on at the moment of the casting, as when Neville was thinking of his grandmother's dress. Presumably, Mrs Weasley couldn't take her mind off of her fears for her family, so the Boggart was changed into other members of the family rather than something humorous.

[edit] S

[edit] Scourgify

Pronunciation: Uncertain; probably [ˈskoɹdʒɪˌfaɪ] or [ˈskɝdʒɪˌfaɪ]

Description: Used to clean something.

Seen/Mentioned: First used by Nymphadora Tonks to clean Hedwig's cage in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Later, Ginny Weasley performs the spell to clean up Stinksap in the Hogwarts Express. Severus Snape's humiliating memory (contained in Dumbledore's Pensieve) showed that it can be used to wash one's mouth out with soap (cleaning the mouth, thereby cleaning "something").

Etymology: Perhaps related to English scour, "clean". -ify is a common English suffix meaning "to make ...". Therefore scourgify could mean "to make clean".

Notes: A similar spell, Skurge, is used in the Chamber of Secrets video game to remove ectoplasm.

[edit] Sectumsempra

Pronunciation: sec-tum-SEMP-ra [ˌsɛktəm'sɛmpɹa]

Description: A spell that creates a gash on the subject the way the wand is moved. Invented by the Half-Blood Prince.

Seen/Mentioned: By Severus Snape against James Potter in Snape's memory as seen by Harry in a Pensieve, and in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by Harry against Draco Malfoy and then against the Inferi. Harry learned it in Snape's old potions textbook.

Etymology: Latin sectum, "cut", and semper, "always".

Notes: The spell can apparently be used against any object, but does not affect creatures that feel no pain, such as the Inferi. It may work by projecting some sort of magical cutting field/surface from the tip of the wand, a hypothesis supported by the assortment of wounds on Draco Malfoy's face and chest, produced by Harry Potter's wild wand-swings while using the spell against Draco.

Notes (2): The spell Diffindo can be seen as working the same way as Sectumsempra.

[edit] Serpensortia

Pronunciation: SER-pen-SORT-ia [ˌsɛɹpən'sɒɹtʃa]

Description: Conjures a serpent from the spellcaster's wand.

Seen/Mentioned: By Draco Malfoy while fighting Harry in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Etymology: Latin serpens, "snake"; and French sortir, "to exit, come out of".

[edit] Silencio (Silencing Charm)

Pronunciation: [si'lɛnsiˌo]

Description: Makes something silent.

Seen/Mentioned: First used by Hermione in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Etymology: Probably Latin silentium, "silence". Also, silencio and silêncio (which is closer to the English pronunciation) mean "silence" in Spanish and Portuguese, respectively.

[edit] (Slowing Spell)

Pronunciation: Unknown. The only known use was invoked with no reported incantation.

Description: A falling person/object is slowed.

Seen/Mentioned: In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry fell from his broom at a great height; Dumbledore saved him from serious harm by using this spell on him.

Note 1: In the film version of this book, Dumbledore saved Harry by casting a verbal spell, Arresto Momentum. This spell is different to the canonical form: in the film, Harry ceased to fall completely.

Note 2: The spell produces the same effects as that cast upon the quaffle in Quidditch to make it fall slower. It is unknown if the two are the same.

[edit] (Slug-Vomiting Curse)

Pronunciation: Unknown. There was no incantation at all in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, in which Ron merely yelled, "You'll pay for that one, Malfoy!" before pointing his wand. It is not known if it has an incantation (in which case it would have been non-verbally cast), or if it has no incantation at all. It is apparently "a difficult curse to work at the best of times". A person cursed with it has to wait until it wears off. The appropriate film, inaccurately and inexplicably, referenced the incantation as Eat Slugs.

Description: A jet of green light strikes the victim, who then vomits slugs.

Seen/Mentioned: In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Ron Weasley attempted to use it on Draco Malfoy; because his wand was broken, it cursed Ron instead.

[edit] Sonorus

Pronunciation: [so'noɹəs]

Description: Magnifies the spellcaster's voice.

Seen/Mentioned: By Ludo Bagman in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to commentate at events without needing a megaphone; as well as by Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic at the begining of the Quidditch World Cup. Also used by Professor Dumbledore to silence everyone in the Great Hall in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Etymology: Latin sonorus, "loud;noisy".

Notes: The counter-spell is Quietus.

[edit] Specialis Revelio (Scarpin's Revelaspell)

Pronunciation: [speɪ'ʃalɪs ɾeɪ'veɪlio]

Description: Apparently causes an object to show its hidden secrets or magical properties.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Hermione Granger to find out more of Harry's Advanced Potion-Making book in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Used by Ernie Macmillan to find out ingredients of a potion.

Etymology: Latin specialis, "particular;individual" and revelare (present tense revelo), "unveil".

Notes: In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Professor Snape cast a similar spell, but with different words ("Reveal your secrets!"), on the Marauder's Map, though he may have just been saying those words as he cast the spell non-verbally.

Notes (2): The spell may also be able to distinguish different ingredients in a potion.

[edit] Stealth Sensoring Spell

Pronunciation: revealio

Description: Detects those under magical disguise.

Seen/Mentioned: In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Professor Umbridge casts this around her office.

[edit] (Stinging Hex)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Produces a stinging sensation in the victim.

Seen/Mentioned: Harry Potter inadvertently used one on Professor Snape during Occlumency lessons in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It was non-debilitating in that instance, but its strength may be variable or stronger when intentionally cast.

[edit] (Stretching Jinx)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Stretches things.

Seen/Mentioned: Heard of once when Mrs Weasley mentions how tall both Harry and Ron have become over the Summer.

[edit] Stupefy (Stunning Spell, Stupefying Charm)

Pronunciation: ['stupəˌfaɪ]

Description: Puts the victim in an unconscious state.

Seen/Mentioned: Often; particularly by a number of wizards and witches (including Dolores Umbridge) against Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Etymology: English stupefy.

Notes: The physical manifestation of the spell is a beam of red light emanating from the caster's wand. The spell wears off after a short time, and can be countered by Enervate. Nearly useless on magic-resistant creatures such as dragons and giants unless more then one Stupefy spell is used at the same time. The force of the spell is additive or perhaps even exponential, and it can cause severe injury if many spells are used on a target that is not normally resistant to its effects.

Notes: (2) A much more powerful variation of the charm was possibly used non-verbally in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by Albus Dumbledore to knock out Dawlish, Dolores Umbridge, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Cornelius Fudge.

[edit] (Switching Spell)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: According to the Harry Potter Trading Card Game, it is supposed to switch two objects' places. Harry contemplates using this spell against his dragon in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament.

[edit] T

[edit] Tarantallegra(Jelly-Legs Jinx)

Pronunciation: Ta-RAN-ta-LEG-rah

Description: Makes victim's legs dance uncontrollably (recalling the tarantella dance).

Seen/Mentioned: By Draco Malfoy in the Duelling Club in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. A Death Eater also places the spell upon Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Etymology: Italian tarantella, a kind of fast country dance once popular in parts of Italy; and allegro, a musical term meaning "quick".

[edit] Tergeo (Siphoning Charm)

Pronunciation: TUR-jee-oh (IPA: ['tɝ.dʒi.əʊ])

Description: A spell used to clean liquid from a surface.

Seen/Mentioned: Hermione Granger uses the spell in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to remove blood from Harry's face. It is later used to remove spilled ink.

Etymology: Latin tergere, "wipe off; cleanse".

[edit] (Transmogrifian Torture)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: According to Gilderoy Lockhart, a killing curse with a counter-curse which he knows.

Seen/Mentioned: By Professor Lockhart, while discussing the petrification of Mrs Norris in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Given that "to transmogrify" is to shape shift, the spell was quite possibly an on-the-spot invention of Lockhart's.

[edit] (Trip Jinx)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Once used, makes the object or target of the wand trip.

Seen/Mentioned: Malfoy used this on Harry Potter to make him trip in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

[edit] U

[edit] V

[edit] W

[edit] Waddiwasi

Pronunciation: WAD-ee-WAH-see

Description: Appears to launch small objects through the air.

Seen/Mentioned: Used only once in the series, by Remus Lupin in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to expel a wad of chewing gum from the key hole Peeves put it in, launching it up Peeves's nose.

Etymology: Latin vade, "go;travel", and possibly vasa, "implements, vessels"; but this part is obscure. (The letter "V" in Latin is also written "U", and pronounced as the English "W".) It could also come from Swedish vadd, which means "soft mass" (in this case it was gum), and French vas y, "go there", it makes sense because Lupin did not just make the gum fly out of the key hole, but he directed it up Peeves's nose. The word could also just be based on the English wad, as in "a wad of gum".

Notes: In reference to what was mentioned above under Etymology, it can be presumed that Waddiwasi could be the Banishing Charm.

[edit] Wingardium Leviosa (Levitation/Hover Charm)

Pronunciation: Win-GUARD-ee-um Le-vee-OH-sah (IPA: [wɪn.'gaɹ.di.ˌʌm lɛ.vi.'əʊ.sə])

Description: Levitates objects.

Seen/Mentioned: First seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, when Professor Flitwick's first-year class practice the spell. Later in the same book, Ron Weasley performs the spell on the club of a mountain troll. Used to levitate the cakes with the sleeping draft in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Harry also uses this spell in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to move the brains out of his way as he is chasing Bellatrix Lestrange through the Department of Mysteries.

Etymology: "Wingardium" certainly contains English wing, possibly also Latin arduus, "steep"; or perhaps the second element is simply mock-Latin. "Leviosa" most probably originates in Latin levis, "light", but contains "levi", which is a prefix meaning 'to raise.'

Notes: Dobby the house-elf performs a similar 'hover-charm' in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, levitating and smashing a pudding in the Dursley family's kitchen. For human wizards and witches, it is used by saying "Wingardium Leviosa!" while making a "swish and flick" movement with the wand.

[edit] External links

• Complete list of spells at MuggleNet

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