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Magical objects in Harry Potter

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The following is a list of magical objects used in Harry Potter. These objects exist for the use of the characters in the series by J. K. Rowling.


Contents
  [hide] 1 Communication

2 Concealers

3 Dark objects

4 Deathly Hallows

5 Detectors




6 Games


7 Horcruxes



8 Legendary magical artifacts


9 Mirrors

10 Photographs and portraits
11 Prank objects

12 Storage receptacles


13 Transportation





14 Writing equipment



15 Other uncategorised objects


16 References
Communication[edit]
Enchanted coins[edit]
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Hermione Granger creates fake, enchanted Galleons that are used for communication between members of Dumbledore's Army. Like real Galleons, the coins have numerals around the edge; on normal Galleons these serial numbers indicate which goblin cast the coin, but on the enchanted coins, the numbers represent the time and date of the next meeting, and change automatically to match whatever numbers Harry Potter sets on his coin.[HP5] Due to the coins being infused with a Protean Charm, once Harry Potter alters his, every coin changes to suit. The coins begin to grow hot when the numbers change to alert the members to look at their coins.
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Draco Malfoy uses a pair of enchanted coins to bypass the communication limits imposed on Hogwarts, thus managing to keep in contact with Madam Rosmerta, whom he had placed under the Imperius Curse. Draco reveals he got the idea from Hermione's DA coins, which were themselves inspired by Lord Voldemort's use of the Dark Mark to communicate with his Death Eaters.
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Neville Longbottom uses the DA's coins to alert people such as Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley that Harry, Ron and Hermione have returned to Hogwarts. They then arrive at the Room of Requirement to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts.
Howler[edit]
A Howler is a blood-red letter sent to signify extreme anger or to convey a message very loudly and publicly. Upon opening it, the sender's voice, which has been magically magnified to a deafening volume, will bellow a message at the recipient and then self-destruct. If it is not opened or there is a delay in opening it, the letter will start smouldering, explode violently, and shout the message out even louder than normal.[HP2] In the film version, the Howler folds itself into an origami-style set of lips, shouts the message out and then shreds itself into scraps of paper before it burns itself.
In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Ron Weasley receives a Howler from his mother, Molly Weasley, after he steals his father's enchanted car and flies it to Hogwarts with Harry. Neville Longbottom confessed that he once got a Howler from his grandmother, stating that he ignored it and that the result was horrible. Subsequently, Neville receives another Howler from his grandmother after Sirius Black uses his list of passwords to enter the Gryffindor Common Room in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Hermione receives one in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire after Rita Skeeter publishes an article about the (fictional) relationship between Hermione and Harry. However, in the film version, this incident is not referred to. Dumbledore sends Harry's aunt, Petunia Dursley, a Howler in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to remind her of the agreement to allow Harry to live at Privet Drive when Harry's Uncle Vernon attempts to throw him out. This incident is also not referred to in the film version however Harry receives one from Mafalda Hopkirk to announce he has been expelled from Hogwarts for using underage magic outside school and his wand is to be broken.
Concealers[edit]
Deluminator (Put-Outer)[edit]



 Dumbledore is using his Deluminator in the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
A Deluminator is a device invented by Albus Dumbledore that looks like a standard cigarette lighter. It is used to remove or absorb (as well as return) the light from any light source to provide cover to the user. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Dumbledore uses the Deluminator (then known only as the Put-Outer) to darken Privet Drive, where the Dursley family household is located. It was next seen in Order of the Phoenix where Dumbledore loans the Deluminator to Moody, who uses it when transporting Harry from the Dursleys' home to Number 12, Grimmauld Place. In Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore uses the Deluminator again to darken Privet Drive before collecting Harry.
Finally, in Deathly Hallows, it is bequeathed to Ron by Dumbledore. After Ron had left his friends in anger, the Deluminator demonstrated an additional capability, similar to a homing device. Ron hears Hermione through the device as she says his name for the first time since he left, and, when he clicks it, the emitted ball of light enters his body and allows him to locate and Apparate to the vicinity of Harry and Hermione's camp. Rowling stated that Dumbledore left it to Ron because he believed he might have needed a little more guidance than Harry and Hermione.[1]
Invisibility Cloaks[edit]
See also: Harry's Cloak of Invisibility
Within the Harry Potter universe, an invisibility cloak is used to make the wearer invisible. All are very rare and expensive, and may be spun from pelts of the Demiguise, magical herbivores that are found in the Far East. They can also be ordinary cloaks with a Disillusionment Charm or a Bedazzlement Hex placed on them. Over time, however, these cloaks will lose their invisibility ability, eventually becoming opaque and vulnerable to penetration by various spells. Harry's cloak, being one of the three Deathly Hallows, is a true cloak of invisibility, and will retain its invisibility forever. It is also resistant to most simple spells and charms (e.g. the summoning charm).[2] Invisibility cloaks protect the wearer from visual detection only, meaning that even though the wearer cannot be seen they are still solid, and can therefore be felt by physical contact. Alastor Moody's magically charmed eye, however, is able to penetrate them. In addition, the cloak is less effective against some animals, such as cats (e.g. Mrs. Norris) and snakes (e.g. Nagini). The Dementors in the books have no sense of sight and instead sense human despair, a sense unhindered by the use of an invisibility cloak. In addition to Harry's cloak, Moody is known to possess two. One of these was borrowed by Sturgis Podmore in the course of work for the Order of the Phoenix. Barty Crouch, Sr. possessed one as well, which he used to hide his son Barty Crouch, Jr. to prevent him from going to Azkaban, the wizarding prison. Several times in the series, characters have been shown to either suspect or in some other fashion "sense" that Harry is wearing his cloak: Snape is seen to be suspicious when being followed by Harry, even reaching out to grab at (what would appear to be) thin air; in Half-Blood Prince, Draco Malfoy realises Harry is in his train carriage and successfully immobilises him with a Petrificus Totalus (Body-Bind) curse, as despite wearing his cloak Harry inadvertently moved objects near him; and in The Chamber of Secrets, Albus Dumbledore senses Harry and Ron beneath it in Hagrid's cabin while talking to Lucius Malfoy during the event when Cornelius Fudge comes to take Hagrid to Azkaban and Lucius Malfoy hands over to Dumbledore his suspension letter.
Dark objects[edit]
Hand of Glory[edit]
The Hand of Glory is described as a large shrivelled hand displayed on a cushion in Borgin and Burkes, a Dark Arts shop in Knockturn Alley. In the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when Harry puts his hand in one, he has difficulty removing it. When a candle is placed in the hand, it gives light only to the person holding it. It was first mentioned in Chamber of Secrets, when Draco and his father, Lucius Malfoy, visited Borgin & Burkes. Lucius denied Draco's request to buy the hand, saying it was a tool for a common thief. In the sixth book, Half-Blood Prince, Draco uses it when leaving the Room of Requirement, escaping from Ron and a few of Dumbledore's Army members after using Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder.
Other dark items[edit]
Forbidden Books include:
Sonnets of a Sorcerer, which forces the reader to speak forever in limericks
A book that sears the eyes of the reader
A book that the reader cannot stop reading or dispose of.
Unnamed items known to be found at Borgin & Burkes:
Bloodstained playing cards
A staring glass eye
Evil-looking masks
Human bones
Rusty, spiked instruments
Long coil of hangman's rope
Opal necklace that is cursed and has claimed the lives of nineteen Muggles. It also nearly killed Katie Bell in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, as Malfoy was trying to get it to Dumbledore.
Items known to be found in Knockturn Alley:
Poisonous candles
Human fingernails
Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent, used by Hagrid to kill Flesh-Eating Slugs in Chamber of Secrets when they began to destroy the school's cabbages.
Items which can be found at Number 12 Grimmauld Place:
Biting silver snuffbox filled with Wartcap Powder
A spidery instrument resembling a many-legged pair of tweezers; tries to puncture Harry's skin, destroyed by Sirius
A music box that plays a sinister but compelling tune, putting any listener into an enchanted sleep
A grandfather clock that shot heavy bolts at passers-by, which Remus Lupin helped to repair.
An ancient set of purple robes that tried to strangle Ron - he was rescued by Mundungus Fletcher, who is said to have 'redeemed' himself somewhat in Mrs. Weasley's mind following his failure to protect Harry from the Dementor attack in Order of the Phoenix.
An ornate crystal bottle with a large opal set into the stopper containing what appeared to be blood
Claws
Rusty daggers
Coiled snakeskin
A heavy locket that "none of them could open"[HP5]; later turns out to be Slytherin's locket, also one of Voldemort's Horcruxes
Deathly Hallows[edit]



 The sign of the Deathly Hallows represents all three objects symbolically: the Wand, the Stone, and the Cloak.
The Deathly Hallows are the three magical objects that are the focus of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The form, function, and purpose of each of the Hallows are revealed as the plot of the novel progresses. In the course of their quest to destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes, Harry, Ron, and Hermione learn of the Hallows and The Tale of the Three Brothers, notably through conversations with Xenophilius Lovegood and the wandmaker Ollivander. According to Rowling, the story about how these objects came into existence is based upon Geoffrey Chaucer's The Pardoner's Tale.[3]
According to the tale, the Peverell brothers evaded Death, who then gave them a choice of anything they wanted: the first brother chose a wand that could not be defeated in battle; the second asked for a way to bring back someone from the dead; and the third selected a cloak that made the wearer invisible, even to Death himself. Very few actually believe this story to be true (Dumbledore thinking that the Peverells were simply particularly powerful and ingenious wizard inventors) though many, like Viktor Krum, believe the sign of the Deathly Hallows to be the mark of Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, as Krum says it had been carved into a wall at his school, Durmstrang, by Grindelwald himself (Grindelwald attended Durmstrang as a child until he was expelled for use of Dark magic).
Harry eventually comes to possess all three Hallows. He does not know until the end of the novel that he has been carrying the Resurrection Stone in the Golden Snitch bequeathed to him by Dumbledore. Draco Malfoy becomes the master of the Elder Wand when he disarms Dumbledore, but it transfers its loyalty to Harry after he takes Draco's wand in a later fight at Malfoy Manor. The Invisibility Cloak he received during his first year, and which had belonged to James Potter, proves to be the third Hallow. After Voldemort's death, Harry uses the Elder Wand to repair his own damaged wand, then decides to return it to Dumbledore's tomb (in the film, he snaps it in half and throws it off a bridge); he also drops the Resurrection Stone in the Forbidden Forest, but decides not to look for it in the hope that no wizard will ever be able to own all three Hallows. He keeps the Cloak, with the thought that he might pass it on to his children someday.
Elder Wand[edit]
The Elder Wand, known throughout history as the Deathstick or the Wand of Destiny,[HP7] is an extremely powerful wand made of elder wood with a core of Thestral tail hair.[4][dead link] It is supposedly the most powerful wand in existence, and when used by its true master, he or she cannot be defeated in a duel; though according to Dumbledore, this is false, for he was able to defeat the legendary dark wizard Grindelwald, who was master of the Elder Wand at that point.[5] It also appears, as the wand is somewhat sentient (as are all wands), that it will not allow itself to cause real harm to its true master. As stated by Mr. Ollivander the wandmaker, the wand will never fully work for the new user unless he or she directly disarms, stuns or kills (even in Muggle fashion)[citation needed] the previous master. Rowling has stated that the wand is brutal in its choice of master, and that, while most wands have some allegiance to their own masters, the Elder Wand only responds to power. If a master dies naturally without ever being defeated, the wand's power will die for any following owner, since it was never won from the former.
The power of the Elder Wand was first shown in history, as Antioch Peverell, the eldest of the mythical Three Brothers, had a duel with an enemy he had long wanted to defeat. He won, and left his enemy dead on the floor. After boasting of his unbeatable wand, Peverell was robbed in his sleep by a rival wanting to claim the wand, who slit his throat for good measure. Ever since, power-hungry wizards have sought this wand, and it is the Hallow most easy to track through history. It eventually came to the possession of Gregorovitch, a Bulgarian wandmaker. Gregorovitch boasted about possessing the Elder Wand, believing it would boost his popularity, and he tried to reverse engineer its secrets as he faced competition from Ollivander. It subsequently fell to Gellert Grindelwald, who stole it from Gregorovitch. Ultimately Grindelwald was defeated by Dumbledore, who then assumed control of the wand. Dumbledore considered it the "only hallow [he] was fit to possess, not to boast of it or kill with it, but to tame it." Ron stated that this would be the Hallow he would choose, simply because it is the "unbeatable wand", arguing that it was only dangerous to the brother who requested it because he kept on talking about his ownership of it and encouraging people to fight him.
When Dumbledore arranged his own death with Severus Snape, he intended Snape to "end up with the Elder Wand." Because his death would not have been the result of his defeat, Dumbledore hoped this might break the wand's power. However, since Draco Malfoy had disarmed Dumbledore before Snape killed Dumbledore, the plan failed; Draco unwittingly became the wand's new master, even though he never took physical possession of it from Dumbledore, and the Elder Wand was placed with Dumbledore's body in his tomb.
In the final book, Voldemort learns about the wand and goes on a search for it, and eventually learns Dumbledore had possessed the wand. He breaks into Dumbledore's tomb and claims the wand as his own. Assuming incorrectly that Snape is the wand's current master, Voldemort slays Snape, not realising the wand's allegiance was to Draco. Furthermore, the Elder Wand's allegiance had since shifted to Harry, as Harry had subsequently forcefully disarmed Draco and taken his wand (although that was not the Elder Wand). Voldemort never realises that the wand is one of the Hallows, and simply believes it to be a powerful wand. This can be seen by the way he turned the Resurrection Stone into a horcrux, although Dumbledore says that he doubts Voldemort would have any interest in the Cloak or the Stone even if he did know about them.
Only in his final encounter with Harry at the Battle of Hogwarts is Voldemort told he never won the true allegiance of the wand, as he did not gain ownership by defeating its previous owner. Despite this, Voldemort uses the Elder Wand to cast his final Killing Curse against Harry's Expelliarmus charm. Since the wand's allegiance is to Harry, Voldemort's spell backfires and kills him once and for all. Following this, in the book, Harry uses the Elder Wand to repair his own damaged holly and phoenix-feather wand, which he says he was "happier with", and returns the Elder Wand to Dumbledore's grave. In the film, however, Harry does not repair his phoenix-feather wand and instead chooses to snap the Elder Wand in two, to prevent the wand from falling into the wrong hands again, due to him having already lost his original wand.
Rowling revealed in an interview that the first working title for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was Harry Potter and the Elder Wand.[6]
Resurrection Stone[edit]
The Resurrection Stone allows the holder to communicate with the dead. According to the fairy tale concerning the origin of the Deathly Hallows, using the Resurrection Stone drove its original owner, Cadmus Peverell, to commit suicide after seeing his deceased fiancée but being unable to truly be with her. By the time the stone was seen in Marvolo Gaunt's possession, it had been set into a ring that bore the symbol of the Deathly Hallows, which Gaunt believed to be the Peverell coat of arms and used it to boast about his blood purity. Both Dumbledore and Grindelwald desired the stone, but for different reasons. While Dumbledore wanted it to communicate with his dead family, Grindelwald allegedly intended to use it to create an army of Inferi. Harry stated that this would be the Hallow he would desire most, as like Dumbledore he could name people he would like to communicate with again. Voldemort eventually turned the ring into a Horcrux, unaware of its additional magical properties.
Dumbledore recovered the ring from Marvolo's estate, recognising it as both a Horcrux and one of the Deathly Hallows. Forgetting that it was a Horcrux and as such was likely protected by curses laid by Voldemort, and blinded by personal desire, Dumbledore attempted to use the Resurrection Stone to talk to his deceased family. However, the curse destroyed his hand and began to spread throughout his body. Though the spread was partly contained in the destroyed and blackened hand by Snape, Dumbledore was doomed, having at most a year to live.
The stone was later passed to Harry through Dumbledore's will, hidden inside the Golden Snitch that Harry caught with his mouth, nearly swallowing it, in his first-ever Quidditch match. The Snitch revealed the message "I open at the close" when touched by Harry's lips. Harry is unable to open the Snitch until he is about to die in the Forest, and realises then that "the close" means the end, or his death. Harry uses the Stone to summon his parents, Sirius, and Remus Lupin to comfort him before he confronts Voldemort. The stone slips through Harry's numb fingers in the Forbidden Forest. He and Dumbledore's portrait later agreed that Harry would neither search for it nor tell others where it is. In a 2007 interview, Rowling said she would like to believe that a centaur's hoof pushed it into the ground, burying it forever.[3]
Cloak of Invisibility[edit]
See also: Invisibility Cloaks

According to the legend, the Cloak of Invisibility has the power to shield the wearer from being seen by Death. It is a true invisibility cloak, in that it is able to completely shield the wearer from sight and cannot be worn out by time or spells; other cloaks will lose their ability to conceal the wearer over time or become worn out, but the Hallow cloak will never fade or become damaged. Hermione claims that this is the Hallow she would choose, citing the usefulness Harry has found of it.
In Deathly Hallows, it is revealed that Harry's Cloak is in fact one of the Deathly Hallows. It originally belonged to Ignotus Peverell. According to legend, he did not trust death and took the cloak to hide from him and only gave it up when he was old and ready for death. After his death, the cloak was passed down from father to son through Peverell's descendants to James Potter.[7] The Cloak was not in James's possession the night he was murdered; he had previously lent it to Dumbledore, who was greatly interested in the Deathly Hallows. Dumbledore returned the Cloak to Harry several years later as a Christmas present during his first year at Hogwarts. Harry uses the Cloak throughout the series in order to sneak around the school on various adventures. Harry's father also used the cloak for similar purposes. It is large enough for Ron and Hermione to accompany him, and they frequently do, although this becomes increasingly difficult as they grow up throughout the series. At the end of Deathly Hallows, Dumbledore explains to Harry that the Cloak's true magic is that it can shield and protect others as well as its owner. This is apparent when it does not respond to a Death Eater's Summoning Charm while concealing Harry, Ron and Hermione in Deathly Hallows.
While making the wearer invisible to Muggles and wizards, some creatures are able to sense people hidden under it. Snakes, for example, cannot see through the Cloak of Invisibility, but they can somehow detect people under it. Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat, also seems to sense Harry when he wears the cloak. Wearers can also be detected by the "Homenum Revelio" spell.[3] In Goblet of Fire, Moody's magical eye could see Harry under the cloak. In Prisoner of Azkaban, Dumbledore warns that the Dementors' perception of humans is unhindered by invisibility cloaks, as they sense people through emotions.[8]
Detectors[edit]
Foe-glass[edit]
A Foe-glass is a mirror that detects and shows its owner's enemies in or out of focus, depending on how close they are. However, like all dark detectors, it can be fooled, as mentioned by Harry in the fifth book at the beginning of the first D.A. meeting. Moody, in reality Barty Crouch, Jr. in disguise, claimed that when the whites of their eyes are visible, he is in trouble. When Moody/Crouch was attacking Harry, he watched Professors Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore approach the room before they actually got there in the mirror. A Foe-glass is hanging in the Room of Requirement in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix when Harry uses the Room for D.A. meetings.
The Marauder's Map[edit]
The Marauder's Map is a magical map of Hogwarts created by Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black, and James Potter (respectively nicknamed "Moony", "Wormtail", "Padfoot", and "Prongs") while they were students at Hogwarts. During this time, they gained extensive knowledge about the school grounds, such as its various hidden passages, from their frequent night-time adventures together.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Fred and George Weasley give the map to Harry so he can travel to the village of Hogsmeade through a hidden passageway. The twins had previously stolen the map from a drawer in Filch's office that contained dangerous confiscated objects; it is revealed by Lupin that Filch probably knew what it was but not how to work it. Snape later finds the map in Harry's possession and tries to force it to reveal its secrets, but the map merely mocks and insults him. Lupin (one of the creators of the map), the current Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, is called upon to investigate this "dark object", and confiscates it to keep Harry safe, though he returns it to Harry after resigning his post at Hogwarts. From then on, the map becomes one of Harry's most useful tools in his ongoing adventures.
At first glance, the Map is simply a blank piece of parchment; but when the user points his wand at the Map and says, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good", the message "Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs, purveyors of aids to magical mischief-makers, are proud to present the Marauder's Map," and a detailed layout of Hogwarts appears. Saying, "Mischief managed!" while pointing one's wand on the parchment returns the map to its original blank state. The map displays the location of everyone within the castle and its grounds, and includes the location of secret passageways and instructions on how to access them. However, several locations like the Room of Requirement and the Chamber of Secrets do not appear on the map, either because the Marauders did not have any knowledge of them, or, in the case of the former, they are Unplottable. Furthermore, Animagus disguises, Polyjuice Potion, and Invisibility Cloaks cannot fool the map, as shown in Goblet of Fire when Barty Crouch, Jr., using a Polyjuice Potion to disguise himself as Moody,[HP4] and in Prisoner of Azkaban when Peter Pettigrew, who is supposed to be dead [HP3] but as an Animagus has transformed into a rat, are both displayed on the map.
On the prop version of the map made for the films, the lines are made up of what at first glance are just random letters, but upon closer inspection are Latin words. The series makes no mention of Harry recovering the map from Moody's office, even though he continued to use it in later books; when asked about this discrepancy, Rowling answered that Harry had indeed sneaked into the office and recovered it in the days following the Third Task, and that she had forgotten to include this detail in the book. When asked during an online question session, "What child did Harry give the Marauder's Map to, if any?" (after his school years), Rowling responded, "I've got a feeling he didn't give it to any of them, but that James (Harry's eldest son) sneaked it out of his father's desk one day."[3]
Probity Probe[edit]
A Probity Probe detects spells of concealment and hidden magical objects. The detector made its first appearance in Order of the Phoenix at the Ministry of Magic as a thin golden rod. After Voldemort's return, Probes are used as part of the increased security at Gringotts as well as for scanning the students of Hogwarts for Dark objects. They are last seen when Harry, Ron, and Hermione arrive at Gringotts in The Deathly Hallows to rob Bellatrix Lestrange's vault of one of Voldemort's Horcruxes.
Remembrall[edit]
A Remembrall is a small, clear orb, about the size of a tennis ball, containing smoke that turns red when it detects that the person holding it has forgotten something. Unfortunately, it does not tell the holder what he/she has forgotten which makes it somewhat worthless. The forgetful Neville Longbottom is sent a Remembrall by his grandmother in Philosopher's Stone. Remembralls are forbidden from being used during the O.W.L. exams, as they would enable students to know if they had written a wrong answer.
Revealer[edit]
A Revealer is a bright red eraser, used to make invisible ink appear. It made its first appearance in Chamber of Secrets when Hermione tried to make hidden writing appear in Tom Riddle's diary.
Secrecy Sensor[edit]
The Secrecy Sensor is a dark detector described as "an object that looked something like an extra-squiggly, golden television aerial." It vibrates when it detects concealment and lies. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Moody mentions that it is, "No use here of course, too much interference—students in every direction lying about why they haven't done their homework." However, it may be that this is because Moody was actually Barty Crouch, Jr. using Polyjuice Potion.
In Order of the Phoenix, it is shown that Secrecy Sensors are used at the Atrium Desk in the Ministry of Magic upon visitors to the government locale. Later in the book, Harry mentions to Dumbledore's Army that they can be easily fooled like their other dark-detecting counterparts. In Half-Blood Prince, due to Hogwarts' new stringent security measures, Argus Filch is assigned to inspect every student entering the castle with Secrecy Sensors. All the owls flying into Hogwarts, too, are placed under this measure to ensure that no Dark object enters the castle through mail. Later, Hermione explains that although Secrecy Sensors detect jinxes, curses, and Concealment Charms, they cannot detect love potions, as they are not considered Dark.
Sneakoscope[edit]
A Sneakoscope serves as a Dark Arts detector. The device is described as a miniature glass-spinning top that emits shrill noises in the presence of deception, for instance, when an untrustworthy person is near or when a deceitful event takes place nearby.
Sneakoscopes are introduced in Prisoner of Azkaban when Harry receives a pocket-sized version from Ron for his 13th birthday. Bill says that Pocket Sneakoscopes are unreliable, as it lit up and spun at dinner for apparently no reason, but Fred and George had put beetles in his soup without his knowledge. The sneakoscope appears again on the Hogwarts Express, and again in Harry and Ron's dormitory. Harry later discovers that Scabbers, Ron's rat, who is present each time the Sneakoscope is spinning, is actually Peter Pettigrew in Animagus form. In Goblet of Fire, the somewhat paranoid Moody has several sneakoscopes that he somehow disabled (possibly related to a crack it was described as having), claiming, "It wouldn't stop whistling." However, Moody was later revealed to actually be Barty Crouch, Jr. under the effects of the Polyjuice Potion, thus explaining the constant alerts in his presence. Finally in Deathly Hallows, Hermione gives Harry a Sneakoscope for his seventeenth birthday which they later use to help as a lookout while in hiding.
Weasley family clock[edit]
The Weasleys have a special clock in their home, the Burrow, with nine hands, one for every member of the family. Instead of telling the time, the clock reveals the location or status of each family member. The known locations are: Home, School, Work, Travelling, Lost, Hospital, Prison, Quidditch, and Mortal Peril. The Weasleys are the only family mentioned in the series to own such a clock. Dumbledore calls the clock "excellent" and seems impressed by it, suggesting that it is an extremely powerful object.
The location Mortal Peril is situated on the round clock where the numeral 12 would normally be. Throughout the first five books, the hands change to reflect the varying statuses of the family members, but by the sixth book, all nine hands point to mortal peril at all times, except when someone is travelling. Mrs. Weasley takes this to mean that, with Voldemort having returned, everyone is always in mortal peril, but she cannot verify this, as she does not know anyone else who has a clock like hers.[HP6]
Games[edit]
Exploding Snap[edit]
Exploding Snap is a wizarding card game in which the cards spontaneously explode during games. The game is popular with Hogwarts students. In Chamber of Secrets, Harry and Ron are held back from investigating why spiders were fleeing Hogwarts because Fred and George delayed them with this game. Ron later singed his eyebrows while building a card house with Exploding Snap cards. In Order of the Phoenix, Lee Jordan is punished by Dolores Umbridge for saying that she cannot tell them off for playing this game, as one of her Educational Decrees states that teachers can only talk to students about the subjects they are paid to teach.
Gobstones[edit]
Gobstones is one of the many magical games played by young wizards in the books, along with Wizard's Chess and Exploding Snap. Gobstones is similar to the Muggle games of marbles and pétanque, except that in Gobstones, the balls spit, or gob, a foul smelling liquid in the face of the opposing player when they lose a point. Hogwarts students are seen playing Gobstones throughout the books, and there is even a Gobstones Club at the school. It is also noted in the Harry Potter series that Eileen Prince (Snape's mother) was captain of Hogwart's Gobstone Club, as a student, at age 15.
Quidditch balls[edit]
The Quidditch balls consist of a Quaffle, a large red ball which the Chasers need to get through the three hoops on the field, gaining ten points each time this successfully occurs; two Bludgers, which fly around attempting to disturb the game and knock people off their brooms, and which the Beaters hit away from teammates and towards the opposing team; and the Golden Snitch, a very fast and difficult-to-see golden orb the size of a walnut with wings, which the Seeker on each team must capture to finish the game and gain 150 points. The Quidditch players wear gloves, leg pads, padded head guards, and occasionally goggles.
Self-Shuffling Playing Cards[edit]
In Chamber of Secrets, a pack of Self-Shuffling Cards is mentioned as one of the various objects littering the floor of Ron's room in the Burrow.[9]
Wizard's Chess[edit]
Wizard's Chess is played with pieces and a board similar to Muggle Chess, except that the pieces are animated and they literally destroy or capture each other if they land on an opponent's square.[10] The players simply order the pieces to move using algebraic chess notation, and the pieces attack each other in cases where an opposing player's piece would be taken, usually by knocking the captured piece out and dragging it off the board. Ron has a set left to him by his grandfather and Harry first plays with pieces borrowed from Seamus Finnigan. It is said that the pieces kept shouting him advice because they did not trust him.[HP1] Harry later gets a set of his own in one of his wizard crackers during his first Christmas at Hogwarts. During the climactic chapters of Philosopher's Stone Harry, Ron and Hermione become human chess pieces in a life-sized game of Wizard's Chess. Ron responds to the first move by using the Scandinavian Defense to verify that the chess pieces are enchanted and will smash each other. Later in the game, Ron sacrifices himself leading to Harry successfully checkmating the opposing King.[11] In the movies, the chesspieces are depicted using replicas of Lewis Chessmen.
Recently, the company Deagostini released a magazine series called Harry Potter Chess, which is based on the life-sized game near the end of the film version of Philosopher's Stone. The chess pieces that come with it are based on the life-sized pieces in the film. Arco Toys and others also have a Wizard's Chess Set.[12]
Horcruxes[edit]



 Four of Voldemort's Horcruxes
A Horcrux is an object used to store part of a person's soul, protecting them from death. If the body of the Horcrux's creator is destroyed, the person is still able to survive, much the same way as Koschei in Russian folklore. When the body of a Horcrux owner is killed, that portion of the soul that had remained in the body does not pass on to the next world, but will rather exist in a non-corporeal form capable of being resurrected by another wizard, as in The Goblet of Fire. If all of someone's Horcruxes are destroyed, then the soul's only anchor in the material world would be the body, the destruction of which would then cause final death.
This method was chosen by Voldemort to attain immortality. The concept is first introduced in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, though Horcruxes are present in earlier novels without being identified as such. Rowling uses Horace Slughorn's expository dialogue to reveal that the creation of a Horcrux requires one to commit a murder, which, as the supreme act of evil, "rips the soul apart".[13] After the murder, a spell is cast to infuse part of the ripped soul into an object, which then becomes a Horcrux. Rowling has never published the actual enchantment. In the final book of the series, Hermione finds the spell in a book titled Secrets of the Darkest Art.[14] Rowling has revealed that she intends to detail the process and spell used to create a Horcrux in her long-mentioned Harry Potter Encyclopedia.[15]
Both inanimate objects and living organisms have been used as Horcruxes, though the latter are considered riskier to use, since a living being can move and think for itself. There is no limit to the number of Horcruxes a witch or wizard can create. However, as the creator's soul is divided into progressively smaller portions, he or she loses more of her or his natural humanity and the soul becomes increasingly unstable. Consequently, under very specific conditions, a soul fragment can be sealed within an object without the intention or knowledge of the creator. While the object thus affected will, like any Horcrux, preserve the immortality of the creator, it does not become a "Dark object".[16] For example, Voldemort has unusual control over Nagini,[17] and consequently Nagini is able to communicate with Voldemort about the presence of Harry in Godric's Hollow in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Horcruxes made from inanimate objects are extremely difficult to destroy. They cannot be destroyed by conventional means such as smashing, breaking, or burning. To be destroyed, a Horcrux must suffer damage so severe that repair through magical means would be impossible. Very few magical objects or spells are powerful enough to achieve this (mentioned and used were the Fiendfyre, Gryffindor's Sword and Basillisk fang, the last two only being able to inflict such damage due to the basilisk venom permeating them both). Once a Horcrux is irreparably damaged, the fragment of soul within it is destroyed. A Horcrux can be deliberately magically undone only if the creator goes through a process of deep remorse for the murder committed to create the Horcrux. The pain of this remorse can be so excruciating that the process may kill the creator.[HP7]
Voldemort's creation of Horcruxes is central to the later storyline of the Harry Potter novels. As the number seven is a powerful number in magic, Voldemort intended to split his soul into that many pieces, with six Horcruxes and the last piece reposing within his body.[18] When Voldemort attacked the Potter family, he inadvertently created the sixth Horcrux, Harry. When his body was destroyed by the rebounded Killing Curse, a piece of his soul splintered off and attached itself to the only living thing remaining in the room – Harry Potter – making him a Horcrux. Later on, Voldemort, unaware of Harry being the sixth Horcrux, went on to complete his collection of the intended six Horcruxes by turning his snake Nagini into one, thus fragmenting his soul into a total of eight (counting the one residing in his own body), not seven, pieces. Complicating things even further, no more than six Horcruxes (including Harry) ever existed at any one time in the series: by the time Nagini had been made a Horcrux, one of the Horcruxes (Tom Riddle's diary) had already been destroyed.
All of Voldemort's deliberately created Horcruxes were made using objects that had been important to him or that held some sentimental value. He hid some of them carefully so that no one could find and destroy them, but used Nagini to do his bidding on several occasions in the later stories, and the diary was always intended to be a weapon to carry out Voldermort's plan to remove Muggle-borns from Hogwarts. However, even without magical protection, Horcruxes cannot be destroyed by any means of wand usage or physical force. The exception to this rule is Fiendfyre, which destroyed the lost diadem of Ravenclaw in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry intentionally destroys the diary with a Basilisk fang,[19] although unaware it was a Horcrux at the time, to free Ginny from its influence. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the discovery of the diary is revealed as the proof that leads to Dumbledore beginning the hunt for other Horcruxes, as it not only gives absolute proof that Voldermort split his soul, but also that there were likely other, better protected artifacts, given the risk Voldermort was taking by using the diary as a weapon.
Rowling revealed in Pottermore that Quirinus Quirrell served as a temporary Horcrux when Voldemort's soul possessed his body during Harry's first year at Hogwarts. A notable difference however is that the piece of soul within Quirrell was able to exist without its container, as it abandoned Quirrell and left him to die in the underground chambers. Based on this, the animals that Voldemort inhabited during his years of exile, such as rats and snakes, can also be considered as temporary Horcruxes.
Marvolo Gaunt's Ring[edit]
Tom Riddle created his first Horcrux using a ring owned by his maternal grandfather, Marvolo Gaunt, during the summer before his fifth year as a student at Hogwarts, when he was fifteen years old. He casts the spell after murdering his Muggle father. The ring is introduced during the fourth chapter of Half-Blood Prince, having already been destroyed by Albus Dumbledore. In a Pensieve memory, it is revealed that Riddle had taken the gold ring, which has a black stone inscribed with a magical symbol, from his uncle Morfin Gaunt, whom he had framed for the murder of his father and grandparents by altering his uncle's memories. Riddle wears the ring while still a student at Hogwarts, but eventually hides it in the house where the Gaunt family had lived. It remains hidden under the floorboards, placed in a golden box and protected by several enchantments, until Dumbledore finds it during the summer break between the events of Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince. Dumbledore destroys the first Horcrux with Godric Gryffindor's sword, though he is mortally injured by the ring's curses after putting the ring on his finger. The injury leaves his right hand permanently disfigured and would have killed him quickly if not for the intervention of Severus Snape, who slowed the curse to Dumbledore's withered right hand and arm, but could not stop it from eventually killing him, had it run its course.[20] The damaged ring is kept for a time on a table in the Headmaster's office.
Before his death, Dumbledore hides the ring's black stone inside a Golden Snitch and he bequeaths the Snitch to Harry in his will. Dumbledore had learned the stone is, in fact, the Resurrection Stone, one of the three Deathly Hallows. This was why he had put it on his finger: he had hoped to activate it and apologise to his long-dead family, forgetting it was also a Horcrux and thus likely to be protected by destructive enchantments. Voldemort remained unaware of the stone's additional magical properties throughout his lifetime, Dumbledore noting that Voldemort's fear of death and lack of loved ones would have given him no reason to be interested in the Stone for its original purpose, and doubting that Marvolo would have been remotely interested or aware of the Stone's true history.
Tom Riddle's Diary[edit]
Tom Riddle used his diary to create his second Horcrux during his sixth year at Hogwarts. He cast the spell after murdering his fellow student Moaning Myrtle using the Basilisk. The diary is introduced in the second chapter of Chamber of Secrets and is destroyed by Harry Potter during the climax of the same book.
Before Voldemort's downfall, he entrusted the Horcrux to Lucius Malfoy. While aware of its corrupting magical properties, Malfoy did not know the diary was a Horcrux, Voldemort having informed him of its value as a weapon but believing that he would be in a position to coordinate Malfoy's use of it. In an attempt to discredit Arthur Weasley as well as dispose of an incriminating Dark object, Malfoy hid the diary in Ginny Weasley's cauldron amidst her other books. Tom Riddle's soul-fragment possessed Ginny and, through her, reopened the Chamber of Secrets, eventually starting to draw her life from her. At the end of book two, Harry saved Ginny and destroyed the diary by stabbing it with the venomous fang of a Basilisk, making it the first Horcrux (in the novels) to be destroyed. His reports of the diary's behaviour to Dumbledore were the latter's first inkling that Voldemort might have created not just one Horcrux, but several: "What intrigued and alarmed me most was that the diary had been intended as a weapon as much as a safeguard",[21] implying that Voldemort must have had backups of some sort. It is also mentioned that Malfoy was meant to wait for Voldemort's say so before allowing the diary to be smuggled into Hogwarts, and that he never received it before Voldemort's first defeat; Voldemort didn't know the diary was destroyed until he forced the truth out of Lucius, deeply enraging him at the manner Lucius had so blithely endangered a fragment of his soul.
To Rowling, a diary is a very scary object, having said in an interview: "The temptation particularly for a young girl, is to pour out her heart to a diary." Rowling's little sister Diane was prone to this, and her great fear was that someone would read her diary. This gave Rowling the idea to have a diary that is, in itself, against the confider.[22] When asked what would have happened if Ginny had died and Riddle had managed to escape, Rowling declined to give a straight answer, but revealed that "it would have strengthened the present-day Voldemort considerably."[23]
Helga Hufflepuff's Cup[edit]
Tom Riddle used a cup owned by Hogwarts founder Helga Hufflepuff to create his third Horcrux. The spell was cast after he murdered Hepzibah Smith by poisoning her. The cup is introduced during the twentieth chapter of Half-Blood Prince and is destroyed by Hermione Granger in the thirty-first chapter of Deathly Hallows.
Hepzibah Smith, who owned the cup, was a distant descendant of Helga Hufflepuff. Riddle killed Smith, stole the cup, then framed her house elf Hokey for the crime. Voldemort entrusted the cup to Bellatrix Lestrange, who kept it protected in her vault at Gringotts Bank, a place to which Harry guessed a once penniless Voldemort would have always coveted a connection. Additional protective spells, including the Gemino (multiply curse) and Flagrante (fire curse) curses, were used to protect the contents of the vault. Harry, Ron and Hermione, with Hermione disguised as Lestrange, broke into the bank and stole the cup. Hermione later destroyed the Horcrux using a fang from the remains of the Basilisk still in the Chamber of Secrets.
Salazar Slytherin's Locket[edit]
Riddle created his fourth Horcrux using a locket once owned by Salazar Slytherin, which had once belonged to Riddle's mother, Merope Gaunt. The spell was cast after Riddle murdered a Muggle tramp.[1] The locket is introduced briefly in Order of the Phoenix (described only as "a heavy locket that not one of them could open") and is destroyed by Ron Weasley in the nineteenth chapter of Deathly Hallows.
Slytherin's locket was passed down through the generations and eventually ended up in the possession of Merope Gaunt. After being abandoned by her husband Tom Riddle Sr., Merope sold the locket to Caractacus Burke, shopkeeper of Borgin & Burkes, for 10 Galleons, a small fraction of the locket's true value. The locket was eventually sold to Hepzibah Smith. Riddle stole the locket, along with Helga Hufflepuff's cup, after murdering Smith. Once the locket became a Horcrux, Voldemort hid it in a seaside cave where he had once terrorised two of his fellow orphans. The cave's magical protection included a door that could only be opened with a blood offering, an enchanted boat, a basin of potion that causes pain and horrific visions to the drinker, and the use of Inferi. Dumbledore and Harry Potter pursued the locket in The Half-Blood Prince, only to find a fake one at the bottom of the basin.
Disillusioned Death Eater Regulus Arcturus Black had learned about the Horcrux and its hiding place from his house elf Kreacher, whom he had originally volunteered to accompany Voldemort to hide the Horcrux. In an effort to bring about Voldemort's eventual downfall, he and Kreacher navigated the magical protection and stole the locket, replacing it with the false one to fool Voldemort. While Black died in the effort, killed by the surrounding Inferi, Kreacher took the locket back to their home at Number 12, Grimmauld Place. Unable to destroy it like Black ordered, Kreacher continued to protect the locket for years. However, while the Order of the Phoenix was using the house as its headquarters, the locket was stolen by Mundungus Fletcher, a petty criminal and member of the Order. He gave it to Dolores Umbridge as a bribe when she caught him selling stolen property.
Two weeks after learning these details, Harry, Ron, and Hermione infiltrated the Ministry of Magic, where Umbridge worked, and stole the locket. Ron later saved Harry from being strangled by it when he wore it around his neck while attempting to retrieve the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the bottom of a lake in the Forest of Dean. When Ron attempted to destroy the locket, the fragment of soul inside assumed the shape of Harry and Hermione and played on Ron's fear that his two friends had started a romantic relationship during his absence. Briefly at this point, Ron's eyes gleamed scarlet, like Voldemort's. Ron destroyed the locket using the sword of Gryffindor in the same forest.
After the release of the final book, several reviews noted similarities between Slytherin's locket and the One Ring from The Lord of the Rings, as both artifacts negatively affect the personality of those who wore them, are extremely difficult to destroy, and ensure their creator immortality.[24] However, unlike the One Ring, the characters do not seem to have too much difficulty taking the locket off and willingly handing it to another person, nor does it provide them with any sense of power.
Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem[edit]
Lord Voldemort created his fifth Horcrux using Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem.[25] The spell needed to create the Horcrux was cast after Voldemort murdered an Albanian peasant.[1] The diadem is introduced by name in Deathly Hallows,[25] but actually first appeared in The Half-Blood Prince, described as "a tarnished tiara" in the Room of Requirement. Ravenclaw's daughter Helena, the Grey Lady of Ravenclaw, stole the diadem from her mother in an attempt to become more intelligent than her mother.[25] She fled to Albania, where she hid the diadem in the hollow of a tree when the Bloody Baron searched for her.[25] After Helena was murdered by the Bloody Baron, she became the Ravenclaw house ghost[25] and Tom Riddle, while a student at the school, charmed her into telling him the location of the diadem.[25] Shortly after leaving Hogwarts and after the murder of Hepzibah Smith (when Riddle stole Slytherin's Locket and Hufflepuff's cup from her), he travelled to Albania and seized the artefact while planning his rise to power.[25] Years later, when Voldemort returned to Hogwarts, reapplying for the Defence Against the Dark Arts position but denied the job by Albus Dumbledore, he hid the diadem (now a Horcrux) in the Room of Requirement.[25] Because Voldemort believed himself the only one to have discovered the Room, he never placed curses around the diadem.[25]
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry first comes into contact with the diadem when he hastily hides Snape's old potions book in the Room of Requirement. The diadem was mentioned merely as an "old discoloured tiara" in the sixth book; Harry used it to help mark the spot so he could later find where he placed the book. Later, after having the diadem described to him by the Ravenclaw ghost, Harry recalls this scene and hurries to retrieve it from the Room.[25] The diadem was unintentionally destroyed by a Fiendfyre curse cast by Vincent Crabbe as he, Gregory Goyle, and Draco Malfoy attacked Harry, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger inside the Room.[25] In the movie version, Harry stabs the diadem with another basilisk fang and Ron kicks it into the Room of Requirement, just as the Fiendfyre reaches the door.
Harry Potter[edit]
Main article: Harry Potter (character)
When Voldemort attempted to murder Harry Potter, he inadvertently sealed a fragment of his soul within the boy and turned him into the sixth Horcrux. The event took place just before the opening chapter of Philosopher's Stone. Rowling has explicitly stated that Harry never became a proper "Dark object" since the Horcrux spell was not cast.[16] Regardless, as with all Horcruxes, Voldemort would remain immortal so long as his soul fragment remained within Harry.[26] That portion of Voldemort's soul is unintentionally destroyed by Voldemort himself at the close of the thirty-fourth chapter of The Deathly Hallows with the help of the Elder Wand.
As a baby, Harry Potter was in the room when Voldemort's fatal Killing Curse backfired. Voldemort's soul had been weakened and destabilised by his continuous murders and the creation of his previous Horcruxes. Harry became a Horcrux when a fragment of Voldemort's soul attached itself to him after the unsuccessful curse. The lightning bolt-shaped scar on Harry's forehead is a direct result of this attempted murder, and the connection that formed as a result is used to explain several important plot points. Throughout the series, Harry is able to receive insight into Voldemort's mental and emotional states, allowing the reader to eavesdrop on the series' primary antagonist. This insight is usually accompanied by pain in the scar on Harry's forehead. Through Voldemort, Harry also inherited the ability to speak and understand Parseltongue. It is also revealed by Rowling in an interview that Harry's frequent pain in his scar when Voldemort is either active, nearby, or feeling strong emotions, is really the trapped bit of soul yearning to depart from Harry's body and rejoin its master's soul.[27] This yearning was one of the reasons why the Killing Curse used by Voldemort on Harry in the Forbidden Forest destroys Voldemort's Horcrux within Harry but sends Harry just into a limbo-like state. Harry could return to his body despite being hit by the Killing Curse because when Voldemort used Harry's blood to regain his full strength in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, it protected Harry from Voldemort killing him.
While Voldemort did learn of Harry's telepathic ability, Voldemort was never made aware that Harry was inadvertently protecting a portion of his soul. When Voldemort attempted to kill Harry with the Killing Curse in the forest, near the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, he destroyed the portion of his own soul embedded within Harry, but Harry survived due to Voldemort's use of his blood turning himself into a makeshift horcrux for Harry. With this destroyed, the connections between the two were also broken, and Harry never again felt pain in his scar. Rowling revealed Harry has also lost the ability to speak Parseltongue.[1] In the epilogue of the movie, the scar has faded to a normal looking scar on Harry's forehead.
Nagini[edit]
Main article: Nagini (Harry Potter)
The seventh Horcrux is Nagini, the snake Voldemort has with him constantly. She is the only living Horcrux apart from Harry Potter. This Horcrux was created by Voldemort when he was hiding in the forests of Albania; the victim of murder who led to its creation was Bertha Jorkins. He found Nagini, and becoming smitten by the snake, turned it into a Horcrux, being connected with it.[1] In the last chapter of Deathly Hallows, Nagini was killed by Neville Longbottom using the sword of Godric Gryffindor. Being the last remaining Horcrux, her destruction made Voldemort mortal.
Legendary magical artifacts[edit]
Goblet of Fire[edit]
The Goblet of Fire is a goblet made of wood and is used at the beginning of every Triwizard Tournament. It is used solely to choose the participating school champions, serving as an "impartial judge."[HP4] Slips of parchment with the names of potential candidates are placed in the Goblet and, at the designated time, a representative from each school is chosen when the slip of parchment containing their name spouts forth from the Goblet in a fountain of magical fire. The fake Moody stated once that the Goblet of Fire was "an exceptionally powerful magical object" and it is very difficult to hoodwink, unless someone uses an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm.
During its use in Goblet of Fire, it is placed in the entrance hall and surrounded by an "Age Line", a charm placed by Dumbledore to prevent underage wizards from entering the tournament. Anyone underage would grow a long white beard, as the Weasley twins demonstrated when they attempted to fool the goblet with an Ageing Potion. When not in use, the Goblet is kept in a jewelled casket in Dumbledore's closet.
Godric Gryffindor's Sword[edit]
The Sword of Godric Gryffindor is a goblin-made sword adorned with large rubies on the pommel. It was once owned by Godric Gryffindor, one of the medieval founders of Hogwarts. In Chamber of Secrets, Harry draws the Sword out of the Sorting Hat to kill a Basilisk. The sword also plays a key role in Deathly Hallows, where it is revealed to have become imbued with Basilisk venom following its use against the Basilisk, as it "only takes in that which makes it stronger". It is subsequently used to destroy three of Voldemort's Horcruxes.
Because the Sword was goblin-forged, it is indestructible, and according to Griphook the goblin, the Sword was originally forged by the goblin Ragnuk the First and "stolen" by Gryffindor, as The Sword was stolen (or retrieved, as goblins would say) by Griphook when the Sword fell from Harry's grasp during the raid on Bellatrix Lestrange's vault in book seven. However, it again returned to wizard hands later in the book, when Neville pulled it out of the Sorting Hat and used it to decapitate Nagini, Voldemort's snake. This shows that apparently, no matter where the sword happened to be at the time, it will reappear in the Hat when a true member of Gryffindor house is in need of it.
Rowling has confirmed in her webchat that Gryffindor did not steal the sword from Ragnuk and that this belief is merely part of Griphook's goblin mistrust and prejudice against wizards.[28] It was revealed on Pottermore that Godric Gryffindor commissioned Ragnuk the First to make to sword for him under his specifications. Once Ragnuk had made the sword, he was so fond of it that after he had presented it to Gryffindor, he told the goblins it had been stolen and sent minions to retrieve it for him. Gryffindor defeated the goblins using magic and instead of killing them, he bewitched them to go back to Ragnuk and say that if he tried to take the sword again, he would use it against them. The king took the threat seriously, but still insisted it had been stolen from him until the day he died.[29]
It is mentioned in the Deathly Hallows that the sword is supposed to be in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault, placed there by Severus Snape. Unknown to her, the sword was only a replica to fool her. When Harry, Ron and Hermione were captured and brought to the Malfoy Manor, she spotted the sword near one of the Snatchers, who intended to keep it. She killed him and forced the rest out of the room, then tortured Hermione for information about the sword. Griphook lied and told that the sword was a fake on Harry's request. Bellatrix's reaction to having her vault possibly broken into convinced Harry that the Horcrux was also placed in her vault.
Philosopher's Stone[edit]
Based upon the ancient alchemical idea of the Philosopher's stone, the Philosopher's stone is a stone, owned by Nicolas Flamel and first mentioned in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The stone is legendary in that it changes all metals to gold, and can be used to brew a potion called the Elixir of Life, making the drinker immortal. The Philosopher's Stone is seen only in the first and last book. It was destroyed at the end of the book by Dumbledore with Flamel's agreement. The Philosopher's Stone is mentioned again by Voldemort in Goblet of Fire, when Voldemort recounts to his Death Eaters what has happened between his initial defeat and his rebirth. The Philosopher's Stone is also mentioned in Half Blood Prince when Harry asks Dumbledore why Voldemort did not use a Philosopher's Stone to make himself immortal instead of Horcruxes, referring to the events of the first book. Dumbledore replied that Voldemort could not find the Stone, and was also convinced that creating Horcruxes was easier (and safer) than searching for the Stone, since the Stone does not make the user immortal, but only enhances their lifespan.
Sorting Hat[edit]
The Sorting Hat is a sapient artefact used at Hogwarts, which uses Legilimency (essentially, the ability to read minds) to determine which of the four school houses – Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin – each new student is to be assigned. The hat resembles a dilapidated conical leather wide brimmed wizards hat, with folds and tears that make it appear to have eyes and a mouth. During the opening banquet at the beginning of each school year, the Hat is placed on every first-year student's head. The Hat announces its choice aloud, and the student joins the selected house. The Hat speaks to the student while they're being sorted and is willing to take the student's preferences into account when it makes its decision. However, sometimes it does not have the need to do so: for instance, the Hat barely touched Draco Malfoy's head before sending him to Slytherin. The Sorting Hat had a difficult time placing Harry, almost placing him into Slytherin house before he requested specifically and emphatically not to be. The Hat instead placed him into Gryffindor, the house of his parents. Rowling has stated the reason for the Hat's indecision as to which house to place him into was because it sensed the part of Voldemort's soul within Harry.
The Sorting Hat is notorious for refusing to admit it has made a mistake and sticking by its original decision, even when it is obvious the student has been placed in the wrong House. However, the Hat has made few errors over the centuries it has worked in Hogwarts.
The Sorting Hat originally belonged to Godric Gryffindor, one of the four founders of Hogwarts. The four founders used to hand-pick the students for their houses, but then realised someone else would have to do it after they died, so Gryffindor took off his hat, enchanted it, and let it choose. Since then, the Sorting Hat has always been used to choose which house the students are put in. Due to its age, it appears "patched and frayed and extremely dirty." Before Sorting the students each year, the hat recites a new introductory song. These songs occasionally warn of danger to come, as in Order of the Phoenix. The Sorting Hat's songs vary in length and content, but always include a brief description of each house.
The Sorting Hat has shown the ability to conjure the Sword of Gryffindor from under its brim, as shown on two instances. Both times it is used to kill snakes; in Chamber of Secrets, it provides the sword to Harry to kill the Basilisk, and in Deathly Hallows, it delivers the sword to Neville. Dumbledore makes it clear in Chamber of Secrets that only a true Gryffindor can summon the sword in this fashion. In Deathly Hallows the Sorting Hat is set on fire by Voldemort, although it appears the hat was not destroyed, as Neville was able to draw the Sword of Gryffindor from it immediately after and decapitate Voldemort's snake Nagini. In the epilogue at the end of Deathly Hallows, the Hat's survival is confirmed, as Harry tells his youngest son that the Hat would take his preference into consideration.
According to Pottermore, a Hatstall is '[a]n archaic Hogwarts term for any new student whose Sorting takes longer than five minutes. This is an exceptionally long time for the Sorting Hat to deliberate, and occurs rarely, perhaps once every 50 years.
'Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom came closest to being Hatstalls. The Sorting Hat spent nearly four minutes trying to decide whether it should place Hermione in Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. In Neville's case, the Hat was determined to place him in Gryffindor: Neville, intimidated by that house’s reputation for bravery, requested a placing in Hufflepuff. Their silent wrangling resulted in triumph for the Hat.'
In the first, second, and eighth Harry Potter film, the hat is voiced by actor Leslie Phillips.
Mirrors[edit]
The Mirror of Erised[edit]
The Mirror of Erised is a mystical mirror discovered by Harry in an abandoned classroom in Philosopher's Stone. On it is inscribed "erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohs i". When mirrored and correctly spaced, this reads "I show not your face but your heart's desire." As "erised" reversed is "desire," it is the "Mirror of Desire." Harry, upon encountering the Mirror, can see his parents, as well as what appears to be a crowd of relatives; Ron sees himself as Head Boy and Quidditch Captain holding the House Cup, thus revealing his wish to escape from the shadow of his highly successful older brothers, as well as his more popular friend, Harry. Dumbledore cautions Harry that the Mirror gives neither knowledge nor truth and that men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they see.
Dumbledore, one of the few other characters to face the Mirror in the novel, claims to see himself holding a pair of socks, telling Harry that "one can never have enough socks," and lamenting that he did not receive any for Christmas, since people will insist on giving him books. However, it is suggested in Deathly Hallows that what he really sees is his entire family alive, well and happy together again, much like Harry.[30]
The Mirror of Erised was the final protection given to the Philosopher's Stone in the first book. Dumbledore hid the Mirror and hid the Stone inside it, knowing that only a person who wanted to find but not use the Stone would be able to obtain it. Anyone else would see him or herself making an Elixir of Life or turning things to gold, rather than actually finding the Stone, and would be unable to obtain it.
Two-way mirrors[edit]
In Order of the Phoenix, Sirius gives Harry a mirror he originally used to communicate with James while they were in separate detentions. That mirror is a part of a set of Two-way Mirrors that are activated by holding one of them and saying the name of the other possessor, causing his or her face to appear on the caller's mirror and vice versa. Harry receives this mirror from Sirius in a package after spending his Christmas holiday at Grimmauld Place. Harry, at first, chooses not to open the package, although he does discover the mirror after Sirius's death, by which point it is no longer functional. It makes its second appearance in "Deathly Hallows" when Mundungus Fletcher loots Grimmauld Place and sells Sirius's mirror to Aberforth Dumbledore, who uses it to watch out for Harry in Deathly Hallows. When Harry desperately cries for help to a shard of the magical mirror (which broke in the bottom of his trunk), a brilliant blue eye belonging to Aberforth (which Harry, however, mistakes for Albus's eye), appears and he sends Dobby, who arrives to help Harry escape from Malfoy Manor to Shell Cottage.
Photographs and portraits[edit]
Main article: Magical portrait (Harry Potter)
The photographs and portraits in the world of wizards are not stationary like in the Muggle world. They move around within the frame and from one portrait to another, and are also able to talk if they are developed in a certain potion. A portrait of the Fat Lady is used in Hogwarts to cover the door to the Gryffindor common room and opens only when she is given the password. Also, there are various paintings of old Headmasters and Headmistresses of Hogwarts in Dumbledore's office, and he is shown to be in discussion with them from time to time. He also uses the portrait of Phineas Nigellus, Sirius Black's great grandfather, to communicate with Sirius and to keep a watch at the Order's Headquarters through another portrait of Phineas in the house. The headmaster portraits are special, not simply due to the fact that they appear in them because of their death. The reason for this is that part of their soul stays behind in their portrait.
Prank objects[edit]
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes[edit]
Main article: Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes
Prank objects from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes are made and designed by the owners of the shop, Fred and George, who test their new creations on themselves and other Hogwarts students.
Weasley's Wild-fire Whiz-Bangs are enchanted fireworks that have overly spectacular and remarkable effects.
Skiving Snackboxes are sweets that are designed to make the eater ill in order to skip or "skive off" class. Each variety of Snackboxes causes a different effect, such as vomiting, fainting or developing nosebleeds. One end of the sweet causes the malady, while the other end subsequently cures it.
Patented Daydream Charms this is a kit that puts the user into a realistic 30-minute daydream which they imagine, and can easily be customised so as to be fitted into any lesson.
A Headless Hat creates a limited field of invisibility that covers the wearer's head, giving him or her the appearance of not having a head. Its counterpart is a Shield Hat, which deflects minor hexes and curses. Though Fred and George design the Shield Hat to be a trick item, Ministry officials are impressed by its practical value and order 500 of them for protection of the Aurors. Shield Cloaks and Shield Gloves are also on sale following the Shield Hat's success.
Trick Wands are magical fake wands that turn into a silly item (rubber chickens, tin parrots, etc.) when someone tries to use them. More expensive varieties beat the unwary user about the head and neck.
Ton-Tongue Toffees make the eater's tongue temporarily grow to an alarmingly large size, as read about in Goblet of Fire when Fred "accidentally" drops some in front of Dudley, who subsequently eats one they "forgot" to retrieve.
Canary Creams make the eater turn briefly into a large canary; when the effect wears off, he/she moults and returns to normal.
U-No-Poo causes the consumer to have constipation, or as Fred and George refer to it: "The constipation sensation that's gripping the nation." Its name is a play on "You-Know-Who", commonly used to refer to Voldemort.
Extendable Ears are long flesh-coloured strings, one end of which is inserted into a user's ear and the other end placed further away towards a conversation or sound. Much like a listening device, the user will be able to hear the sounds as if they were much closer to the source. They were first introduced by Fred and George Weasley in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, when they used the ears to listen to the Order's meetings, until one was destroyed (and eaten) by Crookshanks.
Portable Swamps are, as the name suggests, realistic pop-up swamps. They were first seen in Order of the Phoenix after Umbridge is renamed Headmistress. Fred and George set one off in a corridor, partly as a distraction for Umbridge so Harry can use her fireplace, and partly to just cause general mayhem. They seem to be reasonably difficult to remove: Umbridge cannot remove it and forces Filch to punt students across, while Professor Flitwick vanishes it almost instantly later on in the novel. (He leaves a small patch untouched as a tribute to Fred and George, who have left Hogwarts by this point.)
Decoy Detonators are described as black horn type objects that will run out of sight, and make a noise giving the user a good distraction. Introduced in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. First used by Harry while breaking into Dolores Umbridge's office at the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
There are also prank items which the Weasleys import from elsewhere, such as:
Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder, which throws an area into darkness that cannot be penetrated by wandlight or any magical means, although the effect wears off in a few minutes. Draco Malfoy uses it to avoid members of Dumbledore's Army in Half-Blood Prince. It is also used in the Half-Blood Prince film by Harry in order to gain access to the luggage space above Draco Malfoy's table on the Hogwarts Express.
Zonko's Joke Shop[edit]
Zonko's Joke Shop was a favourite place for Hogwarts students to shop on Hogsmeade trips. It carried "jokes and tricks to fulfill even Fred and George's wildest dreams." Such products include Hiccough(Hiccup) Sweets, Frog Spawn Soap, and Nose-Biting Teacups. Fred and George tried to buy the place to expand their shop in Hogsmeade during Harry's sixth year, but they turned it down due to the dark times coming up.
Other prank objects[edit]
Other prank objects include Belch Powder,[31] Dungbombs (which explode and cause a large and extremely smelly mess), and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs (which hit their target repeatedly after being thrown). Fanged Frisbees are quite literally normal Frisbees with fangs and are first mentioned in Goblet of Fire as one of Filch's newest restricted items during Dumbledore's start-of-term speech. However, they make their first appearance in Half-Blood Prince when Ron whirled one around the Gryffindor common room, it changed course with a mind of its own, and took a bite out of a tapestry. Most of these objects are banned at Hogwarts due to the possibility of injury.
More objects include Screaming Yo-Yos, which scream very loudly when worked, and Stink Pellets, which are used to distract prefects and teachers, and give a most unpleasant smell.[31]
Storage receptacles[edit]
Hermione's handbag[edit]
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Hermione used an Undetectable Extension Charm on her beaded handbag, significantly enlarging the bag's internal dimensions without affecting its physical size. As well, the mass of the objects placed in her handbag is negated, making the bag easy to carry. Bags similar to this appear in other contexts, such as the "bag of holding" in Dungeons and Dragons or the "magic satchel" in many other games. Hermione uses it to carry everything they need when they travel across the United Kingdom on their hunt for Horcruxes.
Mokeskin pouch[edit]
Mokeskin pouches are a type of draw-string pouch that can be operated only by the owner. Harry receives one as his 17th birthday present from Hagrid, using it to store several items of personal significance, such as the Golden Snitch, his broken wand, the false locket, the shard of Sirius' mirror and the Marauders' map.
Moody's Magical Trunk[edit]
Alastor Moody owns a strangely bewitched magical trunk. It has seven locks on it, and the trunk opens to a different assortment of objects for each lock. Most notably, though, the seventh compartment is about 10 feet (3.0 m) deep (possibly because of the use of an Undetectable Extension Charm), and is where Barty Crouch Jr. imprisoned the real Moody. Other compartments contain spellbooks, Dark Detectors, and Moody's Invisibility Cloak.
Pensieve[edit]



 The Pensieve as seen in David Yates' Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
A Pensieve is a stone basin used to store and review memories. Covered in mystic runes, it contains memories whose physical form is neither gas nor liquid. A witch or wizard can extract their own or another's memories, store them in the Pensieve, and review them later. It also relieves the mind when it becomes cluttered with information. Anyone can examine the memories in the Pensieve, which also allows viewers to fully immerse themselves in the memories stored within, much like a magical form of virtual reality.
Users of these devices view the memories from a third-person-point-of-view, providing a near-omniscient perspective of the events preserved. Rowling confirmed memories in the Pensieve allow one to view details of things that happened even if they did not notice or remember them, and stated "that's the magic of the Pensieve, what brings it alive."[32] The memories contained in the Pensieve have the appearance of silver threads. Memories that have deteriorated due to age, or that were heavily manipulated or tampered with to alter perspectives (such as Slughorn's), may appear thick and jelly-like and offer obscured viewing. Memories are not limited to just those of humans, since Hokey the house-elf provided Dumbledore with a memory as well. It makes its last appearance in Deathly Hallows when Harry uses it to uncover the truth about Snape.
In the fourth film, the Pensieve in Dumbledore's office conforms to the description given in the novel. However, in the sixth and eighth films, it appears as a shallow metal dish, floating in midair and filled with a mercury-like liquid. During the eighth film, Harry removes it from the stone basin so he can use it to examine Snape's memories.
Transportation[edit]
Arthur Weasley's Ford Anglia[edit]
Arthur Weasley owned a Ford Anglia 105E that he subsequently enchanted; consequently, the vehicle can fly, become invisible, and carry the entire Weasley family in spite of its formerly non-enchanted interior dimensions (also the Undetectable Extension Charm), among other abilities. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the car is borrowed by Fred, George and Ron, who use it to rescue Harry from the Dursleys' house. Ron and Harry later steal the car in order to return to Hogwarts after the gate to Platform 9¾ is sealed by Dobby. After they arrive at school, landing in the Whomping Willow, the car ejects Harry, Ron, and their luggage, then flees into the Forbidden Forest, ignoring Ron's pleas for it to come back. Mr Weasley soon faces an inquiry at the Ministry of Magic, as seven Muggles saw the car flying across the countryside, and is forced to pay a large fine.
The car reappears when Harry and Ron visit Aragog in the forest: when the great spider's colony of acromantula attempt to devour Harry and Ron, the car attacks the spiders and carries the boys to safety. The car does not return to the Weasleys despite saving Ron and Harry, choosing instead to remain on its own. The car's current condition is undisclosed; Ron had commented that the enchanted vehicle had become "wild" and thus operated autonomously, like a wild animal. In theory, it might still exist when the characters' children attend Hogwarts.
The 1962 Ford Anglia used in the film was acquired by Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley, and is currently displayed in the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu[citation needed] A total of 14 Ford Anglias were destroyed during the filming of the scene where the car crashes into the Whomping Willow.
A replica of the car in its feral state can be seen in the queue line for the Dragon Challenge roller coaster at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure theme park. Occasionally it blinks its headlights and honks its horn when its motion detectors sense that guests are standing in front of it or walking by it.
Broomsticks[edit]
Broomsticks are used for transportation by witches and wizards of all ages, and for participating in the game of Quidditch. Their use is similar to that of flying carpets, although the latter are banned in Great Britain by the Ministry of Magic. However, they are uncomfortable for extended trips, even with a cushion charm applied, and thus many wizards favour other means of transport for those journeys.
Broomsticks are treated as a major consumer product in the wizarding world. There are numerous manufacturers and models of brooms, including Cleansweeps and Comets, all of which vary in their capabilities. These range from expensive high-performance models to toy broomsticks for young children that fly only a few feet off the ground to family-sized broomsticks that seat multiple people and include a luggage compartment below the seating area.
Since Harry plays Quidditch, his broomsticks - a Nimbus 2000 and later a Firebolt - are prominent in the series. The Nimbus 2000 was given to him by special consent of Dumbledore via Minerva McGonagall, who had chosen him as Seeker.[HP1] The Firebolt was given to him by Sirius as a Christmas gift after his Nimbus was destroyed during a Quidditch match.[HP3] The Firebolt remains the fastest broom in the world, having surpassed the previous record holder, the Nimbus 2001 (which Draco Malfoy owns), and its price is so high it is only available upon request.[HP3]
Floo Powder[edit]



 Floo Powder as seen in Chris Columbus' film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Floo Powder is a glittering powder used by wizards to travel and communicate using fireplaces. It was invented by Ignatia Wildsmith (1227–1320) and named after the flue, which is the passageway that leads from a fireplace to the chimney and allows hot gases to escape.
Floo powder can be used with any fireplace connected to the Floo Network. To transport from one to another, the fire at the point of departure must first be lit. The traveller throws a handful of Floo powder into the flames, turning them emerald green, then steps into the fireplace and states the intended destination in a clear and purposeful voice. Floo powder can also be used for communication; a wizard or witch can kneel in front of the fireplace and stick their head into the fire, which will then appear in the fire of the destination fireplace, leaving the witch or wizard free to talk. It is also known that other body parts may be transported via Floo Powder, as Umbridge almost catches Sirius the second time he converses with Harry through the Floo network. People may also be summoned by Floo Powder, as is shown in Prisoner of Azkaban by Snape, who summons Lupin through his office's fireplace while interrogating Harry about the Marauder's Map.
In Chamber of Secrets, the Weasleys travel to Diagon Alley using Floo Powder. Harry, however, did not say "Diagon Alley" clearly, instead saying "diagonally", so he was sent to Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley. In the fourth book, Mr. Weasley uses his position at the Ministry to have the Dursleys' fireplace temporarily connected to the Floo Network, unaware that it had been blocked. Sirius uses the network to communicate with Harry in the same book. In the fifth book, Harry uses the Gryffindor fireplace and later Umbridge's fireplace to communicate with Sirius; he is forced to use the latter because Umbridge begins monitoring all other lines of communication in and out of Hogwarts.
The Floo Network is controlled by the Ministry of Magic. The Ministry also has over 700 fireplaces in its headquarters so that officials and workers can go directly to/from work without the hustle and bustle of travelling on brooms or by Portkey - or the indignity of having to flush themselves in through a public toilet, as portrayed in Deathly Hallows.
Flying carpets[edit]
Flying carpets are thick rugs, usually highly patterned and often manufactured in the Middle East, that are enchanted with the ability to fly.[original research?] Flying Carpets were once an accepted form of travel for the British magical community, but they are now banned due to being defined as a Muggle Artifact[33] by the Registry of Proscribed Charmable Objects. It is therefore now against British wizarding law to charm carpets or fly them, although they are still legal in other countries. Mr. Weasley was heavily involved in the introduction of this legislation due to his position in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office. It is revealed that the ban was relatively recent, not only due to Mr. Weasley's involvement, but also because Barty Crouch's grandfather owned and operated a 12-seater Axminster before flying carpets were prohibited.
Hogwarts Express[edit]
Main article: Hogwarts Express
The Hogwarts Express is the train which transports Hogwarts students to and from the school at the beginning and end of each term. It also transports willing students home for the Christmas holidays. It is stationed in Hogsmeade when not in use, and it can be accessed only by using the magical wall between the platforms 9 and 10.
Knight Bus[edit]
The Knight Bus is a heavily enchanted purple triple-decker Regent Three class bus that transports witches and wizards. It is hailed just like in hitchhiking, but instead of the thumb, the wizard has to hold his wand hand out to hail the Knight Bus. It makes its first appearance in Prisoner of Azkaban when Harry unintentionally hails it by holding his wand hand out. Harry has a final ride on the Knight Bus with a number of his friends in Order of the Phoenix. The Knight Bus is faster than travelling by broomstick, but not as fast as near instantaneous Floo Powder and Apparating. The bus charges for the service based on distance; Harry is charged a base fare of 11 Sickles to travel from Little Whinging to The Leaky Cauldron. Amenities such as hot-water bottles, toothbrushes, and hot chocolate are available for a small additional fee.[HP3]
The bus functions as a convenient form of public transportation for the wizard or witch who cannot or will not choose another means of transportation. The riders are seemingly picked up by the bus from all over in-universe Great Britain, bringing passengers to the destinations of their choice with seemingly no set route. It bolts through the streets entirely invisible to Muggles and causes other objects to dodge it (instead of the other way around) for short distance-travel. For longer distances, the Knight Bus makes 160 km (hundred-mile) leaps, accompanied by a great bang and jolt. The interior of the bus changes depending on the time of day, having seats by day and beds by night. It is also highly uncomfortable, according to Ron and Harry. Its only mentioned limitation in travelling is that it is unable to voyage through water.
The conductor of the Knight Bus is Stan Shunpike, and its driver is Ernie Prang. In the third film, Ernie is accompanied by a talking shrunken head voiced by Lenny Henry.
The actual Knight Bus seen in the film adaptation was built by grafting the top deck of a London AEC Regent III RT bus onto the top of another "RT" bus. Both buses were originally built for London Transport; the "RT" was the standard London diesel-powered double-decker bus of which approximately 4,000 were built from 1939 until the mid-1950s (and were used in daily service until 1979). The actual bus used was RT3882 (registration LLU681), with the additional top deck from former RT2240 (registration KGU169). Parts of RT 4497 (OLD 717) were also used.[34]
Portkeys[edit]
Portkeys are first mentioned in Goblet of Fire by Mr. Weasley. They are an alternative to Apparation but can also be used to transport a group of people at once. Created by using the Portus spell, a Portkey can be set to transport anybody who touches it to a designated location or to become active at a predetermined time and transport itself and anyone touching to its set destination.[HP4] It may be created for one-way, one-time use or to transport the holder to and from a particular place in a round trip. The creation of Portkeys is highly restricted and controlled by the Department of Magical Transport, Portkey office. Cornelius Fudge objects to Dumbledore spontaneously creating one, stating that Dumbledore hasn't got authorisation; and at one point Lupin says, "... it's more than our life's worth to set up an unauthorised Portkey."[HP5]
Any object can be used as a Portkey; it is common practise, however, to select old, worthless items, to discourage unsuspecting Muggles from picking them up and activating them[HP4]. Portkey objects used in the Potter series include a football and an old Wellington boot. Once the Portus charm is cast upon an object, it glows blue and vibrates gently; once settled it has become a Portkey. When Portkeys are activated, users feel the sensation of a hook being jerked from behind their navel. The floor disappears from beneath their feet, leaving their last position behind them, and they fly forward through a whirlwind of colour and sound, appearing suddenly at their destination.[HP5] With enough practice it is possible to achieve a graceful landing: After the Portkey trip to the Quidditch World Cup in the fourth film, Mr. Weasley, Cedric and Amos Diggory land on their feet, while the less experienced teenagers, including Harry, fall on the ground.
Sirius Black's Enchanted Motorbike[edit]
Sirius Black owned a flying motorbike, which he lent to Hagrid the night Harry's parents died. It is first seen when Hagrid delivers the baby Harry to Number 4, Privet Drive in the first book, and then again when Hagrid uses it transport Harry to a safe house in the seventh volume. In Deathly Hallows, various modifications have been made to the bike by Mr. Weasley, allowing it to create a brick wall or a net that erupts from the exhaust pipe and to shoot dragon fire from the exhaust, impelling the bike's sudden acceleration. The dragon-fire feature is used to great effect by Hagrid and Harry when being chased by Voldemort; however, Mr. Weasley did warn that he was unsure of its safety and that they should use it only in an emergency. He was right to say this, as the sidecar of the motorbike, unaffected by Hagrid's magic dislodged after the abrupt acceleration.
The bike is severely damaged when, with Hagrid and Harry aboard, it crashes into Ted and Andromeda Tonks's garden pond. Mr. Weasley covertly tells Harry that he plans to put the bike back together when "he has time", meaning when Mrs. Weasley is distracted or has forgotten about it. He hides it in the chicken coop and manages to repair it, giving it to Harry between the end of Deathly Hallows and the epilogue. The bike is now still in Harry's possession, but he doesn't use it.
Time-Turners[edit]
A Time-Turner may be used for short-term time travel. Hermione receives a Time-Turner from McGonagall in Prisoner of Azkaban, enabling her to attend more than one class simultaneously. Hermione is ordered to keep it a secret from everyone, including Harry and Ron, although they do notice the suspicious impossibility of her schedule and several bizarre disappearances and reappearances. Hermione lets Harry and Ron in on the secret near the end of the book, when she and Harry use the Time-Turner to save Sirius Black and Buckbeak. Feeling the strain from her heavy course load, she finally returns the device to McGonagall at the end of the novel.
A large supply of Time-Turners is kept at the Ministry, as seen in Order of the Phoenix; however, during the events of that book, a glass-fronted cabinet containing the Time-Turners is destroyed. Due to their time-affecting properties, the cabinet is seen to fall, shatter and repair itself repeatedly. In Half-Blood Prince, Hermione quotes an article in The Daily Prophet which stated that "the entire stock of Ministry Time-Turners" was destroyed during that incident. The books do not discuss who else may be in possession of Time-Turners outside of the Ministry. Time-Turners are very dangerous when in wrong hands, as it's said that many wizards met their demise after confronting and accidentally killing their own selves from the future so they are issued very carefully.
Hermione's Time-Turner resembles a gold hourglass pendant on a necklace; it is unclear if all of them do. The user twists the hourglass pendant, with the number of twists corresponding to the number of hours he or she travels back.[35]
Vanishing Cabinet[edit]
The Vanishing Cabinet is a cabinet located in the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts that is a part of a set of two. The other cabinet resides in Borgin and Burkes. If used properly, a person who steps into one of the cabinets will instantly emerge from the other.
The Vanishing Cabinet is first seen in Chamber of Secrets when Harry hides in it to elude the Malfoys after accidentally traveling to Borgin and Burkes via the Floo Network; its transportation features are not activated as he does not shut the Cabinet completely. Its Hogwarts counterpart is also mentioned in Chamber of Secrets when Nearly Headless Nick persuades Peeves the Poltergeist to drop it (thus breaking it) over Filch's office in order to help Harry escape detention for tracking in mud. It was also used in Order of the Phoenix by Fred and George when they forced Montague, the Slytherin Quidditch captain and member of the Inquisitorial Squad, into it when he tried to take house points from Gryffindor. Draco then learns of Montague's experience, discovering transportation is possible between the two Cabinets and the other is located in Borgin and Burkes. In Half-Blood Prince he manages to fix the broken one at Hogwarts so as to transport the Death Eaters into the highly secured castle.
Though this set is the only one mentioned in the book series, the film version of Half-Blood Prince reveals that they were popular when Voldemort first came to power, as they would allow people to make a quick getaway from Voldemort and his Death Eaters in an emergency.
Writing equipment[edit]
Anti-Cheating Quill[edit]
The Anti-Cheating Quill, a quill with an anti-cheating charm on it, first mentioned in Philosopher's Stone.[PS Ch.16] In book five they are assigned to every O.W.L. student – and presumably those taking other exams – in order to prevent students from cheating in their written exams.
Auto-Answer Quill[edit]
The Auto-Answer Quill is a quill that has been bewitched so that when the quill touches a question on a piece of parchment it writes the answer instantly. The quill is banned from the O.W.L. Examinations and the inks are checked out every time the test is on.[OP Ch.31]
Blood Quill[edit]
The Blood Quill is a torture quill used by Umbridge throughout the Order of the Phoenix to punish students that she has given detention. It is described as having an unusually sharp black nib. As the user writes, the quill magically and very painfully cuts into the back of the user's hand and uses his or her blood for ink. In the fifth book, Harry has detention with Umbridge on several occasions; he is required to write lines (I must not tell lies) and is not released from this until Umbridge believes "the message has sunk in." When carried out repeatedly over an extended period, this leads to permanent scarring, as Harry shows Scrimgeour in the last two books. The scars tingle whenever Harry hears Umbridge's name, but it is not clear whether this is psychological or akin to Harry's forehead scar hurting whenever Voldemort is active. Another victim of this form of detention is Lee Jordan; in the film adaptation of the book, members of Dumbledore's Army are forced to use these quills as well. Blood quills are considered illegal to own.
Magical Quill[edit]
According to Pottermore, the Magical Quill is a magical object which detects the birth of a child with magical capabilities. It is located in Hogwarts School, where it records the children's names in a large book. Professor McGonagall consults the book and sends out the subsequent Hogwarts acceptance letters by owl once the child turns eleven. It has been made very popular due to its use in registering users for the closed beta of Pottermore.[36]
Quick Quotes Quill[edit]
A Quick Quotes Quill is a stenographic tool, acid green in colour, employed by Rita Skeeter to spin the words of her subjects into a more salacious or melodramatic form. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Skeeter uses the quill to interview Harry about his participation in the Triwizard Tournament for her column in The Daily Prophet. Harry continually tries to alert her to the inaccuracy of the quill; however, she continually ignores him. Additionally, in Deathly Hallows, Rita mentions in her Daily Prophet interview concerning her posthumous biography of Dumbledore that her Quick Quotes Quill helped her to write the book so quickly after his death.
Spell-Checking Quill[edit]
The Spell-Checking Quill temporarily corrects spelling as the user writes; however, once the charm wears off it constantly misspells words, even if the user writes them correctly. The most notable example is its misspelling of Ron's name as "Roonil Wazlib" in Half-Blood Prince. It is sold through Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, the joke shop opened by Fred and George Weasley.
Other uncategorised objects[edit]
These objects remain uncategorised as they are the only ones in their field.
Cauldron[edit]
Cauldrons are magical receptacles in which potions are brewed. They can be bought at the Cauldron Shop in Diagon Alley. There are many different sizes and materials for cauldrons; Hogwarts asks students to buy a simple pewter cauldron, though in the first book Harry expresses a longing for one of pure gold.
In Goblet of Fire, Percy Weasley writes a report on cauldrons for his new Ministry job in the hope that it will push regulation of the thickness of cauldron bottoms, as he believes foreign imports are a safety risk.
Gubraithian fire[edit]
Gubraithian Fire is an everlasting magical fire that may only be created by extremely skilled wizards. Hagrid and Madame Maxime gave a bundle of Gubraithian fire, conjured by Dumbledore, as a gift to the Gurg (leader) of the giants during their attempts to sway them to Dumbledore's side.[HP6]
Omnioculars[edit]
Omnioculars are a pair of magical brass binoculars used by Harry, Ron and Hermione in the fourth book during the Quidditch World Cup. Omnioculars, besides having the magnification capabilities of binoculars, have many other useful features. For example, they have the ability to slow down or replay something seen through the lenses, although a side effect is that the view in the lenses is not current and can lead to confusion as to the state of the match. They also have a play-by-play feature, where the names of moves performed by Quidditch players is shown in bright purple letters across the Omnioculars' lenses.[HP4] Omnioculars also have the ability to list the names and numbers of the players, and can zero in on players rapidly.
Spellotape[edit]
Spellotape is magical adhesive tape. The name is a play on Sellotape, a popular brand which has become a generic name for transparent adhesive tape in the United Kingdom.[37][38] It is used by Ron in Chamber of Secrets to repair his wand after he breaks it while trying to halt Mr. Weasley's flying car. It is also used by Hermione in Prisoner of Azkaban when she binds her Care of Magical Creatures textbook to prevent it from biting her, and by Kreacher to mend a photo of Bellatrix Lestrange later in the series. It is even used by Ginny in "The Goblet of Fire" who was mending her copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi textbook.
Wand[edit]
A wand is a wooden stick-like object used to channel magical energy and thus increase its power, and without which only limited magic is possible. Wands are used as both tools and weapons in the wizarding world. They are thus an important aspect of nearly all magic, and great importance is placed on wand mastery. Wands are generally carried inside the wizard's robes or otherwise somewhere on their person; however, they can also be placed into other objects. For instance, Rubeus Hagrid hid the broken halves of his wand inside his umbrella, and in the film adaptations, Lucius Malfoy hides his wand in his cane. In the magical world, when a wizard is expelled from Hogwarts, their wands are snapped in half. This type of damage to a wand is nearly irreparable, though Harry is able to mend his wand, which was accidentally broken by Hermione, with the help of the powerful Elder Wand.
A wand is made by a wandmaker who is learned in wandlore, the study of wands. Wands are handcrafted from high-quality woods, or "wandwoods", which are capable of sustaining magic (e.g. holly, yew, ebony, vinewood, mahogany, cherry, oak, etc.). A core is then inserted into the middle of the wand from top to bottom. Common cores include phoenix tail feathers, unicorn tail hairs, and dragon heartstrings. Veela hair is also used, but less commonly. In the Deathly Hallows, the Elder Wand is described as the only wand with a core made from the tail hair of a Thestral.[39] The only wand shop seen in the books is Ollivanders. Garrick Ollivander is a wandmaker who has an eidetic memory concerning wands, as well as the ability to identify the distinguishing features of a wand. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Ollivander is seen to evaluate two foreign wands: Viktor Krum's, whose wand was crafted by Gregorovitch, was unusually thick and had a dragon's heartstring core; Fleur Delacour's, created by an unknown wandmaker, was made of rosewood with a core of Veela hair. Ollivander believes Veela hair produces "temperamental" wands and does not use it.
A wand is generally considered a very personal object. However, wands belonging to other wizards can be used to a comparatively less potent effect. In Philosopher's Stone, Harry had to try out many wands before he found one that "chose him." Wands with cores from the same source give strange effects (Priori Incantatem) when forced to fight each other, as is the case with Harry and Voldemort's wands. In Goblet of Fire, it is revealed each of their wands contains a tail feather from Fawkes, the phoenix belonging to Dumbledore. After Priori Incantatem, the wands get to know the opposites' master, as explained in Deathly Hallows. While, according to Ollivander, any object can channel magic if the wizard is strong enough, wands are the most commonly used because of their efficiency (due to the owner's bond with the wand itself). This can explain how some wizards are able to use spells without wands (for example, retrieving an item with Accio).
Furthermore, wands are able to be won from a witch or wizard and can therefore change their allegiance. This is the case when Harry takes Draco's wand at Malfoy Manor, and consequently the wand's allegiance swaps to Harry, as explained by Ollivander; and, by extension, so does the allegiance of the Elder Wand, which itself has changed hands many times.
References[edit]
1.^ Jump up to: a b c d e "J.K. Rowling Web Chat Transcript". The Leaky Cauldron. 30 July 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2007.
2.Jump up ^ Rowling, J. K. (2007). "The Tale of the Three Brothers". Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Bloomsbury. ISBN 1551929767.
3.^ Jump up to: a b c d "Online Chat Transcript". Bloomsbury. 31 July 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2007.
4.Jump up ^ "Extra Stuff". J.K.Rowling Official Site.
5.Jump up ^ The Tales Of Beedle The Bard – Page 104
6.Jump up ^ Transcript of live web interview with Bloomsbury
7.Jump up ^ "J.K. Rowling Web Chat Transcript". Accio Quote. 30 July 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2000.
8.Jump up ^ "Harry Potter at Bloomsbury". Bloomsbury.com. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
9.Jump up ^ Rowling, J. K. (1998). "The Burrow". Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Bloomsbury. ISBN 0747538492.
10.Jump up ^ Elsewhere on the Web: Harry Potter Wizard Chess[dead link]
11.Jump up ^ Harry Potter. The complete position. Composition of the chess position by International chess master Jeremy Silman
12.Jump up ^ Discount, Online. "Harry Potter Wizard Chess: Toys & Games". Amazon.com. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
13.Jump up ^ Rowling, J.K. (2005). Half-Blood Prince (in English). London: Bloomsbury Publishing, et al. p. 465. UK ISBN 0-7475-8108-8.
14.Jump up ^ Rowling, J.K. (2007). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (in English). London: Bloomsbury Publishing, et al. p. 465. UK ISBN 0-7475-8108-8.
15.Jump up ^ MuggleNet (17 November 2004). "Mugglenet.com". Mugglenet.com. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
16.^ Jump up to: a b "The One with J.K. Rowling".
17.Jump up ^ Mentioned by Dumbledore to Harry in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
18.Jump up ^ Half-Blood Prince (US Scholastic Hardback edition), p. 506
19.Jump up ^ Half-Blood Prince (US Scholastic Hardback edition), p. 504
20.Jump up ^ Rowling, Deathly Hallows (Arthur A. Levine Books edition), pp.680–683
21.Jump up ^ Rowling, Half-Blood Prince (Arthur A. Levine Books edition), pp.500
22.Jump up ^ The Diary of Tom Riddle hp-lexicon.org.
23.Jump up ^ In 'Chamber of Secrets', what would have happened if Ginny had died and Tom Riddle had escaped the diary jkrowling.com
24.Jump up ^ Elizabeth Hand (2007). "Harry's Final Fantasy: Last Time's the Charm". Powell's Books. Retrieved 4 September 2007. Gina Carbone (2007). "Book review: 'Deathly Hallows'". Seacoastonline. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
Laura Miller (2007). "Goodbye, Harry Potter". salon.com. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
25.^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Bloomsbury; Children's edition (21 July 2007). ISBN 0-7475-9105-9.
26.Jump up ^ Rowling, J.K. (2007). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (in English). New York City: Scholastic, et al. pp. 686. "And while that fragment of soul, unmissed by Voldemort, remains attached to and protected by Harry, Lord Voldemort cannot die."
27.Jump up ^ "The One with J.K. Rowling".
28.Jump up ^ "Gryffindor did not 'steal' the sword, not unless you are a goblin fanatic and believe that all goblin-made objects really belong to the maker". Accio-quote.org. 30 July 2007. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
29.Jump up ^ "Sword of Gryffindor". Pottermore. October 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
30.Jump up ^ Posted by: Melissa. "J.K. Rowling Web Chat Transcript – The Leaky Cauldron". The-leaky-cauldron.org. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
31.^ Jump up to: a b Rowling, J. K. (1999). "Flight of the Fat Lady". Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Bloomsbury. ISBN 0747542155.
32.Jump up ^ "MuggleNet Emerson and Melissa's J.K. Rowling Interview Page 3". Mugglenet.com. 16 July 2005. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
33.Jump up ^ "Dictionary.reference.com". Dictionary.reference.com. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
34.Jump up ^ "Countrybus.org". Countrybus.org. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
35.Jump up ^ Rowling, J. K. (1999). "Hermione's Secret". Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Bloomsbury. ISBN 0747542155.
36.Jump up ^ https://www.pottermore.com/en/help#magical-quill
37.Jump up ^ Boyle, Fiona (2004). A Muggle's Guide to the Wizarding World: Exploring The Harry Potter Universe. ECW Press. p. 363. ISBN 1-55022-655-X.
38.Jump up ^ Whited, Lana A. (2002). The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter: Perspectives on a Literary Phenomenon. University of Missouri Press. p. 280. ISBN 0-8262-1549-1.
39.Jump up ^ Site design and technology by Lightmaker.com. "J.K.Rowling Official Site". Jkrowling.com. Retrieved 25 November 2011.

[hide]
­v·
 ­t·
 ­e
 
The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling



Philosopher's Stone
Film
Soundtrack
Game Chamber of Secrets
Film
Soundtrack
Game Prisoner of Azkaban
Film
Soundtrack
Game Goblet of Fire
Film
Soundtrack
Game Order of the Phoenix
Film
Soundtrack
Game Half-Blood Prince
Film
Soundtrack
Game Deathly Hallows
Film 1 · 2
Soundtrack 1 · 2
Game 1 · 2


Characters

Main
­Harry Potter·
 ­Ron Weasley·
 ­Hermione Granger·
 ­Lord Voldemort·
 ­Albus Dumbledore·
 ­Severus Snape·
 ­Rubeus Hagrid·
 ­Draco Malfoy
 

Supporting
­Hogwarts staff·
 ­Order of the Phoenix·
 ­Dumbledore's Army·
 ­Death Eaters
 


Universe
­Hogwarts·
 ­Magic·
 ­Magical creatures·
 ­Magical objects·
 ­Ministry of Magic·
 ­Muggle·
 ­Places·
 ­Quidditch·
 ­Spells
 

Related works
­Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them·
 ­Quidditch Through the Ages·
 ­The Tales of Beedle the Bard·
 ­Prequel·
 ­Pottermore
 

Film series
­Cast members·
 ­Critical response·
 ­Music·
 ­Production of Deathly Hallows·
 ­Theatrical run of Deathly Hallows – Part 2
 

Games
­Quidditch World Cup·
 ­Lego Harry Potter·
 ­Lego Creator: Harry Potter·
 ­Lego Harry Potter: Years 1–4, Years 5–7·
 ­Book of Spells·
 ­Book of Potions·
 ­Action figures·
 ­Trading Card Game
 

Attractions
­The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort  (Dragon Challenge·
 ­Flight of the Hippogriff·
 ­Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey)
  ·
 ­The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood  (Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey)
  ·
 ­Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience·
 ­Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
 

­Wikipedia book Book·
 ­Category Category·
 ­ Commons·
 ­Portal Portal
 


Portal icon Harry Potter portal
 Look up Appendix:Harry Potter objects in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Book icon Book: Harry Potter

 

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Muggle

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This article is about a term in the Harry Potter book series. For other uses, see Muggle (disambiguation).
In the fictional world of J. K. Rowling's book series Harry Potter, a muggle is a person who lacks any sort of magical ability and was not born into the magical world. Muggles also do not have any magical blood. It differs from the term Squib, which refers to a person with one or more magical parents yet without any magical ability, and from the term Muggle-born (or the more offensive mudblood), which refers to a person with magical abilities but without magical parents.

Contents
  [hide] 1 Usage in Harry Potter 1.1 Notable Muggles in the series
2 Other usages
3 See also
4 References
5 External links
Usage in Harry Potter[edit]
The term muggle is sometimes used in a pejorative manner in the books. Since muggle refers to a person who is a member of the non-magical community, Muggles are simply ordinary human beings rather than witches and wizards. According to Rowling, a quarter of the annual Hogwarts intake have two non-magical parents;[citation needed] there have also been some children known to have been born to one magical and one non-magical parent. Children of this mixed parentage are called half-bloods (strictly speaking, they are 'Literal Half-bloods'); children with recent Muggle ancestry on the one side or the other are also called half-bloods. The most prominent Muggle-born in the Harry Potter series is Hermione Granger, who had two Muggles of unspecified names as parents. A witch or wizard with all magical heritage is called a pure-blood.
In the Harry Potter books, non-magical people are often portrayed as foolish, sometimes befuddled characters who are completely ignorant of the Wizarding world that exists in their midst. If, by unfortunate means, non-magical people do happen to observe the working of magic, the Ministry of Magic sends Obliviators to cast Memory Charms upon them—causing them to forget the event.
Some Muggles, however, know of the wizarding world. These include Muggle parents of magical children, such as Hermione Granger's parents, the Muggle Prime Minister (and his predecessors), the Dursley family (Harry Potter's non-magical and only living relatives), and the non-magical spouses of some witches and wizards.
Rowling has said she created the word "Muggle" from "mug", an English term for someone who is easily fooled. She added the "-gle" to make it sound less demeaning and more "cuddly".[1]
A 'muggle' is, according to Abbott Walter Bower, the author of the Scotichronicon, "an Englishman's tail". In Alistair Moffat's book, A History of the Borders from Early Times it is stated that there was a widely held 13th century belief amongst Scots that Englishmen had tails.[2]
Rowling herself was sued for using the word "muggle" in the Harry Potter books.[3]
Notable Muggles in the series[edit]
The Dursleys, Harry's relatives with whom he lives
Muggle Prime Minister
Frank Bryce, the Riddle family gardener
Tom Riddle, Senior, Lord Voldemort's father
Mr. and Mrs. Granger, Hermione's parents
Tobias Snape, the father of Severus Snape
Mr. Roberts, the manager of the campground the Weasleys stayed at for the Quidditch World Cup
Other usages[edit]
The word muggle, or muggles is now used in various contexts in which its meaning is similar to the sense in which it appears in the Harry Potter book series. Generally speaking, it is used by members of a group to describe those outside the group, comparable to civilian as used by military personnel. Whereas, in the books, muggle is consistently capitalised, in other uses it is often all lower case.
Muggle was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2003, where it is said to refer to a person who is lacking a skill.[4]
Muggle is used in informal English by members of small, specialised groups, usually those that consider their activities to either be analogous to or directly involve magic (such as within hacker culture;[5] and pagans, Neopagans and Wiccans)[6] to refer to those outside the group.
Muggle (or geomuggle) is used by geocachers to refer to those not involved in or aware of the sport of geocaching. A cache that has been tampered with by non-participants is said to be plundered or muggled.[7][8]
The NBC science fiction drama series Heroes features a dog named Mr. Muggles, who is owned by the Bennet family. The writers of the show have stated that the dog's name is an allusion to the Harry Potter series as, like Harry, Claire Bennet has been adopted by a family who does not have any special abilities.
Los Campesinos! used the term Muggle in their song 'The Sea is a Good Place to Think About the Future'.
Swuggle is a variation of muggle that is used by open water swimmers to refer to non-swimmers.[citation needed]
See also[edit]

Portal icon Harry Potter portal
Book icon Book: Harry Potter

Blood purity in Harry Potter
Layman
Darrin Stephens
Mundane
Goy


References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2004/0304-wbd.htm JK Rowling's World Book Day Chat, 4 March 2004
2.Jump up ^ Alistair Moffat, The Borders: a history of the Borders from earliest times, 2002, Deerpark Press, ISBN 9780954197902, pp.211-212
3.Jump up ^ http://www.cesnur.org/recens/potter_019.htm
4.Jump up ^ "BBC: 'Muggle' goes into Oxford English Dictionary". BBC News. 24 March 2003. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
5.Jump up ^ Jargon File: muggle
6.Jump up ^ Faith von Adams, "I Roomed With A Muggle", New Witch Magazine, Issue 5 (Fall 2003) pg. 34
7.Jump up ^ "Geocaching Glossary". Geocaching.com. Retrieved 20 September 2007.
8.Jump up ^ "Muggle". GeoWiki. Retrieved 20 September 2007.
External links[edit]
 Look up muggle or Appendix:Harry Potter/Muggle in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
BBC: 'Muggle' goes into Oxford English Dictionary
Muggle Guide: The Muggle Guide to the Harry Potter Wizarding World
I Roomed with a Muggle: Tips for Living with Non-Magical People
Muggle on Harry Potter Wiki, an external wiki

[hide]
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 ­t·
 ­e
 
The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling



Philosopher's Stone
Film
Soundtrack
Game Chamber of Secrets
Film
Soundtrack
Game Prisoner of Azkaban
Film
Soundtrack
Game Goblet of Fire
Film
Soundtrack
Game Order of the Phoenix
Film
Soundtrack
Game Half-Blood Prince
Film
Soundtrack
Game Deathly Hallows
Film 1 · 2
Soundtrack 1 · 2
Game 1 · 2


Characters

Main
­Harry Potter·
 ­Ron Weasley·
 ­Hermione Granger·
 ­Lord Voldemort·
 ­Albus Dumbledore·
 ­Severus Snape·
 ­Rubeus Hagrid·
 ­Draco Malfoy
 

Supporting
­Hogwarts staff·
 ­Order of the Phoenix·
 ­Dumbledore's Army·
 ­Death Eaters
 


Universe
­Hogwarts·
 ­Magic·
 ­Magical creatures·
 ­Magical objects·
 ­Ministry of Magic·
 ­Muggle·
 ­Places·
 ­Quidditch·
 ­Spells
 

Related works
­Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them·
 ­Quidditch Through the Ages·
 ­The Tales of Beedle the Bard·
 ­Prequel·
 ­Pottermore
 

Film series
­Cast members·
 ­Critical response·
 ­Music·
 ­Production of Deathly Hallows·
 ­Theatrical run of Deathly Hallows – Part 2
 

Games
­Quidditch World Cup·
 ­Lego Harry Potter·
 ­Lego Creator: Harry Potter·
 ­Lego Harry Potter: Years 1–4, Years 5–7·
 ­Book of Spells·
 ­Book of Potions·
 ­Action figures·
 ­Trading Card Game
 

Attractions
­The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort  (Dragon Challenge·
 ­Flight of the Hippogriff·
 ­Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey)
  ·
 ­The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood  (Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey)
  ·
 ­Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience·
 ­Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
 

­Wikipedia book Book·
 ­Category Category·
 ­ Commons·
 ­Portal Portal
 


 

Categories: Fictional human races
Harry Potter universe




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Quidditch

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

For the real world adaptation of the sport, see Muggle Quidditch.

 This article describes a work or element of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. Please help rewrite it to explain the fiction more clearly and provide non-fictional perspective. (February 2012) 
Quidditch is a competitive sport in the wizarding realm of the Harry Potter universe, featured in the series of novels and movies. It is an extremely rough but very popular semi-contact sport, played by wizards and witches. Matches are played between two teams of seven players riding flying broomsticks, using three balls, the Quaffle, Bludgers, and the Golden Snitch. There are six elevated ring-shaped goals, three on each side of the Quidditch pitch. In the Harry Potter universe, Quidditch holds a fervent following similar to the position that association football holds as a globally popular sport.
The sport is monumental throughout the wizarding world. Harry plays an important position for his house team at Hogwarts: he is the Seeker and becomes the captain in his sixth year there. Regional and international competitions are mentioned throughout the series. In Goblet of Fire, Quidditch at Hogwarts is cancelled for the Tri-Wizard Tournament, but Harry and the Weasleys attend the Quidditch World Cup. In addition, Harry uses his Quidditch skills to capture a golden egg from a dragon called the Hungarian Horntail (in the first task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament), to capture a flying key in Philosopher's Stone, and on two vital occasions in Deathly Hallows — getting hold of Ravenclaw's Diadem, and during the final fight with Voldemort — the "unerring skill of the Seeker" is useful to him in snatching the Elder Wand out of the air. Harry Potter has owned two broomsticks, the Nimbus 2000 and the Firebolt, both of which are destroyed by the series' end.
The game has been adopted in the real world in the form of Muggle Quidditch.

Contents
  [hide] 1 Players and equipment 1.1 Pitches
1.2 Quidditch Balls 1.2.1 Quaffle
1.2.2 Bludgers
1.2.3 The Golden Snitch
1.3 Players
1.4 Broomsticks
2 Game progression
3 Rules 3.1 Fouls
4 History 4.1 Ancient games
4.2 Evolution of Quidditch
4.3 History of the Snitch
4.4 Quidditch pitch
5 Quidditch in the Harry Potter books 5.1 Hogwarts Quidditch Cup
5.2 Hogwarts teams 5.2.1 Years 1–3
5.2.2 Year 5
5.2.3 Year 6
5.3 Harry's performance as Seeker
5.4 Professional Quidditch teams
5.5 Bulgarian national and Irish national teams
6 Quidditch in the films and video games
7 Quodpot
8 Non-fictional Quidditch 8.1 Quidditch video games
9 See also
10 References
11 External links
Players and equipment[edit]
Pitches[edit]
Quidditch matches are played on (or rather over) an oval-shaped, 500 feet (150 m) long and 180 feet (55 m) wide pitch, with a small central (core) circle approximately 2 feet (0.61 m) in diameter. At each end stand three hooped goal posts, each at a different height: one at 30 ft (9.1 m), one at 40 ft (12 m), and one at 50 ft (15 m), comprising the scoring area. There is also a line that shows mid-field, which is 250 ft (76 m). Quidditch fields have white shaded areas around the goalposts, to mark the scoring area and the bounds in which keepers must stay. Since Quidditch is an aerial sport, Quidditch pitches are shown to feature spectator seating at high vantage points, either in towers (such as at Hogwarts) or in a fully encircling platform, and the "top box" is considered the most prestigious place for a spectator to be seated. The British stadium that is shown for the 1995 Quidditch World Cup in the film version of Goblet of Fire is of this latter style, which appears similar to modern football or athletics stadium, albeit that the seating continues to curve upwards beyond the vertical, almost enclosing the pitch. Both the Hogwarts and World Cup pitches have been shown turfed with grass. The surface is used primarily for launching off at the beginning of the game, and on occasion for falling onto when players are dismounted from their brooms. Seekers, who sometimes fly close to the pitch surface, can be tricked into crashing into the surface occasionally at great speed (when tricked into doing so by the opposing seeker, it is known as the Wronski feint).
Quidditch Balls[edit]



 Oliver Wood showing Harry the Quaffle and Bludgers for the first time in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The Golden Snitch is held behind the Hogwarts coat of arms in the center of the lid.
Quaffle[edit]
The Quaffle is spherical in shape (although it is shown with four large dimples in the films, appearing more as a tetrahedron), scarlet in color, and approximately 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter, and about the weight of a football but hollow. It is explained in Quidditch Through the Ages that the Quaffle is enchanted to fall very slowly through the air when dropped to prevent players from having to continuously dive to retrieve it. The backstory of Quidditch explains that the red color was instituted to create a stronger contrast between the Quaffle and mud. The Quaffle is also enchanted to make it easy to grip with only one hand. There is only one Quaffle. If the Chaser throws it through the hoop they score 10 points for their team.
Bludgers[edit]
The two Bludgers are round, jet black balls, made of iron. A Bludger is 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter. They are described as being bewitched to fly without any visible means of propulsion, although they do retain inertia, which makes them unable to change speed or direction swiftly. They act as airborne obstacles, flying around the pitch and trying indiscriminately to knock players off their brooms. The Beaters carry short wooden clubs, which they use to knock the Bludgers away from their teammates and/or toward the opposing team. The Bludgers do most of the damage in the game of Quidditch; they will occasionally injure players and break brooms. A correctly bewitched Bludger with no jinxes will not side with a team; they will instead alternate players after they try and knock a player from one team off their broom. In The Chamber of Secrets, Dobby bewitched a Bludger to attack Harry, and it ended up breaking his arm. Gilderoy Lockhart unsuccessfully tried to mend it but ended up removing the bones.
The Golden Snitch[edit]



 The Golden Snitch.
The Golden Snitch, often referred to as simply the Snitch, is a small golden ball the approximate size of a walnut (roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter), developed by Bowman Wright (1492–1560). In the films, the wings on the Snitch are gold, although in the books it is described as having silver wings. The winged Snitch is enchanted to hover, dart, and fly around the pitch, avoiding capture while remaining within the boundaries of the playing area. Each team has a designated Seeker (most seekers are the lightest, fastest, and smallest players on their team), whose only task is to capture the Snitch. The seeker who catches the Snitch scores 150 points, and strictly speaking, only the capture of the Snitch will end the game. (However, Quidditch Through The Ages describes an instance in which the team captains agreed to end the game without the capture of the Snitch, as the game had gone on for several months, and the captains were unhappy with their respective Seekers' performances.) Games have been known to last for months, so it is of key importance to catch the Golden Snitch as quickly as possible. It is also explained in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that the Snitch has a "flesh memory", able to recall the first person who has touched it, and will respond only to the first person who caught it. This helps when there is a dispute about who caught the snitch first. Bowman Wright of Godric's Hollow was the first person to fashion a Golden Snitch, replacing the Golden Snidget bird, a magical creature resembling a hummingbird, also mentioned in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which was previously used in the game, but was replaced due to animal cruelty issues. No other player aside from the Seeker is allowed to touch the Snitch, and referees and Snitch makers wear gloves when handling them. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Dumbledore leaves to Harry in his will the first Snitch Harry had caught, inside of which he had hidden the Resurrection Stone.
The Snitch is referred to in Stephen King's "Dark Tower series". Appearing first in the fifth volume, "Wolves of the Calla", they are described as looking exactly like the ones in the Harry Potter series but are named 'Sneetches' instead. Instead of being equipment in a game however they are deadly weapons, being used by both The Wolves and the Crimson King. Roland's Ka-tet later find a crate of them in a cave where they are in a crate labeled Harry Potter Model.
Players[edit]
Each team is made up of seven players, consisting of three Chasers, two Beaters, one Keeper and one Seeker.
The job of the Chasers is to keep possession of the Quaffle, and try to score a goal (worth ten points) by throwing it through one of the opponents' three hoops. They can pass it among themselves, but only one player is allowed in the scoring area at any one time
The two Beaters have to protect the rest of the team from the Bludgers by hitting them at the other team with a wooden bat (like a baseball bat), which they hold in one hand. They are usually the biggest and strongest of the team. They are not allowed to hit the Bludgers at the crowd, the referee, or the Keeper (unless the Quaffle is inside the scoring area).
The Keeper has to protect the team's goal hoops by flying in front of them and stopping the opponents from throwing the Quaffle through them.
The Seeker's job is probably the most important one on the team, and it is to catch the Golden Snitch before the opposing team's Seeker, thus ending the game and winning 150 points for his or her team. This almost always means that the successful Seeker's team wins, although a notable exception is when Viktor Krum caught the Snitch for Bulgaria during the World Cup Final in Goblet of Fire, while his team were still 160 points behind Ireland (their opponents), thus making his own team lose. The reasoning proposed by Harry is that Krum wanted to end the match on his own terms.
Broomsticks[edit]
"Firebolt" redirects here. For the U.S. Navy patrol boat, see USS Firebolt (PC-10).
Magical flying broomsticks are one of the forms of transportation for wizards and witches, as well as for playing Quidditch. Interestingly, Hogwarts Quidditch players are allowed to use whatever broomsticks they like or their sponsors can afford, despite the fact that more expensive brooms often confer great (and arguably unfair) advantages in speed and maneuverability.
The Nimbus model line has a reputation as one of the best in the Wizarding world. Harry receives a Nimbus 2000 during his first year so that he can play for Gryffindor; Lucius Malfoy buys a full set of the more advanced Nimbus 2001s for the Slytherin team in exchange for choosing his son Draco as Seeker the following year.
A Firebolt is an advanced professional-level flying broomstick and the most expensive and fastest racing broom in existence. It is said that they are the best in the world. They can even fly out of the atmosphere if the weather conditions are fair. Harry received a Firebolt model from his godfather, Sirius Black, after his Nimbus 2000 was destroyed during a Quidditch match in his third year after flying into the Whomping Willow during a storm.
Comets and Cleansweeps are cheaper than the Nimbuses and are more common; however, Cleansweeps are considered still decent brooms. A Shooting Star is another brand of broom, but it is considered to be slow and out of style. Another broomstick series called The Bluebottle was introduced in the advertisements at the Quidditch World Cup, it was described as a family broom, with safety devices such as an anti-theft alarm. There is also another brand called Silver Arrows, as mentioned in Quidditch Through the Ages, along with the Tinderblast, Swiftstick, and Twigger 90, and the Oakshaft 79. The Oakshaft is the broom famed for its journey across the Atlantic Ocean and the Moontrimmer was popular because it was still controllable at extremely high altitudes. During a Quidditch training session in the third book, Madam Hooch mentioned that she learned to fly on a Silver Arrow and that it was a fine broom.
Game progression[edit]
The game starts with the referee releasing all four balls from the central circle. The Bludgers and the Snitch, having been bewitched, fly off on their own accord, the Snitch to hide itself quickly and the Bludgers to attack the nearest players. The Quaffle is thrown into the air by the referee to signal the start of play.
Chasers score by sending the red, football-sized Quaffle through any of the three goal hoops. Each goal scored is worth ten points. After a goal is scored, the Keeper of the team scored upon throws the Quaffle back into play. Capturing the Snitch earns the Seeker's team 150 points, equivalent to 15 goals scored by Chasers. Since the game ends immediately after the Snitch is caught, the team capturing the Snitch is very likely to win the game. However, teams are ranked according to points scored, not games won. For example, at Hogwarts, the team with the most points at the end of the year wins the Quidditch Cup. There are only two occasions in the books when the team that catches the Snitch loses: once during the Quidditch World Cup final, when Viktor Krum of Bulgaria catches the Snitch, and once when Ginny Weasley replaces Harry as Seeker after he has been banned from playing by Dolores Umbridge. It is never explained why a Seeker would catch the Snitch in a situation where doing so would give the victory to the other team, i.e., the leading team's score exceeds the losing team's by 160 points, instead of simply waiting for the score to change. If teams are ranked according to points scored, however, a team that knows it cannot hope to catch up to the winning team might favour quickly catching the Snitch (also ending the game) so as to end the game before any more points are scored and hence reduce the lead in point difference obtained by the winning team, so that it is easier to win them back in subsequent matches. It is suggested that Viktor Krum catches the Snitch during the World Cup to "end [the match] on his own terms".[HP4]
All seven players must constantly avoid both being hit by the Bludgers (which attempt to attack them) and accidental contact with the Golden Snitch (which is a foul if anyone but a Seeker touches it).
As the game can be difficult to follow by the crowd, due to the high speed and maneuvering of the players, games will usually be commentated. Lee Jordan served as Quidditch commentator at Hogwarts for several years.
The length of a Quidditch game is variable, as play can only end with the capture of the Golden Snitch by one of the Seekers or by mutual consent of the two team captains. The game length is therefore determined largely by the Seekers' abilities. The shortest game ever is described as lasting three and a half seconds, with the score obviously being 150–0 (Seeker Roderick Plumpton catches the Snitch at the mentioned time.[HPQ]) Some games can go on for days, and even months, if the Snitch is not caught. The longest game recorded supposedly lasted three months.[HP1]
Rules[edit]
The official rules of Quidditch are partially described in Quidditch Through the Ages. They are said to have been laid down in 1750 by the Department of Magical Games and Sports. There are over seven hundred fouls listed in the Quidditch rulebook, but 90% of the fouls listed are acknowledged by the rules concerning wand use against other players or referees. Some of the more common rules are as follows:
Players must not stray over the boundary lines of the pitch, although they may fly as high as desired. The Quaffle must be surrendered to the opposition if any player leaves the boundary. Quidditch matches in the Harry Potter films, however, show players often deliberately flying over the boundary lines and even around the spectator towers.
A time out may be called at any time by a team Captain. It may be extended to two hours if a game has already lasted for more than twelve hours. Failure to return to the pitch afterward disqualifies the offending team.
The referee can impose penalties if a foul occurs. A single Chaser from the fouled team takes a penalty shot by flying from the central circle towards the scoring area. The opposing team's Keeper may attempt to block this shot, but no other player may interfere, much like a penalty shot in ice hockey.
Contact is allowed, but a player may not grasp another's broomstick or any part of his or her body.
No substitution of a player is allowed, even if one is too badly hurt to continue (rare exceptions may be made when the game continues for a great length of time, and players become too fatigued to continue).
Players may take their wands onto the pitch, but they must not be used on or against any players, any player's broomstick, the referee, any of the four balls, or the spectators. (The right to carry wands at all times was granted during the height of wizard and witch persecution by Muggles, according to Quidditch Through the Ages).
Players are not allowed to attack one another by wand, any part of body, or broom at any times—the only legal attack against opposite players is Bludgers hit by team's Beaters.
Fouls[edit]
Rowling writes that there are 700 Quidditch fouls listed in the Department of Magical Games and Sports records, but most of these fouls are not open to the public, owing to the Department's supposed fear the wizards/witches who read the list of fouls "might get ideas". It is claimed that all 700 occurred during the very first Quidditch World Cup. Apparently, most are now impossible to commit as there is a ban on using wands against an opponent (imposed in 1538). The most common of those fouls which are described are enumerated below.
Blagging: No player may seize any part of an opponent's broom to slow or hinder the player (Draco Malfoy commits this foul in Prisoner of Azkaban, by grabbing Harry's broomtail to stop him from seizing the Snitch).
Blatching: No player may fly with the intent to collide. (Substitute Slytherin seeker Harper breaks this rule when he collides into Harry after insulting the latter's friend, and Gryffindor Keeper, Ronald Weasley. This occurs in the sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.)
Blurting: No player may lock broom handles with the intent to steer an opponent off course. (Often occurs whilst playing Slytherin)
Bumphing: Beaters must not hit Bludgers toward spectators (although Harry jokingly orders one of his Beaters to send one at Zacharias Smith in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince), or the Keeper, unless the Quaffle is within the scoring area (in the first film, however, Marcus Flint, a Chaser, commits this foul with a Beater's bat, and Madam Hooch does not penalise him for it).
Cobbing: Players must not make excessive use of their elbows against opponents. (Marcus Flint, the Slytherin Chaser, commits this foul against the Gryffindor Chaser, Angelina Johnson, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).
Flacking: Keepers must not defend the posts from behind by punching Quaffles out of the hoops—goals must be defended from the front.
Haversacking: Chasers must not still be in contact with the Quaffle as it passes through a hoop—the Quaffle must be thrown through.
Quaffle-pocking: Chasers must not tamper with the Quaffle in any way.
Snitchnip: No player other than the Seeker may touch or catch the Golden Snitch.
Stooging: No more than one Chaser is allowed in the scoring area at any one time. (However, game play in Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup and the fan-made Q3D permit this behaviour.)
International renowned player Patrick Mckenzie of Scotland is the only known player to commit more than half of these in one match, with multiple offenses.
History[edit]
The backstory of Quidditch is mentioned only in passing in the main Harry Potter books. The majority of information on the origins of the game comes from Quidditch Through the Ages.
Ancient games[edit]
Quidditch is explained to be derived from an amalgamation of several fictional ancient games:
Stichstock: Originating in Germany and consisting of a single wizard acting as a guardian or goalkeeper, trying to protect an inflated dragon bladder. A number of other players mounted on broomsticks would attempt to pierce the bladder, with the first who successfully did so being declared the winner; the goalkeeper could attempt to hex the other players; if nobody was able to pierce the bladder, the goalkeeper won.[1]
Aingingein: An Irish game which required broomstick-mounted players to fly through a number of burning barrels set in the air, whilst all the time clutching a ball with one hand. At the end of this fiery course was a goal into which the ball had to be hurled. The wizard who completed the course and scored a goal in the shortest time, without catching fire along the way, was the winner.[1]
Creaothceann: An exceptionally violent and often fatal game originating in Scotland. A large number of boulders were charmed to hover in the air and each player had a cauldron strapped to the back of his/her head. A horn was sounded, the rocks were released, and the players would fly around on their broomsticks trying to catch as many rocks in their cauldron as possible. The winner was the player who caught the most rocks.[1]
Shuntbumps: A very simple form of broomstick-jousting where one flyer attempted to knock the other off his broom.[1]
Swivenhodge: Rather like tennis on a broom, this involved hitting an inflated pig's bladder back and forth across a hedge.[1]
Evolution of Quidditch[edit]
The name "Quidditch" is supposedly derived from Queerditch Marsh, the location of the first recorded game. The first ball to be introduced was the Quaffle, then a leather ball quite similar to the modern Quaffle, and hence the only playing positions were Chaser and Keeper. Soon afterwards were included in the game flying boulders that had been enchanted to attack players—the first Bludgers.
At first, the Bludgers had no human opponents on the pitch, but Beaters were introduced not long afterwards. As the heavy bats had the unfortunate tendency to shatter the boulders into flying gravel, the first metal Bludgers replaced them almost immediately. They were originally made of lead, but in the 15th century, magically reinforced beaters bats were introduced. They are currently made of iron. The final modification to the original "Kwidditch" was to set up three half-barrels at either end of the pitch as scoring targets (previously trees had been used for this purpose). The one missing element from this ancient game was the Golden Snitch.
History of the Snitch[edit]
The back-story of the Snitch is the most elaborate of all the Quidditch balls, and its introduction (so it is described in Quidditch Through the Ages) came as the direct result of a game played in 1269 in Kent. By this time, the game had attracted a cult following, and large crowds regularly attended matches.
Barberus Bragge, the Chief of the Wizards’ Council, attended the 1269 game. As a nod to the sport of Snidget-hunting, which was also popular at the time, Bragge brought a Snidget to the game and released it from its cage. He told the players that 150 Galleons—then an enormous sum of money—would be awarded to the player who caught the bird. As the promise of such a large reward would suggest, the players thence totally ignored the game, and simply went off in pursuit of the Snidget, which was kept within the arena by the crowd using Repelling Charms.
A witch named Modesty Rabnott took pity on the Snidget and rescued it with a Summoning Charm, by the time she was caught she had released the Snidget and was fined 10 Galleons, meaning she lost her house. But the connection with Quidditch had been made, and soon a Snidget was being released at every game. Each team added an extra player—originally called the Hunter, later renamed the Seeker—whose sole job was to catch and kill the Snidget, for which 150 points were awarded in memory of the 150 Galleons offered by Bragge in the original game. The popularity of Quidditch led to quickly declining Snidget numbers, and in the middle of the 14th century it was made a protected species by the Wizard's Council. This meant that the bird could no longer be used for Quidditch purposes. The game, however, could not continue without a substitute.
Whilst most people looked for a suitable alternative bird to chase, a metal-charmer called Bowman Wright from Godric's Hollow invented a fake Snidget which he called the Golden Snitch: a golden ball with silver wings, the same size and weight as a real Snidget, enchanted to accurately follow its flight patterns. An additional benefit was that the ball was also charmed to stay within the playing area. The Snitch was also given a "flesh memory", allowing it to remember who touched it first in order to leave no dispute as to who caught it. The Snitch quickly became the approved replacement for the Snidget, and the game of Quidditch has remained largely unchanged ever since.
Quidditch pitch[edit]



 The Quidditch World Cup stadium from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
At the time of the introduction of the Golden Snitch, a standard Quidditch pitch consisted of an elongated oval playing area 500 feet (150 m) long and 180 feet (55 m) wide. It had a small circle at the centre, approximately 2 feet (61 cm) in diameter, from which all the balls were released at the start of the game. The early barrel-goals had been replaced by baskets on stilts, but whilst these were practical, they did carry an inherent problem: there was no size restriction on the baskets, which differed dramatically from pitch to pitch.
By the late 1800s, scoring areas had been added at each end of the pitch, and an additional rule in the game dictated that only one Chaser was allowed in these areas at any given time. This rule is called "Stooging". Stooging, being introduced at this time, made it a more recent rule then most other simple rules in Quidditch history which meant that many did not agree with this rule. Before stooging, all three chasers would fly towards the scoring area, two of them would hold the keeper back and the third would get an easy shot at the goal. Quidditch Through the Ages Gives a thorough argument to these game additions. This includes a viewers' perspective of the Quidditch game with this new rule of Stooging. A common argument for stooging would be that the snitch was worth so many points that the chasers and keepers almost did not matter due to the snitch being worth so many points and would end the match. In the end, stooging was declared overly brutal for a sport.
In 1650, the size of the baskets themselves had reduced considerably, although there was still a certain amount of variation between pitches. Regulations were finally introduced in 1883, which replaced the baskets with hoops of a fixed size. Quidditch through the ages also devotes a large portion of a chapter to this rule.[2]
Quidditch in the Harry Potter books[edit]
Hogwarts Quidditch Cup[edit]

Year
Champions
Year
Book
Explanation
1 Ravenclaw 1991/1992 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Harry leads team in his first year to wins in their first two matches; they badly lose their final match and the championship when he is unable to play as he is in the hospital wing
2 Cancelled 1992/1993 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Deemed unsafe due to the mysterious attacks on students
3 Gryffindor 1993/1994 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Gryffindor wins the cup against bitter rivals Slytherin after dropping first match.
4 Cancelled 1994/1995 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Cancelled due to Triwizard Tournament; playing pitch was used for third task.
5 Gryffindor 1995/1996 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Ron's first appearance on team; after winning first match against Slytherin despite his poor performance Harry, Fred and George are not allowed to play after badly reacting to taunts from Slytherins. Re-constituted team goes on to win season.
6 Gryffindor 1996/1997 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Harry's first (and only) season as team captain; goes off suspended during final match but team wins title for third time.
7 Not Played 1997/1998 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Field destroyed.
Hogwarts teams[edit]
A major motif of five of the Harry Potter books is the competition among the four Hogwarts houses for the Quidditch Cup each school year. The games are nearly always refereed by flying teacher Madam Hooch, although Snape refereed once in Harry's first year.
Years 1–3[edit]
The winning Gryffindor Team in Prisoner of Azkaban consisted of:

Position
Name
Keeper Oliver Wood (Captain)
Centre Chaser Angelina Johnson
Outside Chaser Katie Bell
Outside Chaser Alicia Spinnet
Blind Side Beater Fred Weasley
Open Side Beater George Weasley
Seeker Harry Potter
This team was often referred to, in the books, as the best team Hogwarts had ever seen. No Quidditch Cup tournament was held in Year 4 (Goblet of Fire) because of the Triwizard Tournament being hosted by Hogwarts.
Year 5[edit]
The winning Gryffindor Team of Harry Potter Year 5 consisted of:

Position
Name
Keeper Ron Weasley
Centre Chaser Angelina Johnson (Captain)
Outside Chaser Katie Bell
Outside Chaser Alicia Spinnet
Blind Side Beater Fred Weasley/Jack Sloper
Open Side Beater George Weasley/Andrew Kirke
Seeker Harry Potter/Ginny Weasley
Harry and the Weasley twins were banned from playing Quidditch for life by Dolores Umbridge for being involved in a fight with Draco Malfoy after the Gryffindor-Slytherin game. Subsequently the seeker spot was taken over by Ginny Weasley, while Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper became the new beaters. Following Umbridge's removal from the school, Harry's ban was lifted, so he could play again in the next year.
Year 6[edit]
The winning Gryffindor Team of Harry Potter Year 6 consisted of:

Position
Name
Keeper Ron Weasley/Cormac McLaggen
Centre Chaser Ginny Weasley/Dean Thomas
Outside Chaser Katie Bell/Dean Thomas
Outside Chaser Demelza Robins
Blind Side Beater Ritchie Coote
Open Side Beater Jimmy Peakes
Seeker Harry Potter (Captain)/Ginny Weasley
Ron Weasley and Katie Bell both became unintended victims of Draco Malfoy's attempts to kill Dumbledore, and while they were unable to play, their spots in the team were taken over by Cormac McLaggen and Dean Thomas. After they were healed, they both returned to the team. Snape banned Harry from the season’s last game for cursing Malfoy. Therefore, for that game, Ginny Weasley played as a seeker, and her position as chaser was taken over by Dean Thomas.
Harry's performance as Seeker[edit]

Year
Opponent
Result
1st Slytherin Harry catches the Snitch in his mouth; Gryffindor wins
Hufflepuff Harry catches the Snitch in under five minutes; Gryffindor wins
Ravenclaw Harry does not play; unconscious in hospital wing, Gryffindor loses
2nd Slytherin Harry catches the Snitch with his broom and one of his arms broken; Gryffindor wins
Hufflepuff Game cancelled
Ravenclaw Game cancelled
3rd Hufflepuff Harry falls during match due to Dementors; broomstick smashed by Whomping Willow; Gryffindor loses (Hufflepuff Seeker Cedric Diggory thought the win unfair and wanted a rematch)
Ravenclaw Harry's first match flying on the Firebolt; Harry catches the Snitch, despite Slytherin's attempts to sabotage his performance; Gryffindor wins
Slytherin Harry catches the Snitch; Gryffindor wins the match and the championship
4th N/A No Quidditch matches due to Triwizard Tournament
5th Slytherin Harry catches the Snitch; Gryffindor wins
Hufflepuff Harry does not play; banned by Umbridge; Gryffindor loses, even though Ginny Weasley catches the Snitch which meant they only lost by 10 points
Ravenclaw Harry does not play; banned by Umbridge; Gryffindor wins anyway due in part to Ron's efforts and Ginny catching the snitch
6th Slytherin Harry catches the Snitch; Gryffindor wins
Hufflepuff Harry knocked out of game injured; Gryffindor loses
Ravenclaw Harry does not play; in detention with Snape; Gryffindor wins anyway with Ginny as Seeker, Gryffindor wins the championship as well
Professional Quidditch teams[edit]
The following teams are listed in Quidditch Through the Ages.

Team
Situated
Notes

Current Teams of Great Britain and Ireland
United Kingdom Appleby Arrows[2] Appleby Colors are pale blue with a silver arrow. Founded in 1612. Has a rivalry with the Wasps (see below)
United Kingdom Chudley Cannons[3] Chudley Bright orange and a double C with a speeding cannonball. The team's motto was originally "We shall conquer"; it was later changed to "Let's all just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best." Once a decent team, the Cannons have fallen into a slump as of the publication of the series. Ron Weasley is a fan of the team. Founded in 1753.
United Kingdom Falmouth Falcons[4] Falmouth Dark grey & white robes with a Falcon on the chest.
Motto: "Let us win, but if we cannot win, let us break a few heads."

United Kingdom Puddlemere United[5] Puddlemere Place does not exist in the muggle world. Navy blue robes with two crossed Bulrushes. Founded in 1163. Oliver Wood is picked for this team's reserve squad after graduating from Hogwarts. Albus Dumbledore's favourite side.
United Kingdom Tutshill Tornados[6] Tutshill Sky blue robes with a double T in dark blue on the front and back; league success in 1995; accused of cheating. Cho Chang supported this team since she was six. Founded in 1520.
United Kingdom Wimbourne Wasps[7] Wimborne Horizontally striped robes of yellow and black and a Wasp on the chest. Ludo Bagman played as beater for this team in his younger days.
United Kingdom Ballycastle Bats[8] Ballycastle Black robes with a scarlet bat.
Republic of Ireland Kenmare Kestrels[9] Kenmare Emerald green robes with two yellow K's back to back. Founded in 1291
United Kingdom Montrose Magpies[10] Montrose Black and white robes with a magpie on the front and back
United Kingdom Pride of Portree[5] Portree Deep Purple Robes with a gold star on the chest. Founded in 1292
United Kingdom Wigtown Wanderers[6] Wigtown Blood red robes with a Meat Cleaver on the chest. Founded in 1422
United Kingdom Caerphilly Catapults[11] Caerphilly Vertically striped robes of light green and scarlet. Founded in 1402. Beat the Karasjok Kites to win the 1956 European Cup Final.
United Kingdom Holyhead Harpies[12] Holyhead Dark green robes with a golden talon on the chest. An all-female team whose members have first names that start with G. Founded in 1203. Between 1998 and 2013, Ginny Weasley spends several years playing for this team, before retiring after becoming pregnant.[citation needed]
Other teams
Australia Thundelarra Thunderers[13] Thundelarra 
Australia Wollongong Warriors[13] Wollongong Has a rivalry with the Thunderers (above)
Bulgaria Vratsa Vultures[14] Vratsa Seven times champions of Europe
Canada Haileybury Hammers[15] Haileybury 
Canada Moose Jaw Meteorites[15] Moose Jaw 
Canada Stonewall Stormers[15] Stonewall 
Ethiopia Gimbi Giant-Slayers[15] Gimbi 
France Quiberon Quafflepunchers[14] Quiberon Known for its shocking pink robes
Germany Heidelberg Harriers[16] Heidelberg 
Japan Toyohashi Tengu[17] Toyohashi Burns their brooms after a defeat.
Lithuania Gorodok Gargoyles Gorodok, Lithuania Ambiguous place name ("gorodok" means "little town" in Russian). Won against the Toyohashi Tengu in 1994.
Luxembourg Bigonville Bombers[16] Bigonville 
New Zealand Moutohora Macaws[13] Moutohora 
Norway Karasjok Kites Kárášjohka - Karasjok Lost to the Caerphilly Catapults in the 1956 European Cup final.[11]
Peru Tarapoto Tree-Skimmers[17] Tarapoto 
Poland Grodzisk Goblins[16] Grodzisk Ambiguous place name. Home team of Josef Wronski
Portugal Braga Broomfleet[16] Braga,
Portugal This Portuguese team invented an innovative Beater-marking system that made it one of the best in Quidditch competitions[16]
Tanzania Sumbawanga Sunrays[15] Sumbawanga 
Togo Tchamba Charmers[15] Tchamba 
Uganda Patonga Proudsticks[18] Patonga 
United States Fitchburg Finches[19] Fitchburg Captain and seeker Maximus Brankovitch III also captained the USA team at the Quidditch World Cup several times.
United States Sweetwater All-Stars Sweetwater Defeated the Quiberon Quafflepunchers after a five-day match in 1993.
Bulgarian national and Irish national teams[edit]
The Bulgarian National Quidditch team and Irish National Quidditch team appear in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, in which Ireland defeat Bulgaria in the Quidditch World Cup by 10 points. The Bulgarian team consists of Chasers Dimitrov, Ivanova, and Levski, Keeper Zograf, Beaters Volkov and Vulchanov, and superstar Seeker Viktor Krum. The Irish team consists of Chasers Troy, Mullet, and Moran, Keeper Barry Ryan, Beaters Quigley and Connolly, and Seeker Aidan Lynch. According to Rowling's website, several players were named after friends of hers as an inside joke.
Despite this, Ireland does not feature in the Quidditch World Cup video game.
Quidditch in the films and video games[edit]



 Golden Snitch sign at Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park attraction
There are some minor differences between how Quidditch is represented in Rowling's books and how it appears to be played in the films and video games. For example, the rule that players must not stray outside the pitch boundary is not evident, as players can be seen flying around the spectator towers at the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch.
In Half-Blood Prince (2009), Quidditch players are seen to use a flying wedge formation to advance the quaffles toward the goal.[20]
Quidditch was absent entirely from Order of the Phoenix (2007) and The Deathly Hallows, Part I (2010). In Goblet of Fire, only before and after the Quidditch World Cup are seen. In The Deathly Hallows, Part II (2011) the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch is seen only in a single shot, on fire.
In the 2003 video game Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup, the rule of only having a single Chaser in the scoring area is not enforced. Additionally, the game allows players to make special moves whereby several goals are scored in succession as multiple Chasers pass the Quaffle back and forwards through the hoops, whereas the rules dictate that after a goal is scored, possession passes to the Keeper.
In the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Islands of Adventure theme park, quidditch is featured near the end where riders are flown through the quidditch pitch. A storefront near Ollivanders Wand Shop is themed as a Quidditch supply with a Golden Snitch on the sign and a case containing animated Quaffle and Bludgers surrounded by Beater's bats.[21]
Quodpot[edit]
Quodpot is a variant of Quidditch popular in the United States, the Western Hemisphere and, as a minority, Europe. Quodpot has never been mentioned in the novels, but it is described in Quidditch Through the Ages. There are eleven players on a side, who throw the Quod, a Quaffle modified to explode after a certain amount of time, from player to player, attempting to get it into the "pot" at the end of the pitch before it explodes. Any player in possession of the Quod when it explodes is disqualified. Once the Quod is in the "pot" (a cauldron containing a solution which prevents it from exploding), the scoring team is awarded a point and a new Quod is brought onto the pitch.
Non-fictional Quidditch[edit]



 Quidditch Lane in Lower Cambourne
Main article: Muggle Quidditch
There have been small-scale attempts to adapt Quidditch to readily available technology, using bicycles, and unicycles.[22]
A street in Lower Cambourne, Cambridgeshire, England is named Quidditch Lane, supposedly after a type of nearby dry ditch called a Quidditch. Fans have been known to visit the area.[23]
Also, some American schools, such as Polytechnic School in California, Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Emerson College, The University of Kansas, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Toledo and University of Massachusetts Amherst,and Ringling College of Art and Design have added Quidditch to their list of team sports.[24]
Quidditch video games[edit]
There have been video games that simulate playing Quidditch. Major games include:
Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Lego Harry Potter: Years 1–4
Lego Harry Potter: Years 5–7
See also[edit]

Portal icon Harry Potter portal
List of fictional sports
References[edit]
1.^ Jump up to: a b c d e Harry Potter Lexicon – Games & Sports
2.^ Jump up to: a b Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. p. 32. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
3.Jump up ^ Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. pp. 33–34. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
4.Jump up ^ Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. p. 34. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
5.^ Jump up to: a b Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. p. 36. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
6.^ Jump up to: a b Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. p. 37. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
7.Jump up ^ Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. pp. 37–38. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
8.Jump up ^ Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. pp. 32–33. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
9.Jump up ^ Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. p. 35. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
10.Jump up ^ Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. pp. 35–36. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
11.^ Jump up to: a b Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. p. 33. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
12.Jump up ^ Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. pp. 34–35. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
13.^ Jump up to: a b c Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. p. 42. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
14.^ Jump up to: a b Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. p. 40. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
15.^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. p. 43. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
16.^ Jump up to: a b c d e Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. p. 41. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
17.^ Jump up to: a b Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. p. 46. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
18.Jump up ^ Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. pp. 42–43. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
19.Jump up ^ Whisp, Kennilworthy (2001). Quidditch Through the Ages. WhizzHard Books. p. 45. ISBN 1-55192-454-4.
20.Jump up ^ Eric Scull (7 September 2008). "A test screening experience and review by Eric Scull". MuggleNet. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
21.Jump up ^ "Harry Potter's magic conjures success for theme park". CNN International. 6 April 2011.
22.Jump up ^ "Unicycle Quidditch Rules". Retrieved 10 October 2011.
23.Jump up ^ Village sign attracts Potter fans, BBC News
24.Jump up ^ http://www.emerson.edu/news-events/emerson-college-today/emerson-makes-strong-showing-quidditch-world-cup
Rowling, J. K. (1997). Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. London: Bloomsbury/New York City: Scholastic, et al. UK ISBN 0747532699/U.S. ISBN 0590353403.
Rowling, J. K. (1998). Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. London: Bloomsbury/New York City: Scholastic, et al. UK ISBN 0747538492/U.S. ISBN 0439064864.
Rowling, J. K. (Kennilworthy Whisp; 2001). Quidditch Through the Ages (in English). London: Bloomsbury/New York City: Scholastic, et al. ISBN 0613329740.
External links[edit]
 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Quidditch.
Quidditch on Harry Potter Wiki, an external wiki

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List of spells in Harry Potter

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 This article may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may only interest a specific audience. Please help relocate any relevant information, and remove excessive detail that may be against Wikipedia inclusion policy. (November 2010) 
Spells in Harry Potter occur in the fictional wizarding world of the series of books by author J. K. Rowling. Magic spells are used by many of the characters to achieve useful effects without the benefit of modern technology. The main depiction of a "spell" in the Harry Potter books consists of a gesture made with the character's wand, combined with a spoken or mental incantation. In the books and the associated film series, the names of the majority of these spells or the incantations used to effect them are derived from the classical languages, particularly Latin.[1] These names are not grammatically correct in any language; most spoken phrases resemble Latin words of appropriate meaning but are not proper Latin themselves.
Spells
Spells are listed here by their incantations (when known), with their vernacular names in parentheses. Some spells have no known incantation – the only reference in the text is by an informal name, either because in its only appearance in the relevant book it was cast nonverbally, or because it was never depicted in the books, only mentioned. The majority of spells cast in duels between adult characters in all seven books appear nonverbally; only their effects can identify such spells.

Contents [hide]
A·
 B·
 C·
 D·
 E·
 F·
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 H·
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 M·
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 T·
 U·
 V·
 W·
 X·
 Y·
 Z

A
Accio (Summoning Charm)
Pronunciation: Various suggestions have been made, including: /ˈæki.oʊ/ AK-ee-oh – film/ˈæksi.oʊ/ AK-see-oh – UK audio book and video game/ˈæsi.oʊ/ AS-see-oh – U.S. audio book/ˈætʃi.oʊ/ AT-chee-oh - Anglo-Catholic pronunciationDescription: This charm summons an object to the caster, potentially over a significant distance.[2] Its opposite is the Banishing Charm.Seen/mentioned: First mentioned in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, when it was briefly used by Molly Weasley on the Weasley twins to confiscate their Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes' products from their pockets, before they left for the Quidditch World Cup. Hermione was also mentioned trying to learn this charm during her ride aboard the Hogwarts Express. Later on in the same book, Harry summons his broom to complete the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament.[GF Ch.20] Near the end of the book, Harry uses it to summon the Triwizard Cup after he encounters Voldemort. When Ron goes mad in the department of mysteries in Order of the Phoenix, he attempts to use it to summon a brain.
Aguamenti (Aguamenti Charm)
Pronunciation: /ˌɑːɡwəˈmɛnti/ AH-gwə-MEN-teeDescription: Produces a jet of water from the caster's wand.Seen/mentioned: First seen in Goblet of Fire, when Fleur put the fire out on her skirt "with a bit of water from her wand." First named in Half-Blood Prince, when Harry is being taught how to perform this specific charm in Professor Flitwick's class. Later Harry casts this spell in an attempt to create water for Dumbledore to drink after taking Voldemort's potion[HBP Ch.26], and again to douse Hagrid's hut after it is set on fire.[HBP Ch.28][DH Ch.31].
Alohomora
Pronunciation: /əˌloʊhəˈmɔərə/ ə-LOH-hə-MOHR-əDescription: Used to open and/or unlock doors,[3] but doors can be bewitched so that this spell has no effect.[PS Ch.16]Seen/mentioned: Used throughout the series, with the first use by Hermione in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Used gradually less in the series as the characters discover more and more doors, chests, etc. with counter-charms on them. For example, the doors into Professor Snape's and Professor Umbridge's offices are mentioned as being Alohomora-proof.Notes: J. K. Rowling stated that the word was from the West African Sidiki dialect used in geomancy and has the literal meaning Friendly to thieves.[4]
Anapneo
Pronunciation: /əˈnæpniː.oʊ/ ə-NAP-nee-ohDescription: Clears the target's airway, if blocked.Seen/mentioned: Shown in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Horace Slughorn casts this spell on Marcus Belby when the latter begins to choke.[HBP Ch.7]
(Anti-Cheating Spell)
Description: Cast on parchment or quills to prevent the writer from cheating whilst writing answers.Seen/mentioned: Mentioned in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as being cast on quills and exam papers for exams at Hogwarts.[PS Ch.16]
(Anti-Disapparition Jinx)
Description: Used to prevent Disapparition and/or Apparition in an area for a period. Presumably can be used to prevent an enemy from entering a defended area, or used to trap an enemy in an area.Seen/mentioned: Mentioned in Order of the Phoenix, used by Dumbledore to trap several Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries.[OP Ch.36] Also cast long ago on Hogwarts, the reason why, as Hermione quotes often throughout the series, "no one can Apparate or Disapparate inside the Hogwarts grounds.
Aparecium
Pronunciation: /ˌæpəˈriːsi.əm/ AP-ə-REE-see-əmDescription: This spell makes invisible ink appear.Seen/mentioned: First seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when Hermione tries to make hidden writing appear in Tom Marvolo Riddle's diary.[CS Ch.13]Notes: See also Specialis Revelio.
Avada Kedavra (Killing Curse)
Pronunciation: /əˈvɑːdə kəˈdɑːvrə/ ə-VAH-də kə-DAH-vrəDescription: Causes instant, painless death to whomever the curse hits. There is no countercurse or method of blocking this spell; however, if someone sacrifices their life for someone else, the person who was saved will not encounter any adverse effects of any curses by the specific attacker (e.g. when Lily Potter sacrificed her life for Harry Potter at Voldemort's hands, Harry became immune to curses cast by Voldemort). One of the three Unforgivable Curses.Survivors: Only two people in the history of the magical world are known to have survived the killing curse – Harry Potter and Voldemort; the latter was only saved by his horcruxes. Harry was hit twice directly. Phoenixes can also survive a killing curse. They burst into flame as they would do in old age and are reborn from the ashes. This occurred in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.Seen/mentioned: First said (not by name) at the beginning of the first book when Harry arrives at the Dursleys' home. Seen first in Goblet of Fire against Muggle Frank Bryce, and in every book following.Suggested etymology: During an audience interview at the Edinburgh Book Festival (15 April 2004) Rowling said: "Does anyone know where avada kedavra came from? It is an ancient spell in Aramaic, and it is the original of abracadabra, which means 'let the thing be destroyed.' Originally, it was used to cure illness and the 'thing' was the illness, but I decided to make it the 'thing' as in the person standing in front of me. I take a lot of liberties with things like that. I twist them round and make them mine."[5] Rowling's use of this name may have been influenced by Latin cadaver = "corpse".
Avis
Pronunciation: /ˈeɪvɨs/ AY-visDescription: This charm creates a flock of birds from the caster's wand. When coupled with Oppugno, it can be used offensively.Seen/mentioned: Shown in Goblet of Fire, cast by Mr Ollivander to test Viktor Krum's wand.[GF Ch.18] In Half-blood Prince, it is cast by Hermione, followed by Oppugno which causes the birds to attack Ron.[HBP Ch.14]
B
(Babbling Curse)
Description: The Babbling Curse is presumed to cause a person to babble whenever they try to speak.Seen/mentioned: In Chamber of Secrets, Gilderoy Lockhart falsely claimed to have cured this curse.
(Banishing Charm)
Description: Opposite to "Accio". Banishes the object the spell is performed on.Seen/mentioned: Seen in Goblet of Fire, cast by Hermione on a cushion in their Charms class. Harry also perfectly banishes a cushion during this lesson.
(Bat-Bogey Hex)
Description: Grotesquely enlarges the target's bogeys, gives them wings, and sets them attacking the target.Seen/mentioned: Ginny Weasley is depicted as an accomplished caster of this particular spell.[OP Ch.6] She is shown to use it in Order of the Phoenix on Draco Malfoy,[OP Ch.33] and in Half-Blood Prince on Zacharias Smith.[HBP Ch.7][6]
(Bedazzling Hex)
Description: Similar to a Disillusionment Charm, it can be used to conceal a person or an object. Is also used to make invisibility cloaks.Seen/mentioned: Mentioned in Deathly Hallows by Xenophilius Lovegood when speaking of the different methods by which Invisibility Cloaks may be created.
(Bubble-Head Charm)
Description: Puts a large bubble of air around the head of the user. Used as a magical equivalent of a scuba set or self-contained breathing apparatus.Seen/mentioned: in Goblet of Fire, Cedric Diggory and Fleur Delacour use this charm underwater in the second task of the Triwizard Tournament.[GF Ch.26] In Order of the Phoenix, it is described as used by many Hogwarts students when walking through the hallways, because of the bad smells caused by the various pranks played on Dolores Umbridge.[OP Ch.30]
C
(Caterwauling Charm)
Description: Anyone entering the perimeter of a Caterwauling Charm sets off a high-pitched shriek.Seen/mentioned: Mentioned in Deathly Hallows, cast by Death Eaters over Hogsmeade to protect against intruders.[DH Ch.28]Note: Similar to an intruder charm: they both produce an alarm if the vicinity is disturbed.[citation needed]
Cave Inimicum
Pronunciation: /ˈkɑːveɪ ɨˈnɪmɨkəm/ KAH-vay i-NIM-i-kəmDescription: Spell used to strengthen an enclosure from enemies.Seen/mentioned: Shown only in Deathly Hallows, cast by Hermione and Harry Potter to strengthen their campsites' defences.[DH Ch.22]
(Cheering Charm)
Description: Causes the person upon whom the spell was cast 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.[PA Ch.15]
Colloportus
Pronunciation: /kɒlɵˈpɔrtəs/ KOL-o-POR-təsDescription: Magically locks a door, preventing it from being opened by Muggle means.[7]Seen/mentioned: First in Order of the Phoenix, cast by Hermione in the Department of Mysteries.Notes: This spell functions as the counter spell to Alohomora
(Colour-Change Charm)
Description: Changes an object's colour.Seen/mentioned: Attempted by Ron on initial trip to Hogwarts; mentioned in Harry's Ordinary Wizarding Levels in Order of the Phoenix;[OP Ch.31] also used by Harry on Ron's Chudley Cannon's poster when the Trace was lifted.
Confringo (Blasting Curse)
Pronunciation: /kɒnˈfrɪŋɡoʊ/ kon-FRING-gohDescription: Causes anything that the spell meets to explode in flames.Seen/mentioned: Seen only in Deathly Hallows. In the opening chapters, it is cast by Harry to destroy the sidecar of the flying motorbike.[DH Ch.4] Later, it is used by Hermione in an attempt to kill Nagini and facilitate an escape from Bathilda Bagshot's house in Godric's Hollow.[DH Ch.17]
Confundo (Confundus Charm)
Pronunciation: /kɒnˈfʌndoʊ/ kon-FUN-dohDescription: Causes the victim to become confused, befuddled, overly forgetful and prone to follow simple orders without thinking about them.Seen/mentioned: First mentioned in Prisoner of Azkaban, when Severus Snape suggests that Harry and Hermione had been Confunded to believe Sirius Black's claim to innocence.[PA Ch.21] In Goblet of Fire, it is suggested that a powerful Confundus Charm is responsible for the Goblet choosing a fourth Triwizard contestant.[GF Ch.17] It is first seen in action when Hermione uses it on Cormac McLaggen during Quidditch tryouts in Half-Blood Prince.[HBP Ch.11]
(Conjunctivitus Curse)
Description: A curse that causes great pain to the victim's eyes.Seen/mentioned: It is suggested by Sirius in Goblet of Fire as a means for defeating a dragon for the first task of the Triwizard Tournament, and used by Krum for this purpose.[GF Ch.19, 20] Mentioned in Order of the Phoenix as cast by Madame Maxime against giants.[OP Ch.20]
Crucio (Cruciatus Curse)
Cruciatus redirects here. For the ligaments in the knee, see Cruciate ligament.
Pronunciation: /ˈkruːsi.oʊ/ KREW-see-ohDescription: Inflicts unbearable pain on the recipient of the curse.[HP4] One of the three Unforgivable Curses.Seen/mentioned: First seen in Goblet of Fire introduced by Barty Crouch Jr (acting as Moody) and used on a spider. Used regularly by the Death Eaters as torture, and by Voldemort as punishment, even against his servants.
D
Defodio (Gouging Spell)
Pronunciation: /dɛˈfoʊdi.oʊ/ de-FOH-dee-ohDescription: Can carve or dig out materials, such as stone and steel.Seen/mentioned: Cast by Harry, Ron and Hermione in Deathly Hallows to help dig their way out of the Gringotts Tunnels.[DH Ch.26]
Deletrius
Pronunciation: /dəˈliːtri.əs/ də-LEE-tree-əsDescription: Removes evidence of previous spells cast by the wand, revealed by Prior Incantato.Seen/mentioned: Seen only in Goblet of Fire when Amos Diggory gets rid of the echo of the Dark Mark from Harry's wand.[GF Ch.9]
Densaugeo
Pronunciation: /dɛnˈsɔːdʒiː.oʊ/ den-SAW-jee-ohDescription: Causes the teeth of the recipient to grow at an alarming rate.Seen/mentioned: Seen only in Goblet of Fire, cast by Draco on Harry, which is then deflected onto Hermione.[GF Ch.18]
Deprimo
Pronunciation: /ˈdɛprɨmoʊ/ DEP-rim-ohDescription: A very powerful wind that can loosen and/or soften a variety of things; it can also be used to detach objects.Seen/mentioned: Introduced in Deathly Hallows when Hermione casts this to blast a hole in the Lovegoods' living room floor.[DH Ch.21]
Descendo
Pronunciation: /dɛˈsɛndoʊ/ de-SEN-dohDescription: Makes things sink, or go down.Seen/mentioned: Seen twice in Deathly Hallows, it is cast by Ron to magically cause the stairs in his room to descend,[DH Ch.6] and later by Crabbe in the Room of Requirement to lower the wall behind which Ron is hiding.[DH Ch.31]
Diffindo (Severing Charm)
Pronunciation: /dɪˈfɪndoʊ/ di-FIN-dohDescription: Cuts or rips objects.Seen/mentioned: In Goblet of Fire when Ron wants to get rid of the lace on his dress robes. In Goblet of Fire when Harry urgently wants to talk to Cedric he casts this spell to rip his bag, delaying him for class.[GF Ch.9] In Half-Blood Prince when Harry swaps the cover of the Half-Blood Prince's copy of Advanced Potion-Making with the cover of a new copy, allowing him to keep the Prince's notes under the guise of a new book.
(Disillusionment Charm)
Description: Causes the target to become invisible, or close to it.Seen/mentioned: First in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, when Dumbledore tells Harry that he does not need a cloak to become invisible. In Order of the Phoenix, Moody casts this charm on Harry.[OP Ch.3, 4] Xenophilius Lovegood mentions, in Deathly Hallows, that Invisibility Cloaks are sometimes created by casting a Disillusionment Charm on a regular cloak.[DH Ch.21]
Dissendium
Description: Opens the hump on the statue of the one-eyed witch on the third floor, revealing the secret passage into the Honeydukes cellar.Seen/Mentioned First seen in Prisoner of Azkaban, when Fred and George give Harry the Marauder's Map,[PA Ch.10] and cast thereafter whenever using that passage.
Duro
Pronunciation: /ˈdjʊəroʊ/ DEWR-ohDescription: Makes the object hard.Seen/mentioned: Seen in Deathly Hallows, cast by Hermione while escaping from Death Eaters in Hogwarts.[DH Ch.32]
E
Engorgio (Engorgement Charm)
Pronunciation: /ɛŋˈɡɔrdʒi.oʊ/ eng-GOR-jee-ohDescription: Causes objects to swell in size.Seen/mentioned: A "Growth Charm" with the same effect is briefly mentioned. Hagrid is suspected of having performed the charm on his pumpkins in Chamber of Secrets. Also seen in Goblet of Fire when Barty Crouch Jr, impersonating Moody, casts it on a spider to enhance a demonstration of the effects of the Cruciatus Curse.
(Entrail-Expelling Curse)
Description: Presumably causes the entrails (i.e. intestines) to be ejected from the body.Seen/mentioned: First mentioned in Order of the Phoenix when Harry visits St Mungo's following Arthur Weasley's attack by Nagini while guarding the Department of Mysteries.
Episkey
Pronunciation: /ɛˈpɪskiː/ e-PIS-keeDescription: Used to heal relatively minor injuries. When this spell is cast, the person feels his/her injured body part go very hot and then very cold.Seen/mentioned: Used in Goblet of Fire after the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. In 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.Suggested etymology: Greek episkeu meaning "repair, restoration".[8]Notes: Rowling writes in Half-Blood Prince that Harry's knowledge tells him this spell could belong to a family (or variety) of Healing Spells.
Erecto
Pronunciation: /ɛˈrɛktoʊ/ e-REK-tohDescription: Used to erect something.Seen/mentioned: Possibly used in Goblet of Fire by wizards at the campsites near the Quidditch World Cup. Used by Hermione and Harry in Deathly Hallows.
Evanesco (Vanishing Spell)
Pronunciation: /ɛvəˈnɛskoʊ/ EV-ə-NES-kohDescription: Makes the target vanish.Seen/mentioned: Used in Order of the Phoenix by Snape to make Harry's potions disappear from his cauldron. In addition, when Fred and George were showing off their puking pastilles, Lee Jordan cleared the bucket of vomit with the Evanesco spell.Notes: According to Minerva McGonagall, in Deathly Hallows, Vanished objects and organisms go "into non-being, which is to say, everything."
Expecto Patronum (Patronus Charm)
Pronunciation: /ɛksˈpɛktoʊ pəˈtroʊnəm/ eks-PEK-toh pə-TROH-nəmDescription: Conjures an incarnation of the caster's innermost positive feelings, such as joy or hope, known as a Patronus. A Patronus is conjured as a protector, and is a weapon rather than a predator of souls: Patronuses shield their conjurors from Dementors or Lethifolds, and can even drive them away. They are also used amongst the Order of the Phoenix to send messages.[9] According to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the Charm is the only known defensive spell against Lethifolds.Seen/mentioned: First seen in Prisoner of Azkaban when a Dementor appears in the Hogwarts Express, and Hermione says that Remus Lupin repelled the Dementor by casting a silvery object from his wand. Harry's corporeal Patronus first appears in a Quidditch game, and other characters throughout the rest of the series use it.
Expelliarmus (Disarming Charm)
Pronunciation: /ɛksˌpɛliˈɑrməs/ eks-PEL-ee-AR-məsDescription: This spell is used to disarm another wizard, typically by causing the victim's wand to fly out of reach.[10][11]Seen/mentioned: First seen in Chamber of Secrets, when Snape disarms Gilderoy Lockhart in the Duelling Club; from then on it is commonly used throughout the rest of the series. Draco uses it to disarm Dumbledore and Harry uses the spell to not only disarm Gregory Goyle in the Room of Requirement, but also to reflect Voldemort's killing curse during the final battle.
Expulso
Pronunciation: /ɛkˈspʊlsoʊ/ ek-SPUUL-sohDescription: A spell that causes an object to explode. The force of the explosion may depend on the intent of the caster.Seen/mentioned: Used by a Death Eater in an attempt to capture Harry in The Deathly Hallows, it struck the table that Harry was standing behind, causing an explosion that slammed him into a wall with great force.
F
Ferula
Pronunciation: /ˈfɛrʊlə/ FERR-uul-əDescription: Creates a bandage and a splint.Seen/mentioned: Used by Lupin in Prisoner of Azkaban to bind Ron's broken leg.
(Fidelius Charm)
Description: A charm involving secret information hidden within the soul of a Secret-Keeper. This information is irretrievable until the Secret-Keeper chooses to reveal it; those who have the secret revealed to them cannot reveal it to others.Seen/mentioned: In Prisoner of Azkaban, it is explained that when Harry was an infant, he and his parents, James and Lily Potter, were hidden from Voldemort by this charm. Later, in Order of the Phoenix, the charm is used to hide the location of the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. Order members in Deathly Hallows also use it to protect their homes.Notes: Rowling previously stated that when a Secret-Keeper dies, the Secret they held can never be revealed to anyone else; the people who were told before the Secret-Keeper's death will still know the secret, but after the death of the Secret-Keeper no one new can be brought into the circle of knowledge.[12] However, in Deathly Hallows, it is explained that upon the Keeper's death, all those who have been told the secret become Secret-Keepers in turn, and can pass the secret on to others.
(Fiendfyre Curse)
Description: Dangerous, uncontrollable and extremely powerful fire which can take the form of beasts such as serpents, Chimaeras, and dragons.Seen/mentioned: In Deathly Hallows, Vincent Crabbe uses Fiendfyre in the Room of Requirement against Harry, Ron and Hermione who manage to escape on broomsticks with Draco and Goyle. [DH Ch.31]Notes: It is only used by Vincent Crabbe throughout in Deathly Hallows, who Harry believes learned it from the Carrows.[DH Ch.31] (Alecto Carrow and Amycus Carrow; two Death Eater siblings who taught at Hogwarts for a brief period under Snape's reign as Headmaster.) Therefore, Vincent Crabbe inadvertently destroyed one of Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes.
Finite Incantatem
Pronunciation: /fɪˈniːteɪ ˌɪŋkənˈtætəm/ fi-NEE-tay IN-kən-TAHT-əmDescription: Negates many spells or the effects of many spells.Seen/mentioned: Snape uses it in Chamber of Secrets to restore order in the Duelling Club when Harry and Draco are duelling. Lupin uses the short form "Finite" in Order of the Phoenix.
Flagrate
Pronunciation: /fləˈɡreɪtiː/ flə-GRAY-teeDescription: With this spell, the caster's wand can leave fiery marks.Seen/mentioned: Cast by Tom Riddle in The Chamber of Secrets to spell out 'Tom Marvolo Riddle' and switch it to 'I am Lord Voldemort'. Also cast by Hermione in Order of the Phoenix to identify doors of the Department of Mysteries which members of Dumbledore's Army had already opened, by marking them with an 'X'.
(Flame-Freezing Charm)
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 Prisoner of Azkaban in the book History of Magic which Harry is reading to do his homework. Witches and wizards used this spell during medieval burnings.
(Flying Charm)
Description: Cast on broomsticks, and (presumably) magic carpets to make them fly.Seen/mentioned: Draco mentioned this spell when tauntingly asking Ron why would anyone cast a Flying Charm on Ron's broomstick in Order of the Phoenix during Ron's first Quidditch practice. It is also mentioned in Quidditch Through the Ages.
(Freezing Charm)
Description: Renders target immobile.Seen/mentioned: According to Horace Slughorn, a Freezing Charm will disable a Muggle burglar alarm (Intruder alarm).
Furnunculus (Furnunculus Curse)
Pronunciation: /fərˈnʌŋkjʉləs/ fər-NUNG-kew-ləsDescription: Causes the target to become covered in boils.Seen/mentioned: Used by Harry in Goblet of Fire on Draco, but was deflected onto Goyle instead. Also used later in the book when Draco tried to harass Harry on the Hogwarts Express and was hit with a barrage of curses, including the Furnuculus Curse (which was cast by Harry).[GF Ch.37]
G
Geminio
Pronunciation: /dʒɛˈmɪni.oʊ/ je-MIN-ee-ohDescription: Creates a duplicate of any object upon which it is cast. As revealed by the goblin Griphook, any copies created are worthless. The duplicate lasts several hours. Magical properties, at least of a Horcrux, are not copied.Seen/mentioned: Used by Hermione in Deathly Hallows to copy Salazar Slytherin's locket to hide their tracks from Umbridge.
(Gemino Curse)
Description: Whenever an object affected by this curse is touched, it duplicates itself into many useless copies to hide the original. To add confusion and eventually fill the surrounding area with copies, the copies also duplicate.Seen/mentioned: Seen in Deathly Hallows when Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Griphook break into the Lestrange vault in Gringotts. Used to great effect as the room fills with useless duplicates.
Glisseo
Pronunciation: /ˈɡlɪsiː.oʊ/ GLIS-ee-oh or /ɡlɪˈseɪ.oʊ/ gli-SAY-ohDescription: Causes the steps on a stairway to flatten and form a ramp or slide.Seen/mentioned: Used by Hermione to escape from pursuing Death Eaters in Deathly Hallows. Used on the girls’ dormitory to ensure that boys cannot enter.
(Gripping Charm)
Description: Used to help someone grip something with more effectiveness. This charm is placed upon Quaffles to help Chasers carry the Quaffle whilst simultaneously holding their brooms.Seen/mentioned: Mentioned in Quidditch Through the Ages.
H
(Hair Loss Curse)
Description: Causes one to lose one's hair.Seen/mentioned: In Philosopher's Stone, Harry visits the "Curses and Counter-Curses" shop in Diagon Alley, on the sign it mentioned three curses: Hair loss, Jelly-Legs and Tongue-Tying.
(Hair-Thickening Charm)
Description: Thickens one's hair.Seen/mentioned: In Order of the Phoenix, Snape asserts that Alicia Spinnet used it on her eyebrows even though she was obviously hexed by a member of the Slytherin Quidditch team.
Homenum Revelio
Pronunciation: /ˈhɒmɨnəm rɛˈvɛli.oʊ/ HOM-i-nəm re-VEL-ee-ohDescription: Reveals humans near the caster.Seen/mentioned: Used by Dumbledore to detect Harry under his Invisibility Cloak, but first named when used multiple times by various characters in Deathly Hallows. Also used by Hermione upon her, Ron, and Harry's arrival at Grimmauld Place after being attacked by Death Eaters in Tottenham Court Road, after the wedding.[13]
(Homorphus Charm)
Description: Causes an Animagus or transfigured object to assume its normal shape.Seen/mentioned: According to Lockhart, he used it to force the Wagga Wagga Werewolf to take its human form. It was, however, used by Lupin and Sirius on the rat named Scabbers to reveal that he was Peter Pettigrew in Prisoner of Azkaban.
(Horton-Keitch Braking Charm)
Description: This spell was first used on the Comet 140 to prevent players from overshooting the goal posts and from flying off-sides.Seen/mentioned: Mentioned in Quidditch Through the Ages as the charm that gave the Comet 140 an advantage over the Cleansweep.
(Hot-Air Charm)
Description: Causes wand to emit hot air.Seen/mentioned: Used by Hermione Granger in Order of the Phoenix to dry off her robes. Also used shortly after to melt snow. Also was used by Albus Dumbledore in Half-Blood Prince to dry Harry's and his own robes.
(Hover Charm)
Description: An object is levitated off the ground and moved according to the caster.Seen/mentioned: Used by Dobby silently in Chamber of Secrets to levitate a Cake, of which Harry is accused. Also used by Xenophilius to clear rubble off his stairs in Deathly Hallows.
(Hurling Hex)
Description: Causes brooms to vibrate violently in the air and try to buck their rider off.Seen/mentioned: In Philosopher's Stone, Quirinus Quirrell may have been casting a wordless and wandless version of this spell on Harry's broom during his Quidditch match. Flitwick suggested that Harry's confiscated Firebolt might be jinxed with this spell.
I
Impedimenta (Impediment Jinx, Impediment Curse)
Pronunciation: /ɪmˌpɛdɨˈmɛntə/ im-PED-i-MEN-təDescription: This powerful spell 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 not made clear. If this spell does bind, it does eventually wear off as stated in Deathly Hallows.Seen/mentioned: Used in Goblet of Fire when Harry is practising for the third task. Also used by Madam Hooch to briefly stop Harry from fighting with Draco. Also seen toward the end of Order of the Phoenix, when Harry is fighting the Death Eaters. Stronger uses of this spell seem capable of blowing targets away.
Imperio (Imperius Curse)
Pronunciation: /ɪmˈpɪəri.oʊ/ im-PEER-ee-ohDescription: Causes the victim of the curse to obey the spoken/unspoken commands of the caster. The experience of being controlled by this curse is described as a complete, wonderful release from any sense of responsibility or worry over one's actions, at the price of one's free will. Resisting the effect of the curse is possible, however, and several individuals have been able to successfully overcome it, including Harry and both of the Crouches, who learn to resist the curse after being subjected to its effects for an extended period. Harry describes the feeling of being the caster as controlling a marionette through a wand (although Harry's particular experience is suspect due to his lack of commitment to casting Unforgivable Curses). One of the three Unforgivable Curses.Seen/mentioned: First mentioned (not by name) in the first book when Ron told Harry that during the first war Lucius Malfoy claimed that he had been jinxed, thus evading imprisonment. First seen in Goblet of Fire introduced by Barty Crouch Jr. (acting as Moody) and used on a spider. Later seen in the book when Barty Crouch Jr., acting as Professor Moody, used it on all the students to see if they would be able to overcome it. Used by Harry in Deathly Hallows on a Gringotts goblin and Travers, and by the Death Eaters on Pius Thicknesse.
(Imperturbable Charm)
Description: Makes objects such as doors impenetrable (by everything, including sounds and objects).Seen/mentioned: The spell is used by Mrs Weasley in Order of the Phoenix on the door of the room in which an Order meeting was being held, to prevent her sons, Fred and George, from eavesdropping (using their extendable ears). Also mentioned in Half-Blood Prince when Harry, Ron, and Hermione followed Draco to Borgin and Burkes and used extendable ears
Impervius (Impervius Charm)
Pronunciation: /ɪmˈpɜrvi.əs/ im-PUR-vee-əsDescription: This spell makes something repel (literally, become impervious to) substances and outside forces, including water.Seen/mentioned: Used by Hermione in Prisoner of Azkaban on Harry's glasses while in a Quidditch match and also by the Gryffindor Quidditch team in Order of the Phoenix, both times to allow team members to see in a driving rain. Also used in Deathly Hallows, first by Ron to protect objects in Yaxley's office from rain, and then by Hermione in an attempt to protect Harry, Ron and Griphook from the burning treasure in the Lestranges' vault.
Incarcerous
Pronunciation: /ɪŋˈkɑrsərəs/ ing-KAR-sər-əsDescription: Ties someone or something up with ropes.Seen/mentioned: An unnamed spell, presumably incarcerous, is used by Lupin to tie up Snape in the Shrieking Shack in Prisoner of Azkaban and likewise in Goblet of Fire when Pettigrew ties Harry to Tom Riddle's grave. Incarcerous itself is first heard in Order of the Phoenix, when Umbridge gets in a battle with the centaurs. Also used by Harry on the Inferi in Voldemort's Horcrux chamber, in Half-Blood Prince, and later again when Harry tries to bound Snape after the death of Dumbledore.
Incendio
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈsɛndi.oʊ/ in-SEN-dee-ohDescription: Produces fire.[10] Flames burst out flying.Seen/mentioned: It is first seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone when Hagrid (nonverbally) produces fire out of his umbrella in the little house the Dursleys took refuge in (from the Hogwarts letters). In Half-Blood Prince, this spell is used several times in battle, for instance when Hagrid's hut is set ablaze.
(Intruder Charm)
Description: Detects intruders and sounds an alarm.Seen/mentioned: Slughorn had it on a temporary Muggle owned house he was living in, allowing him to detect Dumbledore and Harry as they approached in Half-Blood Prince. It is possible that Alastor Moody had it on his house to set off charmed dustbins (which spewed litter at intruders) if there was an intruder on his property.
J
(Jelly-Brain Jinx)
Description: Presumably affects the target's mental processes.Seen/mentioned: During the September 1999 riot that took place during the Puddlemere/Holyhead Quidditch game.
(Jelly-Fingers Curse)
Description: Causes the target's fingers to become almost jelly-like to make it impossible for the victim to grasp objects. If the opponent touches a wall, he/she will be stuck to it forever.Seen/mentioned: After a June 1999 Portree/Arrows Quidditch game, the losing Seeker accused his opposite number of putting this curse on him as they both closed in on the Snitch.
(Jelly-Legs Jinx)
Description: A jinx that renders its victim's legs temporarily useless, leaving him/her to wobble around helplessly until the effect wears off or the counter-jinx is performed.Seen/mentioned: First mentioned as one of the jinxes in the book Curses and Counter-Curses.[PS Ch.5] First used on Harry, while practising for the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament, by Hermione.[GF Ch.31] At the end of the term, Draco, Crabbe and Goyle tried to harass Harry on the Hogwarts Express and were hit with a few hexes, curses and jinxes, including the Jelly-Legs Jinx (cast by George Weasley).[GF Ch.37]
K
(Knee-Reversal Hex)
Description: Causes the victim's knees to appear on the opposite side of his/her legs.Seen/mentioned: In Quidditch Through the Ages, Gertie Keddle uses this hex when a man playing an early form of Quidditch comes to retrieve his ball from her garden.
L
Langlock
Pronunciation: /ˈlæŋlɒk/ LANG-lokDescription: Glues the victim's tongue to the roof of his/her mouth. Created by Severus Snape.Seen/mentioned: Used by Harry in Half-Blood Prince on Peeves and on Argus Filch, to general applause.
Legilimens
Pronunciation: /lɛˈdʒɪlɨmɛnz/ le-JIL-i-menzDescription: Allows the caster to delve into the mind of the victim, allowing the caster to see the memories, thoughts, and emotions of the victim.Seen/mentioned: Used by Snape on Harry during Occlumency lessons in Order of the Phoenix and by Dumbledore on Kreacher. Also used nonverbally by Snape on Harry in Half-Blood Prince to allow him to see where Harry had learned the Sectumsempra spell. Used by Lord Voldemort multiple times to see Harry's thoughts.Notes: See also Legilimency for more information.
Levicorpus
Pronunciation: /lɛvɨˈkɔrpəs/ LEV-i-KOR-pəs (usually nonverbal)Description: The victim is dangled upside-down by one of his/her ankles, sometimes accompanied by a flash of white light.[14] Created by Severus Snape. Its counter curse is Liberacorpus.Seen/mentioned: It was originally shown to be a nonverbal-only spell, but in the Deathly Hallows, the text shows that Hermione whispers it to lift Harry so he can steal the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff. Harry learns it by reading the notes written by the Half-Blood Prince. He inadvertently uses it on Ron in Half-Blood Prince. In addition, in Order of Phoenix, Harry sees (through the Pensieve) his father, James, use the spell against Snape.Notes: Though Harry initially learns Levicorpus as a nonverbal spell, it is used verbally by James Potter in The Order of the Phoenix and by Hermione Granger in The Deathly Hallows thus proving that it is not only a nonverbal spell.
Liberacorpus
Pronunciation: /ˌlɪbərəˈkɔrpəs/ LIB-ər-ə-KOR-pəs (nonverbal)Description: The counter spell to Levicorpus. Created by Severus Snape.Seen/mentioned: Harry uses the spell in Half-Blood Prince to counteract the Levicorpus spell he inadvertently casts on Ron. Harry also casts it on himself in Deathly Hallows after managing to retrieve the Horcrux from the shelf in the Lestrange's vault.
Locomotor
Pronunciation: /ˌloʊkɵˈmoʊtɔr/ LOH-ko-MOH-torDescription: 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 Tonks in Order of the Phoenix to move Harry's trunk from his room. Flitwick similarly uses it to move Sybill Trelawney's trunk after Umbridge sacks her. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown use this spell to race their pencil cases around the edges of the table. A variation seen in Deathly Hallows is Piertotum Locomotor, which animated the suits of armour in Hogwarts.
Locomotor Mortis (Leg-Locker Curse)
Pronunciation: /ˌloʊkɵˈmoʊtɔr ˈmɔrtɨs/ LOH-ko-MOH-tor MOR-tisDescription: Locks the legs together, preventing the victim from moving the legs in any fashion. The target can hop when affected by this curse, but walking is impossible without the countercurseSeen/mentioned: Used by Draco on Neville Longbottom in Philosopher's Stone. Also mentioned further on in the book as Ron and Hermione prepare to use it on Snape during a Quidditch match. Used by Harry on Draco, who deflects it, in Half-Blood Prince.
Lumos
"Lumos" redirects here. For the charity, see Lumos (charity).
Pronunciation: /ˈljuːmɒs/ LEW-mosDescription: Creates a narrow beam of light that shines from the wand's tip, like a torch (US: flashlight).[10]Seen/mentioned: First seen in Chamber of Secrets and then constantly throughout the series.Notes: The counter spell, Nox, extinguishes the light. The caster of this spell can cast other spells while this spell is in effect.
M
Meteolojinx Recanto
Pronunciation: /ˌmiːtiːˈɒlɵdʒɪŋks rɛˈkæntoʊ/ MEE-tee-OL-ə-jingks re-KAN-tohDescription: Causes weather effects caused by incantations to cease.Seen/mentioned: Suggested in Deathly Hallows by Arthur Weasley to Ron (disguised by the Polyjuice Potion as Reginald 'Reg' Cattermole from Magical Maintenance) as the best way to clear up the incessant rain in Yaxley's office at the Ministry.
Mobiliarbus
Pronunciation: /ˌmoʊbɪliˈɑrbəs/ MOH-bil-ee-AR-bəsDescription: Lifts a tree a few inches off the ground and levitates it to where the caster points his or her wand.Seen/mentioned: In Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione uses the spell to move a Christmas Tree in The Three Broomsticks beside her table to hide Harry, who was in Hogsmeade illegally.
Mobilicorpus
Pronunciation: /ˌmoʊbɪliˈkɔrpəs/ MOH-bil-ee-KOR-pəsDescription: Lifts a body a few inches off the ground and levitates it where the caster points his or her wand[10]Seen/mentioned: Sirius Black uses it on Severus Snape in Prisoner of Azkaban.
Morsmordre (Dark Mark)
Pronunciation: /mɔrzˈmɔrdrə/ morz-MOR-drəDescription: Conjures the Dark Mark, Voldemort's mark. It is often used to mark deaths, or cause terror (as at the Quidditch World Cup in The Goblet of Fire)Seen/mentioned: Used by Barty Crouch Jr in Goblet of Fire. Also seen in Half-Blood Prince over the castle to lure Dumbledore to his death. Voldemort apparently invented it. According to Mr Weasley, very few wizards know how to cast this spell.
Muffliato
Pronunciation: /ˌmʌfliˈɑːtoʊ/ MUF-lee-AH-tohDescription: Keeps nearby people, or those to whom the wand is directed, from hearing nearby conversations.[14]Seen/mentioned: It is used in Half-Blood Prince by Harry and Ron on various teachers and people such as Madam Pomfrey. Hermione also uses it in Deathly Hallows in protection of the campsite where she and Harry stayed in hiding.
N
Nox
Pronunciation: /ˈnɒks/ NOKSDescription: Counter charm to the Lumos spell.Seen/mentioned: In Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry and Hermione used this spell to turn off their wand-lights in the Shrieking Shack. Also used in Deathly Hallows when Harry was in the passage beneath the Whomping Willow that leads to the Shrieking Shack.
O
(Obliteration Charm)
Description: Removes things not wished to be seen again.Seen/mentioned: Used by Hermione in Order of the Phoenix to remove the footprints that she, Harry, and Ron left in the snow. Also used in Deathly Hallows by Hermione to remove the footprints she and Harry leave behind them in the snow as they journey through Godric's Hollow.Notes: The above instances only reveal that the Obliteration Charm can remove footprints. There is no explanation as to what effect it can have on other things.
Obliviate (Memory Charm)
Pronunciation: /oʊˈblɪvi.eɪt/ oh-BLIV-ee-aytDescription: Used to hide a memory of a particular event.Seen/mentioned: First mentioned (not by name) in the Philosopher's Stone by Ron that it was used on Muggles who have seen dragons. First used in Chamber of Secrets by Lockhart who wanted to use it on Harry and Ron; the spell backfired because Ron's wand had been damaged, causing Lockhart to lose most of his own memory (which he never recovers). In Goblet of Fire, it is used by an unknown Ministry worker on Mr. Roberts and later the rest of his family. In Deathly Hallows, Hermione uses the spell on two Death Eaters who had followed Harry, Ron, and Hermione after their escape from Bill Weasley and Fleur's wedding. Also used by Hermione on Xenophilius Lovegood after destroying his house in Deathly Hallows and erasing her parents memories of herself.
Obscuro
Pronunciation: /ɒbˈskjʊəroʊ/ ob-SKEWR-ohDescription: Causes a blindfold to appear over the victim's eyes, obstructing his/her view of his/her surroundings.Seen/mentioned: Used by Hermione in Deathly Hallows to obstruct Phineas Nigellus Black's portrait's view of their location.
Oppugno
Pronunciation: /əˈpʌɡnoʊ/ ə-PUG-nohDescription: Causes conjured objects to attack.Seen/mentioned: Used by Hermione in Half-Blood Prince to attack Ron with a conjured flock of canaries (see Avis).
Orchideous
Pronunciation: /ɔrˈkɪdiː.əs/ or-KID-ee-əsDescription: Makes a bouquet of flowers appear out of the caster's wand.Seen/mentioned: Used in Goblet of Fire by Ollivander to test Fleur's wand.
P
Pack
Pronunciation: /ˈpæk/ PAK, as in EnglishDescription: Packs a trunk, or perhaps any luggage.Seen/mentioned: Used in Prisoner of Azkaban by Lupin in his office, and in Order of the Phoenix by Tonks, once verbally and again non-verbally.
(Permanent Sticking Charm)
Description: Makes objects permanently stay in place.Seen/mentioned: First mentioned in Order of the Phoenix, Sirius suspects that his mother's painting was fixed to the wall with such a Charm. In Deathly Hallows, Harry discovers that it was used by Sirius to permanently affix his pictures to the wall in his room.
Peskipiksi Pesternomi
Pronunciation: /ˌpɛskɨˈpɪksi ˌpɛstərˈnoʊmiː/ PES-ki-PIK-see PES-tər-NO-meeDescription: The one time it was uttered, it had absolutely no effect.Seen/mentioned: Used by Lockhart to attempt to remove Cornish pixies.Notes: It is not known whether the spell actually works.
Petrificus Totalus (Body-Bind Curse)
Pronunciation: /pɛˈtrɪfɨkəs toʊˈtæləs/ pe-TRIF-i-kəs toh-TAL-əsDescription: Used to temporarily bind the victim's body in a position much like that of a soldier at attention; this spell does not restrict breathing or seeing, and the victim will usually fall to the ground.[10]Seen/mentioned: First used in 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.[PS Ch.16] It is then used throughout the rest of the series, especially during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries in Order of the Phoenix. Seen in Half-Blood Prince twice: in the beginning, Draco uses the spell against Harry on the train, and later when Dumbledore casts the spell non-verbally to make Harry freeze so he does not give himself away in the Astronomy Tower. The spell was broken when Dumbledore was killed.Notes: The eyes of the target remain mobile, as seen in the Philosopher's Stone, and in the Deathly Hallows.
Piertotum Locomotor
Pronunciation: /paɪ.ərˈtoʊtəm loʊkɵˈmoʊtɔr/ PY-ər-TOH-təm LOH-ko-MOH-torDescription: Spell used to animate statues and suits of armour to do the caster's bidding.Seen/mentioned: In Deathly Hallows, McGonagall uses this spell to animate the suits of armour and statues within Hogwarts to defend the castle.[15]
(Placement Charm)
Description: A charm which temporarily places an object upon a desired target.Seen/mentioned: Mentioned in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Point Me (Four-Point Spell)
Pronunciation: /ˈpɔɪntmiː/ POYNT-mee, as in EnglishDescription: 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 Goblet of Fire.
Portus
Pronunciation: /ˈpɔrtəs/ PORT-əsDescription: Turns an object into a portkey. The object glows an odd blue colour to show it has been transformed into a portkey, then goes solid again.[OP Ch.22]Seen/mentioned: Used by Dumbledore in Order of the Phoenix.Notes: Portkeys were first seen in Goblet of Fire as a means for Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys to go to the Quidditch World Cup. However, the spell used in its creation was not seen until Order of the Phoenix when Dumbledore creates a Portkey to get Harry Potter and Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny Weasley to Grimmauld Place.[OP Ch.22] Also requires Ministry approval to use.
Prior Incantato
See also: Magic in Harry Potter#Priori Incantatem
Pronunciation: /ˈpraɪ.ɔr ˌɪŋkænˈtɑːtoʊ/ PRY-or ING-kan-TAH-tohDescription: Causes the echo (a shadow or image) of the last spell cast by a wand to emanate from it.Seen/mentioned: Used by Amos Diggory in Goblet of Fire to discover the last spell cast by Harry's wand after it was found in the hands of Winky, a house-elf. Mentioned in Deathly Hallows as a means of discovering that Harry had been casting spells with Hermione's wand (implying that his own was broken).
(Protean Charm)
Description: Causes copies of an object to be remotely affected by changes made to the original.Seen/mentioned: First used in Order of the Phoenix. Hermione put the charm on a number of fake Galleons.[7] Instead of the serial number around the edge of the coin, the time and date of the next meeting of Dumbledore's Army appeared. Said to be a spell at NEWT level.
Protego (Shield Charm)
Pronunciation: /proʊˈteɪɡoʊ/ proh-TAY-gohDescription: The Shield Charm[11] causes minor to strong jinxes, curses, and hexes to rebound upon the attacker, or at least prevents them from having their full effect. It can also cause a shield to erupt from the caster's wand.Seen/mentioned: First seen in Goblet of Fire, in which Harry Potter is taught this spell by Hermione Granger in preparation for the third task in the Triwizard Tournament. Also used throughout the series. Examples are in Order of the Phoenix when Harry blocks Snape's Legilimency after a lengthy Occlumency lessons and when Harry is duelling the Death Eaters. Harry later uses this spell in Half-Blood Prince to block Snape's jinx when he was showing Ron how to cast a spell without saying a word. Hermione later uses it in Deathly Hallows to separate Ron and Harry when they are fighting.
Protego Horribilis
Pronunciation: /proʊˈteɪɡoʊ hɒˈrɪbɨlɪs/ proh-TAY-goh hor-RIB-il-isDescription: Provides some form of protection against Dark Magic.Seen/mentioned: Cast by Flitwick in an attempt to strengthen the castle's defences in Deathly Hallows
Protego Totalum
Pronunciation: /proʊˈteɪɡoʊ toʊˈtæləm/ proh-TAY-goh toh-TAL-əmDescription: Provides protection of some form for an area or dwelling.Seen/mentioned: In Deathly Hallows, this is one of the spells used by Hermione and Harry to protect their camp site from unwanted visitors.
Q
Quietus
Pronunciation: /kwaɪˈeɪtəs/ kwy-AY-təsDescription: Makes a magically magnified voice return to normal.Seen/mentioned: Used in Goblet of Fire by Ludo Bagman.Notes: Functions as the counter spell to Sonorus.
R
Reducio
Pronunciation: /rɛˈdjuːsi.oʊ/ re-DEW-see-ohDescription: Makes an enlarged object smaller. Counter-charm to Engorgio.Seen/mentioned: Used in Goblet of Fire by Barty Crouch Jr (as Moody) to shrink the spider he used to demonstrate the Cruciatus Curse. Harry attempts the spell in the Deathly Hallows when practising with Draco's blackthorn wand.
Reducto (Reductor Curse)
Pronunciation: /rɛˈdʌktoʊ/ re-DUK-tohDescription: Enables the caster to explode solid objects.Seen/mentioned: In 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 Order of the Phoenix, Gryffindors in Harry's year reference Parvati Patil as being able to reduce a table full of dark detectors to ashes and Ginny Weasley uses it in the Room of Requirement during the practice and in the Hall of Prophecy, Department of Mysteries; in Half Blood Prince, a member of the Order of the Phoenix attempts to use this spell to break down a door which Death Eaters have blocked when the Death Eaters have cornered Dumbledore in the Lightning Struck Tower.
(Refilling Charm)
Description: Refills whatever at which the caster points with the drink originally in the container.Seen/mentioned: Used in Half-Blood Prince, when Harry notices that Hagrid and Slughorn are running out of mead.
Relashio
Pronunciation: /rɛˈlæʃi.oʊ/ re-LASH-ee-ohDescription: A charm used to force someone or something to release that which it holds or grapples by means of shooting fiery sparks out or, underwater, shooting hot bursts of water.Seen/mentioned: Used by Harry against Grindylows in the second task of the Triwizard Tournament. When used more expertly by Bob Ogden in Half-Blood Prince, it threw Marvolo Gaunt backwards after an attempted attack. Hermione uses it in Deathly Hallows to free Mrs Cattermole from the chained chair.
Rennervate
Pronunciation: /ˈrɛnərveɪt/ REN-ər-vaytDescription: Brings someone out of unconsciousness.Seen/mentioned: In Goblet of Fire, Amos Diggory uses it to wake up Winky and Dumbledore uses it to wake up Krum and Barty Crouch Jr. In "Half-Blood Prince", Harry later uses it to try to reawaken a cursed Dumbledore in the seaside cave.Suggested etymology: Officially renamed from Ennervate by J. K. Rowling[16]Notes: Counter spell to Stupefy; when this spell is cast, red light is emitted.
Reparo
Pronunciation: /rɛˈpɑroʊ/ re-PAR-ohDescription: Used to repair broken or damaged objects.[10]Seen/mentioned: Many times throughout the books. First used by Hermione, when she uses it to fix a broken window. Shattered objects are often described as having "flown" back together. However, substances contained within broken objects are not restored.Notes: There are some things that can not be repaired by this spell, for example, a wand, but in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the "Elder Wand" or "Wand of Destiny", repaired Harry's original wand, due to its extreme power.
(Repelling Charm)
Description: Pushes a moving object away from an invisible barrier.Seen/mentioned: Quidditch Through the Ages, Chapter 4. e.g. "the wizards in the crowd forced [the snidget] back with repelling spells".Notes: This is only mentioned repelling the snidget (a small but agile bird). However context suggests the spell is a generic repelling spell, but we do not know the extent or limitations. It was used to prevent the bird escaping the confines of the quidditch pitch.
Repello Muggletum (Muggle-Repelling Charm)
Pronunciation: /rɛˈpɛloʊ ˈmʊɡlətəm/ re-PEL-oh MUG-lə-təmDescription: Keeps Muggles away from wizarding places by causing them to remember important meetings they missed and to cause the Muggles in question to forget what they were doing in the first place.Seen/mentioned: Mentioned in Quidditch Through the Ages as being used to keep Muggles away from the Quidditch World Cup. Hogwarts was also said to be guarded by the Muggle-Repelling Charm. Harry and Hermione also use it on numerous occasions, among many other spells, to protect and hide their campsite in Deathly Hallows.
Rictusempra (Tickling Charm)
Pronunciation: /ˌrɪktəˈsɛmprə/ RIK-tə-SEM-prəDescription: The subject experiences the sensation of being tickledSeen/mentioned: First seen used by Harry on Draco in Chamber of Secrets, when they fought in the Duelling Club.Notes: This spell takes the form of a jet of silver light (purple in video games).
Riddikulus
Pronunciation: /rɨˈdɪkələs/ ri-DIK-ə-ləs[17]Description: A spell used when fighting a Boggart, "Riddikulus" forces the Boggart to take the appearance of an object upon which the caster is concentrating. When used correctly, this will be a humorous form.Seen/mentioned: First seen in Prisoner of Azkaban, when taught by Lupin. Then seen in Goblet of Fire on a boggart that was in the maze in the Third Task. Finally seen in Order of the Phoenix, when Mrs Weasley tries to cast Riddikulus on a Boggart in Grimmauld Place.Notes: The effect depends on what the caster is thinking. Neville concentrates on his grandmother's dress, causing a Boggart in the form of Snape to appear in it.
S
Salvio Hexia
Pronunciation: /ˈsælvi.oʊ ˈhɛksi.ə/ SAL-vee-oh HEK-see-əDescription: Provides some form of protection against hexes.Seen/mentioned: Harry and Hermione cast this spell to strengthen their campsite's defences against intruders in Deathly Hallows.
Scourgify (Scouring Charm)
Pronunciation: /ˈskɜrdʒɨfaɪ/ SKUR-ji-fyDescription: Used to clean something.[7][10]Seen/mentioned: First used by Tonks to clean Hedwig's cage in Order of the Phoenix. Later, Ginny performs the spell to clean up Stinksap in the Hogwarts Express. While looking at Snape's memories, Harry sees James use the spell on Snape's mouth.
Sectumsempra
Pronunciation: /ˌsɛktəmˈsɛmprə/ SEK-təm-SEM-prəDescription: Violently wounds the target; described as being as though the subject had been "slashed by a sword".[14] Created by Severus Snape.Seen/mentioned: First seen in Order of the Phoenix when Snape uses it in his memory against James, but misses and only lightly cuts his cheek. Used successfully by Harry in Half-Blood Prince against Draco, and then later against the Inferi in Voldemort's Horcrux chamber, and Snape during his flight from Hogwarts. In the opening chapters of Deathly Hallows, Snape accidentally casts this curse against George Weasley in the Order's flight from Privet Drive, though George was not his intended target. [DH Ch.3] It is known as a speciality of Snape's. [DH Ch.5]Notes: Though Snape was able to mend the wounds inflicted on Draco by this curse with ease, with "an incantation that sounded almost like song", Mrs Weasley was unable to heal her son George when his ear was severed by the curse. It was discovered in an old copy of Advanced Potion Making by Harry; Sectumsempra was invented by Snape with the words "For enemies" written next to it.
Serpensortia
Pronunciation: /ˌsɜrpənˈsɔrti.ə/ SUR-pən-SOR-tee-əDescription: Conjures a serpent from the spell caster’s wand.[10]Seen/mentioned: Used by Draco whilst duelling Harry in Chamber of Secrets and Voldemort in the duel against Dumbledore in Order of the Phoenix.
Silencio (Silencing Charm)
Pronunciation: /sɪˈlɛnsi.oʊ/ si-LEN-see-ohDescription: Silences something immediately[7][10]Seen/mentioned: First used by Hermione in Order of the Phoenix to silence a frog and a raven in Charms class, then later to silence a Death Eater who was trying to use a spell against Harry Potter. It was also used by Voldemort in Deathly Hallows during the Battle of Hogwarts.
(Slug-Vomiting Charm)
Description: A jet of green light strikes the victim, who then vomits slugs for an undefined period of time (greater than five hours). The sizes of the vomited slugs decrease with time.Seen/mentioned: In Chamber of Secrets, Ron attempts to use it on Draco by saying "Eat Slugs"; the spell backfired and hit him instead. Mentioned in Order of the Phoenix before Gryffindor's first Quidditch Match against Slytherin when Draco taunts Ron, "Harry was reminded forcibly of the time that Ron had accidentally put a Slug-Vomiting Charm on himself".[OP Ch.19]
Sonorus
Pronunciation: /sɒˈnɔərəs/ son-NOHR-əsDescription: Magnifies the spell caster’s voice, functioning as a magical megaphoneSeen/mentioned: By Ludo Bagman and Cornelius Fudge in Goblet of Fire to commentate at the Quidditch World Cup and during the Triwizard Tournament. Also used by Dumbledore to silence everyone in the Great Hall in Goblet of Fire. Used by Voldemort several times during the Battle of Hogwarts in Deathly Hallows.Notes: The counter-spell is Quietus.[citation needed]
Specialis Revelio (Scarpin's Revelaspell)
Pronunciation: /ˌspɛsiˈælɨs rɛˈvɛli.oʊ/ SPES-ee-AL-is re-VEL-ee-ohDescription: Causes an object to show its hidden secrets or magical properties.Seen/mentioned: Used by Hermione to find out more of Harry's Advanced Potion-Making book in Half-Blood Prince. Used by Ernie Macmillan to find out the ingredients of a potion.
(Stealth Sensoring Spell)
Description: Detects those under magical disguise.Seen/mentioned: In Order of the Phoenix, Umbridge casts this around her office. Also used at the entrance to the Ministry of Magic.
(Stinging Hex, Stinging Jinx)
Description: Produces a stinging sensation in the victim, resulting in angry red welts and occasionally the severe inflammation of the affected area.Seen/mentioned: Harry inadvertently casts one on Snape during Occlumency lessons in Order of the Phoenix. Hermione casts the Stinging Hex on Harry in Deathly Hallows to purposefully distort Harry's appearance.
Stupefy (Stunning Spell, Stupefying Charm, Stunner)
Pronunciation: /ˈstjuːpɨfaɪ/ STEW-pi-fyDescription: Puts the victim in an unconscious state. Manifests as a jet of red light.Seen/mentioned: First seen in Goblet of Fire, used by Ministry officials at the Quidditch World Cup. Also seen used by a number of Ministry officials against McGonagall in Order of the Phoenix. It is also taught by Harry in his Dumbledore's Army meetings and used extensively during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries against the Death Eaters. Is seen by some, including Harry himself, as the basic spell for fighting. Death Eaters, Ministry Officials, Order members and students all seem to refer to this spell as their preferred attack.Notes: Hagrid was able to withstand multiple direct Stunners due to being half-giant, and Goblet of Fire shows six to seven wizards working in unison to Stun a single dragon.[citation needed]
(Supersensory Charm)
Description: Able to possess superior senses than before.Seen/mentioned: Mentioned by Ron outside of the Hogwarts Express during the epilogue of Deathly Hallows as a potential substitute for using mirrors while driving a car.
(Switching Spell)
Description: Causes two objects to be switched for one another.Seen/mentioned: Harry contemplates using this spell against his dragon in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. Neville also uses this in Transfiguration class in Goblet of Fire, and accidentally transplants his ears onto a cactus.
T
(Taboo)
Description: A jinx which may be placed upon a word or a name, so that whenever that word is spoken, a magical disturbance is created that alerts the caster of the Taboo to the location of the speaker. Any protective enchantments in effect around the speaker are broken when the Tabooed word is spoken aloud.Seen/mentioned: In Deathly Hallows, this spell is placed on the word "Voldemort"; Harry, Ron and Hermione are tracked this way to Tottenham Court Road. Ron tells the other two to stop using the word as he began to fear the name might be a jinx, later discovering it to be a Taboo. The Taboo on Voldemort's name proves useful in identifying supporters of Harry Potter, since the name is so feared that only "rebels" dare speak it. Later in the book, Harry says Voldemort's name again, resulting in the trio being caught by Snatchers and taken to Malfoy Manor.
Tarantallegra
Pronunciation: /təˌræntəˈlɛɡrə/ tə-RAN-tə-LEG-rəDescription: Makes victim's legs dance uncontrollably, so the victim cannot control his or her movements (recalling the tarantella dance).Seen/mentioned: First used by Draco on Harry in the Duelling Club in Chamber of Secrets. It can be stopped using Finite, as mentioned in Order of the Phoenix. It is notably used against Neville in the Department of Mysteries, causing the prophecy to be broken.
Tergeo
Pronunciation: /ˈtɜrdʒi.oʊ/ TUR-jee-ohDescription: Siphons material from a surface, (e.g., blood, ink, dust, etc.)Seen/mentioned: Hermione uses this spell in Half-Blood Prince to remove blood from Harry's face, as well as to remove ink from an essay that Ron had completed previously. It was used in Deathly Hallows to clean off a handkerchief by Ron, and to dust off a picture of Gellert Grindelwald in Bathilda Bagshot's house.
(Tongue-Tying Curse)
Description: A curse that prevents certain information from being revealed by the individual upon whom the spell is placed. The curse manifests itself by causing the tongue to temporarily curl backwards upon itself.Seen/mentioned: First mentioned as one of the spells in Curses and Counter-Curses.[PS Ch.5] Seen in Deathly Hallows as a deterrent to Snape, or any other unwanted visitor of Number 12 Grimmauld Place, from betraying their location to anyone else.
(Transmogrifian Torture)
Seen/mentioned: Gilderoy Lockhart suggested that it was this curse that "killed" Mrs Norris after she was really found petrified on a torch bracket in Chamber Of Secrets[HP2]
(Trip Jinx)
Description: Causes the victim of the jinx to trip and fall.[HP5]Seen/mentioned: Used by Draco in Order of the Phoenix, to catch Harry when he was fleeing after Dumbledore's Army was discovered.
U
(Unbreakable Vow)
Description: Causes a vow taken by a witch or wizard to be inviolable; if he or she should break it, the consequence is death. It manifests itself as interlinking chains of fire binding the clasped hands of the people taking the Vow; the fire shoots out as a tongue of flame from the wand of the Binder (a witness to the Vow) every time the person who takes the vow makes a promise. The flames then form into the linking chains. According to Ron Weasely, the spell causes death to anyone who breaks the vow.Seen/mentioned: Snape takes an Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa Malfoy at the beginning of Half-Blood Prince, vowing to help Narcissa's son Draco with a task given to him by Voldemort, and to finish the task should Draco prove incapable.[HBP Ch.2] Fred and George attempted to force an Unbreakable Vow upon Ron as children.
(Undetectable Extension Charm)
Description: Causes a container's capacity to be increased, without changing the object's external appearance, or its weight noticeably. The container may be carried or used as normal.Seen/mentioned: This spell is used by Mr Weasley to allow eight people, six large trunks, two owls, and a rat to fit comfortably inside his modified Ford Anglia in Chamber of Secrets. Hermione casts this spell upon her small beaded handbag in Deathly Hallows. Probably used in Goblet of Fire to make the tents internal appearance bigger.
(Unbreakable Charm)
Description: Causes an object to become unbreakable.Seen/mentioned: Hermione uses this spell in Goblet of Fire on a glass jar containing Rita Skeeter in her unregistered animagus form (a beetle) so as to make sure she could not return to human form.
W
Waddiwasi
Pronunciation: /ˌwɑːdiˈwɑːsi/ WAH-dee-WAH-seeDescription: Appears to launch small objects through the air.Seen/mentioned: Used only once in the series, by Lupin in Prisoner of Azkaban to expel a wad of chewing gum from the key hole Peeves put it in, launching it up Peeves' nose.
Wingardium Leviosa (Levitation Charm)
Pronunciation: /wɪŋˈɡɑrdiəm ˌlɛviˈoʊsə/ wing-GAR-dee-əm LEV-ee-OH-səDescription: Levitates objects.[2][10]Seen/mentioned: First seen in The Philosopher's Stone, when Flitwick's first-year class practice the spell on feathers. Later in that book, Ron performs the spell on the club of a mountain troll.[PS Ch.10] Harry uses it to hold himself up on Hagrid's motorbike much later on, in The Deathly Hallows. Later in the same book, Ron uses it to prod the knot at the base of the Whomping Willow with a twig to allow him, Harry and Hermione into the Shrieking Shack.[DH Ch.32]
References
1.Jump up ^ Potter spells from CBBC. Retrieved on 25 August 2007.
2.^ Jump up to: a b BBC Big Read Transcript from MuggleNet Retrieved on, 23 August 2007. (Note: this is a transcript of a BBC television program)
3.Jump up ^ Madika (5 August 2004). "Japanese Press Conference PoA". Retrieved 23 August 2007.
4.Jump up ^ Rowling, J. K. (14 April 2008). Statement of J. K. Rowling in testimony during the WB and JKR vs. RDR Books. Retrieved on 22 April 2008 from http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/docs/jkrtrialday1.txt.
5.Jump up ^ J.K.Rowling Official Site
6.Jump up ^ Kong, Lianna (27 July 2007). "Half-Blood Prince, Full-Blooded Synopsis: Harry Potter Book 6 Cheat Sheet, Part II". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
7.^ Jump up to: a b c d CBBC newsround. Note that the answers are given here as 1c, 2b, 3b, 4a, 5c.
8.Jump up ^ Perseus Project, Tufts University, accessed 18 March 2008.
9.Jump up ^ "J.K. Rowling Web Chat Transcript". The Leaky Cauldron. 30 July 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2007.
10.^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j "CBBC Newsround". 12 July 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2007. Note answers are given as "1F, 2K, 3B, 4I, 5G, 6H, 7J, 8C, 9D, 10E, 11A". BBC News. 12 July 2005.
11.^ Jump up to: a b "Expelliarmus! Harry Potter and the Path to Gandhian Non-Violence". 5 August 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
12.Jump up ^ Rowling, Joanne. "Result of F.A.Q. Poll". Retrieved 24 July 2007.
13.Jump up ^ J.K. Rowling Web Chat Transcript – The Leaky Cauldron
14.^ Jump up to: a b c "Quiz: Half-Blood Prince spells". BBC News. LAst updated accessed 19 July 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
15.Jump up ^ Rowling, J. K. (2007). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 484. ISBN 978-0-7475-9106-1.
16.Jump up ^ HPL: Encyclopedia of Spells: R
17.Jump up ^ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Motion picture). Retrieved 27 November 2009.
Anastasaki, Elena (2005). Harry Potter through the looking-glass: wordplay and the use of language in the works of J. K. Rowling and Lewis Carroll.
External links
 Look up Appendix:Harry Potter spells in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
List of spells on Harry Potter Wiki, an external wiki
Encyclopedia of Spells at the Harry Potter Lexicon

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