Post by Prof. Destiny Smith on Apr 25, 2009 19:45:27 GMT -6
Caterwauling Charm
This spell produces a screaming sound so loud that when Harry, Ron and Hermione set it off in Hogsmeade, it echoed round all of the surrounding mountains. The Death Eaters had set up the charm to detect if anybody was breaking the curfew they had imposed, and it was primed to go off if anybody so much as stepped out into the street during curfew hours. It went off the moment that Harry, Ron and Hermione arrived by Apparition, announcing their arrival with some gusto. The charm was silenced by one of the Death Eaters waving his wand [DH28].
Cave Inimucum
From the Latin "caveo", meaning "on guard against", and "inimucus", meaning "hostile".
This was one of the protective enchantments used by Harry, Ron and Hermione when they were on the run from the Death Eaters. They used it to help avoid detection, along with a number of other spells. The effect of this particular spell is not specified, but Hermione waved her wand at the sky whilst casting it, and the incantation suggests that it prevents hostile magic from entering the protected area [DH14].
Charm to Cure Reluctant Reversers
This spell appeared on page 12 of the Handbook of Do-it-Yourself Broomcare, which Harry got as a present from Hermione on his 13th birthday. Harry tried to think about it whenever Aunt Marge insulted him during her visit to Privet Drive, so that he could remain calm and not retaliate, which would give Uncle Vernon an excuse not to sign his Hogsmeade form [POA2].
Cheering Charm
Produces a feeling of great contentment in the target person. Harry's class covered this magic in Charms classes during the third year. Hermione missed the lesson, but the rest of the class were feeling very cheery indeed on their way to lunch after practising it [POA15]. Hermione obviously caught up on the subject though, as she wrote hugely about it in her Charms OWL [OOTP31].
Colloportus
From the Latin "colligere", meaning "bind together" and "portus", meaning "gate".
This spell is used to magically seal doors, making a squelching sound as it does so, but it is not particularly effective. It can easily be countered with Alohomora, a simple spell already known by Hermione near the beginning of her first year at Hogwarts, which will open any door sealed with Colloportus. Hermione attempted to use Colloportus to lock doors against the Death Eaters when the DA were being pursued during the battle at the Department of Mysteries. Predictably, the Death Eaters simply cast Alohomora to open them again [OOTP35].
Colour-Change Charm
This spell causes the target to change colour. It certainly works on animals, as Harry was meant to cast it on a rat during his Charms OWL in order to turn it orange. Unfortunately he got the incantation mixed up with the Growth Charm and it ended up the size of a badger before he could stop it [OOTP31]. It is assumed that it works on inanimate objects too.
Colour Flash Charm
Possibly a variant of the Colour-Change Charm, this is used to make the item it is cast on flash different colours. It was used by Hermione on a "Potter for President" banner the Gryffindors had made for Harry's first Quidditch match in his first year to make it more eye-catching [PS/SS11].
Concealment Charm
The effect of Concealment Charms has not been specified, but it is safe to assume that they are used to conceal something so that it cannot be seen. Hermione told Harry that the Secrecy Sensors that Argus Filch was using to make sure no Dark objects got into the school could detect Concealment Charms, but the Love Potions supplied by Weasley's Wizard Wheezes were getting through due to the fact that they weren't dangerous enough. Fred and George were disguising them as perfume and cough potion anyway just to make sure [HBP15].
Confringo
The Latin word "confringo" means "to destroy".
This spell causes the target object to explode. Harry used it on the sidecar Hagrid was using to transport him from Privet Drive to the Tonks' house. Hagrid's attempt to repair the sidecar had led to it falling off, and after he had been plucked from it as it plummeted, Harry blew it up to put off the chasing Death Eaters [DH4].
Hermione also used it when Harry was attacked by Nagini in Godric's Hollow. On this occasion it bounced around the room smashing everything in sight - including, unfortunately, Harry's wand [DH17]. Hermione later referred to Confringo as the Blasting Curse, and as such it may be the same spell as the Blasting Charm. See also "Blasting Charm".
Confundus Charm
"Confundo" is Latin for "I confuse".
This spell is used to confuse an object or person, to disorient them or make them believe what the spell caster wants them to. The charm is first mentioned by Professor Snape following his confrontation with Sirius Black in the Shrieking Shack at the end of Harry's third year. After Harry, Ron and Hermione attacked him and knocked him unconscious, he believeed they did it because Black had Confunded them into believing he was innocent [POA21]. Sirius was genuinely innocent, of course, and the trio had not been Confunded at all.
It is highly likely, although unconfirmed, that Barty Crouch Jnr used a Confundus Charm on the Goblet of Fire in order to enter Harry into the Triwizard Tournament under the name of a fourth school, thus ensuring that he was chosen. This is certainly how (in the guise of Alastor Moody) he explained that the deed could have been done [GOF17], and he later confessed to having put the name in himself [GOF35]. Confirmed use of the charm occurred two years later, during Gryffindor Quidditch trials. On this occasion the talented but arrogant Cormac McLaggen was looking like he might beat Ron to the position of Keeper on the team until Hermione Confunded him into missing his last save, causing him to fly off in totally the wrong direction. Hermione confessed to Harry after McLaggen was spotted taking two attempts to get through the doors to the Great Hall some time later [HBP11].
Harry also used the Confundus Charm to confuse the Gringotts guards so that he, Ron and Hermione could get into the bank without their disguises being detected [DH26]. Severus Snape used the same charm on Mundungus Fletcher when he planted the idea of the Order of the Phoenix using Harry decoys on his flight from Privet Drive [DH33].
Conjunctivitis Curse
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (mucous membrane that lines the surface of the eyelid and the exposed surface of the eyeball), and is taken from the Latin "conjunctus," meaning "joined together."
This curse is aimed at the eyes of the victim and causes the eyelids to crust together so that the victim cannot see. In addition to loss of sight, it seems to cause pain to the victim as well. Evidence of this comes from Krum's use of the spell in the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament, when he cast it on his dragon as he tried to retrieve his golden egg: having been hit with the curse, the dragon began to trample around in agony [GOF20].
Sirius was going to suggest this spell for Harry to use in the Tournament himself, but he was interrupted by Ron coming into the Gryffindor common room before he could say it [GOF19]. This may have been just as well in the end, as Sirius later admitted that Barty Crouch Jnr/Moody's solution of using his broomstick was a better idea [GOF23].
Olympe Maxime also used this spell against the Giants, when they turned nasty following Gogomath replacing Karkus as the chief. The spell was effective in making them release Hagrid, but also turned the Giants against them once and for all, because if there's one thing a Giant hates, it's magic being used against them [OOTP20].
Conjuring Spells
These are a category of spells taught in NEWT-level Transfiguration classes, as Professor McGonagall informed her class at the start of their OWL year [OOTP13]. They are not strictly Transfiguration-based, however, in that they are used to Conjure items into existence from nowhere. These spells are used repeatedly by skilled wizards in the books. Examples of this occur where Dumbledore conjures mead for himself and the Dursleys when he goes to pick Harry up before Harry's 6th year [HBP3], where Flitwick conjures Christmas decorations from his wand to decorate the Great Hall [PS/SS3], and where Mr Ollivander creates smoke rings and a fountain of wine during the Weighing of the Wands [GOF18].
JKR has confirmed that Conjured items are not permanent but disappear after a length of time, and that legislation also exists concerning what may and may not be created [South West News Service]. This makes it clear why certain problems, such as the Weasleys' lack of money, cannot be solved by simply Conjuring some up. The length of time the items exist for must be controllable by the wizard, however, as the smoke rings that Mr Ollivander created soon disappeared, but it would have been no good if Flitwick's baubles had done the same. Professor McGonagall also Conjured some food for Harry and Ron on one occasion [COS5], and if would have been no good it this disappeared from their stomachs.
Crispy Skin Hex
This is another spell used on allies of Umbridge during the breakout of anarchy following Fred and George walking out of the school in Harry's fifth year. In this case, Warrington (a member of the Inquisitorial Squad) had to go to the hospital wing when he developed a skin complaint (no doubt caused by a well-aimed Hex) that made his skin look like it was covered in cornflakes [OOTP30].
Crucio
Latin for "I torture".
The Cruciatus Curse. It inflicts severe physical pain on whomever it is cast upon, usually causing them to scream in agony. This spell was introduced to the Hogwarts students in Harry's fourth year by Crouch/Moody, who cast it on an enlarged spider to demonstrate its effect during their first DADA lesson of the year [GOF14].
Perhaps the most famous use of the Cruciatus Curse occurred when a group of Death Eaters including Bellatrix Lestrange and Barty Crouch Jnr cast it on Frank and Alice Longbottom in an attempt to make them reveal information about the fallen Dark Lord [GOF30]. Such was the degree of torture inflicted on them that they were driven to permanent insanity, showing what effect this spell can have in large doses.
Bellatrix also cast this curse on Neville during the battle at the Department of Mysteries when she found out who he was [OOTP35], threatening to do to Neville what she did to his parents unless Harry handed over the Prophecy. Harry later cast it on her in revenge for this act and for her killing of Sirius, but ineffectively. Bellatrix was caused only a small amount of pain and informed Harry that one really has to mean it, and to enjoy inflicting pain, for the magic to function correctly [OOTP36].
It appears to be a curse that Death Eaters use routinely, as Amycus Carrow also repeatedly attempted to cast it on Ginny during the battle at Hogwarts, although she managed to dodge it each time [HBP28]. Voldemort also uses it as a means of punishing his followers when they have failed him: both Pettigew [GOF29] and Avery [GOF33] have suffered his displeasure in this manner. During Severus Snape's reign as Headmaster of Hogwarts, the Cruciatus Curse became a routine part of the punishment process: students were meant to cast it on anyone who had earned a detention. Many refused to do it, of course, and suffered the consequences. It was also the only time that Crabbe and Goyle had ever come top in anything [DH29].
Harry himself used this curse on one further occasion - on Amycus Carrow, after he had threatened to let Voldemort kill some students to cover up his sister Alecto's mistake, and then spat in Professor McGonagall's face when she tried to stop him [DH30].
The Cruciatus Curse is one of the three Unforgivable Curses, and use of it against another human being is punishable by a life sentence in Azkaban, although Harry at least did not face this punishment, presumably due to the circumstances of his indisgressions.
Curse Alleviation Charm
When Katie Bell was injured by the cursed necklace from Malfoy, Professor Snape did everything that he could to prevent a rapid spread of the curse. The magic he performed is unknown, and so it is included here simply as a Curse Alleviation Charm [HBP13].
Curse of the Bogies
Professor Quirrell told his class about this curse, although its exact effect is unknown. Something to do with bogies, no doubt [PS/SS9].
Cushioning Charm
This spell creates an invisible cushioned area, which is usually intended for sitting on. It is primarily used in broomstick manufacture to make the brooms more comfortable. Elliot Smethwyck invented this Charm in 1820, a development that led broomstick riding to become more comfortable than ever before [QA].
This spell produces a screaming sound so loud that when Harry, Ron and Hermione set it off in Hogsmeade, it echoed round all of the surrounding mountains. The Death Eaters had set up the charm to detect if anybody was breaking the curfew they had imposed, and it was primed to go off if anybody so much as stepped out into the street during curfew hours. It went off the moment that Harry, Ron and Hermione arrived by Apparition, announcing their arrival with some gusto. The charm was silenced by one of the Death Eaters waving his wand [DH28].
Cave Inimucum
From the Latin "caveo", meaning "on guard against", and "inimucus", meaning "hostile".
This was one of the protective enchantments used by Harry, Ron and Hermione when they were on the run from the Death Eaters. They used it to help avoid detection, along with a number of other spells. The effect of this particular spell is not specified, but Hermione waved her wand at the sky whilst casting it, and the incantation suggests that it prevents hostile magic from entering the protected area [DH14].
Charm to Cure Reluctant Reversers
This spell appeared on page 12 of the Handbook of Do-it-Yourself Broomcare, which Harry got as a present from Hermione on his 13th birthday. Harry tried to think about it whenever Aunt Marge insulted him during her visit to Privet Drive, so that he could remain calm and not retaliate, which would give Uncle Vernon an excuse not to sign his Hogsmeade form [POA2].
Cheering Charm
Produces a feeling of great contentment in the target person. Harry's class covered this magic in Charms classes during the third year. Hermione missed the lesson, but the rest of the class were feeling very cheery indeed on their way to lunch after practising it [POA15]. Hermione obviously caught up on the subject though, as she wrote hugely about it in her Charms OWL [OOTP31].
Colloportus
From the Latin "colligere", meaning "bind together" and "portus", meaning "gate".
This spell is used to magically seal doors, making a squelching sound as it does so, but it is not particularly effective. It can easily be countered with Alohomora, a simple spell already known by Hermione near the beginning of her first year at Hogwarts, which will open any door sealed with Colloportus. Hermione attempted to use Colloportus to lock doors against the Death Eaters when the DA were being pursued during the battle at the Department of Mysteries. Predictably, the Death Eaters simply cast Alohomora to open them again [OOTP35].
Colour-Change Charm
This spell causes the target to change colour. It certainly works on animals, as Harry was meant to cast it on a rat during his Charms OWL in order to turn it orange. Unfortunately he got the incantation mixed up with the Growth Charm and it ended up the size of a badger before he could stop it [OOTP31]. It is assumed that it works on inanimate objects too.
Colour Flash Charm
Possibly a variant of the Colour-Change Charm, this is used to make the item it is cast on flash different colours. It was used by Hermione on a "Potter for President" banner the Gryffindors had made for Harry's first Quidditch match in his first year to make it more eye-catching [PS/SS11].
Concealment Charm
The effect of Concealment Charms has not been specified, but it is safe to assume that they are used to conceal something so that it cannot be seen. Hermione told Harry that the Secrecy Sensors that Argus Filch was using to make sure no Dark objects got into the school could detect Concealment Charms, but the Love Potions supplied by Weasley's Wizard Wheezes were getting through due to the fact that they weren't dangerous enough. Fred and George were disguising them as perfume and cough potion anyway just to make sure [HBP15].
Confringo
The Latin word "confringo" means "to destroy".
This spell causes the target object to explode. Harry used it on the sidecar Hagrid was using to transport him from Privet Drive to the Tonks' house. Hagrid's attempt to repair the sidecar had led to it falling off, and after he had been plucked from it as it plummeted, Harry blew it up to put off the chasing Death Eaters [DH4].
Hermione also used it when Harry was attacked by Nagini in Godric's Hollow. On this occasion it bounced around the room smashing everything in sight - including, unfortunately, Harry's wand [DH17]. Hermione later referred to Confringo as the Blasting Curse, and as such it may be the same spell as the Blasting Charm. See also "Blasting Charm".
Confundus Charm
"Confundo" is Latin for "I confuse".
This spell is used to confuse an object or person, to disorient them or make them believe what the spell caster wants them to. The charm is first mentioned by Professor Snape following his confrontation with Sirius Black in the Shrieking Shack at the end of Harry's third year. After Harry, Ron and Hermione attacked him and knocked him unconscious, he believeed they did it because Black had Confunded them into believing he was innocent [POA21]. Sirius was genuinely innocent, of course, and the trio had not been Confunded at all.
It is highly likely, although unconfirmed, that Barty Crouch Jnr used a Confundus Charm on the Goblet of Fire in order to enter Harry into the Triwizard Tournament under the name of a fourth school, thus ensuring that he was chosen. This is certainly how (in the guise of Alastor Moody) he explained that the deed could have been done [GOF17], and he later confessed to having put the name in himself [GOF35]. Confirmed use of the charm occurred two years later, during Gryffindor Quidditch trials. On this occasion the talented but arrogant Cormac McLaggen was looking like he might beat Ron to the position of Keeper on the team until Hermione Confunded him into missing his last save, causing him to fly off in totally the wrong direction. Hermione confessed to Harry after McLaggen was spotted taking two attempts to get through the doors to the Great Hall some time later [HBP11].
Harry also used the Confundus Charm to confuse the Gringotts guards so that he, Ron and Hermione could get into the bank without their disguises being detected [DH26]. Severus Snape used the same charm on Mundungus Fletcher when he planted the idea of the Order of the Phoenix using Harry decoys on his flight from Privet Drive [DH33].
Conjunctivitis Curse
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (mucous membrane that lines the surface of the eyelid and the exposed surface of the eyeball), and is taken from the Latin "conjunctus," meaning "joined together."
This curse is aimed at the eyes of the victim and causes the eyelids to crust together so that the victim cannot see. In addition to loss of sight, it seems to cause pain to the victim as well. Evidence of this comes from Krum's use of the spell in the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament, when he cast it on his dragon as he tried to retrieve his golden egg: having been hit with the curse, the dragon began to trample around in agony [GOF20].
Sirius was going to suggest this spell for Harry to use in the Tournament himself, but he was interrupted by Ron coming into the Gryffindor common room before he could say it [GOF19]. This may have been just as well in the end, as Sirius later admitted that Barty Crouch Jnr/Moody's solution of using his broomstick was a better idea [GOF23].
Olympe Maxime also used this spell against the Giants, when they turned nasty following Gogomath replacing Karkus as the chief. The spell was effective in making them release Hagrid, but also turned the Giants against them once and for all, because if there's one thing a Giant hates, it's magic being used against them [OOTP20].
Conjuring Spells
These are a category of spells taught in NEWT-level Transfiguration classes, as Professor McGonagall informed her class at the start of their OWL year [OOTP13]. They are not strictly Transfiguration-based, however, in that they are used to Conjure items into existence from nowhere. These spells are used repeatedly by skilled wizards in the books. Examples of this occur where Dumbledore conjures mead for himself and the Dursleys when he goes to pick Harry up before Harry's 6th year [HBP3], where Flitwick conjures Christmas decorations from his wand to decorate the Great Hall [PS/SS3], and where Mr Ollivander creates smoke rings and a fountain of wine during the Weighing of the Wands [GOF18].
JKR has confirmed that Conjured items are not permanent but disappear after a length of time, and that legislation also exists concerning what may and may not be created [South West News Service]. This makes it clear why certain problems, such as the Weasleys' lack of money, cannot be solved by simply Conjuring some up. The length of time the items exist for must be controllable by the wizard, however, as the smoke rings that Mr Ollivander created soon disappeared, but it would have been no good if Flitwick's baubles had done the same. Professor McGonagall also Conjured some food for Harry and Ron on one occasion [COS5], and if would have been no good it this disappeared from their stomachs.
Crispy Skin Hex
This is another spell used on allies of Umbridge during the breakout of anarchy following Fred and George walking out of the school in Harry's fifth year. In this case, Warrington (a member of the Inquisitorial Squad) had to go to the hospital wing when he developed a skin complaint (no doubt caused by a well-aimed Hex) that made his skin look like it was covered in cornflakes [OOTP30].
Crucio
Latin for "I torture".
The Cruciatus Curse. It inflicts severe physical pain on whomever it is cast upon, usually causing them to scream in agony. This spell was introduced to the Hogwarts students in Harry's fourth year by Crouch/Moody, who cast it on an enlarged spider to demonstrate its effect during their first DADA lesson of the year [GOF14].
Perhaps the most famous use of the Cruciatus Curse occurred when a group of Death Eaters including Bellatrix Lestrange and Barty Crouch Jnr cast it on Frank and Alice Longbottom in an attempt to make them reveal information about the fallen Dark Lord [GOF30]. Such was the degree of torture inflicted on them that they were driven to permanent insanity, showing what effect this spell can have in large doses.
Bellatrix also cast this curse on Neville during the battle at the Department of Mysteries when she found out who he was [OOTP35], threatening to do to Neville what she did to his parents unless Harry handed over the Prophecy. Harry later cast it on her in revenge for this act and for her killing of Sirius, but ineffectively. Bellatrix was caused only a small amount of pain and informed Harry that one really has to mean it, and to enjoy inflicting pain, for the magic to function correctly [OOTP36].
It appears to be a curse that Death Eaters use routinely, as Amycus Carrow also repeatedly attempted to cast it on Ginny during the battle at Hogwarts, although she managed to dodge it each time [HBP28]. Voldemort also uses it as a means of punishing his followers when they have failed him: both Pettigew [GOF29] and Avery [GOF33] have suffered his displeasure in this manner. During Severus Snape's reign as Headmaster of Hogwarts, the Cruciatus Curse became a routine part of the punishment process: students were meant to cast it on anyone who had earned a detention. Many refused to do it, of course, and suffered the consequences. It was also the only time that Crabbe and Goyle had ever come top in anything [DH29].
Harry himself used this curse on one further occasion - on Amycus Carrow, after he had threatened to let Voldemort kill some students to cover up his sister Alecto's mistake, and then spat in Professor McGonagall's face when she tried to stop him [DH30].
The Cruciatus Curse is one of the three Unforgivable Curses, and use of it against another human being is punishable by a life sentence in Azkaban, although Harry at least did not face this punishment, presumably due to the circumstances of his indisgressions.
Curse Alleviation Charm
When Katie Bell was injured by the cursed necklace from Malfoy, Professor Snape did everything that he could to prevent a rapid spread of the curse. The magic he performed is unknown, and so it is included here simply as a Curse Alleviation Charm [HBP13].
Curse of the Bogies
Professor Quirrell told his class about this curse, although its exact effect is unknown. Something to do with bogies, no doubt [PS/SS9].
Cushioning Charm
This spell creates an invisible cushioned area, which is usually intended for sitting on. It is primarily used in broomstick manufacture to make the brooms more comfortable. Elliot Smethwyck invented this Charm in 1820, a development that led broomstick riding to become more comfortable than ever before [QA].