Post by Prof. Destiny Smith on Apr 25, 2009 19:38:39 GMT -6
The Taboo
This magic attaches itself to a word, and makes anyone who says the word traceable. As such, it works in a similar manner to The Trace, but rather than firing when any magic at all is used, it only fires when the relevant word is said. According to Ron, use of a Taboo word breaks protective enchantments and creates a magic disturbance, the source of which can be instantly identified [DH20].
The Death Eaters made the name "Voldemort" Taboo after they had taken over the Ministry of Magic, with the idea that only Voldemort's most dangerous enemies dared to use the name, and so it would be very useful to be able to track them down [DH20]. Harry, Ron and Hermione fell foul of this enchantment on two occasions: once when they were tracked down to the Tottenham Court Road having Disapparated from Bill and Fleur's wedding (when Hermione used the name) [DH9], and once when Harry said that Voldemort was after the Elder Wand, which led to them being traced and taken to the Malfoy Manor [DH22].
Talon-Clipping Charms
A branch of charms which Harry read about in a book named Men Who Love Dragons Too Much whilst searching for a way to overcome the Hungarian Horntail [GOF20].
Tarantallegra
From the name "Tarantella", a fast Italian dance, and the Italian "allegro", meaning "quick", or "lively". This in turn comes from the Latin "alacer", meaning "quick".
Causes the victim's legs to dance uncontrollably in something like a quickstep. A fairly straightforward spell as it can be mastered by second years (Malfoy cast it on Harry at the duelling club [COS10]) and halted with Finite Incantatem.
Tergeo
Latin for "I wipe, scour or clean".
Spell used for cleaning: differences from Scourgify are uncertain. Hermione used it to clean the blood from Harry's face after his nose had been broken [HBP8], but it can also be used for non-liquids, as Harry used it to dust the photographs in Bathilda Bagshot's house [DH17].
Thief's Curse
Specific effects unknown, but apparently a deterrent to stop Muggles standing about reading Quidditch Through the Ages without buying it [QA]!
The Thief's Downfall
This is a magical effect rather than a specific spell, but it is included here for completeness. The Thief's Downfall is part of the defences at Gringotts, designed to prevent anybody from sneaking to the vaults using a magical disguise. It is in the form of a waterfall that is directed onto any cart containing people suspected of being impostors, and wipes away all enchantments and magical concealment that it touches. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Griphook fell foul of this whilst trying to rob the Lestrange vault. It wiped away Hermione's disguise, and also brought the Goblin Bogrod round from his Imperius Curse [DH26].
Tickling Charm
See "Rictusempra".
Toenail-Growing Hex
One of a number of unofficial spells created by the young Snape (as the "Half-Blood Prince"). Causes the victim's toenails to grow alarmingly fast, as tested by Harry to an unsuspecting Goyle, resulting in apparently "very entertaining results" [HBP12].
Tongue-Tying Curse
Sold as a good way to get revenge on your enemies in a book Harry encountered on his first visit to Diagon Alley [PS/SS5], this curse was later used by the Order for security purposes. To prevent Snape (who they assumed was treacherous) from entering Twelve Grimmauld Place or even talking about it, this spell was cast on anyone who entered the door. Those who proved not to be Snape were soon freed from it, although even the temporary experience was less than pleasant. The spell being enacted on them felt like "cold air" rushing over them, made their tongues curl backwards on themselves, and caused Ron to retch on its being removed [DH9].
The Trace
This is the charm that detects illegal use of magic by underage wizards. It is placed on all wizarding children and detects magical activity around them [DH4]. The magic breaks when the child turns 17, however, and it is impossible to place the charm on an adult [DH9]. When Harry, Ron and Hermione were followed from Bill and Fleur's wedding to the Tottenham Court Road, Ron was concerned that the Death Eaters might have found a way to put The Trace on Harry even though he had now passed his 17th birthday [DH9]. Remus Lupin was so convinced that such a thing was impossible, however, that he dismissed the idea immediately when it was presented to him [DH11].
Transforming Spells
A major branch of Transfiguration and close relative of Switching Spells, this class of charm is used to change living creatures (as opposed to items) from one thing into another. It is not clear whether there are a number of related spells for different types of transformation. It is not clear whether there are a number of related spells for different types of transforming or whether it is all done with a single spell, although the plural of "spells" would suggest the former explanation.
Transmogrifian Torture
When Argus Filch's cat, Mrs Norris, was found stiff and hanging by her tail from a torch bracket, Gilderoy Lockhart confidently explained that she'd no doubt been the victim of the dreaded Transmogrifian Torture. Just for good measure, he added that it was a pity he hadn't been around as he knew just the counter-curse required, and was in the middle of talking about the time he'd sorted out a similar problem in Ougadougou when Dumbledore revealed that the cat had simply been Petrified, nothing more. Lockhart contented himself with a small "Ah! I thought so!" before shutting up. Given his record with the fictitious Peskipiksi Pesternomi, it's likely that the Transmogrifian Torture is also nothing more than the product of his unhealthily fertile imagination [COS9].
Trip Jinx
Causes the victim to trip over. Malfoy used this to catch Harry as he fled from the DA meeting at the Room of Requirement [OOTP27].
Twitchy Ears Hex
Causes the ears to wiggle and twitch uncontrollably. Harry was hit by this particular spell in a hex deflection class in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Either Mad-Eye Moody felt he could learn a lesson from the effects or there is no simple counter-curse, as Harry was still suffering the effects on leaving the class [GOF28].
This magic attaches itself to a word, and makes anyone who says the word traceable. As such, it works in a similar manner to The Trace, but rather than firing when any magic at all is used, it only fires when the relevant word is said. According to Ron, use of a Taboo word breaks protective enchantments and creates a magic disturbance, the source of which can be instantly identified [DH20].
The Death Eaters made the name "Voldemort" Taboo after they had taken over the Ministry of Magic, with the idea that only Voldemort's most dangerous enemies dared to use the name, and so it would be very useful to be able to track them down [DH20]. Harry, Ron and Hermione fell foul of this enchantment on two occasions: once when they were tracked down to the Tottenham Court Road having Disapparated from Bill and Fleur's wedding (when Hermione used the name) [DH9], and once when Harry said that Voldemort was after the Elder Wand, which led to them being traced and taken to the Malfoy Manor [DH22].
Talon-Clipping Charms
A branch of charms which Harry read about in a book named Men Who Love Dragons Too Much whilst searching for a way to overcome the Hungarian Horntail [GOF20].
Tarantallegra
From the name "Tarantella", a fast Italian dance, and the Italian "allegro", meaning "quick", or "lively". This in turn comes from the Latin "alacer", meaning "quick".
Causes the victim's legs to dance uncontrollably in something like a quickstep. A fairly straightforward spell as it can be mastered by second years (Malfoy cast it on Harry at the duelling club [COS10]) and halted with Finite Incantatem.
Tergeo
Latin for "I wipe, scour or clean".
Spell used for cleaning: differences from Scourgify are uncertain. Hermione used it to clean the blood from Harry's face after his nose had been broken [HBP8], but it can also be used for non-liquids, as Harry used it to dust the photographs in Bathilda Bagshot's house [DH17].
Thief's Curse
Specific effects unknown, but apparently a deterrent to stop Muggles standing about reading Quidditch Through the Ages without buying it [QA]!
The Thief's Downfall
This is a magical effect rather than a specific spell, but it is included here for completeness. The Thief's Downfall is part of the defences at Gringotts, designed to prevent anybody from sneaking to the vaults using a magical disguise. It is in the form of a waterfall that is directed onto any cart containing people suspected of being impostors, and wipes away all enchantments and magical concealment that it touches. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Griphook fell foul of this whilst trying to rob the Lestrange vault. It wiped away Hermione's disguise, and also brought the Goblin Bogrod round from his Imperius Curse [DH26].
Tickling Charm
See "Rictusempra".
Toenail-Growing Hex
One of a number of unofficial spells created by the young Snape (as the "Half-Blood Prince"). Causes the victim's toenails to grow alarmingly fast, as tested by Harry to an unsuspecting Goyle, resulting in apparently "very entertaining results" [HBP12].
Tongue-Tying Curse
Sold as a good way to get revenge on your enemies in a book Harry encountered on his first visit to Diagon Alley [PS/SS5], this curse was later used by the Order for security purposes. To prevent Snape (who they assumed was treacherous) from entering Twelve Grimmauld Place or even talking about it, this spell was cast on anyone who entered the door. Those who proved not to be Snape were soon freed from it, although even the temporary experience was less than pleasant. The spell being enacted on them felt like "cold air" rushing over them, made their tongues curl backwards on themselves, and caused Ron to retch on its being removed [DH9].
The Trace
This is the charm that detects illegal use of magic by underage wizards. It is placed on all wizarding children and detects magical activity around them [DH4]. The magic breaks when the child turns 17, however, and it is impossible to place the charm on an adult [DH9]. When Harry, Ron and Hermione were followed from Bill and Fleur's wedding to the Tottenham Court Road, Ron was concerned that the Death Eaters might have found a way to put The Trace on Harry even though he had now passed his 17th birthday [DH9]. Remus Lupin was so convinced that such a thing was impossible, however, that he dismissed the idea immediately when it was presented to him [DH11].
Transforming Spells
A major branch of Transfiguration and close relative of Switching Spells, this class of charm is used to change living creatures (as opposed to items) from one thing into another. It is not clear whether there are a number of related spells for different types of transformation. It is not clear whether there are a number of related spells for different types of transforming or whether it is all done with a single spell, although the plural of "spells" would suggest the former explanation.
Transmogrifian Torture
When Argus Filch's cat, Mrs Norris, was found stiff and hanging by her tail from a torch bracket, Gilderoy Lockhart confidently explained that she'd no doubt been the victim of the dreaded Transmogrifian Torture. Just for good measure, he added that it was a pity he hadn't been around as he knew just the counter-curse required, and was in the middle of talking about the time he'd sorted out a similar problem in Ougadougou when Dumbledore revealed that the cat had simply been Petrified, nothing more. Lockhart contented himself with a small "Ah! I thought so!" before shutting up. Given his record with the fictitious Peskipiksi Pesternomi, it's likely that the Transmogrifian Torture is also nothing more than the product of his unhealthily fertile imagination [COS9].
Trip Jinx
Causes the victim to trip over. Malfoy used this to catch Harry as he fled from the DA meeting at the Room of Requirement [OOTP27].
Twitchy Ears Hex
Causes the ears to wiggle and twitch uncontrollably. Harry was hit by this particular spell in a hex deflection class in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Either Mad-Eye Moody felt he could learn a lesson from the effects or there is no simple counter-curse, as Harry was still suffering the effects on leaving the class [GOF28].