Post by Prof. Destiny Smith on Apr 25, 2009 19:39:02 GMT -6
Salvio Hexia
From the Latin "salveo", meaning "farewell", and "hex".
This is a protective spell, used by Harry, Ron and Hermione as part of their defences when on the run from the Death Eaters. The precise effect is never given, but Hermione walked in a large circle when casting it, and the name would suggest that it prevents hexes from entering the enchanted area [DH14].
Scarpin's Revelaspell
This spell is probably the same as the one with the incantation, "Specialis Revelio", which is used to identify the ingredients of a potion [HBP18], or to reveal whether any enchantments have been placed on an object [HBP9]. See also "Specialis Revelio".
Scourgify
From the English word "scour", meaning "to clean".
Used to clean an item. This spell was used by Tonks to clean Hedwig's cage when she help Harry pack before going to Grimmauld Place, although it only had a limited effect due to Tonks never bothering to learn household-style spells properly [OOTP3]. James Potter also used it on Snape when he was bullying him, telling him to wash his mouth out after Snape had sworn at him [OOTP28].
A Scouring Charm has also been separately mentioned, which is almost certainly the same spell. Hermione taught Neville a Scouring Charm to clean his fingernails with, after Snape made him disembowel a barrelful of horned toads in detention [GOF14]. Scouring Charms are also required to remove a Bundimun infestation [FB].
Scouring Charm
See "Scourgify".
Sectumsempra
From the Latin "sectus", which means "to cut", and "semper", which means "always".
This spell was invented by Severus Snape whilst he was a student at Hogwarts, and causes deep wounds to be immediately cut into the victim as though they were being slashed with an invisible sword. Harry discovered it in the Half-Blood Prince's copy of Advanced Potion-Making, where it was written beside the words "For Enemies" [HBP21]. From this point on he had been desperate to try it out, but never did until he found Malfoy crying in the toilets because he was failing in his attempt to mend the Vanishing Cabinets. Malfoy tried to cast the Cruciatus Curse on him, and Harry retaliated with Sectumsempra, still not knowing what it did. He was shocked at its effect, and it took the skills of Professor Snape to heal Malfoy's wounds [HBP24].Harry used it again against the Inferi in the Horcrux cave, but on this occasion it had little effect [HBP26]. He tried to cast it against Snape himself shortly afterwards when Snape was fleeing following his murder of Dumbledore. Once again it did little good, as Snape blocked it with ease, but it did infuriate Snape considerably to have his own spells cast against him [HBP28].
Serpensortia
From "serpent", a snake.
This creates a snake from the caster's wand. It appears from the one usage of the spell to date that the snake will then advance upon a victim of the caster's choice with the intention of attacking them. Snape, presumably for his own amusement, told Malfoy to cast this spell at Harry when they were demonstrating duelling techniques at Lockhart's Duelling Club. The incident had an unforeseen outcome when Harry told the snake to back off in Parseltongue, leading the rest of the school to assume that he was the Heir of Slytherin and therefore responsible for the spate of attacks on Muggle-born students [COS11].
Severing Charm
Cuts one thing from another. This is usually intended for use on items, but does work on living matter as well, as it is known that Crups living in Muggle-inhabited neighbourhoods are required to have their forked tails removed with a Severing Charm [FB]. If used on humans this charm would provide a handy means for Dark Wizards to kill people, creating a powerful alternative to Avada Kedavra that has the advantage of not being Unforgiveable, and so it can therefore be assumed that for some reason it doesn't work on a human target.
Ron once used a Severing Charm to cut the lace from his dress robes, but although this improved them somewhat, he still wasn't delighted with the results [GOF23]. The Severing Charm is likely to be the same spell as Diffindo, although this is unconfirmed. See also "Diffindo".
Shield Charm
See "Protego".
Shock Spell
A medicinal spell which treats the patient for shock. Alternatively it may actually be designed to induce a state of shock in the patient in order to cure them of mental maladies, in a manner similar to shock therapy. A witch who wrote in to The Quibber following Harry's interview about the return of Voldemort suggested he try a course of Shock Spells in order to restore his sanity [OOTP26].
Side-Along-Apparition
"Appareo" is Latin for "appear" or "I become visible".
When Apparating, it is possible for a qualified wizard to Apparate someone else as part of the process in addition to themselves. This technique is known as Side-Along-Apparition. The passenger being carried must grip tightly on to the Apparator in order to ensure that they are transported correctly, and they experience the same feeling of Apparition as they would if they were doing it themselves.
Harry Side-Along Apparated with Dumbledore to Budleigh Babberton when Dumbeldore wanted to speak to Horace Slughorn [HBP4], and again when leaving for the Horcrux Cave [HBP25]. Dumbledore was so weak after drinking the Emerald Potion that he had to Side-Along Apparate back with Harry [HBP27].
Luna, Dean Thomas and Mr Ollivander also Side-Along Apparated out of the dungeon at the Malfoy's manor house. It was Dobby who took them with him, which was necessary as the premises were secured against normal wizarding Apparition. It seems that House-Elf Apparition is not so easy to block, however [DH23].
Silencing Charm
See "Silencio".
Silencio
ยท From the Spanish "silencio", meaning "silence", from the Latin root "silens". The English shares this root.
The Silencing Charm. This forces the target person or creature to fall silent, unable to make any audible noise. Harry, Ron and Hermione learnt the spell during 5th-year Charms lessons, and predictably, Hermione was very good at it and the other two weren't [OOTP18]. Hermione put this piece of magic to good effect later in the year, when she used it to prevent a Death Eater finishing his incantation during the battle at the Department of Mysteries. Unfortunately, she was floored by a non-verbal spell from the same Death Eater a few moments later [OOTP35].
Slug-Vomiting Charm
Causes the victim to burp slugs. This charm was accidentally performed by Ron on himself in his second year: he had been attempting to curse Malfoy for calling Hermione a "filthy little Mudblood", but his wand had previously sustained damage and this caused the spell to backfire. The spell is seen as a jet of green light and may have had a particularly bad effect on Ron as he was hit in the stomach. The effects seem to last for anywhere up to two hours [COS7].
Sneak Jinx
See "Honesty Jinx".
Snitch Enchantment
See "Flesh Memory".
Sonorus
Latin for "loud".
Projects the voice of the spell caster, making it very loud. It can be countered with the spell "Quietus," which returns the amplified voice back to normal. The spell is performed by the caster pointing their wand at their own throat (it is likely, however not confirmed, that the spell can be performed on somebody else) and saying "sonorus". It is particularly useful when addressing large crowds or at sporting events, as seen when Ludo Bagman amplified his voice to address spectators at the Quidditch World Cup [GOF8] and the Triwizard Tournament [GOF31].
Spark Charm
There have been several occasions throughout the series where various people have sent jets of sparks from the end of their wand. This magic has never been given a name in the books, and so it appears here as the Spark Charm.
It appears that the spell caster can control the colour of the sparks emitted from the wand: when Harry, Hermione, Neville and Malfoy were sent into the Forbidden Forest as a detention during their first year, Hagrid instructed them to send up either green sparks or red sparks and made them practice before he let them go [PS/SS15]. In addition, during the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournametnt, the champions were instructed to send up red sparks if they got into trouble in the maze. Cedric did just this when Harry had rescued him from the Imperiused Viktor Krum, and he wanted to alert the teachers to the fact that Krum was unconscious in the maze (Stunned by Harry) before he got eaten by a Blast-Ended Skrewt [GOF31].
Previously in the same year, Harry and Ron fired sparks from their wands at the Skrewts during a Care of Magical Creatures lesson in order to ward them off [GOF21].
Sparks are also known to shoot from the wand when the wizard holding it is particularly angry. This happened when Severus Snape confronted Sirius Black in the Shrieking Shack [POA19]. This is most likely to simply be indicative of a loss of control of their magic rather than any particular spell, however.
Specialis Revelio
"Specialis" is Latin for "specific", and "revelo" is Latin for "I reveal".
Causes an item to reveal anything that has been hidden by magical means. Hermione used it to make sure there was nothing untoward hidden in the Half-Blood Prince's copy of Advanced Potion-Making [HBP9]. It is also probably known also by the name Scarpin's Revelaspell and used for discerning the different ingredients in potions, although this is unconfirmed [HBP18].
Stealth Sensoring Spells
Evidently numerous but with no specific incantation named, Umbridge placed these security spells around her doorway after several nifflers were released in her office. From the fact that they were placed directly around the door, it can be inferred that they act as an invisible force field, which, once penetrated by an intruder, sends a signal to the spell caster [OOTP32]. It seems likely that the intruder must be either breaking in or entering in a secretive manner to activate the spell, as they are "stealth sensoring".
Stinging Hex
The Stinging Hex produces a painful red weal on the victim's body. Harry unconsciously cast this spell at Snape during his first Occlumency lesson, with the result that Snape received an injury that looked like a scorch mark on his wrist [OOTP24].
Stinging Jinx
This is likely to be the same spell as the Stinging Hex, although Lucius Malfoy clearly referred to it as the "Stinging Jinx" when he was examining Harry at his manor house. Harry, Ron and Hermione had been apprehended by Snatchers, and Hermione had cast the spell on Harry in an attempt to disguise his appearance. It caused his face to swell up and turn pink, so much so that he was barely recognisable. As a result, Lucius had to examine him closely and even ask Draco before identifying Harry, but in the end the plan failed [DH23].
Stretching Jinx
A spell which no doubt causes the recipient to appear longer and thinner. Although unknown whether it can be applied to humans, Mrs Weasley comments that as a result of growth spurts before their sixth year at Hogwarts, both Harry and Ron look as though they have had the jinx applied to them [HBP5].
Stunning Spell
See "Stupefy".
Stupefy
"Stupefy" means "to dull the senses". The word etymology derives from the Latin "stupefacere", meaning "to stupefy".
This spell produces a bolt of red light and is enough to knock a human victim unconscious. A single Stunning Spell is not strong enough to do any lasting damage to a victim, but multiple stunners cast on one target can cause serious harm, as was done to Professor McGonagall during Umbridge's tenancy at Hogwarts [OOTP31]. If a creature is large, or has a certain amount of magical protection, one Stunner alone can prove ineffective or even useless, as seen when Harry faced the Blast-Ended Skrewts and giant spider in the third Triwizard task [GOF31]. The spell "Ennervate" can undo its effects and bring victims back to consciousness.
Substantive Charm
The definition of this charm was recited by Seamus Finnigan the day before their Theory of Charms OWL, where it would have no doubt come in useful [OOTP31]. Its purpose it unknown, although the definition of substantive includes "having independent existence; independent" and "belonging to the real nature or essential part of a thing; essential".
Summoning Charm
See "Accio".
Supersensory Charm
The effect of this charm is not specified, but the name suggests that it heightens the awareness of the caster to things going on around them. Ron Weasley believed that if he used this charm he wouldn't have to look in his wing mirror when driving a Muggle car, which made it perfectly acceptable for him to Confund his examiner when taking his driving test to make sure he passed [DH Epilogue].
Switching Spells
These are a class of spells which exchange one item for another and is a major branch of Transfiguration. It is not clear whether there are a number of related spells for different types of switching or whether it is all done with a single spell, although the plural of "spells" would suggest the former explanation. Many of the effects seem to concerning switching a part of a whole and not to swap the places of two complete items: for example, Hermione suggested that it would be possible to Switch the Hungarian Horntail's teeth for wine gums in the first Triwizard task [GOF20].
From the Latin "salveo", meaning "farewell", and "hex".
This is a protective spell, used by Harry, Ron and Hermione as part of their defences when on the run from the Death Eaters. The precise effect is never given, but Hermione walked in a large circle when casting it, and the name would suggest that it prevents hexes from entering the enchanted area [DH14].
Scarpin's Revelaspell
This spell is probably the same as the one with the incantation, "Specialis Revelio", which is used to identify the ingredients of a potion [HBP18], or to reveal whether any enchantments have been placed on an object [HBP9]. See also "Specialis Revelio".
Scourgify
From the English word "scour", meaning "to clean".
Used to clean an item. This spell was used by Tonks to clean Hedwig's cage when she help Harry pack before going to Grimmauld Place, although it only had a limited effect due to Tonks never bothering to learn household-style spells properly [OOTP3]. James Potter also used it on Snape when he was bullying him, telling him to wash his mouth out after Snape had sworn at him [OOTP28].
A Scouring Charm has also been separately mentioned, which is almost certainly the same spell. Hermione taught Neville a Scouring Charm to clean his fingernails with, after Snape made him disembowel a barrelful of horned toads in detention [GOF14]. Scouring Charms are also required to remove a Bundimun infestation [FB].
Scouring Charm
See "Scourgify".
Sectumsempra
From the Latin "sectus", which means "to cut", and "semper", which means "always".
This spell was invented by Severus Snape whilst he was a student at Hogwarts, and causes deep wounds to be immediately cut into the victim as though they were being slashed with an invisible sword. Harry discovered it in the Half-Blood Prince's copy of Advanced Potion-Making, where it was written beside the words "For Enemies" [HBP21]. From this point on he had been desperate to try it out, but never did until he found Malfoy crying in the toilets because he was failing in his attempt to mend the Vanishing Cabinets. Malfoy tried to cast the Cruciatus Curse on him, and Harry retaliated with Sectumsempra, still not knowing what it did. He was shocked at its effect, and it took the skills of Professor Snape to heal Malfoy's wounds [HBP24].Harry used it again against the Inferi in the Horcrux cave, but on this occasion it had little effect [HBP26]. He tried to cast it against Snape himself shortly afterwards when Snape was fleeing following his murder of Dumbledore. Once again it did little good, as Snape blocked it with ease, but it did infuriate Snape considerably to have his own spells cast against him [HBP28].
Serpensortia
From "serpent", a snake.
This creates a snake from the caster's wand. It appears from the one usage of the spell to date that the snake will then advance upon a victim of the caster's choice with the intention of attacking them. Snape, presumably for his own amusement, told Malfoy to cast this spell at Harry when they were demonstrating duelling techniques at Lockhart's Duelling Club. The incident had an unforeseen outcome when Harry told the snake to back off in Parseltongue, leading the rest of the school to assume that he was the Heir of Slytherin and therefore responsible for the spate of attacks on Muggle-born students [COS11].
Severing Charm
Cuts one thing from another. This is usually intended for use on items, but does work on living matter as well, as it is known that Crups living in Muggle-inhabited neighbourhoods are required to have their forked tails removed with a Severing Charm [FB]. If used on humans this charm would provide a handy means for Dark Wizards to kill people, creating a powerful alternative to Avada Kedavra that has the advantage of not being Unforgiveable, and so it can therefore be assumed that for some reason it doesn't work on a human target.
Ron once used a Severing Charm to cut the lace from his dress robes, but although this improved them somewhat, he still wasn't delighted with the results [GOF23]. The Severing Charm is likely to be the same spell as Diffindo, although this is unconfirmed. See also "Diffindo".
Shield Charm
See "Protego".
Shock Spell
A medicinal spell which treats the patient for shock. Alternatively it may actually be designed to induce a state of shock in the patient in order to cure them of mental maladies, in a manner similar to shock therapy. A witch who wrote in to The Quibber following Harry's interview about the return of Voldemort suggested he try a course of Shock Spells in order to restore his sanity [OOTP26].
Side-Along-Apparition
"Appareo" is Latin for "appear" or "I become visible".
When Apparating, it is possible for a qualified wizard to Apparate someone else as part of the process in addition to themselves. This technique is known as Side-Along-Apparition. The passenger being carried must grip tightly on to the Apparator in order to ensure that they are transported correctly, and they experience the same feeling of Apparition as they would if they were doing it themselves.
Harry Side-Along Apparated with Dumbledore to Budleigh Babberton when Dumbeldore wanted to speak to Horace Slughorn [HBP4], and again when leaving for the Horcrux Cave [HBP25]. Dumbledore was so weak after drinking the Emerald Potion that he had to Side-Along Apparate back with Harry [HBP27].
Luna, Dean Thomas and Mr Ollivander also Side-Along Apparated out of the dungeon at the Malfoy's manor house. It was Dobby who took them with him, which was necessary as the premises were secured against normal wizarding Apparition. It seems that House-Elf Apparition is not so easy to block, however [DH23].
Silencing Charm
See "Silencio".
Silencio
ยท From the Spanish "silencio", meaning "silence", from the Latin root "silens". The English shares this root.
The Silencing Charm. This forces the target person or creature to fall silent, unable to make any audible noise. Harry, Ron and Hermione learnt the spell during 5th-year Charms lessons, and predictably, Hermione was very good at it and the other two weren't [OOTP18]. Hermione put this piece of magic to good effect later in the year, when she used it to prevent a Death Eater finishing his incantation during the battle at the Department of Mysteries. Unfortunately, she was floored by a non-verbal spell from the same Death Eater a few moments later [OOTP35].
Slug-Vomiting Charm
Causes the victim to burp slugs. This charm was accidentally performed by Ron on himself in his second year: he had been attempting to curse Malfoy for calling Hermione a "filthy little Mudblood", but his wand had previously sustained damage and this caused the spell to backfire. The spell is seen as a jet of green light and may have had a particularly bad effect on Ron as he was hit in the stomach. The effects seem to last for anywhere up to two hours [COS7].
Sneak Jinx
See "Honesty Jinx".
Snitch Enchantment
See "Flesh Memory".
Sonorus
Latin for "loud".
Projects the voice of the spell caster, making it very loud. It can be countered with the spell "Quietus," which returns the amplified voice back to normal. The spell is performed by the caster pointing their wand at their own throat (it is likely, however not confirmed, that the spell can be performed on somebody else) and saying "sonorus". It is particularly useful when addressing large crowds or at sporting events, as seen when Ludo Bagman amplified his voice to address spectators at the Quidditch World Cup [GOF8] and the Triwizard Tournament [GOF31].
Spark Charm
There have been several occasions throughout the series where various people have sent jets of sparks from the end of their wand. This magic has never been given a name in the books, and so it appears here as the Spark Charm.
It appears that the spell caster can control the colour of the sparks emitted from the wand: when Harry, Hermione, Neville and Malfoy were sent into the Forbidden Forest as a detention during their first year, Hagrid instructed them to send up either green sparks or red sparks and made them practice before he let them go [PS/SS15]. In addition, during the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournametnt, the champions were instructed to send up red sparks if they got into trouble in the maze. Cedric did just this when Harry had rescued him from the Imperiused Viktor Krum, and he wanted to alert the teachers to the fact that Krum was unconscious in the maze (Stunned by Harry) before he got eaten by a Blast-Ended Skrewt [GOF31].
Previously in the same year, Harry and Ron fired sparks from their wands at the Skrewts during a Care of Magical Creatures lesson in order to ward them off [GOF21].
Sparks are also known to shoot from the wand when the wizard holding it is particularly angry. This happened when Severus Snape confronted Sirius Black in the Shrieking Shack [POA19]. This is most likely to simply be indicative of a loss of control of their magic rather than any particular spell, however.
Specialis Revelio
"Specialis" is Latin for "specific", and "revelo" is Latin for "I reveal".
Causes an item to reveal anything that has been hidden by magical means. Hermione used it to make sure there was nothing untoward hidden in the Half-Blood Prince's copy of Advanced Potion-Making [HBP9]. It is also probably known also by the name Scarpin's Revelaspell and used for discerning the different ingredients in potions, although this is unconfirmed [HBP18].
Stealth Sensoring Spells
Evidently numerous but with no specific incantation named, Umbridge placed these security spells around her doorway after several nifflers were released in her office. From the fact that they were placed directly around the door, it can be inferred that they act as an invisible force field, which, once penetrated by an intruder, sends a signal to the spell caster [OOTP32]. It seems likely that the intruder must be either breaking in or entering in a secretive manner to activate the spell, as they are "stealth sensoring".
Stinging Hex
The Stinging Hex produces a painful red weal on the victim's body. Harry unconsciously cast this spell at Snape during his first Occlumency lesson, with the result that Snape received an injury that looked like a scorch mark on his wrist [OOTP24].
Stinging Jinx
This is likely to be the same spell as the Stinging Hex, although Lucius Malfoy clearly referred to it as the "Stinging Jinx" when he was examining Harry at his manor house. Harry, Ron and Hermione had been apprehended by Snatchers, and Hermione had cast the spell on Harry in an attempt to disguise his appearance. It caused his face to swell up and turn pink, so much so that he was barely recognisable. As a result, Lucius had to examine him closely and even ask Draco before identifying Harry, but in the end the plan failed [DH23].
Stretching Jinx
A spell which no doubt causes the recipient to appear longer and thinner. Although unknown whether it can be applied to humans, Mrs Weasley comments that as a result of growth spurts before their sixth year at Hogwarts, both Harry and Ron look as though they have had the jinx applied to them [HBP5].
Stunning Spell
See "Stupefy".
Stupefy
"Stupefy" means "to dull the senses". The word etymology derives from the Latin "stupefacere", meaning "to stupefy".
This spell produces a bolt of red light and is enough to knock a human victim unconscious. A single Stunning Spell is not strong enough to do any lasting damage to a victim, but multiple stunners cast on one target can cause serious harm, as was done to Professor McGonagall during Umbridge's tenancy at Hogwarts [OOTP31]. If a creature is large, or has a certain amount of magical protection, one Stunner alone can prove ineffective or even useless, as seen when Harry faced the Blast-Ended Skrewts and giant spider in the third Triwizard task [GOF31]. The spell "Ennervate" can undo its effects and bring victims back to consciousness.
Substantive Charm
The definition of this charm was recited by Seamus Finnigan the day before their Theory of Charms OWL, where it would have no doubt come in useful [OOTP31]. Its purpose it unknown, although the definition of substantive includes "having independent existence; independent" and "belonging to the real nature or essential part of a thing; essential".
Summoning Charm
See "Accio".
Supersensory Charm
The effect of this charm is not specified, but the name suggests that it heightens the awareness of the caster to things going on around them. Ron Weasley believed that if he used this charm he wouldn't have to look in his wing mirror when driving a Muggle car, which made it perfectly acceptable for him to Confund his examiner when taking his driving test to make sure he passed [DH Epilogue].
Switching Spells
These are a class of spells which exchange one item for another and is a major branch of Transfiguration. It is not clear whether there are a number of related spells for different types of switching or whether it is all done with a single spell, although the plural of "spells" would suggest the former explanation. Many of the effects seem to concerning switching a part of a whole and not to swap the places of two complete items: for example, Hermione suggested that it would be possible to Switch the Hungarian Horntail's teeth for wine gums in the first Triwizard task [GOF20].