Spell list

[Isobel Carter]

The following is a list of known spells that are employed by the Wizarding world.

[Isobel Carter]

Accio (Summoning Charm)

Description: This charm summons an object to the caster, potentially over a significant distance. It can be used in two ways: by casting the charm, and then naming the object desired ("Accio Firebolt"), or by pointing the wand at the desired object during or immediately following the incantation to "pull" it toward the user. In either case, the caster must concentrate upon the object they wish to summon in order for the charm to succeed. The caster doesn't necessarily need to know the location if they say the name of the object to be summoned. This is proven when Hermione Granger explains in 1997 that she summoned the Horcrux books from Dumbledore's office by merely saying "Accio Horcrux books!" while in Gryffindor Tower.

Seen/Mentioned: Harry Potter summoned his broom to complete the first task of the Triwizard Tournament in 1994, as well as to summon the Portkey to escape Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters in the Little Hangleton Graveyard in 1995. It failed to summon Horcruxes in 1997, and Harry failed to summon a falling Rubeus Hagrid. It was also used as a quicker way to find objects in Hermione's depth-enlarged beaded handbag, and was used as a quick and effective way of fishing ("Accio salmon").

Notes The summoning charm is limited only to items and small animals, as it has been shown incapable to summon people. And it is still possible for items to be enchanted so as to be impossible to summon, like Horcruxes and Harry's Cloak of Invisibility.

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


(Age-Line Spell)

The age line surrounding the Goblet of fire

Description: Creates a line that is impassable by people below a set age.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Albus Dumbledore to stop underage students from entering their names into the Goblet of Fire.

Notes: The Age-Line is impassable even by users of age-potions (proven by Fred and George Weasley). Thus, it functions on either calendar or mental age, not physical age.


Aguamenti

Pronunciation: AH-gwa-MEN-tee

Description: Produces a jet of water from the tip of a wand.
Seen/Mentioned: Used by Fleur Delacour in 1994 to put out her skirt, which had caught fire during her challenge against a dragon. Harry used it twice in 1997: Once in an attempt to give Dumbledore a drink in the Horcrux cave, and again to douse Hagrid's hut after it was set on fire by Thorfinn Rowle using the spell Incendio.

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


(Albus Dumbledore's spell)

Description:This spell was told to be very very powerful since when Dumbledore casts this spell, Voldemort can't bear the power of it so he conjures a silver shield to deflect it. When the spell hits the shield, 'a deep, gong-like note reverberated from it-an oddly chilling sound'.

Seen/Mentioned: This spell was seen once used by Dumbledore in the Ministry of Magic, during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries on 17 June, 1996, while he duels with Voldemort.


Alohomora

Pronunciation: al-lu-ha-MOR-ah

Description: Used to open and unlock doors. It is not effective on doors bewitched to resist this spell. The spell can also unseal doors upon which the Colloportus spell has been cast.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Hermione Granger in 1991 on the forbidden Third Floor Corridor door at Hogwarts.

Etymology: Alohomora is derived from the West African Sidiki dialect used in geomancy meaning: Friendly to thieves as stated by J.K. Rowling in testimony during the WB and JKR vs. RDR Books.

Notes: In the books, when Alohomora is used, the lock/door must be tapped three times.


Anapneo

Pronunciation: ah-NAP-nee-oh
Description: Clears the target's airway, if blocked.
Seen/Mentioned: Professor Slughorn cast this on Marcus Belby when he choked in 1996.

Etymology: From the Greek verb anapneo, "I breathe in". Compare apnea. Anapneo and Episkey are the first spells obviously derived from Greek.
(Anti-Jinx)Edit

Description: An Anti-Jinx is a type of spell that prevents the effects of a jinx over one target object or animal.

Seen/Mentioned: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix


Anteoculatia (Antler spell)

Pronunciation: an-TAY-oh-KYOO-lay-shuh

Description: Anteoculatia is a hex that turns a person's hair into antlers.

Seen/Mentioned: It can be bought at Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment in Diagon Alley.

Notes: This may be the incantation of the spell that was used to make Pansy Parkinson grow antlers in 1996.


(Anti-Cheating Spell)

Pronunciation:Unknown

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

Seen/Mentioned: Near exam times at Hogwarts.


(Anti-Disapparition Jinx)

Pronunciation:Unknown

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

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Albus Dumbledore in 1996 during the Death Eater attack on the Department of Mysteries. It is also mentioned that no one can apparate in the Hogwarts premises. It is due to this jinx.


(Antonin Dolohov's curse)

Pronunciation:Unknown

Description: Causes severe internal injury; potentially lethal. The exact effects are unknown, but because of its danger, it is probably a Dark curse.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Death Eater Antonin Dolohov during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. He severely injured Hermione Granger with this curse; she was incapacitated instantly and had to take ten potions every day for some time in order to recover.

Notes: This curse is less effective when used nonverbally, but it still causes significant harm, at least when used by an accomplished caster. Also, Hermione had the added benefit of a hastily cast Shield Charm by Harry Potter which may have also lessened the damage caused.(could be the incantation "axelo")


Aparecium

Pronunciation: AH-par-EE-see-um

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

Seen/Mentioned: First used in 1993, when Hermione Granger tried to make any hidden writing appear in Tom Riddle's Diary.

Etymology: Latin apparere, "to appear"; -ium and -cium are common Latin noun endings.

Notes: See also Specialis Revelio.



(Apparation)

Description: Causes the user to magically teleport from one place to another. It is imprecise over long distances. A license is needed to perform on one's own at the age of 17. If done incorrectly, the user can splinch themselves, causing a part of their body to be separated and left behind.

Seen/Mentioned: Used throughout the series. Harry and his classmates took Apparition Class in 1997.

Notes: No incantation, Hand Movement: Turn on the spot while remembering the 3 Ds, which stand for destination, determination and deliberation.


Aqua EructoEdit

Description: Aqua Eructo is a spell used to create a jet of clear water, and then control it.

Seen/Mentioned: from the video game adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Etymology: "Aqua" means, in Latin, "Water". "Eructo" is the verb "I raise". "Aqua
Eructo" means, roughly translated: "I Raise Water"


Arania Exumai

Pronunciation: ah-rahn-ee-a eks-su-may

Description: The Spider-killing Curse is a spell used to kill or, at least, blast back

Acromantulas or other large spider species.

Seen/Mentioned: Harry uses this in the Forbidden Forest against the attacking Acromantulas in the film version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. He learned this from Tom Marvolo Riddle, who attempted to use it against Aragog in the memory Harry visits.

Etymology: From the Latin aranea, meaning “spider”, and exuo, meaning “I lay aside”.


Aresto Momentum

Pronunciation: ah-REST-oh mo-MEN-tum

Description: Used to slow down an object or being that is moving.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Dumbledore to save Harry Potter from a fall in the film version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Etymology: Likely the combination of two words; the Anglo-French arester, meaning "To bring to a stop", and the Latin Momentum, meaning "The force or strength gained whilst moving." Literal translation: "Bring its momentum to a stop."


(Armour-bewitching spell)

Description: Causes suits of armour to sing carols.

Seen/Mentioned: This spell was used by the staff at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to bewitch suits of armour so that they sang Christmas carols whenever someone walked past during the Christmas season in 1994.
(Arrow-shooting spell)Edit

Description: Fires arrows from the caster's wand.

Seen/Mentioned: The spell was usually used by Appleby Arrows supportors at Quidditch matches to show their suppot for their teams, however, the British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters banned the use of the spell at matches when referee Nugent Potts was pierced through the nose with a stray arrow in 1894.


Ascendio

Pronunciation: Ah-SEN-DI-oh

Description: Lifts the caster high into the air.

Seen/Mentioned: Used by Harry Potter in the Second Task to lift him to the
surface of the water in the movie version of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Etymology: Coming from latin ascendo, meaning "to climb".


Avada Kedavra (Killing Curse)

Pronunciation: ah-VAH-dah keh-DAV-rah

Description: Causes a bright green flash and a rushing noise; the curse causes instant death to the victim. There is no known counter-curse or blocking spell (with the exception of the curse striking another spell midflight, negating both), although the caster can be interrupted, the victim can dodge the green jet, hide behind solid objects (which burst into flame when hit by it), or, if the casting wizard is not sufficiently competent, the curse may be completely ineffective as described by Barty Crouch Jr. (acting as Alastor Moody) in Goblet of Fire. Harry twice countered this spell by casting Expelliarmus. It is one of the three Unforgivable Curses; the use of this spell on another human being gives you a one-way ticket to Azkaban.

The magical conditions have also been documented to defeat the curse, even on a direct hit: Harry Potter was given magical protection against Lord Voldemort's use of the curse, when his mother sacrificed herself to save him.

Harry is the only person in the history of the magical world to have ever survived a direct hit to the killing curse.

Harry is saved by the twin cores effect between his wand and Voldemort's during a duel, as well as during a battle. During this battle, Harry's phoenix feather wand snaps the wand Voldemort borrowed from one of his servants, Lucius Malfoy. The reason for this is unknown. Dumbledore believes this feat to be due to the unique connections and relationships between the two duellists, which are complex and are "realms of magic hitherto unknown".

In Deathly Hallows, Harry is saved twice. The 1st time because when Voldemort tried to kill Harry as a baby, a piece of Voldemort's soul flaked off and was trapped within Harry himself (giving Harry a connection to, and many of the powers of, Voldemort). When the killing curse hit Harry in the Forbidden Forest, it killed the piece of Voldemort's soul trapped in Harry, and sent Harry to a nether region where Voldemort's use of Harry's blood gave Harry a lifeline back to the world of the living, should he choose to use it, and he decided to return to life. The second time, Harry was able to deflect the curse back at Voldemort (who died from it) because of a special condition involving the Elder Wand. This had been 'won' by Draco when he disarmed Dumbledore of his wand, but none understood this at the time, and Draco did not use the Elder Wand. Harry had won Draco's wand in a life-or-death duel, thereby proving to the Elder Wand that Harry should be the wand's true master. Therefore, when Harry used Draco's wand to cast Expelliarmus against Voldemort's Killing Curse, the killing curse rebounded on Voldemort leaving Harry unharmed and killing Voldemort once and for all.

Seen/Mentioned: First said (not by name) at the beginning of the first book when Harry arrives at the Dursley's home. First seen in The Philosopher's Stone, during the flashback while Hagrid described Harry's parent's deaths, Voldemort is seen killing Lily Evans. Next in Goblet of Fire against Muggle Frank Bryce, and in every book following. It is noted that while Harry has used every other Unforgivable Curse successfully he has never used the Killing Curse.

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."


Avifors


Pronunciation: Avy -fors

Description: Turns inanimate objects into birds.

Seen/mentioned: The Harry potter video games.

Etymology: From Latin "Avis" meaning "bird" and Latin "fors" meaning "for luck"


Avis

Pronunciation: AY-vis

Description: A flock of birds comes out of the wand. When coupled with Oppugno, it can be used offensively.

Seen/Mentioned: Used in 1994 by Mr. Ollivander to test Viktor Krum's wand. Also employed by Hermione in 1996, along with Oppugno against Ron Weasley.

Etymology: The Latin avis means "bird".

[Isobel Carter]

(Babbling Curse)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: The Babbling Curse is not fully understood but it is presumed to cause a person to babble whenever they try to speak.
Seen/Mentioned: According to Gilderoy Lockhart, he once cured a Transylvanian villager of this affliction, but as he proved an untrustworthy source of information, it is possible the curse does not exist at all. However, the curse itself may exist, but it could be that someone else cured the said villager.


(Bat-Bogey Hex)

Pronunciation: Unknown

Description: Grotesquely enlarges the target's bogies, gives them wings, and sets them attacking the target.

Seen/Mentioned: Ginny Weasley is a noted practitioner of this hex, and used it on Draco Malfoy to facilitate her, Ron, Luna and Neville’s escape from the Inquisitorial Squad in 1996, and later on Zacharias Smith when he persistently questioned her about what happened during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.

Notes: This may also be the "Curse of the Bogies" mentioned by Ron in 1991 as a potential punishment should either Hermione or Neville get him and Harry in trouble. However, "bogey" can also mean a monster or a spectre, to which said curse might be referring.


Baubillious

Pronunciation:' baw-BILL-ee-us

Description: Unknown. Creates a bright bolt of white light from the tip of the wand.

Seen/Mentioned: Only in the Harry Potter TCG.

Etymology: From the English, bauble? Etymology unclear.

Notes: Judging by the incantation it is possibly the spell used by Filius Flitwick to decorate the Hogwarts Christmas Tree.


(Bedazzling Hex)

Pronunciation:Unknown

Description: Similar to a Disillusionment Charm, it can be used to conceal a person or an object.

Seen/Mentioned: By Xenophilius Lovegood in 1998 when describing how the Cloak of Invisibility is the only thing that can make a person truly invisible, not requiring a Disillusionment Charm or a Bedazzling Hex.

Notes: Is used to make invisiblity cloaks, although those cloaks aren't true cloaks of invisibility. It is not sure what the difference is between a disillusionment charm and a bedazzling hex. A disillusionment charm, would appear to simply make the target blend in very well with the surroundings whereas the bedazzling hex, given its name might possible mess directly with the eyes of anyone looking at the cloak wearer, so they would not appear to be there. Both the word bedazzling (bedazzle means cleverly outwit.) and the hex part of the name suggest this.


(Bellatrix Lestrange's spell)

Description: Produces a burst of blue light and causes windows to shatter.

Seen/Mentioned: Was used by Bellatrix Lestrange to shatter the windows in the Great Hall in her insane celebratory outburst after the death of Albus Dumbledore in 1997.


(Blasting Charm)

Pronounciation:Unknown

Description:The Blasting Charm is a spell which presumably creates an explosion. It may be a safer, less destructive version of the Blasting Curse.

Seen/Mentioned:Alberta Toothill used a Blasting Charm to defeat Samson Wiblin in the All-England Wizarding Duelling Competition of 1430.


(Bluebell Flames)

Description: Creates a quantity of blue flame which can be directed to a specific place such as into a glass jar.

Seen/Mentioned: Hermione cast a bluebell flame that could be carried around in a jam jar, sent out a short distance, then retrieved into the jar; she used it to set Snape's robes on fire during the first Quidditch match of her first year. Hermione also used this spell against Devil's Snare when working through the challenges surrounding the Philosopher's Stone.

Notes: Bluebell flames are waterproof and only heat/burn the intended target.


Bombarda

Pronunciation: bom-bar-dah

Description: Causes a small explosion.

Seen/Mentioned: Hermione used this spell to free Sirius Black from his cage in the film version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. A stronger version of this spell, Bombarda Maxima, is performed by Dolores Umbridge to force her way into the Room of Requirement in the film version of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Notes: Both the regular and Maxima versions of this spell only appear in the films.


(bubble head charm)

Pronunciation: Unknown

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

Seen/Mentioned: Cedric Diggory and Fleur Delacour used this underwater in the second task of the Triwizard Tournament in 1995. It was also used by many Hogwarts students when walking through the hallways in 1996, because of the bad smells caused by the various pranks played on Dolores Umbridge. In the books, the bubble surrounds the user's entire head, while in the films it's limited to their mouth and nose.


(Bubble-producing spell)

Description: Creates a stream of non-bursting bubbles. The colour of the bubbles can vary and can be controlled by the caster.

Seen/Mentioned: Professor Flitwick used the spell to decorate the twelve Christmas trees at Hogwarts in Christmas of 1991. The bubbles in this instance were golden.

Notes: This spell is similiar to Ebublio and the Bubble-Head Charm.

[Danielle Sophie Jaques]

(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.


Cave Inimicum

Pronunciation: /ˈkɑːveɪ ɨˈnɪmɨkəm/ KAH-vay i-NIM-i-kəm

Description: 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]

Etymology: Correct Classical Latin for "Beware the enemy", from the verb caveō (to beware) and the accusative form of the noun inimīcus (enemy). In Latin, the accent of the latter word is on the second-to-last syllable, since the last i is long.


(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. Felix Summerbee created the spell.

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


Colloportus

Pronunciation: /kɒlɵˈpɔrtəs/ KOL-o-POR-təs

Description: Magically locks a door, preventing it from being opened by Muggle means.

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
Suggested etymology: Deformation of the Greek word kollao, which means "to join closely together, bind closely", and the Latin word porta meaning "a gate".


(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, also used by Harry on Ron's Chudley Cannon's poster when the Trace was lifted.


Confringo (Blasting Curse)

Pronunciation: /kɒnˈfrɪŋɡoʊ/ kon-FRING-goh

Description: 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. 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.

Suggested etymology: The Latin confringo, which means "to break in pieces, to bring to naught".


Confundo (Confundus Charm)

Pronunciation: /kɒnˈfʌndoʊ/ kon-FUN-doh

Description: 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. In Goblet of Fire, it is suggested that a powerful Confundus Charm is responsible for the Goblet choosing a fourth Triwizard contestant. It is first seen in action when Hermione uses it on Cormac McLaggen during Quidditch tryouts in Half-Blood Prince. Its vernacular name is first revealed when Harry uses it on security guards during the Gringotts break-in in Deathly Hallows.

Etymology: The Latin word confundo, which means "to confuse, throw into disorder".


(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]

Suggested etymology: From conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, or outer surface of the eye, commonly caused by bacterial infection.


Crucio (Cruciatus Curse)

Pronunciation: /ˈkruːsi.oʊ/ KREW-see-oh

Description: Inflicts unbearable pain on the recipient of the curse. The effects of the curse depend upon the desires and emotions of the character – to produce the "excruciating" pain implied by the name, one must (according to Bellatrix Lestrange) desire to cause pain purely for its own sake or for fulfilment. The extreme pain inflicted by the curse when cast so – without any apparent evidence of physical harm – makes it uniquely suited as a form of torture. This pain has included the sensations of flaming bones and a head that was split open by crude methods without sedation. 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. Used twice by Harry on Death Eaters, once on Bellatrix Lestrange as revenge in Order of the Phoenix and on Amycus Carrow, with enough force to make him pass out, in Deathly Hallows.

Suggested etymology: Crucio in classical Latin means "I torture", originating from crux (genitive crucis), which means "torture platform or stake", or more specifically, "cross". The word excruciating is descended from the same root – crucifixion was a form of torturous execution. In the novels, the verbal form of the word is 'cruciate', as when Amycus Carrow says in the final book "I'll Cruciate the lot of 'em." The caster has to believe the spell will work, as Harry realises in Deathly Hallows using it against Amycus, when the latter disrespects Professor McGonagall in the Ravenclaw common room.

[Danielle Sophie Jaques]

Defodio (Gouging Spell)

Pronunciation: /dɛˈfoʊdi.oʊ/ de-FOH-dee-oh

Description: 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]

Suggested etymology: Correct classical Latin verb defodio, meaning "to dig, dig out."


Deletrius

Description: Removes evidence of previous spells cast by the wand, revealed by Prior Incantato.

Pronunciation: /dəˈliːtri.əs/ də-LEE-tree-əs

Seen/mentioned: Seen only in Goblet of Fire when Amos Diggory gets rid of the echo of the Dark Mark from Harry's wand.

Suggested etymology: Latin verb delere meaning to destroy, from which the English word delete comes, meaning to remove.


Densaugeo

Pronunciation: /dɛnˈsɔːdʒiː.oʊ/ den-SAW-jee-oh

Description: 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.

Suggested etymology: Latin dens, meaning "tooth", and augeo, meaning "to enlarge".


Deprimo

Pronunciation: /ˈdɛprɨmoʊ/ DEP-rim-oh

Description: 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 Lovegood's living room floor.

Suggested etymology: Latin deprimo which means to "dig deep".


Descendo

Pronunciation: /dɛˈsɛndoʊ/ de-SEN-doh

Description: To make 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, and later by Crabbe in the Room of Requirement to lower the wall behind which Ron is hiding.

Suggested etymology: Correct classical Latin descendo, meaning "to come down, to descend".


Diffindo (Severing Charm)

Pronunciation: /dɪˈfɪndoʊ/ di-FIN-doh

Description: 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, also in Order Of The Phoenix, Harry tries to cut the brain tentacles wrapped around Ron but the spell fails, and in Half-Blood Prince to switch covers of his potion books. Also shown several times in Deathly Hallows, for cutting ropes, chains, etc.
Suggested etymology: Latin diffindo, "I divide."


(Disillusionment Charm)

Description: Causes the recipient 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. Mentioned in Half-Blood Prince on a purple leaflet from the Ministry of Magic. Xenophilius Lovegood mentions, in Deathly Hallows, that Invisibility Cloaks are sometimes created by casting a Disillusionment Charm on a regular cloak. Also in Deathly Hallows, Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle use the charm to hide outside the Room of Requirement.

Notes: The described sensation of a Disillusionment Charm is a feeling "something cold and wet trickling down your back." When the charm is lifted, the subject feels something hot trickling down their back.


Dissendium

Pronunciation: /dɪˈsɛndi.əm/ di-SEN-dee-əm

Description: Causes the statue of the humpbacked witch hiding the secret passage to Honeydukes, as well as other hidden passageways, to open.

Seen/mentioned: Seen only in Prisoner of Azkaban.

Suggested etymology: Latin discedo meaning "I swerve".


Duro

Pronunciation: /ˈdjʊəroʊ/ DEWR-oh

Description: Makes the object hard.

Seen/mentioned: Seen in Deathly Hallows, cast by Hermione while escaping from Death Eaters in Hogwarts.

Suggested etymology: Latin duro meaning "I make hard".