Aegis

Spell Name: Physical Shield Charm

Incantation: Aegis

Pronunciation: EE-jiss

Spell Branch: Charms

Magical Discipline(s): Defensive

Appearance: Invisible, other than the effects

Description: The base spell of the Aegis charm family, one of the Seven Shield Spells of Pure Wand Magic.

Conjures a shining silver shield from midair, which is resistant to most spells, though the Killing Curse will destroy it like any other physical impediment.

Regulations: Legal

Skill Level: Advanced

Etymology: From the Greek name of Zeus’s shield

References:

• Used by Voldemort during the duel with Dumbledore. The fact that it deflected a powerful attack from Dumbledore suggests it was a greater spell than simply conjuring a normal shield.

Notes: The Aegis branch of defensive magic is the oldest and simplest; a form of Conjuration (and thus originally considered a type of Transfiguration, rather than Defensive magic), it produces a literal, physical shield which is held by the wizard casting the spell. Variations on the shield exist (diamond-hard, resistant to magic, etc.), but all were found insufficient to the task of safely defending wizards from mass projectiles or more powerful Dark magic, leading to the evolution of the Obex and Declino families, respectively.