Finestra

Spell Name: Shatter Spell

Incantation: Finestra

Pronunciation: fi-NESS-tra

Spell Branch: Charms

Magical Discipline(s):

Appearance: Blue light when wand is flicked at glass.

Description: The Finestra spell is a charm which shatters glass. This spell was useful in that it makes very little sound, allowing for discreet entry through a window.

Regulations: Legal

Skill Level: Intermediate

Etymology: The word finestra means "window" in Italian, Catalan and Sicilian. Given Rowling's use of puns in the construction of other incantations (e.g. Orchideous and Aguamenti), it is also possible that finestra is a sort of double entendre - a humorous blend of fine or finis, the Italian and Latin words for "end", and finestra for window. Together, this could allude to the spell's ironic capacity to destroy windows in the creation of an opening or "window".

References:

• On 6 December 1926, Newt Scamander shattered the front window of the Voclain & Co. jewellery store in New York using this spell to try and recapture his escaped niffler when he saw it loose inside the store stealing things.

Notes: