Linea Aetatis
Spell Name: Age Line Spell
Incantation: Linea Aetatis...
Pronunciation: LIH-nee-uh ay-TAH-tiss
Spell Branch: Charms
Magical Discipline(s): Defensive
Appearance: A thin golden line on the floor. The enchantment spoken is the first two words of the spell, followed by the age (also in Latin) below which no one may cross the line. For example, the Age Line in Goblet of Fire (17) would have been “Linea Aetatis Septemdecim”.
Description: Causes anyone below the specified age who crosses the line to be propelled backwards over it. If the offending wizard has used some means to magically alter his age, the line may also cause him to suffer the extremes of it (such as growing a beard after having taken an Aging Potion, or having one’s skin wrinkle if he tried an Aging Jinx), if the line’s caster is a sufficiently accomplished wizard. The spell’s duration depends on the intent of the caster, but is rarely less than twenty-four hours. It can last up to a month, after which it must be reinforced. Witches and wizards who have some skill with the spell might cast it on rooms in their homes which they do not wish their children to enter.
Advanced to cast at all, Master to cast for longer periods of time and unfooled by aging enchantments or potions.
Regulations: Legal (on private property)
Skill Level: Advanced
Etymology: From Latin linea, “line”, and aetatis, “age”
References:
- Used by Dumbledore to draw a ten-foot radius circle around the Goblet of Fire in the eponymous book.
- Graham Bombay contemplates an Age Line to keep first years out of the greenhouses [1]
- Although the line appeared blue, Dahlia Collins and Tynan MacFusty believe the Restricted Section may be guarded by an age line [2]
- Grace Eddy wonders if Signature uses an Age Line to keep out minors [3]
- Molly Pratt, hoping for tight security, wonders if Calaveras has an Age Line
Notes:
