Counter-Curses and Defensive Spells

This is a list of Counter-Curses and other Defensive Spells considered "A.O. Canon". For a full list of all A.O. Canon spells, see List of Spells (A.O. Canon).

Key

Pronunciation: How the spell is pronounced (roughly) aloud.

Appearance: What the spell looks like, including any accompanying wand motions.

Description: What the spell does and how it works.

Regulations and Skill Level:

Regulation Levels:

Legal: Performing this spell is not specifically prohibited by law.

Controlled: This spell is either legal only in some cases, or legal, but not widely known.

Illegal: Performing this spell is specifically against Wizarding law.

Skill Levels:

Beginner: A first-year student would be capable of performing this spell.

Intermediate: A fourth-year student would be capable of performing this spell.

Advanced: A fully-qualified wizard (17 or older) would be capable of performing this spell.

Master: This spell requires greater experience or specialized knowledge, and is unlikely to be performed successfully by anyone under age 30.

Etymology: The root language and meaning of the word(s) in the spell.

Canon Reference: If the spell is canonical, this section notes at least one reference to it.

Notes: Any other information about the spell.

Counter-Curses and Defensive Spells

See also: Healing Spells

Aegis (Shield Spell)

Pronunciation: EE-jiss

Appearance: Invisible, other than the effects

Description: 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 and Skill Level: Legal. Master.

Etymology: From the Greek name of Zeus’s shield

Canon Reference: 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:

Consisto (Steadying Counter-Curse)

Pronunciation: cuhn-SISS-toh

Appearance: A burst of sparks

Description: Removes spells that affect a target’s ability to stand properly, such as the Jelly-Legs Jinx or the Tarantallegra Curse. Instantaneous.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Beginner.

Etymology: Latin “to stand still”

Notes:

Declino (Hex Deflection)

Pronunciation: day-KLEE-noh

Appearance: Invisible, but accompanied with a slash of the wand in the direction the curse is to be deflected

Description: Deflects most curses. Unlike the Shield Charm, it is strict deflection, rather than reflection. Instantaneous.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Intermediate.

Etymology: Latin “I deflect”

Canon Reference: “Moody” tested his 4th year DADA class on Hex Deflection.

Notes:

Expugno Maleficum (Fiendfyre Counter-Curse)

Pronunciation: ex-PUHG-noh muh-LEH-fee-koom

Appearance: Invisible, although the flames shrink, shriek, and diminish into the wand tip of the caster

Description: Controls and dispels Fiendfyre. Takes anywhere from a few seconds to half a minute, depending on how extensively out of control the flames have gotten.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced.

Etymology: From Latin expugno, “to overcome, subdue”, and maleficus, “evil”

Canon Reference: Not actually mentioned, but the existence of Fiendfyre and the fact that the wizarding world is not constantly engulfed in flame suggests that there is a way to make it stop.

Notes:

Incido (Interrupting Jinx)

Pronunciation: ihn-SEE-doh

Appearance: Invisible

Description: Causes someone using a spell to be knocked back and unable to complete the spell. Requires extreme speed, especially if countering a nonverbal spell, and thus is itself used almost exclusively nonverbally. Instantaneous.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced.

Etymology: Latin “I interrupt”

Canon Reference: Used by Snape repeatedly on Harry during the Flight of the Prince.

Notes:

Opressus Exonero (Constriction Curse Counter)

Pronunciation: oh-PREH-suss ex-AH-ner-oh

Appearance: A pale red glow over the target

Description: Relieves the effects of the Constriction Curse. Other spells and potions can do this also, but the counter-curse is the fastest and easiest method.

Also, when cast on the victim, relieves the effect of the Strangulation Hex without attacking the caster (and thus forcing him to change the aim of his wand). As it was not invented for this purpose, it is questionable whether anyone is aware of this side effect.

Regulations and Skill Level: Controlled (known only to Jason MacDonell, who invented it, and his closest circle). Advanced.

Etymology: From Latin oppressio, “pressing down, oppression”, and exonero, “to free, relieve”

Notes:

Sanus (Clear-Mind Charm)

Pronunciation: SAH-noos

Appearance: Sparks from the wand

Description: Removes minor mental incapacitations, such as the Babbling Jinx or the Confundus Charm. Specially trained wizards (such as Healers or some Aurors and Unspeakables) can use it to counter the Imperius Curse, though this usually requires Legilimency therapy, especially if badly performed or long-lasting. Instantaneous against weaker spells, though stronger ones may require repeated casting.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced to Master.

Etymology: Latin “of sound mind”

Notes:

Vigilo (Nap Jinx Counter)

Pronunciation: vih-JEE-loh

Appearance: A bright flash in front of the target’s face

Description: Counters the effects of the Nap Jinx. Instantaneous effect.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal, Intermediate to Advanced (in proportion to the attacker’s skill; an Intermediate defender against an Advanced attacker would be able to further delay the effects of the jinx, but not indefinitely).

Etymology: Latin “to keep awake, to be vigilant”

Notes:

Yehiy (Warding Charm)

Pronunciation: yeh-HEE

Appearance: Used with a candle (usually black). The candle will ignite. A steady flame indicates a strong ward, a flickering flame a weak or weakening ward. Wandless magic.

Description: A shielding spell that maintains a semipermanent magical shield around the caster, similar to Protego, although it absorbs (instead of reflecting) most curses. The advantage is that, being wandless, it allows a well-trained caster to use his wand simultaneously to cast other spells. The caster can feel the strength of the ward.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced to Master.

Etymology: Hebrew “let there be light”

Notes: Used mostly in the Jewish magical community.