Charms Spells

This is a list of all Charms 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.

Charms

Abicio (Banishing Charm)

Pronunciation: uh-BEE-kee-oh

Appearance: Invisible in flight, but a small flash when it strikes its target

Description: Used to knock something away. More useful than Expelliarmus, which specifically targets something held in the hands, but also requires more precise aim. Countercharm is Accio.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Intermediate.

Etymology: Latin “I cast away”

Canon Reference: Taught to the fourth years in Goblet of Fire. Likely used by Snape to knock Harry’s wand out of reach during the Flight of the Prince in Half-Blood Prince.

Abstergeo (Obliteration Charm)

Pronunciation: ABS-tare-JAY-oh

Appearance: Invisible

Description: Causes the target to be wiped of all evidence of human passing (footprints, fingerprints, etc.), unlike Tergeo, which wipes away substances.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Intermediate.

Etymology: Latin “to wipe off, clean away”

Canon Reference: Used by Hermione to wipe away her footprints in Order of the Phoenix; the general use is inferred.

Amicio (Bedazzling Hex)

Pronunciation: uh-MEE-kee-oh

Appearance: Target sparkles, vanishes, then reappears

Description: Causes the target to make its wearer or rider invisible. Works on large pieces of clothing or cloth, or vehicle which are ridden in (it would work on a car) but not on (it would not work on a buggy). Semi-permanent, but begins to wears off after a few years, until the target becomes opaque again. The single exception is the Cloak of Invisibility, which “endures eternally”.

Regulations and Skill Level: Controlled, but occasionally done outside Ministry regulation or knowledge. Master for standard use. The Cloak of Invisibility’s extremely powerful Bedazzling Hex requires power and skill far beyond the norm (i.e., Curator approval).

Etymology: Latin “I cover, clothe, conceal”

Canon Reference: Specifically stated by Xenophilius Lovegood to be the charm placed on normal invisibility cloaks. Quite possibly the spell cast by Arthur Weasley on his Ford Anglia. The spell cast by Ignotus Peverell on the Cloak of Invisibility is almost certainly a much more powerful and complex variant.

Notes: Despite its name, the Bedazzling Hex is not a proper hex, but an enchantment.

Ardinoccuus (Flame-Freezing Charm)

Pronunciation: ARD-ih-NOK-yoo-uss

Appearance: Invisible

Description: Causes fire to lose its burning properties, creating instead only a pleasant tickling sensation when it touches flesh. Lasts at least an hour.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced.

Etymology: From Latin ardor, “flame”, and inoccuus, “harmless”

Canon Reference: Mentioned in Prisoner of Azkaban as a defense against medieval witch-burnings. Also used by Albus Dumbledore to set Tom Riddle’s wardrobe on fire without actually damaging it.

Arefax (Drying Charm)

Pronunciation: ARE-eh-fax

Appearance: Invisible

Description: Completely dries whatever is in its path (usually used on clothing or pets), but does not work directly on pools of water. Instantaneous.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced.

Etymology: From Latin arefacio, “to make dry”

Canon Reference: Dumbledore uses this spell to dry Harry’s robes after swimming to the Cave of the Inferi in Half-Blood Prince.

Audomnium (Gibberish Charm)

Pronunciation: awd-AHM-nee-um

Appearance: Invisible

Description: Similar to Loquomnium (the Babbling Jinx), except that the caster uses it on himself in order to make anything he says appear to be gibberish to anyone who might be listening in. Only those with physical contact with the caster can understand what they are really saying. Duration lasts as long as the caster has his wand to his throat.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal, Intermediate.

Etymology: From Latin audio, “to hear”, and somnium, “nonsense”

Averte Pedeum a Tuum A Malo (Straight Path Charm)

Pronunciation: uh-VARE-tay PED-ee-um ah TOO-um ah MAH-loh

Appearance: Invisible apart from its effects

Description: Parts a crowd or other movable object (will not split a solid object in half) to create a pathway, lasting as long as the caster can maintain sufficient focus.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced to Master.

Etymology: Latin translation of Proverbs 4:27

Bullaeris (Bubblehead Charm)

Pronunciation: bool-AIR-iss

Appearance: Target appears to be wearing a fishbowl on his head. The bowl expands out of the wand tip like a bubble and latches itself onto the head.

Description: Creates a protective bubble around the head which draws clean air out of the environment (gassed air, or even water, but it does not work in a vacuum). Instantaneous, lasts about an hour.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Intermediate.

Etymology: From Latin bulla, “bubble”, and aeris, “the lower air, the atmosphere”

Canon Reference: Used by Cedric Diggory and Fleur Delacour during the second task of the Triwizard Tournament. Also used by most of Hogwarts during Dolores Umbridge’s reign as Headmistresses, as dungbombs had been set off in most of the corridors.

Calefax (Hot Air Charm)

Pronunciation: KAL-uh-fax

Appearance: Invisible, but a spray of hot air from the tip of the wand, like a hairdryer

Description: Causes hot air to shoot from the wand, which dries whatever is in its path, or melts things which would normally be melted by hot air (such as snow). Lasts until the caster stops it.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Beginner.

Etymology: Latin “to make warm, heat”

Canon Reference: Used by Hermione to dry her robes in Order of the Phoenix.

Chameleo (Disillusionment Charm)

Pronunciation: kuh-MEE-lee-oh

Appearance: Invisible, but gives the sensation of something cold trickling down the back (and something hot trickling down the back when it is removed).

Description: Causes the target to blend in perfectly with his background until he moves. Only the most powerful casters can actually become invisible by using this charm. Last a few hours in full effect, then gradually weakens.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced to cast for standard effect. Skill beyond Master (Curator approval required) to cast for perfect invisibility; only Dumbledore and Grindelwald (and presumably Voldemort) are known to have this level of power.

Etymology: From the word “chameleon”

Canon Reference: Used several times, but most informatively by Moody on Harry before their flight to Grimmauld Place in Order of the Phoenix.

Cyadenuo (Refilling Charm)

Pronunciation: SI-uh-deh-NOO-oh

Appearance: Invisible

Description: Causes liquid in a container to refill. Instantaneous.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Intermediate.

Etymology: From Latin cyathus, “a ladle for filling wine goblets”, and denuo, “again”

Canon Reference: Taught to the sixth year Charms class, and used by Harry in Hagrid’s cabin to refill Slughorn’s mead bottles.

Declaro Incantatum (Enchantment Revealing Charm)

Pronunciation: deh-CLARE-oh ihn-can-TAH-tum

Appearance: A wide beam of purple/blue light emits from the wand.

Description: Reveals the traces of magic, and which specific spells have been used if used quickly enough after the event.

Regulations and Skill Level: Controlled (Legal, but usually only used by Aurors and Unspeakables in the course of their work). Advanced.

Etymology: From Latin declaro, “to make clear, reveal”, and the word “incantation”

Devoveo (Entrancing Enchantment)

Pronunciation: DAY-voh-VAY-oh

Appearance: Wand is swished back and forth in front of target, like a watch in hypnosis, as the incantation is repeated.

Description: ] Causes the target to become compliant, agreeable, and passive. The target will obey simple directions, depending on the skill of the caster and the particular target. Can last seconds to hours, also dependent on caster and target.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced.

Etymology: Latin “to enchant, to bewitch”

Canon Reference: Used by Fleur Delacour on the Welsh Green in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. Also mentioned by Lockhart on Valentine’s Day.

Descessus Impermissus (Anti-Disapparation Jinx)

Pronunciation: dih-SESS-uss im-pare-MEE-suss

Appearance: Invisible

Description: Prevents anyone from Apparating into or Disapparating out of the affected area. Is usually permanent until removed.

Regulations and Skill Level: Controlled (wizards are free to cast it on private property they own, but casting on public property requires Ministry approval). Master.

Etymology: From Latin decessus, “departure, withdrawal”, and impermissus, “forbidden”

Canon Reference: Used by Dumbledore to contain the Death Eaters after the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. Also cast on all of Hogwarts and the adjacent grounds and, according to Dumbledore, most wizarding dwellings.

Notes: Despite its name, the Anti-Disapparation Jinx is not a proper jinx, but an enchantment.

Dracanhelitus (Dragon’s Breath Charm)

Pronunciation: drah-CAN-hell-EE-tuss

Appearance: A burst of flame, like a flamethrower, from the tip of the wand, accomplished with a forward snapping motion of the wand arm. Alternatively, circling flames around the caster, accomplished by swishing the wand circularly around the head.

Description: Causes a flamethrower-like burst of projectile fire from the wand tip. More powerful wizards or fire specialists can bend the flame to their will, making it surround themselves or enemies.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced for first use, Master for second.

Etymology: From Latin draco, “dragon”, and anhelitus, “breath, exhalation”

Canon Reference: Circular form used by Dumbledore in the Cave of the Inferi. The standard use is invented.

Expergo (Awakening Charm)

Pronunciation: ex-PARE-goh

Appearance: A bang and a flash of white light

Description: Counters the Dreamless Sleep Spell, in case the target must be woken early. Also counters the Nap Jinx or real sleep, but too forcefully (the subject will be overly peppy and alert for days on end). Effects also depend on the skill of the caster versus the skill of the wizard who cast the Sleep Spell. Immediate effect.

Regulations and Skill Level: Advanced to Master.

Etymology: Latin “to awaken”

Fallax Memoria (False Memory Charm)

Pronunciation: FAL-ax meh-MOR-ee-uh

Appearance: The caster thinks hard on the false thought, then withdraws it from his mind with his wand, similar to extracting a memory for use with a Pensieve. The false thought is then placed in the mind of the victim.

Description: Causes the victim to believe a false memory created by the caster is actually true. The victim will act accordingly. Permanent, unless poorly cast or cured with Legilimency therapy.

Regulations and Skill Level: Controlled (use outside Ministry approval is Illegal). Master.

Etymology: From Latin fallax, “deceitful, false”, and memoria, “memory”

Canon Reference: Used by Voldemort on both Morfin Gaunt and Hokey the house-elf (Voldemort was an extremely powerful wizard, and thus able to use the spell successfully despite his youth).

Felicitas (Cheering Charm)

Pronunciation: feh-LIH-see-tahs

Appearance: A burst of golden sparks

Description: Causes the target to feel happy and content. Overly strong casting can cause bouts of uncontrollable laughter. Can work on mild blues, but not on long-term or deep-seated depression. Is largely ineffective against Dementor attacks. Lasts fifteen minutes, but may last longer if cast too forcefully.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Beginner.

Etymology: Latin “happiness”

Canon Reference: Taught by Flitwick to the Charms class in Prisoner of Azkaban.

Inamadverto (X-Ray Charm)

Pronunciation: ihn-ahm-ad-VARE-toh

Appearance: A “flashlight”-like beam that creates a spot of light on the object before it takes effect. Wand must remain pointed at the target.

Description: The beam will cause layers to fade away (visibly, though not actually) and show the caster what is underneath (i.e. muscle layer, organ layer, bone). Caster needs only to say “Further” or “Pull back” to cycle among layers. Lasts until the wand is moved or the caster loses concentration.

Regulations and Skill Level: Controlled (usually used only by Healers and Magizoologists). Advanced.

Etymology: From Latin ina, “fiber, sinew, tendon”, and adverto, “to direct one’s attention to, to perceive”

Notes: Works only on living targets.

Inaresiccitas (Drought Charm)

Pronunciation: ihn-AR-eh-SIH-kee-tahs

Appearance: Wisps of sand-colored mist descending over the affected water

Description: Causes small bodies of water (from a puddle to a pond) to dry up; proper casting will consume approximately a gallon per second. Does not work on larger bodies of water. Effect is permanent.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Intermediate to cast at all, Advanced to work on more sizable bodies of water.

Etymology: From Latin inaresco, “to become dry”, and siccitas, “drought”

Canon Reference: Referenced in Goblet of Fire as an ineffective approach to the Second Task; Ron specifically states that it would not work on the entire lake.

Insula Silentium (Island of Silence Charm)

Pronunciation: IHN-soo-luh sih-LEHN-tee-uhm

Appearance: Invisible

Description: Blocks out all sound from outside a designated area. Instantaneous, and lasts at least half an hour, or until removed by the caster.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced.

Etymology: From Latin insula, “an island”, and silentium, “silence”

Canon Reference: Used by Dumbledore when speaking to Snape in 1981, as seen in the Pensieve in Deathly Hallows.

Linea Aetatis _____ (Age-Line Spell)

Pronunciation: LIH-nee-uh ay-TAH-tiss

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.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal (on private property). Advanced to cast at all, Master to cast for longer periods of time and unfooled by aging enchantments or potions.

Etymology: From Latin linea, “line”, and aetatis, “age”

Canon Reference: Used by Dumbledore to draw a ten-foot radius circle around the Goblet of Fire in the eponymous book.

Manardorum (Fire Whip Spell)

Pronunciation: MAHN-ar-DOR-oom

Appearance: A long whip, apparently of flame (though it does not burn) projects from the tip of the caster’s wand

Description: Causes a non-burning, fiery whip to materialize from the caster’s wand. This can be used like a normal whip (i.e. for striking, tying, etc). Lasts a few moments at most.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Master.

Etymology: From Latin manus, “hand”, and ardor, “flame”

Canon Reference: Used by Dumbledore to ensnare Voldemort briefly during their duel at the Ministry.

Munio (Object-Fortifying Charm)

Pronunciation: MOO-nee-oh

Appearance: Brief sparkles on the enchanted object

Description: Causes the charmed object to become more resistant to physical and magical damage (relative to what it was originally). Can be used by wizards in a duel to make objects they are hiding behind stronger and able to absorb spells briefly. Lasts until it has taken sufficient damage, or for an hour or two if unassailed.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Intermediate to cast at all, Advanced with any real power.

Etymology: Latin “to fortify, defend, protect”

Notes: Though moderately effective at stopping jinxes and hexes, the Object-Fortifying Charm has less resistance to curses targeting the object itself, rather than simply trying to smash through, such as the two Blasting Curses (Confringo and Expulso).

Munium Muri Ilii (Wall Fortifying Charm)

Pronunciation: MOO-nee-um MER-ee ILL-ee-i

Appearance: A brief golden sheen over the enchanted surface

Description: A substantially more difficult and powerful version of the spell Munio. Protects permanent structures against substantial magical or physical bombardment, and is thus usually cast on exterior building walls. Lasts indefinitely, or until having taken extreme magical or physical damage. Casting by a very powerful wizard (or a group of wizards working in concert) will be more effective.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Master.

Etymology: From Latin munio, “to fortify, defend, protect”, muri, “walls”, and Ilios, the Latin name for Troy (the walls of Troy were said to be impregnable by direct assault)

Membrum Nexum Argentum (Dark Arts Prosthetic)

Pronunciation: MEHM-bruhm NEX-uhm ar-JEN-tuhm

Appearance: A ball of what looks like molten silver that takes the shape of whatever limb it is replacing, and attaches itself to the wound.

Description: Creates a magical prosthetic to replace a severed limb. The limb also creates a bond between caster and recipient; should the recipient betray or work against the caster, the replacement limb might attack its owner. Permanent.

Regulations and Skill Level: Illegal (though little-known to begin with). Master.

Etymology: From Latin membrum, “a limb”, necto, meaning both “to bind” and “to enslave”, and argentis, meaning “silver”

Canon Reference: Used by Voldemort to create a replacement hand for Peter Pettigrew in Goblet of Fire. It later strangled Pettigrew when he showed mercy to Harry Potter.

Proteum Magister / Proteus (The Protean Charm)

Pronunciation: PROH-tay-oom MAH-jee-stare / proh-TAY-oos

Appearance: First incantation is used on the master object, which glows briefly. Subsequent uses on slave objects use the second incantation, while the two objects are touching.

Description: Causes numerous identical objects to mimic changes to a single (also identical) master object. Permanent.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced (and N.E.W.T. standard)

Etymology: From Proteus, a shape-shifting Greek sea god

Canon Reference: Used by Hermione on the communication coins for Dumbledore’s Army, and later copied by Draco Malfoy on his own coins.

Quiesoporifus (Dreamless Sleep Spell)

Pronunciation: KWEE-eh-soh-POR-ih-foos

Appearance: A mist falling over the head of the target

Description: Causes the target to fall into a bewitched, dreamless sleep. Can last a very long time (days or even weeks), depending on the skill of the caster.

Regulations and Skill Level: Controlled. Master.

Etymology: From Latin quies, “sleep”, and soporifer, “causing deep sleep”

Canon Reference: Dumbledore says, though he could cast it, such a spell would not be to Harry’s benefit after the duel in Little Hangleton in Goblet of Fire.

Recurro Formus Principialis (Homorphus Charm)

Pronunciation: ree-KOO-roh FOR-muss prin-sih-pee-AH-lis

Appearance: A flash of blue-white light

Description: Causes a voluntarily Transfigured human being to return to his or her original form. As such, it can force Metamorphmagi or Animagi to return to their standard appearances, as well as those who have Transfigured themselves, but does not work on werewolves or those who have taken Polyjuice Potion.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced.

Etymology: From Latin recurro, “to revert, return”, forma, “form, figure, shape”, and principialis, “original”

Canon Reference: Mentioned by Gilderoy Lockhart, though he references it alongside discussion of a werewolf. Given Lockhart’s intellectual bankruptcy, it is possible he knew only the name of the spell, not what it did. However, very likely the spell Remus Lupin and Sirius Black used to force Peter Pettigrew back to human form in Prisoner of Azkaban.

Relevo (Featherweight Charm)

Pronunciation: reh-LAY-voh

Appearance: Invisible

Description: Makes an object extremely lightweight, so that it can be carried more easily. Lasts a few hours, after which the object in question will grow steadily heavier.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Intermediate.

Etymology: Latin “to lighten, alleviate”

Canon Reference: Harry considers casting this on his trunk in Prisoner of Azkaban to enable him to fly to London with it, but flags down the Knight Bus accidentally first.

Revoficus (Evidence Recovery Charm)

Pronunciation: reh-voh-FEE-kuss

Appearance: Magical traces of other spells gather around the wand of the caster, in different colors (corresponding to the color of the spell itself when cast; invisible spells are misty)

Description: Gathers magical traces from an area, if cast sufficiently soon after the magic itself was used.

Regulations and Skill Level: Controlled (Legal, but usually used only by Unspeakables, Aurors, and Hitwizards). Advanced.

Etymology: Unknown

Sopor Excessum Lethargus Quies (Frozen Life Charm)

Pronunciation: SOH-por ek-SESS-um leh-THAR-guss KWEE-ays

Appearance: Invisible

Description: Causes collapse, reduction in body temperature, slowed breathing and progress of bodily fluids. Limbs remain mobile. Used to slow the spread of poison through the body. The subject must be constantly attended while under the spell, which degrades after twenty-four hours (or sooner, if cast ineffectively). Inadvisable for those with bleeding wounds, as the spell might actually increase the chance of death from blood loss. Instantaneous effect.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Advanced (N.E.W.T. standard)

Etymology: From Latin sopor, “deep sleep”, excessus, “death”, lethargus, “lethargy”, and quies, “sleep”

Notes: Works only on those who are injured or poisoned (a healthy body naturally resists the spell).

Stupefex Omnis (All-Stunner)

Pronunciation: STOO-peh-fex AHM-neece

Appearance: A silver streak of light flies in a quick circle around the caster. Once it has completed a full circuit, a second flash of silver light bursts out in all directions.

Description: Stuns multiple people simultaneously. A very powerful or experienced caster can pick and choose targets from a group; a less experienced caster will indiscriminately Stun everyone within range of the spell. The Stun effect lasts briefly (about a minute), substantially less than a normal Stunner.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Master.

Etymology: From Latin stupefacio, “to stun”, and omnis, “all”

Canon Reference: Used by Dumbledore to simultaneously stun Cornelius Fudge, Dolores Umbridge, John Dawlish, and Kingsley Shacklebolt (while avoiding Harry Potter, Minerva McGonagall, and Percy Weasley) in Order of the Phoenix.

Verameatus (Hinkypunk Defense Charm)

Pronunciation: VARE-uh-may-AH-tuss

Appearance: Invisible

Description: Forces a hinkypunk (which normally guides travelers to their doom in bogs and quicksand) to reveal the safe path. Lasts half an hour.

Regulations and Skill Level: Legal. Intermediate.

Etymology: From Latin verus, “true, genuine”, and meatus, “path”

Volatus (Flying Charm)

Pronunciation: voh-LAH-tuss

Appearance: Invisible, though the charmed object shudders momentarily

Description: Causes an object to be able to fly. Used on broomsticks and (outside Britain) carpets. Permanent.

Regulations and Skill Level: Controlled (by the Ministry, which specifically licenses broom makers to use the charm). Master.

Etymology: Latin “flight, flying”

Canon Reference: Draco Malfoy mentions this being cast on broomsticks in Chamber of Secrets. Possibly also what Arthur Weasley cast on his flying Ford Anglia.