Spells are listed here by their incantations (when known), with their vernacular names in parentheses. Some spells have no known incantation – the only reference in the text is by an informal name, either because in its only appearance in the relevant book it was cast nonverbally, or because it was never depicted in the books, only mentioned. The majority of spells cast in duels between adult characters in all seven books appear nonverbally; only their effects can identify such spells.
All spells are organized by the year in which they are taught to students at Ilvermorny. An individual student may learn a spell one or two years early, in some cases, or not at all. Spells not taught at Ilvermorny are organized into the final section, Additional Spells.
First Year
Alohomora
Used to open and/or unlock doors, but doors can be bewitched so that this spell has no effect.
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Finite Incantatem
Negates many spells or the effects of many spells.
(Hair Loss Curse)
Causes one to lose one’s hair.
(Hot Air Charm)
Causes wand to emit hot air.
Locomotor Mortis (Leg-Locker Curse)
Locks the legs together, preventing the victim from moving the legs in any fashion. The target can hop when affected by this curse, but walking is impossible without the countercurse
Lumos
Creates a narrow beam of light that shines from the wand’s tip, like a torch.
Nox
Countercharm to the Lumos spell.
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Petrificus Totalus
Used to temporarily bind the victim’s body in a position much like that of a soldier at attention; this spell does not restrict breathing or seeing, and the victim will usually fall to the ground.
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Scourgify
Used to clean something.
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(Slug-Vomiting Charm)
A jet of green light strikes the victim, who then vomits slugs for an undefined period of time (greater than five hours). The sizes of the vomited slugs decrease with time.
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Tergeo
Siphons material from a surface, (e.g., blood, ink, dust, etc.).
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(Tripping Jinx)
Causes the victim of the jinx to trip and fall.​​
Wingardium Leviosa
Levitates objects.​
Second Year
Arresto Momentum (Slowing Charm)
Slows the velocity of an object.
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Aparecium
This spell makes invisible ink appear.
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Expelliarmus
This spell is used to disarm another wizard, typically by causing the victim’s wand to fly out of reach.
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Flagrate
With this spell, the caster’s wand can leave fiery marks.
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Incendio
Produces fire or flames burst out flying
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Obscuro
Causes a blindfold to appear over the victim’s eyes, obstructing his/her view of his/her surroundings.
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Pack
Packs a trunk, or perhaps any luggage.
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Point Me (Four-Point Spell)
Causes the caster’s wand tip to point to the north cardinal point, acting like a compass.
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Protego
The Shield Charm causes minor to strong jinxes, curses, and hexes to rebound upon the attacker, or at least prevents them from having their full effect. It can also cause a shield to erupt from the caster’s wand.
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Reparo
Used to repair broken or damaged objects.
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Rictusempra
The subject experiences the sensation of being tickled.
Serpensortia
Conjures a serpent from the spell caster’s wand.​
Third Year
Carpe Retractum
A charm that produces a magical, retractable cord of light, that can be used to pull objects towards the caster, or, if the target is fixed in place, to pull the caster towards the target.
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(Cheering Charm )
Causes the person upon whom the spell was cast to become happy and contented, though heavyhandedness with the spell may cause the person to break into an uncontrollable laughing fit.
(Color-Change Charm)
Changes an object’s color.
Engorgio
Causes objects to swell in size.
Impervius
This spell makes something repel (literally, become impervious to) substances and outside forces, including water.
Locomotor
The spell is always used with the name of a target, at which the wand is pointed (e.g. “Locomotor Trunk!”). The spell causes the named object to rise in the air and move around at the will of the caster.
Reducio
Makes an enlarged object smaller. Counter-charm to Engorgio.
Riddikulus
A spell used when fighting a Boggart, “Riddikulus” forces the Boggart to take the appearance of an object upon which the caster is concentrating. When used correctly, this will be a humorous form.
(Stinging Hex, Stinging Jinx)
Produces a stinging sensation in the victim, resulting in angry red welts and occasionally the severe inflammation of the affected area.
Tarantallegra
Makes victim’s legs dance uncontrollably, so the victim cannot control his or her movements (recalling the tarantella dance).
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(Unbreakable Charm)
Causes an object to become unbreakable.
Fourth Year
Accio
This charm summons an object to the caster, potentially over a significant distance. Its opposite is the Banishing Charm.
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Avis
This charm creates a flock of birds from the caster’s wand. When coupled with Oppugno, it can be used offensively.
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(Banishing Charm)
Opposite to “Accio”. Banishes the object the spell is performed on.
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(Bat-Bogey Hex)
Grotesquely enlarges the target’s bogeys, gives them wings, and sets them attacking the target.
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Densaugeo
Causes the teeth of the recipient to grow at an alarming rate.
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Diffindo (Severing Charm)
Cuts or rips objects.
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Episkey
Used to heal relatively minor injuries. When this spell is cast, the person feels his/her injured body part go very hot and then very cold.
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Furnunculus
Causes the target to become covered in boils.
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(Hair-Thickening Charm)
Thickens one’s hair
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Impedimenta
This powerful spell is capable of tripping, freezing, binding, knocking back and generally impeding the target’s progress towards the caster. The extent to which the spell’s specific action can be controlled by the caster is not made clear. If this spell does bind, it does eventually wear off as stated in Deathly Hallows.
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Incarcerous
Ties someone or something up with ropes.
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(Jelly-Legs Jinx)
A jinx that renders its victim’s legs temporarily useless, leaving him/her to wobble around helplessly until the effect wears off.
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(Obliteration Charm)
Removes things not wished to be seen again.
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Quietus
Makes a magically magnified voice return to normal.
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Reducto
Enables the caster to explode solid objects.
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Salvio Hexia
Provides some form of protection against hexes.​
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Sonorus
Magnifies the spell caster’s voice, functioning as a magical megaphone.
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Stupefy
Puts the victim in an unconscious state. Manifests as a jet of red light.
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(Switching Spell)
Causes two objects to be switched for one another.
Fifth Year
Anapneo
Clears the target’s airway, if blocked.​
(Bubble-Head Charm)
Puts a large bubble of air around the head of the user. It is used as a magical equivalent of a scuba set or self-contained breathing apparatus.
Colloportus
Magically locks a door, preventing it from being opened by No-Maj means.
(Conjunctivitis Curse)
A curse that causes great pain to the victim’s eyes.
Evanesco
Makes the target vanish.
Expecto Patronum
Conjures an incarnation of the caster’s innermost positive feelings, such as joy or hope, known as a Patronus. A Patronus is conjured as a protector, and is a weapon rather than a predator of souls: Patronuses shield their conjurors from Dementors or Lethifolds, and can even drive them away, the Charm is the only known defensive spell against Lethifolds.
Glisseo
Causes the steps on a stairway to flatten and form a ramp or slide.
(Jelly-Fingers Curse)
Causes the target’s fingers to become almost jelly-like to make it impossible for the victim to grasp objects. If the opponent touches a wall, he/she will be stuck to it forever.
Mobiliarbus
Lifts a tree a few inches off the ground and levitates it to where the caster points his or her wand.
Mobilicorpus
Lifts a body a few inches off the ground and levitates it where the caster points his or her wand.
Oppugno
Causes conjured objects to attack.
(Protean Charm)
Causes copies of an object to be remotely affected by changes made to the original.
Relashio
A charm used to force someone or something to release that which it holds or grapples using shooting fiery sparks out or, underwater, shooting hot bursts of water.
Rennervate
Brings someone out of unconsciousness. Notes: Counterspell to Stupefy; when this spell is cast, red light is emitted.
Silencio
Silences something immediately.
Sixth Year
Aguamenti
Produces a jet of water from the caster’s wand.
Confundo
Causes the victim to become confused, befuddled, overly forgetful and prone to follow simple orders without thinking about them.
Defodio
Can carve or dig out materials, such as stone and steel.
Erecto
Used to erect something.
(Freezing Charm)
Renders target immobile.
Gemino
Creates a duplicate of any object upon which it is cast. As revealed by the goblin Griphook, any copies created are worthless. The duplicate lasts several hours. Magical properties, at least of a Horcrux, are not copied.
(Gripping Charm)
Used to help someone grip something with more effectiveness. This charm is placed upon Quaffles to help Chasers carry the Quaffle while simultaneously holding their brooms.
(Homorphus Charm)
Causes an Animagus or transfigured an object to assume its normal shape.
(Imperturbable Charm)
Makes objects such as doors impenetrable (by everything, including sounds and objects).
(Knee-Reversal Hex)
Causes the victim’s knees to appear on the opposite side of his/her legs.
Langlock
Glues the victim’s tongue to the roof of his/her mouth. Created by Severus Snape.
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Langlock
Glues the victim’s tongue to the roof of his/her mouth. Created by Severus Snape.
Molliare (Cushioning Charm)
Makes the target weightless; therefore, it could be used on an individual to cushion their fall, hence the spell's name. It is primarily used in broomstick manufacturing to make the brooms more comfortable for riders.
Specialis Revelio (Scarpin’s Revelaspell)
Causes an object to show its hidden secrets or magical properties.
(Undetectable Extension Charm)
Causes a container’s capacity to be increased, without changing the object’s external appearance, or its weight noticeably. The container may be carried or used as usual.
Seventh Year
Cave Inimicum
A spell used to strengthen an enclosure from enemies.
Confringo (Blasting Curse)
Causes anything that the spell meets to explode in flames.
Deprimo
A very powerful wind that can loosen and/or soften a variety of things; it can also be used to detach objects.
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Descendo
Makes things sink, or go down. Therefore, it could be used as a specific counter-charm for spells like the Levitation Charm and the Flying Charm. Descendo itself could be countered with the General Counter-Spell, like any other charm and minor Dark spell.
Duro
Makes the object hard.
Expulso
A spell that causes an object to explode. The force of the explosion may depend on the intent of the caster.
(Flagrante Curse)
A curse that causes objects to emit searing heat when touched.
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(Flying Charm)
Cast on broomsticks, and (presumably) magic carpets to make them fly.
(Gemino Curse)
Whenever an object affected by this curse is touched, it duplicates itself into many useless copies to hide the original. To add confusion and eventually fill the surrounding area with copies, the copies also duplicate.
Homenum Revelio
Reveals humans near the caster.
Levicorpus (Usually Nonverbal)
The victim is dangled upside-down by one of his/her ankles, sometimes accompanied by a flash of white light. Created by Severus Snape. Its counter curse is Liberacorpus.
Liberacorpus (Nonverbal)
The counterspell to Levicorpus. Created by Severus Snape.
Obliviate (Memory Charm)
Used to hide a memory of a particular event. ​
Specialized Spells
Indecipulum
A defensive spell allowing adequate time for the caster to flee. An undetectable trap that, when triggered, elicits two invisible jaws to snap shut around a target's leg. While causing no permanent physical harm, the target is unable to escape the snare for precisely five minutes.
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Additional Spells
(Age Line)
Creates a thin, shimmering line that can only be passed by people of a set age. Aging potions are useless against age lines. Incantation unknown.
(Anti-Cheating Spell)
Cast on parchment or quills to prevent the writer from cheating whilst writing answers.
(Anti-Disapparition Jinx)
Used to prevent Disapparition and/or Apparition in an area for a period. Presumably can be used to prevent an enemy from entering a defended area, or used to trap an enemy in an area.
Avada Kedavra (Killing Curse)
Causes instant, painless death to whomever the curse hits. There is no countercurse or method of blocking this spell; however, if someone sacrifices their life for someone else, the person who was saved will not encounter any adverse effects of any curses by the specific attacker. One of the three Unforgivable Curses.
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(Babbling Curse)
This spell is presumed to cause a person to babble whenever they try to speak.
(Bedazzling Hex)
Similar to a Disillusionment Charm, it can be used to conceal a person or an object. Is also used to make invisibility cloaks.
(Caterwauling Charm)
Anyone entering the perimeter of a Caterwauling Charm sets off a high-pitched shriek.
Crucio (Cruciatus Curse)
Inflicts unbearable pain on the recipient of the curse. One of the three Unforgivable Curses.
Deletrius
Removes or dismisses the effect of Prior Incantato.
(Disillusionment Charm)
Causes the target to become invisible, or close to it.
(Entrail-Expelling Curse)
Presumably causes the entrails (i.e. intestines) to be ejected from the body.
(Fidelius Charm)
A charm involving secret information hidden within the soul of a Secret-Keeper. This information is irretrievable until the Secret-Keeper chooses to reveal it; those who have the secret revealed to them cannot reveal it to others.
(Fiendfyre Curse)
Dangerous, hard to control and extremely powerful cursed fire which can take the form of beasts such as serpents, Chimeras, and dragons.
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(Horton-Keitch Braking Charm)
This spell was first used on the Comet 140 to prevent players from overshooting the goal posts and from flying off-sides.
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(Hover Charm)
An object is levitated off the ground and moved according to the caster. See Locomotor, Mobiliarbus and Wingardium Leviosa.
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(Hurling Hex)
Causes brooms to vibrate violently in the air and try to buck their rider off.
Imperio
being controlled by this curse is described as a complete, wonderful release from any sense of responsibility or worry over one’s actions, at the price of one’s free will. One of the three Unforgivable Curses.
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(Intruder Charm)
Detects intruders and sounds an alarm.
Legilimens
Allows the caster to delve into the mind of the victim, allowing the caster to see the memories, thoughts, and emotions of the victim.
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Meteolojinx Recanto
Causes weather effects caused by incantations to cease.
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Morsmordre (Dark Mark)
Conjures the Dark Mark, Voldemort’s mark. It is often used to mark deaths, or cause terror.
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Orchideous
Makes a bouquet of flowers appear out of the caster’s wand.
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(Permanent Sticking Charm)
Makes objects permanently stay in place.
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Peskipiksi Pesternomi
The one time it was uttered, it had absolutely no effect.
Piertotum Locomotor
A spell used to animate statues and suits of armor to do the caster’s bidding.
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(Placement Charm)
A spell that places an object in or on a specific location without the wizard or witch having to do it physically. Placement Charms can be used to place a bridle on a Kelpie to render it harmless and docile.
Portus
Turns an object into a portkey. The object glows an odd blue color to show it has been transformed into a portkey, then goes solid again.
Prior Incantato
Causes the echo (a shadow or image) of the last spell cast by a wand to emanate from it.
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Protego Horribilis
Provides some form of protection against Dark Magic.
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Protego Totalum
Provides protection of some form for an area or dwelling.
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(Refilling Charm)
Refills whatever at which the caster points with the drink originally in the container.
(Repelling Charm)
Pushes a moving object away from an invisible barrier.
Repello No-Majetum
Keeps No-Maj away from wizarding places by causing them to remember important meetings they missed and to cause the No-Maj in question to forget what they were doing in the first place.
Sectumsempra
Violently wounds the target; described as being as though the subject had been “slashed by a sword”. Created by Severus Snape.
(Stealth Sensoring Spell)
Detects those under magical disguise.
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(Supersensory Charm)
A self-inflicted charm (as in the caster uses it upon themselves). It is used to give the caster enhanced senses.
(Taboo)
A jinx which may be placed upon a word or a name, so that whenever that word is spoken, a magical disturbance is created that alerts the caster of the Taboo to the location of the speaker. Any protective enchantments in effect around the speaker are broken when the Tabooed word is spoken aloud.
(Tongue-Tying Curse)
A curse that prevents certain information from being revealed by the individual upon whom the spell is placed. The curse manifests itself by causing the tongue to temporarily curl back upon itself.
(Transmogrifian Torture)
A curse that which presumably tortured it victims to death over time. It is different from the Cruciatus Curse in that it can kill.
(Unbreakable Vow)
Causes a vow taken by a witch or wizard to be inviolable; if he or she should break it, the consequence is death. It manifests itself as interlinking chains of fire binding the clasped hands of the people taking the Vow; the fire shoots out like a tongue of flame from the wand of the Binder (a witness to the Vow) every time the person who takes the vow makes a promise. The flames then form into the linking chains. According to Ron Weasley, the spell causes death to anyone who breaks the vow.
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Waddiwasi
Appears to launch small objects through the air.