[PoACh.6] Supporters of the subject claim that it is an inexact science that requires innate gifts such as the "Inner Eye". The counter-skill to Legilimency is Occlumency (and its user, known as an Occlumens), by which one can compartmentalize one's emotions, or prevent a Legilimens from discovering thoughts or memories which contradict one's spoken words or actions. However, Rowling has revealed that particularly talented wizards can cast spells without the aid of wand, although magic produced with one is generally more precise and powerful. In the opening chapter of the final book, Voldemort murders Professor Charity Burbage because she portrays Muggles in a positive light and is opposed to limiting wizardry to only people of pure-blood origins. The Dark Mark is the symbol of Voldemort and the Death Eaters and takes the form of a skull with a snake coming out of the mouth in place of a tongue. The magic of Harry Potter became the subject of a 2017 British Library exhibition and accompanying documentary. In Philosopher's Stone, she leaves her portrait in the middle of the night, locking Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville out of Gryffindor Tower, forcing them to run across the school. Tonks is known to change her hair colour and style according to her mood. The Astronomy Tower is also one of the three tallest towers in the Hogwarts grounds, as mentioned in The Deathly Hallows. Before publishing the first Harry Potter novel, Rowling spent five years establishing the limitations of magicdetermining what it could and could not do. [21] Transfiguration is a theory-based subject, including topics such as "Switching Spells" (altering only a part of some object, such as when Hagrid gave Dudley a pig tail); Vanishing Spells (causing an object to completely disappear);[OotPCh.13] and Conjuring Spells (creating objects out of thin air). )[HP3] Another example is the Cruciatus Curse, which causes immense pain; as Harry discovers during a duel with Bellatrix Lestrange, effective use of this forbidden dark magic requires sadistic desires. [OotPCh.13] It is possible to change inanimate objects into animate ones and vice versa Minerva McGonagall, the class's teacher, transfigures her desk into a pig and back in Philosopher's Stone. The Dark Arts are magical spells and practices that are usually used for malicious purposes. [OotPCh.18] Many of the exposition sequences in the books are set in Charms classes, which are on the second floor of Hogwarts. The Patronus charm, for example, requires the caster to concentrate on a happy memory. This would reveal that she had accidentally broken his holly-and-phoenix-feather wand when a curse misfired and they both narrowly escaped Voldemort earlier. Luckily for them, when they return, she has returned to her portrait, allowing them to escape into Gryffindor Tower. In the Hall of Prophecy at the Department of Mysteries, thousands upon thousands of glass spheres are imbued with records of prophecies made by Seers. Following Voldemort's ultimate defeat, the Dark Marks on his Death Eaters fade into a scar "similar" to Harry's. The only flying lesson depicted in the Harry Potter series is in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; the class is never mentioned in following installments; and is not a part of the O.W.L. Harry and Hermione both pick up the skill quickly in comparison. When using another's wand, one's spells are not as strong as they normally would be.[HP1]. The type of spells characteristic of Dark Arts are known as curses,[36] which usually cause harm to the target. Apparition is an optional class for those in the sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts in preparation for obtaining their license to apparate, or disappear and reappear instantly in another location. [4] For example, Harry Potter once made his hair grow back after a bad haircut, set a boa constrictor on his cousin Dudley at the London Zoo, and made Aunt Marge inflate to an enormous size. The talent cannot be learnt; a witch or wizard must be born with it. Several magical spells require the use of certain emotions when casting them. Dumbledore states in Half-Blood Prince that it would be "quite as rude as kicking down the front door".

As Bellatrix herself comments, righteous anger does not allow the spell to work for long. Various methods are described, including tea leaves, fire omens, crystal balls, palmistry, cartomancy (including the reading of conventional playing cards and the tarot), astrology, and dream interpretations. Charms is the class that teaches how to develop incantations for the uses of bewitchment. This special technique is taught in the sixth year of study at Hogwarts and requires the caster to concentrate on the incantation. [19] In Deathly Hallows, Harry finally masters Occlumencyshutting his mind to Voldemortwhen Dobby dies. When Harry later confirms Dumbledore's death, she lets out a sob and, for the only time in the series, she opens without the password for Harry in her grief. Another example is Merope Gaunt, who only demonstrated any magical ability when removed from her father's oppression, but then lost it again when her husband abandoned her. She can also change her nose appearance, as she does when eating with the Weasley family to entertain Ginny and Hermione. He realises that his griefor as Dumbledore calls it, loveis what can block out the Dark Lord. Yes, I do believe you go on. The tips of the two wands will connect, forming a thick golden "thread" of energy, and the two wands' masters fight a battle of wills. The subject is taught by Professor Septima Vector. Although offensive and potentially dangerous curses exist in number, three are considered usable only for great evil, which earns them the special classification of "Unforgivable Curses". Animagi have full control over their transformations and retain their minds, whereas werewolves' transformations are involuntary and include severe changes in personality. Being magical can contribute to one's longevity, as there are several characters in the series who are unusually long-lived (such as Griselda Marchbanks, who was an invigilator during Albus Dumbledore's O.W.L examinations). Dumbledore also once stated that this post is cursed. They advise the Headmaster and are "honour-bound to give service to the present headmaster" (according to Armando Dippet). However, her lessons (which are made compulsory) mainly describe Muggles and Muggle-borns as subhuman and worthy of persecution. Following that, further dark rituals are required in order to remove the soul shard from the maker and place it into the prepared object. While this reaction is usually uncontrollable, as an untrained child, Tom Marvolo Riddle was able to make things move without touching them, make animals do what he wanted without training them, make "bad things happen" to people who annoyed him, or make them hurt if he wanted to. This is the only class at Hogwarts that is taught by a ghost, as the professor never noticed he had died and simply continued teaching as if nothing had changed. (Shortly after his resurrection, Voldemort names two Death Eaters "killed by Aurors". Voldemort, Snape, and Dumbledore are all skilled in Legilimency and Occlumency, albeit with the use of their wands. It also allows one to convey visions or memories to another person, whether real or imaginary. The portrait of the Fat Lady covers the door to Gryffindor Tower. It appears that they do have some knowledge of current events, as in Order of the Phoenix, the family photograph on Arthur's desk shows everyone except Percy "who appeared to have walked out of it". There are numerous examples in the series of food appearing to have been conjured from nothing, such as the sudden materialization of ingredients in the pots of Molly Weasley's kitchen and when Professor McGonagall creates a self-refilling plate of sandwiches for Harry and Ron in Chamber of Secrets. An example of this is Phineas Nigellus Black (Sirius Black's great-great-grandfather), who has a painting in the Headmaster's office to offer advice to the current headmaster and another one at 12 Grimmauld Place. Some portraits are used to conceal the entrance of a room or passageway. A witch or wizard must be 17 years old or older and have a licence to Apparate as a means of transportation in much the same way real-world governments require individuals to have a licence to drive a motor vehicle. She is often upset after being awoken, and is sometimes seen drunk with her best friend, Violet. The mark is cast into the sky by Death Eaters whenever they have murdered someone. [21] Charms classes are described as notoriously noisy and chaotic, as the lessons are largely practical. "Disapparate" probably comes from the same word but with the prefix "dis-" expressing negation or reversal. As a result, the protection of the shared cores was lost and, worse still, this would now be made known to Voldemort. "[HP5] Lily's voluntary sacrifice on Harry's behalf saves him from Voldemort as a baby, and Harry makes a similar sacrifice to save his friends at the end of Deathly Hallows. Rowling has stated that Apparating over long distances depends on the skill of the wizard, and "Cross-continental Apparition would almost certainly result in severe injury or death. For instance, in Half-Blood Prince, a heartbroken Nymphadora Tonks temporarily loses her power as a Metamorphmagus when Remus Lupin starts distancing himself from her. A witch or wizard possessing this skill is called a Legilimens, and can, for example, detect lies and deceit in another person, witness memories in another person's past, or "plant" false visions in another's mind. Flying is the class that teaches the use of broomsticks made for the use of flying and is taught only to Hogwarts first years by Rolanda Hooch. In Harry's first two years, the class is taken by Professor Silvanus Kettleburn who then retires "in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs". Snape was finally appointed D.A.D.A. In Latin, the word inferus (plural: inferi) means "below", often referring in the plural to "the gods below" (see di inferi) or the spirits of the dead. It is revealed by Nearly Headless Nick in the fifth book that all witches and wizards have the choice of becoming ghosts upon dying; however, it is described as "a pale imitation of life". They are only lectures, given without pause, about significant events in wizarding history. It is usually accompanied by a loud cracking or popping sound, though the more skilled wizards such as Dumbledore can Apparate "so suddenly and silently" that they seem to have "popped out of the ground". Unlike wizards, these creatures are not restricted by anti-Apparition magic. Sybill Trelawney is the only Seer portrayed in the books, and is considered an "old fraud" by her students -- although it is mentioned that Sybill's great-great-grandmother, Cassandra Trelawney, was a renowned Seer in her day. Magical objects are also described. The food is then magically transported to the tables.

In Half-Blood Prince, she gets so annoyed with Harry's late return that she pretends the password has changed and tries to call him back when he heads off to talk to Dumbledore. In Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore suggests that Voldemort cursed the position because his application for it was rejected. The portraits in the Headmaster's office depict all the former Heads of Hogwarts, with the exception of Dolores Umbridge. Rowling based many magical elements of the Harry Potter universe on real-world mythology and magic. [13] In one example, Tonks changes her facial appearance by reshaping her nose into "a beaklike protuberance like Snape's", to "something resembling a button mushroom", and "one like a pig snout" which reminded Harry of his cousin Dudley. Portraits are enchanted to move by the artist, but the degree to which they can interact with others depends on the power of the subject. The concept is first introduced in the sixth novel, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, although horcruxes are present in earlier novels without being described or expanded upon. Splinching is a common mistake in apparition which causes body parts to split. Splinching is quite common during lessons, and can be uncomfortable (and at times rather gruesome) depending on the body parts splinched, but is ultimately harmless if properly reversed. No astronomy lessons are shown in the books, but they are frequently referenced. The Unforgivable Curses are the most powerful known Dark Arts spells. Wizarding photographs of people have similar properties to magical painted portraits: the figures within move about or even sometimes leave the frame. Apparition is a magical form of teleportation, through which a witch or wizard can disappear ("Disapparate") from one location and reappear ("Apparate") in another. Harry temporarily regains the ability in The Cursed Child, along with a pain in the scar. Throughout the books, Snape is repeatedly said to be highly skilled in Occlumency,[18] explaining how he was able to deceive Voldemort for years. It requires the correct mixing and stirring of ingredients at the right times and temperatures. Due to the antagonism between the two, and Harry's secret desire to know Voldemort's thoughts, he makes poor progress, and only once manages to overcome Snape and enter his mind. Other known Parselmouths include Salazar Slytherin and his descendants, including the Gaunts and Voldemort. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, there is a portrait of Ariana Dumbledore in the Room of Requirement that conceals a secret passageway to the Hog's Head. With regard to what is on the other side, she elaborated: "Do I believe you go on? This is most notable in the case of Cruciatus: when cast by Harry, angered by the death of his godfather at Bellatrix's hands and desiring to punish her, it causes a short moment of pain. To destroy the horcrux, the destroyer must destroy it in such a way that it is put beyond magical repair. "[24] Severus Snape's lessons are depicted as unhappy, oppressing times set in a gloomy dungeon in the basement of the castle, whilst Horace Slughorn's, who replaces Snape as Potions Master, are shown as more cheerful and even fun at times. Voldemort is said to be the master of Legilimency by Snape, as he, in almost all cases, immediately knows if someone lied to him. In all other film appearances it has been grey. The small number of humans who are able to perform magic (witches and wizards) refer to the rest of the population, oblivious to the existence of magic, as "Muggles" in the United Kingdom and "No-Maj" in the United States. It is possible to use a wand without holding it. It is first encountered in Goblet of Fire when Barty Crouch Sr.'s house elf Winky is caught holding Harry's wand. The words themselves are most likely derived from the French apparatre and disparatre, meaning 'to appear' and 'to disappear'. According to Dumbledore, love is a "force that is at once more wonderful and more terrible than death, than human intelligence, than forces of nature. Herbology is also the only subject Neville Longbottom excels in and later on also becomes a professor in the same subject. [2] The books present the idea that the Muggle interpretation of these stories is a distorted version of what goes on in the wizarding world. During the final duel between Harry and Voldemort, the latter mentions that he knows that the holly and phoenix wand is destroyed, implying that the Priori Incantatem has indeed been performed on Hermione's wand, as they had feared. [1] Magic is the norm for the children of magical couples and less common in those of Muggles. While the Philosopher's Stone does permit alchemy, this is portrayed as an extremely rare, even unique, object, whose owner does not exploit its powers. Witches and wizards train to learn how to control their magic. [7] Spells can also be cast non-verbally, but with a magical wand. This is the only exception mentioned explicitly in the series. In the wizarding world, use of the Dark Arts is strongly stigmatised and some aspects are illegal; however, these spells are prevalent enough that even before the rise of Voldemort, many schools (including Hogwarts) taught Defence Against the Dark Arts as a standard subject. Only a person mentioned in a prophecy can safely retrieve it; anyone else who tries to do so will be driven insane. Priori Incantatem (from Latin: priorem incantatum a previous spell), or the Reverse Spell Effect, is used to detect the spells cast by a wand. In the Order of the Phoenix film, Death Eaters and Order members Apparate and Disapparate in clouds of black and white smoke respectively. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets explains this was because of Voldemort's passing on some of his abilities to Harry the night he tried to kill him. Known student homework activities include learning the names of stars, constellations and planets, and their location, movements, and environments. Harry was a Parselmouth until the age of 17. The exhibition, entitled Harry Potter: A History of Magic, is the first at the British Library to be inspired by a single series by a living author.[3]. Hagrid suggests in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets that "They're startin' ter think the job's jinxed. [37] In magical dueling, there are any number of spells that may be used to attack, immobilise, or disarm an opponent without causing pain or lasting harm; however, spells such as the Cruciatus Curse or Sectumsempra, judged to be Dark by reliable authorities, wound or seriously distress a victim in some way. While most magic shown in the books requires the caster to use their voice, some do not (and this may depend on the witch or wizard). The predictions given through this ability can sometimes be self-fulfilling prophecies, and Dumbledore states in Order of the Phoenix that not all of them come true, depending on the choices made by those mentioned. At Hogwarts, students must study a core group of subjects for the first two years, after which they must choose between several electives. In Order of the Phoenix, it is mentioned that the study of Arithmancy is required to become a Curse-Breaker for Gringotts. The only need for witches and wizards to learn about Muggle ways and means is to ensure they can blend in with Muggles while needing to do so (for example, at the 1994 Quidditch World Cup). It is often associated with Dark Magic, although Dumbledore stated that it is not necessarily an evil quality. Alchemy is a philosophical tradition searching for the philosopher's stone, which is said to have the power to turn base metals into gold and to contain the elixir of life, which makes or keeps the drinker young and immortal. [HP5], Love (in its broadest meaning) is depicted as a particularly powerful form of magic. Rowling describes one of Harry's Astronomy exams in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. During the period the story takes place, the class is taught by Quirinus Quirrell (book one), Gilderoy Lockhart (book two), Remus Lupin (book three), Bartemius Crouch Jr impersonating Alastor "Mad-eye" Moody (book four), Dolores Umbridge (book five), Severus Snape (book six), and Amycus Carrow (book seven). [5] In addition, Lily Evans was able to guide and control the blooming of a flower by wanting to. Inferi are difficult to harm by magic; however, they can be repelled by fire or any other forms of heat or light, as the Inferi in Voldemort's cave had never been exposed to either of these elements. In the sixth (and presumably seventh) year, Firenze and Professor Trelawney share Divination classes, divided by year. She has described this as "a way of giving texture to the world". According to famed wandmaker Mr. Ollivander, these wands are a little "temperamental". The skills are first mentioned in Order of the Phoenix. The only exception is if a person is proved to have done them under the influence of mind control. A Seer is a witch or wizard with the clairvoyant ability to predict future events. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, it is noted that Ron's pet rat Scabbers (later revealed as Peter Pettigrew's Animagus form) has lived over twelve years when only expected to live three. Those opposed claim that the subject is irrelevant and fraudulent. An example of this is when Harry is able to conjure a corporeal Patronus when Sirius is in danger of being administered the Dementor's Kiss. Dumbledore is the only person who can both Apparate and Disapparate from the school grounds, since he is the headmaster. After the person has transformed into a werewolf "he no longer remembers who he is. Typically casting requires an incantation, most often in a modified form of Latin (see Dog Latin), and gesturing with a wand. Spells are the every-purpose tools of a wizard or witch; short bursts of magic used to accomplish single specialised tasks such as opening locks or creating fire. For this reason, and for reasons of security, many homes have Anti-Apparition spells protecting them from uninvited intrusions. In the seventh book, Gryffindors sword, which is impregnated with Basilisk venom, Basilisk fang and Fiendfyre are the substances used to destroy them. While Muggle-borns are quite common, Squibs are extremely rare. People apparently acquire the skill through learning or via a method of xenoglossia, such as through genetic inheritance or by use of Dark or dangerous magic. For instance, while it is possible to conjure things out of thin air, it is far more tricky to create something that fits an exact specification rather than a general one; moreover, any objects so conjured tend not to last.[8].