Frequently Used Magic Spells in Harry Potter

There are plenty of duels and fights among wizards in Harry Potter. In addition to pointing and waving the wand correctly, saying the magic spells is also crucial to successful spellcasting. Unlike the villains who always use the Unforgivable Curses, such as Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) and Cruciatus Curse (Crucio), most wizards usually choose the following harmless but useful spells in duels.

Expelliarmus

Expelliarmus is the Disarming Charm that is the most frequently-used charm in the book series. It can force whatever your opponent is holding (usually a wand) to fly from their hand to yours and obey you.

Stupefy

Stupefy is for the Stunning Spell, which literally will stun humans or animals. It can also be used to halt moving objects such as falling rocks. This spell, which hurls a bolt of red light, needs a precise aim and can be defended against with the Shield Charm.

Petrificus Totalus

The Full Body-Bind Curse, also known as the Body Freezing Spell, can temporarily paralysed the opponent without injury. When Hermione used it to immobilise Neville Longbottom, his limbs were stiffen, he could not be able to move or talk. Only his eyes were free to roll.

Impedimento

This is the Impediment Jinx that can temporarily hinder the movement of your opponent (human or creature), slowing him/her/it down or stop for seconds. It is ineffective against armoured targets.

Wingardium Leviosa

When wizards want to make objects fly or levitate, they need to point their wands to the objects and cast the Levitation Charm. Swish and flick the wands while saying Wingardium Leviosa loud and clear.

Obliviate

Obliviate is incantation for the Memory Charm, which is used to erase specific memories from a person's mind. Gilderoy Lockhart utilised this charm on those who actually performed heroic feats, then shamelessly took their credits.

Expecto Patronum

If you met with Dementors, it's indispensable to cast the Patronus Charm to defend yourself against those creepy creatures. You must fully concentrate on your happiest memory, then a Patronus will be successfully evoked.

Relashio

The incantation Relashio is for the Revulsion Jinx that can force the target to release its grip on something, or repel objects with the force of another object. It also works on inanimate targets such as using it to untie ropes or chains.

Lumos

The spell comes from the Latin word lumen, which means "light". It can illuminate the tip of the caster's wand in the darkness. The wand would light up even if the caster did not hold his wands in hands.

Incarcerous

The Incarcerous Spell will conjure ropes or cords then bound whatever the wand of caster is pointing at. The incantation "incarcerous" most likely derives from the Latin word "incarcerus".

Protego

Using this Shield Charm (Protego) can create an invisible shield that reflects spells and blocks objects. An exceedingly powerful Shield Charm is even able to bounce off your opponent. However, this shield can't block Unforgivable Curses.

Accio

In the book series, a wizard can use the Summoning Charm to summon an object towards him by calling its name aloud after the incantation “Accio”. For example, Harry successfully summoned his broomstick Firebolt from his dormitory to the arena, which was a long distance.

Alohomora

Alohomora is the Unlocking Charm, which can unlock doors, boxes, windows and so on. However, there are rooms in the Department of Mysteries of the Ministry of Magic that this spell cannot open.