By Essa Nazari and Michel St. Jours
With everything that has been occurring in Hogwarts the past couple of months, it has come to our attention here at the Owl Post, once again, that some basic self defense charms would come in handy for our readers. A lot of these spells, Michel or myself suggested when we were facing the vampires and other such creatures back in October so this list is a bit of a repeat. However, some suggestions have been removed because they would do nothing but anger a werewolf or a dark wizard further, which is never a good thing. Most of these ideas are to offer suggestions of how to protect yourself from the attacker so we’re going to break these down by year to make it easier and hopefully provide some amount of safety in the castle–at least until everything can calm back down again. So besides practical advice such as traveling in groups (safety comes in larger numbers) and avoiding some crazy wolf-person here are a few suggestions. Please allow me to say this right now. Do not try to fight a werewolf or a dark wizard. It is not good for your health. Use these spells to get away or to get help.
First years, the youngest of the castle, however, despite all this you do have some rather useful spells to make use of. All you are trying to do, is to get away. DO NOT try to fight a werewolf!
- Alohomora and Colloportus (the unlocking and locking spell for those who are still trying to remember what each name means) that will come in handy if you need to make a quick escape. [Professor note: does not work on the castle gates and outside doors; sorry guys!]
- Red sparks and Green sparks spells which will work if you are outside and are in need of some help (and remember help will always come for those who ask for it here at Hogwarts.)
- Other spells that are handy from the first year include the full body-bind curse (petrificus totalus), leg-locker curse (locomotor mortis), and my personal favorite, the knock-back jinx (flipendo).
Second years, you are no longer the babies of the castle! Congratulations! However, you still have a long way to go. Here is the tips of spells that you have or will learn this year. DO NOT try to fight a werewolf!
- Work on perfecting the later first year spells
- The trip jinx, Immobulus, and Everte Statum (only use this if your life is in danger! It hurts! Trust me!) will be useful for trying to buy some extra time.
- Also, we can’t forget the favorite spell of everyone. Expelliarmus. This spell will disarm someone if they are coming at you with a weapon. Unfortunately, this is one of the last spells that you’ll learn in the second year so it will be fairly unpredictable for you.
Third years, luckily being a bit older you have a fair few useful spells to get you out of any tough spots. DO NOT try to fight a werewolf!
- If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, the Amplifying Charm, Sonorus, can help you alert others in the castle of the danger and help professors come help you sooner. Not to mention it may help scare off any attackers.
- Ebublio Jinx will also be useful because you can use it to entrap your attacker. This will bubble is unpoppable with a physical force. This will not only prevent them from attacking you but will buy you time to get away. (Not to mention it is rather fun to watch the person be floating around in…)
- Alarte Ascendare can help launch an attacking creature into the air, allowing you time to escape if you aren’t experienced enough to defeat it.
- Ventus is a good jinx for putting space between yourself and your attacker, conjuring a forceful gust of wind to send them flying back away from you.
Fourth years, there are a lot of spells that can be used in a defensive manner and these should help you get out of a tight spot. DO NOT try to fight a werewolf!
- Ascendio and descendo both will be handy. Ascendio lifts the caster up into the air and away from danger. While descendo will lower the target away from you.
- Salvio Hexia is our first real defensive spell, unfortunately it is at the end of the year so try it at your own risk. It acts like a shield from what I understand.
- Considering the toothy nature of our attacker I would suggest using a good Switching Spell (Verum Permuto) to swap any nasty teeth with some tasty wine gums.
Fifth year is a very good level for self-defence; this year you will learn tons of helpful spells to assist you if attacked, such as: DO NOT try to fight a werewolf!
- Levicorpus. Use this spell to dangle your attacker in the air by their ankles. Funny and effective.
- Mobilicorpus. This is more for the aftermath rather than for self-defence. You can use this spell to levitate unconscious or incapacitated victims to the Hospital Wing quickly and easily.
- The Jelly-Legs Jinx (Locomotor Wibbly) will rather comically make your attackers legs as useful as a chocolate teapot, making them wobble around like jelly.
- Conjunctivitis. This is a curse so I do not put it here lightly; if you are attacked by creatures who possess a magical ability to resist spells, for instance dragons with their almost impenetrable hides, this curse will cause immense damning pain to the eyes which often are the most vulnerable place to hit a creature.
- Stunners will be your new best friend when you are in danger. A quick casting of Stupefy will stun your attacker and hopefully put them out of action for a long while. If your aim is a bit off and someone else is caught in the line of fire, Rennervate is a useful counterspell for sixth years.
- Impedimenta is great for chases and fleeing from an attack as it can slow down your attacker for about ten seconds, allowing you a head start.
- Shield Charms such as Protego are optimal for defending an assault of hexes, jinxes, and curses, however many do not realise they can create a physical barrier between yourself and an attacker. How long they last can depend on your intent and your experience however I would suggest presuming the shield will not last and start making a run for it once you have cast.
Sixth year students also have a wealth of more advanced defensive spells. DO NOT try to fight a werewolf!
- The Reductor Curse (Reducto) can be helpful in causing destruction to either maim, injure, or distract your attacker so you can escape.
- Expulso will do as above but with a lot more destruction, creating an immense explosion.
- The Oppugno Jinx (Oppugno) will send objects flying at your opponent, especially useful if you have some rubble left after trying the Reductor or Expulso Curses.
- Confundo can befuddle and distract your attacker so you can attempt to escape.
- If an attack is ongoing you can use Protego Totalum to set up a safe, shielded area for those less capable of defending themselves to stay until the attacker is neutralised.
- Ossio Dispersiums, while unpleasant, is practical if cast upon the attacker’s leg as it will leave them immobilised with only one working leg.
Seventh years will find the following advance spells quite helpful in a dangerous situation. DO NOT try to fight a werewolf!
- Muggle-Borns will like the Shooting Spell (Jaculor) as it has an effect rather like that of a “BB gun”. Non-fatal but still pretty painful.
- Keep practicing your Patronus Charms I hear that they can be useful for sending for help in addition to defense…I think? Not to mention, it would be nice to concentrate on some happy memories.
- Protego Maxima will create an almost impenetrable barrier; use this if you find yourself defending many younger years as it would be best to get them out of harm’s way as quickly as possible.
Remember the goal with these spells two part. First, to get you, our dear readers, to safety. And secondly, to get help. Always remember that a former headmaster once said, “Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.”
About the author
Persephone Vitrac is a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She is currently a 5th Year Slytherin, Quidditch Captain, Prefect and Editor of the Owl Post.
