Written by: An Optimistic Badger
This isn’t the first time that someone, or something, has tried to take over or even destroy the school. We are still here, and Hogwarts stands. That is what we must remember in times like this. We have gotten through hard times before. We will get through them again. We are not alone. That is what needs to be remembered most.
“When you can’t run, you crawl. And when you can’t crawl, when you can’t do that…
… you find someone to carry you.”
- Joss Whedon (Muggle)
Just because someone can’t do magic at the level of the professors or the 7th years doesn’t mean they aren’t important and valued. Do what you know you can when you can and know when to ask for help; there is no shame in asking for help when you need it, it actually takes great strength.
“Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.”
- Albus Dumbledore (Headmaster 1971-1997)
Here is a list of what can be helpful, starting with the most difficult, simple solutions are usually best though. It’s better to do something you know you can do and have practiced than to use a spell you are still learning when it matters the most. Even though some can cast non verbal spells, they are more likely to go well verbally if they are difficult. There are also many things that can be done with first year spells or no magic at all.
Generally useful spells:
Putting out fires?
A useful sixth year transfiguration is aguamenti, it conjures a jet of water from the tip of a wand. Amount and pressure varies on the caster.
Another sixth year spell is the extinguishing Spell – extinguo.
Third years can’t put out fires, but they can use the Flame-Freezing Charm, flamma frigus!
If a fire is small, a water bottle can be used to put it out. The 6th years can help by using Refilling charm (Subplementum) to keep the bottle from emptying completely.
Falling?
The Cushioning Charm – molliare – does what it says on the tin.
Unsafe stairs? Ascendio lifts the caster high into the air and descendo causes any target object to move downwards.
Noise?
Muffliato is the fourth year spell used on the earmuffs that are used to block out mandrake screaming during herbology. This would also block out the sounds of the organ. If you can’t cast it, the green houses have plenty of spare earmuffs, though you might not get your favorite colour!
Need to move things?
Accio can be used if something is dropped in a place where it can’t be reached or it would be unsafe to get it by hand [editor’s note – IT DOES NOT WORK THROUGH WALLS! Try switching instead!]
Locomotor and wingardium leviosa can help too if you’re not as adept at accio.
Dark?
Lumos, Lumos Maxima and Lumos solem! Nox us used to counter all of these.
Two of the most useful spells I know are actually first year transfigurations. The small object change spell, Parillis Verto, turns small objects into similar small objects. If you don’t have anything around, you can use Orchideous. It’s a first year transfiguration that creates a bouquet of flowers. Some may laugh, but it gets you a decent pile of things to transfigure into something more useful when you don’t have anything to work with. Engorgio, a 2nd year spell, can be used after to make these objects much larger. A flower could be turned into a palm sized chair and then a full sized one for example.
Hurt?
Rennervate (6th year) awakens the target, though sometimes it might be best to leave that to the healers and use Mobilicorpus (5th year).
There is always moving them physically as well. (Keep in mind that you need to weigh whether this will do more harm than good. If they are in danger, it’s best to move them. You do risk injuring them more if they are unconscious.) This is where having more than one person would come in handy. Even if you can move someone by yourself, it’s likely to be tiring.
Episkey (7th) heals relatively minor injuries such as broken nose, toes, and fingers.
Ferula (6th) can bandage and splint broken bones.
If you can’t do either of those, and even if you can, you can always carry bandages in your bag. Healers often don’t mind people asking politely for bandages to keep around just in case.
Protect yourself!
Protego, protego maxima, and protego horribilis creates shields of varying strength
Ebublio (6th) puts someone in a very large bubble that cannot be popped by physical force. It’s a way to protect others who are in sight but too far for a shield.
It’s hard to hit what you can’t see so you could try a smoke screen with fumos. There is also the obvious solution of getting behind something solid, like a wall or statue if possible.
Communication:
The Patronus Charm is the one most have heard about, but even some adults are incapable of casting it because it requires the caster to think of an incredibly specific and happy memory but nothing else. It can be used to send a message in the shape of a bright-white, translucent animal.
Some 3rd year spells that can be used to call for help, if nearby enough, is the Amplifying Charm, Sonorus, to magnify the caster’s voice when the wand’s tip is pointing to the side of the caster’s neck. Keep in mind that an older year who can do non verbal magic but is unable to speak can do this on a younger year to have them call for help
There are two spells for 2nd years to get attention with both light and sound. Periculum creates red flares, and Violacus shoots purple firecrackers in the air. There are also the 1st year spells.
Creo Igniculus makes red sparks, and Verdimillious shoots green sparks, which can be used to reveal hidden dark objects that are invisible.
Wand Writing, Flagrate (2nd year), is good for most.
The best solution is to write it down with quill and ink.
There is also something called British Sign Language, BSL, which uses hand shapes to mean words and letters.
Remember; there’s often more than one solution to the same situation.
We are a family here at Hogwarts, and we need to protect each other. Not everyone can do everything on their own.
Alone we are strong, but together we are stronger.
Even first years or those without magic due to losing their voice can still do something.
We still have hope as long as we stick together. Travel with friends, make new friends so you don’t end up anywhere alone. There is still hope, and we will get through this, together.
