- "...Harry had long since learned that bangs and smoke were more often the marks of ineptitude than expertise."
- — Harry Potter reflecting on the signs of competent wizardry[src]
Bangs-and-smells magic was the common term for magic that was garish but not necessarily effective.[1] When the use of magic resulted in these lurid after-effects (such as loud bangs, bright flashes, smoke, or odours), they were often seen as mark of incompetent spellwork.[1][2]
In the opinion of Garrick Ollivander, wands made from acacia were not suited to this sort of magic, instead being better matched with wizards who utilise more subtlety in their spells.[1]
During his first year at Hogwarts, Seamus Finnigan was notable for often evoking of this type of magic.[3][4] However, during his later years at Hogwarts, he further refined his penchant for the combustible, becoming proficient in pyrotechnics.[5]
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (First mentioned)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Pottermore (First identified as Bangs-and-smells magic)
- Wizarding World
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Wand Woods" at Wizarding World
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 26 (The Cave)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 10 (Hallowe'en)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film) - Chapter 14 (Potions and Parcels)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2