Charm

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This article is about the type of spell. You may be looking for the Hogwarts subject.

Snape with Hagrid's hut burning HBP — Severus Snape using a defensive spell against Harry Potter

A charm is one of the seven known spell types. Charms are distinguished from transfigurations (the two of the six spell types) in that a charm adds or changes properties of an object, it focuses on altering what the object does as opposed to what the object is^[1]. For example, the Colour Change Charm causes something to flash different colours; the Levitation or Hover Charm causes an object to levitate; the Cheering Charm improves upon a creature's mood. An object that has a lasting charm placed on it is called bewitched, though charms in general appear to last longer than other spells.

Accio — Harry Potter using the Summoning Charm.

Charms can be some of the most powerful and game-changing spells in existence. The Fidelius Charm, for example, can completely hide a person or a place in such a way that no one can find them unless they are given the location by a Secret Keeper. Memory Charms can be so strong that they completely remove a person's memory or even damage his or her mind permanently. A large number Curses, jinxes, hexes and healing spells resemble types of charms.