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"I was going to suggest a Conjunctivitus Curse, as a dragon's eyes are its weakest point — "
Sirius Black on the weaknesses of dragons[src]

The Conjunctivitis Curse (incantation unknown) was a curse that irritated the target's eyes, forcing them to swell shut. Dragons were notably susceptible to this curse, because while their hide made them resistant to most spells, their eyes remained vulnerable.[1] The Oculus Potion was able to counteract this curse.[5]

A variation of this curse existed which was purple in colour that completely blinded the target, which could also not be counteracted with the Oculus Potion.[6]

History[]

During the 1988–1989 school year Patricia Rakepick taught this curse to Jacob's sibling and several of their friends to use against the Hungarian Horntail dragon guarding the Buried Vault.[2] Rakepick had previously entered the vault and fought the dragon, but she and her companions were unable to overcome it at that time. Jacob's sibling successfully cast the curse, giving the student an advantage in the subsequent duel with the creature.[3]

In 1994, while talking to Harry Potter through the Gryffindor common room fireplace, Sirius Black intended to suggest the use of this curse against the dragon Harry would be facing during the Triwizard Tournament,[7] but was interrupted by Ron Weasley coming down the stairs because he heard voices.[8]

Viktor Krum had the same idea and used this tactic in the tournament against the Chinese Fireball he faced during the same task. He was successful at retrieving the tournament's Golden egg but lost points as the blinded dragon thrashed around and crushed several of the real eggs it was protecting.[1]

Known uses[]

Caster(s) Date Notes
Jacob's sibling 1988–1989 school year Were taught this spell by Patricia Rakepick in order to prepare to face a dragon in the fourth Cursed Vault.[2]
William Weasley
Merula Snyde
Jacob's sibling Used it on the Hungarian Horntail in the Buried Vault to thwart its attacks.[3]
Brennan Doyle 1989–1990 school year Used on Andre Egwu in order to prevent him from playing in the next Quidditch match so Brennan could play instead.[9]
Verucca Buckthorn-Snyde 1990–1991 school year She cast a variation of this curse at Peregrine in Knockturn Alley, but his son Jacob intercepted it to protect his dad. The curse completely blinded Jacob.[4]
Conjunctivitis Curse HM754
Viktor Krum 24 November 1994 Used on the Chinese Fireball dragon he faced during the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament. However, because the dragon could not see, she crushed some of her eggs that she was protecting, which lost Krum points.[1]
Olympe Maxime June 1995November 1995 Used to force Golgomath's companions to drop Rubeus Hagrid when the giants became hostile towards them, during their Mission to the Giant colony.[10]

Known practitioners[]

Etymology[]

"Conjunctivitis" is the technical term for "pink eye", which alludes to its effects of irritating the eye and causing it to shut.[11]

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 20 (The First Task)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 27 (A New Danger)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 30 (Into the Vault)
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 54 (Best-Laid Plans)
  5. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
  6. 6.0 6.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 55 (The Broken Path)
  7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 23 (The Yule Ball)
  8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 19 (The Hungarian Horntail)
  9. 9.0 9.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Side Quest "Poor Sport"
  10. 10.0 10.1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 20 (Hagrid's Tale)
  11. WP favicon Conjunctivitis on Wikipedia
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