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"The "Dancing Feet" spell has its origins in ancient Italy, but is best remembered for its improper usage by Warlock Zaccaria Innocenti who is credited with conjuring a 'dance' within Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD."
— Description[2]

The Dancing Feet Spell (Tarantallegra) is a charm[3] used to force another person's legs to begin dancing uncontrollably. The spell requires a clear, unobstructed view of the target to be successfully cast.[2]

History

This spell has its origins in Italy but is best remembered for its improper usage by warlock Zaccaria Innocenti who is credited with conjuring a 'dance' within Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.[2] It is mainly used to make a victim do something hilarious, but it can be also be used in duelling. Draco Malfoy cast this spell on Harry Potter in 1992 at the first meeting of the Duelling Club. Antonin Dolohov used it against Neville Longbottom during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. It is possible this is the spell used to make a pineapple dance across the classroom in the first year charms exam.

Etymology

The Tarantella is a dance originating in Italy. It was believed to cure the effects of the bite of a Tarantula by causing the victim to sweat out the toxin. It wasn't until centuries later that scientists determined the Black Widow was actually the venomous spider in question; people merely blamed the Tarantula because of its size.[4] Allegra may be derived from allegro, a musical tempo meaning "quick and lively"; or simply from the word "leg" as this is the only body part affected by the jinx.

Behind the scenes

Appearances

Notes and references

The Standard Book of Spells
Book of Spells 1
Grade 1 · Grade 2 · Grade 3 · Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6 · Grade 7
Charms included in the series: Dancing Feet Spell (Tarantallegra) · Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus) · Engorgement Charm (Engorgio) · Fire-Making Spell (Incendio) · Freezing Charm (Immobulus) · General Counter-Spell (Finite Incantatem) · Levitation Charm (Wingardium Leviosa) · Locking Spell (Colloportus) · Memory Charm (Obliviate) · Mending Charm (Reparo) · Nonverbal spell · Severing Charm (Diffindo) · Skurge Charm (Skurge) · Softening Charm (Spongify) · Substantive Charm · Summoning Charm (Accio) · Tickling Charm (Rictusempra) · Unlocking Charm (Alohomora) · Wand-Lighting Charm (Lumos)
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