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m (Reverted edits by 219.88.192.243 (Talk) to last version by Nick O'Demus)
(JKR has stated in 2007 that it was not Obliviate in the book. Not a contradiction.)
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{{Conjecture}}
 
{{Spell infobox
  
{{Spell infobox
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|name=False memory charm
 
|image=
  
|image=
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|incantation=
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|name=False Memory Charm
  
 
|type=[[Charm]]
  
|type=[[Charm]]
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|incantation=Unknown
  
 
|hand=
  
|hand=
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|light=
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|effect=Implants a false [[memory]]
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|effect=Implants a false memory in the victim
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|}}
  
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|creator = Mnemone Radford c. 1900s (possibly)<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20100205155451/http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/wotm.cfm "Mnemone Radford
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A '''False Memory Charm''' is a [[Spell]] used to implant false memories in an individual’s mind. It is not the same as the [[Memory Charm]] with the incantation "''Obliviate"'', which wipes out a particular memory rather than altering it.<ref>[http://bloghogwarts.com/2007/07/30/chateando-con-jk-rowling/ 30 July 2007 WebChat with J.K. Rowling]</ref> The actual name and incantation for this [[charm]] are unknown. The charm seems to be reversible, as Hermione Granger stated that she would find her parents and lift the enchantment after [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort's]] defeat.<ref name="DH"/> [[Albus Dumbledore]] also managed to extract the true memories under false ones created by [[Tom Riddle]], though he noted the task to be difficult.
  
   
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1562 - 1649
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==History==
  
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Developed Memory Modifying Charms.
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[[Hermione Granger]] used this on her parents in [[1997]] to keep them safe from [[Death Eaters]] during the [[Second Wizarding War]]. The charm made [[Hermione Granger's parents|Mr. and Mrs. Granger]] believe that they were Wendell and Monica Wilkins, and that their lifelong dream was to move to [[Australia]], which they did. They also did not remember that they had a daughter. After the war, Hermione planned to find them and reverse the spell.<ref name="DH">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''</ref>
  
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First Ministry of Magic Obliviator." this potentially means she made this charm, because its plural.</ref>}}
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{{Quote|Then he returned to the [[Gaunt shack|Gaunt hovel]], performed the complex bit of [[magic]] that would implant a false memory in his [[Morfin Gaunt|uncle's]] mind, laid Morfin's wand beside its [[Stunning Spell|unconscious]] owner, pocketed the [[Marvolo Gaunt's ring|ancient ring]] he wore, and departed.|Albus Dumbledore theorises, correctly, that Voldemort used this spell|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
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The '''false memory charm''' (incantation unknown) is a [[spell]] which can be used by a [[Wizardkind|witch or wizard]] in order to add a [[memory]] to their victim's mind without the victim realising it was not originally theirs. It differs from the [[Memory Charm]] in that the latter erases memories whilst this one adds them<ref>[http://bloghogwarts.com/2007/07/30/chateando-con-jk-rowling/ 30 July 2007 WebChat with J.K. Rowling]</ref>.
   
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==Known uses==
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This is possibly a spell that [[Tom Riddle|Tom Marvolo Riddle]] used on many occasions, such as in [[1940s|1943]], when he caused his uncle [[Morfin Gaunt]] to believe that he had killed the [[Muggle]] [[Riddle family]]. Morfin confessed to the crime and was imprisoned in [[Azkaban]]. Riddle also may have used this [[Charm]] on the [[house-elf]] [[Hokey]] to make her believe that she poisoned her owner, [[Hepzibah Smith]], who Riddle murdered in order to steal [[Helga Hufflepuff's Cup]] and [[Salazar Slytherin's Locket]] from her.<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''</ref> When [[Albus Dumbledore]] tracked these individuals down and extracted the true memories under the false ones, he claimed that it was a difficult task.
  
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*[[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]] used this spell twice; firstly in [[1943]] upon his [[Gaunt family|uncle]] [[Morfin Gaunt]], then sometime later on the [[house-elf]] [[Hokey]]. Both instances were to hide his crimes and make the victims believe they were responsible.
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In [[1996]] [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]] used either this spell or a [[Memory Charm]] on [[Marietta Edgecombe]] to make her think that she had only ever been to one [[Dumbledore's Army|DA]] meeting.
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*It is likely that [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]] used this [[spell]] on [[Marietta Edgecombe]] in [[1996]] in order to prevent her from revealing [[Dumbledore's Army]] to [[Cornelius Fudge]]. This is reinforced by Dumbledore stating that Shacklebolt was "remarkably quick on the uptake" in modifying her memory.<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''</ref>
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*Later that [[1995-1996 school year|same year]], [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]] may have used the spell to make [[Harry Potter|Harry]] believe his godfather [[Sirius Black]] was being [[Cruciatus Curse|tortured]] by Voldemort in the [[Department of Mysteries]]. However, it is possible that Voldemort simply created an image in Harry's mind through his tight Occlumens connection with Harry (due to the Horcrux connection) so that Harry would see what Voldemort's imagination dreamt up. It may have been up to Harry whether or not to believe it since he is persuaded by Hermione to check to see whether Sirius is really in the Department of Mysteries (not in Grimmauld Place). Voldemort is relying, therefore, on Harry's concern for Sirius's safety to get him to come, just as he is sure Harry will come to him in the forest during the break in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
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*It is possible that [[Professor]] [[Horace Slughorn]] used this in [[1996-1997 school year|the next school year]] to hide his memory of [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]] asking him about [[Horcrux]]es, although as he retained awareness of the true memory his spell may be a different one. It is also possible that he simply repressed it to such a degree that it could not be extracted from him against his will, as the memory he gave Dumbledore simple went blank at the right times and was replaced by a disembodied shouting, rather than images.
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In 1996, Voldemort was able to remotely (using his mental connection with Harry) implant a false memory in Harry of [[Sirius Black]] being tortured. After experiencing a real memory of [[Arthur Weasley]] being bitten by [[Nagini]], Harry assumed the false memory to be real, and ran to the Ministry to save Sirius.
  
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**In the film Half-Blood Prince, this effect is not shown, instead appearing as a muffling of sound, followed by Slughorn ordering Riddle out personally.
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*[[Hermione Granger]] used this in [[1997]] to make [[Hermione Granger's parents|her parents]] believe they were named [[Wendell Wilkins|Wendell]] and [[Monica Wilkins]] respectively to make them move to [[Australia]] in order to protect them from [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]] and his [[Death Eaters]].
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It is possible that [[Horace Slughorn]] used some form of this charm during the [[1996–1997 school year]] to modify his own memory of his discussion with [[Tom Riddle]] about [[Horcrux]]es, although Slughorn not only retained the original memory, but his awareness of it as well.
  
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
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*The actual name and [[incantation]] for this [[charm]] are unknown.
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*In the film ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'', [[Hermione Granger]] used ''[[Memory Charm|Obliviate]]'' on her parents instead of this charm.
  
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*However, it appears to be reversible as [[Hermione Granger|Hermione]] stated that she would find her parents after the [[Second Wizarding War|war]] and lift it.
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*[[Albus Dumbledore]] could reverse this spell, as he managed to uncover the true memories beneath this one (he admitted that it was rather difficult).
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*In [[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1|the film]], Hermione uses ''[[Memory Charm|Obliviate]]'' instead of this spell.
   
 
==Appearances==
  
==Appearances==
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' {{1st}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' {{mention}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' {{mention}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''
   
 
==Notes and references==
  
==Notes and references==
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[[Category:Spells of unknown incantation]]
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[[Category:Mental spells]]
 
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[[Category:Charms]]
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[[Category:Concealment]]

Revision as of 11:24, 23 December 2015

Hermione Granger (HBP promo) 5 "Are you a wizard, or what?"

The title of this article is conjectural. Although it is based on canonical information, the actual name is a conjecture and may be supplanted at any time by additional information released from canonical sources. If this occurs, please move this page to the appropriate title.

"Then he returned to the Gaunt hovel, performed the complex bit of magic that would implant a false memory in his uncle's mind, laid Morfin's wand beside its unconscious owner, pocketed the ancient ring he wore, and departed."
— Albus Dumbledore theorises, correctly, that Voldemort used this spell[src]

The false memory charm (incantation unknown) is a spell which can be used by a witch or wizard in order to add a memory to their victim's mind without the victim realising it was not originally theirs. It differs from the Memory Charm in that the latter erases memories whilst this one adds them[2].

Known uses

  • Voldemort used this spell twice; firstly in 1943 upon his uncle Morfin Gaunt, then sometime later on the house-elf Hokey. Both instances were to hide his crimes and make the victims believe they were responsible.
  • It is likely that Kingsley Shacklebolt used this spell on Marietta Edgecombe in 1996 in order to prevent her from revealing Dumbledore's Army to Cornelius Fudge. This is reinforced by Dumbledore stating that Shacklebolt was "remarkably quick on the uptake" in modifying her memory.[3]
  • Later that same year, Voldemort may have used the spell to make Harry believe his godfather Sirius Black was being tortured by Voldemort in the Department of Mysteries. However, it is possible that Voldemort simply created an image in Harry's mind through his tight Occlumens connection with Harry (due to the Horcrux connection) so that Harry would see what Voldemort's imagination dreamt up. It may have been up to Harry whether or not to believe it since he is persuaded by Hermione to check to see whether Sirius is really in the Department of Mysteries (not in Grimmauld Place). Voldemort is relying, therefore, on Harry's concern for Sirius's safety to get him to come, just as he is sure Harry will come to him in the forest during the break in the Battle of Hogwarts.
  • It is possible that Professor Horace Slughorn used this in the next school year to hide his memory of Voldemort asking him about Horcruxes, although as he retained awareness of the true memory his spell may be a different one. It is also possible that he simply repressed it to such a degree that it could not be extracted from him against his will, as the memory he gave Dumbledore simple went blank at the right times and was replaced by a disembodied shouting, rather than images.
    • In the film Half-Blood Prince, this effect is not shown, instead appearing as a muffling of sound, followed by Slughorn ordering Riddle out personally.
  • Hermione Granger used this in 1997 to make her parents believe they were named Wendell and Monica Wilkins respectively to make them move to Australia in order to protect them from Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

Behind the scenes

  • The actual name and incantation for this charm are unknown.
  • However, it appears to be reversible as Hermione stated that she would find her parents after the war and lift it.
  • Albus Dumbledore could reverse this spell, as he managed to uncover the true memories beneath this one (he admitted that it was rather difficult).
  • In the film, Hermione uses Obliviate instead of this spell.

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20100205155451/http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/wotm.cfm "Mnemone Radford 1562 - 1649 Developed Memory Modifying Charms. First Ministry of Magic Obliviator." this potentially means she made this charm, because its plural.
  2. ↑ 30 July 2007 WebChat with J.K. Rowling
  3. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
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