The Full Body-Bind Curse, or usually simply called "Full Body-Bind", is a spell that renders a victim completely immobile. This curse is chiefly used to control and limit another individual's power of bodily freedom, and is often employed in defensive combat. The victim's arms and legs snap together, and he or she will generally fall down from lack of balance. The curse does not, however, interfere with breathing or sight. Three known counter-curses include Rennervate, Finite or Finite Incantatem.
The Full Body-Bind Curse is fundamentally different from petrification, which is highly Dark magic and which cannot be reversed by a simple counter-curse, though the symptoms are superficially similar. A major difference is that under the Body-Bind Curse the victim remains conscious and aware of his/her surroundings, as opposed to petrification which appears to render the victim unconsciousness. Also, individuals who are petrified appear to be immune to injury as they've been turned to stone; it is possible to render an injury to someone who is under the body-bind (as Draco Malfoy did after he cursed Harry Potter on Hogwarts Express).
Known Uses
Etymology
- The root of this curse's incantation seems to be the Latin words petra, "rock", and totus, "whole" or "entire".
- Also, pertrificus seems to come from the word "petrify", meaning to turn into stone, or describes a manner in which someone takes on the characteristics of a stone. Totalus likely comes from "Total", meaning complete or wholey. Following this, the spell likely means, petrify like an entire stone.
Known practitioners
- Hermione Granger
- Harry Potter
- Neville Longbottom
- Draco Malfoy
- Albus Dumbledore
- Voldemort
- Parvati Patil
- Colin Creevey
- Sirius Black
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows