- "Swift use of this jinx can freeze an attacker for a few moments, or stop a magical beast in its tracks. The jinx is a vital part of any duellist’s arsenal."
- —Book of Spells by Miranda Goshawk[src]
The Impediment Jinx[3] (Impedimenta[1]), also known as the Impediment Hex[4] is a jinx that slows the target.[1] It is a common spell used in duelling.
Effects
It is only temporary[1], lasting about ten seconds[5]. Although it is capable of freezing a wasp in mid-air[1], it is ineffective against lethifolds[4]. It was also ineffective against Acromantula (or some variant of giant spider, anyway) and Blast-Ended Skrewts unless it happens to hit them on their underbellies, which have no protective armour.
The jinx will usually simply immobilise a target[1], it can also be used to push or throw a target backward[6] simply decrease the velocity of the victim's movement[3], or can even levitate them[7].
Known uses
- "I like the look of this one, this Impediment Jinx. Should slow down anything that’s trying to attack you, Harry. We’ll start with that one."
- —Hermione Granger helping Harry Potter learn the jinx[src]
| Caster(s) | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter | June, 1995 | Harry learned this spell to use in the third task of the Triwizard Tournament. |
| 24 June, 1995 | Harry used it to good effect on the Acromantula and on the huge Blast-Ended Skrewt in the hedge maze. | |
| 18 June, 1996 | Harry used this jinx during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries on a Death Eater and on Lucius Malfoy. | |
| 30 June, 1997 | Harry used this jinx on Inferi in the crystal cave. | |
| Harry used this on Amycus Carrow while the latter was duelling Ginny during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower. | ||
| He attempted to cast it on Snape, when the latter was trying to flee school grounds after killing Albus Dumbledore | ||
| 27 July, 1997 | Cast by Harry on a Death Eater just after the sidecar he was riding in broke off the flying motorbike. | |
| D.A. members | 1995-1996 school year | Harry taught the D.A. to use this jinx. |
| Madam Hooch | Madam Hooch used this to knock Harry away from Draco Malfoy as they were fighting after a Quidditch match. | |
| James Potter I | June 1976 | Harry saw his father use this on Snape in the Pensieve, while he was bullying him. |
Known practitioners
Add a photo to this galleryEtymology
The incantation "Impedimenta" is derived from the Latin word "impedimentum", meaning "a hindrance".
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) (Disc 2 extra)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Appears in flashback(s))
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (Possible appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)
- Wonderbook: Book of Spells
- Pottermore (PlayStation Home, during Book Herding)
Behind the scenes
In the film version of Order of the Phoenix, James Potter used this spell to levitate Severus Snape and dangle him in the air, while in the book, he used Levicorpus.
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 31 (The Third Task)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Wonderbook: Book of Spells
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (companion book) - An A-Z of Fantastic Beasts (Lethifold)
- ↑ Pottermore at PlayStation Home
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 19 (The Lion and the Serpent)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 35 (Beyond the Veil)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
