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{{Wonderbook}}
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{{Wonderbookold}}
 
{{Pottermoreold}}
  
{{Pottermoreold}}
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{{youmay|the Levitation Charm|the [[Wizard rock]] [[List of wrock bands#Wingardium Leviosa|band]] named after its incantation}}
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{{Youmay|the Levitation Charm|the [[Wizard rock]] [[List of wrock bands#Wingardium Leviosa|band]] named after its incantation}}
 
{{Spell infobox
  
{{Spell infobox
 
|name=Levitation Charm
  
|name=Levitation Charm
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|image=[[File:Wingardium leviosa.jpg|250px]]
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|image=[[File:Tumblr m1637aAs591qeb3sro5 r1 250.gif|250px]]
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|incantation=''Wingardium Leviosa''<ref name="PS10">''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' - Chapter 10 (''Hallowe'en'')</ref><br/>(wing-GAR-dee-um levi-O-sa)<ref name="PS10"/>
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|type=[[Charm]]
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|type=[[Charm]]<ref name="PS10"/>
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|light= None
  
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|hand=[[File:Levitation-charm.png]]
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|incantation=''Wingardium Leviosa''<br/>(''win-GAR-dee-um lev-ee-OH-sa'')
  
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|light=
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|hand=Swish and flick
  
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|effect=Makes objects fly<ref name="PS10"/>
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|effect=Levitation
  
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|creator=[[Jarleth Hobart]] ([[1540s|1544]])<ref name="WBoS">''[[Wonderbook: Book of Spells]]'' - see [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5prI9L6G8 this video]</ref>
 
}}
  
}}
 
{{Quote|The Levitation Charm is one of the first spells learnt by any young witch or wizard. With the charm a witch or wizard can make things fly with the flick of a wand. The charm is an excellent test of your magical skills, wand control and above all, patience.|An excerpt from the entry in ''[[Book of Spells]]'' on this charm.|Wonderbook: Book of Spells}}
  
{{Quote|The Levitation Charm is one of the first spells learnt by any young witch or wizard. With the charm a witch or wizard can make things fly with the flick of a wand. The charm is an excellent test of your magical skills, wand control and above all, patience.|An excerpt from the entry in ''[[Book of Spells]]'' on this charm.|Wonderbook: Book of Spells}}
   
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The '''Levitation Charm''' (''Wingardium Leviosa'') is a [[charm]] used to make objects [[levitation|levitate]] that is taught to [[first year]]s at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]].<ref name="PS">''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]''</ref>
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The '''Levitation Charm'''<ref name="POTTERMORE1">See [[:File:StandardBookofSpells1Pottermore.jpg|this image]] from [[J. K. Rowling]]'s ''[[Pottermore]]''.</ref> (''Wingardium Leviosa''<ref name="PS10"/>) is a [[charm]] used to make objects fly,<ref name="PS10"/> taught to [[first year]]s at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]].<ref name="PS10"/>
   
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There are a number of lesser variations of the Levitation Charm, such as the [[Hover Charm]], the [[Rocket Charm]] or the [[Floating Charm]], just to name a few, but the Levitation Charm remains the original and best.<ref name="WBoS">''[[Wonderbook: Book of Spells]]'' - see [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5prI9L6G8 this video]</ref>
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There are a number of lesser variations of the Levitation Charm, such as the [[Hover Charm]], the [[Rocket Charm]] and the [[Floating Charm]], just to name a few, but the Levitation Charm remains the original and best.<ref name="WBoS"/>
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
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{{Quote|The Levitation Charm was invented in 1544 by warlock Jarleth Hobart who mistakenly believed that he had at last succeeded in doing what wizardkind had so far failed to do, and learnt to fly.|An excerpt from the history of this charm.|Wonderbook: Book of Spells}}
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{{Quote|The Levitation Charm was invented in 1544 by warlock Jarleth Hobart who mistakenly believed that he had at last succeeded in doing what wizardkind had so far failed to do, and learnt to fly.|[[Miranda Goshawk]], ''[[Book of Spells]]''.|Wonderbook: Book of Spells}}
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[[File:HobartLevitating.jpg|left|thumb|155px|Hobart's first public use of the charm, on himself, in [[1540s|1544]].]]
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[[File:HobartLevitating.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Hobart's first public use of the charm, on himself, in [[1540s|1544]].]]
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The Levitation Charm was first developed in the [[16th century|sixteenth century]], and [[Jarleth Hobart]] is credited with its creation.<ref name="WonderbookGameDeubt">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFbYrN1bPJg&feature=related "Wonderbook - E3 2012: Game Debut"] from [http://www.youtube.com/user/gametrailers?feature=watch GameTrailers]</ref>
  
  +
The Levitation Charm was first developed in the [[16th century|sixteenth century]], and [[warlock]] [[Jarleth Hobart]] is credited with its creation.
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On [[16 July]], [[1540s|1544]], Hobart invited a large crowd of wizards, among which was the [[Chief Warlock]] of the [[Wizengamot]], to witness his "maiden flight" — a public demonstration of his own revolutionary charm on himself. He climbed onto the roof of his local church and, after several speeches and a rousing performance of the national anthem he leapt and, having cast the spell, was left hovering in mid-air. At first, he seemed to have succeeded<ref name="WonderbookGameDeubt"/> but, after having spent nearly three minutes watching him hanging in mid-air, the crowd grew impatient to see him move somewhere, and booed him.<ref name="WonderbookJarieth">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUS79K7jT4Q&feature=related "Sony Wonderbook: A Book of Spells by JK Rowling"] at [http://www.youtube.com/ Youtube]</ref> In response to the booing, Hobart tried to move in midair, and started performing childish swimming movements, which produced no effect. Mistakingly believing that his clothes were making him heavier and impeding his movement, Hobart stripped thus making him fall several metres onto the ground below, as it were the clothes that were holding him up in the air — ''they'' had been charmed by the Levitation Charm, not Hobart himself. He fell completely naked on the ground, breaking 16 bones, and went on the receive a penalty for extraordinary stupidity from the [[Chief Warlock]].
  
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  ⚫
On [[16 July]], [[1540s|1544]], Hobart invited a large crowd of wizards, among which was the [[Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot in 1544|Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot]], to witness his "maiden flight" — a public demonstration of his own revolutionary charm on himself. He climbed onto the roof of his local church and, after several speeches and a rousing performance of the [[National anthem of the United Kingdom|national anthem]] he leapt and, having cast the spell, was left hovering in mid-air. At first, he seemed to have succeeded but, after having spent nearly three minutes watching him hanging in mid-air, the crowd grew impatient to see him move somewhere, and booed him.
  +
  +
In response to the catcalls, Hobart tried to move in midair, and started performing vigorous swimming movements, which produced no effect. Mistakingly believing that his clothes were making him heavier and impeding his movement, Hobart stripped thus making him fall ten feet onto the ground below, as it were the clothes that were holding him up in the air — ''they'' had been charmed by the Levitation Charm, not Hobart himself. He fell completely naked on the ground, breaking sixteen bones, and went on the receive a fine for "outrageous silliness" from the [[Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot in 1544|Chief Warlock]].
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Hobart returned home, humiliated, where he realised that his spell could make objects levitate for varying lengths of time, depending on the skill of the spellcaster and on the weight of the object. He also concluded that small animals or even children could be levitated, but that they had no control whatsoever of their movement once airborne.
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He thus made a second announcement, and an even larger crowd gathered to see his second demonstration of the spell (hoping for another laugh at his expense). Hobart's demonstration was, at first, by far more successful than the first one: he showed the onlookers how he could easily levitate objects ranging from small rocks to fallen trees. Hobart decided that, for a finale, he would levitate the [[Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot in 1544|Chief Warlock]]'s hat — what he managed to levitate, however, was the Chief's wig, exposing his bald head to the gathered crowd. The Chief was not amused, and was determined to [[duel]] Hobart, but the Warlock levitated the Chief's robes over his head, and ran for it.
   
 
==Effects==
  
==Effects==
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{{Quote|He eventually realized that he had invented a spell that would lift objects into the air and could cause them to hover for varying lengths of time, depending on their weight, and the skill of the spellcaster.|An excerpt from the entry in ''[[Book of Spells]]''.|Wonderbook: Book of Spells}}
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{{Quote|He eventually realised that he had invented a spell that would lift objects into the air and could cause them to hover for varying lengths of time, depending on their weight, and the skill of the spellcaster.|An excerpt from the entry in ''[[Book of Spells]]''.|Wonderbook: Book of Spells}}
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The Levitation Charm appears to be an improvement on both the ''[[Levitation spell|Levioso]]'' and ''[[Locomotor]]'' spells and/or the [[Hover Charm]], being able to lift objects high in to the air but also allowing one to magically move them through it as well. It also conveniently defies gravity by lifting objects heavier than a normal person would otherwise be able to carry, as seen when Ron used this on a troll's club, something a first year Hogwarts student would otherwise never be able to do without magic.
  
The Levitation Charm appears to be an improvement on both the ''[[Levitation spell|Levioso]]'' and ''[[Locomotor]]'' spells and/or the [[Hover Charm]], being able to lift objects high in to the air but also allowing one to magically move them through it as well. It also conveniently defies gravity by lifting objects heavier than a normal person would otherwise be able to carry, as seen when Ron used this on a troll's club, something a first year Hogwarts student would otherwise never be able to do without magic.
   
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Almost anything can be lifted with this spell, although the object levitated depends on the skill of the [[Wizardkind|caster]] and the weight of the object<ref name="WBoS"/>
  
Almost anything can be lifted with this spell, although the object levitated depends on the skill of the [[Wizardkind|caster]] and the weight of the object<ref name="WBoS"/>
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==At Hogwarts==
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This is the first spell students learn to cast during their Charms lessons in the first year. They revise it in the second <ref>{{COSVG}}</ref> and their third year.<ref>{{POAVG}}</ref> The theoretical Charms O.W.L. exam includes a question on the Levitation Charm. Hermione Granger was the first student in her class to levitate a feather.
   
 
==Etymology==
  
==Etymology==
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''Wingardium'' is a composite word, based on: English ''to wing'' meaning "to fly" (e.g. the plane winged skywards<ref>[http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/wing Wing, definition of]</ref>); ''arduus'' (meaning "high, tall, lofty, steep, proudly elevated"<ref name="The Orb">http://www.the-orb.net/latwords.html Latin word list]</ref><ref>[http://www.online-dictionary.biz/latin/english/meaning/arduus Arduus, meaning of]</ref>) or ''arduum'' (meaning "steep place, the steep"<ref name="The Orb"/><ref>[http://www.online-dictionary.biz/latin/english/meaning/arduum Arduum, meaning of]</ref>); and the common Latin ending ''-ium''. ''Leviosa'' probably derives from Latin ''levo'', meaning to "raise, lift up", or ''levis'', meaning light (of weight)<ref name="The Orb"/><ref>[http://www.online-dictionary.biz/latin/english/meaning/levis Levis, meaning of</ref>. Altogether, therefore, the incantation could best be read as "lift up high".
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''Wingardium'' is a composite word, based on: English ''to wing'' meaning "to fly" (e.g. the plane winged skywards<ref>[http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/wing Wing, definition of]</ref>); ''arduus'' (meaning "high, tall, lofty, steep, proudly elevated"<ref name="The Orb">[http://www.the-orb.net/latwords.html Latin word list]</ref><ref>[http://www.online-dictionary.biz/latin/english/meaning/arduus Arduus, meaning of]</ref>) or ''arduum'' (meaning "steep place, the steep"<ref name="The Orb"/><ref>[http://www.online-dictionary.biz/latin/english/meaning/arduum Arduum, meaning of]</ref>); and the common Latin ending ''-ium''. ''Leviosa'' probably derives from Latin ''levo'', meaning to "raise, lift up", or ''levis'', meaning light (of weight).<ref name="The Orb"/><ref>[http://www.online-dictionary.biz/latin/english/meaning/levis Levis, meaning of]</ref> Altogether, therefore, the incantation could best be read as "lift up high".
   
 
==Known uses and practitioners==
  
==Known uses and practitioners==
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[[File:Wingardiumleviosa.jpg|thumb|left|[[Hermione Granger]] casting the charm in her first year]]
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[[File:Tumblr_m4rfvme2VS1qg1krko3_250.gif|frame|[[Harry potter]] using the Levitation Charm in [[1992]]]]
 
{{Dialogue a-b|Ron Weasley|Wingardium Leviosa!|Hermione|You're saying it wrong. It's Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the 'gar' nice and long.|[[Hermione Granger]] condescending to [[Ronald Weasley]] regarding the proper way to say the incantation|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  
{{Dialogue a-b|Ron Weasley|Wingardium Leviosa!|Hermione|You're saying it wrong. It's Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the 'gar' nice and long.|[[Hermione Granger]] condescending to [[Ronald Weasley]] regarding the proper way to say the incantation|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
 
*The first use of the spell was that of [[Jarleth Hobart|Hobart]] using it in [[1544]] on himself as he leapt from the roof of a local church, remaining suspended in mid-air for a brief period of time before the crowd of wizards gathered to watch his new spell.
  
*The first use of the spell was that of [[Jarleth Hobart|Hobart]] using it in [[1544]] on himself as he leapt from the roof of a local church, remaining suspended in mid-air for a brief period of time before the crowd of wizards gathered to watch his new spell.
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*[[Harry Potter]] used this spell in [[1992]] to [[levitation|levitate]] two cakes containing a [[Sleeping Draught]].<ref name=CSf">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)]]''</ref> He later used it during the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] to attempt to remove some brains from his friend [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]], who they had attacked. Harry used the spell a third time during the [[Battle of the Seven Potters]] to levitate the side-car he was sitting in after it was separated from [[Sirius Black's motorcycle|the motorbike it was connected to]].
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*[[Harry Potter]] used this spell in [[1992]] to [[levitation|levitate]] two cakes containing [[Sleeping Draught]].<ref name="CSf">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)]]''</ref> He later used it during the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] in an attempt to remove some brains from his friend [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]], whom they had attacked. Harry used the spell a third time during the [[Battle of the Seven Potters]] to levitate the side-car he was sitting in after it was separated from [[Sirius Black's motorcycle|the motorbike it was connected to]].
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[[Hermione Granger]] used it twice; first in [[1991]], she was the first student in her [[Charms (class)|charms class]] to master the spell in the first lesson; whilst doing so she attempted to teach [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] how to correctly cast the spell, much to his annoyance.<ref name="PS"/> Then she cast it again six years later to move [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] from wreckage in [[Lovegood House|a house they were visiting]] after a [[Erumpent horn|dangerous artifact]]exploded.
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*[[Hermione Granger]] used it twice; first in [[1991]], she was the first student in her [[Charms (class)|charms class]] to master the spell in the first lesson; whilst doing so she attempted to teach [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] how to correctly cast the spell, much to his annoyance.<ref name="PS">''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]''</ref> Then she cast it again six years later to move [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] from wreckage in [[Lovegood House|a house they were visiting]] after a [[Erumpent horn|dangerous artefact]] exploded. 
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[[Lee Jordan]] used this spell twice in [[1996]] to levitate [[Niffler|nifflers]] into [[Dolores Umbridge|his professor's]] office to annoy her; however, eventually [[Rubeus Hagrid|another of his teachers]]got blamed for it.
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*[[Lee Jordan]] used this spell twice in [[1996]] to levitate [[niffler]]s into [[Dolores Umbridge|his professor's]] office to annoy her; however, eventually [[Rubeus Hagrid|another of his teachers]] got blamed for it.
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[[Severus Snape]] may have used this spell in [[October]] [[1996]] so that he could examine a [[Opal necklace|cursed necklace]] without touching it, though that might have been a [[Hover Charm]]. [[Ronald Weasley]] used this spell twice; once in [[1991]] to defeat a [[Mountain Troll|troll]] which [[Quirinus Quirrell|Professor Quirrell]] had let into the school<ref name="PS"/> and again [[1998|seven years later]] to levitate a twig in order to press the knot on the [[Hogwarts Whomping Willow|tree that was trying to beat him up]] which would freeze the aforementioned tree. <ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''-Chapter 32 (''The Elder Wand'')</ref>. Lastly, [[Xenophilius Lovegood]]sed used this spell in [[1998]] to attempt to clear wreckage on his staircase in order to apprehend [[Harry Potter]] during the [[Ambush at the Lovegood House|confrontation at his house]].<ref name="DH">[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</ref>
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*[[Severus Snape]] may have used this spell in [[October]] [[1996]] so that he could examine a [[Opal necklace|cursed necklace]] without touching it, though that might have been a [[Hover Charm]].
  +
*[[Ronald Weasley]] used this spell twice; once in [[1991]] to defeat a [[Mountain Troll|troll]] which [[Quirinus Quirrell|Professor Quirrell]] had let into the school<ref name="PS"/> and again [[1998|seven years later]] to levitate a twig in order to press the knot on the [[Hogwarts Whomping Willow|tree that was trying to beat him up]] which would freeze the aforementioned tree.<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''-Chapter 32 (''The Elder Wand'')</ref>
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The [[fifth year]] [[Charms]] [[Ordinary Wizarding Level|O.W.L]], both written and practical, concerned this spell.
  
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*[[Xenophilius Lovegood]] used this spell in [[1998]] to attempt to clear wreckage on his staircase in order to apprehend [[Harry Potter]] during the [[Ambush at the Lovegood House|confrontation at his house]].<ref name="DH">[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</ref>
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*[[Professor McGonagall]] also used this spell during the [[Ousting of Severus Snape]], causing a torch to fly off of its bracket and spin around, creating a wild movement of flames similar to that of a lasso in an attempt to thwart the [[death Eater]].
  ⚫
*The [[fifth year]] [[Charms]] [[Ordinary Wizarding Level|O.W.L]], both written and practical, concerned this spell.
   
 
===Other practitioners===
  
===Other practitioners===
 
*[[Orabella Nuttley]]
  
*[[Orabella Nuttley]]
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*[[Bellatrix Lestrange]] <ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''</ref>
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*[[Bellatrix Lestrange]] <ref name="ReferenceA">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''</ref>
 
*[[Colin Creevey]] <ref name="OOTPvg"/>
  
*[[Colin Creevey]] <ref name="OOTPvg"/>
 
*[[Dean Thomas]] <ref name="OOTPvg"/>
  
*[[Dean Thomas]] <ref name="OOTPvg"/>
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*[[Draco Malfoy]] <ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''</ref>
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*[[Draco Malfoy]] <ref name="ReferenceA"/>
 
*[[Filius Flitwick]]
  
*[[Filius Flitwick]]
 
*[[Fred Weasley]] <ref name="OOTPvg"/>
  
*[[Fred Weasley]] <ref name="OOTPvg"/>
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==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
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[[File:Wingardium_Leviosa_shown_on_blackboard.png|thumb|left|220px|The movement shown on a blackboard.]]
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{{Quote|This charm ought not to be seen as a joke spell. It can be most useful in duels and can lift physical obstacles and can even Levitate small creatures (though this is likely to confuse any poor animal and is certainly not to be encouraged.|An excerpt from ''[[Book of Spells]]''.|Wonderbook: Book of Spells}}
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{{Quote|This charm ought not to be seen as a joke spell. It can be most useful in duels and can lift physical obstacles and can even Levitate small creatures (though this is likely to confuse any poor animal and is certainly not to be encouraged).|An excerpt from ''[[Book of Spells]]''.|Wonderbook: Book of Spells}}
  +
 
*Whilst it was originally assumed that this spell and the [[Hover Charm]] were the same, they are not; the Hover Charm makes the target '''hover''', whereas this one is always described as making it '''fly'''.
  
*Whilst it was originally assumed that this spell and the [[Hover Charm]] were the same, they are not; the Hover Charm makes the target '''hover''', whereas this one is always described as making it '''fly'''.
 
*The fictional character [[Babbitty]] may have used this spell to levitate a horse.<ref>[[The Tales of Beedle the Bard]]</ref>
  
*The fictional character [[Babbitty]] may have used this spell to levitate a horse.<ref>[[The Tales of Beedle the Bard]]</ref>
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*A potential variation of this spell is [[Alarte Ascendare]], used by [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] to unintentionally send a [[snake]] flying into the air.
  
*A potential variation of this spell is [[Alarte Ascendare]], used by [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] to unintentionally send a [[snake]] flying into the air.
 
*This may have been the spell that [[William Weasley|Bill]] and [[Charles Weasley|Charlie Weasley]] used to levitate the tables and have a fight with them.
  
*This may have been the spell that [[William Weasley|Bill]] and [[Charles Weasley|Charlie Weasley]] used to levitate the tables and have a fight with them.
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*The first question of the [[1995]] Theory of Charms exam required students to give the incantation and wand movement for a Levitation Charm.
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*The first question of the [[1995-1996 school year|1996]] Theory of Charms exam required students to give the incantation and wand movement for a Levitation Charm.
 
*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'', ''[[Mending Charm|Reparo]]'' is not present, ''Wingardium Leviosa'' is used instead as repairing charm. It levitates broken [[LEGO Harry Potter|LEGO pieces]] to form a new or previous object.
  
*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'', ''[[Mending Charm|Reparo]]'' is not present, ''Wingardium Leviosa'' is used instead as repairing charm. It levitates broken [[LEGO Harry Potter|LEGO pieces]] to form a new or previous object.
 
*Although this spell canonically produces no visible effects (apart from its actual spell effect of levitation) - a possible sign of its simplicity - it sometimes does in other HP media. For example, in [[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]] the spell connects objects and wand via a yellow stream of light continually released from the wand tip whereas in [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]] (GBA version) a blue orb of magical energy is shot at the target. In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'' a pink glow appears around the object and levitates it.
  
*Although this spell canonically produces no visible effects (apart from its actual spell effect of levitation) - a possible sign of its simplicity - it sometimes does in other HP media. For example, in [[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]] the spell connects objects and wand via a yellow stream of light continually released from the wand tip whereas in [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]] (GBA version) a blue orb of magical energy is shot at the target. In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'' a pink glow appears around the object and levitates it.
 
*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'' the Levitation Charm is also a double up of the [[Cruciatus Curse]] for [[Death Eaters]]. It works the same way as the Levitation Charm by lifting it's victim off the ground, but instead it causes them to writhe and scream.
  
*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'' the Levitation Charm is also a double up of the [[Cruciatus Curse]] for [[Death Eaters]]. It works the same way as the Levitation Charm by lifting it's victim off the ground, but instead it causes them to writhe and scream.
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[[File:Levitation Wonderbook.jpg|thumb]]
  
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*According to ''[[Pottermore]]'', the hand motion is thus:<br />[[File:Levitation-charm.png]]
  
 
*This spell is Warwick Davis's favourite line.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3FP-nmkFL0&feature=relmfu</ref>
  
*This spell is Warwick Davis's favourite line.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3FP-nmkFL0&feature=relmfu</ref>
   
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)]]''
  
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2]]''
  
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2]]''
  +
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)]]'' {{C|Nintendo DS version only}}
 
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]''
  
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]''
 
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]''
  
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]''
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*''[[Wonderbook: Book of Spells]]''
  
*''[[Wonderbook: Book of Spells]]''
 
*''[[Pottermore]]''
  
*''[[Pottermore]]''
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==Notes and references==
  
==Notes and references==
 
{{Reflist}}
  
{{Reflist}}
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{{Charms}}
  
{{Charms}}
 
{{The Standard Book of Spells}}
  
{{The Standard Book of Spells}}
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[[de:Levitation]]<br />[[es:Encantamiento levitatorio]]<br />[[fr:Sortilège de Lévitation]]<br />[[fi:Siipiirdium lentiusa]]
  
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[[de:Levitation]]
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[[es:Encantamiento levitatorio]]
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[[fr:Sortilège de Lévitation]]
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[[fi:Siipiirdium lentiusa]]
 
[[Category:Charms]]
  
[[Category:Charms]]
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[[Category:Spells of known incantation]]
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[[Category:Levitation]]

Revision as of 20:20, 9 April 2014

"Point me!"
This article is about the Levitation Charm. You may be looking for the Wizard rock band named after its incantation.

"The Levitation Charm is one of the first spells learnt by any young witch or wizard. With the charm a witch or wizard can make things fly with the flick of a wand. The charm is an excellent test of your magical skills, wand control and above all, patience."
— An excerpt from the entry in Book of Spells on this charm.[src]

The Levitation Charm[3] (Wingardium Leviosa[1]) is a charm used to make objects fly,[1] taught to first years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.[1]

There are a number of lesser variations of the Levitation Charm, such as the Hover Charm, the Rocket Charm and the Floating Charm, just to name a few, but the Levitation Charm remains the original and best.[2]

History

"The Levitation Charm was invented in 1544 by warlock Jarleth Hobart who mistakenly believed that he had at last succeeded in doing what wizardkind had so far failed to do, and learnt to fly."
— Miranda Goshawk, Book of Spells.[src]
HobartLevitating

Hobart's first public use of the charm, on himself, in 1544.

The Levitation Charm was first developed in the sixteenth century, and warlock Jarleth Hobart is credited with its creation.

On 16 July, 1544, Hobart invited a large crowd of wizards, among which was the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, to witness his "maiden flight" — a public demonstration of his own revolutionary charm on himself. He climbed onto the roof of his local church and, after several speeches and a rousing performance of the national anthem he leapt and, having cast the spell, was left hovering in mid-air. At first, he seemed to have succeeded but, after having spent nearly three minutes watching him hanging in mid-air, the crowd grew impatient to see him move somewhere, and booed him.

In response to the catcalls, Hobart tried to move in midair, and started performing vigorous swimming movements, which produced no effect. Mistakingly believing that his clothes were making him heavier and impeding his movement, Hobart stripped thus making him fall ten feet onto the ground below, as it were the clothes that were holding him up in the air — they had been charmed by the Levitation Charm, not Hobart himself. He fell completely naked on the ground, breaking sixteen bones, and went on the receive a fine for "outrageous silliness" from the Chief Warlock.

Hobart returned home, humiliated, where he realised that his spell could make objects levitate for varying lengths of time, depending on the skill of the spellcaster and on the weight of the object. He also concluded that small animals or even children could be levitated, but that they had no control whatsoever of their movement once airborne.

He thus made a second announcement, and an even larger crowd gathered to see his second demonstration of the spell (hoping for another laugh at his expense). Hobart's demonstration was, at first, by far more successful than the first one: he showed the onlookers how he could easily levitate objects ranging from small rocks to fallen trees. Hobart decided that, for a finale, he would levitate the Chief Warlock's hat — what he managed to levitate, however, was the Chief's wig, exposing his bald head to the gathered crowd. The Chief was not amused, and was determined to duel Hobart, but the Warlock levitated the Chief's robes over his head, and ran for it.

Effects

"He eventually realised that he had invented a spell that would lift objects into the air and could cause them to hover for varying lengths of time, depending on their weight, and the skill of the spellcaster."
— An excerpt from the entry in Book of Spells.[src]

The Levitation Charm appears to be an improvement on both the Levioso and Locomotor spells and/or the Hover Charm, being able to lift objects high in to the air but also allowing one to magically move them through it as well. It also conveniently defies gravity by lifting objects heavier than a normal person would otherwise be able to carry, as seen when Ron used this on a troll's club, something a first year Hogwarts student would otherwise never be able to do without magic.

Despite its strengths, however, the Levitation Charm has one fatal flaw: it does not work on human beings. Though a human can be levitated using this charm, it is actually their clothing that is being affected. The charm is apparently not strong enough to allow a human to do anything more that float a few feet off the air using this method, and therefore does not allow the true flight afforded to most other objects.

Almost anything can be lifted with this spell, although the object levitated depends on the skill of the caster and the weight of the object[2]

At Hogwarts

This is the first spell students learn to cast during their Charms lessons in the first year. They revise it in the second [4] and their third year.[5] The theoretical Charms O.W.L. exam includes a question on the Levitation Charm. Hermione Granger was the first student in her class to levitate a feather.

Etymology

Wingardium is a composite word, based on: English to wing meaning "to fly" (e.g. the plane winged skywards[6]); arduus (meaning "high, tall, lofty, steep, proudly elevated"[7][8]) or arduum (meaning "steep place, the steep"[7][9]); and the common Latin ending -ium. Leviosa probably derives from Latin levo, meaning to "raise, lift up", or levis, meaning light (of weight).[7][10] Altogether, therefore, the incantation could best be read as "lift up high".

Known uses and practitioners

File:Tumblr m4rfvme2VS1qg1krko3 250.gif

Harry potter using the Levitation Charm in 1992

Ron Weasley: "Wingardium Leviosa!"
Hermione: "You're saying it wrong. It's Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the 'gar' nice and long."
— Hermione Granger condescending to Ronald Weasley regarding the proper way to say the incantation[src]

Other practitioners

Behind the scenes

Wingardium Leviosa shown on blackboard

The movement shown on a blackboard.

"This charm ought not to be seen as a joke spell. It can be most useful in duels and can lift physical obstacles and can even Levitate small creatures (though this is likely to confuse any poor animal and is certainly not to be encouraged)."
— An excerpt from Book of Spells.[src]

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Chapter 10 (Hallowe'en)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Wonderbook: Book of Spells - see this video
  3. ↑ See this image from J. K. Rowling's Pottermore.
  4. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
  5. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
  6. ↑ Wing, definition of
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Latin word list
  8. ↑ Arduus, meaning of
  9. ↑ Arduum, meaning of
  10. ↑ Levis, meaning of
  11. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
  13. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Chapter 32 (The Elder Wand)
  14. ↑ [[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
  17. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
  18. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
  19. ↑ The Tales of Beedle the Bard
  20. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3FP-nmkFL0&feature=relmfu
Charms (class)
PS Wingardium Leviosa feather
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Blagdon Blay · Daisy Pennifold · Delfina Crimp · Miranda Goshawk · Jarleth Hobart · Basil Horton · Helixa Hyslop · Syna Hyslop · Randolph Keitch · Levina Monkstanley · Orabella Nuttley · Mnemone Radford · Scarpin · Elliot Smethwyck · Felix Summerbee · Violeta Stitch
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Textbooks Achievements in Charming · Extreme Incantations · Quintessence: A Quest · The Standard Book of Spells
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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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