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{{Spell infobox |
{{Spell infobox |
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| − | |image=[[File: |
+ | |image=[[File:Tumblr mxadblpgUv1rwhxhro5 r1 250.gif|250px]] |
|name=Memory Charm |
|name=Memory Charm |
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|type=[[Charm]] |
|type=[[Charm]] |
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| − | |incantation=''Obliviate'' <br/> |
+ | |incantation=''Obliviate'' <br/>(oh-BLI-vee-ate) |
|light=Green |
|light=Green |
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|hand=[[File:Memory-charm.png]] |
|hand=[[File:Memory-charm.png]] |
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==Effects== |
==Effects== |
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Memory Charms are generally intended to erase a specific memory. They are regularly used if a [[Muggle]] witnesses something related to the [[wizarding world]]; the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] has [[Obliviator]]s remove their memories of the event, such as if a Muggle sees a [[dragon]]<ref name="PS">''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]''</ref>. Occasionally, a mass use of Memory Charms is necessary to cover up major incidents that violate the [[Statute of Secrecy]], such as the [[Ilfracombe Incident]]. Some Muggles often slip through the cracks in these situations, according to [[Blenheim Stalk]] in ''[[Muggles Who Notice]]''.<ref name="FB">''[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (real)]]''</ref> When particularly intense memories need to be erased, it often leaves the victim disoriented for a short period of time as happened with the [[Roberts family]] after the [[Quidditch World Cup]] in 1994. |
Memory Charms are generally intended to erase a specific memory. They are regularly used if a [[Muggle]] witnesses something related to the [[wizarding world]]; the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] has [[Obliviator]]s remove their memories of the event, such as if a Muggle sees a [[dragon]]<ref name="PS">''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]''</ref>. Occasionally, a mass use of Memory Charms is necessary to cover up major incidents that violate the [[Statute of Secrecy]], such as the [[Ilfracombe Incident]]. Some Muggles often slip through the cracks in these situations, according to [[Blenheim Stalk]] in ''[[Muggles Who Notice]]''.<ref name="FB">''[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (real)]]''</ref> When particularly intense memories need to be erased, it often leaves the victim disoriented for a short period of time as happened with the [[Roberts family]] after the [[Quidditch World Cup]] in 1994. |
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===Dangers=== |
===Dangers=== |
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| − | [[File:Gilderoy_Lockhart_Who_Am_I_02.jpg|thumb|left|140px|[[Gilderoy Lockhart]]'s book ''[[Who Am I?]]'', written after he lost his memory |
+ | [[File:Gilderoy_Lockhart_Who_Am_I_02.jpg|thumb|left|140px|[[Gilderoy Lockhart]]'s book ''[[Who Am I?]]'', written after he lost his memory]] |
| − | |||
If performed improperly, a Memory Charm can erase significant portions of an individual's memory and cause brain damage, with difficulty in recovery. For instance, [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] attempted to wipe the memories of [[Harry Potter]] and [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] during the events surrounding the re-opening of the [[Chamber of Secrets]]. However, Ron's [[Ronald Weasley's first wand|damaged wand]] backfired, and caused Lockhart to suffer extreme amnesia. He is currently a permanent resident in the [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries|Janus Thickey Ward]] of [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries|St Mungo's]].<ref name="CS">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''</ref> Despite his memories recovered enough to do joined-up writings and his love of signing fan letters, he never fully recovered. |
If performed improperly, a Memory Charm can erase significant portions of an individual's memory and cause brain damage, with difficulty in recovery. For instance, [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] attempted to wipe the memories of [[Harry Potter]] and [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] during the events surrounding the re-opening of the [[Chamber of Secrets]]. However, Ron's [[Ronald Weasley's first wand|damaged wand]] backfired, and caused Lockhart to suffer extreme amnesia. He is currently a permanent resident in the [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries|Janus Thickey Ward]] of [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries|St Mungo's]].<ref name="CS">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''</ref> Despite his memories recovered enough to do joined-up writings and his love of signing fan letters, he never fully recovered. |
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Also, [[Bartemius Crouch Sr.|Barty Crouch Sr.]] placed a Memory Charm on [[Bertha Jorkins]] to try to make her forget her discovery that he was keeping his [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|son]] in captivity. However, the charm he put was too strong so it damaged her memory permanently, making her chronically forgetful about other things as well.<ref name="GOF">''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''</ref> |
Also, [[Bartemius Crouch Sr.|Barty Crouch Sr.]] placed a Memory Charm on [[Bertha Jorkins]] to try to make her forget her discovery that he was keeping his [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|son]] in captivity. However, the charm he put was too strong so it damaged her memory permanently, making her chronically forgetful about other things as well.<ref name="GOF">''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''</ref> |
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| + | <br clear=left/> |
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==Breaking the Charm== |
==Breaking the Charm== |
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Memory Charms can be broken through torture. In [[1994]], [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] and [[Peter Pettigrew]] broke a Memory Charm placed by [[Bartemius Crouch Sr.|Barty Crouch Sr]] on [[Bertha Jorkins]], and extracted information from her regarding the whereabouts of [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|Crouch's son]]. However, the breaking of the charm had caused a great toll on Bertha, and her body and mind was damaged beyond repair.<ref name="GOF"/> |
Memory Charms can be broken through torture. In [[1994]], [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] and [[Peter Pettigrew]] broke a Memory Charm placed by [[Bartemius Crouch Sr.|Barty Crouch Sr]] on [[Bertha Jorkins]], and extracted information from her regarding the whereabouts of [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|Crouch's son]]. However, the breaking of the charm had caused a great toll on Bertha, and her body and mind was damaged beyond repair.<ref name="GOF"/> |
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Since Lockhart's backfired Memory Charm has never been broken through, it is possible that torture is the only method of complete recovery, as it is doubtful that [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]] would commit crimes against humanity just to recover Lockhart's memory. It is also possible, however, that since it was cast improperly, Lockhart's memory was actually erased permanently with no chance of recovery whatsoever. |
Since Lockhart's backfired Memory Charm has never been broken through, it is possible that torture is the only method of complete recovery, as it is doubtful that [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]] would commit crimes against humanity just to recover Lockhart's memory. It is also possible, however, that since it was cast improperly, Lockhart's memory was actually erased permanently with no chance of recovery whatsoever. |
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| − | == |
+ | ==Uses== |
| − | [[File:Gilderoy_Lockhart.JPG|thumb|right|100px|[[Gilderoy Lockhart]].]] |
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| − | [[File:Kingsley Shacklebolt Profile.JPG|thumb|right|100px|[[Kingsley Shacklebolt]].]] |
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| − | [[File:Hermiona w HP i ZF.jpg|thumb|right|100px|[[Hermione Granger]].]] |
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{|class="wikitable" border="1" |
{|class="wikitable" border="1" |
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!width="15%" align="center"|Caster(s) |
!width="15%" align="center"|Caster(s) |
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|Known as the [[Ilfracombe Incident]], it was the largest casting of the Memory Charm in the twentieth century, after a [[Common Welsh Green]] attacked a group of sunbathers in [[Devon]], [[England]] in [[1932]].<ref name="FB"/> |
|Known as the [[Ilfracombe Incident]], it was the largest casting of the Memory Charm in the twentieth century, after a [[Common Welsh Green]] attacked a group of sunbathers in [[Devon]], [[England]] in [[1932]].<ref name="FB"/> |
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| − | + | [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] |
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|Several Witches and Wizards |
|Several Witches and Wizards |
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|Gilderoy Lockhart rose to fame by tracking down less-than reputable characters who had accomplished mighty feats, questioned them in detail about it, placed Memory Charms on them to remove all recollection of the feat, claimed credit for it, and published a book on it. This was revealed to Harry and Ron in the Chamber of Secrets venture. |
|Gilderoy Lockhart rose to fame by tracking down less-than reputable characters who had accomplished mighty feats, questioned them in detail about it, placed Memory Charms on them to remove all recollection of the feat, claimed credit for it, and published a book on it. This was revealed to Harry and Ron in the Chamber of Secrets venture. |
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Revision as of 13:16, 27 August 2014
- "If there's one thing I pride myself on, it's my Memory Charms."
- — Gilderoy Lockhart[src]
A Memory Charm (also known as Lockhart Memory Charm[1] or Forgetfulness Charm[2]) is a spell that can be used to erase memories from an individual's mind. The incantation for this charm is Obliviate. It is different from the charm that creates false memories[3].
Effects
Memory Charms are generally intended to erase a specific memory. They are regularly used if a Muggle witnesses something related to the wizarding world; the Ministry of Magic has Obliviators remove their memories of the event, such as if a Muggle sees a dragon[4]. Occasionally, a mass use of Memory Charms is necessary to cover up major incidents that violate the Statute of Secrecy, such as the Ilfracombe Incident. Some Muggles often slip through the cracks in these situations, according to Blenheim Stalk in Muggles Who Notice.[5] When particularly intense memories need to be erased, it often leaves the victim disoriented for a short period of time as happened with the Roberts family after the Quidditch World Cup in 1994.
Dangers
Gilderoy Lockhart's book Who Am I?, written after he lost his memory
If performed improperly, a Memory Charm can erase significant portions of an individual's memory and cause brain damage, with difficulty in recovery. For instance, Gilderoy Lockhart attempted to wipe the memories of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley during the events surrounding the re-opening of the Chamber of Secrets. However, Ron's damaged wand backfired, and caused Lockhart to suffer extreme amnesia. He is currently a permanent resident in the Janus Thickey Ward of St Mungo's.[6] Despite his memories recovered enough to do joined-up writings and his love of signing fan letters, he never fully recovered.
Also, Barty Crouch Sr. placed a Memory Charm on Bertha Jorkins to try to make her forget her discovery that he was keeping his son in captivity. However, the charm he put was too strong so it damaged her memory permanently, making her chronically forgetful about other things as well.[7]
Breaking the Charm
Memory Charms can be broken through torture. In 1994, Lord Voldemort and Peter Pettigrew broke a Memory Charm placed by Barty Crouch Sr on Bertha Jorkins, and extracted information from her regarding the whereabouts of Crouch's son. However, the breaking of the charm had caused a great toll on Bertha, and her body and mind was damaged beyond repair.[7]
In 1997, Voldemort had Antonin Dolohov and Thorfinn Rowle tortured with the Cruciatus Curse after they failed to capture Harry Potter. Hermione Granger had cast Memory Charms on them so as to cover the trio's tracks, and it appears that the charms were not broken by torture, since the Death Eaters remained unaware that Ron Weasley was with Harry and Hermione, rather than sick at home with spattergroit as had been claimed, for months afterwards.[8] This may mean that a certain level of torture is necessary to break the charm, or that the torturer needs to be specific on wanting to break it, rather than just inflicting the pain.
Since Lockhart's backfired Memory Charm has never been broken through, it is possible that torture is the only method of complete recovery, as it is doubtful that St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries would commit crimes against humanity just to recover Lockhart's memory. It is also possible, however, that since it was cast improperly, Lockhart's memory was actually erased permanently with no chance of recovery whatsoever.
Uses
| Caster(s) | Victim(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toke family | Many Muggles | Known as the Ilfracombe Incident, it was the largest casting of the Memory Charm in the twentieth century, after a Common Welsh Green attacked a group of sunbathers in Devon, England in 1932.[5] |
| Several Witches and Wizards | Gilderoy Lockhart rose to fame by tracking down less-than reputable characters who had accomplished mighty feats, questioned them in detail about it, placed Memory Charms on them to remove all recollection of the feat, claimed credit for it, and published a book on it. This was revealed to Harry and Ron in the Chamber of Secrets venture. | |
| Gilderoy Lockhart | Himself (Unintentionally) | In 1993, Lockhart was attempting to cast the charms on Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in order to take credit for braving the Chamber of Secrets, but he used Ron's damaged wand, and the spell backfired and wiped all of his memory.[6] |
| Barty Crouch Sr. | Bertha Jorkins | Bertha discovered that Crouch was keeping his son trapped in their home under the Imperius Curse. Lord Voldemort later broke the charm protecting this memory.[7] |
| Ministry Obliviators | Mr. Roberts, Mrs. Roberts, and their children | To keep the family unaware of the 1994 Quidditch World Cup occurring near their campground, and after the family was attacked by Death Eaters.[7] |
| Kingsley Shacklebolt | Marietta Edgecombe | Marietta was prevented from talking about secret Dumbledore's Army meetings in 1996[9]. |
| Ministry Obliviators | President of unknown country | This Muggle official was made to forget to telephone the Prime Minister in order to clear time in the latter's schedule to meet with Cornelius Fudge and Rufus Scrimgeour.[10] |
| Hermione Granger | Antonin Dolohov, Thorfinn Rowle, and a Muggle waitress | After the Death Eaters attacked her, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley on Tottenham Court Road in 1997, Hermione wiped their memories of the event in order to throw them off the scent of the trio's whereabouts, and to preserve Ron's cover story of being sick at home with spattergroit. The waitress was a witness to the skirmish.[8] |
| Hermione Granger | Xenophilius Lovegood | Used after an attempted ambush of her, Harry and Ron at the Lovegood House in 1998 to wipe his memory of the conversation he had with the trio about the Deathly Hallows to ensure that Xenophilius was unable to tell the Death Eaters that Ron was with Harry and Hermione.[8] |
Etymology
The incantation "obliviate" may be derived from the Latin oblivisci, meaning "to forget", or the English word oblivion, defined as "the fact or condition of forgetting or having forgotten"[11].
It may be derived from the Latin term oblivio, which also means "to forget"
Behind the scenes
Hermione using the Memory Charm on her parents.
- In Chapter 9 of Deathly Hallows, just prior to erasing Antonin Dolohov and Thorfinn Rowle's memories, Hermione says that she has never performed a Memory Charm before, despite having already altered her parents' memories.[8] However, J. K. Rowling has said this was a different charm[3], which alters memories rather than removes them.
- Despite Rowling's statement that the charm Hermione used on her parents was not the same, in the Part 1 film adaption, Hermione uses the actual Memory Charm to eradicate her mother and father's memories of her.
- However, it all still fits in as in the film Hermione doesn't say she hasn't used it before.
- Either symbolically or by actual magic, when Hermione performed the charm on her parents, all images of her in their family pictures were erased as well.
- Despite Rowling's statement that the charm Hermione used on her parents was not the same, in the Part 1 film adaption, Hermione uses the actual Memory Charm to eradicate her mother and father's memories of her.
- In the W.O.M.B.A.T.'s on J. K. Rowling's Official Website, it is referred to as the Forgetfulness Charm.
- As Bertha managed to remember about Barty Crouch Jr. after Voldemort tortured her and broke the charm, it is possible that the charm simply suppresses memories, as opposed to erasing them. However, when Lockhart suffers a backfiring Memory Charm, it seemed that his memories were irreversibly erased.
- In the German translation, the incantation is sometimes translated as Amnesia, in the Czech translation "Zapomeň/te" and in Italian it is used Oblivion while in other cases remains Obliviate.
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First mentioned)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First appearance) (First identified as Memory Charm)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- J. K. Rowling Official Site (Named Forgetfulness Charm)
- Harry Potter Trading Card Game
- Pottermore
- Harry Potter for Kinect
Notes and references
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game) - PS1 version
- ↑ J. K. Rowling Official Site
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 30 July 2007 WebChat with J.K. Rowling
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (real)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- ↑ Merriam-Webster Online
| The Standard Book of Spells | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||
| 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) | |||||