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A modifier was a word attached to an incantation to alter the effects of the spell that incantation was used in; for example, modifiers were frequently used to increase a spell's strength or the spell's direction.

Known modifiers[]

Horribilis[]

The Horribilis modifier had only ever been used in conjunction with the Shield Charm which allowed it to protect a large area almost completely from Dark magic (though admittedly it was used in conjunction with other spells).[1]

Locomotor Modifiers[]

The Locomotor spell altered a target's motion in a variety of ways, depending on which modifier was used with the spell.

Maxima[]

The Maxima modifier increased the strength of a spell, possibly to its highest intensity.

Appearances[]

Numerical[]

The numerical modifiers were Duo and Tria. When each was attached to a spell's inantation, they increased its strength and could potentially change the spell's appearance, Tria more so than Duo.

Uses[]

Appearances[]

Revelio[]

Main article: Revelio

The Revelio spell was used to reveal hidden information in various forms, depending on which modifier was used with the spell.

Uses[]

  • Homenum Revelio - revealed the presence of humans in the immediate vicinity
  • Specialis Revelio - revealed enchantments cast over an object or the ingredients of a potion

Appearances[]

Solem[]

The Solem modifier was only ever used with Lumos, which converted its harmless, all-round glow into a harsh ray of light, though it is unknown what would happen (if anything) if used in conjunction with other spells.

Appearances[]

Total[]

The Total modifier had two forms (Totalus and Totalum), both coming from the Latin totus meaning "as a whole". It appeared to spread the original spell's area of effect.

Uses[]

Appearances[]

Behind the scenes[]

  • Modifiers are much less common in the books than in other media such as in the films.
  • Modifiers appear to be able to be used in conjunction with other modifiers to get the combined effect of both, as the Full Body-Bind Curse (which contains the total modifier) can be used with the numerical modifiers.
  • It is possible that the Locomotor modifier is also combined with the Total modifier in Piertotum Locomotor.
  • It is unknown whether Maxima or Total is the strongest. Total means the spell has reached it's total amount of effect, and Maxima means the spell has reached it's maximum effect; which is in fact two different words for the same thing.

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 30 (The Sacking of Severus Snape)
  2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 13 (Nicolas Flamel)
  3. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 12 (The Vault Portrait) - Charms Lesson "Locomotor Mortis"
  4. Pottermore - Curses and Counter-Curses
  5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) - Chapter 20 (Unquiet Escape)
  6. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 42 (A Study in Green) - Defence Against the Dark Arts Lesson "Bombarda Maxima"
  7. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 18 (Into the Forest)
  8. Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
  9. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) - Chapter 1 (Under Covers Prologue)
  10. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 29 (Final Preparations) - Charms Lesson "Lumos Maxima"
  11. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
  12. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Side Quest "The Wisdom of Ravenclaw"
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