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[[File:Basilisk.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A basilisk, whose indirect gaze causes petrification.]]
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[[File:Petrified.jpg|250px|thumb|Victims of Petrification turned to stone]]
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{{Quote|Dark Magic of the most advanced kind.|[[Albus Dumbledore]] on petrification|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}
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{{Quote|Dark Magic of the most advanced kind.|[[Albus Dumbledore]] regarding Petrification|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}
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'''Petrification''' was a malign [[magic]]al state in which a living [[creature]] was rendered immobile and unresponsive, as if they had been turned to stone.<ref name="COS9"/> It was a phenomenon of the most advanced [[Dark Arts|Dark Magic]],<ref name="COS9">{{COS|B|9}}</ref> affecting [[beast]]s, [[being]]s and even [[spirit]]s such as [[ghost]]s.<ref name="COS11">{{COS|B|11}}</ref> Petrification could be inflicted by the [[statue curse]],<ref name="HM62">{{HM|6|2}}</ref> along with the gazes of the [[Gorgon]]<ref name="WBS">{{WBS}}</ref> and the [[Basilisk]].<ref name="COS16">{{COS|B|16}}</ref><ref name="FBR">{{FB|R}}</ref> In the case of the Basilisk, its gaze ordinarily [[Death|killed]] living creatures,<ref name="COS16"/> but when seen indirectly, or by a [[ghost]] (who was already dead and couldn't die again),<ref name="COS11">{{COS|B|11}}</ref><ref name="COS16"/> it caused Petrification instead.<ref name="COS16"/>
   
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==History==
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'''Petrification''' is the process of being turned to stone. The only proven causes of petrification are the gaze of the [[Gorgon]] and the [[Basilisk]], the latter only when reflected in or seen through another object. However, there may be a [[Dark Arts|Dark spell]] that does the same.
  
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During the history of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], the [[Chamber of Secrets]] was opened twice, and in both cases the [[Serpent of Slytherin]] was released and attacked the [[Muggle-born]] student body. The first opening in [[1943]] resulted in the Petrification of three Muggle-born students, and the [[death]] of one, [[Myrtle Warren]].<ref name="COS13">{{COS|B|13}}</ref><ref name="COS16"/> The second opening in [[1992]] led to the Petrification of students [[Colin Creevey]],<ref name="COS10">{{COS|B|10}}</ref> [[Justin Finch-Fletchley]],<ref name="COS11"/> [[Hermione Granger]] and [[Penelope Clearwater]],<ref name="COS14">{{COS|B|14}}</ref> along with the [[cat]] [[Mrs Norris]]<ref name="COS9"/> and the [[ghost]] [[Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington]].<ref name="COS11"/>
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It should not be confused with the [[Full Body-Bind Curse]] or the [[Hardening Charm]].
  
   
 
==Effects==
  
==Effects==
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Victims of petrification are paralysed and unmovable, and seem to be unconscious; it takes careful examination to discern whether a victim is petrified or dead. The difference between petrification and death is that the petrified victim appears to enter rigor mortis instantaneously and remains that way, while a dead person enters, and leaves it, within a normal timeframe. A petrified [[ghost]] will turn a dark smoky grey and can only be moved using a fan. The only effective remedy for petrification is a draught made of [[Mandrake]] roots.
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Victims of Petrification were completely paralysed and unresponsive. It may have taken careful examination to discern if a victim was Petrified.<ref name="COS9"/> A Petrified [[ghost]] would turn a dark smoky grey and could only be moved using air currents.<ref name="COS11"/> The [[antidote]] to Petrification was the [[Mandrake Restorative Draught]], a highly potent [[Healing magic|healing]] [[potion]] made from [[Stewed Mandrake]]s.<ref name="COS9"/>
   
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The [[Full Body-Bind Curse]] is similar to petrification, but it is temporary, easily lifted, and the victim is fully conscious, thus it is not nearly as dangerous. [[Transmogrifian Torture]] has been said by [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] to cause death and petrification; however, the truth of his claims are dubious.
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Petrification should not be confused with the [[Full Body-Bind Curse]] or the [[Hardening Charm]]. The Full Body-Bind Curse was only temporary and could be lifted easily, while the Hardening Charm [[Transformation|turned]] an object to literal stone.<ref name="WBS"/> [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] once confused the effects of Petrification with those of the [[Transmogrifian Torture]];<ref name="COS9"/> however, the truth of his claims were extremely dubious.<ref name="COS16"/>
   
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==Known victims==
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In [[1940s|1943]] and [[1992]], [[Salazar Slytherin]]'s [[Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk|Basilisk]] was released from the [[Chamber of Secrets]] in [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] and petrified several [[Muggle-born]] students; in the former case, one student, [[Myrtle]], was killed.<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''</ref>
  
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===Basilisk attacks===
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{{Quote|The Basilisk kills people by looking at them. But no one's died — because no one looked it straight in the eye. Colin saw it through his camera. The Basilisk burned up all the film inside it, but Colin just got Petrified. Justin... Justin must've seen the Basilisk through Nearly Headless Nick! Nick got the full blast of it, but he couldn't die again... and Hermione and that Ravenclaw prefect were found with a mirror next to them. Hermione had just realised the monster was a Basilisk.|The known victims of Petrification|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}
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{|class="wikitable" border="1" 500px;"
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|-
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!align="center" width="20%"|Victim
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!scope="col"|Circumstances
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|-
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|[[Mrs Norris]]
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|Saw the Basilisk's reflection in the [[water]] on the floor.<ref name="COS9"/>[[File:Mrs Norris petrified.jpg|250px|thumb|left]]
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|-
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|[[Colin Creevey]]
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|Saw the Basilisk through his camera; the Basilisk's gaze also burned his camera's film to a crisp.<ref name="COS10"/>[[File:Petrified Colin Creevey.jpg|250px|thumb|left]]
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|-
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|[[Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington]]
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|Saw the Basilisk directly, but as a ghost he could not die again, so thus was only Petrified.<ref name="COS11"/>[[File:Nick petrified.jpg|250px|thumb|left]]
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|-
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|[[Justin Finch-Fletchley]]
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|Saw the Basilisk through the ghost of Sir Nicholas, who was transparent, did not see the Basilisk directly.<ref name="COS11"/>[[File:Justin petrified.jpg|250px|thumb|left]]
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|-
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|[[Hermione Granger]]
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|Saw the Basilisk in Penelope's [[Penelope Clearwater's mirror|mirror]], while near the [[Hogwarts Library]].<ref name="COS16"/>
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[[File:Petrified Hermione.jpg|250px|thumb|left]]
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|-
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|[[Penelope Clearwater]]
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|Saw the Basilisk in her mirror, along with Hermione Granger.<ref name="COS16"/>[[File:Petrified.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Penelope is furthest on the left]]
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|-
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|[[Unidentified Muggle-born Hogwarts students (1943)|Muggle-born students of Hogwarts]] ([[1943]])
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|During the incident of the first unleashing of the beast in 1943, unnamed Muggle-born [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] students were Petrified.<ref name="COS13"/>
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|}
   
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===Statue curse===
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==Known victims of Petrification==
  
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{|class="wikitable" border="1" 500px;"
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[[File:Justin_petrified_COS_1.jpg|thumb|250px|Justin Finch-Fletchley shortly after his petrification]]
  
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|-
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*[[Mrs. Norris]] — saw the basilisk's reflection in the [[water]] on the floor.
  
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!align="center" width="20%"|Victim
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*[[Colin Creevey]] — saw the basilisk through his camera; the basilisk's gaze also burned his camera's film to a crisp.
  
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!scope="col"|Circumstances
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*[[Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington]] — saw the basilisk directly, but, as a ghost, he could not die again.
  
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|-
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*[[Justin Finch-Fletchley]] — saw the basilisk through Nick, who was transparent.
  
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|[[Unidentified petrified student|Unidentified student]]
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*[[Hermione Granger]] — saw the basilisk in Penelope's mirror.
  
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|Was found Petrified in the [[Clock Tower Courtyard]] in [[1989]].<ref name="HM62"/>
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*[[Penelope Clearwater]] — saw the basilisk in her mirror; it is possible that Penelope is [[half-blood]]ed and was only subject to an attack because she was there when the basilisk petrified Hermione, a Muggle-born.
  
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[[File:Unidentified petrified student.jpg|250px|thumb|left]]
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|-
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|[[Unidentified petrified Gryffindor girl]]
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|Was found Petrified in [[1989]].<ref name="HM67">{{HM|6|7}}</ref>[[File:Unidentified petrified Gryffindor girl.png|250px|thumb|left]]
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|-
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|[[Poppy Pomfrey]]
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|Was found Petrified in the [[Hospital Wing]] in the [[1989–1990 school year]].<ref name="HM614">{{HM|6|14}}</ref>
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[[File:Pomfrey Petrified.jpg|250px|thumb|left]]
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|-
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|[[Unidentified Petrified girl (I)|Unidentified girl]]
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|Was found Petrified in the [[1989–1990 school year]].<ref name="HM624">{{HM|6|24}}</ref>
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[[File:Unidentified petrified girl HM.png|250px|thumb|left]]
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|-
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|[[Unidentified Petrified boy (II)|Unidentified boy]]
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|Was found Petrified in the [[1989–1990 school year]].<ref name="HM624"/>
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[[File:Unidentified petrified boy from Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery.png|250px|thumb|left]]
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|-
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|[[Unidentified petrified girl (II)|Unidentified girl]]
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|Was found Petrified in the [[Hogwarts Library]] in [[1989–1990 school year]].<ref name="HM636">{{HM|6|36}}</ref>
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[[File:Unidentified petrified girl (II) HM.png|250px|thumb|left]]
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|}
   
 
==Etymology==
  
==Etymology==
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*The Latin verb ''petrificare'' means "to make into stone", from the Latin word for "rock", ''petra''.
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The Latin verb ''petrificare'' means 'to make into stone', from the Latin word for 'rock', ''petra''.
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
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*It is unknown how [[Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington|Nearly Headless Nick]] was revived from being Petrified, because, as a [[ghost]], he presumably would not have been able to consume the [[antidote]]. However, as Petrified [[human]]s couldn't consume [[potion]]s either, being unconscious, it is possible that the potion may have been administered in a form that could affect ghosts such as via a spray bottle.
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[[File:Nearly_headless_nick_petrified_basilisk.jpg|thumb|188px|Nearly Headless Nick petrified]]
  
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*In mythology, petrification is associated with [[wikipedia:Medusa|Medusa]] the [[Gorgon]] and the [[cockatrice]] as well as the basilisk. In Cornish folklore, petrification legends explain the origin of prehistoric megalithic monuments, such as the Merry Maidens stone circle.<ref>{{Wikilink|Petrification in mythology and fiction}}</ref>
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* It is unknown how [[Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington|Nearly Headless Nick]] was revived from being petrified, because, as a [[ghost]], he presumably would not have been able to consume the antidote. (However, as petrified humans cannot consume potions either, being unconscious, perhaps the antidote is administered in a way that could also revive ghosts.)
  
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* In mythology, petrification is associated with [[Wikipedia:Medusa|Medusa]] the [[Gorgon]] and the [[cockatrice]] as well as the basilisk. In Cornish folklore, petrification legends explain the origin of prehistoric megalithic monuments, such as the Merry Maidens stone circle.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrification Wikipedia:Petrification]</ref>
  
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* In the ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|film adaptation]]'' of ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'', [[Quirinus Quirrell]] appeared to be turned to stone when touched by Harry, due to the latter's [[Sacrificial Protection|counter-charm]] reacting to Voldemort (to whom Quirrell was biological linked), and eventually crumbled apart. This form of petrification was not seen in anywhere else in the series.
  
   
 
==Appearances==
  
==Appearances==
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*{{COS}} {{1st}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' {{1st}}
  
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*{{COS|F}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)]]''
  
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*{{COS|G}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book]]'' {{Mention}}
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*{{FB|R}} {{Mention}}
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*{{HPPU}} {{Mention}}
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*''[[Harry Potter Trading Card Game]]''
  
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*{{TCG}}
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*''[[Pottermore]]''
  
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*{{PM}}
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*''[[Wonderbook: Book of Spells]]''
  
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*{{WW}} {{Mention}}
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*{{WBS}}
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*{{HPV|CR}} {{Mention}}
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*{{HM}}
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*{{WU}}
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*{{MA}}
   
 
==Notes and references==
  
==Notes and references==
 
{{Reflist}}
  
{{Reflist}}
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[[de:Versteinerungs-Zauber]]
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[[Category:Articles related to basilisks]]
  
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[[es:Petrificación]]
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[[Category:Dark Magic]]
  
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[[pl:Petryfikacja]]
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[[pt-br:Petrificação]]
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[[Category:Articles related to Basilisks]]
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[[Category:Dark Arts]]
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[[Category:Magical powers]]
 
[[Category:Plot to open the Chamber of Secrets]]
  
[[Category:Plot to open the Chamber of Secrets]]
 
[[Category:Transformations]]
  
[[Category:Transformations]]

Latest revision as of 07:17, 2 January 2024

Hand pointing right transparent Warning!

At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery & Harry Potter: Magic Awakened.
As such, spoilers will be present within the article.

Petrified

Victims of Petrification turned to stone

"Dark Magic of the most advanced kind."
— Albus Dumbledore regarding Petrification[src]

Petrification was a malign magical state in which a living creature was rendered immobile and unresponsive, as if they had been turned to stone.[1] It was a phenomenon of the most advanced Dark Magic,[1] affecting beasts, beings and even spirits such as ghosts.[2] Petrification could be inflicted by the statue curse,[3] along with the gazes of the Gorgon[4] and the Basilisk.[5][6] In the case of the Basilisk, its gaze ordinarily killed living creatures,[5] but when seen indirectly, or by a ghost (who was already dead and couldn't die again),[2][5] it caused Petrification instead.[5]

History

During the history of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Chamber of Secrets was opened twice, and in both cases the Serpent of Slytherin was released and attacked the Muggle-born student body. The first opening in 1943 resulted in the Petrification of three Muggle-born students, and the death of one, Myrtle Warren.[7][5] The second opening in 1992 led to the Petrification of students Colin Creevey,[8] Justin Finch-Fletchley,[2] Hermione Granger and Penelope Clearwater,[9] along with the cat Mrs Norris[1] and the ghost Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington.[2]

Effects

Victims of Petrification were completely paralysed and unresponsive. It may have taken careful examination to discern if a victim was Petrified.[1] A Petrified ghost would turn a dark smoky grey and could only be moved using air currents.[2] The antidote to Petrification was the Mandrake Restorative Draught, a highly potent healing potion made from Stewed Mandrakes.[1]

Petrification should not be confused with the Full Body-Bind Curse or the Hardening Charm. The Full Body-Bind Curse was only temporary and could be lifted easily, while the Hardening Charm turned an object to literal stone.[4] Gilderoy Lockhart once confused the effects of Petrification with those of the Transmogrifian Torture;[1] however, the truth of his claims were extremely dubious.[5]

Known victims

Basilisk attacks

"The Basilisk kills people by looking at them. But no one's died — because no one looked it straight in the eye. Colin saw it through his camera. The Basilisk burned up all the film inside it, but Colin just got Petrified. Justin... Justin must've seen the Basilisk through Nearly Headless Nick! Nick got the full blast of it, but he couldn't die again... and Hermione and that Ravenclaw prefect were found with a mirror next to them. Hermione had just realised the monster was a Basilisk."
— The known victims of Petrification[src]
Victim Circumstances
Mrs Norris Saw the Basilisk's reflection in the water on the floor.[1]
Mrs Norris petrified
Colin Creevey Saw the Basilisk through his camera; the Basilisk's gaze also burned his camera's film to a crisp.[8]
Petrified Colin Creevey
Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington Saw the Basilisk directly, but as a ghost he could not die again, so thus was only Petrified.[2]
Nick petrified
Justin Finch-Fletchley Saw the Basilisk through the ghost of Sir Nicholas, who was transparent, did not see the Basilisk directly.[2]
Justin petrified
Hermione Granger Saw the Basilisk in Penelope's mirror, while near the Hogwarts Library.[5]
Petrified Hermione
Penelope Clearwater Saw the Basilisk in her mirror, along with Hermione Granger.[5]
Petrified

Penelope is furthest on the left

Muggle-born students of Hogwarts (1943) During the incident of the first unleashing of the beast in 1943, unnamed Muggle-born Hogwarts students were Petrified.[7]

Statue curse

Victim Circumstances
Unidentified student Was found Petrified in the Clock Tower Courtyard in 1989.[3]
Unidentified petrified student
Unidentified petrified Gryffindor girl Was found Petrified in 1989.[10]
Unidentified petrified Gryffindor girl
Poppy Pomfrey Was found Petrified in the Hospital Wing in the 1989–1990 school year.[11]
Pomfrey Petrified
Unidentified girl Was found Petrified in the 1989–1990 school year.[12]
Unidentified petrified girl HM
Unidentified boy Was found Petrified in the 1989–1990 school year.[12]
Unidentified petrified boy from Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery
Unidentified girl Was found Petrified in the Hogwarts Library in 1989–1990 school year.[13]
Unidentified petrified girl (II) HM

Etymology

The Latin verb petrificare means 'to make into stone', from the Latin word for 'rock', petra.

Behind the scenes

  • It is unknown how Nearly Headless Nick was revived from being Petrified, because, as a ghost, he presumably would not have been able to consume the antidote. However, as Petrified humans couldn't consume potions either, being unconscious, it is possible that the potion may have been administered in a form that could affect ghosts such as via a spray bottle.
  • In mythology, petrification is associated with Medusa the Gorgon and the cockatrice as well as the basilisk. In Cornish folklore, petrification legends explain the origin of prehistoric megalithic monuments, such as the Merry Maidens stone circle.[14]

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 9 (The Writing on the Wall)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 11 (The Duelling Club)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 2 (Curses and Prophecies)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wonderbook: Book of Spells
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 16 (The Chamber of Secrets)
  6. ↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 13 (The Very Secret Diary)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 10 (The Rogue Bludger)
  9. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 14 (Cornelius Fudge)
  10. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 7 (Niffler Hunting)
  11. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 14 (A New Friend of a Friend)
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 24 (Return to the Forest)
  13. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 36 (Search for the Mole)
  14. ↑ WP favicon Petrification in mythology and fiction on Wikipedia
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