Changes: Protean Charm

Revision as of 18:25, 18 August 2009

The Protean Charm is a charm that links several objects together through a common purpose. The charm qualifies as Transfiguration in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry curriculum.

In 1995, Hermione Granger used this charm to link fake coins in order to communicate with the members of Dumbledore's Army. The change in shape of one fake Galleon changed the shape of the others. Ravenclaw Terry Boot commented that the charm was N.E.W.T.-level and was very impressed by her ability to perform it as a fifth-year. Hermione explained she got the idea from the Dark Mark tattoos of the Death Eaters, which were used to summon them to their master. The coins were used constantly by various D.A. members until 1996. At that time, Ron Weasley and Hermione attempted to summon help during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower, but only Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood responded, as they were especially vigilant members.

The Protean-charmed Galleons were used once again in 1998 when the D.A. convened in the Room of Requirement to form a resistance against Headmaster Severus Snape and the Carrow professors. Presumably, Hermione gave the master coin to Neville, Luna or Ginny Weasley.

Draco Malfoy, inspired by Hermione's coins, used a similar method to communicate with Madam Rosmerta, whom he had under the Imperius Curse as part of his plan to assassinate Albus Dumbledore.

Etymology

The English word Protean derives from Proteus, a god in Greek Mythology. Proteus was a shape-changer, able to take many forms. As a result, the word Protean has come to refer to versatility, flexibility, or an ability to assume many forms. "Protean" is also similar to "protein", derived from the same root, meaning a variable, flexible substance which forms strong bonds between its constituent parts.

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 The '''Protean Charm''' is a charm that links several objects together through a common purpose. The charm qualifies as [[Transfiguration]] in the [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] curriculum.
-In [[1995]], [[Hermione Granger]] used this charm to link [[Dumbledore's Army Coin|fake coins]] in order to communicate with the members of [[Dumbledore's Army]]. The change in shape of one fake [[Galleon]] changed the shape of the others. [[Ravenclaw]] [[Terry Boot]] commented that the charm was [[N.E.W.T.]]-level and was very impressed by her ability to perform it as a fifth-year. Hermione explained she got the idea from the [[Dark Mark]] tattoos of the [[Death Eaters]], which were used to summon them to their [[Tom Riddle|master]]. The coins were used constantly by various D.A. members until [[1996]]. At that time, [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and Hermione attempted to summon help during the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]], but only [[Neville Longbottom]] and [[Luna Lovegood]] responded, as they were especially vigilant members.
+In [[1995]], [[Hermione Granger]] used this charm to link [[Dumbledore's Army Coin|fake coins]] in order to communicate with the members of [[Dumbledore's Army]]. The change in shape of one fake [[Galleon]] changed the shape of the others. [[Ravenclaw]] [[Terry Boot]] commented that the charm was [[Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test|N.E.W.T.]]-level and was very impressed by her ability to perform it as a fifth-year. Hermione explained she got the idea from the [[Dark Mark]] tattoos of the [[Death Eaters]], which were used to summon them to their [[Tom Riddle|master]]. The coins were used constantly by various D.A. members until [[1996]]. At that time, [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and Hermione attempted to summon help during the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]], but only [[Neville Longbottom]] and [[Luna Lovegood]] responded, as they were especially vigilant members.
 The Protean-charmed Galleons were used once again in [[1998]] when the D.A. convened in the [[Room of Requirement]] to form a resistance against Headmaster [[Severus Snape]] and the [[Carrow]] professors. Presumably, Hermione gave the master coin to Neville, Luna or [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]].
@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 ==Etymology==
-The English word Protean derives from [[Wikipedia:Proteus|Proteus]], a god in Greek Mythology.  Proteus was a shape-changer, able to take many forms.  As a result, the word Protean has come to refer to versatility, flexibility, or an ability to assume many forms. "Protean" is also similar to "protein", derived from the same root, meaning a variable, flexible substance which forms strong bonds between its constituent parts.
+The English word Protean derives from [[Wikipedia:Proteus|Proteus]], a god in Greek Mythology. Proteus was a shape-changer, able to take many forms. As a result, the word Protean has come to refer to versatility, flexibility, or an ability to assume many forms. "Protean" is also similar to "protein", derived from the same root, meaning a variable, flexible substance which forms strong bonds between its constituent parts.
 [[Category:Charms]]
 [[Category:Transfiguration Spells]]