Quintessence: A Quest is a book about Charms. In 1996, Filius Flitwick instructed his Sixth year N.E.W.T. Charms class to read this book.

Harry pretended to be absorbed in this book, so as not to have to respond to Ron's complaints about Hermione having snogged Viktor Krum.^[1]

EtymologyEdit

Quintessence comes from the Latin quinta essentia, literally meaning "fifth essence". Though the term can have a number of meanings, the most likely one being referred to here is the concept of a fifth classical element (the other four being air, water, fire, and earth) that makes up the regions of the universe beyond the terrestrial sphere. This element is more commonly referred to as æther, although different mythologies have differing standards, the Japanese godai, for example, designating it as the void, and the film "The Fifth Element" (1997) deeming it humanity.

AppearancesEdit

• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (First appearance)

Notes and referencesEdit

Charms (class)
Professors: Filius Flitwick
Textbooks: The Standard Book of Spells · Achievements in Charming · Quintessence: A Quest
Charmbook writers and charm developers: Miranda Goshawk · Scarpin · Felix Summerbee · Randolph Keitch · Basil Horton · Mnemone Radford · Elliot Smethwyck · Jarleth Hobart · Delfina Crimp · Orabella Nuttley · Levina Monkstanley · Fred Weasley · George Weasley
Charms studied at Hogwarts: Levitation Charm · Fire-Making Charm · Softening Charm · Skurge · Aresto Momentum · Cheering Charm · Freezing Spell · Seize and Pull Charm · Summoning Charm · Banishing Charm · Silencing Charm · Mending Charm · Reductor Curse · Colour Change Charm · Growth Charm · Water-Making Spell · Locomotion Charm · Vinegar into Wine · Bird-Conjuring Charm