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Types of magic

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The Types of Magic utilized by the Wizarding community include those with both positive and negative effects, so termed because of their abilities to inherently improve or to inherently destruct a creature, object, or condition. Some spells listed here may fit into more than one category.

Contents

[edit] Positive Magic

Positive magic is magic that benefits a creature or object by either ameliorating a condition or improving on an existing trait. Positive magic includes Charms, Conjuration, Protective Spells and Transfiguration.

[edit] Charms

A charm is a type of enchantment that causes an object to behave in a way that is not otherwise normal for that object. A "charm" is a rather arbitrary designation for spells that are not classified as Transfiguration (spells that change the inherent nature of an object). For example, the Colour Change Charm causes something to flash different colours; the Levitation or Hover Charm causes an object to levitate; the Cheering Charm improves upon a creature's mood.

A Charm might cause something to flash different colours. It might cause an object to levitate or even fly through the air. Charms can make a person laugh or dance or even create a bubble of breathable air around a person's head. In all of these cases, the object or the person doesn't really change, they just do something unexpected.

Some Charms can be extremely powerful. The Fidelius Charm, for example, can completely hide a person or a place in such a way that no one can find them unless they are given the location by a Secret Keeper. Memory Charms can be so strong that they completely remove a person's memory or even damage his or her mind permanently.

[edit] List of Charms Spells

[edit] Protective Spells

Slightly different from the base category of charms, these spells specifically protect persons, places, or objects from outside forces such as Dark Magic or from being seen or detected. The Fidelius Charm, for example, completely hides an object in such a way that it may only be located if someone is told the location by a person designated as a Secret-Keeper. Protective spells cast over others are different from curses in that curses inherently control others with intent of causing harm while protective spells are chiefly used as shields or barriers.

[edit] Conjuration

Conjuring is a type of Transfiguration magic that creates objects out of thin air. Conjuration is included under the main category of Transfiguration, but is different in that Conjuration specifically creates objects. Conjuring is advanced magic; they are N.E.W.T. level at Hogwarts and are taught in Sixth Year and Seventh Year.

[edit] List of Conjuring Spells

[edit] Transfiguration

Transfiguration is the art of changing of the form and appearance of an object and the Vanishing Spell of objects. This magical art is governed by Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration which acknowledges the limits to the power of this branch of magic.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry devotes an entire section of their curriculum to Transfiguration.

[edit] Negative Magic

Negative magic is magic that causes harm or destruction to creatures or objects by either taking power away from them or transferring power from them to another source by force. Negative magic is chiefly used to attack creatures or objects. This type of magic is not necessarily "evil" (See Dark Magic). Though historically favoured by Dark Wizards, magic with negative powers is employed by wizards of all walks of life. Negative magic includes curses, hexes, and jinxes.

[edit] Curses

A Curse is a magic spell used with the intention of causing harm, control, or terror over others. Curses are commonly used during duels.

[edit] Hexes

A Hex is less powerful than a Curse and more powerful than a Jinx. Hexes cause a certain degree of pain and discomfort. Hexes are considered by some as a minor kind of Dark Magic, but they can also be used for protection by distracting people or creatures. For instance, in 1995, Ginny Weasley made the mere mention of Garrotting Gas in a Hogwarts hallway and it was enough to keep students from going in that direction.

[edit] List of Hexes

[edit] Jinxes

A Jinx is a spell with negative effects used chiefly for the amusement of observers and the minor discomfort of the victim. They are also part of defensive magic, and students of Defence Against the Dark Arts learn them. During her time as professor of this subject at Hogwarts, Dolores Umbridge taught that jinxes should not be used in self-defence.

Jinx effects can be removed by a Counter-Jinx, and they can be prevented by an Anti-Jinx. Wilbert Slinkhard said a "Counter-Jinx" was improperly named, and that Counter-Jinx is a name wizards give their spells to make them sound more friendly." Hermione Granger does not agree with this.

[edit] List of Jinxes

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