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{{Spoiler|HM|PAS|MA|HL}}
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{{Wonderbook}}
  
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{{Pottermoreold}}
  
 
{{Spell infobox
  
{{Spell infobox
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|name=Unlocking Charm
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|name = Unlocking Charm
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|image=[[File:Alohomora.JPG|250px]]
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|image = Alohomora.gif
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|incantation=''Alohomora''<br/>(al-LOH-ha-MOR-ah)
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|incantation = ''Alohomora''<ref name="WBS"/><br/>(ah-LOH-ho-MOR-ah)<ref name="PSF 17"/>
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|type=[[Charm]]
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|type = [[Charm]]<ref name="WBS"/>
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|hand = [[File:Unlocking-spell.png]]
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|hand=Point wand at lock
  
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|light = Invisible, blue, yellow, or purple<ref name="light">{{See video|url=https://www.youtube.com//watch?v=U_hplMxkHAo}}{{dead link}}</ref>
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|light=Invisible, blue, or yellow
  
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|effect = Unlocked objects<ref name="WBS"/><ref name="BL">[http://harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/books/glossary/a Bloomsbury Glossary: A]</ref>
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|effect=Unlocks doors, chests, etc.
  
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|creator=[[Ancient African sorcerer]]; first brought to Britain by [[Eldon Elsrickle]] in the early [[1600s]]
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|creator = [[Ancient African sorcerer]] (possibly); first brought to Britain by [[Eldon Elsrickle]] in the early [[1600s]]<ref name="WBS"/>
 
}}
  
}}
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{{Quote|There are many ways to pass through locked doors in the magical world (see the [[Fire-Making Spell]], [[Gouging Spell]], and the [[Reductor Curse]]) where you wish to enter or depart discreetly, however, the Unlocking Charm is your best friend.|The introduction to the entry on this spell in ''[[Book of Spells]]''.|Wonderbook: Book of Spells}}
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{{Quote|There are many ways to pass through locked doors in the magical world (see the [[Fire-Making Spell]], [[Gouging Spell]], and the [[Reductor Curse]]) where you wish to enter or depart discreetly, however, the Unlocking Charm is your best friend.|The introduction in the ''[[Book of Spells]]''|Wonderbook: Book of Spells}}
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The '''Unlocking Charm''' (''Alohomora''),<ref name="WBS"/> also known as the '''Unlocking Spell'''<ref name="HM35"/> or the '''Thief's Friend'''<ref name="WBS"/> was a [[charm]] that unlocked objects such as doors or windows.<ref name="WBS"/><ref name="BL" /><ref name="COG">{{COG}} - ''[https://books.google.pt/books?id=b0hrDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA57&lpg=PA57#v=onepage&q&f=false Fantastic Beasts: A Cinematic Yearbook]''</ref> It was also able to open doors locked by the [[Locking Spell]] (''Colloportus''), and as such, acted as its [[counter-charm]]. The [[Anti-Alohomora Charm]] could be used to prevent this charm from working on a locked target.<ref name="WBS"/>
   
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==History==
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The '''Unlocking Charm''', also known as the '''Thief's Friend''' (''Alohomora'') is a [[charm]] that opens mechanical locks that are not protected by magic. It is also able to open doors locked by ''[[Colloportus]]''. There is a spell called the [[Anti-Alohomora Charm]] which is used to counteract this spell.
  
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{{Quote|Welcome, everyone. Today you will learn the Unlocking Charm, ''Alohomora''! It's the very best spell when a wizard forgets his keys. Come to think of it, with ''Alohomora'', why would a wizard even need keys? A discussion for another day, I suppose. [[Wand]]s up, everyone!|[[Filius Flitwick|Professor Flitwick]] to first-year Charms students|Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery}}
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[[File:AlohomoraHM.png|200px|thumb|left|A mechanical lock being broken with this charm]]
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The Unlocking Charm had its origins in [[Africa]], whereupon it was called the Thief's Friend. The first known person to have mastered the charm was an [[Ancient African sorcerer]], who taught it to thief [[Eldon Elsrickle]] during the latter's trip to the continent in the [[17th century]]. Upon returning to his native [[Great Britain|Britain]], Elsrickle used it to terrorise [[London]], stealing from homes of [[Non-magic people|Muggles]] and [[Wizardkind|wizards]] alike, until [[Blagdon Blay]] invented the [[Anti-Alohomora Charm]]. Before he died, Elsrickle gave knowledge of the Unlocking Charm in exchange for his freedom on the infrequent occasions he broke into a magical household, resulting in the spell being widespread in the country.<ref name="WBS">{{WBS}}</ref>
   
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Before the discovery of ''Alohomora'', the most popular unlocking spell was ''[[Portaberto]]'', which splintered the lock from a door but occasionally left a smoking hole where the key should have gone. Before ''Portaberto,'' however, the most popular opening spell was ''[[Open Sesame]]'', which ripped doors from their hinges and tore them into firewood. All of these were more rudimentary and by far less subtle than ''Alohomora''.<ref name="WBS"/>
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Descriptions of this spell are written in numerous books, including [[The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1|the first volume of the Standard Book of Spells series]], where it is described in chapter seven <ref>[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]</ref> and [[Alohomora spellbook|a spellbook]] that can be found in the [[Hogwarts Library]].<ref>[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)]]</ref>
  
   
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Descriptions of this spell were written in numerous books, including [[The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1|the first volume of the Standard Book of Spells series]], where it was described in chapter seven.<ref name="PSF 17">{{PS|F}}, Chapter 17 (''Three-headed Sentinel'')</ref> and [[Alohomora spellbook|a spellbook]] that could be found in the [[Hogwarts Library]].<ref name="PSG">{{PS|G}}</ref> This spell was also taught in [[Charms (class)|Charms class]] in the [[first year]] at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] and was one of the first spells students learnt.<ref name="HM18c">{{HM|1|8|c}}</ref>
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==History==
  
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Although it is unknown who invented it (the spell was created in [[Africa]]) it was brought to [[Britain]] and hence to the world in the [[17th century]] by [[Eldon Elsrickle]]. He used it to terrorise [[London]], stealing from homes of [[Muggle]]s and [[Wizardkind|wizards]] alike, until [[Blagdon Blay]] invented an Anti-Alohomora Charm.
  
   
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In the summer of [[1992]], [[Harry Potter]] considered using this charm to unlock the cage of his pet [[owl]] [[Hedwig]] at [[4 Privet Drive]], but did not, since he knew that [[Underage magic|underage]] wizards and witches were not allowed to use [[magic]] outside of Hogwarts.<ref name="COS1">{{COS|B|1}}</ref>
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==Known practitioners==
  
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*[[Eldon Elsrickle]]
  
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The door guarding the [[Philosopher's Stone]] was protected against the Unlocking Charm; a [[Winged Keys|winged key]] was necessary to open it.<ref name="PS16"/> A single door in the [[Department of Mysteries]] was impervious to this spell as well; it is possible that it opened in the [[Love Chamber|room]] where the [[British Ministry of Magic]] studied the power of [[love]] in the [[Department of Mysteries]].<ref name="OOTP34"/>
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*[[Hermione Granger]]
  
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*[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]]
  
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==Counter-charm==
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*[[Harry Potter]]
  
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There was a spell called the [[Anti-Alohomora Charm]] which was used to counteract this spell.<ref name="WBS"/> [[Magical lock]]s also existed and were placed on several doors, but could be unlocked with this charm.<ref name="PSG"/><ref name="COSG">{{COS|G}}</ref><ref name="POAG">{{POA|G}}</ref>
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*[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]
  
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*[[Miriam Strout]]
  
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*[[Nymphadora Tonks]]
  
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*Unknown Death Eater (possibly [[Lucius Malfoy]])
  
   
 
==Known uses==
  
==Known uses==
 
===Successful===
  
===Successful===
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{{Quote|<nowiki/>'Oh, move over,' Hermione snarled. She grabbed [[Harry Potter's wand|Harry's wand]], tapped the lock, and whispered, 'Alohomora!' The lock clicked and the door swung open —|Hermione using this charm to unlock a door on the third-floor corridor|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
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*In the early [[1600s]], [[Eldon Elsrickle]] was the first wizard to use it in the western world. Elsrickle had learnt the spell from an [[Ancient African sorcerer]], and used it to ransack the houses of [[London]], [[Muggle]] and [[wizardkind|wizarding]] alike.
  
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{| class="wikitable" border="1"
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*On 31 October 1981 [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] used this spell to break into the Potters' house and murder [[James Potter I|James]] and [[Lily Evans|Lily Potter]].
  
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|-
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*[[Hermione Granger]] used this spell on multiple occasions: she used it to open a forbidden entrance on the [[Third Floor Corridor]] of [[Hogwarts Castle]] in [[1991]], to open the window to Professor [[Filius Flitwick]]'s office to rescue [[Sirius Black]] in [[1994]], and to open [[Regulus Black]]'s bedroom in [[12 Grimmauld Place]] in [[1997]].
  
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! align="left" width="17%" |Caster(s)
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*The [[Janus Thickey Ward]] at [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]] can only be entered by using this spell. [[Healer]]s and visitors may enter, but patients are unable to get out.
  
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! align="left" width="17%" |Date
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*During the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]], one of the [[Death Eaters]] used this spell to open doors shut by the [[Dumbledore's Army|D.A.]].
  
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! align="left" width="50%" |Notes
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|-
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|[[Eldon Elsrickle]]
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|[[1600s]]
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|The first wizard to use it in the western world. Elsrickle had learnt the spell from an [[Ancient African sorcerer]] and used it to ransack the houses of [[London]], [[Non-magic people|Muggle]], and [[Wizardkind|wizarding]] alike.<ref name="WBS">{{WBS}}</ref>
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|-
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|[[Sebastian Sallow]]
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|Before or in the [[1890–1891 school year]]
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|Used it to get into the [[Restricted Section]] before the [[Hogwarts librarian|librarian]] [[Agnes Scribner]] cast an [[Anti-Alohomora Charm]] on the lock.<ref name="HL SRS">{{HL|Secrets of the Restricted Section}}</ref>
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|-
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|[[Eleazar Fig]]
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|[[1890]]
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|To unlock the door of [[San Bakar's Tower]]<ref name="HLPRT">{{HL|Percival Rackham's Trial}}</ref>
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|-
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|[[Unidentified 19th-century Hogwarts student]]
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|1890–1891 school year
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|Taught the basic form of the spell by the [[Hogwarts caretaker|caretaker]] [[Gladwin Moon]] in order to retrieve [[Demiguise Statue]]s in the [[Faculty Tower]] without being seen.<ref name="HL CLL">{{HL|The Caretaker's Lunar Lament}}</ref> Learnt more advanced forms of the spell from Moon after they returned more statues to him.<ref name="HL MBM">{{HL|The Man Behind the Moons}}</ref>
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|-
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| rowspan="2" |[[Newton Scamander|Newt Scamander]]
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|[[6 December]] [[1926]]
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|Used it to open a safe at [[Steen National Bank]] to retrieve [[Teddy (Niffler)|Teddy]], his niffler.<ref name="FBS">{{FB|S}}</ref>
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[[File:NewtAlohomora.gif|250px|thumb|right]]
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|-
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|[[1932]]
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|Used it to open the locked front gate of the [[Erkstag]] prison to get his brother [[Theseus Scamander|Theseus]] out.<ref name="SOD">{{SOD}}</ref>
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|-
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|[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]
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| rowspan="2" |[[31 October]] [[1981]]
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|Used it to break into the [[Potters' Cottage|Potters' house]], before [[Killing Curse|murdering]] [[James Potter I|James]] and [[Lily J. Potter|Lily Potter]] and trying to murder their son [[Harry Potter]].<ref name="PSF 8">{{PS|F}}, Chapter 8 (''The Boy Who Lived'')</ref>[[File:VoldemortAlohomora.gif|250px|thumb|right]]
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|-
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|[[Albus Potter]]
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|Used it after time-travelling to the day his grandparents were killed to unlock the doors of [[St Jerome's Church]] in order to let Harry Potter's friends come and help him to duel [[Delphini]].<ref name="CC411">{{CC|B|4|11}}</ref>
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|-
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|colspan="1" rowspan="4" |[[Jacob's sibling]]
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|[[1984–1985 school year]]
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|[[Jacob's sibling]] and [[Rowan Khanna]] used this [[charm]] to unlock the door of the room that contains the [[Cursed ice]].<ref name="HM19">{{HM|1|9}}</ref>
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|-
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|[[1985–1986 school year]]
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|Used to unlock a cabinet in the [[Artefact Room]].<ref name="HM21">{{HM|2|1}}</ref>
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[[File:Jacob's sibling unlocking cabinet HM21.png|250px|thumb|right]]
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|-
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|[[1986–1987 school year]]
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|Used it unlock the door to [[Room 234-00]].<ref name="HM34">{{HM|3|4}}</ref>
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|-
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|[[1986–1987 school year]]
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|Used it unlock a cabinet in the Artefact Room which contained a [[Boggart]].<ref name="HM37">{{HM|3|7}}</ref>
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|-
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|[[Jacob's sibling]], [[Jae Kim]] or [[Nymphadora Tonks]]
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|[[1990–1991 school year]]
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|One of them used it to open the door to the [[Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher's office]].<ref name="HM742">{{HM|7|42}}</ref>
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|-
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| colspan="1" rowspan="3" |[[Hermione Granger]]
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|[[1991]]
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|Used it to open a forbidden entrance on the [[Third-floor corridor]] of [[Hogwarts Castle]].<ref name="PS9">{{PS|B|9}}</ref>
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|-
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|[[6 June]] [[1994]]
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|Used it to open the window to Professor [[Filius Flitwick]]'s office to rescue [[Sirius Black]].<ref name="POA21">{{POA|B|21}}</ref>
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|-
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|[[2 August]] [[1997]]
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|Used it to open [[Regulus Black]]'s bedroom in [[12 Grimmauld Place]].<ref name="DH10">{{DH|B|10}}</ref>
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|-
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| colspan="1" |[[Death Eaters]]
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|[[18 June]] [[1996]]
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|One of the [[Death Eaters]] used it to open doors to [[Time Room]] shut by the Hermione Granger.<ref name="OOTP34">{{OOTP|B|34}}</ref>
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|-
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| colspan="1" |[[St Mungo's]] staff (such as [[Miriam Strout]])
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|[[25 December]] 1996
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|The [[Janus Thickey Ward]] at [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]] could only be entered by using this spell. [[Healer]]s and visitors may have entered, but patients were unable to get out.<ref name="OOTP23">{{OOTP|B|23}}</ref>
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|-
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|[[Scorpius Malfoy]]
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|[[1 September]] [[2020]]
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|Used it to open the [[Minister for Magic]]'s office at the [[British Ministry of Magic Headquarters|Ministry of Magic]] when he, [[Albus Potter]] and [[Delphini]] [[Infiltration of the British Ministry of Magic (2020)|infiltrated]] the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry]] to steal a [[Time-Turner]].<ref name="CC111">{{CC|B|1|11}}</ref>
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|}
   
 
===Unsuccessful===
  
===Unsuccessful===
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{{Quote|[[Trio|They]] tugged and heaved at the door, but it wouldn’t budge, not even when Hermione tried her Alohomora Charm.|Hermione Granger's unsuccessful use of this charm in the [[Underground Chambers]]|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
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*The door guarding the [[Philosopher's Stone]] in [[1991]] was protected against Alohomora; a [[Winged Keys|winged key]] was necessary to open it. A single door in the [[Department of Mysteries]] was impervious to this spell as well. It is the door which presumably conceals the room where the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] studies the power of Love.
  
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{| class="wikitable" border="1"
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*In [[1996]], Harry assumed that [[Dolores Umbridge|Umbridge]]'s office door had been bewitched so that this spell wouldn't work.
  
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|-
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*In [[1996]], Harry Potter tried to use the spell on the Hogwarts gates with no effect, as [[Albus Dumbledore]] had bewitched the gates.
  
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! align="left" width="17%" |Caster(s)
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! align="left" width="17%" |Date
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! align="left" width="50%" |Notes
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|-
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|[[Eldon Elsrickle]]
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|[[1600]]s
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|He eventually found that all wizarding households placed an [[Anti-Alohomora Charm]] on their doors and could no longer unlock their doors.<ref name="WBS">{{WBS}}</ref>
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|-
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|[[Queenie Goldstein]]
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|[[7 December]] [[1926]]
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|Tried to unlock [[Percival Graves]]'s [[Percival Graves's office|office]] at the [[Magical Congress of the United States of America]] using this spell and the [[Opening Charm]], but was unsuccessful. She speculated that he had secured it with advanced spells.<ref name="FBS">{{FB|S}}</ref>
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|-
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|[[Jacob's sibling]]
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|[[1986–1987 school year]]
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|Tried it to unlock a padlock belonging to [[Tulip Karasu]] on [[Jacob's room]], but it was protected against it.<ref name="HM35">{{HM|3|5}}</ref>
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|-
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| colspan="1" rowspan="2" |[[Hermione Granger]]
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|[[4 June]] [[1992]]
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|Tried to unlock the locked door in the Flying Key room, but the door could only open with the key.<ref name="PS16">{{PS|B|16}} </ref>
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|-
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|18 June 1996
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|Tried to unlock the locked door to the [[Love Chamber]] in the [[Department of Mysteries]], shortly before the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]].<ref name="OOTP34">{{OOTP|B|34}}</ref>
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|-
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| colspan="1" rowspan="2" |[[Harry Potter]]
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|[[1 September]] 1996
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|Tried to unlock the [[Entrance Gates|Hogwarts gates]] with no effect since [[Albus Dumbledore]] had bewitched them.<ref name="HBP7">{{HBP|B|7}}</ref>
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|-
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|[[17 June]] 1996
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|Harry Potter assumed that [[Dolores Umbridge|Umbridge]]'s office door had been bewitched so that this spell wouldn't work.<ref name="OOTP32">{{OOTP|B|32}}</ref>
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|}
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==Known practitioners==
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<gallery widths="105" orientation="portrait" spacing="small" position="center">
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Eldon Elsrickle.png|[[Eldon Elsrickle]]<ref name="WBS"/>
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Sebastian Sallow HL.jpeg|[[Sebastian Sallow]]<ref name="HL SRS"/>
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Gladwin Moon - HL.png|[[Gladwin Moon]]<ref name="HL CLL"/><ref name="HL MBM"/>
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Unidentified 19th-century Hogwarts student.jpeg|[[Unidentified 19th-century Hogwarts student]]<ref name="HL CLL"/><ref name="HL MBM"/>
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Newton Scamander Profile crop.png|[[Newton Scamander]]<ref name="FBS"/>
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Queenie Goldstein SODM.jpeg|[[Queenie Goldstein]]<ref name="FBS"/>
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Filius Flitwick profile.jpg|[[Filius Flitwick]]<ref name="HM18c"/>
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Jacob's sibling generic.png|[[Jacob's sibling]]<ref name="HM18c"/><ref name="HM19"/><ref name="HM21"/><ref name="HM34"/><ref name="HM35"/><ref name="HM37"/>
  +
Rowan Khanna BOTH.png|[[Rowan Khanna]]<ref name="HM19"/>
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Penny Haywood HM8.png|[[Penny Haywood]]<ref name="HM530">{{HM|5|30}}</ref>
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Hermione Granger.jpg|[[Hermione Granger]]<ref name="PS9"/><ref name="PS16"/><ref name="POA21"/><ref name="OOTP34"/>
  +
Ron Weasley.jpg|[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]]<ref name="PSG"/><ref name="POAG"/>
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Harry Potter.jpg|[[Harry Potter]]<ref name="PSG"/><ref name="COSG"/><ref name="POAG"/><ref name="HBP7"/>
  +
Lord Voldemort.jpg|[[Tom Riddle]]<ref name="PSF 8"/>
  +
Remus Lupin Deathly Hallows promo image.jpg|[[Remus Lupin]]<ref name="POAF">{{POA|F}}</ref>
  +
Miriam Strout HM.jpg|[[Miriam Strout]]<ref name="OOTP23"/>
  +
Scorpius Malfoy (HPCC).png|[[Scorpius Malfoy]]<ref name="CC111"/>
  +
Albus Potter (HPCC).png|[[Albus Potter]]<ref name="CC411"/>
  +
</gallery>
   
 
==Etymology==
  
==Etymology==
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J. K. Rowling stated that the word was from the West African Sidiki dialect used in geomancy and has the literal meaning "''Friendly to thieves''". <ref>Rowling, J. K. (2008-04-14). Statement of J.K. Rowling in testimony during the WB and JKR vs. RDR Books. Archived on 2008-04-16 from http://web.archive.org/web/20080423072217/www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2008/4/15/first-day-of-jkr-wb-vs-rdr-books-trial</ref>
 +
[[J. K. Rowling]] stated that the word was from the West African Sikidy figures used in geomancy and has the literal meaning "''Friendly to thieves''".<ref>Rowling, J. K. (2008-04-14). Statement of J.K. Rowling in testimony during the WB and JKR vs. RDR Books. Archived on 2008-04-16 from http://web.archive.org/web/20080423072217/www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2008/4/15/first-day-of-jkr-wb-vs-rdr-books-trial</ref>
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
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[[File:Alorromora.JPG|thumb|Harry opening Dolores Umbridge's Office with this spell]]
 +
[[File:Alohomora-0.gif|150px|thumb|The hand movement promoted by [[Warner Bros.]]]]
  +
[[File:Alorromora.JPG|250px|thumb|Harry opening Dolores Umbridge's Office with this spell in {{OOTP|FA}}]]
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*Although [[Dolores Umbridge]]'s office at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] was (assumed) impervious to this spell in the novel, [[Harry Potter]] uses this [[spell]] to open it before attempting to use the [[Floo Network]] in the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''.
  
  +
[[File:AlohomoraPAS.png|150px|thumb|''Alohomora'' as seen in {{PAS}}]]
  +
[[File:AlohomoraGesture.png|150px|thumb|The wand movement shown in {{HM}}]]
  +
*''[[Alohomora Duo]]'' is a stronger version of this spell; however, this spell was ultimately cut from the final release of the [[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)|''Goblet of Fire'' video game]].
  +
*Although [[Dolores Umbridge]]'s office at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] was (assumed) impervious to this spell in the novel, [[Harry Potter]] uses this [[spell]] to open it before attempting to use the [[Floo Network]] in {{OOTP|FA}}.
 
*As it was described in a textbook, this may be learned in Hogwarts Charms classes in the first year.
  
*As it was described in a textbook, this may be learned in Hogwarts Charms classes in the first year.
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*This may be the spell that [[Remus Lupin]] used to open a wardrobe containing a [[Boggart]], and the spell that Harry Potter used wandlessly to open his cupboard to retrieve his school supplies.
 +
*This may be the spell that [[Remus Lupin]] used to open a wardrobe containing a [[Boggart]] and the spell that Harry Potter used wandlessly to open his cupboard to retrieve his school supplies.
−
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'', instead of using Alohomora to help [[Sirius Black]] escape, Hermione used [[Bombarda]] to blast open his cell door.
 +
*In {{POA|FA}}, instead of using the Unlocking Charm to help [[Sirius Black]] escape, Hermione used ''[[Bombardment Spell|Bombarda]]'' to blast open his cell door.
−
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)|''Chamber of Secrets'' video game]] for GameCube, Xbox and PS2 it's specified that ''Alohomora'' is for use on mechanical locks. In most other sources, it's used on magical locks and the spell ''[[colloportus]]'' as well.
 +
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)|''Chamber of Secrets'' video game]] for GameCube, Xbox, and PS2 it's specified that the Unlocking Charm is for use on mechanical locks. In most other sources, it's used on magical locks and the [[Locking Spell]] as well.
  +
**Also in the manuals for the video games, it lampshades the fact that not everything can be unlocked with the charm (such as certain doors and inaccessible areas), and thus tells the player to not get frustrated over this fact.
−
*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'' and ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7|Years 5-7]]'', ''[[Reducto]]'' is used to blast open most locks, instead of ''Alohomora''.
  
  +
***It is only in ''Chamber of Secrets'', that only chests can be opened with the charm, while in the previous game, almost anything can be unlocked as long as it had to symbol for the charm's use. This was mainly that in the second game, the charm was to be optionally brought at [[Fred and George Weasley's Shop]] in the video games, and thus it would have little impact on locations that involve the story of the game outside of side quests and hidden locations.
−
*According to ''[[Book of Spells]]'', the spell ''[[Portaberto]]'' was the most popular unlocking spell before this, and prior to that ''[[Open Sesame]]'' was.
  
  +
*In {{LEGO|Y1}} and {{LEGO|Y2}}, the [[Reductor Curse]] is used to blast open most locks, instead of the Unlocking Charm.
−
*''[[Pottermore]]'' states that the hand movement is thus:<br/>[[File:Unlocking-spell.png]]<br/>However, ''Wonderbook'' shows it as a 4.
  
  +
*According to ''[[Book of Spells]]'', the spell ''[[Portaberto]]'' was the most popular unlocking spell before this, and before that, ''[[Open Sesame]]'' was.
  +
*While the spell usually just unlocks, [[Newton Scamander|Newt Scamander]] was showing using it to both unlock and open a safe in {{FB|FA}}.
  +
*In {{PS|FA}}, Ron Weasley tried to use this spell on the door of the flying key chamber instead of Hermione Granger.
  +
  +
==Appearances==
  +
{{Imagecat|Images of the Unlocking Charm}}
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*{{PS}} {{1st}}
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*{{PS|F}}
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*{{PS|G}}
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*{{COS}} {{Mention}}
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*{{COS|F}} {{Possible}}
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*{{COS|G}}
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*{{POA}}
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*{{POA|F}}
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*{{POA|G}} {{C|Not in console versions}}
  +
*{{GOF|G}} {{C|GBA and NDS versions only}}
  +
*{{OOTP}}
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*{{OOTP|F}}
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*{{HBP}}
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*{{DH}}
  +
*{{DH|G2}}
  +
*{{CC}}
  +
*{{CC|P}}
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*{{FB|S}}
  +
*{{FB|F}}
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*{{SOD}}
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*{{LEGO|Y1}} {{C|DS/PSP versions only}}
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*{{HPS}}
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*{{TCG}}
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*{{PM}}
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*{{WBS}}
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*{{FBC}}
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*{{HM}}
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*{{WU}}
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*{{PAS}}
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*{{MA}} {{Mention}}
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*{{HL}}
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==Notes and references==
  +
{{Reflist}}
   
 
==See also==
  
==See also==
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*[[Charms]]
  
 
*''[[Annihilare]]''
  
*''[[Annihilare]]''
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*''[[Aberto]]''
 
*''[[Dunamis]]''
  
*''[[Dunamis]]''
 
*''[[Liberare]]''
  
*''[[Liberare]]''
Line 65: Line 233:
 
*''[[Open Sesame]]''
  
*''[[Open Sesame]]''
 
*''[[Portaberto]]''
  
*''[[Portaberto]]''
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{{Charms}}
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==Appearances==
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' {{1st}}
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)]]'' {{Possible}}
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)]]''
  
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*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'' {{C|DS/PSP versions only}}
  
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*''[[Harry Potter: Spells]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter Trading Card Game]]''
  
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*''[[Pottermore]]''
  
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*''[[Wonderbook: Book of Spells]]''
  
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==Notes and references==
  
−
{{Reflist}}
  
−  
 
{{The Standard Book of Spells}}
  
{{The Standard Book of Spells}}
−  
 
[[de:Alohomora]]
  
[[de:Alohomora]]
 
[[es:Alohomora]]
  
[[es:Alohomora]]
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[[fi:Alohomora]]
 
[[fr:Sortilège de Déverrouillage]]
  
[[fr:Sortilège de Déverrouillage]]
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[[ja:アロホモラ]]
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[[pl:Alohomora]]
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[[pt-br:Feitiço de Desbloqueio]]
 
[[ru:Алохомора]]
  
[[ru:Алохомора]]
 
[[Category:Charms]]
  
[[Category:Charms]]
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[[Category:Counter-charms]]
 
[[Category:Opening spells]]
  
[[Category:Opening spells]]
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[[Category:Spells of known incantation]]
  +
[[Category:Spells with a light]]

Latest revision as of 22:46, 15 April 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: Puzzles & Spells & Harry Potter: Magic Awakened & Hogwarts Legacy.
As such, spoilers will be present within the article.

"There are many ways to pass through locked doors in the magical world (see the Fire-Making Spell, Gouging Spell, and the Reductor Curse) where you wish to enter or depart discreetly, however, the Unlocking Charm is your best friend."
— The introduction in the Book of Spells[src]

The Unlocking Charm (Alohomora),[1] also known as the Unlocking Spell[5] or the Thief's Friend[1] was a charm that unlocked objects such as doors or windows.[1][4][6] It was also able to open doors locked by the Locking Spell (Colloportus), and as such, acted as its counter-charm. The Anti-Alohomora Charm could be used to prevent this charm from working on a locked target.[1]

History

"Welcome, everyone. Today you will learn the Unlocking Charm, Alohomora! It's the very best spell when a wizard forgets his keys. Come to think of it, with Alohomora, why would a wizard even need keys? A discussion for another day, I suppose. Wands up, everyone!"
— Professor Flitwick to first-year Charms students[src]
AlohomoraHM

A mechanical lock being broken with this charm

The Unlocking Charm had its origins in Africa, whereupon it was called the Thief's Friend. The first known person to have mastered the charm was an Ancient African sorcerer, who taught it to thief Eldon Elsrickle during the latter's trip to the continent in the 17th century. Upon returning to his native Britain, Elsrickle used it to terrorise London, stealing from homes of Muggles and wizards alike, until Blagdon Blay invented the Anti-Alohomora Charm. Before he died, Elsrickle gave knowledge of the Unlocking Charm in exchange for his freedom on the infrequent occasions he broke into a magical household, resulting in the spell being widespread in the country.[1]

Before the discovery of Alohomora, the most popular unlocking spell was Portaberto, which splintered the lock from a door but occasionally left a smoking hole where the key should have gone. Before Portaberto, however, the most popular opening spell was Open Sesame, which ripped doors from their hinges and tore them into firewood. All of these were more rudimentary and by far less subtle than Alohomora.[1]

Descriptions of this spell were written in numerous books, including the first volume of the Standard Book of Spells series, where it was described in chapter seven.[2] and a spellbook that could be found in the Hogwarts Library.[7] This spell was also taught in Charms class in the first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and was one of the first spells students learnt.[8]

In the summer of 1992, Harry Potter considered using this charm to unlock the cage of his pet owl Hedwig at 4 Privet Drive, but did not, since he knew that underage wizards and witches were not allowed to use magic outside of Hogwarts.[9]

The door guarding the Philosopher's Stone was protected against the Unlocking Charm; a winged key was necessary to open it.[10] A single door in the Department of Mysteries was impervious to this spell as well; it is possible that it opened in the room where the British Ministry of Magic studied the power of love in the Department of Mysteries.[11]

Counter-charm

There was a spell called the Anti-Alohomora Charm which was used to counteract this spell.[1] Magical locks also existed and were placed on several doors, but could be unlocked with this charm.[7][12][13]

Known uses

Successful

"'Oh, move over,' Hermione snarled. She grabbed Harry's wand, tapped the lock, and whispered, 'Alohomora!' The lock clicked and the door swung open —"
— Hermione using this charm to unlock a door on the third-floor corridor[src]
Caster(s) Date Notes
Eldon Elsrickle 1600s The first wizard to use it in the western world. Elsrickle had learnt the spell from an Ancient African sorcerer and used it to ransack the houses of London, Muggle, and wizarding alike.[1]
Sebastian Sallow Before or in the 1890–1891 school year Used it to get into the Restricted Section before the librarian Agnes Scribner cast an Anti-Alohomora Charm on the lock.[14]
Eleazar Fig 1890 To unlock the door of San Bakar's Tower[15]
Unidentified 19th-century Hogwarts student 1890–1891 school year Taught the basic form of the spell by the caretaker Gladwin Moon in order to retrieve Demiguise Statues in the Faculty Tower without being seen.[16] Learnt more advanced forms of the spell from Moon after they returned more statues to him.[17]
Newt Scamander 6 December 1926 Used it to open a safe at Steen National Bank to retrieve Teddy, his niffler.[18]
NewtAlohomora
1932 Used it to open the locked front gate of the Erkstag prison to get his brother Theseus out.[19]
Lord Voldemort 31 October 1981 Used it to break into the Potters' house, before murdering James and Lily Potter and trying to murder their son Harry Potter.[20]
VoldemortAlohomora
Albus Potter Used it after time-travelling to the day his grandparents were killed to unlock the doors of St Jerome's Church in order to let Harry Potter's friends come and help him to duel Delphini.[21]
Jacob's sibling 1984–1985 school year Jacob's sibling and Rowan Khanna used this charm to unlock the door of the room that contains the Cursed ice.[22]
1985–1986 school year Used to unlock a cabinet in the Artefact Room.[23]
Jacob's sibling unlocking cabinet HM21
1986–1987 school year Used it unlock the door to Room 234-00.[24]
1986–1987 school year Used it unlock a cabinet in the Artefact Room which contained a Boggart.[25]
Jacob's sibling, Jae Kim or Nymphadora Tonks 1990–1991 school year One of them used it to open the door to the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher's office.[26]
Hermione Granger 1991 Used it to open a forbidden entrance on the Third-floor corridor of Hogwarts Castle.[27]
6 June 1994 Used it to open the window to Professor Filius Flitwick's office to rescue Sirius Black.[28]
2 August 1997 Used it to open Regulus Black's bedroom in 12 Grimmauld Place.[29]
Death Eaters 18 June 1996 One of the Death Eaters used it to open doors to Time Room shut by the Hermione Granger.[11]
St Mungo's staff (such as Miriam Strout) 25 December 1996 The Janus Thickey Ward at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries could only be entered by using this spell. Healers and visitors may have entered, but patients were unable to get out.[30]
Scorpius Malfoy 1 September 2020 Used it to open the Minister for Magic's office at the Ministry of Magic when he, Albus Potter and Delphini infiltrated the Ministry to steal a Time-Turner.[31]

Unsuccessful

"They tugged and heaved at the door, but it wouldn’t budge, not even when Hermione tried her Alohomora Charm."
— Hermione Granger's unsuccessful use of this charm in the Underground Chambers[src]
Caster(s) Date Notes
Eldon Elsrickle 1600s He eventually found that all wizarding households placed an Anti-Alohomora Charm on their doors and could no longer unlock their doors.[1]
Queenie Goldstein 7 December 1926 Tried to unlock Percival Graves's office at the Magical Congress of the United States of America using this spell and the Opening Charm, but was unsuccessful. She speculated that he had secured it with advanced spells.[18]
Jacob's sibling 1986–1987 school year Tried it to unlock a padlock belonging to Tulip Karasu on Jacob's room, but it was protected against it.[5]
Hermione Granger 4 June 1992 Tried to unlock the locked door in the Flying Key room, but the door could only open with the key.[10]
18 June 1996 Tried to unlock the locked door to the Love Chamber in the Department of Mysteries, shortly before the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.[11]
Harry Potter 1 September 1996 Tried to unlock the Hogwarts gates with no effect since Albus Dumbledore had bewitched them.[32]
17 June 1996 Harry Potter assumed that Umbridge's office door had been bewitched so that this spell wouldn't work.[33]

Known practitioners

Etymology

J. K. Rowling stated that the word was from the West African Sikidy figures used in geomancy and has the literal meaning "Friendly to thieves".[36]

Behind the scenes

Alohomora-0

The hand movement promoted by Warner Bros.

Alorromora

Harry opening Dolores Umbridge's Office with this spell in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

AlohomoraPAS

Alohomora as seen in Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells

AlohomoraGesture

The wand movement shown in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 10 images related to Unlocking Charm.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Wonderbook: Book of Spells
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film), Chapter 17 (Three-headed Sentinel)
  3. ↑ (see this video)dead link
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bloomsbury Glossary: A
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Chapter 5 (Tulip Karasu)
  6. ↑ Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - Fantastic Beasts: A Cinematic Yearbook
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 1, Chapter 8 (Preparing for the Room) - Charms Lesson "Alohomora"
  9. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 1 (The Worst Birthday)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 16 (Through the Trapdoor)
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 34 (The Department of Mysteries)
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Hogwarts Legacy, Main Quest "Secrets of the Restricted Section"
  15. ↑ Hogwarts Legacy, Main Quest "Percival Rackham's Trial"
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Hogwarts Legacy, Main Quest "The Caretaker's Lunar Lament"
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Hogwarts Legacy, Side Quest "The Man Behind the Moons"
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay
  19. ↑ Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film), Chapter 8 (The Boy Who Lived)
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Act Four, Scene Eleven
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 1, Chapter 9 (Inside the Room)
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Chapter 1 (Year Two Begins)
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Chapter 4 (Filching from Filch)
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Chapter 7 (Jacob's Room)
  26. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 42 (A Study in Green)
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 9 (The Midnight Duel)
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 21 (Hermione's Secret)
  29. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 10 (Kreacher's Tale)
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 23 (Christmas on the Closed Ward)
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Act One, Scene Eleven
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 7 (The Slug Club)
  33. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 32 (Out of the Fire)
  34. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 30 (Into the Vault)
  35. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
  36. ↑ Rowling, J. K. (2008-04-14). Statement of J.K. Rowling in testimony during the WB and JKR vs. RDR Books. Archived on 2008-04-16 from http://web.archive.org/web/20080423072217/www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2008/4/15/first-day-of-jkr-wb-vs-rdr-books-trial

See also

Charms (class)
PS Wingardium Leviosa feather
Charm-book writers and developers
Blagdon Blay · Daisy Pennifold · Delfina Crimp · Miranda Goshawk · Jarleth Hobart · Basil Horton · Helixa Hyslop · Syna Hyslop · Randolph Keitch · Levina Monkstanley · Orabella Nuttley · Mnemone Radford · Scarpin · Elliot Smethwyck · Felix Summerbee · Violeta Stitch
Professors Fortinbras · Filius Flitwick · Abraham Ronen · Unidentified male professor · Unidentified medieval professor
Textbooks Achievements in Charming · Extreme Incantations · Quintessence: A Quest · The Standard Book of Spells
Charms studied at Hogwarts
Anti-Alohomora Charm · Ascension Charm (Ascendio) · Banishing Charm (Depulso) · Blackboard Writing Spell · Blue sparks · Bombardment Spell (Bombarda) · Box Blasting Charm (Cistem Aperio) · Bubble-Head Charm · Cheering Charm · Cleaning Charm · Colour Change Charm (Colovaria) · Confundus Charm (Confundo) · Counter-charm for hiccoughs · Dancing Feet Spell (Tarantallegra) · Descendo · Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus) · Disillusionment Charm · Drought Charm · Entrancing Enchantments (theoretically) · Eradication Spell (Deletrius) · Engorgement Charm (Engorgio) · Extinguishing Spell · Fire-Making Spell (Incendio) · Freezing Charm (Immobulus) · Freezing Spell (Glacius) · Full Body-Bind Curse (Petrificus Totalus) · General Counter-Spell (Finite Incantatem) · Gouging Spell (Defodio) · Growth Charm · Ice Jinx · Impervius Charm (Impervius) · Knitting Charm · Knockback Jinx (Flipendo) · Leg-Locker Curse (Locomotor Mortis) · Levitation Charm (Wingardium Leviosa) · Locking Spell (Colloportus) · Locomotion Charm (Locomotor) · Lumos Solem Spell (Lumos Solem) · Mending Charm (Reparo) · Memory Charm (Obliviate) · Muffliato Charm (Muffliato) · Nonverbal spells · Pack Charm (Pack) · Red Sparks (Vermillious) · Reductor Curse (Reducto) · Scouring Charm (Scourgify) · Seize and pull charm (Carpe Retractum) · Severing Charm (Diffindo) · Shrinking Charm (Reducio) · Silencing Charm (Silencio) · Slowing Charm (Arresto Momentum) · Skurge Charm (Skurge) · Softening Charm (Spongify) · Spell for growing legs · Substantive Charm · Summoning Charm (Accio) · Tickling Charm (Rictusempra) · Unlocking Charm (Alohomora) · Vinegar to wine spell · Wand-Extinguishing Charm (Nox) · Wand-Lighting Charm (Lumos) · Lumos Maxima · Water-Making Spell (Aguamenti)
The Standard Book of Spells
Book of Spells 1
Grade 1 · Grade 2 · Grade 3 · Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6 · Grade 7
Charms included in the series: Dancing Feet Spell (Tarantallegra) · Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus) · Engorgement Charm (Engorgio) · Fire-Making Spell (Incendio) · Freezing Charm (Immobulus) · General Counter-Spell (Finite Incantatem) · Levitation Charm (Wingardium Leviosa) · Locking Spell (Colloportus) · Memory Charm (Obliviate) · Mending Charm (Reparo) · Nonverbal spell · Severing Charm (Diffindo) · Skurge Charm (Skurge) · Softening Charm (Spongify) · Substantive Charm · Summoning Charm (Accio) · Tickling Charm (Rictusempra) · Unlocking Charm (Alohomora) · Wand-Lighting Charm (Lumos)
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