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==Known uses==
  
==Known uses==
 
===Successful===
  
===Successful===
−
*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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* 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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*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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* 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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*[[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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* [[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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*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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* 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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*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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* 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.]].
   
 
===Unsuccessful===
  
===Unsuccessful===
  +
* In [[1600]]s, after multiple robberies, Eldon Elsrickle eventually found that all wizarding households placed an [[Anti-Alohomora Charm]] on their doors, and could no longer unlock their doors.
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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.
 +
* 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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*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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* 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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*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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* In [[1996]], Harry Potter tried to use the spell on the Hogwarts gates with no effect, as [[Albus Dumbledore]] had bewitched the gates.
   
 
==Etymology==
  
==Etymology==

Revision as of 18:10, 5 May 2013

"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.[src]

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.

Descriptions of this spell are written in numerous books, including the first volume of the Standard Book of Spells series, where it is described in chapter seven [1] and a spellbook that can be found in the Hogwarts Library.[2]

History

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 Muggles and wizards alike, until Blagdon Blay invented an Anti-Alohomora Charm.

Known practitioners

Known uses

Successful

Unsuccessful

  • In 1600s, after multiple robberies, Eldon Elsrickle eventually found that all wizarding households placed an Anti-Alohomora Charm on their doors, and could no longer unlock their doors.
  • The door guarding the Philosopher's Stone in 1991 was protected against Alohomora; a 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 Ministry of Magic studies the power of Love.
  • In 1996, Harry assumed that Umbridge's office door had been bewitched so that this spell wouldn't work.
  • In 1996, Harry Potter tried to use the spell on the Hogwarts gates with no effect, as Albus Dumbledore had bewitched the gates.

Etymology

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". [3]

Behind the scenes

Alorromora

Harry opening Dolores Umbridge's Office with this spell

See also

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
  2. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
  3. ↑ 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
  4. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 1 - (The Worst Birthday) - Harry considers the possibility of unlocking Hedwig's cage using magic.
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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