Changes: Snake-Vanishing Spell

Revision as of 23:19, 7 June 2013

"Snape stepped forward, waved his wand, and the snake vanished in a small puff of black smoke."

— Description^[src]

Vipera Evanesca is the incantation of the counter-curse and untransfiguration for the Snake Summons Spell, causing the conjured snake to vanish in a puff of black smoke. It can also be used to annihilate snakes Transfigured from other objects.

History of use

Severus Snape cast this spell in 1992 at the Duelling Club to dispose of a snake that Draco Malfoy had conjured while duelling Harry Potter.

Harry Potter also used it while searching for horcruxes in 1997, causing a snake that had appeared in his path to vanish.^[1]

Albus Dumbledore also used this spell during the Duel in the Ministry Atrium with Tom Riddle, destroying the serpent that the dark wizard had transfigured from his Fire rope.

During the Ousting of Severus Snape, Professor McGonagall used this spell nonverbally, Vanishing the snake that Snape had transfigured from her Fiery offensive spell.

Etymology

Vipera Evanesca Snape — Professor Snape casting the spell at the Duelling Club

Vipera is a genus of venomous vipers, a type of snake. Evanesca likely shares its origin with Evanesco, which means "disappear" in Latin.

Behind the scenes

This spell appears to be related to the Vanishing Spell, given the similar effects and etymology. It is unknown, however, if the victim of this spell vanishes, as do those of Evanesco, or if the serpent is disintegrated or destroyed.
In the film adaption of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets the cobra burned away, leaving some ash.
It is unknown if used against Nagini, who was a Horcrux, she would vanish. However, given the near-indestructibility of Horcruxes, as well Nagini's proven resistance to Blasting Curses, the spell probably would have failed if used against her.

Appearances

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First appearance)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) (First identified as Snake-Vanishing Spell)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
Harry Potter Trading Card Game
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4

Notes and references

↑ See this image

[1] See this image

[1]

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 {{Quote|Snape stepped forward, waved his wand, and the snake vanished in a small puff of black smoke.|Description|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}
-'''''Vipera Evanesca''''' is the [[incantation]] of the [[counter-curse]] and [[untransfiguration]] for the [[Snake Summons Spell]], causing the conjured snake to vanish in a puff of black smoke.
+'''''Vipera Evanesca''''' is the [[incantation]] of the [[counter-curse]] and [[untransfiguration]] for the [[Snake Summons Spell]], causing the conjured snake to vanish in a puff of black smoke. It can also be used to annihilate snakes [[Transfigured]] from other objects.
 ==History of use==
-[[Severus Snape]] cast this spell in [[1992]] at the [[Duelling Club]] to get rid of a snake that [[Draco Malfoy]] had conjured while duelling [[Harry Potter]].
+[[Severus Snape]] cast this spell in [[1992]] at the [[Duelling Club]] to dispose of a snake that [[Draco Malfoy]] had conjured while duelling [[Harry Potter]].
-[[Harry Potter]] also used it while searching for [[horcrux]]es in [[1997]].<ref>See [http://bloghogwarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Harry-Potter-BlogHogwarts-HP7-Videogame-02.jpg this image]</ref>
+[[Harry Potter]] also used it while searching for [[horcrux]]es in [[1997]], causing a snake that had appeared in his path to vanish.<ref>See [http://bloghogwarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Harry-Potter-BlogHogwarts-HP7-Videogame-02.jpg this image]</ref>
+[[Albus Dumbledore]] also used this spell during the [[Duel in the Ministry Atrium]] with [[Tom Riddle]], destroying the serpent that the dark wizard had transfigured from his [[Fire rope]].
-During the [[Ousting of Severus Snape]], [[Professor]] [[Minerva McGonagall|McGonagall]] used this spell [[Nonverbal spell|nonverbally]].
+During the [[Ousting of Severus Snape]], [[Professor]] [[Minerva McGonagall|McGonagall]] used this spell [[Nonverbal spell|nonverbally]], [[Vanishing]] the snake that Snape had transfigured from her [[Fiery offensive spell]].
 ==Etymology==
@@ Line 29: / Line 31: @@
 ==Behind the scenes==
-*This spell appears to be related to the [[Vanishing Spell]], given the similar effects and etymology.
+*This spell appears to be related to the [[Vanishing Spell]], given the similar effects and etymology. It is unknown, however, if the victim of this spell vanishes, as do those of [[Evanesco]], or if the serpent is disintegrated or destroyed.
 *In the [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|film adaption]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' the [[cobra]] burned away, leaving some ash.
-*It is unknown if used against Nagini, who was a Horcrux, she would vanish. However, given the near-indestructibility of Horcruxes, the spell probably would have failed.
+*It is unknown if used against Nagini, who was a Horcrux, she would vanish. However, given the near-indestructibility of Horcruxes, as well Nagini's proven resistance to [[Blasting Curse]]s, the spell probably would have failed if used against her.
 ==Appearances==
 *''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' {{1st}}
 *''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)]]'' {{1st ID}}
+*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]
 *''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)]]''
 *''[[Harry Potter Trading Card Game]]''