Harry Potter and the Decade of Spells Quiz

Answer: Alohomora

Also called the Unlocking Charm, Alohomora can be used on doors and windows as long as they're not protected by magic, although the Locking Spell is not always effective against it. We find Hermione using this spell a lot in the first book of the series, "The Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone", when she opens the forbidden entrance on the Third-floor corridor of Hogwarts Castle.

Answer: Avada Kedavra

This spell is mean and evil all the way through. It kills people and creatures, and that is why it is one of the three Unforgivable Curses. The only good thing that can be said about it is that death is instant and it is painless. Harry Potter is known to have survived this curse and that was only because his mother sacrificed her life for him. In this way, her love defeated the curse.

Answer: Sectumsempra

This spell was one of Severus Snape's signature spells that he invented when he was known as "The Half Blood Prince", and it became one of his signature spells. He would use it against enemies by slashing his hand downwards and it would cut their skin.

There is also some suggestion that he may have used the spell against Harry's father, James, when they were in their fifth year at Hogwarts.

Answer: Riddikulus

A boggart gets its kicks by striking terror into its victims. To get rid of it one needs to be able to laugh at it first. This spell will turn the boggart into something that is funny to the spell caster. The spell does not destroy the boggart, it only banishes them.

This was taught to Harry and the students during their third year, as described in "The Prisoner of Azkaban", by their Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher that year, Remus Lupin

Answer: Obliviate

Also called the Forgetfulness Charm, it is used to wipe out certain memories in people. This is usually used on Muggles when they witness or see someone using magic. The most famous use of this was when Gilderoy Lockhart used it to accidentally wipe out his own memory in "The Chamber of Secrets". Careful, this should not be confused with the charm that is used to change memories, which was used on two occasions by Voldemort.

Answer: Expecto Patronum

"Patronus" means protector in Latin. This spell converts all the caster's positive emotions to defend against dark creatures like Dementors. This charm was taught to Harry Potter by Professor Lupin in "The Prisoner of Azkaban". Harry later taught this charm to Dumbledore's Army. This spell is the only one that can be used against Dementors and Lethifolds.

Answer: Accio

This charm works in two ways. The first is to cast the charm, then name the object; the second is to cast the charm then point the wand at the object. In "The Deathly Hallows", Hermione summonsed books from the office of Dumbledore by saying "Accio Horcrux Books" when she was a long way away in Gryffindor Tower.

The charm is limited to objects and small animals. It does not work on people. Accio is a Latin word meaning "I summons".

Answer: Wingardium Leviosa

This is a charm that is taught very early at Hogwarts. A wand is used in a "swish and flick" manner, as Prodessor Flitwick described in in "The Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone". Harry Potter used it to lift a side-car on his Godfather's motorbike. Ron Weasley used it to knock out a mountain troll.

Answer: Expelliarmus

Expellimus is a charm used by Harry Potter many times. It means "drive the weapon away", from the Latin words "expello" meaning to drive away and "arma" meaning weapon. It is first used in the second book, "The Chamber of Secrets". While it knocks a weapon away from the victim, if the spell is used too forcefully, it knocks out the victim.

Answer: Lumos

This spell creates a narrow ray of light at the tip of a wand. "Lumos" comes from the Latin word for light. This spell is used many times by Harry Potter. A stronger version of this spell is Lumos Maxima which is used by Harry in the film version of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and both Harry and Dumbledore in the Crystal Cave in the "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" movie.