black holes and revelations

lehastings:

favourite spells (no specific order) ― Avada Kedavra (a-VAH-dah ke-DAH-vra) 

Causes instantaneous death and is one of the three Unforgivable Curses. It is considered to be the worst one of the three.

(via thefirsthorcrux-deactivated2011)

harrypotteristhebest:

Pronunciation: /oʊˈblɪvi.eɪt/ oh-BLIV-ee-ayt

Description: Used to hide a memory of a particular event.

Suggested etymology: Latin oblivium meaning “forgetfulness”.

(via -hogwarts-deactivated20120606)

harrypotteristhebest:

Pronunciation: /ɛksˈpɛktoʊ pəˈtroʊnəm/ eks-PEK-toh pə-TROH-nəm
Description: Conjures an incarnation of the caster’s innermost positive feelings, such as joy, hope, or the desire to survive, known as a Patronus. A Patronus is conjured as a protector, and is a weapon rather than a predator of souls: Patronuses shield their conjurors from Dementors or Lethifolds, and can even drive them away. A Patronus “cannot feel despair, as real humans can, so Dementors can’t hurt it.” 
Suggested etymology: Expecto Patronum is correct classical Latin for “I await a protector”.  It is related to “pater” (father) and Harry’s Patronus indeed takes the same form as that of his father’s animagus form (a stag).

(via magicandharrypotter)

harrypotteristhebest:

Pronunciation: /ˌɑːɡwəˈmɛnti/ AH-gwə-MEN-tee
Description: Produces a jet of water from the caster’s wand.
Suggested etymology: The Latin word aqua (water) combined with augmentum (compare with English augment), an increase, from augere, to increase; see aug- in Indo-European roots, meaning: “increasing the water (flow)”, this combination explains the QU/GU alteration in aqua- → agua- (see agua e. g. in Portuguese and Spanish). -menti is the genitive form of the suffix -mentum

firebolting:

Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times,
if one only remembers to turn on the light. | inspiration

(via justaboat)

(via the-cyclopes-are-watching)

(via everythingpotter--deactivated20)

miakosamuio:

One spell per character: Harry Potter | Expelliarmus

Expelliarmus is obviously Harry’s spell. It has saved him many times, and he defended it harshly when Zacharias Smith mocked his affection for it. To me, the spell symbolises Harry’s disinclination to cause anyone pain. He would far prefer to disarm someone than to use a spell that could cause them serious damage, even when fighting against you know who during the battle of Hogwarts. The spell also reflects Harry’s past. When we first meet Harry, he is a poor boy [from a poor family! Sorry, couldn’t resist.] who is teased and basically not really considered anything particularly impressive. But look at what he does! The disarming spell is the same: It is considered “nothing special” but is ultimately the spell that defeats Tom Riddle.

“Harry, the time for Disarming is past! These people are trying to capture and kill you! At least Stun if you aren’t prepared to kill!” “We were hundreds of feet up! Stan’s not himself, and if I Stunned him and he’d fallen, he’d have died the same as if I’d used Avada Kedavra! Expelliarmus saved me from Voldemort two years ago.”

(via marauder-)

morsmordr-e:

SPELL SERIES: EXPECTO PATRONUM

Purpose: A Patronus Charm is an insubstantial animal protector. The first and main use of the Patronus is to drive off certain Dark creatures such as Dementors and Lethifolds. To cast the charm, one must concentrate on a happy memory - a memory that the Dementor feeds upon. A non-corporeal Patronus only impedes Dementors, while a full-fledged one can drive them away. The other use was devised by none other than Albus Dumbledore, who invented a way of using the Patronus to securely deliver messages.

Incantation: Expecto Patronum

Etymology: Patronus means “protector” or “guardian” in Latin, reflecting the role the Patronus Charm plays. In archaic Latin, it meant “father”, which is interesting, considering that Harry Potter’s Patronus is the same as his father’s Patronus and Animagus form. The Latin word exspecto or expecto means “I watch for” or “I await”, thus the charm’s incantation roughly translates into “I await a protector.”

Fact: A Patronus that is fully formed, or corporeal, takes the shape of fairly solid-looking animals; a non-corporeal Patronus appears only as wisps of silvery mist. Harry Potter is one of the youngest known wizards to cast a Patronus; he was taught how to do so in 1994 at the age of thirteen by Remus Lupin. The Patronus Charm, like Animagus forms, has been said to reflect the personality or feelings of the witch or wizard. They are subject to change/may be influenced by external factors.   

{source}

(via popgoesthepatronus)