Disarming Charm
From Harry Potter Wiki
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| Disarming Charm | |
|---|---|
| Incantation: |
Expelliarmus (ex-pel-ee-AR-mus) |
| Type: |
Charm |
| Light: |
Red |
| Effect: |
Disarms opponent |
The Disarming Charm is a defensive spell that attempts to disarm your opponent, causing their weapon (usually a wand) to fly out of their hand. It has been known to knock an opponent backwards in some cases. Expelliarmus is shown to have a two colour variety. It is described as a 'jet of red light.' It was aimed at Viktor Krum, who was thrown back and fell unconscious. Sometimes it has no colour, just that it makes the wand fly out of the user's hand. When Professor Snape cast the spell on Gilderoy Lockhart, it was shown as a scarlet ring surrounding the wand, with a streak of scarlet light heading towards Lockhart.
It was first learned by Harry Potter by seeing Professor Snape using it in the Dueling Club that Gilderoy Lockhart started.
In 1995, Disarming was the first spell Harry taught to Dumbledore's Army.
In 1997, it is learned that the Death Eaters consider this spell to be Harry's "trademark", since he has performed this spell several times against Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort himself, causing a Priori Incantatem. It is this spell that Harry performs against Voldemort in Voldemort's final duel. It is performed simultaneously against Voldemort's Killing Curse, but Voldemort was using the Elder Wand, which was rightfully Harry's. This caused both Harry's Expelliarmus and Voldemort's Avada Kedavra to hit Voldemort.
[edit] Behind the scenes
In the Doctor Who episode 'The Shakespeare Code', the spell is mentioned in connection to the Harry Potter books, with the Doctor stating "good old JK" after Shakespeare says Expelliarmus and the Carrionites are vanquished from Earth.
