Petrification

"Dark Magic of the most advanced kind."

- Albus Dumbledore on petrification

Petrification is the process of being turned to stone. The only proven cause of petrification is the gaze of the Basilisk, reflected in or seen through another object.

Effects
Victims of petrification are paralyzed and unmovable, and seem to be unconscious; it takes careful examination to discern whether a victim is petrified or dead. A petrified ghost will turn a dark smoky grey and can only be moved using a fan. The only effective remedy for petrification is a draught made of Mandrake roots.

The Full Body-Bind Curse is similar to petrification, but it is temporary, easily lifted, and the victim is fully conscious, thus it is not nearly as dangerous. Transmogrifian Torture has been said by Gilderoy Lockhart to cause death and petrification; however, the truth of his claims are dubious.

In 1943 and 1992, Slytherin's Basilisk was released from the Chamber of Secrets in Hogwarts and petrified several Muggle-born students; in the former case, one student, Myrtle, was killed.

Victims of Petrification

 * Mrs. Norris — saw the basilisk's reflection in the water on the floor.
 * Colin Creevey — saw the basilisk through his camera; the basilisk's gaze also burned his camera to a crisp.
 * Nearly Headless Nick — saw the basilisk directly, but, as a ghost, he could not die again.
 * Justin Finch-Fletchley — saw the basilisk through Nick, who was transparent.
 * Hermione Granger — saw the basilisk through Penelope's mirror.
 * Penelope Clearwater — saw the basilisk through her mirror.
 * many others

Behind the scenes

 * The Latin verb petrificare means "to make into stone", from the Latin word for "rock", petra.
 * In mythology, petrification is associated with Medusa the Gorgon and the cockatrice as well as the basilisk. In Cornish folklore, petrification legends explain the origin of prehistoric megalithic monuments, such as the Merry Maidens stone cricle.