Severing Charm

"I couldn’t get the Horcrux off you. It was stuck, stuck to your chest. You’ve got a mark; I’m sorry, I had to use a Severing Charm to get it away. The snake bit you too, but I’ve cleaned the wound and put some dittany on it."

- Hermione Granger to Harry Potter in 1997

The Severing Charm is a spell that rips, divides, and separates objects into parts. The incantation for this spell is Diffindo. At Hogwarts, it is learned in the second year. It can cut human flesh if used inappropriately.

Attempted uses

 * In 1996, Harry Potter cast this in an attempt to sever the tentacles of thought that the attacking brain wrapped around Ron during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.
 * In 1997, Harry Potter used this spell to try to cut Mrs. Cattermole free of the chained chair in the Wizengamot courtroom, but it didn't work.
 * Also in 1997, Harry used this spell in an attempt to destroy the locket Horcrux, which did not succeed.

Etymology
Diffindo is Latin for "to split, cleave, or open."

Behind the scenes

 * In the Harry Potter Trading Card Game, Diffindo is incorrectly labelled as a Transfiguration.
 * In the first three video games the spell incantation is Diffindo both in English and Danish. However in the fourth video game and the books in Danish the incantation is Molestero.
 * This can be explained by the fact that the books first used it from fourth book.
 * However, the incantation, in Danish, changes to Diffindo in the last book.
 * In the Danish version of the second game some pronounce it Diffindo and others Diffendo.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
 * Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7
 * Harry Potter Trading Card Game

Notes and references
Sortilège de Découpe