Bangs-and-smells magic

"He had never seen a wizard work like this, simply by looking and touching; but Harry had long since learned that bangs and smoke were more often the marks of ineptitude than expertise."

- Harry Potter contrasts Albus Dumbledore's magical actions in the Horcrux Cave to bangs-and-smells magic.

Bangs-and-smells magic is the common term for spells that are flashy or showy, but not necessarily effective. In the opinion of Garrick Ollivander, wands made from acacia were not suited to this sort of magic, instead being better matched with wizards who have more subtlety in their spells.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Pottermore