Carpe Retractum Challenge

The Carpe Retractum Challenge was an obstacle course created by Filius Flitwick sometime in 1993 so as to allow his third year students to practise spells they had learned throughout their magical education with the ultimate goal of finding the Carpe Retractum spellbook and learning the Seize and Pull Charm.

The course began in the Charms Classroom, with Professor Flitwick pushing a stack of books over to reveal a secret passage. He tasked Harry Potter and Ron Weasley to accompany Hermione Granger, who had arrived to class late, through the course.

There were a number of obstacles throughout the course, such as crystal balls that needed to be charged up with light, mirrors that had to reflect wandlight, fountains whose water had to be frozen, and a number of other inanimate artefacts to be interacted with.

The course also housed, however, a large quantity of Red Caps, vicious and bloodthirsty beasts taught about to the third years by Professor Remus Lupin; the Knockback Jinx was imperative in defeating them. There were also a handful of Hinkypunks throughout the course, throwing fire at those who passed.

At the end, however, was a passageway lit by flaming torches, through which one could go into a cavernous, circular room bathed in golden light, at the centre of which lay the Carpe Retractum spellbook upon a large golden pedestal. Once a student read the book, they had to use the Carpe Retractum Spell on a large gargoyle statue, which would twist and pull the caster safely onto a ledge. They then had to defeat three Red Caps, after which they were free to find their way back.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)