Taboo

The Taboo was a powerful magic spell that was cast upon the name of Lord Voldemort by Death Eaters following the fall of the Ministry of Magic in 1997. Whenever Lord Voldemort's name was spoken aloud, Death Eaters were alerted to the location of the speaker. Reasoning that the only ones that would speak his name aloud would be members of the Order of the Phoenix, it was intended to stop any potential rebellion to his rule.

Death Eaters used the Taboo to trace Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger to Tottenham Court Road in London shortly after they Disapparted from Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's wedding, although they managed to escape. They also used it to corner Kingsley Shacklebolt, but the Auror fought his way free. The Taboo might have led to the capture of Dean Thomas and Griphook, and the deaths of Ted Tonks, Dirk Cresswell, and Gornuk. Harry Potter also broke the Taboo in 1998, leading to his capture by a gang of Snatchers led by Fenrir Greyback.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows