A spell cast by Seamus Finnigan literally blew up in his face, evoking "bangs-and-smells magic"
- "...Harry had long since learned that bangs and smoke were more often the marks of ineptitude than expertise."
- — Harry Potter reflects on the signs of competent wizardry[src]
Bangs-and-smells magic is the common term for magic that is garish but not necessarily effective. When the use of magic results in these lurid after-effects (such as loud bangs, bright flashes, smoke, or odours), they are often seen as mark of incompetent spellwork.
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 utilise more subtlety in their spells.[1]
During his first year at Hogwarts, Seamus Finnigan was notable for often evoking of this type of magic. However, during his later years at Hogwarts, he further refined his penchant for the combustible, becoming proficient in pyrotechnics.
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (First mentioned)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Pottermore (First identified as Bangs-and-smells magic)
- Wizarding World