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"However, when a person’s bogies turn into bats, which crawl out of their nostrils and flap away you can generally count on them shutting up long enough for you to talk for a change."
Miranda Goshawk[src]

The Bat-Bogey Hex (incantation unknown) was a hex that transformed the target's bogeys into large bats that flew out of the victim's nose.[1] The spell was invented by Miranda Goshawk.[1]

The use of the Bat-Bogey Hex on a non-human target (such as a chicken) could be fatal, and may have resulted in punishment by the Wizengamot.[3] It was also Ginny Weasley's signature spell.[4][5]

History[]

Early history[]

Bat-Bogey Hex concept art

Bogey bats created with this hex

This hex was invented by Miranda Goshawk in the mid-20th century when she was young. Growing up as the youngest of nine sisters, she often found it difficult to get her older sisters to listen to her, and sometimes relied on this spell to silence them long enough to allow her to speak.

For example, Mirands cast it on her sister Diadema to get her to return clothing she borrowed without permission; on her sister Romilda to get her to keep out of her room when she did not want to be disturbed; and on her sister Tangwystl when she wanted to keep her quiet so that she could do her homework.[1]

Sometime between its invention and the late 1990s, the Bat-Bogey Hex had been involved in several notable incidents throughout wizarding history.[6]

Recent history[]

"You've never been on the receiving end of one of her Bat-Bogey Hexes, have you?"
George Weasley to Harry Potter regarding Ginny Weasley's talent for this spell[src]

One notable incident may have included the Bat-Bogey Hex of 1972 when an entire class of Hogwarts was affected by the spell.[7]

Bat-Bogey Hex WU

An individual under the effects of this hex

Ginny Weasley was a noted practitioner of the hex, and used it to good effect on at least two occasions. The first use was to overpower Draco Malfoy in Dolores Umbridge's office during her tyrannical tenure as Headmistress of Hogwarts, allowing herself, her brother Ron, and their companions, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood, to escape from her office after they were held there by members of Umbridge's Inquisitorial Squad.[4]

The second occasion Ginny used this hex was on Zacharias Smith. Smith annoyed Ginny on the Hogwarts Express by repeatedly asking her exactly what occurred at the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. Her use of the hex garnered the attention of Horace Slughorn, who invited Ginny to take lunch with him as part of his Slug Club.[5] Ginny may have also used this spell on her brother George, as he once mentioned her skill to her future husband Harry Potter.[8]

The Bat-Bogey Hex was the subject of a question on the 1996 Theory of Charms O.W.L..[6]

In the 21st century, Ginny Weasley taught the Bat-Bogey Hex to members of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force who pursued an Auror profession, in order to help address the results of the Calamity.[9] Magizoologist and bat-expert, Mathilda Grimblehawk also helped improve members' insight into this spell.[10]

Known uses[]

"But Ginny was best, she got Malfoy — Bat-Bogey Hex — it was superb, his whole face was covered in the great flapping things."
Ron Weasley describing Ginny Weasley's use of this hex on Draco Malfoy[src]
Caster(s) Date Notes
Miranda Goshawk 20th century She cast it on her sister Diadema to get her to return clothing she borrowed without permission.[1]
She cast it on her sister Romilda to get her to keep out of her room when she did not want to be disturbed.[1]
She cast it on her sister Tangwystl when she wanted to keep her quiet so that she could do her homework.[1]
Ginny Weasley 18 June 1996 Used it on Draco Malfoy to escape Umbridge's office.[4]
1 September 1996 Used it on Zacharias Smith aboard the Hogwarts Express. Horace Slughorn asked Ginny to join the Slug Club after seeing her use this hex.[5]

Known practitioners[]

Behind the scenes[]

Wonderbook - Bat-Bogey Hex

A user of Wonderbook being affected by the Bat-Bogey Hex

Appearances[]

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 4 images related to Bat-Bogey Hex.

Notes and references[]

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