Charms Master

Professor Filius Flitwick, Charms Master at Hogwarts, teaching a class

"Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, was a tiny little wizard who had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk. At the start of their first class he took the roll call, and when he reached Harry’s name he gave an excited squeak and toppled out of sight."

— Professor Flitwick's first lesson with Harry Potter in 1991

Charms Master was the title given to the Charms Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They were in charge of teaching their subject to the students of Hogwarts in Classroom 2E, and they owned an office near the West Tower. Filius Flitwick held the post since at least the 1975–1976 school year, and remained Charms Master through the 1990s to at least 2008.

Classroom and office

Classroom 2E - the Charms Classroom

The Charms Master's classroom was Classroom 2E, which was located on the second floor of Hogwarts Castle. The classroom had four long, large desks that were built like stairs and were located on both sides of the classroom. There was also a large fireplace in the room, as well as several books and bookshelves. When Filius Flitwick was held the post, his office was inside a tower near the West Tower and thirteenth window to the right, according to Albus Dumbledore. The office contained portraits, a desk, and sleeping quarters and was decorated with green wallpaper and red furniture.

Classes

As Charms Master, they had to teach Charms class to all years, from first to seventh, since Charms was a required subject for all students in their first five years and might take it for the final two. The spells the professor taught were taken from textbooks, including The Standard Book of Spells, Grades 1 to 7, Quintessence: A Quest and Extreme Incantations. They taught specific wand movements and proper pronunciation and often allowed students to partner up in class to experiment on one another.

First year

"Now, don’t forget that nice wrist movement we’ve been practising! Swish and flick, remember, swish and flick. And saying the magic words properly is very important, too — never forget Wizard Baruffio, who said ‘s’ instead of ‘f’ and found himself on the floor with a buffalo on his chest."

— Professor Filius Flitwick teaching first years the Levitation Charm

First Years learning the Levitation Charm

The Charms Master must teach their first-year students the Levitation Charm, which was used in the end-of-year examination. When Filius Flitwick taught the spell to the class of 1991, he first taught them the "swish and flick" wrist movement and required them to practise it before Hallowe'en, which subsequently allowed Ronald Weasley to defeat Quirinus Quirrell's Mountain Troll that night. At that time, he taught them the incantation and told them to practise it on their quills, which only Hermione Granger managed to do successfully. The Fire-Making Spell was taught for the first time in this class as well, along with the Softening Charm, for example.

Second year

They revised the Levitation Charm, Fire-Making Spell and learned how to cast the Skurge Charm, for example.

Third year

The Charms Master taught the Cheering Charm to their third-year students, likely to prepare for the third year exams, which included successfully performing the Charm. They revised the Levitation Charm for a third time and learned the Freezing Spell and the Seize and pull charm, for example.

Fourth year

Students learned how to cast the Summoning Charm and Banishing Charm, for example.

Fifth year

Fifth-years learned to cast the Silencing Charm, and revised numerous other charms for their O.W.L., such as the Summoning Charm.

Sixth year

Sixth-years learned about non-verbal spells and to cast the Water-Making Spell, along with turning vinegar into wine, for example.

End-of-year examinations

At the end of each year, the Charms Master was required to set practical examinations for their students.

First year exams

"Professor Flitwick called them one by one into his class to see if they could make a pineapple tap-dance across a desk."

— The exam in 1992.

The first year Charms examination consisted in attributing animation to an otherwise inanimate object. In 1992, Professor Filius Flitwick asked the students to make a pineapple dance across his desk. If the Charms Master's first-year students did not successfully complete the exam, it is possible that they would be forbidden to remain for second year.

Second year exams

"... as a school treat, all exams have been cancelled!"

— Albus Dumbledore announcing the cancellation of all exams in 1993

The Charms Master must also set exams for their students in their second year of education. However, with the cancellation of the examination in 1993, nothing is known of the exams contents.

Third year exams

"Professor Flitwick did indeed test them on Cheering Charms. Harry slightly overdid his out of nerves and Ron, who was partnering him, ended up in fits of hysterical laughter and had to be led away to a quiet room for an hour before he was ready to perform the charm himself."

— Third year exams in 1994

When students were in their third year, the Charms Master must set an examination for them, which was set on the Monday of the exam week, ending on Thursday. The students must cast a type of enchantment that caused an object to behave in a way that was not otherwise normal for that object. In 1994, Filius Flitwick told the class to produce Cheering Charms.

Fourth year exams

The Charms Master must also give their fourth-year students an examination at the end of the year. However, nothing is known about these tests as Harry Potter did not take them in 1995 due to being a Champion in the Triwizard Tournament after being selected by the Goblet of Fire.

O.W.L.s

"What you must remember is that these examinations may influence your futures for many years to come! If you have not already given serious thought to your careers, now is the time to do so. And in the meantime, I'm afraid, we shall be working harder than ever to ensure that you do yourselves justice!"

— Charms Master Flitwick to his class in 1995.

The Ordinary Wizarding Level Charms exams were both a theoretical and practical one. The theoretical exam included questions on Levitation and the Substantive Charms. The practical exam required students to cast the Levitation Charm and the Banishing Charm, as well as the Shrinking Charm, the Mending Charm, the Colour Change Charm, the Growth Charm and the Summoning Charm. While a special commission observed most exams, the Charms Master himself had to watch over the practical exams, along with Griselda Marchbanks.

See also

• Professor
• Charms (class)
• Filius Flitwick
• Charm

Behind the scenes

• It is unknown if a female professor would be the Charms Master still or if she would be the Charms Mistress instead, but since the Hogwarts Headmaster becomes the Hogwarts Headmistress when the position is filled by a woman, it seems plausible.
• Since the unidentified individual who appeared to go through Wonderbook: Book of Spells with a student in the restricted section was referred to as a Charms Professor rather than Charms Master, it is not inconceivable for the Charms Master to Head the Charms department (which there in all probability there is) just like how the Pomona Sprout headed the Herbology department at the school.
• If this is indeed the case, then the same can presumably be said about the Potions Master.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)
• Pottermore
• Wizarding World
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
• LEGO Harry Potter
• LEGO Harry Potter: Characters of the Magical World
• Harry Potter: The Character Vault
• Wonderbook: Book of Spells
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
• Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened