Exploding Charm

Exploding Charm
Incantation	Bombarda (bom-BAR-da)
Type	Charm
Hand movement
Light	None
Effect	Small explosion

Albus Potter: "Bombarda?"

Scorpius Malfoy: "And wake up everyone in Hogwarts?"

— A discussion over how to best destroy a Time-Turner

The Exploding Charm (Bombarda) was a charm that detonated the target in a small explosion. One use for this explosion was to blast open sealed doors or to blow bars off of windows. The incantation Bombarda Maxima was a stronger, more powerful variation of this spell.

History

Explosions caused by this spell

During the 1987–1988 school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, this spell was taught to fourth-years in Charms class by Professor Filius Flitwick, at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

At the start of the 1990–1991 school year at Hogwarts, Corey Hayden used this charm in the Hogwarts Library in front of Jacob's sibling, allowing them to get detention.

Scorpius Malfoy noted that the explosions produced by this charm were rather noisy, and thus inconvenient for when trying to destroy something stealthily, such as a Time-Turner.

During the Calamity in the 2010s, volunteer wizards and witches of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force heavily used the Exploding Charm in their mission to overpower Confoundables, in order to free Foundables. For example, the charm was highly useful at exploding large spheres of water which trapped British Ministry of Magic employees, and for fending off large red serpents which were guarding baby Unicorns.

Known practitioners

Jacob's sibling

Charles Weasley

Diego Caplan

Merula Snyde

Ben Copper

Corey Hayden

Filius Flitwick

• Jacob

Etymology

Based off of the English word "bombard", meaning: attack (a place or person) continuously with bombs, shells, or other missiles.

See also

• Bombarda Maxima
• Blasting Curse
• Expulso Curse

Behind the scenes

Hermione's non-canonical casting of this spell

• This spell was first seen in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, where it used by Hermione Granger to blow up the door to the cell holding Sirius Black at Hogwarts Castle; in the book, however, Hermione uses a safer unlocking spell to rescue Sirius instead.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) (First appearance) (Non-canonical appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (Possible appearance) (Appears in flashback(s))
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (play) (Mentioned only)
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Possible appearance)
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
• Hogwarts Legacy