Harry Potter Wiki

Welcome to the Harry Potter Wiki. Log in and join the community.

READ MORE

Harry Potter Wiki
Harry Potter Wiki

"The Finestra spell can be used to shatter glass."
— Description[src]

The Finestra spell[2] (Finestra)[1] was a charm which shattered glass. This spell was useful in that it made very little sound, allowing for discreet entry through a window.[1]

History[]

On 6 December 1926, Newt Scamander shattered the front window of the Voclain & Co. jewellery store in New York using this spell to try and recapture his escaped Niffler when he saw it loose inside the store stealing things.[1]

Etymology[]

The word finestra means "window" in Italian, Catalan and Sicilian.[3] Given Rowling's use of puns in the construction of other incantations (e.g. Orchideous and Aguamenti), it is also possible that finestra is a sort of double entendre - a humourous blend of fine or finis, the Italian and Latin words for "end",[4] and finestra for window. Together, this could allude to the spell's ironic capacity to destroy windows in the creation of an opening or "window".

Appearances[]

See also[]

Notes and references[]