Warning!
At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in: Harry Potter: Wizards Unite & Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. |
- "Terminates all spell effects"
- — Description[src]
The General Counter-Spell[5] (Finite[2] or Finite Incantatem)[1] was a counter-spell for general use.[5] It might be used in duels to counter or reverse minor damage, such as the effects of minor jinxes, hexes and curses. It could also be used on an entire home to (temporarily) stop the effects of protective enchantments, as a precaution before a Muggle answered the door.[6] It was taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in second year and third year Charms class.[7][8]
This spell was covered in The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk.[5]
Nature
The General Counter-Spell terminated all spell effects ranging from simple dark charms,[9][10] although it would probably be ineffective against moderate to major dark charms; though it was effective when cast by multiple people at once, capable of ending the effects of the extremely destructive Protego Diabolica.[11] For example, the Jelly-Legs Curse needed a specific counter-jinx to be performed to end its effects. It was unknown if there was a difference between Finite and Finite Incantatem in terms of power or usage. It was possible that Finite was simply a more straight forward way of casting the General Counter-Spell to terminate the effects of a single spell.
History
During the 1986–1987 school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Professor Filius Flitwick taught his third year students in Charms class how to cast this spell.[8]
In 1997 during the trio's infiltration of the British Ministry of Magic, Hermione Granger suggested that Ron should try using Finite Incantatem to stop the rain in Corban Yaxley's office.[10]
Known uses
- "He pointed his wand at the rampart, cried, "Finite!" and it steadied."
- — Harry using this counter-spell[src]
Caster(s) | Date | Purpose |
---|---|---|
Newt Scamander, Theseus Scamander, Porpentina Goldstein, Yusuf Kama, Nicolas Flamel, various Aurors | September, 1927 | To contain and extinguish the destructive black fire created by Gellert Grindelwald's Protego Diabolica inside the Lestrange Mausoleum, Paris.[11] |
Severus Snape | 17 December, 1992 | To end the effects of various unfortunate spells that were affecting members of the Duelling Club when the whole club descended into utter chaos.[1] |
Remus Lupin | 18 June, 1996 | Used to free Neville Longbottom from the effects of the Dancing Feet Spell, during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.[9] |
Nymphadora Tonks | 1 September, 1996 | Used to free Harry Potter from the effects of the Full Body-Bind Curse.[4] |
Harry Potter | 2 May, 1998 | To cancel the effects of Descendo (cast by Vincent Crabbe) on a large pile of falling objects during the Skirmish at the Room of Requirement during the Battle of Hogwarts, to escape Crabbe's Fiendfyre.[12] |
Known practitioners
Etymology
From Latin finire, meaning "to end", and incantationem, meaning "enchantment". Finite means 'end' (imperative).
Behind the scenes
- This spell was included in the Harry Potter: Spells application for the iPhone as a counter-attack spell.
- In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Luna Lovegood uses "Finite" to unfreeze Harry and cause his Invisibility Cloak to fly off him, instead of when Tonks does so in the book.
- Hermione uses this spell in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to destroy the Rogue bludger that was attacking Harry during the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin after it tries to assault him on the ground;[3] however, this is is not shown in the book.
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (PSP version)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay
- Harry Potter: Spells
- Pottermore
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 11 (The Duelling Club)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 8 (Snape Victorious)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Pottermore
- ↑ J. K. Rowling's official site (W.O.M.B.A.T.)
- ↑ As the spell was covered in The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2, it must be taught in second year Charms class.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Chapter 6 (The Letter from No One) - Charms Lesson "Finite Incantatem"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 36 (The Only One He Ever Feared)
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 12 (Magic is Might)
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay, Scene 115
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 31 (The Battle of Hogwarts)
The Standard Book of Spells | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grade 1 · Grade 2 · Grade 3 · Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6 · Grade 7 | |||||
Charms included in the series: Dancing Feet Spell (Tarantallegra) · Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus) · Engorgement Charm (Engorgio) · Fire-Making Spell (Incendio) · Freezing Charm (Immobulus) · General Counter-Spell (Finite Incantatem) · Levitation Charm (Wingardium Leviosa) · Locking Spell (Colloportus) · Memory Charm (Obliviate) · Mending Charm (Reparo) · Nonverbal spell · Severing Charm (Diffindo) · Skurge Charm (Skurge) · Softening Charm (Spongify) · Substantive Charm · Summoning Charm (Accio) · Tickling Charm (Rictusempra) · Unlocking Charm (Alohomora) · Wand-Lighting Charm (Lumos) |