Impediment Jinx

Impediment Jinx
Incantation	Impedimenta (im-PED-i-MEN-ta)
Type	Jinx, Hex
Hand movement
Light	Turquoise
Effect	Hindered movement of target

"Swift use of this jinx can freeze an attacker for a few moments, or stop a magical beast in its tracks. The jinx is a vital part of any duellist’s arsenal."

— Book of Spells by Miranda Goshawk

The Impediment Jinx (Impedimenta), also known as the Impediment Hex, was a jinx that hindered the movement of the target, slowing it down or stopping it in its tracks. It was a common spell used in duelling.

Effects

The Impediment Jinx was only temporary, lasting on average for a few seconds. Although it was capable of freezing a wasp in mid-air, it was ineffective against lethifolds. It was also ineffective against armoured opponents, such as Acromantulas and Blast-Ended Skrewts unless it happens to hit them on their underbellies, which have no protective armour.

The jinx would usually simply immobilise a target, it could also be used to push or throw a target backward, or simply decrease the velocity of the victim's movement.

History

During the 1988–1989 school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Professor Patricia Rakepick taught fifth-year students in Defence Against the Dark Arts how to perform this jinx.

Known uses

"I like the look of this one, this Impediment Jinx. Should slow down anything that’s trying to attack you, Harry. We’ll start with that one."

— Hermione Granger helping Harry Potter learn the jinx

Successful

Caster(s)	Victim(s)	Date	Notes
James Potter	Severus Snape	June 1976	Used it to bully him after an O.W.L. exam.
Harry Potter		June 1995	Harry learned this spell to use in the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament.
	Blast-Ended Skrewt	24 June 1995	Used it in the maze during the Third Task of Triwizard Tournament.
	Death Eater		Used it while running to the Triwizard Cup in the Little Hangleton graveyard.
	Lucius Malfoy	18 June 1996	Used it in the Death Chamber during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.
	Inferi	30 June 1997	Used it in the crystal cave during the skirmish.
	Amycus Carrow		Used it while the latter was duelling Ginny Weasley during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower.
	Alecto Carrow or again Amycus Carrow		Used it while still chasing Snape and others during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower.
	Death Eater	27 July 1997	Used it after the sidecar he was riding in broke off the flying motorbike during the Battle of the Seven Potters.
D.A. members		1995–1996 school year	Harry taught the D.A. to use this jinx.
Ron Weasley	Wasp	June 1995	Used it on a flying wasp while helping Harry get ready for the third task of The Triwizard Tournament.
Rolanda Hooch	Harry Potter	November 1995	Used it to knock him away from Draco Malfoy as they were fighting after a Quidditch match.
Neville Longbottom	Inquisitorial Squad members	18 June 1996	Used it on Inquisitorial Squad members to escape Dolores Umbridge's office.
Antonin Dolohov	Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom		Used it during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.
Jugson

Unsuccessful

Caster(s)	Victim(s)	Date	Notes
Harry Potter	Acromantula	24 June 1995	Used it in the maze during the Third Task of Triwizard Tournament, but unsuccessful.
	Severus Snape	30 June 1997	Attempted to used it on, when the latter was trying to flee school grounds after killing Albus Dumbledore. Snape blocked it, citing Harry's inferior skills in Occlumency. All Harry had managed to get out was the first syllable of the incantation.

Known practitioners

Harry Potter

Hermione Granger

Ronald Weasley

Neville Longbottom

Colin Creevey

Rolanda Hooch

James Potter (I)

Antonin Dolohov

Jugson

Scabior

Flavius Belby

Patricia Rakepick

Jacob's sibling

Etymology

The incantation "Impedimenta" is derived from the Latin word "impedimentum", meaning "a hindrance".

Behind the scenes

• In the the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, James Potter used this spell to levitate Severus Snape and dangle him in the air, while in the book, he used Levicorpus.
• The spell also shares similarities with the Knockback Jinx, Windy Spell, Stunning Spell, Banishing Charm and Disarming Charm in its alternative ability to shove, knock down or send a target flying, sometimes to the extent of rendering a target unconscious.
• In the US edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, this spell is incorrectly called the "Impediment Curse", instead of the "Impediment Jinx" in the UK version. However, the spell is correctly called the "Impediment Jinx" in the US edition of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) (Disc 2 extra)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Appears in flashback(s))
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (Possible appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Mentioned only)
• Wonderbook: Book of Spells
• Pottermore (PlayStation Home, during Book Herding)
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened (Mentioned in History of Magic classes)