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At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. Spoilers will be present within the article. |
- "Harry aimed his wand at Peeves and said, "Langlock!" Peeves clutched at his throat, gulped, then swooped from the room making obscene gestures but unable to speak, owing to the fact that his tongue had just glued itself to the roof of his mouth."
- — Harry Potter's use on Peeves the Poltergeist in the Hogwarts hospital wing[src]
Langlock[1] was the incantation of a jinx that caused one's tongue to affix to the roof of their mouth. It was known to work on humans[2] as well as on spirits (including a poltergeist, like Peeves).[1] It was most likely invented for the sake of preventing someone from speaking aloud or even to prevent a spell from being cast.
History[]
It was invented by Severus Snape and recorded in his copy of Advanced Potion-Making while he was a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the 1970s.[3]
It is unknown when Severus Snape invented this and many of his other spells, as according to Sirius Black "he knew more curses when he arrived at school than half the kids in seventh year".[5]
During the 1989–1990 school year, Bill Weasley taught this jinx to a group of sixth-year students in one of his Defence Against the Dark Arts tutoring sessions.[6] Ben Copper would later use this jinx to incapacitate fellow Gryffindor Charlie Weasley when the latter, beside himself with distress, angrily reproached Jacob's sibling.[7]
During the 1990–1991 school year, Merula Snyde used this jinx to silence both Jacob's sibling and Corey Hayden in the Forbidden Forest, before taking Hayden away with Apparition.[8]
Harry Potter found out about the spell in the 1996–1997 school year when he gained possession of Snape's copy of Advanced Potion-Making. He used Langlock on Argus Filch twice during the school year "to general applause",[2] and again on Peeves.[1]
Known practitioners[]
- "...a jinx that glued the tongue to the roof of the mouth (which he had twice used, to general applause, on an unsuspecting Argus Filch)..."
- — Harry Potter casting Langlock on Filch[src]
Etymology[]
The word langue is the root for tongue, while lock is an English word.
Behind the scenes[]
- It is unknown how exactly Bill Weasley came to know of this spell in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, although some of Snape's other spells like Levicorpus became very popular at Hogwarts while he was a student, so it is likely that this spell became publicly known as well.
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (First appearance)
- Pottermore
- Harry Potter (website)
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 19 (Elf Tails)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 12 (Silver and Opals)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 12 (Silver and Opals) - "Harry had already attempted a few of the Prince’s self-invented spells."
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Pottermore - All about... Severus Snape
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 27 (Padfoot Returns)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 10 (Cloaks and Conflicts) - Defence Against the Dark Arts Lesson "Langlock"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 13 (On the Run)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 38 (Tensions Rise)