Langlock

Langlock
Incantation	Langlock (LANG-lock)
Type	Jinx
Hand movement	Point wand at victim
Light	None
Effect	Sticks tongue to roof of the mouth
Creator	Severus Snape

"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

Langlock is the incantation of a jinx that causes one's tongue to affix to the roof of their mouth. It is known to work on wizards as well as on spirits (including a poltergeist, like Peeves). 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. Harry Potter used Langlock on Argus Filch twice during the 1996-1997 school year "to general applause", and again on Peeves.

Behind the scenes

• 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."

See also

• Tongue-Tying Curse
• Silencing Charm
• Oscausi

Etymology

The word langue is the root for tongue, while lock is an English word.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (First appearance)
• Pottermore