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"This is cool. Look, Instant Darkness Powder, we’re importing it from Peru. Handy if you want to make a quick escape."
George Weasley promoting this product[src]

Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder was a magical item imported by Fred and George Weasley and sold by Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. This darkness powder created darkness when used, allowing the user to escape.[1]

As its name indicated, it was originally invented by the wizarding community in Peru, which was the place from which the Weasley twins imported the powder.[1] The darkness produced was resistant to many light-creation spells, such as the Wand-Lighting Charm and Fire-Making Spell, but the Hand of Glory was the one known way to find the way through it.[4]

History[]

The product was invented prior to 1890. In the late 19th century, it was used by Ashwinders, members of the Rookwood Gang based in Hogsmeade, to steal from surrounding areas without detection.[2]

Ginny Weasley: "Anyway, he must have been checking whether the coast was clear to let the Death Eaters out, because the moment he saw us he threw something into the air and it all went pitch-black —"
Ron Weasley: "— Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder. Fred and George’s. I’m going to be having a word with them about who they let buy their products."
Ginny and Ron Weasley speaking after the Battle of the Astronomy Tower[src]
Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder display in WWW shop

Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder display at the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes shop

Draco Malfoy used this when he smuggled several Death Eaters into Hogwarts Castle.[4] When Sybill Trelawney entered the Room of Requirement to hide her sherry bottles and stumbled into Malfoy, he used the powder to hide himself and the Vanishing Cabinet.[6]

Later, when the Death Eaters entered the castle via the said cabinet, Draco used the powder again to bypass the waiting members of Dumbledore's Army, and used his Hand of Glory to lead the Death Eaters through the darkness and towards the Astronomy Tower; unable to produce any light to counter the darkness, none of the Army's members dare launch any spells in case of friendly fire. Draco apparently exhausted his supply when his group encountered the Order of the Phoenix, resulting in an inevitable battle. After the Battle of the Astronomy Tower, Ronald Weasley mentioned that he better tell Fred and George to watch who buys their defensive products,[4] and following that fateful night, purchases of said product were indeed more scrutinised.[7]

In 2010, they were sold at Zonko's Joke Shop.[5]

See also[]

Behind the scenes[]

Halfblood-00715

Harry's use of the powder in the sixth film

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

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