Signature spell

Remus Lupin: "Expelliarmus is a useful spell, Harry, but the Death Eaters seem to think it is your signature move, and I urge you not to let it become so!"

Harry Potter: "I won’t blast people out of my way just because they’re there ... That’s Voldemort’s job."

— Harry Potter standing by his decision to use the Disarming Charm

A signature spell (or signature move) was the spell most commonly cast by a witch or wizard, especially when used in the context of duelling. Even though the spell might be the one the caster was best at, its predictability could make its user vulnerable.

History

The Killing Curse was known throughout most of the wizarding world to be Voldemort's signature spell, due to his frequent and indiscriminate usage of it; he certainly massacred enough to create an army of Inferi. Ironically, this very signature move also became his downfall, resulting in his fourteen year exile and ultimately death. He also invented the Morsmordre curse for his subordinates, to which it became somewhat of a signature as they usually cast it over locations where they commit murder.

Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange was a well known practitioner of the Cruciatus Curse, where she would torture numerous victims to her immense satisfaction; thus this curse could be assumed to be her signature spell. It was often said by Dumbledore that she sadistically "liked to play with her food before eating it". She is infamously known for torturing Frank and Alice Longbottom to insanity. This curse could also be considered as a secondary signature spell for Voldemort, whom will use this curse not only on his enemies but also on many of his fellow Death Eaters that have failed him, as a form of punishment.

During the 1990–1991 school year, Albus Dumbledore recalled that the unidentified Headmaster of Mahoutokoro during 1990's favourite spell was the dark protective charm Protego Diabolica.

Gilderoy Lockhart took great pride in his skills with the Memory Charm, the only spell he truly focused on and could cast without fail. He considered himself to be gifted in it, and used it extensively to aid his lifestyle of a credit-taking charlatan. As such, it is his signature spell, even if he did not let the world know of it, and only inadvertently blurted it out when Harry confronted him about trying to escape the Chamber of Secrets. However, it also became his downfall, as Lockhart last attempted it with a damaged wand, it caused the spell to backfire that destroyed his own memory instead, giving him severe amnesia as a result.

Death Eater Antonin Dolohov's repeated use of a particular curse may also have made this a signature spell of his.

Ginevra Weasley was well-known for her ability to cast a particularly potent Bat-Bogey Hex, which could be considered her signature spell as she used it several times on people who annoyed her and was referred as "an accomplished caster" of the spell.

According to Remus Lupin in 1997, Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters knew Harry Potter's signature spell was the Disarming Charm, and he urged Harry not to allow that to be the case. Despite this, Harry continued to make good use of the charm, and ultimately used it to defeat and kill Voldemort in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Sectumsempra was invented by Severus Snape, and was thought to be his signature move, as Lupin noted after the Battle of the Seven Potters.

Behind the scenes

• The Full Body-Bind Curse seems to be the signature move of most if not all Pottermore users, as it is the most popular out of all (not without reason, as it is the most effective spell when duelling, if properly cast); Furnunculus is the least popular.
• In the Nintendo DS version of the video game adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, most characters have a spell only they can use. This could be considered a "signature spell" of sorts. These spells include:
  • Harry Potter: Reparo
  • Hermione Granger: Alohomora
  • Neville Longbottom: Herbivicus
  • Filius Flitwick: The Protective enchantments around Hogwarts Castle
  • Seamus Finnigan: Reducto
  • Ronald Weasley and Minerva McGonagall lack these signature spells, instead having the ability to use the Deluminator and the Animagus transformation respectively.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (First mentioned)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game) (Possible appearance) (Nintendo DS version only)
• Pottermore (Possible appearance)