A Guide to Self-Protection - Task 3

[Janne Halla 15]

What else can defensive and offensive spells be used for? Take two spells that are only used for offense or defense (and not something like Lumos) and give at least one scenario for each on how they can be useful in other ways than just for dueling. For example, the Reducto could be used for faster harvesting of crops.

 

Your write-up should be at least 80 words (40 minimum for each spell) and within all HOL rules.

 

Post the spells below by 23:59 HOL-time on 31st March to earn 10 rubies.

[River Fenwick 2]

One spell often used for offense in dueling is Stupefy, the stunning spell. While usually used for dueling, it can also be cast upon objects to halt them if needed, such as if something suddenly broke and came rolling toward someone.

 

A spell used mostly for defense in dueling is Relashio, the revulsion jinx. This jinx forces the target to let go of whatever it has and can work on inanimate objects as long as they are holding something. It can be used to help free something, such as using it on chains like Newt Scamander did for a Zouwu.

[Dibyarup James Potter 0]

The Impediment Jinx (Impedimenta), also known as the Impediment Hex, is commonly used in duels to hinder the movement of the target by slowing them down or stopping them. Therefore, it can be repurposed for crowd control in non-magical situations, such as large gatherings or protests where tensions are high, casting Impedimenta strategically, will slow down or hinder individuals who are instigating violence or attempting to breach security perimeters. This will in turn buy time for authorities to de-escalate the situation and prevent further chaos without resorting to more aggressive measures.

 

The Banishing Charm (Depulso) is a charm often used during duels to send the target away, towards a specific location, and works on both living beings and inanimate objects. It can be repurposed for disaster relief efforts. For example, in the aftermath of natural disasters, such as earthquakes or landslides, debris and rubble often obstruct rescue efforts and block access to critical areas. Casting Depulso strategically can open up the path ahead by pushing aside debris and clearing away obstacles quickly, thus allowing rescue teams to go in and provide medical assistance and relief supplies to the affected communities, ultimately speeding up recovery efforts and saving lives.

[Hiya Debnath 2]

For the first one, I would like to discuss the use of the Spider-Repelling Spell, Araneus Exumai, while cleaning the house. It is a defensive spell used to temporarily repel spiders and it is effective against acromantulas. When cleaning a place full of cobwebs in the house, a witch or wizard would typically Scourgify, however, casting Scourgify on the homes of little house-spiders when they are still in their homes can be detrimental to them. Therefore, it may be helpful to temporarily repel them first using the spell Araneus Exumai, and then cast Scourgify to clear out the cobwebs. That way, it will be less of a shock to the spiders and not a big danger.

 

For the second one, I would like to discuss a use of the Knockback Jinx, Flipendo, outside of dueling. Sometimes, we may try to remove a heavy object out of the way, for example, a boulder lying on a stony path during a trek in the hillside. While the Locomotor and Levitation Charm can serve the purpose of removing the boulder from the way, a boulder is usually very heavy and it will take a lot of willpower to translocate the boulder using the Locomotor or Levitation Charm. While spells like Bombarda or Reducto may be another alternative, these spells may cause the boulder to blast into smaller pieces and cause injuries. On the contrary, the Knockback Jinx is a safer option and it will probably only move the boulder a short way, like it was being pushed away with a little force, just enough to clear the path in front of us.