Clarification On Terminology

[justcarol67]

Catlady wrote:
> Here are my gueses about the terminology of Potterverse magic:
> 
> I think the word 'spell' is a general term which includes charms,
> transfiguration spells, curses, maybe even potions. "Charm" has been
> defined as a spell which changes the behavior of an object, while
> "Transfiguration" is a spell that turns it into something else, but I
> don't understandy why causing metal keys to grow feathery wings is
> considered a change of *behavior* and making chessmen giant is
> considered changing them into something else. There is probably
> something technical that Muggles can't understand, some magical analog
> of "Charms require you to feel a strong emotion while Transfiguration
> require you to solve an equation."
> 
> I think "curse" is a general word for a harmful spell. Some of them
> are probably classifiable as Charms -- Cheering Charm and Leg-Locker
> Curse both change the recipient's behavior. I don't know if there is a
> distinction between Jinx and Hex or just whichever sounds better in
> the name of the curse.

Carol responds:
I agree that "spell" is a general term that includes charms,
transfiguration spells, defensive spells, and curses. I think hexes
and jinxes are minor curses placed on people and things, respectively.
I don't think that potions, though they *are* a form of magic (and a
Muggle, even with the proper ingredients, couldn't make one), are a
kind of spell. Possibly potions create similar effects but in a more
permanent form than spells, which is why they require an antidote
rather than a countercurse to reverse them (although some potions,
like polyjuice and veritaserum, do seem to wear off).

Apparently, however, some potions, like the one used by Wormtail to
restore Voldemort's body, must be accompanied by *incantations,* which
differ from spells in being more than one or two words. Even the
little "spell" that Ron attempted in SS/PS to turn Scabbers yellow
would have technically an incantation (though apparently not a "real"
one). Examples of incantations outside the HP books are the familiar
"Double, double, toil and trouble/Fire burn and cauldron bubble. . ."
from "Macbeth" and the evil, chilling words recited by the Barrow
Wight in "Fellowhip of the Ring": "Frodo perceived with horror that
the poem had turned into an incantation" (quoted from memory). In the
WW, potions combined with spells or incantations would probably
produce the most powerful magic (aside from Avada Kedavra), but I'm
only guessing based on the graveyard scene.

Carol