Magical Theory

[muggle-reader at angelfire.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 12922

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Horst or Rebecca J. Bohner" <bohners at p...> 
wrote:
> I've been thinking, or rather wondering, about the differences 
between
> spells, charms, and potions.
> 
> Specifically, for what purposes would a potion be used as opposed to 
a spell
> or a charm?  It would appear that there are certain effects which 
*only* be
> produced by the drinking or otherwise administering of a potion, but 
that in
> the main these effects are limited and temporary in nature (i.e. the
> Polyjuice Potion).  Can anybody think of a potion with total and 
permanent
> effects?  Aside from those that are actually fatal, that is.  How 
much
> overlap is there between spells, charms, and potions?  Is it 
possible to use
> any one of these to produce the same effect (i.e. an invisibility 
spell /
> charm / potion)?
> 
> And what's the distinction between a spell and a charm?  Again, I 
would say
> that charms seem to be temporary and specific whereas spells seem to 
be more
> permanent and far-ranging, but that may be a distinction existing 
only in my
> mind.
> 
> I'd be interested to hear thoughts on this.

I would equate a 'Spell' with a prayer or some kind of mystical saying 
that causes magic or enchantment.

A 'Charm', to me, implies a magical or enchanted object. For example a 
four-leaf clover is a good luck charm.

'Potion' is a magical or enchanted liquid that can either be imbibed 
or sprinkled on something.

Moreover a 'Spell' can be used to enchant an object, making the 
enchanted object a 'Charm'. However, not all enchanted objects are 
charms. Likewise a 'Spell' can be used to enchant a liquid, making it 
into a magical potion (though Rowling doesn't do this in her books). 

Demelza