[HPforGrownups] Re: Homorphus Charm (was DADA)

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 25313

I said, regarding the Homorphus Charm:

> > Because this spell is not a cure. This spell, in my opinion, turns a
> transformed (for whatever reason) human back into his/her human form,
> for an unspecified length of time. It isn't permanent. The reason the
> village was saved by use of this spell, is that its casting upon the
> werewolf allowed identification of his human identity, and then
> steps could be taken to contain the danger. But we are told by
> trustworthy sources in the books that there is no cure, and that the
> recently discovered Wolfsbane Potion is the only way to control it.

Cindy responded:

> I never thought of that.  But if this spell temporarily transforms the
> werewolf back into a man, Black could have used it on Lupin instead of
> chasing him into the forest.  That likely would have prevented
> Pettigrew's escape.  Maybe Black doesn't know this spell? Is this the
> same spell Lupin and Black used to transform Pettigrew?

Lockhart describes having to wrestle the werewolf down before he could
perform the spell. I infer from this that the object of the charm must
be stationary. Lockhart called it "the immensely complex Homorphus
Charm," so there must be more involved that casting the spell after a
retreating target. Remember, Lockhart himself never *did* wrestle the
werewolf or cast the spell, but he didn't write fiction, either--he
stole someone else's deed, which means someone else *did* do it. So
there's no reason to doubt the charm exists, or that someone could cast
it, we just know *Lockhart* couldn't.

Anyway, my point is, I think the object upon whom you are casting this
charm has to stay put for at least a minute or two, and Sirius never had
that opportunity in the tussle with Lupin.

--Amanda


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