Charms Class – Year 7, Lesson 50: The Banishing Charm (Depulso)

Professor Introduction

Welcome back, students! Today, we’ll be learning a powerful charm with a practical and offensive twist — the Banishing Charm, known by its incantation: Depulso. This spell is all about sending objects away, whether it’s pushing things out of the way or knocking an opponent back during a duel.

I’m Professor Cedric Hallowbrook, and today we’ll learn how to forcefully propel objects, move them across distances, or even send them tumbling through the air in a controlled manner.

Let’s focus on precision, because although it may seem simple, timing and control are essential!

Spell Summary

• Incantation: Depulso
• Pronunciation: deh-PUL-soh
• Wand Movement: Quick, forceful push outward — similar to a thrust
• Effect: Sends objects or people flying away from the caster
• Difficulty Level: 3/5
• Category: Transfiguration (with offensive applications)

When to Use Depulso

The Banishing Charm is primarily used for:

• Pushing objects or enemies away from you
• Throwing items over long distances (useful for duels)
• Breaking barriers or disarming opponents
• Clearing space in a cluttered environment or during a task
• In duels, Depulso can create openings by forcing objects out of the way to give you an advantage

Origin and History

Depulso was first developed by Dahlia Vane, a 15th-century witch known for her defensive magic. The charm was intended for clearing debris in magical settings and for safely moving heavy objects. Over time, its applications expanded to include dueling and combat tactics. By the 1800s, it became a standard part of Charms curriculum at Hogwarts.

Spell Effects – What Happens?

When cast correctly, Depulso will:

• Cause the target to shoot away rapidly
• Create a burst of magical force from the wand tip
• Objects or people pushed by this spell will be knocked back or propelled at great speed
• In duels, it may cause disruptions or open spaces by removing obstacles

Classroom Activity

Today, you’ll practice Depulso on the following:

1. Bouncing Balls – to control direction and speed of the banishment
2. Cushioning Charms – to catch and soften objects sent flying
3. Chairs – to test range and accuracy when casting at larger targets

Tip: The spell requires a quick and confident motion. Hesitation can cause the spell to backfire, sending you flying instead!

Spell Pairings

• Pair with Leviosa to lift objects before banishing them
• Use Wingardium Leviosa in advance to move heavier objects into position
• Combine with Stupefy to disable an opponent and send them flying afterward
• Use Incendio to light a fire, then banish an object into the flames for dramatic effect

Strategic Use in Duels

Depulso is great for:

• Pushing opponents out of range or making them lose their footing
• Knocking items away from enemies — especially their wands or potion bottles
• Creating barriers by pushing objects in front of you
• In combination with Impedimenta, you can slow your opponent before sending them away with Depulso

Note: Depulso is more effective in close combat situations but can also be used for distracting enemies from afar.

Mini Quiz – The Banishing Charm

Fun Fact

In the 1920s, a mischievous wizard at Hogwarts used Depulso to launch a stack of books across the library. The chaos caused a temporary ban on using the spell near anything important!

Conclusion

Depulso teaches us that sometimes force is needed to get things moving — or even to make space for new opportunities. Whether in a duel or just clearing up your surroundings, this charm can become an essential tool in any wizard’s arsenal.