| perfectprefect in nocturne_alley @ 2002-07-15 22:59:00 |
| Current mood: |  refreshed |
Aeripetrificus, anyone?
Well. I did notice that Harry posted that he was having troubles with Aeripetrificus a few days ago, and I had been meaning to relate my tips for handling it since. However, paperwork has been piling at the Ministry quite prolifically lately, and thusly I have been rather distracted by the wonder of working over-time. Minister Fudge tells me he is most impressed by my thorough dedication to seeing that the Ministry is well in order; a compliment which, if I do say so myself, is rather gratifying.
As for the topic at hand, Aeripetrificus is a rather handy little Defence Against the Dark Arts spell. It was never taught while I was at Hogwarts, as it was something that was simply not in the curriculum of the Defence Against the Dark Arts professors I worked under the wing of. I commend Professor Black for his initiative at teaching this spell to the sixth years. Aeripetrificus is definitely something which can be quite useful to everyone. It is, of course, a spell of attack which should only be used on one's enemy, or in formal duelling. However, despite that, I feel it is something that most witches and wizards should learn at some point in their lives, for their own protection.
Since Aeripetrificus was never taught while I was at Hogwarts, the way I stumbled upon it was actually rather quite amusing. Had I known about it, I surely would have made a point of teaching it to myself well before I learned about it. However, I--oddly enough--had never come upon it in my studies.
As you may or may not know, I am friends with a young woman from the Ministry, Penelope Clearwater. She was a Ravenclaw Prefect while at Hogwarts, and has always had an outstanding knowledge of witchcraft and wizardry that rivals even mine. I have known her for quite some time, dating back to our days at Hogwarts, and I have always respected her as a peer.
We both went on to work at the Ministry together, and one day a year or so ago, I stopped by her flat after work to drop off a few scrolls that had been wrongfully delivered to my inbox instead of hers. I would have, surely, done the work myself, but they were sealed so that only a woman could open them. So, naturally, I took it upon myself to deliver them to Miss Clearwater, rather than simply owl them, as it is always nice to chat with a friend.
Unfortunately, I neglected to realise that I had been working overtime (as I am often apt to do), and it was quite late in the evening when I Apparated into her flat. Of course, I will admit that it was my own common sense failing me on this rare occasion. I surely should have given her a form of notice that I would be dropping in.
Penelope had, evidently, been asleep, but is a very sensitive sleeper. As soon as I popped into the flat, she sat up like a rocket, took me for an attacker, and shouted, "Aeripetrificus!"
Naturally, I was quite alarmed when I realised that the air surrounding me had become completely solid. I could scarcely even move my hand to signify that it was me.
Afterward, of course, we had a good laugh over the matter, and I asked her what the charming spell she had used was. She pulled out a volume that I will never forget -- Aeripetrificus for Anyone, by Anastasia Allegra. I took the tome home with me, and by staying up half the evening reading it, I managed to master the spell before dusk.
Aeripetrificus is quite a simple defence spell. As I have illustrated by my example, it is used to solidify the air surrounding your enemy. Rather than the petrification of normal spells, it leaves them completely aware of their surroundings, and the fact that they cannot move. It is, I'd say, a bit less severe than Petrificus Totalus, but quite a bit more useful for keeping your enemies in place while you contact the proper authorities.
It is also useful in duelling, as I mentioned earlier, and will essentially ensure your win in a duel without violence.
The trick to Aeripetrificus is to not think about what you're doing. Many witches and wizards have the common problem of focussing too severely upon the task at hand, which is proper and useful in most other spells. However, with Aeripetrificus, your best bet is to act as completely nonchalant as possible. It is something that has, as Penelope says, "a light trigger mechanism", which means that too much effort will cause it to fizzle.
I suggest, Harry, that you have been trying a bit too hard to master this spell. It is much unlike a Summoning Charm, or even a Banishing Charm. It is still, of course, the simple swish-and-flick motion, but that is mainly the effort required.
Of course, the real trick about it is to ensure that you do not overdo it. Many wizards have ended up--and I am loathe to say this--nearly suffocated due to their enemy being a bit overzealous with Aeripetrificus. It is a very delicate spell.
Now that that matter is handled, I shall retire for the evening. I am hoping to get an early start at the Ministry in the morning.
Guten nacht, Hogwarts!
Comments:
| knight_to_h3 @ 2002-07-16 12:35 am UTC |
I have known her for quite some time, dating back to our days at Hogwarts..
Dating back "to"? Don't you mean "dating back *in*"? Ginny still has laughing fits over what she saw in her first year at Hogwarts, I'm not even kidding. Tsk tsk, Percy, didn't think there'd be a day I'll be the one pointing out your grammar mistakes, did you? Oh and exactly how did you know your friend is a light sleeper? I'd sure like to know!
Your friend,
Ron
| percyneedsalife @ 2002-07-18 06:12 pm UTC |
Yeah, Percy, what does "friend" mean on your planet?
(parent)| perfectprefect @ 2002-07-21 12:04 am UTC Re: |
Ronald,
Your immaturity is a disgrace of such kind I have never had the displeasure of seeing before.
Yours,
Percy