Silencio

[donnaimmaculata]

So, the Silencing Charm is used in Hogwarts dormitories so that the students can indulge in some quiet wanking or shagging. But is that canon? I don't remember that sort of Silencing Charm existing in the books. (Also, I am not a great fan of it. If drowning out any sounds were that simple, Harry could easily prevent Ron from hearing his nightmares, and IIRC this is something he worries about in OotP.) The only Silencing Charm I can think of is the one cast on living creatures (bullfrogs and ravens) in Flitwick's class. Somehow, the idea of Harry and Ron casting Silencing Charms on each other before wanking each other off is oddly appealing. Has anyone ever used it in a fic? (Doesn't have to be Harry and Ron, though.)

Comments

[masterofmystery.livejournal.com]

'Silencio' is used to make things silent, like another person, but to like block out sounds the Imperturbable Charm is used, like how Molly Weasley used in 12 Grimmauld Place in OotP to block out any sounds from the meeting so that the children wouldn't listen. I'll show you.

Chapter 4 - 'Number twelve, Grimmauld Place'

"You want to be careful," said Ron, staring at the ear. "If Mum sees one of them again..."
"It's worth the risk, that's a major meeting they're having," said Fred.
The door opened and a long mane of red hair appeared.
"Oh hello, Harry!" said Ron's younger sister, Ginny, brightly. "I thought I heard your voice."
Turning to Fred and George she said, "It's no go with the Extendable Ears, she's gone and put an Imperturbable Charm on the kitchen door."
"How d'you know?" said George, looking crestfallen.
"Tonks told me how to find out," said Ginny. "You just chuck stuff at the door and if it can't make contact the door's been Imperturbed. I've been flicking Dungbombs at it from the top of the stairs and they just soar away from it, so there's no way the Extendable Ears will be able to get under the gap."

From dictionary.com:

imperturbable

adj : not easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure; "hitherto imperturbable, he now showed signs of alarm"; "an imperturbable self-possession"; "unflappable in a crisis" [syn: unflappable]

You can just use that instead of the Silencing Charm, and it makes loads more sense. I always do. ;)

[mbmargarita.livejournal.com]

Actually, from this context
"You just chuck stuff at the door and if it can't make contact the door's been Imperturbed. I've been flicking Dungbombs at it from the top of the stairs and they just soar away from it, so there's no way the Extendable Ears will be able to get under the gap."

It sounds like imperturbable blocks objects which is why the Extendable Ears can't get to them. I assume it would also block someone walking up and sticking their own actual ear on the door. However I also assume that if you were inside the room making lots of noise--moaning and groaning and bedsprings squeaking and all that-- it would have no effect whatsoever on what someone walking by could hear. It keeps things out, not in, which is not exactly your typical silencing charm. Doesn't mean it still couldn't be used in certain situations, I just personally would be wary of using it for a blanket 'silencing charm' situation. :)

[masterofmystery.livejournal.com]

I figured it was objects too, but I doubt if the kids went up to the door and listened they would hear anything. I reckon that along with blocking objects it blocks humans, and therefore they can't get close enough to hear anyway?

[mbmargarita.livejournal.com]

I reckon that along with blocking objects it blocks humans, and therefore they can't get close enough to hear anyway?

Yeah exactly, in that case anyway. But in the case of a dorm bed or something, curtains not being as thick as a door and all that, you might be able to stand across the room and still hear it, and so it would not be the effective spell to use.

And anyway, even if they didn't hear anything, if they tried to walk next to the bed and found themselves mysteriously being deflected to the center of the room... something would definitely be suspicious ;)

[jan-aq.livejournal.com]

It might also block sound waves. :)

[mbmargarita.livejournal.com]

Again, it only demonstrably blocks objects from the outside. It could be that it blocks objects (sounds waves, etc) from the inside from escaping as well, but I wouldn't assume that from the Imperturbable name, though I wouldn't quibble with a fanfic writer who wanted to.

[ssecca01.livejournal.com]

Yeah. The imperturbable is also what Hermione casts on Harry's glasses in third year to repel the rain during the quiditch match. The incantation was 'impervious'.

[masterofmystery.livejournal.com]

I don't think they were the same spell, though. I think it was said in um, the fifth book that it was the Impervious Charm, specifically. Angelina mentioned it before a game.