"The spell we're going to be learning is a fairly long-lasting charm, one that needs to be 'switched off' so to speak, when you wish for it to cease. So before we get into the new charm, how do you stop a spell from working?"

Easy question with a few answers. She waited, looking for a specific one.

"The spell we're going to be learning is a fairly long-lasting charm, one that needs to be 'switched off' so to speak, when you wish for it to cease. So before we get into the new charm, how do you stop a spell from working?"

Easy question with a few answers. She waited, looking for a specific one.

"The spell we're going to be learning is a fairly long-lasting charm, one that needs to be 'switched off' so to speak, when you wish for it to cease. So before we get into the new charm, how do you stop a spell from working?"

Easy question with a few answers. She waited, looking for a specific one.

"The spell we're going to be learning is a fairly long-lasting charm, one that needs to be 'switched off' so to speak, when you wish for it to cease. So before we get into the new charm, how do you stop a spell from working?"

Easy question with a few answers. She waited, looking for a specific one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lislchen

He considered the professor's next question for a moment. There was more than one answer, right? Which one did she want to hear? "Well, we would either have to say the counter-spell or we could use the general counter-spell Finite Incantatem." He finally replied with his hand in the air.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Kurumi's hand shot up into the air. "One way is by casting the counter spell. A simple example of a set like this would be Quietus and Sonorus." She paused for a moment. "Or, you could always cast Finite Incantatum."

"A specific counter-spell or Finite Incantatem, yes." She nodded at the Slytherin Hufflepuff and then at Miss Hollingberry. Not the exact one she was looking for but still right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodforyou

"Finite Incantatem should always work," Nora said after she raised a hand. But she wondered, though, what that fairly long-lasting charm could be that also needed to be ended.

"Not always, but it often does."

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomewitch

When the question was asked, she raised her hand immediately. "You perform a counter spell." she said simply. Like in the case of the Incendio spell, it can be put out by an Aguamenti spell.

"Yes, you can."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermione Lily Potter

She definitely didn't want to lose points in her first class. So instead Lily raised her hand and answered, "Could you stop the charm from working by using another spell?" Lily figured that that would be the obvious answer but she didn't have anything better.

"Yes, that's right." Not specific but still right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedwig17

Éloïse raised her hand and said Professor, if most spells are derived form Latin, would that mean that to form the spell to switch off, we would only have to say the opposite of the word we used in the spell, for example, the Quietus and Sonorus?

"Only if it is a spell or a counter-spell. You couldn't just say a Latin word that happens to mean the opposite of the spell you are trying to stop and expect anything to happen."

Quote:

Originally Posted by ameliah_longbottom

Ameliah suddenly piped up from the back, unnoticed before. She raised her hand and eagerly said:
"Well, it would depend on the charm being used. Many charms have countercharms used to 'switch off' a certain spell. There can be Nox for Lumos, or even Quietus for Sonorus." she suddenly became quiet again.

"It does depend on the charm, yes."

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahb

Isabelle raised her hand. "You would need to perform a counter spell or generally you can perform Finite Incantatem," Isabelle said, that was as far as her knowledge went. She thought that Finite Incatatem worked for most things, but was not completely positive. It was a start though.

"That's right."

Quote:

Originally Posted by alchemist_18

That was easy for Raven because she had learned about that at Duelling Club last year.

"We could use counter spell, Professor. For example is Summoning Charm and Banishing charm, Sonorus and Quietus and also you can try 'Finite' or 'Finite Incantatem'." answered her confidently.
.

And there we go! Finite!

"Right."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magical Soul

How to stop a spell from working? Raising her eyebrows slightly, Louisa pulled her hand away from her mouth and raised it, "If there is a counter spell to the one we wish to stop, we use it. If there isn't and yet the effect can be stopped, so to speak, we use the 'Finite' spell." The girl lowered her hand and absently started biting her nails again.

Now they were getting into it.

"Absolutely right." She nodded.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

"well for a long lasting spell you would perform the counter curse, or Finite Incantartum, a well known general counter curse, though this will not work for stronger charms."
Autumn took her best guess she was sure there was more to it than that, but all the same it couldnt hurt to try.

"Finite IncantATEM." Althea corrected. "And a counter-spell is only a counter-curse if it is intended to negate a curse." But she wasn't wrong, the professor was simply clarifying, and providing corrections.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireboltAvis88

Alyssa thought for awhile and then raised her hand."Professor could one use the Finite or Finite Incantatem spell to stop a spell from working? Or could one just simply stop thinking about casting the spell and lower their wand?"

"Finite or Finite Incantatem, yes and as for lowering your wand, it depends on the spell. Think of it this way, bewitched items would not retain their magical properties if they required the spell to be constantly applied and targeted."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Ninja

Raising his hand at her question, he replied "Finite incantatem meaning finish the incantation. Sometimes the incantation might have a countercurse or jinx, and that would work as well." Ok, he'd over expanded on the answer, but better to be safe then sorry right?

"Right."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Marmalade

How could she be patient when she was sooooooo excited to a point that she felt like dancing. Probably not a good idea to do in class. Kacie took in a deep breath and let it out to try and calm herself, it helped a little. "Finite Incantatem is used to cancel mostly all spells, but some spells have their own special incantations to stop them." she said, after raising her hand this time. "The Lumos charm is a good example of one that has an incantation to turn out the light."

"Right. Lumos has Nox."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quick Quotes Quill

Why couldn't they find out already what spell the Professor had in mind for that class. Oh, another question, she thought and tried to find an answer as quick as possible.
'We can use Finite Incantatem', the Ravenclaw said after having raised her hand. The counter curse might be longer... or one might forget it. It's impossible to know ALL spells, and all counter curses. Psh. Finite incantatem should work on anything.

"In some cases, yes." The professor answered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orla

Oh hopfully a good spell.... LuLu's hand raised up in the air ''Well you would usually use a Counter spell, which is a type of spell where the spell removes the effects of another! Finite Incantatem is a general counter spell I believe, Proffeser,'' She sighed it was now killing her what type of spell were they doing..

She nodded at the Ravenclaw. Right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaRoHeGiNeLu

A long lasting charm? Ellie was....excited. Which she was displeased about because she didn't want to be excited for Schirmer's lesson. But she was curious. And excited. Darn.

"A counter charm? Or finite seems to work with most spells." Most. Not all. "Or, if it's a charm that you perform while holding your wand, simply breaking your concentration or the grip from the wand can work." Though that worked better with transfiguration, in her opinion.

And was it just her or was THAT the most engaged she'd SEEN Miss Stone? It made Professor Schirmer curious in return.

"Absolutely correct." All three points as it were.

Quote:

Originally Posted by affy7ann

Her mind getting back to class, Tayla raised her hand and answered the question. "You can perform protective spells if you want to stop it from happening to you or to someone else. The Shield Charm is one example. As for jinxes, there are counter-curses to stop their effect."

"You could block the spell from taking hold to begin with, yes. But jinxes are opposed by counter-jinxes, not counter-curses." Semantics but still.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jujune29th

Sophie raised her hand. "Counter-spells!" she thought they might learn Lumos or some simple spell like that. "You know, like 'Nox', or Alohomora with the Colloportus one! Or... Sonorus and Quietus! Or um... uh... yeah, those!" she smiled.

Enthusiasm was only good when the answers were right... so it was a good thing this 'puff was right.

"Right." Professor Schirmer answered, with a small smile in spite of herself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yourenodaisy

After raising her hand and being called upon, Em anwwered, "Well, if you only want to stop the spell placed on a specific object, you could use Finite. But if you need to cover a whole area, Finite Incantatem is the better counter-spell. Those spell would work, but she couldn't help but ask "About how long will the spell last on its own?"

"Absolutely right and thank you for sharing the difference between those two, its very important and often confused." And they'd be using just the one today.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassandra

Taylor raised her hand meekly, "Well a counter spell could do it but if a person doesn't remember the counter-spell or can't get the words right then couldn't they use Finite Incantatem, i mean wouldn't that work for about everything?" Taylor tilted her head a little bit then remembered something that she read, "Well it of course doesn't work on the unforgiveable curses but there is no way of stopping those right?"

"Finite Incantatem does not work on everything. Usually if there is a specific counter-spell, the specific one is necessary, but it is also a matter of strength and experience of the caster. A first year would have a tougher time of negating all spell effects with Finite Incantatem than a seventh year." And as for the unforgiveable part, "No way except for dodging them or presenting a physical barrier as an obstacle." So shield didn't work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macavity

"Couldn't one also stop a spell simply by losing or dropping focus from the spell," he suggested after raising his hand. His classmates had already offered the two most common options so he figured to try something different.

"It very much depends on the spell. Charms by nature have more longevity than some other spells, and will last on their own without need for constant focus from the original caster."

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballantd

"Well, you could use the counter-spell, or some kind of negating spell," she said, her hand raised. "That would work for...just about everything," she added, wanting to cover her bases just in case there were some spells that couldn't be undone.

"That's right." Just about everything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlwaysSnapesGirl

Now...how to stop a spell from working? Setting her quil down once more, Vashti raised her hand. "You generally have to use a counter-charm to stop the spell before the time it's meant to wear off. Sometimes a spell will have a specific counter-spell - like the Banishing and Summoning Charms - but if you don't know it or forget what it is, you can usually use Finite, if you want to stop the effect on a specific object, or the more general Finite Incantatem."

"That's right, you need to use the counter, until the spell effects wear off on their own." Which they would... eventually.

Quote:

Originally Posted by caithal97

Nessie raised her hand silently. She felt much more confident this year than the last where she had struggled with question's like these. Most wizard born children knew the answer from the top of their head because they had seen their parents use them. She had always lived with muggles so it was a bit harder for her. "Well, most the times spells can be canceled with 'Finite Incantatem' but there can sometimes be counter spells that apply to a specific spell, charm or curse."

"Correct." Althea answered with a nod.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoseMalfoy

but she had an idea of how to "switch it off", she raised her hand slightly "Well you could always use the counter spell, but if you don't know that you can use "Finite Incantatem" Which works on almost everything." or so she thought.. she'd never even tried the spell before. Maybe they'd get to today?

"Almost everything." She agreed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanialRadFAN01

August knew this answer, it seemed he had learned a lot more last term than he had thought. The Gryffindor raised his hand.

"There are a few ways to end the effects of a spell the most common would be with another spell like 'Finite' or just losing concentration, but there is also the more sinister and dark way like...." um. Yeah. "death. If the caster is killed or passes away many times their long-lasting spells will cease too."

That last way was obviously not the preferred or easiest method.

She was pretty sure that August Goldstein now knew, on pain of DEATH that he should keep his mouth shut now.

"Like death." She agreed, pointedly. WATCHYOSEEEELFFF, Gryffindor.

Good thing he kept delivering good answers, or she wouldn't like him.

"You're right."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbreeze

Since everyone had more or less said the same thing, Eino raised his hand, hoping to share something that hadn't yet been said. "In addition to counter-spells, could some charms also be countered, though there might be a better word to describe it, by the use of potions? For example, could the Growth Charm possibly be countered with a Shrinking Potion if the brew was more powerful than the spell?" Potions were generally used to nullify and counter the effect of hexes and curses, so it could work with Charms, too. He knew this was a Charms class and that professor Schirmer was interested in charms, but hopefully it didn't hurt to point that out as an alternative.

"Yes, Mr. Uronen, thank you for that answer." She mentally chalked up a few more points to the Ravenclaw.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hpluvr037

Well, there were several ways. It really depended on what spell it was. He raised both hands. "Well, it seems to me that the most obvious answer is to use a counterspell. Such as Lumos being countered by Nox. Finite or Finite Incantatem will likely work for simpler spells, I doubt they would even touch something Dark like an Unforgiveable, though." Except those weren't strictly speaking charms, but it got the point across.

"I suppose if you just walked into a room and saw a clearly charmed object, you may not know what the original spell's incantation was, either because it was invented or you just can't figure it out for some reason. Then you may have to use a series of spells to counteract the effects of the original charm? I dunno, I've never thought about that situation before now." He doubted that's where Schirmer was headed, but it popped into his thoughts, so he may as well address it, right?

Oh and Keefer got another smile from the professor.

"Sometimes you do need to use a series of spells to negate the composite effect of spells applied to a bewitched object. That's right!" And tied into one of their future lessons as it was. Aww she liked that 'puffer. She would like to give him almost as many points as she would like to load on a Ravenclaw. Almost.

You know, if she were less impartial and fair.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KayKay

"You could," Gwen paused for a moment as she organized her thoughts, "use something simple like Finite, to stop a spell on an object or person. Or Finite Incantatem if you want to stop the spells in a specific area."
Gwen knew these two spells from her father, who used them all the time, especially when her old Muggle friends came around to her house.

"That's right, thank you for clarifying the differences."

Quote:

Originally Posted by EW_FAN

Harvey was excited they were going to learn a spell? and that too this early in the year.. he was excited.. he put up his hand "Finite Incantatem can stop a spell from working while it is lasting." he said answering the question..

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenSnake

Victoria raised her hand immediately, as she was sure of the answer. "Finite Incantatem!" Victoria replied confidently. "I believe Finite Incantatem can stop a spell from working."

"It can stop some spells yes." She agreed with the two students.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanficfanatict

Then she turned back to the Professor and rose her hand, "Well Professor you could... um... put your wand down so it doesn't hurt anyone else?" Everyone else had taken her answers. This class was super chatty.

"In some cases. It depends on the spell."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimalia

Lazily Kimalia rose her hand, this one was easy. "Finite Incantatum finishes a spell, along with a counter spell that casts the opposite effect, and well, casting a curse on the person casting the spell." Yep, that was the most simple answers she believed.

"Yes in all cases those approaches are effective to varying degrees."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lissy Longbottom

Alex raised his hand. "If you want a spell to stop, you have to cast Finite Incantatum. It's pretty much the universal 'stop' spell, even though it doesn't work on everything," he added. He'd heard somewhere that really powerful (usually dark) spells didn't respond to that at all.

"It is pretty universal, but it is also non-specific which is sometimes a problem."

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahlooo

Ellie raised her hand. "To stop a spell, you would use Finite Incantatem, which basically translates to "finish incantation". But you could always use the counter-spell if there is one."

"And you should use a specific counter if there is one, yes."

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicGlitter

Ariella's hand shot up into the air. Finally, a question she had a definite answer for. "To 'turn off' a spell, you would use Finite Incantatum." But did the incantation work on all spells? And what about counter-spells? No matter how easy the question was, it seemed as if Ariella always had a way to confuse herself. She opened her mouth to say that the incantation didn't work on all spells, but closed it quickly while lowering her hand awkwardly. Well, maybe she should say something about counter-spells. But her classmates were all saying the same things. Ariella felt like she would just be repeating what everybody else was talking about. She sighed to herself and continued. "Or you could use the counter spell. For example, the counter spell for Lumos is Nox. However, a lot of spells don't have an counter-spell."

"That's true. A lot of spells don't have a counter, and that is when you'd use Finite Incantatem or Finite if possible."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazinga

Minerva thought for a second. "Well professor sometimes there is a counter spell that will redirect a spell or stop it, but if for some reason you do not know the counter spell there is also Finite Incantatem."

"That's right Miss Wheatborn." Had she raised her hand?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katergirl

Angelina raised her hand and said, "can counter spells?" there is probably more to it, but thats all she knew, just counter spells..

Quote:

Originally Posted by hjhm

So how does one stop a spell from working? Jonathan wasn't sure though but the nearest answer would be "Is it by using the counter spell?" he raised his hand to answer the teacher's question.

"Yes, counter-spells."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelsheen

Vickers furrowed his brows. His first thought was a counter spell to whatever spell was being used. But the Professor did ask a spell... so does that mean it was a general question? "Uhm... Professor the spell Finite Incantatem is whats generally used to cease a spell or a set of spells all at once." he replied after tentatively raising his hand. Specially when the one trying to stop it doesnt know what kind of spells have been flying about.

"Finite Incantatem is one way, yes."

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastonionNW

Ah yes, the question of spell reversal. Nate knew this one. As his hand went up, he answered, "Finite, or Finite Incantatem, will cease the effects of a less powerful spell." There should probably be a little more to the answer though... "But for stronger spells there are usually specific counter-spells. These only work to an extent, though. For example, some Dark Magic can't be reversed, like a body part lost to the curse Sectumsempra."

"Those two are right but some Dark Magic can be reversed or the injuries healed at least partially. You're right about a body part lost to that curse being permanent, however."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessiqua

As for this question, she sort of knew what to do, "Professor to turn a spell off perhaps you could use a counter-spell, which works to stop the initial spell. Are they called Counter-Charms in this lesson?" She asked. She had heard that term before. "I know you can use the non-specific counter-spells which work on many spells, but there are the more specific counter-spells to certain charms," she said.

"Yes a counter-spell used to counter a charm is called a counter-charm."

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyPatronusIsaMoose

Ma'am to to turn off a spell one would need to simply to say "finite" or if the origanal spell has it a counter-spell would work. The professor said that the class was going outside, Oakey wanted to go outisde it was nice out! Come on lets go outside!

"That's right."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poolicious

How to switch off the fairy long-lasting charm? He had had read about it once. Messer raised his hand high up into the air. "How about the counter curse charm, Professor?" That was his first guess. "Or you could do Finite Incantatem. Its a general counter spell used for all spell." Right?

"Counter-curses for curses or counter-charms for charms. Also known as counter-spells as a catch-all term." She clarified. And Finite Incantatem was obviously right.

"Right."

Quote:

Originally Posted by ameliah_longbottom

Ameliah glanced around, grinning. She was so happy she wasn't the only one answering. That was what normally happened in classes. As her classmates eagerly answered, she started muttering spells and their uses, along with wand movements. Without touching her wand, of cource. She new not to perform magic without being directed to.
"Swish and flick. Wingardium leviosa -levitate objects. Accio? Summoning objects-- No, that's to complicated. It's the first class of the year, so we'd be doing something less complicated. Come on, come on. Lumos -light wand tip. No special movement for that. Could we be learning Lumos and Nox? Probably," she continued muttering charms and uses.

Really? What was this Ravenclaw doing? NOT paying attention, clearly.

"5 points from Ravenclaw for NOT paying attention to the lesson. You can revise in your own time, NOT in mine."

Quote:

Originally Posted by ameliah_longbottom

Ameliah smiled and looked to her left. She knew she heard that voice before. It was Taylor, her best friend that she met on the train. She must not have noticed Taylor before. Well, Ameliah thought, I'm not completely alone in here. At least Taylor got to sit with me.
"Hey, Taylor!" Ameliah whispered, grinning.

And because her attention was already on the student.

"Another five points from you for chatting in class. Do NOT distract other students." Or do anything else which would make Althea have to take points from her former house. Sigh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2111jen

Long lasting spell...
"Could it be lumos to cancel it would be nox" She said after raising her hand.

"Nox does negate lumos but we aren't doing either of those spells today."

Quote:

Originally Posted by affy7ann

"I've got a question, Professor," Tayla said a little nervously, suddenly wondering about something as she listened to the professor and took down notes. "Why is it harder for others to learn spells? And why do they become more powerful with other witches or wizards when the words are the same and the intent to use the spell is the same?" There was so much 'intent' could do, but when it came to aurors and dark wizards for example, wasn't there intent to use the same spells basically the same? How did the brilliant ones - whether good or bad - become so brilliant? Tayla hoped the professor understood her question and didn't think it stupid.

"Magic, like anything else, is a skill." Althea answered. "One you can learn and better yourself in, but as with any skill, some have a natural talent and are more likely to do better or find it easy. If you're magical however, which you are or you wouldn't be here, then as long as you work hard, you can do well for yourself. As for intent being the same, that isn't always true. Sometimes it depends on things like, who has the most to lose, who is more desperate, who needs something more. Intent is very often emotion-driven. Does that help? If you wish to talk about it more, we can do so after class, or I can share a book on the topic." Althea Schirmer had a lot of books.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry174

Laura didn't really like this Professor much, she was scaring her with the way she was looking, it was only a question and the Professor had asked did they have any questions. "Okay Professor."

Laura looked at the Professor and smiled before saying. "Professor to stop a spell you just throw you wand on the floor and stamp on it." Well surely that would stop the spell.

Really?

REALLY?

Althea wasn't even going to entertain nonsense like that.

"Five points from Hufflepuff for a ridiculous, blatantly incorrect answer and for not taking the question seriously." Throwing your wand on the ground and stamping on it? A wand was like.... an extension of yourself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lara_the_Firelady

Stop a spell? They were talking about stopping a spell before even they learned how to cast it!! Lea scoffed and crossed her arms. That was boring. BOOOORING. What was the point of that? She wanted to cast it first then decide it herself if she wanted to stop it. If it was colourful and nice and pretty and shiny, why would she stop it?

Still the professor asked about how to stop a spell. Eh...she mentioned incantations before right.

''I am sure there is a fancy magical incantation for that too.''

....

Was that a TONE? Was the little Gryffindor taking a TONE with her? Althea eyed the girl for a long moment. The scoffing and arm-crossing did not plead her case.

"If you don't have anything constructive to say, then don't say anything at all. 5 points from you for rudeness and for NOT raising your hand to speak."