There are thousands of spells in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Besides healing and Transfiguration spells, most come under the wide umbrella of Charms, from making a feather levitate to disarming an opponent. However, many witches and wizards also choose to cast dark Charms, such as Jinxes, Curses, or Hexes.

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Although the term “dark magic” conjures up thoughts of Unforgivable Curses, not all these spells are evil. Hexes may be darker than Jinxes, but they’re not nearly as frowned upon as Curses and their effects are relatively easy to counter. Coming from the German word for witch (Hexe), Hexes are widely used by witches and wizards when either attacking an opponent or defending themselves in a duel.

10 Twitchy-Ears Hex

Causes A Victim’s Ears Twitch Uncontrollably

Concentration is essential when casting a spell, especially a Jinx that requires consistent eye contact with the target. That’s why a spell like the Twitchy-Ears Hex is a great way of distracting an opponent, making their ears twitch uncontrollably and possibly stopping them from casting spells.

Even Miranda Goshawk recommended students being struck by the Twitchy-Ears Hex in the Book of Spells to help them get used to distractions and still be able cast a Shield Charm successfully when confronted with them. Professor Rakepick allowed the use of this Hex in her Hex Deflection class in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, and Barty Crouch Jr (disguised as Mad-Eye Moody) also cast it at Harry Potter himself during his Hex Deflection test.

9 Toenail-Growing Hex

Makes A Victim’s Toenails Grow At Super Speed

Just imagine the feeling of toenails growing so fast that they push against the tips of shoes and still continue to grow. It’s an uncomfortable sensation just to think about, and would almost certainly distract a witch or wizard from dueling just to make it stop. That’s precisely what the Toenail-Growing Hex does.

This isn’t a standard spell taught at Hogwarts, but was one that Harry found in Snape’s old copy of Advanced Potion-Making in Harry Potter AndThe Half-Blood Prince, and may even be a spell of Snape’s own making. Although it isn’t used much in the Harry Potter series, Harry does use it once on Crabbe out of curiosity.

8 Pus Squirting Hex

Makes Pus Erupt From A Victim’s Nose

The Pus Squirting Hex is a particularly revolting spell that causes zits to grow and shoot disgusting yellow pus from a victim’s nose.

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While not used by Harry or any of his friends, those who have read the book might recognize this Hex from a Pensieve memory in Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince. While learning about Voldemort’s history, Harry sees a memory in which Voldemort’s uncle, Morfin Gaunt, cast this Hex on Ministry of Magic official Bob Ogden when he confronted him about using magic in front of Muggles.

7 Knee-Reversal Hex

Turns A Victim’s Knees Around To Face The Back

If a witch or wizard in the heat of a duel ever wanted to trick their opponent, hopefully distracting and maybe even tripping them up, then the Knee-Reversal Hex would be perfect. This Hex completely reverses a victim’s knees, making them face the back rather than the front. This potentially unbalances them and causes them to fall to the ground.

While this Hex isn’t explicitly seen in the Harry Potter series outside of a mention by Merula Snyde in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, it is mentioned in the wider history of the Wizarding World. A grumpy witch named Gertie Keddle from Queerditch Marsh used it on a wizard who lost a Quaffle in her garden; Torquil McTavish was hit by this Hex after challenging Silvio Astolfi to a broom race to the Coliseum in Rome; and Canadian Seeker Angelus Peel suffered from it in the 1877 Quidditch World Cup that nobody remembers.

6 Densaugeo

Causes A Victim’s Front Teeth To Grow Rapidly

Having one's front teeth grow up to a foot long sounds like the stuff of nightmares, but that’s what happens when a witch or wizard casts the Densaugeo Hex. Coming from the Latin words dens (meaning teeth) and augeo (meaning grow), Densaugeo causes the victim's front teeth to suddenly grow at a terrifying rate.

As much as some Harry Potter fans might like Emma Watson’s portrayal of Hermione Granger, the film version of her character didn’t have the trademark large front teeth she had in the books. This makes the Densaugeo Hex even more important in Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, when Draco’s Hex ricochets against Harry’s Jinx and hits Hermione. Hermione uses this to her advantage though. When Madam Pomfrey shrinks her teeth, Hermione lets the magic go on a little longer, so she can even out her teeth and avoid the braces her dentist parents planned to give her.

5 Hurling Hex

Makes A Broom Try To Throw Its Rider

While not a good Hex to use in a duel, the Hurling Hex is a sneaky way for a witch or wizard to harm an opponent. When cast on a broomstick, this Hex is effectively a trap that will cause the broom to throw off any witch or wizard who tries to use it – even while they're hundreds of feet in the air.

The Hurling Hex is mentioned a few times throughout the Harry Potter series. It’s most famously used by Professor Quirrell as he tries to harm Harry during his first ever Quidditch match against Slytherin. A few years later, in Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, Professor Flitwick expresses concern that the Firebolt Sirius anonymously gifts him might be hexed with this spell too. Elsewhere, the Hurling Hex was used by Hagrid and Kettleburn during the second task of the All-Wizard Tournament in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery.

4 Insect Hex (Entomorphis)

Gives A Victim Debilitating Insectoid Features

Although it seems like a Transfiguration spell, Entomorphis is a Hex that gives a victim insect-like features for a short period of time. Those affected by this Hex sprout feelers and are unable to speak, instead compelled to crawl about on the ground until the effects wear off. Like most Harry Potter spells, Entomorphis is derived from the Latin entomo (meaning insect) and morfi (meaning shape).

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While not used explicitly in the Harry Potter films or books, readers will notice that Harry considers hexing his cousin Dudley with this spell after the boy mocked him for having nightmares about Cedric Diggory’s death. It’s also a Hex available in the Dueling Club in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery.

3 Bat-Bogey Hex

Turns Mucus Into Bats That Fly Out Of A Victim’s Nose

The Bag-Bogey Hex does precisely what it says on the tin – it turns a victim’s “bogeys” into bats that fly out of their nose. This Hex was invented by a young Miranda Goshawk, who later became famous for writing the Standard Book Of Spells. As the youngest of nine sisters, she used this spell to stop them mistreating her, whether it was to get back clothes they had borrowed without asking, or to keep them quiet while she completed her homework. This spell nearly made its way into the Hogwarts Legacy game but was invented several decades after the game’s setting.

The Bat-Bogey Hex is mentioned a few times in the Harry Potter books but is best known as one of Ginny’s favorite spells. She uses it on Draco Malfoy when he imprisons her in Umbridge’s office, and on Zacharias Smith after he pesters her about what happened in the Department of Mysteries. In fact, this latter use of the Hex impressed Professor Slughorn so much that he invited her to the Slug Club.

2 Impediment Hex (Impedimenta)

Slows Or Completely Stops A Target’s Movement

Impedimenta is an essential spell for any witch or wizard. It can freeze an opponent or magical creature in its tracks, giving the caster time to escape or defend themselves. The Impediment Hex doesn’t work on everything, however; Acromantulas and Blast-Ended Skrewts are only susceptible to the Hex if it hits their unprotected underbellies. Since the effects only last for a few seconds, it’s such minor dark magic that many consider it a Jinx rather than a Hex. Nevertheless, it’s still a common spell used in dueling.

James Potter can be seen using the spell briefly when bullying Snape in the Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix film, but it’s used much more in the books. For example, Hermione helps Harry learn the Hex to prepare for the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament. Harry found the spell so useful that he even taught it to members of Dumbledore’s Army the following year, many of whom use it on Death Eaters during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.

1 Stinging Jinx

Stings A Victim's Flesh And Causes Swelling

Despite its name, the Stinging Jinx is considered by many to be more of a Hex due to the severity of the effects and the pain it causes. This agonizing spell stings the victim’s flesh, leaving a red mark and causing swelling. If it hits a victim’s face, the resulting swelling renders them almost unrecognizable, as if they have suffered a severe allergic reaction.

Keen Harry Potter fans will know that Harry accidentally uses this spell on Snape during his Legilimency lessons when he intrudes on the memory of Harry’s kiss with Cho Chang. However, most fans will remember Hermione using this scene to disguise Harry when they are captured by Snatchers in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part One.

Harry Potter

First Film

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Latest Film

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two

Cast

Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Alan Rickman , Michael Gambon , Ralph Fiennes , Maggie Smith , Robbie Coltrane

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