Impediment Jinx

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The Impediment Jinx, also known as the Impediment Curse, is a spell used to slow down and obstruct an oncoming assailant (GF29). Its incantation is Impedimenta (GF31).

Mentions of the spell in the series include:

• After their Defense Against the Dark Arts OWL written exam, Sirius Black casts the Impediment Curse on Severus Snape, who had been Disarmed by James Potter and was trying to reach for his wand. The curse causes the Slytherin to be knocked off his feet halfway through a dive towards the ground (OP28).
• The Impediment Jinx is one of the many spells that compose the list of incantations Harry Potter practices for the third task of the Triwizard Tournament, aided by Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. It is first mentioned by Hermione, who points out it would be the first spell they would practice (GF29).
• During one of the Trio's training sessions, Ron uses Impedimenta on a wasp, causing it to stop dead in midair (GF31).
• Harry does not have any problems to cast the spell, and soon masters it after some practice (GF31).
• During the third task of the Triwizard Tournament (GF31):
  • Harry tries to cast the Impediment Curse on a fully-grown Blast-Ended Skrewt. On his first attempt, the curse ricochets off the creature's armour. However, Harry manages to freeze it on his second attempt, having hit the Skrewt with the spell on its unprotected underside.
  • Harry attempts to use Impedimenta, along with a Stunning Spell, against an acromantula. Neither of the spells, however, have any effect.
• Harry casts the Impediment Jinx on one of the Death Eaters in the Little Hangleton graveyard while trying to dodge the Dark Wizards' attacks and reach the portkey that would bring him back to Hogwarts (GF34).
• Harry teaches the Impediment Curse to the DA members. Colin Creevey manages to master the spell after only three meetings (OP19).
• Madam Hooch uses Impedimenta in order to stop an enraged Harry from continuously punching Draco Malfoy, who had been openly insulting the Potters and the Weasleys after Gryffindor had beat Slytherin on a Quidditch match (OP19).
• On the last meeting of the DA before Christmas, Harry has its members practice the Impediment Curse in pairs for ten minutes. Taking turns, one person would cast the spell on the other, causing him or her to freeze for a minute or so. Neville Longbottom, who had been improving enormously, manages to curse Harry three times in a row (OP21).
• Neville uses Impedimenta against the members of the Inquisitorial Squad who had been keeping himself, Luna Lovegood, Ron and Ginny Weasley trapped in Dolores Umbridge's office (OP33).
• During the Battle of the Department of Mysteries (OP35):
  • Both Antonin Dolohov and a second Death Eater cast the Impediment Jinx on Hermione, Harry and Neville after entering the small office adjacent to the Time Room, knocking the students backwards off their feet.
  • Harry uses Impedimenta on Lucius Malfoy in order to stop him from cursing Neville, blasting Malfoy off his back and into the dais in the middle of the Death Room.
• Harry casts the spell on some of the Inferi inside the cave. Despite his hindering a few of them, it does not stop the creatures of climbing out of the lake (HBP26).
• During the Battle of the Astronomy Tower (HBP28):
  • Harry uses Impedimenta on Amycus Carrow, who had been battling Ginny. Hit in the chest, Amycus is slammed into the opposite wall.
  • While being chased by both Alecto and Amycus, Harry casts the Impediment Curse over his shoulder, for the boy was running to reach Rubeus Hagrid, Draco and Snape who were near the gamekeeper's hut. The curse hits one of the Carrow siblings, who falls and trips up the other.
• Harry uses Impedimenta on a Death Eater who had been almost reaching him during the Battle of the Seven Potters, causing the Dark Wizard to be momentarily spread-eagled in midair (DH4).