When in doubt, a Body-Bind or Jelly-Legs jinx will get you out of an unfortunate situation, because an attacker can’t run if they have no legs. If you’re being pursued by someone, this is usually the safest option, as a wandless attacker will be stopped, and an attacker with a wand will be slowed down, giving you time to either get away or formulate a new plan.
If your pursuer has a wand, disarming them is always a good option. We know that you spent the better part of your early years in school learning how, and so when in doubt, deprive them of their weapon.
Also excellent options are those little hexes which kept landing you in detention. Bat-Bogeys are solidly effective, as is a Tarantella jinx, or anything else you happen to which you have a decent proficiency.
When in doubt, however, Stunning someone will always work. An unconscious attacker is a neutralised attacker.
Or, if you’re up to it (which at the end of an evening, not everyone is), Apparate; because if you’re no longer there, you’re out of what could be a sticky situation.
Remember ladies, stay safe. Travel with friends and be aware of your surroundings and enjoy the break from work, family, or any other responsibilities. You’ve earned it.
To watch these techniques in action, tap here with your wand to view a tutorial and practice.
Consent is sexy—and mandatory.
Unfortunately not everyone realises this. With the wrap up of the season of partying like it’s 1799, drinking like you’re about to have something amputated and there’s no available anaesthetic, and eating so much you lapse into a food coma, also comes the season of terrible things happening to those who aren’t prepared. Whilst I’m confident some of you could fight off just about anyone by sheer dint of your Amazonian glory, the rest of us mere mortals need a little help.
Back in the day, you wondered why you needed to spend three straight weeks of Defence Against the Dark Arts classes learning how to stun people. It seemed pointless when you could do it in your sleep after the first half hour. In a dangerous situation, however, it’s the simplest charms which will save your life.
Those of you who have been following the Department of Experimental Charms’ recent announcements will be well aware that a few new defensive charms have been developed. Whilst these are all well and good, in an emergency you probably won’t remember some fancy newfangled charm you just read about, let alone be able to reproduce it flawlessly. What you will remember are all those charms which were drilled into you at school.
As a bit of a refresher, here’s a list of useful jinxes, charms and hexes which you’ve probably forgotten you know, but which can inflict a significant amount of damage on an attacker without taxing yourself too much. Because when you’re terrified, you don’t want to be remembering how to perform a specific spell—you want muscle memory.
Beyond DADA:
Everyday jinxes to get you out of a bind and your attacker into one!
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