Transfiguring matches into needles

As Professor McGonagall says, Transfiguration is complex and dangerous magic. We are talking about changing the molecular structure of an object to transform it into something else, after all. Given a group of 11-year-olds, some who have never used a wand before, it’s therefore advisable to… start small. In the golden trio’s first Transfiguration lesson, the students were tasked to do as prefect Percy Weasley predicted: turn matches into needles.

The Acufors spell (the incantation of which is revealed in the new HBO series teaser) might seem simple, but it’s much harder than it looks. Despite Harry giving it his best effort, Hermione was (predictably) the only one in the class who managed to successfully transform her match into anything remotely resembling a needle in her first lesson, earning her a ‘rare smile’ from the firm but fair McGonagall.

The levitation charm

Probably the most memorable spell that Harry, Ron and Hermione learnt in their first year, Wingardium Leviosa got them out of more than a few scrapes over the course of their school careers. First-years usually begin by levitating light objects like feathers, then gradually progress to heavier items (like, say, a motorbike’s side car) if they get the technique right.

Although a basic spell, it’s important that the movement and the pronunciation of the charm are correct. As Professor Flitwick demonstrated in the trio’s first-year Charms class, the ‘swish and flick’ is fundamental. Hermione's insistence on the correct pronunciation ‘Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa’ might have had Ron rolling his eyes, but it was a good job he was listening to her… That mountain troll incident would have ended very differently otherwise.

Transfiguring a mouse into a snuff-box

By the time the trio got to their first end of year exams, they had progressed from matches and needles to… small rodents and boxes. It might not be as impressive as McGonagall turning her desk into a pig, but it’s getting there. It should be noted though that if the snuff-box still had whiskers, points were docked.

Remembering a Forgetfulness potion

Nothing quite says ‘exam panic’ like a practical Potions test with Professor Snape breathing down your neck. In Harry’s first year, the students were subjected to trying to remember how to make a Forgetfulness potion. After mixing Lethe River water, Valerian, and Mistletoe berries, you then… Oh, we’ve forgotten the rest.

Making a pineapple tap dance

Professor Flitwick’s practical exam for the first-years was exactly what it says on the tin… making a pineapple perform a tap dance. Is it the most useful spell in the world? No. Do we respect Flitwick for inventing a Charms test designed purely for his own entertainment? Yes.

Everything else Hermione managed to learn

We may only see inside a handful of first-year lessons at Hogwarts… But that’s not to say that some scholarly witches and wizards haven’t tried a few more ‘simple spells’ outside the classroom. Enter Hermione Granger. In addition to the magical curriculum, the brilliant witch performed these striking spells within mere months of realising she could even do magic:

The bluebell flames spell

Who knew how useful producing fire would be? Well, our ancestors we suppose, but still… Hermione’s ability to conjure up bluebell flames came to the rescue more than once in her first year. Carried in a jam jar, they were the perfect portable heater for a chilly stroll through the Hogwarts courtyards. When she suspected a certain teacher of foul play during a Quidditch match, they served as a well-timed distraction. Faced with a killer plant that hates heat and light, she had a sure-fire way to defeat it.

The ‘tricky little charm’

Hermione’s creativity and house pride shone through with this charm to support Harry in his first ever Quidditch match against Slytherin. Capping off a crafternoon with her classmates, Hermione’s impressive spell made the paint on their homemade Gryffindor banner light up, complementing Dean Thomas’s hand-drawn lion roaring to life. In case you missed it, you can see this glorious moment in the latest teaser for the HBO Original Series!

The unlocking charm

Hermione’s mastery of Alohomora may have opened the door to a ferocious three-headed dog who looked ready to attack her, Harry, Ron and Neville (new fear unlocked) but it did help them uncover what was being hidden at Hogwarts. What’s an adventure without a little danger, anyway?

The full Body-Bind Curse

Note to selves: Don’t get in between Hermione and the Gryffindor common room exit when she knows Petrificus Totalus…

Poor Neville. At least he got some points for Gryffindor.