Bat-Bogey Hex

The Bat-Bogey Hex is a hex used to turn the bogies of the victim of the curse into bats and make them fly out of their nose, thereby causing them discomfort.

Mohandas Alva

Article written by Mohandas Alva

M.A. Degree in English Literature from Manipal University, India.

The Bat-Bogey Hex was a very effective curse used by several wizards and witches to startle their opponent in a duel. However, in the Harry Potter Universe, this hex is considered one of Ginny Weasley’s specialties; she used it on several occasions and was also invited by Horace Slughorn to his Slug Club ,specifically after he saw her curse someone with this hex. It is believed that if this curse were ever used on an animal like chickens, it could be fatal to them, which is why it also carries a strict penalty by the Wizengamot if someone is caught doing that.

Introduction to the Hex

The Bat-Bogey Hex was a very effective way to startle its victim. It could be used to make them stop talking or even prevent them from muttering spells during a duel. The Bat-Bogey Hex would instantaneously convert the target’s bogeys in the nostrils into live large bats, and these bats would fly out suddenly from the victim’s nose. This would cause their whole face to undergo sudden pain, and the nostrils would flare up. Furthermore, since the effect of this spell included a person’s bogies turning into great flapping things, the bat-winged bogies caused significant damage to a person’s immediate well-being.

Descriptions of the Hex

The usual intention of the spell usually was as a simple defense during a duel. However, a lot of times, this spell was also used to throw the opponent off by distracting their senses as the person’s bogies literally turned into black bats with flapping wings. For anyone’s bogeys to turn into bat-size and then instantly fly out would be a cause of concern. Furthermore, it would also distract the entire room if done well, as there would be a lot of bats suddenly flying inside the room.

Where Did the Hex Come From?

The Bat-Bogey Hex is said to have been invented by Miranda Goshawk, the author of The Standard Book of Spells series. She is said to have invented this spell in the 20th century as a way to make her sisters keep quiet as she talked. Growing up with eight sisters, she found it very difficult to speak when in their company, especially since she was also the youngest of them. She eventually managed to talk properly to her elder sisters after she invented the Bat-Bogey Hex. She used it on several of her siblings.

For instance, she used it on her third sister Tangwystl when she wanted her to keep quiet when Miranda was busy with her homework. She also used it on her other sisters, Diadema and Romilda, to make them do things like return her clothes or make sure she was not bothered when she wanted to be alone. She had a lot of difficulties in her childhood, including being born into a poor family, and her older sisters were sometimes mean to her too.

How Has the Hex Been Used?

Other than being used by Miranda Goshawk to keep her sisters from bothering her, the Bat-Bogey Hex has been mentioned in the Harry Potter books as well on several occasions. A student wrote about the notable incident of the Bat-Bogey Hex of 1972 in their Theory of Charms OWL paper in the year 1996. This incident is believed to have affected the entire class and must’ve caused quite an outrage to remove these bats. It is believed that anyone who tried using this spell on a non-human target would have to face the wrath of Julius Dowler, the chief Warlock of the Wizengamot at that time.

The Bat-Bogey Hex has long been the specialty of Ginny Weasley and has been mentioned several times as being used by her in the books. Ron, George, and Fred have probably felt the wrath of her spell. She used it quite successfully on Draco Malfoy to escape from the Inquisitorial Squad at Dolores Umbridge’s office along with her brother Ron, Luna Lovegood, and Neville Longbottom. Even George Weasley mentions indirectly that the Bat Bogey Hex is one of Ginny’s signature hexes and that anyone who would be on the receiving end of her hex wouldn’t have a good time. Ginny also used the Bat-Bogey Hex on Zacharias Smith on the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which caught the attention of Professor Slughorn, thereby getting her an invitation to the Slug Club. Ginny Weasley also might have used this spell during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic and also to teach the others in their DA meetings.

Some Modern Uses Of The Hex

It is believed that Ginny Weasley taught the Bat-Bogey Hex to the members of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force, especially the ones who worked as Aurors. The insights they gained helped them deal with the consequences of the “Calamity,” a major event that shook magical London in the early 21st Century.

Postscript On The Bat-Bogey Hex

The Bat-Bogey Hex is a very interesting spell that uses magic to convert a person’s bogies into bats. However, interestingly enough, only one person comes to mind on whom it would probably not work in the wizarding world. It is for one of the funniest reasons possible. We believe that the Bat Bogey Hex wouldn’t work on Lord Voldemort. It is not because he is the strongest wizard of his time or because he can deflect every spell that comes his way. Instead, it is because Lord Voldemort doesn’t have a nose.

FAQs

What is a Bat-Bogey Hex?

The Bat-Bogey Hex is a hex used to startle its victims suddenly or to make them stop talking for a while by unsettling them. The Hex converts the bogies of the target into bats, and they suddenly fly out of their nose, thereby causing them sudden discomfort. Ginny Weasley was one of the most frequent users of this hex in the Harry Potter books. It was invented by the celebrated author Miranda Goshawk to keep her sisters from bothering her.

How to say Bat-Bogey Hex?

The Bat-Bogey Hex has no known incantation in the Harry Potter books. However, according to some sources, the incantation for the Bat-Bogey Hex may be “Volamucus” after the Latin “Vola” which means “fly” and the term mucus refers to bogies. Therefore, the incantation would loosely translate to flying bogies.

Who taught Ginny Weasley the Bat-Bogey Hex?

There is no known source for the Bat-Bogey Hex in the Harry Potter books from whom Ginny is specifically mentioned to have learnt this hex. However, the hex was probably taught to Ginny either by Mrs Weasley or by the twins. Mrs Weasley was a very skilled witch and knew quite a lot of interesting magic that wasn’t particularly advanced but helped her in several ways. If not her, it is also possible that the spell was taught to Ginny by Fred and George Weasley since we know their reputation as pranksters.

/28

Harry Potter Quiz

Summon your wit and wisdom—our Harry Potter Trivia Quiz awaits you! Do you have the knowledge to claim the title of Master Witch or Wizard? Take the challenge now!

1) What does the Mirror of Erised show?

2) What is the name of the book Hermione gives to Harry before his first ever Quidditch match?

3) What is the name of the goblin who helps Harry, Ron, and Hermione break into Gringotts?

4) What is Dumbledore's full name?

5) Who is the Half-Blood Prince?

6) Which potion did Hermione brew in her second year that allowed her, Ron, and Harry to assume the identities of Slytherins?

7) Which creature can transform into a person's worst fear?

8) Who teaches Herbology at Hogwarts?

9) What does the incantation "Obliviate" do?

10) What are the dying words of Severus Snape in both the book and the film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"?

11) What was the last Horcrux to be destroyed?

12) What is the effect of the Cheering Charm?

13) What creature is Aragog?

14) What is the name of Harry Potter's pet owl?

15) In the "Order of the Phoenix," who is NOT a member of the original Order of the Phoenix shown in the old photograph that Moody shows Harry?

16) Who was the Peverell brother that owned the invisibility cloak?

17) What is the name of the goblin-made object that is supposed to bring its owner prosperity, but also brings them into conflict with goblins?

18) In which Harry Potter book does Harry first speak Parseltongue?

19) What is the name of the train that takes students to Hogwarts?

20) What specific type of dragon does Harry face during the Triwizard Tournament?

21) What form does Hermione Granger's Patronus take?

22) What animal represents Hufflepuff house?

23) Which character is killed by Bellatrix Lestrange in the Battle of Hogwarts?

24) What is the core ingredient of the wand owned by Harry Potter?

25) What potion is known as "Liquid Luck"?

26) Who originally owned the Elder Wand before Dumbledore won it?

27) Which object is NOT one of the Deathly Hallows?

28) Which spell is used to open the Marauder's Map?

Your score is

0%

Mohandas Alva

About Mohandas Alva

M.A. Degree in English Literature from Manipal University, India.

Mohandas is very passionate about deciphering the nature of language and its role as a sole medium of storytelling in literature. His interests sometimes digress from literature to philosophy and the sciences but eventually, the art and craft of narrating a significant story never fail to thrill him.

Discover the secrets to learning and enjoying literature.

Join Book Analysis

Learn More

Share to...