Bat-Bogey Hex

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.

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