======Morsmordre======
=====Spell Information=====
  * **Incantation:** [[Morsmordre]]
  * **Pronunciation:** morz-MOR-druh (film)
  * **Wand Movement:** Unknown
  * **Light:** The spell produces a flash of green light from the [[wand]], which then erupts into a colossal, glowing green image in the sky.
  * **Effect:** Conjures an image of the [[Dark Mark]] in the sky. The [[Dark Mark]] is the symbol of [[Lord Voldemort]] and his followers, appearing as a gigantic, glittering green skull with a serpent protruding from its mouth like a tongue.
  * **Type:** [[Dark Magic]]
=====History and Known Uses=====
The [[Morsmordre]] incantation is used exclusively by [[Death Eater]]s to brand the sky with the [[Dark Mark]], signaling their presence and often marking a place where they have committed murder. The appearance of the Mark is designed to incite terror throughout the wizarding community.
  * **[[Quidditch World Cup]] (1994):** The spell's first appearance in the series is after the [[Quidditch World Cup]], when [[Barty Crouch Jr.]] casts it using [[Harry Potter]]'s stolen [[wand]]. He does this to create panic and to mock the other [[Death Eater]]s who were rioting but fled at the thought of [[Lord Voldemort]]'s return. The [[house-elf]] [[Winky]] was initially blamed for casting the spell. [[Ministry of Magic]] officials, including [[Arthur Weasley]] and [[Amos Diggory]], used `[[Priori Incantatem]]` on Harry's [[wand]] to confirm it was the source of the [[Dark Mark]].
  * **The Astronomy Tower (1997):** After [[Severus Snape]] kills [[Albus Dumbledore]], a [[Death Eater]] casts the [[Dark Mark]] over the [[Astronomy Tower]] at [[Hogwarts]]. While the caster is not explicitly named in the moment, it is heavily implied to be the work of a fleeing [[Death Eater]] to signify their dark triumph.
=====Learning and Counter-Spells=====
Learning the [[Morsmordre]] spell is an act associated with the darkest of wizards. It is not taught at [[Hogwarts]] and is considered advanced [[Dark Magic]], known only to [[Lord Voldemort]]'s inner circle.
There is no known direct counter-spell that can erase the [[Dark Mark]] from the sky once it has been conjured. The magical image hangs in the air for a considerable time before fading on its own. While defensive measures like the [[Stunning Spell]] can be used against the caster, they do not affect the conjured Mark itself.
=====Etymology=====
The incantation `//Morsmordre//` is likely a combination of words from Latin and French.
  * **//Mors//:** The Latin word for "death." This directly relates to the skull imagery of the [[Dark Mark]] and the [[Death Eater]] moniker.
  * **//Mordre//:** The French verb for "to bite." This connects to the serpent emerging from the skull's mouth, as well as the concept of "taking a bite out of death," a fitting phrase for [[Voldemort]]'s followers.
Combined, the name can be interpreted as "to bite death" or "death-bite," perfectly encapsulating the terrifying symbol it creates.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//, the casting of [[Morsmordre]] is a highly dramatic event. The spell is depicted as a stream of dark, smoky energy shooting into the clouds, which then coalesce into the animated, three-dimensional image of the [[Dark Mark]]. The pronunciation "morz-MOR-druh" is established in this film. (film)