======Ventriloquism======
=====Spell Information=====
  * **Incantation:** None; it is a non-magical [[Muggle]] skill.
  * **Pronunciation:** N/A
  * **Wand Movement:** None.
  * **Light:** None.
  * **Effect:** The art of projecting one's voice to make it appear as if it is coming from another source, typically a puppet or dummy. A practitioner of this skill is known as a **ventriloquist**.
  * **Type:** [[Muggle]] Skill
=====History and Known Uses=====
Ventriloquism is mentioned only once in the entire series, as a brief speculation by [[Harry Potter]]. During the [[Sorting Ceremony]] at the start of his fourth year at [[Hogwarts]], Harry watches the [[Sorting Hat]] sing its annual song and contemplates the source of its voice. He considers three possibilities:
  * That the [[Sorting Hat]] is sentient and possesses its own voice.
  * That the hat uses [[Legilimency]] to read the mind of [[Headmaster]] [[Albus Dumbledore]] and then speaks his thoughts aloud.
  * That [[Albus Dumbledore]] is secretly a **ventriloquist** and is "throwing" his voice to create the illusion that the hat is singing.
This final theory is a fleeting thought from Harry, who is attempting to rationalize a deeply magical object with a concept from the [[Muggle]] world he grew up in. The narrative provides no evidence to support this idea, and the context of the series confirms that the [[Sorting Hat]] possesses its own consciousness and voice.
=====Learning and Counter-Spells=====
As a [[Muggle]] skill, ventriloquism is not a form of [[magic]] and is not part of the [[Hogwarts]] curriculum. It is a performance art that requires dedicated practice in breath control and vocal manipulation.
There are no known magical counter-spells for ventriloquism because it produces no magical effect to be countered. In a non-magical context, exposing a **ventriloquist** typically involves careful observation of the performer for subtle lip movements or other physical tells.
=====Etymology=====
The word "ventriloquism" originates from Latin. It is a combination of //venter//, meaning "belly" or "stomach," and //loqui//, meaning "to speak." The name, which translates to "speaking from the stomach," stems from the ancient and mistaken belief that the performer produced the sounds in their stomach.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
There is no additional information from J.K. Rowling in interviews, on Pottermore, or in other supplementary materials about the skill of ventriloquism or whether a magical equivalent exists in the [[Wizarding world]].