Amulets

• Type: Protective Magical Object
• Function: To provide protection against Dark Magic, Curses, Hexs, or Dark Creatures.
• Known Purveyors: Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes
• Notable Owners: Molly Weasley, Bill Weasley, Arthur Weasley, Katie Bell

An amulet in the Wizarding World is an object worn by a person, enchanted to repel or weaken negative magical effects. Their appearance can vary greatly, from simple charms to more complex pieces of jewellery like necklaces. During the Second Wizarding War, the demand for such items led to a wide variety being available for purchase, ranging from genuinely effective, high-quality products to useless fakes. The Ministry of Magic warned citizens about fraudulent amulets being sold by charlatans, citing examples such as a “bewitched” bladder on a stick. This highlights the distinction between potent, well-made protective charms and worthless trinkets preying on public fear.

The primary magical property of an amulet is defensive. They are imbued with protective Enchantments designed to shield the wearer from harm. The strength and scope of this protection can vary significantly depending on the skill of the maker and the power of the charms used.

• Curse Mitigation: A powerful amulet can significantly weaken or counteract a curse. When Katie Bell was subjected to the deadly curse on the Opal Necklace, she was carrying a protective item she had purchased. While she was still gravely injured, Madam Pomfrey and Albus Dumbledore confirmed that the item's “powerful counter-curse” saved her from instant death.
• General Protection: The amulets sold by Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes were marketed as being effective against moderately powerful jinxes and hexes.
• Potential Interference: Protective amulets can potentially interfere with other forms of magic. Before Harry Potter drank his dose of Felix Felicis, Horace Slughorn specifically asked if he was carrying any such items, suggesting a concern that an amulet's magic might interact negatively with the potion's effects.

Amulets and other protective charms became especially prominent during the widespread panic following Lord Voldemort's public return.

• Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Shield-Line: Seeing a market need, Fred Weasley and George Weasley developed a line of defensive magic known as “Shield-Wear,” which included hats, gloves, and cloaks. They also sold amulets. Molly Weasley purchased some of these for her family to use while working for the Order of the Phoenix.
• Counterfeit Market: As fear grew, the Ministry of Magic was forced to issue public warnings about fake protective devices. A leaflet received by Arthur Weasley detailed how to recognize fraudulent items and ineffective potions, such as those made of Gravy with a touch of Bubotuber pus.
• Katie Bell's Protection: The most significant example of a functional amulet was the unnamed object that saved Katie Bell's life. This incident proves that genuinely powerful protective amulets exist and are not merely the stuff of folklore or scams.

The concept of amulets serves as a barometer for the general state of fear and anxiety in the Wizarding World. Their proliferation during the Second Wizarding War illustrates the populace's desperation for any measure of safety in the face of Death Eater attacks and Lord Voldemort's reign of terror. The stark contrast between the Weasleys' effective, if commercial, products and the dangerous fakes sold by con artists highlights the chaos and uncertainty of the era. Furthermore, the amulet that saved Katie Bell is a crucial plot point, demonstrating the very real dangers faced by Hogwarts students and the complex, unseen magical forces at play.

There is little information from J.K. Rowling or supplementary materials regarding the specific lore or creation process for amulets in general beyond what is presented in the novels.