Confoundable

• Incantation: Confundo
• Pronunciation: kon-FUN-doh
• Wand Movement: Not described in the novels.
• Light: Not described in the novels.
• Effect: To cause a state of bewilderment and confusion in the target, making them highly susceptible to suggestion. A target in this state is described as “confounded.”
• Type: Charm

The state of being confoundable is achieved by casting the Confundus Charm. This charm has been used on both individuals and magical objects throughout the series.

• In 1994, Barty Crouch Jr., disguised as Alastor Moody, used a powerful Confundus Charm on the Goblet of Fire. This act made the magical object “confoundable” enough to bypass its age restrictions and accept a fourth champion, Harry Potter, for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. This required an exceptionally strong charm, as the Goblet of Fire was protected by powerful magic.
• During the 1995-1996 school year, Severus Snape mentioned the possibility of being confounded when questioned by Dolores Umbridge about his supply of Veritaserum, suggesting it as a potential reason for a discrepancy.
• In the autumn of 1996, Hermione Granger secretly cast a Confundus Charm on Cormac McLaggen during the Gryffindor Quidditch team's Keeper tryouts. The charm caused McLaggen to miss his final save, ensuring that Ron Weasley secured the position.
• In the summer of 1997, Severus Snape confounded Mundungus Fletcher to make him propose the plan of using Polyjuice Potion to create Seven Potters as a decoy to protect Harry during his departure from Number Four, Privet Drive. This was a critical part of Snape's plan to protect Harry on Dumbledore's orders.
• During the infiltration of the Ministry of Magic in 1997, Ron Weasley suggested confounding Pius Thicknesse, who was already under the Imperius Curse.
• In 1998, during the trio's raid on Gringotts Wizarding Bank, Harry Potter used the Confundus Charm on two security Goblins to gain access to the lower levels.

The difficulty of casting an effective Confundus Charm varies depending on the target. Confounding a sentient being like Cormac McLaggen was simple enough for a skilled witch like Hermione Granger. However, confounding a powerfully enchanted object like the Goblet of Fire required a Dark Arts practitioner of Barty Crouch Jr.'s calibre. There is no specific counter-spell mentioned in the novels. The effects appear to wear off over time. Resistance to the charm may be possible for individuals with a strong will or skills in Occlumency, though this is not explicitly stated. Magical objects are often enchanted to resist being confounded.

“Confoundable” is an adjective derived from the English verb “to confound,” meaning to confuse or bewilder. The incantation, Confundo, is Latin for “I confuse” or “I confound.” It is the first-person singular present active indicative of the verb confundere, which means “to pour together, to mix, to bring to disorder.”

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Hermione's spell on Cormac McLaggen is shown as a wisp of light that travels from her wand to McLaggen, causing him to swerve and miss the Quaffle. (film)