The Art of Conjuring Spells

Conjuring Spells are a highly advanced and powerful branch of Transfiguration. Unlike other forms of Transfiguration that change one object into another, conjuration is the magical art of creating objects seemingly from nothing. This form of magic requires considerable skill and is typically studied at the N.E.W.T. level at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Conjuration is the conceptual opposite of Vanishing Spells, which cause objects to cease to exist. The practice is governed by fundamental magical laws, most notably Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration, which places specific limitations on what can and cannot be created.

The ability to conjure is bound by specific rules of the magical world. The primary governing principle is Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration.

• Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration: This is a fundamental law of magic. While its full scope is not detailed, it famously includes five “Principal Exceptions” of things that cannot be conjured from thin air. The only exception explicitly identified in the novels is food. While food can be summoned if it exists elsewhere, multiplied, or transformed from something else, it cannot be created from nothing. Hermione Granger explains this limitation to Ron Weasley during their search for the Horcruxes.
• Complexity and Skill: The difficulty of a conjuration spell is directly related to the complexity of the object being created. Conjuring a simple, inanimate object like a flower is far easier than conjuring a complex living creature like a snake or a flock of birds. Conjuring sentient beings is considered impossible.
• Temporality: It is implied that many conjured objects are not permanent and may vanish after a certain period or when the spell's magic fades. For instance, Severus Snape conjures ropes and gags to restrain Remus Lupin, which are not mentioned again after their purpose is served. Similarly, Albus Dumbledore conjures armchairs in a memory that later vanish.

While many powerful wizards can conjure objects non-verbally, several spells with specific conjuring effects are known.

• Aguamenti: The Water-Making Spell. Conjures a jet of clean, potable water from the tip of the caster's wand.
• Avis: The Bird-Conjuring Charm. Conjures a flock of small birds. It was used by Mr Ollivander to test Viktor Krum's wand and later by Hermione Granger in anger against Ron Weasley.
• Incendio: The Fire-Making Spell. While often used to set objects alight, it can also produce flames from the wand tip, effectively conjuring fire.
• Orchideous: Conjures a bouquet of flowers from the wand tip. Used by Mr Ollivander to test Fleur Delacour's wand.
• Serpensortia: The Snake Summons Spell. Conjures a live snake from the caster's wand. Famously used by Draco Malfoy against Harry Potter in the Dueling Club.

Mastery of conjuration is a sign of a highly skilled and powerful witch or wizard.

• Albus Dumbledore: Perhaps the most proficient practitioner shown in the series. He frequently performed complex, non-verbal conjurations with ease, such as conjuring mugs of mead for the Dursleys, hundreds of purple sleeping bags for the students in the Great Hall, and comfortable armchairs during his visits.
• Lord Voldemort: A wizard of immense power, Voldemort was capable of high-level conjuration. During his duel with Dumbledore in the Ministry of Magic, he conjured a silver shield to block spells.
• Minerva McGonagall: As the Professor of Transfiguration at Hogwarts, she possessed expert-level skill in conjuration and taught its principles to her students.
• Severus Snape: The Potions Master demonstrated his skill on several occasions, non-verbally conjuring ropes to bind Remus Lupin and a stretcher to carry an injured Ron Weasley.
• Hermione Granger: A gifted witch, she mastered difficult conjurations like Avis in her sixth year and later conjured a wreath of Christmas roses to lay on the grave of James and Lily Potter in Godric's Hollow.

Conjuration is considered one of the most difficult branches of magic taught at Hogwarts.

• It is introduced in upper-level Transfiguration classes and is a core component of the N.E.W.T. curriculum.
• Students in their sixth year, including Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, found it exceptionally challenging, struggling to conjure even non-corporeal mist before being able to create a solid object.
• Successful conjuration requires immense concentration, willpower, and a clear mental image of the desired object.

• In the film adaptations, conjured objects are often depicted as forming from a swirling mist of magical energy that solidifies into the final object. This is clearly seen when Draco Malfoy uses Serpensortia in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) and when Dumbledore conjures the sleeping bags in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film).