Butterflies

Butterflies appear in the wizarding world both as the product of magical Conjuration and as a common English idiom used by witches and wizards to describe strong emotions. While they can be conjured by a specific Charm, the term is also used metaphorically to represent feelings of nervousness and love.

• Incantation: None stated in the novels; performed non-verbally by Hermione Granger. The incantation Papilio Hesterna is associated with a similar charm. (Pottermore)
• Pronunciation: pa-PILL-ee-oh hes-TERN-ah (Pottermore)
• Wand Movement: Unknown
• Light: None described
• Effect: Conjures a swarm of butterflies. The specific appearance, such as color, may be determined by the caster.
• Type: Charm, Conjuration

The primary magical use of a butterfly-conjuring charm is documented during the 1992-1993 school year at Hogwarts.

• In a Charms class taught by Professor Flitwick, Hermione Granger successfully performed a non-verbal charm that produced a flock of bluebell-coloured butterflies, which flew around the classroom. This was a demonstration of her advanced magical talent as a second-year student.

In addition to magical conjuration, the term “butterflies” is used metaphorically to describe a physical sensation associated with intense emotions.

• In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter describes the feeling in his stomach just before his first attempt at the Patronus Charm as being similar to the “fistful of butterflies that had been trapped in there” during his first broomstick ride, indicating excitement and nervousness.
• In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, upon winning the Quidditch Cup for Gryffindor and seeing Ginny Weasley, Harry feels “as though a large butterfly was beating its wings furiously in his chest, instead of a heart,” representing the powerful, exhilarating feeling of love.

The charm to conjure butterflies is likely not overly difficult, as Hermione Granger was able to perform it effectively in her second year. It is unknown if the spell is taught as part of the standard Hogwarts curriculum. There are no known specific counter-spells or methods to defend against this charm, as it is generally harmless. It is presumed a general counter-spell like Finite Incantatem would dispel the conjured butterflies.

The incantation Papilio Hesterna, associated with this charm in supplementary materials, is derived from Latin.

• Papilio is the Latin word for “butterfly.”
• Hesterna is Latin for “of yesterday” or “yesterday's.” The combination could suggest the fleeting, ephemeral nature of the conjured creatures, which exist only for a brief time before vanishing.

• In the video game adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, a game mechanic involves casting Lumos near certain symbols, which causes a butterfly to appear. The player must then follow the butterfly to uncover a hidden passage or secret. (video game)