Oppugno

• Incantation: Oppugno
• Pronunciation: op-PUG-no
• Wand Movement: Unknown
• Light: Unknown
• Effect: Causes targeted objects or conjured creatures to attack a victim designated by the caster.
• Type: Jinx

The Oppugno Jinx is used to direct an object or a creature, often one that has been conjured, to attack a target. It appears twice in the original series, with its most notable use being by Hermione Granger in a moment of anger.

• In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, a furious and heartbroken Hermione Granger uses this jinx against Ron Weasley after seeing him kissing Lavender Brown. Hermione had previously cast Avis to conjure a flock of canaries from her wand tip. Upon seeing Ron, she pointed her wand at him and presumably cast the Oppugno Jinx, causing the small flock of birds to launch themselves at him like “a flock of fat golden bullets,” pecking and scratching him until he fled the common room.
• In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Dolores Umbridge attempts to use the jinx on Harry Potter during the Muggle-Born Registration Commission trials at the Ministry of Magic. After Harry stuns Yaxley and Mafalda Hopkirk, Umbridge shrieks “Oppugno!” and directs the chair in which Harry had been sitting to bind him. Harry successfully repels the chair with a Shield Charm. This instance demonstrates that the jinx can be used on inanimate, non-conjured objects as well.

The level of difficulty for learning the Oppugno Jinx is not explicitly stated, but as it was used effectively by a sixth-year student (Hermione Granger) and a proficient Ministry of Magic official (Dolores Umbridge), it is likely a spell of moderate difficulty, possibly taught at or above O.W.L. level. The primary defense against this jinx is the Shield Charm (Protego), which Harry Potter used to successfully block an attacking chair. One can also physically evade or fight off the attacking objects or creatures, as Ron Weasley did by batting away the canaries.

The incantation Oppugno is a Latin verb meaning “I attack,” “I assault,” or “I fight against.” This etymology directly reflects the spell's function, which is to command something to attack a target.

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Hermione's attack on Ron is depicted with the conjured birds appearing more ethereal and aggressive, transforming into sharp, paper-like projectiles that viciously pursue Ron around the Gryffindor Common Room. (film)
• The spell has appeared in various video games, such as LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7, where it is often used to manipulate objects in the environment to solve puzzles or attack enemies. (video game)