Rarely UnLocking Charm

The Unlocking Charm (Alohomora), also known as the Unlocking Spell or the Thief's Friend was a charm that unlocked objects such as doors or windows. - Fantastic Beasts: A Cinematic Yearbook It was also able to open doors locked by the Locking Spell (Colloportus), and as such, acted as its counter-charm. The Anti-Alohomora Charm could be used to prevent this charm from working on a locked target.
==History==
Descriptions of this spell were written in numerous books, including the first volume of the Standard Book of Spells series, where it was described in chapter seven. - Chapter 17 (Three-headed Sentinel) and a spellbook that could be found in the Hogwarts Library. This spell was also taught in Charms class in the first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and was one of the first spells students learnt.
In the summer of 1992, Harry Potter considered using this charm to unlock the cage of his pet owl Hedwig at 4 Privet Drive, but did not, since he knew that underage wizards and witches were not allowed to use magic outside of Hogwarts.
The door guarding the Philosopher's Stone was protected against the Unlocking Charm; a winged key was necessary to open it. A single door in the Department of Mysteries was impervious to this spell as well; it may be presumed that it opens in the room where the British Ministry of Magic studies the power of love in the Department of Mysteries.
==Counter-charm==
There was a spell called the Anti-Alohomora Charm which was used to counteract this spell. Magical locks also existed and were placed on several doors, but could be unlocked with this charm.
==Known uses==
===Successful===
Caster(s) 	Date 	Notes
Lord Voldemort 	31 October, 1981	Used it to break into the Potters' house, before murdering James and Lily Potter and trying to murder their son Harry Potter. - Chapter 8 (The Boy Who Lived)
Hermione Granger	1991 	Used it to open a forbidden entrance on the Third-floor corridor of Hogwarts Castle.
===Unsuccessful===
Caster(s) 	Date 	Notes
Ron Weasley	4 June, 1992	Tried to unlock the locked door in the Flying Key room, but the door could only open with the key./Tried to use this spell on the door of the flying key chamber
==Known practitioners==
Filius Flitwick profile.jpg|Filius Flitwick
Hermione Granger.jpg|Hermione Granger
Ron Weasley.jpg|Ron Weasley
Lord Voldemort.jpg|Tom Riddle
*Rowan Khanna
==See also==
*Annihilare
*Aberto
*Dunamis
*Liberare
*Emancipare
*Open Sesame
*Portaberto
==Etymology==
J. K. Rowling stated that the word was from the West African Sikidy figures used in geomancy and has the literal meaning "Friendly to thieves".<ref>Rowling, J. K. (2008-04-14). Statement of J.K. Rowling in testimony during the WB and JKR vs. RDR Books. Archived on 2008-04-16 from http://web.archive.org/web/20080423072217/www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2008/4/15/first-day-of-jkr-wb-vs-rdr-books-trial<ref>
==Behind the scenes==
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*As it was described in a textbook, this may be learned in Hogwarts Charms classes in the first year.
*This may be the spell that Remus Lupin used to open a wardrobe containing a Boggart and the spell that Harry Potter used wandlessly to open his cupboard to retrieve his school supplies.
*In , instead of using the Unlocking Charm to help Sirius Black escape, Hermione used Bombarda to blast open his cell door.
*In , Ron Weasley tried to use this spell on the door of the flying key chamber instead of Hermione Granger.
==Appearances==
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==Notes and references==
Category:Charms
Category:Counter-Charms
Category:Known Opening Spells
Category:Spells Of-Known Incantation
Category:Spells With-An Light