Full Body-Bind Curse

> *Petrificus Totalus*, or the Full Body-Bind, stiffens a person's limbs so they cannot move. Only the person's eyes are free while the spell is in effect.
>
> Description of the Full Body-Bind Curse, Pottermore

The **Full Body-Bind Curse** (*Petrificus Totalus*), also known as the **Body Freezing Spell**, was a curse that temporarily paralysed the opponent. It was often used by inexperienced or young wizards and witches in duelling. This curse could be found in *Curses and Counter-Curses* by Vindictus Viridian.

## Full Body-Bind Curse

### Incantation

*Petrificus Totalus*
 (pe-TRI-fi-cus to-TAH-lus)

## Effects

> Essential Tip # 1: Whilst the Body Freezing spell will work on inanimate objects, it tends to prove less satisfying than when used on a moving object.
>
> Tips on casting, Cast-a-Spell handbook

When used on a living subject, the victim's arms and legs snapped together, and they would fall down, stiff as a board. However, the person's abilities to hear, see (albeit just straight forward), feel, and think still worked properly.

Technically, the spell also worked on inanimate objects, but its effects were usually imperceptible, because the object was not moving in the first place.

The effects of the Full-Body Bind Curse could be undone by use of the General Counter-Spell, the healing spell *Episkey*, an Anti-Paralysis Potion or the *Reparifors* spell. The effects can also be undone by the death of the caster.

Despite the incantation, the Full Body-Bind Curse was fundamentally different from Petrification, which was highly advanced Dark Magic and which could not be reversed by a simple counter-curse.

## Known uses

> Neville's arms snapped to his sides. His legs sprang together. His whole body rigid, he swayed where he stood and then fell flat on his face, stiff as a board. Neville's jaws were jammed together so he couldn't speak. Only his eyes were moving, looking at them in horror.
>
> Description of Neville Longbottom under the curse, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

## Known practitioners

Sirius BlackAlbus DumbledoreFilius FlitwickGilderoy LockhartColin CreeveyHarry PotterRonald WeasleyHermione GrangerDraco MalfoyTom Riddle
## Etymology

The root of this curse's incantation seems to be the Latin words *petra*, "rock", *ficus*, "making or doing something" and *totus*, "whole" or "entire". Also, pertrificus seems to come from the word "petrify", meaning to turn into stone, or describes a manner in which someone takes on the characteristics of a stone. Totalus likely comes from "Total", meaning complete or wholly. Following this, the spell likely means, *entirely petrify*.

## Behind the scenes

* When Dumbledore immobilises Harry, the latter says, in wondering how it could have happened, that it was a Freezing Charm (Dumbledore had done so wandlessly and nonverbally). However, less than a few pages later, after Dumbledore is killed, he notes that the Full Body-Bind had lifted.
* In the films and video games, this spell occasionally appears blue, white or purple.
* When Hermione uses this on Neville a mist-like effect issued from her wand and there was a faint white flash around his body before the curse took effect.
* The only instances in the films where a victim's arms and legs are snapped together as depicted in the books is when Hermione used it on Neville in *Philosopher's Stone*, when Draco used it against Harry on the train in *Half-Blood Prince*, and Newt's use of this spell on Mr Bingley in *Fantastic Beasts*; any other time it was used, such as when Neville used it on a Death Eater in *Order of the Phoenix* and when Hermione used it on Antonin Dolohov in *Deathly Hallows: Part 1*, they were either immobilised in their current position, or they were spread eagled.
* The Knockback Jinx and the Full Body Bind Curse are covered in Charms class. This seems unusual, as defensive and offensive spells have not been shown as being part of the Charms curriculum, but in Defence Against the Dark Arts class instead. Although jinxes, hexes and curses can be grouped together in a category called Dark charms, which explains why such spells were taught under Charms class.
	+ When used in duelling, it creates a purple electric effect around the target and causing their arms and legs to briefly snap together while remaining upright with a chance to stun. In cutscenes, it causes the target to freeze and fall over, but inconsistent with whether their arms and legs are snapped together.
	+ The game also depicts the healing spell *Episkey* as a counter-curse for this curse, but this is quite unusual, as it is used for healing minor injuries and not to reverse the effects of a curse

## Appearances

* *Harry-Potter and-the Sorcerer's S Stone* (film) (First Entire Appearance)
* *Harry Potter and The Order-Of-The Phoenix* (film)
* *Harry Potter and The Order-Of-The Phoenix* (film)
* *Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince* (film)
* *Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince* (film)
* *Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (film)*
* *Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (film)*
* *Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (film)*
* *Warner Bros. Harry Potter Official Site*

## Notes and references

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 *Harry-Potter and-the Sorcerer's S Stone* (film), Chapter 16
2. ↑ Cast-a-Spell kit found in the Library section of the Harry Potter Official Site
3. ↑ Pottermore - *Curses and Counter-Curses*
4. ↑ *Harry-Potter and-the Sorcerer's S Stone* (film) - Chapter 27 (*Through the Trapdoor*)
5. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* (film)

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## See also

* Freezing Charm
* Petrification
* Statue curse
* *Petrificus Totalus Duo*
* *Petrificus Totalus Tria*