An UnLocking Charm

> There are many ways to pass through locked doors in the magical world (see the Fire-Making Spell, Gouging Spell, and the Reductor Curse) where you wish to enter or depart discreetly, however, the Unlocking Charm is your best friend.
>
> The introduction in the *Book of Spells*

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. 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.

## Unlocking Charm

### Incantation

*Alohomora*
(ah-LOH-ho-MOR-ah)

## History

> Welcome, everyone. Today you will learn the Unlocking Charm, *Alohomora*! It's the very best spell when a wizard forgets his keys. Come to think of it, with *Alohomora*, why would a wizard even need keys? A discussion for another day, I suppose. ***Wand***s up, everyone!
>
> Professor Flitwick to first-year Charms student

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. 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.
The door guarding the Philosopher's Stone was protected against the Unlocking Charm; a winged key was necessary to open it.

## Known uses

### Unsuccessful

> They tugged and heaved at the door, but it wouldn’t budge, not even when Hermione tried her Alohomora Charm.
>
> Hermione Granger's unsuccessful use of this charm in the Underground Chambers, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

## Known practitioners

Hermione GrangerRon WeasleyHarry PotterTom Riddle
## 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*".

## Behind the scenes

* In the film adaptation of *Harry Potter-and•the-Sorcerer's Stone, film*, Ron Weasley tried to use this spell on the door of the flying key chamber instead of Hermione Granger.

## Appearances

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* *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* (film) (First appearance)
* *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* (film) Template:Possible

## Notes and references

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1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `WBS`
2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `HM35`
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* (film) - Chapter 17 (*Three-headed Sentinel*)
4. ↑ See this video
5. ↑ Bloomsbury Glossary: A
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 , Chapter 16 (*Through the Trapdoor*)
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* (film) - Chapter 8 (*The Boy Who Lived*)
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 , Chapter 9 (*The Midnight Duel*)
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `PSF`
10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `COSF`
11. ↑ 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