Chapter 103: Spell Combinations
There was no doubt that the Disillusionment Charm was advanced magic, taught only to older students.
So when Shawn still decided to learn it, even Professor Flitwick was surprised.
His first thought was nighttime wandering, but he dismissed it at once. Mr Green's adherence to the rules was plain for all to see.
That left only one other explanation.
"Oh, my boy," Flitwick said, eyes crinkling with a smile.
"I had the same idea at your age. Learning different spell combinations, becoming a duelling master…"
Shawn's thoughts had been read. He nodded, and Flitwick's smile grew wider.
"Duelling – ah, what memories. But if you are going to learn the Disillusionment Charm, why not learn the Quietening Charm at the same time?"
The Quietening Charm appeared in The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1. It reduced the volume of sound.
Shawn instantly saw how it paired with the Disillusionment Charm: one removed sound, the other sight.
"But first, let me see what spells you have already learned," Flitwick said, clearly intrigued by Shawn's choices.
"Show me, Mr Green."
Shawn nodded and raised his wand.
After hearing the clear incantation, Flitwick watched a robe in front of the wardrobe transform into a wild boar.
"In‑depth Intermediate Transfiguration. Astonishing," Flitwick said, eyes full of admiration.
"I am glad you are using your talent wisely."
The remark was pointed.
"Oh, so – the Disillusionment Charm, Finite…"
Flitwick hopped down from his chair in the staffroom, visibly excited.
"A wise choice. But why not do this?"
Before Shawn could respond, the professor flicked his wand. A robe floated up, transformed into a shield above him, then became a spear.
"What do you see, Mr Green?"
"A combination of Levitation and Transfiguration, Professor."
Shawn felt as though he had discovered a new world. He immediately thought of Dumbledore's duel with Voldemort at the Ministry, when the Headmaster had conjured a glass shield to block the Killing Curse and turned it to dust to strike back. High‑level spell combinations.
But then confusion set in.
"Wizards cannot cast two spells at once, can they?"
Flitwick's voice was high, yet full of wisdom.
"As far as I know, powerful wizards can cast two spells simultaneously. Casting a spell requires three key elements: correct wand movement, accurate pronunciation, and focused intent.
"To cast two spells at once, a wizard must split their attention in two and channel magic for both spells at the same time. It is an enormous mental challenge."
As he spoke, Flitwick turned the spear into a sword, then set it spinning in a circle around Shawn.
Shawn realised the professor had been sustaining two spells the entire time.
His green eyes gleamed. Flitwick easily read the hunger for knowledge there.
He transformed the sword back into a robe and let it fall into Shawn's hands.
"So you must be wondering how one can cast two spells at once, especially as a younger student. The answer, of course, is nonverbal spells."
The professor had Shawn cast a silent Levitation Charm on a teapot on the table, then continued.
"If a wizard can cast nonverbally, then in theory they can speak one incantation aloud while using a silent spell for the second… Another more practical technique is to maintain a sustained magical effect, then cast an immediate spell on top of it. Try casting Lumos, Mr Green."
Shawn kept the teapot aloft. He noticed that once it was floating, the magic required to sustain it was much less. And because he was proficient enough, it did not demand his full attention.
"Lumos!"
Before the teapot could fall, light flared from Shawn's wand tip. A moment later, glass shattered.
"Astounding talent," Flitwick said, clapping his hands.
"The key is to guide two distinct flows of magic, Mr Green."
Shawn thought hard. He had sensed the two separate currents of magic. The magic for Lumos, in particular, had tangled with the second flow for a split second. That was what had caused his failure.
"Practice, Mr Green. You must be proficient enough," Flitwick said, blinking as he repaired the teapot.
Shawn immediately realised his proficiency in Lumos was not high enough yet. He nodded quietly.
If his proficiency were sufficient, and he followed the professor's technique, could he not use Levitation to snatch an opponent's wand, then immediately follow up with Flipendo?
Or distract them by levitating a stone, then cast Flipendo?
Or, like the professor, Transfigure an object and then control it with Levitation to attack?
Compared to students who could only cast one spell at a time, his combat ability would be significantly higher.
Shawn did not believe he could cast two spells that both required incantations simultaneously, nor two sustained spells at once.
Even Professor Flitwick had to finish the Transfiguration before making the sword spin.
In the fifth year, Hermione had mentioned that she could not keep the house‑elf Winky Stunned and cast a Disillusionment Charm on Harry at the same time.
That proved that the more difficult the spells, the lower the chance of casting them together.
But even Levitation, paired with any other spell, would significantly improve his combat effectiveness.
Of course, against truly advanced magic, even two spells at once might not work.
But what if Shawn mastered two advanced spells?
Knowledge was never wasted.
Over the next while, Flitwick carefully explained the Disillusionment Charm. It was a fifth‑year spell that made a person invisible, like a chameleon blending into their surroundings.
"Stand still," the professor said cheerfully.
Shawn stood. Flitwick walked over and tapped Shawn on the head with his wand. Shawn looked up curiously.
A strange, icy sensation spread from the point of contact down through his entire body.
He felt as though he had been wrapped in an invisible film. It slid over his skin like water, rendering him completely transparent.
He knew this had to be the spell's highest effect: not only did his colour blend with the background, but his outline and shadow had vanished too. It was as if he had put on an Invisibility Cloak.