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Is there a complementary return-to-where-it-was spell that can be used after the Accio spell has been used? For example, Harry Accios his broom from his closet in GoF to help him retrieve the dragon egg. After the event was over, could Harry have "un-Accioed" his broom to return it to his closet to save him the trouble of carrying it back up to his room? Or to help Hermione surreptitiously put the Horcrux books back in Dumbledore's hiding spot in DH?

The SQL comments in this question inspired my question here.

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iMerchant
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    There is Mobiliarbus (move object) and Wingardium Leviosa (fly/move object). – Zoredache Feb 10 '17 at 05:53
  • @Zoredache - Do they require line of sight? – iMerchant Feb 10 '17 at 05:55
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    I think what you mean is "reverse-Accio", and not "un-Accio". At least based on what I read in your question. Also, Locomotor could be used for what you need. – Gallifreyan Feb 10 '17 at 06:24
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    There was also the handwaving that Dumbledore performed in Slughorn's temporary home. Seemed to put everything in place, even though there was a lot of stuff, and Dumbledore had no idea of the original configuration. Yet, it is more of a fix than send back spell. – Gallifreyan Feb 10 '17 at 06:33
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    @Gallifreyan - What's the difference between Locomotor and the two mentioned by Zoredache? – iMerchant Feb 10 '17 at 07:21
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    @iMerchant - Mobiliarbus seems to be just for trees. Wingardium Leviosa seems to be for making objects fly/levitate. Locomotor seems to be for moving objects via levitation. – ibid Feb 10 '17 at 07:32
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    Mobiliarbus only works on plants and wooden objects. Wingardium leviosa requires concentration and wand gestures to move the object. Locomotor would be an enchantment where the object remains enchanted without uninterrupted concentration, like accio. – RedOculus Feb 10 '17 at 08:01
  • @RedOculus - Mobiliarbus only appears over in canon, where it moves a tree, and the spell translates to "move tree". Thus I can understand thinking that it may be specific to trees, but on what basis are you generalizing that it's for "plants and wooden objects"? – ibid Feb 10 '17 at 19:42
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    This source says wooden objects http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Mobiliarbus#cite_note-0 – RedOculus Feb 10 '17 at 20:03
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    That is not what a return statement does. Not even close. – jpmc26 Feb 10 '17 at 23:49
  • @RedOculus - The general consensus is that the movies aren't to be used as canon unless the OP specifically asks for it. – ibid Feb 12 '17 at 02:21
  • Put that thing back where it came from or so help me! – Engineer Toast Feb 15 '17 at 18:00

2 Answers2

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Yes, the Banishing charm.

We see Harry, Ron, and Hermione practicing this spell in GoF:

They were supposed to be practicing the opposite of the Summoning Charm today — the Banishing Charm. Owing to the potential for nasty accidents when objects kept flying across the room, Professor Flitwick had given each student a stack of cushions on which to practice, the theory being that these wouldn’t hurt anyone if they went off target. It was a good theory, but it wasn’t working very well.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, chapter 26: The Second Task

It appears that the object goes to where you direct it:

"I just want to know what Snape did with his first chance, if he's already on his second one," said Harry grimly, and his cushion, to his very great surprise, flew straight across the room and landed neatly on top of Hermione's.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, chapter 26: The Second Task

Apparently the incantation is Depulso, as revealed in the video game adaption of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, but that depends on your canon level.

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Mithical
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  • But what's the spell? – Gallifreyan Feb 10 '17 at 08:38
  • @Gallifreyan - not revealed in the book what the incantation is. – Mithical Feb 10 '17 at 08:39
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    http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Talk:Banishing_Charm – Gallifreyan Feb 10 '17 at 08:40
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    @Gallifreyan - I never watched any of the movies except for TSS and TCoS, and FBAWTFT. Never played video games either. – Mithical Feb 10 '17 at 08:43
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    "Depulso" is the incantation, Depulso sends both objects and living things away from the caster. I'm unable to find any instance of an object going further than across the room. – RedOculus Feb 10 '17 at 08:43
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    furthermore, a counter-charm is specifically designed to undo or prevent the effects of an another spell. Depulso may counter the effects of Accio by repelling the object, but doesn't necessarily put it back where it was. – RedOculus Feb 10 '17 at 08:53
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    @RedOculus ...neither does Locomotor. But the Banishing charm is specifically said to be the opposite of Accio, so... – Mithical Feb 10 '17 at 09:00
  • @Mithrandir Evidence says otherwise. Piertotum, leg-locker, and jelly legs are all locomotor spells. Each one has a lasting effect after the spell is cast without need for further concentration. Lets compare the spell effects; Locomotor, causes the named object to rise in the air and move around at the will of the caster. The Banishing charm sends objects away from the caster. key phrase here is "at the will of the caster." What if harry banished his broom and he was between the broom and it's destination? It wouldn't be moving away from the caster as the spell says, it would move to him.. – RedOculus Feb 10 '17 at 19:51
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Locomotor - The spell causes the named object to rise in the air and move around at the will of the caster

An example of use is when Flitwick used "Locomotor trunks" to move Trelawney's belongings back up the main staircase to her lodgings:

Professor Sprout came hurrying forward out of the crowd and grabbed Professor Trelawney's other arm. Together they guided her past Umbridge and up the marble stairs. Professor Flitwick went scurrying after them, his wand held out before him; he squeaked, "Locomotor trunks!" and Professor Trelawney's luggage rose into the air and proceeded up the staircase after her, Professor Flitwick bringing up the rear.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, chapter 26: Seen and Unforseen

RedOculus
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    So could've Harry used Locomotor to send his broom back to his closet from the arena after capturing the dragon egg? In other words, send it on its way and let the broom figure out how to navigate across Hogwarts grounds and inside the building and into his room. – iMerchant Feb 10 '17 at 08:13
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    Although Cannon sources don't say so specifically, there is good evidence to suggest the object does know where to go upon casting. When McGonagall used Piertotum Locomotor to animate the statues and suits of armor, they moved into formation without directions from the caster. – RedOculus Feb 10 '17 at 08:28
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    Isn't the case with the statues a special case? She does say that Hogwarts will defend itself so the statues must have some kind of direction ; that was the way I interpreted the passage (like from a previous enchantment or something). I suppose it begs the question: do enchanted or animated objects have the ability to go to places on their own accord? –  Feb 10 '17 at 11:15
  • Piertotum locomotor is one of several off shoots to the locomotor spell. Others include locomotor mortis and wibbly. The commonality in all locomotor spells is that the object or person remains enchanted after the spell is cast, without further concentration. The statues are animated by Piertotem locomotor but the act autonomously afterword. – RedOculus Feb 10 '17 at 19:40
  • @user28875 it doesn't "beg the question" since that's circular logic. it "raises the question." – spex Mar 13 '18 at 16:52