Overview

Apparition is a form of magical transportation. The person will travel instantly from one place to another. This is without traversing the space in between. This is accomplished when the user focuses on a desired location in their mind and then purposely disappears from where they were to reappear at the desired location. Apparition was by far the fastest and most convenient way to get to a destination. However, it was tricky to do correctly, even disastrous.

The ability to apparate was a relatively advanced skill when it came to wizards. Some magical creatures are able to disappear and reappear, such as house-elves, Phoenixes, Diricawls, and Zouwous. It was a popular method of travel, but it was stated that many adult witches and wizards did not bother with it. They preferred slower and safer traveling methods, such as broomsticks, the Floo Network, or Portkeys.

Effects

When using Apparition, the user had to recall three Ds: Destination, Determination, and Deliberation. They had to be determined to reach a destination and move with deliberation. A wizard ordinarily required a wand to apparate, but it could be performed without one. Using Apparition could cause audible noise. It ranges from a small pop to a loud crack. To muggles, it may sound like a car backfiring, depending on their skill. When the wizard is more skilled, they are able to apparate quieter.

Very skilled wizards, such as Albus Dumbledore, Voldemort, and Narcissa Malfoy, could apparate completely silently. House elves could apparate, but they did not have any restrictions because of their unique magic type. They could apparate inside and outside of Hogwarts and Crystal Cave. There were powerful enchantments that prevented witches and wizards from doing so. When they apparate, the sound made was often a loud crack.

Apparition was called disapparition from the point of view that someone is being left behind. Apparition was from the point of view that someone was travelling to the desired location. It was much like the words ‘disappear’ and ‘appear.’ If the wizard hoped to apparate, the British Ministry of Magic required them to have license first. This was partly so they could not apparate into a Muggle bank and steal all of the money.

Because of the range limit, it became increasingly difficult for a distance to be travelled. It was also strongly advised that intercontinental apparition is only to be attempted by the most skilled wizards. Otherwise, it risked splinched, severe injuries, or even death. Apparition also required that a wizard should be familiar with the terrain of the desired place. This is so they can visualize it clearly.

The limitation of destination choice is unclear, besides the user focusing their mind on the desired place. It is very likely that the wizard could only apparate if they had seen or been to the place before. When Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley were on a hunt for horcruxes, they apparated to places familiar to Hermione. The same principle could be applied when Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter apparated to the house of Horace Slughon, a place familiar to Dumbledore.

Seeing a destination through a photograph was usually not enough to let a wizard apparate safely. Dumbledore had a picture of where a Horcrux had been hidden. However, he has been trying to locate where the cave was for a long time. This suggests that a wizard needs to have some idea of where the destination was. It would not be enough to see it or know about it.

History

Merlin, who lived during the early days of Hogwarts, was able to apparate. The representation of Merlin was able to apparate when the Hogwarts Tapestry was created. Then, in 1890, George Osric accidentally apparated to the West End instead of where Eleazar Fig had requested him to go. He realized his mistake and apparated to the correct location after frightening the theatre-goers.

Victor Rookward also used apparition. It was first in a failed attempt to intercept George. Later, it was to kidnap a student, which would end in his demise. Anne Sallow was too young to legally learn, but she was able to apparate to her uncle’s body. During the 1920s, the Écoole D’Apparition Démoniste Limus was a school dedicated to apparition. It operated in the Place Cachée under J. Tardy. It was founded by Warlock E. Limus, Professor Antoine Charrier, and house-elf, W. Pouffe.

In 1979, Kreacher managed to escape the Horcrux cave, when using disapparition. This was to follow Regulus Black’s order to come home after finishing the task. In 1992, Dobby used apparition to get into Harry’s bedroom and then disapparate with a ‘crack’. He was also able to appear and disappear inside Hogwarts.

Fred and George Weasley enjoyed popping into other people’s bedrooms with a loud cracking noise, just to annoy them. Meanwhile, adults, like Percy Weasley, merely used it for convenience. Mundungus Fletcher is notably someone who had apparated away when Harry and Dudley Dursley were attacked by Dementors.

In 1996, a 12-week Apparition course was offered to students. The lessons would begin on the first Saturday of February, and they would be held in the Great Hall. The course would be led by the Ministry Instructor, Wilkie Twycross. The first student to apparate was Susan Bones, but she unfortunately. got splinched and left her leg behind. The Heads of House surrounded the girl and were able to fix the problem.

Credits/References

Written by Mila Grace
Base code by Andrew Sutherland, edited by Iselin Merilä and Desmond Gray