Hey there, my wonderful readers! If you are returning for another installment of my spell-casting adventures, welcome, and if you are brand new to SOUP, then congratulations on finding us! Now I hope you are ready for a little bit of nostalgia? For this month's Bubblemania issue, I decided that I was going to venture deep into the Hogwarts Library to find something that will surely make all of you smile just a little. I am, of course, talking about what was probably one of our favourite parts of the Hogwarts Christmas celebrations, Professor Flitwick's Golden Bubble decorations!
I'm sure I am not the only one who spent many a moment admiring their glass-like delicacy and wondering how they never broke or floated away. It really was a magnificent show of magical prowess from the Head of Ravenclaw house. The secret of his creation was never something freely shared as, from what I read, it was something invented by the man himself, as there is no record of it being used anywhere else. I had always speculated as a teenager that he must've found a way to adapt the Ebublio spell he was known for on the Duelling field, as he was a well-documented professional in its use. But after looking at the known etymology of that spell, something just did not add up to me. The Ebublio spell creates something reminiscent of a cage that is impenetrable to magic. Flitwick's decorations bear no resemblance to the thickness of barriers such as those. So there must be another derivative.
That's what led me to the Hogwarts Library. I was recently told that upon his retirement from teaching, Professor Flitwick left a large number of his journals in the capable hands of Madam Pince's successor, Madam Patil. Unlike her predecessor, she was more than happy to let me spend hours in a side room, poring over the logs of the Charms Master's brilliance. What I found was no surprise to those of us who had the pleasure of meeting the man. He kept copious, detailed notes on everything he did. That allowed me to find enough information to speculate on exactly how this particular spell is cast. I have yet to confirm it with the ex-professor, but I hope to hear back from him soon. So until I do, I do not recommend that any of you try to replicate his beautiful creations.
However, I will share what I found with you as I at least have permission for that. According to the notes I found, the spell that manifests the decorative bubbles is simply called the "Golden Bubble Spell". It appears that the incantation is basically just "Aureum Bulla". One that I'm sure most of you can figure out, as it literally translates to "golden" and "bubble" in Latin. I don't know about you, but I was expecting something much more technical in proper Ravenclaw fashion, but apparently not. The Professor also notes that there is no visible light emitted while the glittering bubbles are being emitted from the caster's wand tip. As for the wand movement, this seems to be the most complicated part, as you have to continually move your wand tip in a gentle wave pattern (as shown below) throughout the entire cast.
The loops must be kept almost identical in size, and the pace at which you move must also stay as consistent as possible. Any quick or jerky movements will cause the spell to fail and all the bubbles previously created to shatter violently. So you must have a steady hand. With that being the case, I would not recommend you practice this spell indoors. At least until you have gotten used to the smoothness needed. The notes did not specify when exactly this spell was created and why but I certainly hope that the interview I hope to have with the Professor next week will allow me to find out for sure. You can all rest easy as I will make sure that I will let you know by owl if you are interested in such details.
Unfortunately, that is all I have time for this issue. I still have more than twenty journals to pore through, and I want to make sure that I am fully prepared with a million questions for the noble Ravenclaw when he agrees to meet me. So until next time, my dearest Charmers, happy casting! - Nikita