======Snake Summons Spell======
=====Spell Information=====
  * **Incantation:** [[Serpensortia]]
  * **Pronunciation:** //ser-pen-SOR-tee-ah//
  * **Wand Movement:** Unknown
  * **Light:** Unknown; a snake is ejected directly from the tip of the [[wand]].
  * **Effect:** Conjures a live [[snake]] from the caster's [[wand]].
  * **Type:** [[Conjuration]], [[Transfiguration]], [[Dark Arts]]
=====History and Known Uses=====
The Snake Summons Spell is most famously used by [[Draco Malfoy]] during a chaotic [[Dueling Club]] meeting in his second year at [[Hogwarts]]. Under the supervision of [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] and [[Severus Snape]], [[Harry Potter]] and [[Draco Malfoy]] were pitted against each other for a demonstration duel. After Harry successfully disarmed Malfoy with the `[[Expelliarmus]]` charm, an enraged Malfoy retaliated not with a disarming charm, but by casting `[[Serpensortia]]`.
The spell produced a "long, black snake" that shot from the end of Malfoy's [[wand]] and landed on the floor between the two students. The snake rose, ready to strike [[Justin Finch-Fletchley]], a [[Hufflepuff]] student in the crowd. This event inadvertently revealed Harry's latent ability to speak [[Parseltongue]], as he instinctively commanded the [[snake]] to "leave him," an act which the terrified onlookers mistook for encouragement. The incident cemented the school's suspicion that Harry was the Heir of [[Salazar Slytherin]], as being a [[Parselmouth]] was [[Slytherin]]'s most famous trait.
The conjured [[snake]] was ultimately dealt with by [[Severus Snape]], who cast the Snake-Vanishing Spell, `[[Vipera Evanesca]]`, causing it to vanish in a puff of black smoke.
=====Learning and Counter-Spells=====
The difficulty of learning this spell is not explicitly stated. However, as it is a form of [[Conjuration]]—a branch of [[Transfiguration]] that is generally considered advanced [[magic]]—the fact that [[Draco Malfoy]] could cast it in his second year suggests either a particular aptitude for the spell or an early interest in the [[Dark Arts]].
The primary counter-spell is `[[Vipera Evanesca]]`, which causes the conjured [[snake]] to vanish. Other general offensive or defensive spells could also presumably be used to stun, kill, or repel the conjured creature.
=====Etymology=====
The incantation `[[Serpensortia]]` is a compound of two Latin words:
  * **//Serpens//:** The Latin word for "serpent" or "snake."
  * **//Ortia//:** Likely derived from the Latin //ortus//, meaning "origin," "birth," or "rising." It is related to the verb //orior//, meaning "to rise" or "to be born."
Combined, the incantation can be translated as "giving birth to a snake" or "the rising of a snake."
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets//, the [[snake]] conjured by [[Draco Malfoy]] is depicted as a large, aggressive cobra, rather than the "long, black snake" described in the novel. This change was likely made for dramatic effect. (film)
  * The spell `[[Serpensortia]]` is a usable spell in several //Harry Potter// video games, often as an offensive spell that summons a [[snake]] to attack an opponent. (video game)