Curses and Counter-Curses by Vindictus Viridian

Aloe polyphylla thanks to Chiltern Seeds

Title: Curses and Counter-Curses 

Author: Professor Vindictus Viridian

Publisher: not known 

Source book: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling (Harry Potter #1)

When Hagrid first takes Harry Potter to Diagon Alley to shop for his first term at Hogwarts, Harry is rather stunned at all the weird stuff he needs for wizarding school. I mean, what Muggle school asks for cauldrons and wands? Not even Eton. Although I did have to help a fairly horrible employer when she was getting her eldest boy ready for Eton. The inventory asked for an ottoman (a small sofa with storage, not a person from late 19th century Turkey). I can see my mother making a shocking fuss about having to buy an ottoman. Although… it would have been for my brother so she would have bought whatever he needed. She always did.

Anyway, Harry needs to go to Flourish and Botts for his set books and notices a book called Curses and Counter-Curses. Bewitch your Friends and Befuddle your Enemies with the Latest Revenges says the blurb. Hmmn... I am not sure revenge has a plural. But I am not a multi million selling author, so don’t pay any attention to me.

Harry catches a glimpse of all the afflictions he could visit on the dreadful Dudley. Imagine the fun he could have with hair loss, jelly legs, tongue-tying and much much more. Vindictus Viridian’s books obviously appeal to the teen market even though he was writing in the early 1700s. The wizarding community doesn’t change very quickly, or so it seems. Let’s have a look and see what the fandom has to say.

Of course, since we have all read the Harry Potter books and seen the films several times, we know Harry isn’t allowed to do magic around Muggles so he can’t make Dudley’s hair fall out or give him pimples. Which is a shame, because that’s what dreadful Dudley deserves. But in any case, Harry is far too young and doesn’t yet have the magical skills to work any of the curses in Viridian’s book.

Aloe polyphylla thanks to Surreal Succulents