Shadowstep

Spell Name: Shadowstep

Incantation: Ambulare cum umbris

Pronunciation: AM-bu-la-ré KOOM oom-bris

Spell Branch: Charms

Magical Discipline(s): Enchantments

Appearance: Light wand flick alongside incantation and exhalation of breath, holding said breath until fully merged with the shadows.

Description: Grants the user the ability to merge self with the shadows and walk wherever shadow connects, allowing the user to cover more ground unseen.

Traversing the shadows makes the entire world turn greyscale with unstable wavering distortions around every object in complete silence, where the ground is the darkest black and the sky is bright white. This is sometimes colloquially known as the 'shadow world'.

Regulations: Controlled

Skill Level: Advanced

Etymology: 'To walk with the shadows'. Implies traversing a path of darkness.

References:

• Garrett Dawson is an experienced practitioner, using it to travel through a wood without being detected. [1]

Notes:

• This spell comes under the branch of Nature Magic.

Wand movement is less of a priority with this spell; the incantation is spoken without fear or hesitation as if to ask permission for the shadows to allow entry of a mortal body within its darkness rather than manipulating the shadows to one's bidding. In order to master this spell the user must exercise the understanding that the natural world of shadows is not a tool but a 'friend' not to be feared or weaponised. One's form becomes their shadow that is then allowed entry.

This spell is not immune to Homenum Revelio. Walking the shadows requires the user to be entirely silent; speaking while in the shadows comes off as a disembodied voice whose source can be pinpointed easily. It can be performed in the day or night as long as there are shadows; the starker the shadows the easier it is to hide within the shadows. The user's form does not cast a shadow itself, becoming 'one' with the darkness.

The user can also bring one other into the shadows with them as long as they maintain physical contact (holding hands, being carried etc). The second person must also invoke the incantation, without fear or hesitation.

The spell requires a mastery level above that of Hogwarts students', as there are many who have used this spell and gotten lost in the shadows, never to be found again.