Devil's Snare Description:Devil's Snare is a plant with the magical ability to constrict or strangle anything in its surrounding environment or something that happens to touch it. Struggling or resistance to Devil's Snare will cause the plant to exert a greater force of constriction. It is composed of a mass of soft, springy tendrils and vines that possess some sense of touch. This plant uses its creepers and tendrils to ensnare anyone who touches it, binding their arms and legs and eventually choking them.
Warning:The harder a person struggles against Devil's Snare, the faster and more tightly it binds them; if they relax, it will not kill them as quickly. It seems when a victim relaxes, and the plant no longer senses struggle or tension, it will pull its victims under its knarled vines and drop the bodies to the ground underneath, possibly because it registers that the victim has perished.
Destroying:Devil's Snare prefers a dark, damp environment. It will stop its movement in the environment in front of bright light and will recoil away from the heat of fire, so a well-placed flame spell such as bluebell flames will drive it away from its victims.
Usage:Devil's Snare is used to guard valuable objects. It is also used as a weapon by skilled herbologists, as well as a means of assassination.
Other:Devil's Snare does not seem to be common, but certain herbologists have access to it. It resembles the plant flitterbloom. In 1991, Professor Sprout placed a large Devil's Snare as the second defence of the Philosopher's Stone, just below the trapdoor guarded by Fluffy. In 1992, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley were caught in the plant when they attempted to prevent the theft of the Philosopher's Stone. In 1995, Broderick Bode, an Unspeakable working for the Ministry of Magic, was a comatose patient at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, after having been Impuriused into attempting to steal a prophecy from the Department of Mysteries. When Bode began to recover, a Death Eater sent a potted Devil's Snare to the hospital in the guise of a Christmas gift in order to silence him. Healer Miriam Strout apparently mistook the plant for a flitterbloom, and it asphyxiated Bode. In 1998, during the Battle of Hogwarts, Professor Sprout used Devil's Snare against the attacking Death Eaters and giants. They were placed around the castle of Hogwarts by Pomona Sprout and Neville Longbottom.