This month's magic trick: The Jumping (or Apparating) Rubber Band (Impromptu Magic)

Materials: A rubber band and your own hand!

Effect: The magician places a rubber band around his/her fist and 1st & 2nd fingers (Fig. A & B). He/she closes their hand into a fist and when he/she opens their hand, the rubber band has jumped from their 1st & 2nd fingers to 3rd and 4th fingers (Fig. C)

(these illustrations are from the spectator's point of view)

Method: (I will explain using the left hand holding the band - but you can swap hands around)

1. Place the rubber band around the base of your 1st and 2nd fingers in your LEFT hand (wind it around twice if the band is too loose). Your palm is facing you. (Fig. 1)

2. Close your LEFT hand into a fist by bending your fingers into your palm. At the same time, secretly used the 1st finger of your RIGHT hand to stretch he rubber band so that the tips of your four LEFT fingers can be inserted into the band. (Fig. 2)

3. Fig. 3 shows how your hand should look to you.

4. Now straigten out your fingers and the band will automatically jumo to a new position around your LEFT 3rd and 4th fingers. (Fig. 4)

(these illustrations are from the magician's point of view)

Possible 'Potterised' patter: Explain to your audience that the elastic band you are holding (decorate it and keep it in a nice container - these props will add to the effect of your performance) is like a wizard who has just passed their Apparition test - it can apparate from 1 finger to another (but it can't do long long distances for fear of being stranded on the sea - i.e. the floor. However, you could make it do this if you vanish the elastic band and pull out a planted identical one from an object nearby) ... otherwise make up your own HP patter!

Extension of the trick: Once you have perfected this effect with 1 elastic band, you may want to try with 2 bands that swap places with eachother (each a different colour). Email me if you want this effect as I will know that have read the first part of the trick.