Bunbury Catholic College students are searching for the magic spell that will help them crack open the glass case holding the school library’s Harry Potter book collection hostage.

Like a trick only someone from the house of Slytherin could cast, library staff are giving the popular J. K. Rowling series a two-week “rest”.

A school spokesman confirmed the books were locked in a glass case following fears muggle students – commonly referred to as ‘potterheads” – were reading the series “over and over at the expense of other books”.

“They are using it as an opportunity for students to give other books a go, but also practice their responsible protesting skills and convince the library staff why Harry Potter should be put back onto the shelves,” the spokesman said.

And the students are rallying behind their wizardry hero with a massive sign hanging at the entrance to the library calling on teachers to “bring Harry back”.

Word is the students have made several attempts at Hermione’s go-to Alohomora spell, but to no avail.

While the spokesman said there were no moral or ethical objections to the book series, school memos obtained by the South Western Times claimed Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy teachers were “under-qualified” and “portrayed in a negative light”, which could be influencing students’ perception of their real-world teachers.

J. K. Rowling could not be contacted for comment.