Charms, to a degree, the northerners (7)
I believe the answer is:
mascots
'charms' is the definition.
('mascot' can be a synonym of 'charm')
'a degree the northerners' is the wordplay.
'a degree' becomes 'MA' (Master of Arts is a type of degree).
'the northerners' becomes 'scots' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'ma'+'scots'='MASCOTS'
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mascots that I've seen before include "may bring fortune" , "Talismans" .)