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This article describes magic in the fictional Harry Potter universe.
The nature of magic
In the Harry Potter books magic is depicted as a natural force, one that can be used to override the usual laws of nature. Many magical creatures exist in the series, as do ordinary creatures which exhibit some magical properties (such as owls, which are used to deliver mail). Objects, too, can be enhanced to become magical. Humans with the ability to perform magic are referred to as witches and wizards, in contrast to the non-magical Muggles.
In humans, magic or the lack thereof is a natal attribute. It appears to be semi-inherited, as magic is the norm in the children of magical couples and highly rare in those of Muggles. Exceptions do exist: those unable to do magic who are born to wizarding parents are known as Squibs, whereas witches and wizards born to Muggle parents are known as Muggle-borns.
For a person's ability to perform magic to be useful, a good deal of training is required. Without this training the ability will however still manifest itself when used subconsciously in moments of strong apprehension, fear or anger. For example, Harry Potter once made his hair grow back after a bad haircut, and made the glass front of boa constrictor's cage disappear.
Almost all magic is done with the use of a supporting tool, typically a wand. By using a wand one's magical powers are greatly increased. Furthermore, most actual spell-casting is done by using short incantations (most often in what sounds like a modified form of Latin) accompanied by gestures. Accomplished wizards and witches sometimes perform magic, especially simple magic, without need for an incantation. Albus Dumbledore has been known to do good-sized feats of magic without the use of a single spell.
It should be noted that within the Harry Potter books the technical details of magic are, intentionally or otherwise, entirely obscure. Of Harry's lessons only those involving magical creatures, potions or astronomy are given in any detail, none of the clearly magical lessons are shown with any structure. There is no mention of any underlying theory or process to magic.
Regardless of how powerful a witch or wizard is, she/he is by no means without limits. For instance, while it is possible to conjure things out of thin air it's far more tricky to create something that fits an exact specification rather than a general one -- moreover any objects so conjured tend not to last. It's also impossible to resurrect the dead, though much remains to be seen of the nature of death in the Potter series...
... and wizards of the Ministry of Magic study it in depth in the room of the Department of Mysteries which contains the enigmatic veil through which Sirius Black fell in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (this suggests some sort of portal between the worlds of the dead and the living, but the exact significance of the veil is still unclear). Furthermore, magical techniques have been used to prolong life: the Philosopher's stone (or sorceror's stone in the American books) has the ability to postpone death indefinitely, and Voldemort has long sought to "conquer death".
The wizarding world
The wizarding world exists as a shadow society to the Muggle world and works as hard as it can to keep its existence a secret to all but a few Muggles, such as those who are related to witches and wizards, or important Muggles such as the Prime Minister. To most magical people the Muggle world is unknown, and their attempts to disguise themselves as Muggles often have mostly humorous results (Muggle Studies at Hogwarts is considered a soft option). Most things of magical nature are hidden or otherwise obscured from Muggles, others (such as Dementors) can simply not be detected by them.
The terms "wizard" and "witch" are used in magical society more or less the same way the terms "man" and "woman" are used in the Muggle world. "Mage" or similar words are rare and usually only seen in titles or such.
The technological development of the wizarding world is far behind that of the Muggle one. This is partly due to the fact that magic greatly lessens the need for such, and partly due to magic's tendency to cause interference with electrical equipment.
Terms
Pure-blood
A term for a wizard or witch whose ancestors have possessed magical powers for untold generations. Many seek to keep this purity, and don't allow their children to marry anyone who is not pure-blood. Since this makes for a limited number of choices, all the pure-blood families are interconnected. A pure-blood who doesn't seek to keep the purity in their family is believed by purity-of-blood fanatics to be a "blood traitor". Examples: Lucius Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, Neville Longbottom, Weasley, James Potter, Sirius Black. See Pureblood for more information.
Half-blood
A non-derogatory technical term used to describe the offspring of a wizard or witch and a Muggle -- sometimes extended to mean the offspring of a witch or wizard and a Muggle-born. Examples: Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort.
The title of the sixth book in the series is known to be Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This is thought to possibly refer to one of several characters, but does not refer to Lord Voldemort or Harry Potter.
Muggle
A term used by those who can use magic to refer to those who cannot. The term is sometimes used innocuously and sometimes in a derogatory way, depending on who's saying it. During Lord Voldemort's reign of terror, his Death Eaters performed many Muggle killings for the fun of it. In the middle ages, Muggles feared and persecuted magical people, so now all the wizarding people in the world have chosen to remain hidden from Muggles for fear such persecution could happen again. There are some extremists who try to classify Muggles as "beasts" (rather than "beings"). Examples of Muggles: Vernon Dursley, Petunia Dursley.
An author named Nancy Stouffer sued Rowling for trademark infringement over her use of the term Muggles, but lost her case.
Muggle-born
A term used to describe a wizard or a witch born to Muggle parents. The derogatory term for these people, to be used only by purity-of-blood fanatics, is "mudblood". Examples: Hermione Granger, Lily Potter
Squib
The opposite of a Muggle-born, a squib is someone of wizard heritage without magical powers. Though lacking magic, Squibs are capable of seeing the magical things that muggles cannot. Aware of the existence of magic, many (if not most) live in the wizard society, and may be able to learn limited magic, though it appears they have fundamental limits.
Examples of Squibs in the series include Argus Filch, the caretaker at Hogwarts, and Arabella Figg, Harry's neighbour. Neville Longbottom is described early on as a "near squib" because of his difficulties when attempting to perform magic.
Blood traitor
A derogatory term used to describe a wizard or witch who has "pure" blood but nonetheless refuses to maintain prejudice against "impure" peoples. Examples: The Weasleys (considered the most prominent blood traitors of England), Andromeda Tonks
Known magical schools
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Other schools
- Bill Weasley had a pen pal at an unknown school in Brazil, who took offence when Bill couldn't afford a student exchange program and sent him a hat that made his ears shrivel up.
- J. K. Rowling stated that students in the United States had their own school.
Magical abilities
The following is a list of special abilities that a wizard or witch in the Harry Potter universe may have.
Animagus
An Animagus is a witch or wizard who has the ability to turn into a particular animal at will. This ability can be learnt and is not innate. Animagi must also register at a central authority; it is illegal to learn this ability without registering. Animagi are explicitly differentiated from werewolves in that Animagi can control their transformations whereas werewolves have no choice on the matter. An Animagus cannot choose what animal to become, but becomes that animal best suited to him or her.
For more details, as well as a listing of all known characters with this ability, consult the main article on Animagi.
Parseltongue
Someone who can speak to snakes is called a parselmouth. The language used when speaking to a snake is called parseltongue. Parseltongue has a nasty reputation: with the significant exception of Harry Potter himself, it was a skill solely attributed to Dark Wizards.
The only parselmouths we know of are Harry Potter himself, Salazar Slytherin, Lord Voldemort and Herpo the Foul.
Legilimency and Occlumency
A Legilimens is a witch or wizard who has the ability to extract feelings and memories from another person's mind, allowing them (for example) to detect lies. On the other hand, people skilled at Occlumency are able to counteract the act of Legilimency, by shutting down feelings and memories that contradict the words spoken. Eye contact is often essential in Legilimency.
Both Lord Voldemort and Albus Dumbledore are skilled in Legilimency, while it seems that both Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape are well-skilled in Occlumency as well.
Metamorphmagus
A Metamorphmagus is a witch or wizard who can change their appearance at will. Nymphadora Tonks is the only case we know of this inborn ability, which is exceptionally rare.
Other
Spells
A list of spells.
Magical objects
A list of magical objects can be found here.
Magical beasts
A list and discussion of magical beasts can be found here.
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