📖 Wizarding World Glossary 📖
A-Z of magical terms and definitions
A
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Animagus | A witch or wizard who can transform into an animal at will. Requires registration with the Ministry. Examples: James Potter (stag), Sirius Black (dog), Peter Pettigrew (rat), Rita Skeeter (beetle). |
| Apparition | Magical teleportation. Requires a license (obtained at age 17). Described as being forced through a tight rubber tube. Can be dangerous if done wrong (splinching). |
| Auror | Dark wizard catcher working for the Ministry of Magic. Elite law enforcement trained to fight dark magic. Requires top N.E.W.T. scores. Examples: Mad-Eye Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt. |
| Azkaban | Wizard prison located on an island in the North Sea. Guarded by Dementors (until Voldemort's return). Inescapable - Sirius Black was first known escapee. |
B-D
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Beater | Quidditch position. Two per team. Hit Bludgers away from teammates and toward opponents. |
| Boggart | Shape-shifter that becomes your worst fear. Defeated with "Riddikulus" spell and laughter. Lives in dark, confined spaces. |
| Chaser | Quidditch position. Three per team. Score goals by throwing Quaffle through hoops (10 points each). |
| Dark Mark | Voldemort's symbol - skull with snake coming from mouth. Cast with "Morsmordre." Appeared in sky after Death Eater killings. Also branded on Death Eaters' left forearms. |
| Death Eaters | Voldemort's followers. Wore black robes and masks. Branded with Dark Mark. Examples: Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, Severus Snape (spy). |
| Dementor | Soul-sucking creature that feeds on happiness. Guards of Azkaban. Repelled by Patronus Charm. Can perform Dementor's Kiss (sucking out soul). |
| Disapparition | Leaving a place by Apparition (magical teleportation). |
E-H
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Fidelius Charm | Extremely complex charm that hides a secret within a person (Secret Keeper). Only the Secret Keeper can reveal the information. Used to hide the Potters' location. |
| Floo Network | System of connected fireplaces used for travel and communication. Powered by Floo Powder. Say destination clearly! |
| Galleon | Wizarding currency (gold coin). 1 Galleon = 17 Sickles = 493 Knuts. |
| Goblin | Magical being, runs Gringotts bank. Expert metalworkers. Different views on ownership than wizards. Examples: Griphook, Ragnok. |
| Gringotts | Wizarding bank in Diagon Alley, run by goblins. Hundreds of vaults deep underground, guarded by dragons and enchantments. |
| Horcrux | Darkest magic. Object containing a piece of soul, split by murder. Makes creator immortal until all Horcruxes destroyed. Voldemort made six (plus accidental seventh in Harry). |
| House-elf | Magical being bound to serve wizarding families. Powerful magic but enslaved. Freed by being given clothes. Examples: Dobby, Kreacher, Winky. |
I-M
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Inferi | Dead bodies reanimated by dark wizard and controlled like puppets. Guarded Slytherin's locket in cave. Repelled by fire. |
| Keeper | Quidditch position. One per team. Guards the three goal hoops from Quaffle. |
| Knut | Wizarding currency (bronze coin). Smallest denomination. 493 Knuts = 1 Galleon. |
| Legilimency | Magic ability to extract emotions and memories from another's mind. Snape and Voldemort were skilled Legilimens. |
| Metamorphmagus | Rare magical ability to change appearance at will without Polyjuice Potion or spell. Born ability. Examples: Nymphadora Tonks, Teddy Lupin. |
| Ministry of Magic | Government of magical Britain. Located underground in London. Led by Minister for Magic. Multiple departments including Law Enforcement, Mysteries, Magical Accidents. |
| Mudblood | Highly offensive slur for Muggle-born witches/wizards. Implies "dirty blood." Pure-blood supremacists use it. Hermione was called this. |
| Muggle | Non-magical person. Most are completely unaware magic exists. Statute of Secrecy keeps wizarding world hidden from them. |
| Muggle-born | Witch or wizard born to non-magical parents. Possess magic despite "Muggle" heritage. Example: Hermione Granger, Lily Potter (née Evans). |
N-P
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| N.E.W.T. | Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test. Advanced exams taken in seventh year. Required for many careers. Equivalent to A-levels. |
| Obliviate | Memory charm that erases or modifies memories. Used by Ministry to maintain Statute of Secrecy. Can be permanent or temporary. |
| Occlumency | Magical defense of mind against external penetration. Protects against Legilimency. Snape tried to teach Harry (unsuccessfully). |
| Order of the Phoenix | Secret organization founded by Dumbledore to fight Voldemort. Original members in 1970s, reformed 1995. Headquarters: Grimmauld Place. |
| O.W.L. | Ordinary Wizarding Level. Exams taken at end of fifth year. Determine which N.E.W.T. classes students can take. Equivalent to GCSEs. |
| Parseltongue | Language of snakes. Rare ability, associated with Slytherin. Speakers called Parselmouths. Harry had it due to Horcrux connection to Voldemort. |
| Patronus | Magical guardian conjured by happy memory. Takes animal form. Only defense against Dementors. Cast with "Expecto Patronum." |
| Pensieve | Stone basin used to review memories. Can store thoughts and memories. Dumbledore used one extensively. |
| Portkey | Object enchanted to transport anyone touching it to specific location at specific time. Feels like hook behind navel. |
| Pure-blood | Witch/wizard with no known Muggle ancestry. Some families obsessed with blood purity. Examples: Malfoys, Blacks, Gaunts. |
Q-S
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Quidditch | Wizarding sport played on broomsticks. Seven players per team, four balls. Seeker catches Golden Snitch to end game (150 points). |
| Seeker | Quidditch position. One per team. Catches Golden Snitch to end game and earn 150 points. Harry's position - youngest in a century. |
| Sickle | Wizarding currency (silver coin). 17 Sickles = 1 Galleon. 29 Knuts = 1 Sickle. |
| Sorting Hat | Sentient hat that sorts first-years into Hogwarts houses. Belonged to Godric Gryffindor. Considers student's values and choice. |
| Splinching | Incomplete Apparition leaving body parts behind. Painful and dangerous. Ron splinched (lost part of arm) in Book 7. |
| Squib | Non-magical person born to magical parents. Opposite of Muggle-born. Can see magical things but can't perform magic. Examples: Argus Filch, Arabella Figg. |
T-Z
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Transfiguration | Branch of magic that changes one object into another. Taught by Professor McGonagall. Very difficult and precise. |
| Veritaserum | Truth serum - most powerful in existence. Three drops forces drinker to answer truthfully. Colorless, odorless, tasteless. |
| Voldemort | Dark Lord, born Tom Marvolo Riddle. Most dangerous dark wizard in history. Name feared - called "You-Know-Who" or "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." |
| Werewolf | Human who transforms into wolf during full moon. Face discrimination in wizarding society. Wolfsbane Potion helps retain mind during transformation. Example: Remus Lupin. |
| Wizard | Male magic user (though sometimes used as gender-neutral term). Born with magical ability. |
| Witch | Female magic user. Born with magical ability. Not the negative stereotype Muggles imagine. |
Common Phrases & Expressions
- "Bloody hell!" - Ron's favorite expression of surprise
- "Merlin's beard!" - Common wizarding exclamation
- "Blimey!" - British expression of surprise
- "Mischief managed" - Phrase to deactivate Marauder's Map
- "I solemnly swear I am up to no good" - Activates Marauder's Map
- "All was well" - Final line of series