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Ah, good, yer back! 'Ave a seat, then, and I'll get started. First Year - Lesson 2
Muggles. Easily frightened of wizard reality. Muggle knowledge of magic has varied throughout the centuries, but Muggles have largely remained unaware of magic, and the wizarding world is glad of it. When Muggles live in fear of what might be in their herb gardens, or they sight dragons and Hippogriffs, Muggle persecution of wizards increases. Therefore, Muggles must be kept from noticing the magical creatures that exist in the world. In 1692, the International Confederation of Wizards argued the matter for nearly two months. How many species would wizards be able to keep from Muggle notice? Which species should they be? Where and how should they be hidden? Some creatures were unaware their fate was being decided, other creatures, such as centaurs and merpeople, were aware and participated. Many creatures did understand that when Muggle fear was high, they, the creatures, would be hunted as well as wizards. Dragons still remember the infamous "St. George Incident," brought on by Muggle terror. Initially, 73 species were to be hidden such that Muggles would not know they existed outside of imagination. As wizards became more confident in their methods of concealment, the numbers were raised. Wizard ministries today conform to the International Code of Wizarding Secrecy, including Clause 73, which indicates that each wizarding governing body will be responsible for the concealment, care, and control of all magical beasts, being, and spirits within its territory's borders. How Does the Wizarding Community Hide the Various Beasts? Some creatures have their own camouflage abilities. These species require no help from the Ministry of Magic to remain hidden from Muggles. Other creatures, due to cleverness or shyness, avoid the Muggles at all costs, by their own accord. Centaurs and Unicorns are well known for this. Some creatures live in places Muggles find difficult to reach. The uncharted jungles of Borneo houses the Acromantula. High mountain peaks are the residence of the Phoenix. Most commonly, there are beasts that are too quick, too small, or just skilled at appearing as normal animals to be noticed by Muggles. Billywigs and Crups are in this category. Of course, there are those creatures that, whether deliberately or not, remain conspicuous to Muggles, and it is these creatures that the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures spends much time dealing with. Safe Habitats One method the Ministry uses to keep these creatures out of Muggle view is to create safe havens for the creatures. Charms to repel Muggles have been placed on forests were Unicorns live and on lakes and rivers that are home to the merpeople. However, safe areas still need Ministry monitoring. While Centaurs are happy to stay within their safe zone, Dragons are not. They will range from their safe area in search of food. Kelpies goals are to attract humans, and must be kept from doing so. Regulation In order to keep Muggles from noticing the larger and more fearsome beasts, severe controls and penalties have been placed around the breeding and sale of these beasts. In 1965, a ban was placed on experimental breeding to make illegal the creation of new species. It should be noted, that despite such control, R. Hagrid has managed to acquire several such creatures, without apparent notice or censure. Charms There are many charms used in keeping Muggles from noticing the magical beasts. Wizards who own beasts may be required to case a Disillusionment Charm daily on their beast. The Disillusionment Charm distorts the vision of a Muggle who may see the beast. To a degree, the Muggle simply does not see the beast. Muggle Repelling Charms are used on habitats. Memory Charms are also highly important in keeping Muggle awareness down. Should a Muggle see a magical beast, the wizard who owns it may cast a Memory Charm to erase the memory. Should an unusual incident occur, such as a Dragon being seen by a town, the Ministry will send a team of wizards to cast Memory Charms on all inhabitants. Misinformation The Office of Misinformation is a part of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. The office is involved only in the worst cases of magical creature sightings. They work with the Muggle Prime Minister to create a plausible explanation for the event. For example, the Office of Misinformation has done an excellent job in convincing Muggles that all photos of the "Loch Ness Monster" are fake, thereby preventing Muggles from believing in the Kelpie who dwells in Loch Ness. Why Bother? One question that arises periodically is why the Ministry of Magic, and other nations' Ministries, continues to put the effort into keeping magical creatures hidden and safe, even those which are savage and dangerous. There are two answers. The first is the same reason that Muggles make such an effort to breed and maintain the habitats of endangered species, such as the Panda. By protecting the Magical Beasts, future generations of wizarding folk may enjoy the beauty and strange powers of the Magical Beasts. The second reason is self-preservation. Whenever Muggles notice true magic, they become frightened, envious, angry, and dangerous. They often seek to destroy that which causes the magic, whether a magical creature, or a wizard. Some Muggles are, of course, able to cope with knowledge of Magic. A common example would be the parents of a Hogwarts student. Other Muggles are filled with anger, loathing, and other negative emotions, and it is these Muggles for whom the rules regarding the concealment of magical creatures were created.
First Year - Assignment 2 Direct your answers to your professor at comc@starpaw.com. Clicking on this link will fill in year and assignment number. All answers must be in your own words. Remember, making your answers interesting and/or amusing may result in bonus points at the end of the term.
1. Who is responsible for keeping Muggles from noticing magical creatures? 2. Name two ways that magical creatures, themselves, keep Muggles from noticing them. 3. Name three general ways the Ministry of Magic keeps Muggles from noticing magical creatures. 4. What department in the Ministry of Magic is in charge of magical creatures? 5. Should a wizard breed two different creatures to find out what the results would be? Why or why not? 6. Name two charms used to keep Muggles from noticing magical creatures, and explain how the charm basically works. 7. What does the Office of Misinformation do? 8. Why does the Ministry of Magic, and other Ministries around the world, keep Muggles from noticing magical creatures? 9. You own a Hippogriff. What might you do to keep Muggles from noticing it? 10. You are in the Ministry of Magic. Someone's Hippogriff has been spotted near a beach. What might you do to control the situation? What is your name and House?
Again, direct your answers to your professor at comc@starpaw.com Class dismissed. Want a rock cake to take with you? |
