While writing the iconic Harry Potter books, beloved author J.K. Rowling was not only faced with creating a compelling plot and interesting characters but also imagining the entire Wizarding World. Needless to say, she succeeded, and the magical world of Harry Potter manages to mesmerize readers even decades after the first book was released. In fact, she went on to prove her “words are the most inexhaustible source of magic” quote by creating a faninteresting tastic world that is truly spellbinding.
One of the ways Rowling managed to distance the reader from their daily woes and emerge them into the fictitious story is by filling it with a myriad of fantastic beings and creatures, many of which are her own creations. So, the following list will focus on the most unique beings that sprung up from the mind of J.K. Rowling as she was writing Harry Potter, as well as all the mythological creatures that she reintroduced into the series by adding her own creative flare. Following are Rowling’s 10 most unique fictional beings from Harry Potter.
Hag
Of course, Hags were not invented by J.K. Rowling; the term has been used to describe evil old women in literature for centuries. However, Rowling offers a unique interpretation of these beings. In the Wizarding World, Hags are magical creatures who are ugly, covered in warts, and apparently have four toes on their feet - basically our stereotypical depiction of witches, like Babayaga.
What makes them terrifying is their need to consume the flesh of human children. Though some Hags live in desolate places such as caves or forests, it’s not uncommon to find them in Diagon Ally or Hogsmeade. In fact, we see one close up in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (yes, she was trying to eat Harry).
House Elves
House-elves live to serve other witches and wizards, have surprisingly powerful magical abilities, and are incredibly docile. Their relationship with wizards is governed by a law known as the Elf’s Legislation and due to their loyalty, they will fiercely protect their masters. In fact, directly obeying every single order their master gives them is “House-elf’s highest law.”
While in service to a wizard (and their family), House elves will display zero regard for their own well-being. More than anything, it’s their obedience and personalities that resulted in many wizards mistreating the House-elves that serve them. The only way for a master to gain a House-elf’s allegiance (or free them) is by presenting them with clothes.
Veela
In some regard, Veelas represent a contrast to Hags. Both are not fully human, but as opposed to Hags, Veelas appear as incredibly beautiful young women with “white-gold hair and skin that appears to shine moon-bright.” However, their appearance is affected by their emotion, so when angered, a Veela’s face will assume an elongated beak-like shape and their shoulders will grow fearsome scaly wings.
Native to Bulgaria, Veelas are famous for their seductive dance, which is said to be irresistible to most men, who will try to impress a Veela. Again, like Hags (and elves, for that matter) Veelas have magical capabilities without the need for wands. Though no Veela was shown in the Harry Potter movies, Triwizard competitor Fleur Delacour was notably of Veela heritage.
Acromantula
Like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter has its own breed of horrific overgrown spiders - the Acromantula. Native to Southeast Asia, Acromantulas can grow up to 15 feet in size and have a taste for human flesh. However, what makes them that much more terrifying is the fact that they can understand and converse with humans, who often end up their victims.
Their venom is incredibly powerful, and because it’s rare for a human to get out alive when venturing inside an Acromantula colony, it’s incredibly valuable as well. The most notable Acromantula was of course Aragog, who was raised by Hagrid, and grew to love the half giant who would otherwise be his natural prey.
It should be noted that even Acromantulas have a something they’re deeply afraid of: Basilisks.
Boggarts
Of all the magical creatures described in the works of J.K. Rowling, Boggarts are perhaps the most unique and unusual. Boggarts are not actually alive to begin with, they are described as amortal. No one really knows what a Boggart looks like, as the creatures immediately assume the form of the worst fear of anyone watching them.
According to Rowling, many muggles have seen a Boggart, but these encounters are most often just brushed off as hallucinations because Boggarts inhabit dark crevices. As described in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the go-to spell to fend off a Boggart is Ridikkulus - which will immediately case the Boggart to retreat after it’s no longer perceived as frightening.
Dementors
Dementors are fearsome creatures that feed on the happiness of humans. This is referred to as “The Dementor’s Kiss,” and results in all the good memories being sucked out of the victim, leaving behind nothing but hopelessness and insanity. Like Boggarts, Dementors are neither dead nor alive. They can not be bribed or killed, and the only way to control them is to offer a sustainable source of humans to feed on.
No one knows how the Dementors came to be, but they are believed to be the product of the darkest of magic conducted on Azkaban by the evil wizard Ekrizdis. The only spell effective against the Dementor is the Patronus charm, which requires the caster to summon his/her happiest memories to conjure a protective spirit that will fend off Dementors.
Obscurials
Becoming an Obscurial is one of the worst things that can happen to a young witch or wizard. Simply put, these are wizards who try to suppress their magic following the muggles’ prosecutions of magic users.
This repressed magic then gives rise to a parasitical force known as the Obscurus inside the wizard, which is released when a person finally reaches their breaking point. When it finally gets unleashed, the Obscurus is an incredibly destructive dark force, so powerful it was weaponized by dark wizard Grindelwald in the early 20th century.
Thestrals
On the surface, a Thestral is a frightening beast with skeletal features, dark scaly skin, and massive bat-like wings. But more than anything, they are tame and misunderstood creatures that possess magical properties. Here’s the important part: Thestrals are completely invisible. In fact, they can only be seen by those who have witnessed death.
This is why Harry (after witnessing Sirius’ death) and Luna (who watched her mother die) can see that the Chariots in Hogwarts are not pulling themselves after all. Notably, Thestral hair is such a powerful magical substance that it was used as the core in the most powerful wand known to wizard-kind - the Elder Wand.
Bowtruckle
These small, plant-like creatures got a lot of screen time in Fantastic Beasts, though they’re first mentioned in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Referred to by Rowling as “the wandmaker’s friend,” Bowtruckles dwell on trees that are of sufficient quality to produce wands out of, making them extremely useful for wandmakers. There are a few problems, though.
Firstly, due to their size and tree-like appearance, they are almost impossible to spot. And secondly, you will have to bribe a Bowtruckle with some insects before you proceed to tamper with its home. Fail to show a Bowtruckle the respect it deserves and it can be quite vicious, gouging your eyes out with its long fingers.
Doxy
You may also hear them referred to as Biting Faries in spite of their malevolent nature. Although they resemble fairies, Doxys are covered in dark hair with black, beetle-like wings sprouting from their backs. They are also highly venomous, which is why a home infestation of Doxys is no laughing matter.
To remove them from the crevices of your home, you’ll need a magical concoction known as Doxycide, which imobilizes them and allows them to be safely removed from one’s home. They even have queens, which is why the closest thing to a Doxy for a muggle would be a wasp.
