======Muggle======
=====Definition and Terminology=====
A **Muggle** is the [[wizarding world]] term for a person who is born to two non-magical parents and possesses no magical ability of their own. The vast majority of the global population consists of Muggles, who live largely in ignorance of the existence of [[witch]]es, [[wizard]]s, and the magical community that secretly coexists with them.
The term is distinct from a [[Squib]], which refers to a non-magical individual born to at least one magical parent. Notable [[Squib]]s include [[Argus Filch]], the caretaker of [[Hogwarts]], and [[Arabella Figg]], a neighbor of the [[Dursley family]].
The concept of a Muggle is fundamental to the system of **[[Blood Status]]** within wizarding society, which includes:
  * **[[Muggle-born]]**: A [[witch]] or [[wizard]] born to two Muggle parents, such as [[Hermione Granger]] and [[Lily Evans]].
  * **[[Half-blood]]**: A [[witch]] or [[wizard]] with both magical and Muggle ancestry, such as [[Harry Potter]], [[Severus Snape]], and [[Tom Riddle]].
  * **[[Pure-blood]]**: A [[witch]] or [[wizard]] with no known Muggle ancestors, a status claimed by families like the [[Malfoy family]] and the [[Black family]].
=====Wizarding World Perception and Attitudes=====
The relationship between the wizarding and Muggle worlds is governed by the **[[International Statute of Secrecy]]**, a law enacted in 1692 to hide the existence of magic from the non-magical population. This was done primarily to prevent the persecution of [[witch]]es and [[wizard]]s, which had been widespread in the Middle Ages.
Attitudes towards Muggles within the wizarding community vary widely:
  * **Benevolent Curiosity:** Some wizards, like [[Arthur Weasley]], are fascinated by Muggles and their inventions, running the [[Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office]] at the [[Ministry of Magic]].
  * **Indifference or Condescension:** Many wizards view Muggles as simple, ignorant, and generally uninteresting, treating them with a patronizing air.
  * **Extreme Prejudice:** [[Pure-blood]] supremacists, most notably [[Lord Voldemort]] and his [[Death Eater]]s, hold a deep-seated hatred for Muggles and [[Muggle-born]] wizards, whom they pejoratively call [[Mudblood]]s. Voldemort's agenda included subjugating Muggles and establishing pure-blood dominance.
To maintain secrecy, the [[Ministry of Magic]] employs specialized wizards called [[Obliviator]]s to erase the memories of Muggles who witness magic, using the [[Memory Charm]] (//Obliviate//).
=====Muggle Awareness of Magic=====
By design, most Muggles remain completely unaware of the magical world. However, there are exceptions:
  * **The [[Muggle Prime Minister]]**: The sitting Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is officially informed of the wizarding world's existence upon taking office. The [[Minister for Magic]] makes occasional contact to report on events that may affect the Muggle world, as seen when [[Cornelius Fudge]] and later [[Rufus Scrimgeour]] visited the Prime Minister.
  * **Relatives of Witches and Wizards**: The immediate Muggle family of a [[Muggle-born]] or [[Half-blood]] student, such as the [[Granger family]] and the [[Evans family]], are aware of magic. The [[Dursley family]] were also aware, though they harbored a deep fear and hatred of it.
  * **Accidental Exposure**: Muggles can be directly affected by magical creatures or events. For example, Muggles cannot see [[Dementor]]s, but they can feel their chilling, depressive effects. The rampage of the [[Giant]]s and the collapse of the Brockdale Bridge were magical events that had consequences in the Muggle world.
=====Notable Muggles=====
Several Muggles play a direct or indirect role in the story:
  * **The [[Dursley family]]**: [[Vernon Dursley]], [[Petunia Dursley]], and [[Dudley Dursley]] are [[Harry Potter]]'s abusive relatives who raise him for ten years while trying to suppress his magic.
  * **The [[Granger family]]**: [[Hermione Granger]]'s parents, a pair of dentists who are supportive of their daughter's magical abilities.
  * **[[Frank Bryce]]**: The elderly gardener for the [[Riddle family]], who was murdered by [[Lord Voldemort]] in the opening chapter of //Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//.
  * **[[Tom Riddle Sr.]]**: A wealthy Muggle from [[Little Hangleton]] who was [[Lord Voldemort]]'s father. Voldemort murdered him and his paternal grandparents.
  * **The [[Roberts family]]**: The Muggle managers of the campsite for the [[Quidditch World Cup]], who were terrorized by [[Death Eater]]s.
=====Etymology=====
J.K. Rowling has stated that she created the word "Muggle" from the English slang word "mug," which means a foolish or easily duped person. She softened the word by adding the "-gle" suffix to make it sound less insulting and "a bit more cuddly." (J.K. Rowling interview).
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * The word "Muggle" was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2003, defined as "a person who is not conversant with a particular activity or skill."
  * In the American wizarding community, the term for a non-magical person is **[[No-Maj]]**, short for "No Magic." This term was introduced in the //Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them// film series (film).