Giants

Giants are a race of immense, semi-sentient humanoid beings known for their incredible strength and violent disposition. Once numerous and widespread, their population has dwindled significantly due to their own infighting and persecution by Wizards. The remaining giants live in a remote mountain colony. They are classified by the Ministry of Magic as XXXXX, or “Known Wizard Killers,” and are generally feared by the magical community. During the Second Wizarding War, they allied themselves with Lord Voldemort, posing a significant threat to Hogwarts and the Order of the Phoenix.

• Physical Appearance: Full-grown giants stand between twenty and twenty-five feet tall. Their skin is thick and tough, comparable to rhinoceros hide, and they possess a brutish, primitive appearance. They typically have hair the colour of moss and wear crudely stitched animal skins as clothing. Their size grants them immense physical power, capable of uprooting trees and smashing through stone walls with ease.
• Society and Culture: Giant society is tribal and patriarchal, governed by a leader known as the Gurg. The Gurg is always the biggest, strongest, and most aggressive giant in the tribe, and leadership is often decided through violent conflict. Their culture is extremely brutal; they are prone to killing each other over minor disputes, such as prime sleeping spots or food, which is a major factor in their declining numbers. They appear to have a rudimentary language but no form of writing.
• Intelligence: Giants are considered to have low intelligence compared to humans, often appearing slow-witted and simple. However, they are capable of understanding basic concepts, forming allegiances, and following orders, as demonstrated by their participation in the Second Wizarding War.

In ancient times, giants roamed the world and were a dominant magical race. However, their destructive nature and tendency to kill humans led to conflict with Wizards. Over centuries, Wizards drove the giants away from civilized lands, forcing them into remote, isolated communities in mountainous regions. During the First Wizarding War, many giants allied with Lord Voldemort, who promised them a better future free from persecution. After Voldemort's initial fall, the giant survivors were hunted by Aurors, and their numbers were further diminished. In 1995, Albus Dumbledore sent Rubeus Hagrid and Olympe Maxime as envoys to the last known giant colony in an attempt to secure their allegiance against the newly-risen Lord Voldemort. Their mission was partially successful, as they managed to gain the trust of the Gurg, Karkus. However, Karkus was soon killed and replaced by the more bloodthirsty Golgomath, who was swayed by Death Eater envoys, including Walden Macnair. Golgomath and his followers ultimately sided with Voldemort. Giants were later a formidable part of Voldemort's army during the Battle of Hogwarts, causing immense destruction to the castle grounds. They were eventually defeated or driven back along with the rest of the Death Eater forces following Voldemort's final demise.

The relationship between giants and Wizards is characterized by fear, prejudice, and a long history of violence. Most Wizards view giants as nothing more than monstrous, stupid brutes. This deep-seated prejudice is evident in the societal reaction to the revelation that Rubeus Hagrid is a Half-giant. The Ministry of Magic's official policy is one of containment, keeping them isolated from the magical and Muggle worlds. Lord Voldemort skillfully exploited the giants' resentment over this persecution to win their loyalty. A few individuals, like Albus Dumbledore, believed in the possibility of peaceful coexistence and attempted diplomacy, but these efforts were largely overshadowed by centuries of mutual hostility.

• Grawp: The younger, sixteen-foot-tall half-brother of Rubeus Hagrid. Hagrid brought him from the mountains to the Forbidden Forest in an attempt to civilize him.
• Karkus: The Gurg of the mountain tribe who was receptive to Hagrid's and Madame Maxime's diplomatic mission. He was beheaded by Golgomath.
• Golgomath: A brutal giant who became Gurg after killing Karkus. He allied the tribe with Lord Voldemort.
• Fridwulfa: A giantess who was the mother of Rubeus Hagrid and Grawp. She abandoned her human husband and son, and later died.

A Half-giant is the offspring of a human and a full-blooded giant. They are significantly larger and stronger than humans but smaller and generally more intelligent than full giants. They often face severe prejudice from the wizarding community due to their giant heritage.

• Rubeus Hagrid: The most prominent Half-giant in the series. His mother was the giantess Fridwulfa, and his father was a human Wizard.
• Olympe Maxime: The Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Though she initially denies it due to the social stigma, Hagrid correctly identifies her as a Half-giant due to her considerable size.

• According to the book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, giants are one of three species classified as “Beings” by the Ministry of Magic (along with Wizards and Goblins), defined as “any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws.” Despite this official classification, they are treated with far less respect than other Beings.
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the giants are depicted with more distinctly craggy, rock-like features than described in the novel.
• The existence of a Giant Wars is mentioned in the series, which likely refers to the major historical conflicts between Wizards and giants that led to the latter's decline and isolation.