Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ======The Canary in the Wizarding World====== =====Introduction===== The canary is a small, non-magical bird that holds a unique significance within the wizarding world, primarily as a subject and outcome of [[Transfiguration]] and [[Conjuration]]. While ordinary in nature, canaries are famously associated with magical confections developed by [[Fred Weasley]] and [[George Weasley]] and have been magically conjured as instruments of attack. Their frequent use in various forms of magic suggests they are a common and relatively simple creature for wizards to magically manipulate or create. =====Magical Applications and Sightings===== * **[[Canary Creams]]:** One of the most famous applications involving canaries is the [[Canary Cream]], a magical sweet invented by [[Fred Weasley]] and [[George Weasley]] as part of their [[Skiving Snackboxes]] line for [[Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes]]. These treats appear to be ordinary custard cream biscuits. However, upon consumption, the eater momentarily transfigures into a large canary. After a minute, the person molts their yellow feathers and returns to their normal human state. [[Neville Longbottom]] was an unwitting test subject for a [[Canary Cream]] in //Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//, transforming into a canary in the [[Gryffindor]] common room to the great amusement of his fellow students. * **Conjured Canaries:** Canaries have been used offensively through [[Conjuration]]. In //Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince//, a distraught [[Hermione Granger]], after seeing [[Ron Weasley]] with [[Lavender Brown]], successfully conjured a flock of canaries from the tip of her [[wand]]. She then used the jinx `[[Oppugno]]` to command the birds to violently attack Ron, pecking and scratching him. This display of magic is a testament to Hermione's advanced skills in [[Charms]], as conjuring living creatures is known to be difficult. * **Subject of Transfiguration:** The canary appears to be a common subject for students learning or experimenting with [[Transfiguration]]. While hiding the [[Half-Blood Prince's Potions Book]] in the [[Room of Requirement]], [[Harry Potter]] noted a cage that he presumed had once held the skeleton of a five-legged creature that "some student had tried to [[Transfigure]]... probably into a canary." This implies that turning various creatures (or parts of them) into canaries is a known practice or exercise at [[Hogwarts]]. =====Behind the Scenes===== * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince//, [[Hermione Granger]]'s conjured canaries are depicted as small, glowing, golden birds that fly around her head before she directs them to attack [[Ron Weasley]] with the `[[Oppugno]]` jinx (film). * The scene where [[Neville Longbottom]] eats a [[Canary Cream]] and transforms is also included in the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire// (film).
