Magical Eye

• Type: Magical Device, Prosthetic
• Owners: Alastor Moody, Barty Crouch Jr. (while disguised as Moody), Dolores Umbridge, Ministry of Magic, Harry Potter (briefly)
• Maker: Unknown

The magical eye is a small, round, and vividly electric blue artificial eye. It is distinct from a normal eye, appearing almost unnaturally bright. It fits into the user's empty eye socket and is sometimes held in place by a strap. The eye's most notable feature is its ability to move independently of the owner's other eye. It can swivel a full 360 degrees in its socket, allowing the user to see in all directions, including directly behind them, without turning their head. When not in use by a person, it can be affixed to other surfaces, such as a door, and remain functional.

The primary function of the magical eye is to provide greatly enhanced vision, making it an invaluable tool for an Auror like Alastor Moody. Its properties include:

• X-ray Vision: The eye can see through solid objects, including wood, doors, and cloaks. Barty Crouch Jr., disguised as Moody, used it to see through a desk drawer to identify the Marauder's Map.
• Penetrative Sight: It can see through the back of its owner's head, granting a complete field of vision.
• Telescopic Vision: It allows the user to see things clearly from a great distance.
• Detection of Magical Concealment: The eye can see through some forms of magical disguise and concealment, though it was unable to penetrate the true Invisibility Cloak owned by Harry Potter, which is a Deathly Hallow.

Alastor Moody was famous for his reliance on this eye, which fueled his mantra of “Constant vigilance!” When Dolores Umbridge later possessed it, she mounted it on her office door at the Ministry of Magic to spy on employees, demonstrating that it functions independently of a human host.

Alastor Moody presumably acquired the eye after losing his original one in the line of duty as an Auror during the First Wizarding War. In 1994, Barty Crouch Jr. subdued Moody and used Polyjuice Potion to impersonate him at Hogwarts. He wore the eye throughout the school year, using its powers to monitor Harry Potter and guide him through the Triwizard Tournament as part of Lord Voldemort's plot. After Crouch's exposure, the real Moody reclaimed his eye. During the Battle of the Seven Potters in July 1997, Moody was murdered by Lord Voldemort. His body was lost, but the magical eye was salvaged by Death Eaters and given to Dolores Umbridge. She affixed it to her office door at the Ministry of Magic, using it as a tool of intimidation and surveillance over Ministry employees. On 2 September 1997, Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger infiltrated the Ministry. Horrified by the desecration of Moody's eye, Harry wrenched it from the door. Later that day, deeming it disrespectful to keep, Harry buried the eye in a forest near the old Quidditch World Cup grounds. He marked the spot by carving a small cross on the gnarled tree under which he laid the eye to rest.

The magical eye is a significant object in the series, symbolizing both vigilance and the perversion of justice. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, it is the key tool that enables Barty Crouch Jr.'s elaborate deception, making him a convincing and effective guardian for Harry while secretly leading him to his doom. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the eye's fate becomes a poignant symbol of Moody's sacrifice. Its misuse by Dolores Umbridge represents the corruption within the Ministry of Magic, and Harry's act of retrieving and burying it is one of deep respect for his fallen mentor.

• In the film adaptations, the magical eye is depicted as a more complex, mechanical-looking device held in place by a leather harness and buckle. It is shown to have a telescopic, zooming function, which is a visual representation of its powers described in the book (film).
• The film version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 faithfully depicts the eye's placement on Dolores Umbridge's door and Harry Potter's subsequent retrieval of it (film).