Magical Beast

• Type: A classification for a magical creature defined by the Ministry of Magic as lacking sufficient intelligence to understand or be given responsibility for the laws of the wizarding world.
• Governing Body: Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
• Primary Sub-Divisions: The Beast Division is the primary office responsible for Magical Beast affairs. This is distinct from the Being Division and Spirit Division.
• Key Legislation: Ban on Experimental Breeding (1965), Code of Wand Use (Clause Three), Guidelines for the Treatment of Non-Wizard Part-Humans.

A Magical Beast is officially defined as “any creature that has not sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws.” This definition was established in 1811 and resolved a long-standing and contentious debate over how to differentiate between the various non-human magical races. The primary difficulty lay in separating intelligent, self-aware creatures (Beings) from less intelligent creatures (Beasts). Early attempts at classification were disastrous. In the 14th century, Burdock Muldoon, Chief of the Wizards' Council, declared that any member of the magical community that walked on two legs would henceforth be granted the status of “Being.” This definition failed to account for two-legged but non-sentient creatures like Trolls and Pixies, while excluding intelligent creatures like Centaurs and Merpeople. A later attempt to define “Beings” by their ability to speak human tongues also failed, as it wrongly included creatures like Jarveys while excluding many self-aware but non-verbal creatures. The current definition focuses on intelligence and the capacity for legal understanding. However, some races, notably Centaurs, Merpeople, and Goblins, have rejected “Being” status out of a desire for political separation from the Ministry of Magic, and are therefore officially managed by the Beast Division. Complex cases such as Werewolves are handled by both the Beast Division (in their transformed state) and the Being Division (in their human state). To manage the wide variety of creatures under this classification, the Ministry of Magic uses a five-tier danger rating system, detailed in the Hogwarts textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them:

• XXXXX: Known wizard killer / impossible to train or domesticate (e.g., Basilisk, Dragons, Lethifold).
• XXXX: Dangerous / requires specialist knowledge / skilled wizard may handle (e.g., Hippogriff, Unicorn, Blast-Ended Skrewt).
• XXX: Competent wizard should cope (e.g., Jarvey, Bundimun).
• XX: Harmless / may be domesticated (e.g., Jobberknoll, Diricawl).
• X: Boring (e.g., Flobberworm, Horklump).

Wizards have a complex and multi-faceted relationship with Magical Beasts.

• Domestication and Companionship: While common animals like cats, owls, and toads are popular pets, some wizards keep magical beasts. These range from the relatively safe, like Kneazles and Crups, to the highly dangerous creatures favored by individuals like Rubeus Hagrid, including his Acromantula Aragog, Hippogriff Buckbeak, and Norwegian Ridgeback dragon Norbert.
• Magical Ingredients: Many beasts are a vital source of ingredients for Potions and other magical practices. Boomslang skin is essential for Polyjuice Potion, Bicorn horn is used in various powerful potions, and Dragon blood has twelve magical uses discovered by Albus Dumbledore. Critically, the cores of most wands are made from beast substances, such as Unicorn tail hair, Dragon heartstring, or Phoenix feathers.
• Dangers and Control: Many beasts pose a significant threat to wizards and Muggles alike, necessitating strict controls. The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures handles incidents involving aggressive beasts. The Statute of Secrecy requires that most beasts be kept hidden from the non-magical world, which is a major responsibility of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
• Conservation and Study: The field of studying magical beasts is known as Magizoology. Prominent Magizoologists like Newt Scamander advocate for the protection and understanding of these creatures. The Ministry of Magic establishes reservations and protected habitats, such as the dragon sanctuary in Romania where Charlie Weasley works, to help conserve endangered species.
• Illegal Breeding and Trade: The Ban on Experimental Breeding was enacted in 1965 to prevent the creation of new and dangerous monsters, such as the Blast-Ended Skrewts bred by Rubeus Hagrid. Trafficking in illegal beasts and their parts is a recurring problem, with characters like Mundungus Fletcher participating in such illicit trades.

The struggle to officially classify magical creatures is a defining part of wizarding history. The core issue was the division between “Beasts” and “Beings.” In the 14th century, Burdock Muldoon's attempt to use bipedalism as the defining trait of a “Being” led to chaos at a summit of magical races. Goblins pointed out the absurdity of discussing rights with Trolls who were smashing the meeting hall, while other races like Merpeople were excluded. Elfrida Clagg, Muldoon's successor, tried to use the ability to speak human language as the criterion, but this also proved unworkable. The modern definition was finally established in 1811 by the new Minister for Magic, Grogan Stump. His focus on the capacity for understanding law was widely accepted as the most logical solution. However, the political fallout was significant. Goblins initially accepted the definition but demanded that Merpeople also be classified as “Beings.” When the Merpeople rejected this through their Selkies, the Goblins declared it an example of wizarding favouritism and opted to be classified as “Beasts” in protest. Centaurs, who had long distrusted wizards, also rejected “Being” status to avoid being drawn into Ministry politics. These decisions solidified the complex and often paradoxical structure of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, with its separate Beast Division, Being Division, and Spirit Division.

• Dragons: Four different breeds were used in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. Hagrid illegally hatched a Norwegian Ridgeback named Norbert, and a blind Ukrainian Ironbelly guarded the high-security vaults at Gringotts.
• Phoenix: Albus Dumbledore's companion, Fawkes, played a crucial role throughout the series. His tears had healing powers, he saved Harry Potter from the Basilisk, and he provided the twin core feather for Harry's and Lord Voldemort's wands.
• Hippogriff: Buckbeak became a central figure when he was sentenced to death after injuring Draco Malfoy. His subsequent rescue by Harry Potter and Hermione Granger allowed him to escape with Sirius Black.
• Acromantula: Aragog, a giant spider raised by Hagrid, and his colony lived in the Forbidden Forest. They provided Harry and Ron Weasley with a key clue about the monster in the Chamber of Secrets.
• Basilisk: Salazar Slytherin's monster, hidden in the Chamber of Secrets, was responsible for several petrifications at Hogwarts. Its fangs, imbued with incredibly potent venom, became one of the few substances capable of destroying Horcruxes.
• Thestrals: Skeletal, winged horses visible only to those who have witnessed death. They pull the Hogwarts carriages and were used by members of Dumbledore's Army and the Order of the Phoenix for flight.
• Unicorns: Gentle and pure creatures whose silver blood can grant a cursed half-life. Lord Voldemort, possessing Professor Quirrell, drank Unicorn blood to survive in the Forbidden Forest.

Much of the detailed lore regarding the classification of Magical Beasts, the history of the “Beast” versus “Being” debate, and the Ministry of Magic danger ratings comes from the supplementary book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a real-world replica of the Hogwarts textbook written by J.K. Rowling for the charity Comic Relief. The book is presented as being authored by famed Magizoologist Newt Scamander. The Fantastic Beasts film series greatly expands upon the world of Magizoology, depicting Newt Scamander's adventures and introducing dozens of new magical beasts not mentioned in the original seven novels. (film) Within the novels, the term “beast” is sometimes used colloquially or pejoratively by characters to refer to any non-human creature, including those officially classified as “Beings” like House-Elves or Goblins, reflecting the ingrained prejudice within some corners of the wizarding world.