Muggle-borns

A Muggle-born is a term used in the wizarding world to describe a witch or wizard who is born to two non-magical parents, known as Muggles. The appearance of magical abilities in a child of Muggle parentage is believed to be the result of the magical gene resurfacing after lying dormant for several generations, often stemming from a Squib ancestor who integrated into Muggle society. (Pottermore) Muggle-borns are often subject to prejudice from witches and wizards who believe in the supremacy of pure-blood lineage. These bigots use the highly offensive and derogatory slur Mudblood to refer to Muggle-borns. The term implies that they have “dirty blood” and are considered inferior or illegitimate members of the magical community. The use of this word is seen as a sign of extreme prejudice, similar to racial slurs in the Muggle world.

The status of Muggle-borns is a central point of conflict within wizarding society, which is deeply divided over the concept of blood purity. While many in the magical community are accepting of Muggle-borns, a significant and influential faction of pure-blood families, such as the Malfoys, Blacks, and Lestranges, hold them in contempt. This prejudice is a core tenet of the ideology espoused by Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Throughout their time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Muggle-born students like Hermione Granger and Justin Finch-Fletchley faced discrimination. Draco Malfoy frequently targeted Hermione Granger with the slur Mudblood, most notably in their second year, leading to a furious reaction from Ron Weasley. The very existence of the Chamber of Secrets and its resident Basilisk was a monument to this prejudice, created by Salazar Slytherin with the intention of purging Hogwarts of all students who were not pure-blood. Conversely, many influential figures, including Albus Dumbledore, staunchly defended the rights and legitimacy of Muggle-borns, viewing blood status as irrelevant to a person's worth or magical ability.

There is no canonical evidence to suggest that Muggle-born witches and wizards are any less magically powerful or talented than their half-blood or pure-blood counterparts. In fact, many Muggle-borns have proven to be exceptionally gifted.

• Hermione Granger is consistently referred to as the “brightest witch of her age” and demonstrates magical proficiency that often surpasses that of her peers, regardless of their blood status.
• Lily Evans, Harry Potter's mother, was described by Professor Slughorn as one of the most brilliant students he had ever taught, with a natural talent for Potions.
• Ted Tonks and Dirk Cresswell were both capable wizards who successfully held positions within the Ministry of Magic before being forced into hiding.

The belief that Muggle-borns are magically inferior is a baseless prejudice used by blood purists to justify their discriminatory ideology.

Unlike children from magical families, Muggle-borns grow up with no knowledge of the wizarding world or their own abilities. When a Muggle-born child approaches the age of eleven, a representative from Hogwarts (or other magical schools) visits the family to explain the situation and deliver their acceptance letter. Professor McGonagall notes this as part of her duties. This introduction can be a significant shock to both the child and their Muggle parents. Upon entering Hogwarts, Muggle-borns face the challenge of adapting to a completely new culture, learning about subjects, history, and social norms that their peers from magical families have known their entire lives. They must enroll in Muggle Studies to better understand the world they came from in a magical context, while their peers often need to learn about Muggle life from scratch.

Muggle-borns were primary targets of Voldemort and his Death Eaters during both Wizarding Wars.

• In the First Wizarding War, Muggle-borns were frequently attacked and murdered, seen as a blight to be eliminated from the magical population.
• During the Second Wizarding War, this persecution became institutionalized after the Death Eaters seized control of the Ministry of Magic. The Ministry established the Muggle-Born Registration Commission, led by Dolores Umbridge. Under the false premise that Muggle-borns “stole” their magic and wands from “real” witches and wizards, the Commission interrogated, persecuted, and imprisoned countless Muggle-borns in Azkaban. Many, like Ted Tonks and Dirk Cresswell, were forced to go on the run and were ultimately hunted down and murdered.

Muggle-borns also played a vital role in fighting against Voldemort. Lily Evans sacrificed herself to save her son, creating a powerful magical protection. Hermione Granger was instrumental in the hunt for the Horcruxes and the eventual defeat of Voldemort. Colin Creevey, despite being underage, snuck back into the castle to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts, where he was killed.

• Colin Creevey
• Dirk Cresswell
• Dennis Creevey
• Lily Evans
• Justin Finch-Fletchley
• Hermione Granger
• Myrtle Warren (Moaning Myrtle)
• Ted Tonks

J.K. Rowling has stated in interviews that the obsession with blood purity in the wizarding world was a deliberate parallel to real-world discriminatory ideologies like Nazism. The persecution of Muggle-borns and the use of terms like Mudblood serve as a central theme of intolerance and bigotry in the series. (J.K. Rowling interview)