Pukwudgie

A Pukwudgie is a magical creature native to North America, distantly related to the European goblin. They are described as short, grey-skinned, large-eared magical beings who are fiercely independent, masters of their own powerful magic, and deeply suspicious of humankind, including both wizards and No-Majs. Pukwudgies are known to hunt with deadly, poison-tipped arrows and can disappear at will. (Pottermore) The creature is most notable for its connection to the founding of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where a Pukwudgie named William played a crucial role. In his honor, one of the four school houses is named Pukwudgie House. (Pottermore)

• Physical Appearance: Pukwudgies are short, standing between two and three feet tall, with smooth grey skin, a large nose, and large ears. (Pottermore)
• Nature: They are known for being tricky, resentful, and holding a general dislike for all humans. However, they are also capable of forming bonds of loyalty, as seen in the case of William the Pukwudgie's relationship with Isolt Sayre. (Pottermore)
• Magical Abilities: Pukwudgies possess a powerful and unique form of magic that does not require a wand. Their known abilities include:
  • The ability to appear and disappear at will.
  • The skill to create fire without an incantation or tool.
  • Masterful archery skills, using arrows lethally tipped with venom. (Pottermore)

The history of Pukwudgies in the Wizarding World is primarily defined by the story of a single Pukwudgie named William, who was rescued by Isolt Sayre from a Hidebehind. Despite his inherent distrust of wizards, William felt indebted to Isolt and begrudgingly stayed with her and her No-Maj husband, James Steward, acting as a guard for their family. (Pottermore) William played a pivotal role in the defeat of Isolt's evil aunt, Gormlaith Gaunt. When Gormlaith attacked the family's home (the cottage that would become Ilvermorny), she placed the family under a sleeping enchantment and attempted to kill them. William helped Isolt and James defend their adopted sons and later rescued their twin daughters, Martha Steward II and Rionach Steward, from Gormlaith's clutches. He ultimately killed the Dark witch with a poison arrow after her wand, which once belonged to Salazar Slytherin, was rendered inert by a Parseltongue command from Isolt. (Pottermore) Following this event, William and his family of Pukwudgies became the first security and maintenance staff at the newly established Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. (Pottermore)

The Pukwudgie's legacy is immortalized at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

• One of the four school houses, Pukwudgie House, was named by co-founder James Steward in honor of the cynical but loyal William. James chose the creature because Isolt found his stories about William's antics to be a source of great amusement. (Pottermore)
• Pukwudgie House is said to represent the heart of a wizard and favors students who are adventurous, fiercely loyal, and healers. (Pottermore)
• To this day, a number of Pukwudgies continue to work at Ilvermorny. They are described as grumbling and complaining but remain fiercely protective of the school, carrying on William's legacy of guardianship. They are notoriously difficult to please, and it is considered very unwise for any student to cross them. (Pottermore)

The name and core concept of the Pukwudgie are borrowed from the real-world folklore of various Native American tribes, particularly the Wampanoag people. In these legends, the Pukwudgie (or pakwaji) is a small, human-shaped creature or spirit known for its mischievous and sometimes malevolent nature, often using poison arrows and having the ability to vanish.

• The Pukwudgie was introduced into the Wizarding World canon by J.K. Rowling in her writings on Magic in North America, published on the Pottermore website in 2016 to expand the magical world ahead of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film series.
• The creature does not appear in any of the original seven Harry Potter novels or their film adaptations.
• In the video game Hogwarts Legacy, a reference is made to Pukwudgies being native to North America, aligning with the lore established on Pottermore. (video game)