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. ======Rougarou====== =====Introduction===== The Rougarou is a fearsome, dog-headed magical beast native to the swamps of Louisiana in North America (Pottermore). It is considered highly dangerous and has a significant, though dark, connection to the history of the American wizarding school, [[Ilvermorny]]. The hair of a Rougarou is also known to be used as a powerful [[wand core]] (Pottermore). =====Biography===== The history of the Rougarou in the wizarding world is primarily tied to the founding of [[Ilvermorny]]. The creature is indigenous to Louisiana, and its magical properties became known to the founders of the school, [[Isolt Sayre]] and [[James Steward]]. They used the hair of a Rougarou as a core for some of the first wands ever created at [[Ilvermorny]] (Pottermore). A specific Rougarou played a sinister role in Isolt's life; she encountered one in the forests near Mount Greylock and initially befriended it. However, she later discovered that this creature was the [[Animagus]] form of her estranged and malevolent father, [[William Sayre]], who had been hunting her. This Rougarou was ultimately killed by a [[Pukwudgie]] named William, who was defending Isolt and her family (Pottermore). Due to this traumatic personal history, [[Isolt Sayre]] decided against using the Rougarou as a symbol for one of the [[Ilvermorny]] houses, despite its power and significance (Pottermore). =====Physical Appearance and Personality===== A Rougarou is described as a **dog-headed creature** that stalks the swamps of Louisiana (Pottermore). Its reputation within the American wizarding community is that of a particularly dangerous and aggressive beast. In 1926, [[Queenie Goldstein]] expressed fear that the public might mistake one of [[Newt Scamander]]'s escaped creatures for a Rougarou, noting that the panic would be immense and that even Newt's entire collection of beasts paled in comparison to the danger posed by a single Rougarou (film). =====Magical Abilities and Skills===== The most notable magical property of the Rougarou is its hair, which can be used as a [[wand core]]. Wands containing a Rougarou hair core are noted to have a particular affinity for the [[Dark Arts]] (Pottermore). Beyond this, its primary abilities appear to be immense physical strength and a ferocious nature, making it a formidable threat. =====Possessions===== As a magical beast, the Rougarou does not own possessions. =====Relationships===== * **[[Isolt Sayre]]:** Isolt had a complex relationship with the Rougarou, initially showing kindness to one she encountered before realizing it was her father, [[William Sayre]], in his [[Animagus]] form. This transformed her perception of the creature into one of personal terror (Pottermore). * **American Wizarding Community:** The creature is widely feared. The mere possibility of a Rougarou being loose in New York City was cause for extreme alarm for [[Queenie Goldstein]] (film). * **[[Pukwudgie]]s:** At least one [[Pukwudgie]], named William, demonstrated hostility toward a Rougarou, killing it with a poisoned arrow to protect [[Isolt Sayre]] and her family (Pottermore). =====Etymology===== The name //Rougarou// is taken directly from Cajun and French folklore, where it is a legendary creature often equated with a [[werewolf]]. The term is a variation of the French //loup-garou// (//loup// meaning "wolf," and //garou// derived from a Frankish term for "werewolf"). This folklore is especially prevalent in Louisiana, which aligns perfectly with the creature's stated habitat in the wizarding world. =====Behind the Scenes===== The Rougarou is not mentioned in any of the seven original //Harry Potter// novels. Its lore was first introduced by J.K. Rowling through a series of writings titled "History of Magic in North America" on the [[Pottermore]] website in 2016. It was first mentioned in the cinematic universe in the film //[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]// (2016), when [[Queenie Goldstein]] voices her concerns to [[Newt Scamander]]. Rougarou hair is one of the exclusive North American [[wand core]]s that wizards and witches can be assigned on the [[Wizarding World]] website (formerly Pottermore).
