Warlocks' Convention of 1709

• Type: International Magical Legislative Convention
• Location: Unknown
• Owner/Residents: Not applicable. Attended by Warlocks and other members of the international magical community.
• Key Features: Established a major international magical law regarding the breeding of magical creatures.

The Warlocks' Convention of 1709 was a significant historical gathering of Warlocks and other influential figures within the international magical community. The purpose of the convention was to address and legislate on matters of global magical importance. The event is remembered as a key moment of international cooperation and regulation. The context of the convention included significant ongoing conflicts, such as the frequent and bloody Goblin Rebellions, which were a major topic of discussion among the attendees. The convention's resolutions had a long-lasting impact on Wizarding history and day-to-day life.

The convention is first referenced in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. After Rubeus Hagrid illegally obtains and hatches a Norwegian Ridgeback egg, a concerned Ron Weasley reminds him of the long-standing law, stating, “Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of seventeen hundred and nine, everyone knows that.” This highlights the law's prominence and how it is considered common knowledge among wizards. The convention is mentioned again in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In a letter to his brother Ron, a self-important Percy Weasley defends his boss, Barty Crouch Sr., from suggestions that he is losing his dedication. Percy uses the convention as an example of the crucial work performed by the Department of International Magical Cooperation, noting that the very serious matter of Goblin Rebellions was discussed there.

While the physical location of the convention is unknown, the key topics discussed and the decrees passed are well-documented:

• Ban on Dragon Breeding: The most famous piece of legislation to come out of the convention was the comprehensive and binding ban on the breeding of dragons. This law was still strictly enforced in the 1990s.
• Discussions on Goblin Rebellions: The convention served as a forum for the international magical community to discuss the ongoing threat and political complexity of the Goblin Rebellions.
• Ban on Experimental Breeding: The supplementary textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them clarifies that the convention also outlawed the experimental breeding of all new magical creatures. This act is noted as the primary reason why the creation of new magical species became an exceptionally rare event. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (book))

There is no additional information from J.K. Rowling interviews or film adaptations regarding the Warlocks' Convention of 1709. Its lore is established entirely within the original novels and the supplementary in-universe textbook, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (book).