Non-Magic People

**Notice:** This **article** uses content directly taken from the Non-magic people **article** at the Harry Potter Wiki, and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License.
**Non-Magic People**, commonly known as **Muggles** in Great Britain, **No-Maj(e)s** in the United States, among other names (see below), were humans who were born to two non-magical parents and were incapable of performing magic. Non-magic people were not to be confused with Squibs, who also lacked magic but were born to at least one magical parent.

Most non-magic people had been unaware that magic and the wizarding world existed since the establishment of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy in 1692, as wizards had organized their own society largely separate from the non-magic world. Exceptions included close relatives of wizards and witches and heads of government (such as the British Prime Minister).

## Naming

Non-magic people were known by different denominations and nicknames across nations.

In the British wizarding world, the term "**Muggle**" was widely used to refer to a non-magic person. Some might consider it derogatory, but it was in fact often used affectionately. Arthur Weasley, for example, who had great fondness for Muggles and learning about them and their way of life, often used that term. "**Mudblood**" was an extremely offensive and derogatory term referring to Muggle-borns and Muggles.

In the United States, they were known by the clipping **No-Maj**, whose plural may be either **No-Majs** or **No-Majes**. Other English-language terms for non-magic people included **Can't-Spells** and **Non-Wizards**.

In France, they were known as ***Non-Magiques***, which was a simple translation of the term "non-magic".

## Muggle and Wizarding Worlds

### Wizarding Law

Since the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy was enacted in 1692, wizards and witches had hidden the existence of magic from Muggles. Thus, in the modern age, most Muggles believed magic to be nothing but a childish fantasy. Wizards and witches hid their world with Muggle-Repelling Charms, and if a Muggle witnessed a magical event or saw a magical creature such as a dragon, their memories were erased. Confundus Charms were also occasionally employed to encourage Muggles to ignore any magic they witnessed. Violations of the Statute of Secrecy were prosecuted by the Improper Use of Magic Office, and the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office tried to keep bewitched items away from Muggles.

The Muggle Liaison Office was a division of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes presumably responsible for wizard-Muggle relations. Given the lack of Muggle awareness of the wizarding world, in accordance with the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy of 1692, it can be presumed that the Muggle Liaison Office fulfilled its duties in a very one-sided manner. Those who worked in Muggle Relations presumably worked with this office.

Wizards and witches thus organized their own society, known as the wizarding world, distinct from that of Muggles. There were some exclusively magical settlements, such as Hogsmeade, but also magical communities hidden within largely Muggle ones, such as in Ottery St Catchpole and even in London. Magical people also had a separate currency system and government. The British Ministry of Magic maintained relations with the Muggle Prime Minister, but they did not appear to be subordinate to the Muggle government.