Magic

Magic is the supernatural force that drove the creation of life in the universe. While magic creates life, it does not allow itself to be manipulated by anyone. Those who do possess the ability to control magic do so through different means, whether through their own limbs or magical extenders (wands, staffs, amulets, etc).

While many believe magic was the driving force for the creation of the universe, some believe that magic was created much later. Despite the fact that magic has been utilized by humans since the age of Mesopotamia, many question whether magic existed prior to the formation of modern human civilization. The answer to this long-asked question would be answered by Salazar Slytherin in the 10th century B.C, with his discovery marking a new era in magical history.

However, Slytherin would not release his knowledge of the Wellspring of Magic to the general magical public. Instead, he chose to keep the information to himself, deciding it would be best to study the matter privately. Slytherin would investigate the Wellspring and its effect on the universe for nearly nine decades between 999 and his death in 1086. Slytherin would keep the majority of his discoveries in his secret chamber below Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry.

Despite this information being held secret for centuries, many would go on to form their own theories on the origin and laws of magic. Some would discover that magic itself functioned along a number of set laws that could not be broken by anyone who utilized it. However, the secrets answered by Salazar Slytherin would go unanswered.

## History of Magic

### Neanderthals

Despite many believing that magic originated from Africa in Mesopotamia, this would later be deemed untrue. Discovered by Salazar Slytherin in 1003, was proof that magic became prevalent in the human race during the neanderthal era. Between 2.5 million and 10,000 years ago, magic began to become a prominent trait in many humans and beasts. While many species of humans were shown to possess the ability to control magic, only one species gained aptitude in the skill.

While the ability to control magic could be seen in Neanderthals and *Homo Sapiens*, magic didn't become a dominant trait in *Homo Sapiens* until much later. With the presence of magic in their genomes, *Homo Sapiens* gained an unsuspecting edge over the other species of humans on Earth. With this new advantage, new wars began to launch around Africa, with each species of human going into all-out war. Despite desperate attempts by all other species to defeat the magic-wielding *Homo Sapiens,* it was proven futile. Neanderthals were the last remaining competitors after many centuries of fighting.

The two species of human would eventually come to an agreement to live peacefully. However, the fallout of the wars had resulted in a severely low Neanderthal population. The weaker and fewer species integrated itself into *Homo Sapien* culture and communities, procreating with them until only *Homo Sapiens* remained on Earth. Salazar Slytherin would later mark in his research that he believed the Chieftains of these *Homo Sapien* tribes - who possessed magic at the time - were treated as Gods or the descendants of Gods. This led to the construction of basic religion as far back as 1.5 million years ago.

Despite their early use of magic and its presence in their lives, many *Homo Sapiens* who possessed the trait were unable to control it. Instead, they performed magic by using their sheer willpower to bestow curses or enchantments onto weapons, tools, or other items of importance. However, due to the kind of raw magic being used on these items, the magic would eventually unravel and disappear from the items entirely, making the magic that had once been inside untraceable.

While magic within *Homo Sapiens* and others during the Stone Age were much weaker compared to modern *Homo Magi,* the presence of magic at all creates a fundamental ladder of progression for how magic evolved in the world. Salazar Slytherin would later attribute magic's influence on the construction of the first successful communities of *Homo Sapiens,* as well as the discovery of agriculture. Despite this claim, he could never prove his theory correct.

### Ancient Times

In ancient times, wizards, witches, and warlocks were seen as gods/goddesses among the non-magical population. Ancient Egyptians became pharaohs and were deemed to be the speakers of ancient diety's. Wands and staffs would be created in ancient Europe to be used as magical focuses.

While many disproved of Dark Magic, it was widely practiced and was very popular in ancient cultures. Evidence of this can be seen by the first Dark Lord, Herpo the Foul, who originated from Greece and would go on to hatch the first Basilisk as well as create the very first Horcrux. These practices would soon be forbidden by his peers.

### 10th Century

After several millennia of living side-by-side in relative peace, distrust and suspicion began to arise between the magical and non-magical populations. Four of Britain's greatest witches and wizards of the time (Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin, and Helga Hufflepuff) saw this growing distrust and decided to act. Utilizing Gryffindor's leadership, Ravenclaw's knack for architecture, Hufflepuff's building skills, and Slytherin's enginuity, the four created and founded Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry.

After opening the school in 990 C.E, the school would operate with all four Founders serving as professors until Salazar Slytherin's departure from the school in 1028. This was due to Slytherin's growing distaste for any non-pureblooded wizards and witches who he deemed should not be able to learn at Hogwarts. After a confrontation and deul with Gryffindor, Slytherin left the school entirely. He would not return until 1017, in which he would finish his Chamber of Secrets. He would bury the rest of his belongings, studies, and his pet Basilisk within the chamber with the intent of collecting it at a later date. Slytherin never returned to the castle.

### 11th - 13th Century

During this time, the Wizard's Council (or Warlock's Council) governed over most of the magical population. As the Founders of Hogwarts predicted, the relations between the magical and non-magical communities continued to dwindle. As a result, the magical communities around the world began to seek companionship with each other. The Triwizard Tournament and Quidditch World Cup became national and international events, with the Quidditch World Cup being held ever two years by thousands of people. The First Quidditch World Cup would be held in 1155.

### 14th Century

In the 14th century, discrimination of many sorts spread like wildfire throughout the world. Non-magical disdain for magicals would ramp up to violence, with many witches being burned at the stake for their use of magic in pubic. In the magical world, discrimination against magical creatures (goblins, house-elves, and werewolves) would begin to become apparent.

### 15th Century

With the arrival of new age no-mag scientific reasoning and logical thinking, the magical and non-magical worlds were thrusted further apart than ever. The two societies began to completely ignore each other, creating their own governments, economies, and social structures that operated separately from each other. Those who chose to mingle with their magical/non-magical neighbors would do so violently, with witch-hunts still remaining prevalent in Europe.

By the end of the century, many magicals began to adopt Salazar Slytherin's ideology of blood purity, choosing to turn on any who descended from no-mag blood. Dark Lords began to fight for the purity of the magical race, with many "dark" families deciding to inbreed in order to stay pure, ridding themselves of "outside impurities".

In 1492, Daisy Dodderidge would construct the Leaky Cauldron, allowing it to be a portal between the magical and non-magical worlds within London itself.

### 16th - 19th Century

During the 16th century, signs of magical creature rebellions began to become prominent. Goblins began to question the leadership of *Homo Magi*. House-Elves would launch a dozen futile rebellions against their wizarding masters. Werewolves began to fall into hiding to avoid persecution. Vampires and other 'beasts' began to go into hiding as well.

In the 17th century, the first Goblin Rebellion occurred. In the span of two decades, muggle persecution and goblin rebellions rampaged through most of Britain. As a result, St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries was established. In 1689, wizards around the globe began to convene to discuss a solution to their muggle persecution, drafting the first International Statute of Secrecy. The push for the ratification of the Statute only increased due to the Salem Witch Trials held in 1692. The Statute of Secrecy would be ratified on November 27th, 1692.

With the creation of the international wizarding government - the International Confederation of Wizards (ICW) - many national governments were tasked to spread the word and enforce the Statute of Secrecy. Wizards and witches around the world would go into hiding, forming tight-knit communities hidden away from the no-mag population.

By the 18th century, magic began to fade into obscurity, becoming local fairy tales and myths to the non-magical population. The Wizarding Council and other national governments would do whatever it took to enforce the Statute of Secrecy. Azkaban Prison would be confiscated and turned into a prison for any who broke British wizarding law. By 1707, the Wizarding Council would be succeeded by the British Ministry of Magic.

In the 19th century, Giants and other magical creatures began to fight for space to reside in. The giants would almost drive themselves into extinction during this grand war.

### 20th Century

In the 20th century, prejudice against non-magicals began to build over time. This prejudice would first be taken advantage of by the Dark Lord Gellert Grindelwald. However, his plans to enslave the no-mag race using magic is foiled in a legendary duel between Grindelwald and Albus Dumbledore.

Tom Riddle, a former student at Hogwarts. decided to follow in Grindelwald's footsteps, making his own bid for power in the magical world. Rising to power as Lord Voldemort alongside his Death Eaters in the 1970s, Voldemort would remain in power between 1970 and 1981. In the year 1981, Voldemort's rise to power would be halted by his supposed death by a rebounded curse by Harry Potter.

## Nature

The nature of magic itself remained largely unknown between its discovery by ancient humans and Salazar Slytherin's investigation into the mysterious ability. During his extensive research into the origins and history of magic, Slytherin discovered a phenomenon he would later call the "Wellspring of Magic".

This event occurred three billion years after the creation of the universe, resulting in a widespread release of "feral" energy humans would later call magic. This energy would open the gateway for life, allowing micro-organisms to evolve into multi-cellular sentient beings. Despite magic being present in all sentient beings, only a small portion of all beings were able to control its vast array of gifts. In the midsts of his research, Slytherin would discover the reasoning behind this.

Magic presents itself in all organisms, serving as the driving force for sentience and consciousness. However, small portions of these organisms have enhanced senses of their own sentience, gaining control over the energy within themselves. The magical core appears in all individuals, though only few can truly utilize it.

## Transmission

While all humans possess a magical core according to Salazar Slytherin, only a portion of those possessing a core could utilize it to perform amazing feats. Eventually, magic became tied to the blood of those with magic powers, becoming an inborn attribute to anyone coming from a family of magic users. After several millennia, magical abilities would become increasingly rare in 'non-magicals' while being quite normal in the children of magical couples.

### **Users**

Those who were unable to do magic but were born to magical parents are known as Squibs. Sometimes, non-magical couples could give birth to a magical offspring, which is a result of one or both parents coming from a magical family with a history of Squibs.

Humans were not the only creatures capable of utilizing magical abilities. Veelas, goblins, house-elves, werewolves, and vampires were all gifted with special and unique types of magic.

## Types of Magic

### Magic Subtypes:

#### Feral Magic:

Feral Magic is magic in its most raw and simplest form. Nearly impossible to control by mortals, Feral Magic can only be used by those with either immense power, access to the Feral Realm, or the use of ancient relics bestowed with Feral Magic. Those possessing Feral Magic have ten-fold the power of those with standard magic, making them formidable opponents.

#### Focused Magic:

After many millenia, witches and wizards became away of their magical abilities and began to study the ability with interest. After discovering the difficulties in using magic wordlessly and by hand, magical people banded together to create focuses. Wands, staffs, amulets, and rings were created to help focus magic outward in the form of spells. This, combined with vocal incantations, made magic easier to utilize for everyday magic users.

#### Non-Verbal Magic:

Used before incantations and wands, non-verbal magic is incredibly difficult to learn and master. While most students learning to control their magic begin to learn non-verbal spells in their sixth year of education, many school systems do not count it towards grading due to its difficulty. Only those with a good grasp on incantations and spellwork can cast non-verbal magic with ease.

#### Wandless Magic:

Used before incantations and wands, wandless magic is incredibly difficult to learn and master. Those who have mastered wandless magic describe the act as extending ones magical core beyond their body. Extending it beyond their focus (wand, staff, etc) and casting it out to do what's needed. Wandless magic is closer to Feral Magic than any other form of magic, though the use of incantations (silent or not) limits it greatly.

### Inborn Subtypes:

#### Seer:

Some Magi have increased insight into the future, being able to 'predict' the future through prophecies, dreams, and visions. Tarot cards and crystal balls may also be used to predict the future using Divination.

#### Metamorphmagi:

Some Magi have the inherited ability to transform their physical appearance at will, much like Transfiguration. These Magi may be called Metamorphmagus. Some Metamorphmagi can transform their hair, nose, face, and other physical attributes. While some Magi can Transfigure their bodies at will, Metamorphmagi can do this with little to no effort.

#### Half-Veela:

The children of Magi and Veela, Half-Veelas inherit magic from their Magi parent while inheriting the ability to manipulate their hormones from their Veela parent. While Half-Veela may inherit most of the attributes of their full Veela relatives, it is unknown if they acquire the ability to control fire.

#### Parseltongue:

Magic users descending from specific family lines may result in the ability to speak to snakes. These magic users are called Parselmouths. This ability is more rare compared to Seers and Metamorphmagi.

#### Animal Communication:

While Parselmouths could only speak to snakes, some wizards and witches possessed the ability to communicate directly with animals. Some forms of animal communication include; Mermish, Troll, Gobbledegook, and Parseltongue.

### Acquired Subtypes:

#### Legilimency:

Legilimens have the ability to use Legilimency. Legilimens have the ability to read into the minds of others, though this is made difficult when interacting with Occlumens. While the No-Maj believe in 'mind-reading', they can not perform the feat like the Magi can. It is also possible to be a natural-born Legilimens, though this is beyond rare.

#### Occlumency:

Some Magi have the ability to protect their mind from any mental invaders using Legilimens. This ability is called Occlumency, and it is increasingly difficult to master. Occlumency requires that the Occlumens sort the entirety of their mind, virtually clearing it to make a Legilimens invasion useless.

#### Animagi:

Though no Magi are born with the ability to become animals, some may acquire the ability later on in life. After completing a long and tedious process, some Magi may become an Animagus. Animagi are required by law to register themselves by their local government, though many refuse to do so, becoming Unregistered Animagi.

#### Lycanthropy:

After being bitten by a pure werewolf, some Magi may inherit Lycanthropy, in which they become a werewolf whenever they are distressed or injured. Werewolves appear to be a large, humanoid wolf. While some strong Magi may learn to control their form to change at will, others may be controlled by the wolf inside them, changing against their will. Many No-Maj cannot survive a werewolf bite, dying within hours of the initial bite.

#### Animal Communication:

While also an inborn trait, some forms of animal communication can be learned or replicated with enough time and mental focus.

## Limitations

*See Magic Limitations Wiki*

While it was possible to conjure things out of nothing and duplicate items, it was far more tricky to create something that fit an exact specification rather than a general one. Moreover, a magically imitated object would never be as "real" as the genuine one, with duplicated food being less fulfilling than the real thing, and conjured creatures only demonstrating surface-level behaviour. Furthermore, magically imitated objects tended not to be as resistant to deterioration as the natural ones, being prone to breaking, cracking, melting, rusting, and other forms of breakdown.

It was almost impossible to make oneself truly immortal, only to extend one's lifespan using powerful magical means, such as with the Philosopher's Stone. Creating at least one Horcrux was said to grant the person immortality, as a part of their soul was Earth-bound. However, it was considered the vilest of acts. Becoming a ghost was another option for wizards and witches; but it was said that this was "*a pale imitation of life*". Whether or not they were truly sentient beings of independent existence is unclear; as Severus Snape stated that a ghost was merely "*the imprint of a departed soul left upon the earth*".

Likewise, it was impossible to resurrect the dead. While corpses could be transformed into obedient Inferi on a living wizard's command, they were little more than zombies with no soul or will of their own. It was also possible via the rare *Priori Incantatem* effect to converse with ghost-like "shadows" of magically murdered people. The Resurrection Stone allowed one to talk to the dead, but those brought back by the Stone were not corporeal, nor did they wish to be disturbed from their peaceful rest. The result of such a summoning was usually detrimental to the summoner.

### Principal Exceptions to Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration

The Principal Exceptions to Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration consists of five different laws. Food was one of these: witches or wizards could cook and prepare food using magic, but not create it from nothing. Currency was believed to be one of these laws, but this was proven to be untrue. Instead, the creation of currency was closely monitored by the British Ministry of Magic.

## Magical Studies

Many magical users discover their abilities by the age of seven, though there are some cases in which late-bloomers remain unaware of their magical abilities until they're acceptance in school. These late-bloomers were very rare. Before beginning their education, many magical children may experiences fits of "accidental magic". This magic is the closest form of Feral Magic, being completely uncontrollable and sometimes fierce if it is linked to pain and anger. However, some more magically inclined children can control their accidental magic in smaller ways.

For those who took an interest in the magical world around them, the study of magical arts was taken very seriously. Many wizards/witches around the world would take to studying magical history, artifacts, and ruins to gain a better understanding of their history. Some of these wizards, being the most knowledgeable in their field, would choose to teach the information they had learned to the next generation. This began in Great Britain with the Founders, who established Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry in order to educate the youth. The Founders established a strict curriculum, consisting of seven fields of study; Arithmancy, Charms, the Dark Arts, Divination, Herbology, Potions, and Transfiguration.

Some circumstances would require that special courses be taught to those that required it. Animagi, before the need for registration, were taught how to safely transform into their animal forms. Legilimens and Occlumens were taught to penetrate others minds and protect their own. Metamorphmagi were taught to change their physical appearance at will. Parselmouths were taught to read and write the ancient snake language. And Seers were taught to utilize crystal balls and tarot cards to see the future.

### History of Magic

Many wizards and witches have studied the history of magic, including its origins and growth throughout time. After some time, these historians began to collect their findings and research into informative books. These books would later be used in magical classrooms. One of these history books, named *A History of Magic* by Bathilda Bagshot, chronicalled the entire history of the magical world from its first uses in Ancient Mesopotamia to the end of the First Wizarding War in 1981.

History of Magic is a required course in all wizarding schools, being mandatory between Years 1-5. For those who pass their O.W.L's, the N.E.W.T-level course would become available.

### Charms

Charms are a type of magic used to enchant objects. Charms usually affect people or objects in mostly non-harmful ways, but could also be very powerful with negative effects. The charms course is mandatory from Years 1-5. For those who passed their O.W.L's with an Exceeds Expectations or above, the N.E.W.T-level course would become available.

### Transfiguration

Transfiguration involves turning one thing into another physically. It is possible to change living things to non-living things, and vise-versa. The school course is mandatory between Years 1-5, with the N.E.W.T-level course becoming available to any who passed their O.W.L's with an Exceeds Expectations or above.

### Dark Arts

While most forms of magic take on a morally 'grey' field of use, the dark arts are mostly evil in intent given their ferocity and damage. While most curses or spells within the Dark Arts category are inherently evil due to the harm they cause, only three have been classified as beyond evil. Unforgivable. These cures were so devastating on whoever faced them that they were deemed immoral and even illegal in many wizarding countries.

However, while many curses and spells within the Dark Arts are deemed morally evil, there is room for discussion regarding how destructive and acceptable they may be. It is often speculated that those with enough training and power can turn even the darkest of the Dark Arts into morally grey spells. However, this is entirely subjective.

The Dark Arts was never taught in most schools, though the defenses against them were. This class, Defense Against the Dark Arts, is a mandatory course in many schools between Years 1-5. After successfully passing their O.W.L's with a grade of Exceeds Expectation or above, students could enter the N.E.W.T-level course.

### Herbology

Used to study magical plants, fungi, and the properties and uses, Herbology is an important process used to find important ingredients for potion-making. Herbology is a required course in most magical schools between Years 1-5. For those who passed their O.W.L's, the N.E.W.T-level Herbology course would be available.

### Arithmancy

A practice of magic dealing specifically with magical properties of numbers, Arithmancers were well known for studying these properties. An example of Arithmancy is the discover of the magical properties of the number seven, made by Bridget Wenlock in the 13th century. Wizards were required to take Arithmancy in school to obtain a job as a Curse-Breaker.

Arithmancy courses are studied at most wizarding schools between Years 3-7. However, it is not required being an elective. Those who study it are required to understand and decipher complicated number charts with ease.

### Potions

Created through the mixture of various magical ingredients within a heated cauldron, potions must be made under very strict conditions. Due to the specific rules surrounding the creation of each potion, it is very important to be aware of what you are doing. The Potions course was created for this reason. The class itself is mandatory from Years 1-5. For those who passed their O.W.L's with an Exceeds Expectations or above, the N.E.W.T-level course would become available.

### Divination

Divination included different forms of magic used to foresee future events. Tarot cards and crystal balls are one form of divination. While magic users prefer to use fortunetelling to see destinies, other creatures - including centaurs - are known to study the stars for knowledge of the future.

The truest form of Divination was Seeing. Those who could See were known as Seers, and were able to prophesize future events that would unfold with their Inner Eye. While True Seers were very rare - with prophecies themselves being rarer - the importance of these prophecies were deemed dangerous enough to be held within the British Ministry of Magic's Department of Mysteries.

## Magical Items

### Wands

Developed to act as magical outlets for magicals to use more controlled magic, wands were created with wooden exteriors as well as a magical substance at the center. Wands were created through hand-sculpted wooden casing, with a hand-picked magical substance (usually some part an a magical animals body) is placed within the center. The two pieces are then melded together to create a wand. Not much is known about the practice of wandmaking besides these basic facts.

### Broomsticks

Not much is known about the creation of broomsticks other than the fact that they are covered in dozens of layers of spells all used to power the broomstick as well as protect the user. Given their accessibility and versatility, broomsticks became a famous mode of transportation in the wizarding world.

### Portraits/Paintings

Made by skilled painters with the ability to transfer the subjects sentience onto the painting itself, portraits were made to act as copies. These portraits would retain some forms of the subject's memories, demeanour, and speech. However, these portraits could be severely limited depending on the skill of the painter.

### Pensieves

A pensieve was a shallow stone basin with many ancient runes carved around the edge, used primarily to collect and view memories. When active, the liquid within shone with an almost cloud-like appearance.

### Philosopher's Stone

Created through alchemy by Nicholas Flamel in the 14th century, the Philosopher's Stone was used to create the Elixir of Life. Both were used to grant immortality to the drinker. It is theorized that the Philosopher's Stone can turn any metal into pure gold.

### The Deathly Hallows

The Deathly Hallows consist of three ancient and very valuable 'dark' artifacts. The Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Cloak of Invisibility. While many believe the three items were given to the Peverell brothers for defying death, it is also believed that the brothers created the items in a ploy for immortality.

The Elder Wand is said to possess true sentience, doing whatever it can to cause chaos. This usually results in the death of its current master. The Elder Wand is the most popular of the three Hallows given the magical power it provides to whoever holds it. Despite the hundreds of masters it has had, the Elder Wand has never remained loyal to one.

The Resurrection Stone was said to bring back echoes of those who were deceased. This echo resembled the person, sharing their memories and likeness, but they would never be the same as the person they echoed. Because of this, it hurt both the echo and the person who summoned them immensely. The burden of calling an echo of the dead usually drives the user to suicide.

The Cloak of Invisibility was the only item in the trifecta to not cause harm to the user, but instead protected them from harm. The Cloak was passed down for generations from the Peverell's down to the Potter family line. It was the only of the three Hallows to not be lost to time.