Muggle

**Muggles** are humans incapable of performing magic. They are born to two non-magical parents. In general, they don't know about the wizarding world and live separated unless marry or have a child with a witch or wizard. They shouldn't be confused with a Squib who is born to magical parents. They appear throughout the *Harry Potter book series*.

## About

### History

In earlier years, the Muggle and wizarding worlds knew of each other and lived in peace. However, the Muggles began to fear their ability to do what they couldn't and thought magic was evil. They began trying to kill witches and wizards in the Middle Ages. Any friendly relations were eventually broken, leading to a wizarding consensus to conceal their world.

In 1692, the International Statute of Secrecy was enacted. The wizarding world was hidden using Muggle Repelling Charms, and they started keeping track of what Muggles hadn
gained knowledge of so they could erase their memories. Any violations of the Statue of Secrecy is handled by the Improper Use of Magic Office, and bewitched objects are taken and kept away by the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. A Muggle Liaison Office is in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, and a Muggle Relations office was established.

Muggles tend to be very oblivious to anything magic even if it happens in front of their own eyes. They find their own, logical reasons for why strange things happen, and don't even pay enough attention to notice any wizarding establishments and towns, even those hidden within their own town. If they do happen to notice anything, action is taken to intervene. Witches and wizards have theories for their refusal to accept magic is possible. There is a book, *The Philosophy of the Mundane: Why the Muggles Prefer Not to Know* about it.

### Physiology

Witches and wizards have a gene which changes their physiology and capabilities. Muggles have a shorter life span and are more susceptible to injuries and illnesses which the wizarding world can easily cure. Without any magical abilities, Muggles have found other ways to function and heal people, developing technology. They use electricity for power which causes magic to go haywire.

### Views

#### Muggle views

Muggles have very limited chances to be part of the wizarding world because they don't get to know about it unless they have special permission to. They usually have family who are witches or wizards, including a spouse and/or a child. They are known to be be involved in high government positions which need their knowledge. The family of a Muggle-born finds out when their child is eleven. Given that wizarding locations are often concealed with enchantment to prevent Muggles viewing or entering it, it is unknown how they are able to visit them with their child.

A sibling of a Muggle-born will also know about the wizarding world. It is known to be difficult for them to accept if they do not have magic. Petunia Dursley thought her sister, Lily Potter was a freak because she was jealous. With her husband, Vernon Dursley they were onsessed with keeping things "normal", choosing to be ignorant and distrustful. Muggles are known to be both afraid of magic and to try and use it for their own personal gain.

It is unknown when or how a Muggle is given permission to know about the wizarding world if they are dating or marrying a witch or wizard. It can be a shock when they find out their spouse is a witch or wizard, which was the case for Mr Finnigan. Tom Riddle thought his father, Tom Riddle Snr. abandoned Merope Gaunt just because she was a witch.

#### Wizarding views

The wizarding world is generally unconcerned about the Muggle world and focuses on their own world. A few take an interest and pursue studying subjects like Muggle Studies, or they have written books. An Institute of Muggle Studies has been established. Arthur Weasley was very curious about how they function even though he got things wrong, and collected objects including batteries and electric plugs.

Witches and wizards are able to pursue jobs where they liaise with and help protect the Muggle world against the Dark Arts and anything potentially dangerous including bewitched objects. These witches and wizards havr very favourable views of the Muggle world. Professor Dumbledore was known to be very fond of sherbet and ten-pin bowling.

However, other witches and wizards have negative opinions about the Muggle world. They consider their world superior and view Muggle-borns to be inferior. They engage in Muggle-baiting where they try to confuse and upset Muggles by purposely using magic without their knowledge. A known way of doing that is to use shrinking keys. A witch once proposed legalising the hunting of non-magic people.

Strong supporters of blood purity and superiority consider marrying a non-magic person unacceptable. They do not want to dilute their magic blood and find Muggle-borns weak and unworthy of studying magic or being involved in the wizarding world. Anyone who does not value their pure-blood status are called "blood traitors". Those who support Muggle protection or have a favourable view are looked at in disdain. They have been known to try sabotaging laws created in their favour.

A few Dark witches and wizards including Gellert Grindelwald and Tom Riddle tried control both the wizarding and Muggle worlds so they were subservient to wizards. Riddle and the Death Eaters caused and fought in the First and Second Wizarding Wars to gain control. They killed Muggles and shunned and punished Muggle-borns when they took control of the Ministry of Magic.

## Notes and sources

1. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 1
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*, Chapter 16
3. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 14
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 3
5. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 2
6. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*, Chapter 29
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 1
8. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 3
9. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*, Chapter 4
10. ↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: An A-Z of Fantastic Beasts
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Introduction (Magical Beasts in Hiding)
12. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*, Chapter 1
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 4
14. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*, Chapter 33
15. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 4
16. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*, Chapter 28
17. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 7
18. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 17
19. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 14
20. ↑ Archived information from the old version of JKRowling.com: W.O.M.B.A.T. test (Grade 3)
21. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*, Chapter 4
22. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 6
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*, Chapter 6
24. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 9
25. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 18
26. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*, Chapter 18
27. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*, Chapter 1
28. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*, Chapter 13