Magic

**Magic** is a supernatural force at the heart of the wizarding world. It is a fundamental part of life and a skill that is passed down in a family lineage. Magic has several branches of different spell types, including a charm or a curse.

The basic concept of magic is very simple that even a two year old will understand it. With education to refine their magic and through experience, it is an inherent power with the potential to be used for good or bad. Witches and wizards learn and refine their skills throughout their lives. There are wizarding schools which train young witches and wizards about the art and responsibility of using such power.

## About

The origins of magic is unknown. Magic is an inborn skill passed down through a blood lineage. It is normal in a wizarding family to have magic because it is a dominant gene, and it is very rare for anyone to be born into such a family without the ability to perform it. Those who can't are called a Squib because their magic gene is dormant. However, the gene is was still passed down throughout their lineage until it resurfaces in a Muggle-born. Blood status is very important in the wizarding world and describes how that magic is passed down.
It is usually evident a witch and wizard has magic by the age of seven. It is possible but rare to be a late-bloomer. Magic for wizardkind is usually produced using a wand but wandless magic is possible for those skilled enough. If unskilled, anything done wandless is unfocused and uncontrolled.

### Rules

Magic has parameters and limitations, establishing an internal logic. It cannot bring back the dead. A ghost is an imprint and "a pale imitation of life". The Resurrection Stone opens a line of communication to the other side but these incorporeal shades are at peace and do not want to be disturbed. Priori Incantatem brings back an echo of those killed by a wand. However, in the end the dead are dead and cannot truly be brought back. It is impossible to live forever, with a Philosopher's Stone and Horcruxes only extending a person's lifespan.

Conjuring things is limited. Legal and natural limitations include Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration that has five Principal Exceptions to magic. This includes the first rule that food cannot be conjured. There are legal limitations surrounding what a person is able to conjure and even so, these kind of transfigurations eventually fade in a short space of time.

True love cannot not be induced and Love Potions and spells only induce a false infatuation that fades unless another dose is administrated. Unsupported flight is thought to be impossible but powerful witches and wizards have flown unsupported. If a wizard saves another wizard's life, a bond/debt is created. It is described to be "magic at its deepest".

### Non-wizardkind

Creatures like house-elves have their own kind of magic governed by their own natural laws. Goblins also have their own branch of wandless magic. Fairies have a very weak brand of magic which they use to deter predators. Even average animals in the wizarding world have a certain degree of magic in comparison to their Muggle world counterparts, e.g. Ron was asked what magical talent Scabbers, a rat had, but couldn't think of any.

## Branches

### Study

* Alchemy
* Ancient Runes
* Astronomy
* Apparition
* Care of Magical Creatures
* Charms
* Dark Arts
* Defence Against the Dark Arts
* Divination
* Healing
* Herbology

### Objects

* Devices
	+ Broomstick
	+ Deathly Hallows
	+ Mirror of Erised
	+ Philosopher's Stone
	+ Wand

## Notes and sources

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 What Jo says about... "The Rules" of Harry Potter's Wizarding World
2. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 7
3. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 13
4. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 17
5. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*, Chapter 23
6. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*, Chapter 15
7. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*, Chapter 10
8. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*, Chapter 4
9. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 22
10. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 8
11. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*, Chapter 24
12. ↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: An A-Z of Fantastic Beasts
13. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 4