Dark Creatures & Plants
In today's class we will be discussing dark creatures and plants. Dark creatures are typically defined as those that consume humans. As many of you may have learned about some of these in other classes such as Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, and Defense Against the Dark Arts, I will try to keep the lesson focused on their role in the Dark Arts and "dark society" rather than a total overview of them.
Acromantulas
Acromantulas are gigantic spiders who originate from Borneo and thus prefer to live in dense forests or jungles. It is believed acromantulas were originally bred to be guards for homes or treasure hoards, but as they have a particular enjoyment for human flesh, it would be fairly easy to have a colony of acromantulas (or at least know of where a colony lives) and use this for dark purposes. Acromantulas also secrete a poison and have a very potent venom, which could be used against enemies or blended into potions for other nasty effects. However, obtaining acromantula venom is extremely difficult - in order to do so and survive, you would probably need to find an isolated and very recently deceased acromantula, as they would typically rather eat you than help you out by giving you venom, their venom dries up rather quickly after death, and acromantulas tend to cannibalize their dead.
Lethifolds
Lethifolds are dark creatures that are a bit similar to dementors; they resemble dark, hovering cloaks and can be repelled by the Patronus charm. However, lethifolds suffocate and then devour their victims and do so only when the victim is sleeping. They leave no clues behind as to their attack. Lethifolds are, however, very rare and likely extremely difficult to control, contain, or otherwise manipulate.
Grindylow
Grindylows are water demons. They are pale green in colour, are typically on the smaller side, and have horns. Their regular diet is algae, fish, and other small sea creatures, but they are not afraid to eat humans if the opportunity arises. Currently, Grindylows have only been domesticated or controlled by Merpeople. Grindylows are very aggressive towards witches, wizards, and Muggles.
Vampires
Vampires are magical, humanoid creatures which bite and drink the blood of humans. Some vampires are able to live in Wizarding Society, as was evident from Rubeus Hagrid's story of a disagreement with one in a pub in Minsk, and the attendance of the vampire Sanguini with Eldred Worple to Horace Slughorn's Christmas party. Worple even lived among them and wrote a book about the experience, entitled Blood Brothers: My Life Amongst the Vampires.
Hags
Savage beings that appear like ugly, old witches with many warts. They have rudimentary magic skills and have a preference for eating children and raw liver. However, the Ministry of Magic classifies them as beings, and as such, it is possible to encounter one out in the Wizarding World, such as in Knockturn Alley.
Werewolves
Human beings (can be wizards, witches, or presumably even Muggles - though it is said most die almost immediately after an attack) which transform into fearsome and deadly near-wolves during the rising of the full moon. Under a typical transformation, a werewolf's mind becomes corrupted; they are unable to remember who they are and are very aggressive - they will attack almost anyone on sight, even if that person is dear to their human self. The Wolfsbane Potion, which was invented by Damocles, allows the werewolf to keep their human mind while transformed. This is especially helpful as werewolves are unable to choose whether or not they will transform. Werewolves are actually created through a magical infection called lycanthropy, which is passed on through saliva and blood. Therefore, the most common method of passing the infection is through biting. A mixture of powdered silver and dittany applied to a fresh bite will seal the wound and save the victim, though they will be infected with lycanthropy and thus become a werewolf themselves. Many victims prefer to die, because the transformation is very painful (physically and mentally), and so stressful on the body that werewolves appear to age prematurely. If a werewolf cannot find a nearby victim to attack, they will attack themselves, resulting in self-inflicted wounds. Finally, there is a heavy stigma against werewolves in the Wizarding Society, which has resulted in many werewolves turning to the Dark Arts and attempting to form their own society which, they hope, will one day overthrow Wizarding Society.
Dementors
Dementors are considered some of the foulest dark creatures in existence. They appear a bit like lethifolds, as they wear black, smoky cloaks that cover most of their face and body. They feed on human happiness and their mere presence can cause depression and despair. Ultimately, a dementor is capable of consuming the human soul, leaving their victims in a permanent vegetative state. They were used as guards of the Wizarding Prison by the Ministry of Magic until 1966, when they rebelled and joined Lord Voldemort. Dementors will be loyal to whatever force can provide the most "food" for them, and even then, they hold no true loyalty - it wouldn't surprise me if you were attempting to use Dementors and they turned around and fed off you, too! Interestingly, there is no known way to kill a Dementor; you can only defend against one and hope it gets scared off or finds you not worth the effort. One can defend against Dementors using the Patronus Charm, but as Dementors typically travel and live in large numbers, witches and wizards who are alone and unable to produce a corporeal patronus may find themselves in deep trouble...
Basilisk
Basilisks are massive serpents, able to grow up to 50 feet in length, which are aptly nicknamed "The King of Serpents". They are born from a chicken's egg hatched beneath a toad and can live for hundreds of years, possibly even thousands if they are put into a deep sleep. They have deadly venom, which makes a person drowsy, blurry-visioned, and kills them within minutes. However, they rarely need to use it, as their gaze alone will instantly kill someone who meets it directly, and petrify those who meet it indirectly. Only phoenixes are able to survive a Basilisk's gaze - even ghosts can be petrified by it. Petrification is different from paralyzation (like that obtained by a full-body bind curse) in that the person is rendered unconscious. The crowing of a rooster can kill a basilisk, as can mortally wounding it - but good luck getting close enough for the second one! Basilisk skin is armoured, much like dragon skin, and deflects all spells cast against it. Basilisk were first bred by Herpo the Foul, but breeding was banned in Medieval times. However, it is fairly easy to hide basilisk breeding from the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, as one can simply remove the egg from under the toad while they perform their check. Basilisks cannot be tamed or domesticated, but Parselmouths may be able to control them if they somehow manage to develop a relationship with them, such as Tom Riddle did with Salazar Slytherin's basilisk.
Devil's Snare
This plant moves on its own and will constrict or strangle anything in its surrounding environment that it can reach, or anything that happens to touch it. Struggling and resistance causes the devil's snare to exert greater force and constrict faster. They resemble the harmless Flitterbloom with long, soft tendrils. Relaxing may cause the devil's snare to release its grip on the victim, and the plant is afraid of bright light and heat; it will freeze in bright light and recoil from heat. This plant is typically used to protect things, but could be used for dark purposes as well. For example, Broderick Bode, an Unspeakable for the Ministry of Magic, was imperiused into attempting to steal a prophecy in the Department of Mysteries. He failed and ended up a comatose patient in St. Mungo's, and a Death Eater sent him a potted Devil's Snare before he could recover and warn people. One of the Healer's mistook the plant for a Flitterbloom, and thus the plant was able to complete its job and silence Bode by asphyxiating him.
Venomous Tentacula
The venomous tentacula is a green, spikey, toothed plant with mobile vines or tendrils that it uses to grab prey. They are venomous, obviously, and they have deadly spines. They have large, eyeless "heads" with fangs (much like those of Venus Fly-traps). Their bite injects their venom into its victim and can be fatal.
Acromantulas
Acromantulas are gigantic spiders who originate from Borneo and thus prefer to live in dense forests or jungles. It is believed acromantulas were originally bred to be guards for homes or treasure hoards, but as they have a particular enjoyment for human flesh, it would be fairly easy to have a colony of acromantulas (or at least know of where a colony lives) and use this for dark purposes. Acromantulas also secrete a poison and have a very potent venom, which could be used against enemies or blended into potions for other nasty effects. However, obtaining acromantula venom is extremely difficult - in order to do so and survive, you would probably need to find an isolated and very recently deceased acromantula, as they would typically rather eat you than help you out by giving you venom, their venom dries up rather quickly after death, and acromantulas tend to cannibalize their dead.
Lethifolds
Lethifolds are dark creatures that are a bit similar to dementors; they resemble dark, hovering cloaks and can be repelled by the Patronus charm. However, lethifolds suffocate and then devour their victims and do so only when the victim is sleeping. They leave no clues behind as to their attack. Lethifolds are, however, very rare and likely extremely difficult to control, contain, or otherwise manipulate.
Grindylow
Grindylows are water demons. They are pale green in colour, are typically on the smaller side, and have horns. Their regular diet is algae, fish, and other small sea creatures, but they are not afraid to eat humans if the opportunity arises. Currently, Grindylows have only been domesticated or controlled by Merpeople. Grindylows are very aggressive towards witches, wizards, and Muggles.
Vampires
Vampires are magical, humanoid creatures which bite and drink the blood of humans. Some vampires are able to live in Wizarding Society, as was evident from Rubeus Hagrid's story of a disagreement with one in a pub in Minsk, and the attendance of the vampire Sanguini with Eldred Worple to Horace Slughorn's Christmas party. Worple even lived among them and wrote a book about the experience, entitled Blood Brothers: My Life Amongst the Vampires.
Hags
Savage beings that appear like ugly, old witches with many warts. They have rudimentary magic skills and have a preference for eating children and raw liver. However, the Ministry of Magic classifies them as beings, and as such, it is possible to encounter one out in the Wizarding World, such as in Knockturn Alley.
Werewolves
Human beings (can be wizards, witches, or presumably even Muggles - though it is said most die almost immediately after an attack) which transform into fearsome and deadly near-wolves during the rising of the full moon. Under a typical transformation, a werewolf's mind becomes corrupted; they are unable to remember who they are and are very aggressive - they will attack almost anyone on sight, even if that person is dear to their human self. The Wolfsbane Potion, which was invented by Damocles, allows the werewolf to keep their human mind while transformed. This is especially helpful as werewolves are unable to choose whether or not they will transform. Werewolves are actually created through a magical infection called lycanthropy, which is passed on through saliva and blood. Therefore, the most common method of passing the infection is through biting. A mixture of powdered silver and dittany applied to a fresh bite will seal the wound and save the victim, though they will be infected with lycanthropy and thus become a werewolf themselves. Many victims prefer to die, because the transformation is very painful (physically and mentally), and so stressful on the body that werewolves appear to age prematurely. If a werewolf cannot find a nearby victim to attack, they will attack themselves, resulting in self-inflicted wounds. Finally, there is a heavy stigma against werewolves in the Wizarding Society, which has resulted in many werewolves turning to the Dark Arts and attempting to form their own society which, they hope, will one day overthrow Wizarding Society.
Dementors
Dementors are considered some of the foulest dark creatures in existence. They appear a bit like lethifolds, as they wear black, smoky cloaks that cover most of their face and body. They feed on human happiness and their mere presence can cause depression and despair. Ultimately, a dementor is capable of consuming the human soul, leaving their victims in a permanent vegetative state. They were used as guards of the Wizarding Prison by the Ministry of Magic until 1966, when they rebelled and joined Lord Voldemort. Dementors will be loyal to whatever force can provide the most "food" for them, and even then, they hold no true loyalty - it wouldn't surprise me if you were attempting to use Dementors and they turned around and fed off you, too! Interestingly, there is no known way to kill a Dementor; you can only defend against one and hope it gets scared off or finds you not worth the effort. One can defend against Dementors using the Patronus Charm, but as Dementors typically travel and live in large numbers, witches and wizards who are alone and unable to produce a corporeal patronus may find themselves in deep trouble...
Basilisk
Basilisks are massive serpents, able to grow up to 50 feet in length, which are aptly nicknamed "The King of Serpents". They are born from a chicken's egg hatched beneath a toad and can live for hundreds of years, possibly even thousands if they are put into a deep sleep. They have deadly venom, which makes a person drowsy, blurry-visioned, and kills them within minutes. However, they rarely need to use it, as their gaze alone will instantly kill someone who meets it directly, and petrify those who meet it indirectly. Only phoenixes are able to survive a Basilisk's gaze - even ghosts can be petrified by it. Petrification is different from paralyzation (like that obtained by a full-body bind curse) in that the person is rendered unconscious. The crowing of a rooster can kill a basilisk, as can mortally wounding it - but good luck getting close enough for the second one! Basilisk skin is armoured, much like dragon skin, and deflects all spells cast against it. Basilisk were first bred by Herpo the Foul, but breeding was banned in Medieval times. However, it is fairly easy to hide basilisk breeding from the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, as one can simply remove the egg from under the toad while they perform their check. Basilisks cannot be tamed or domesticated, but Parselmouths may be able to control them if they somehow manage to develop a relationship with them, such as Tom Riddle did with Salazar Slytherin's basilisk.
Devil's Snare
This plant moves on its own and will constrict or strangle anything in its surrounding environment that it can reach, or anything that happens to touch it. Struggling and resistance causes the devil's snare to exert greater force and constrict faster. They resemble the harmless Flitterbloom with long, soft tendrils. Relaxing may cause the devil's snare to release its grip on the victim, and the plant is afraid of bright light and heat; it will freeze in bright light and recoil from heat. This plant is typically used to protect things, but could be used for dark purposes as well. For example, Broderick Bode, an Unspeakable for the Ministry of Magic, was imperiused into attempting to steal a prophecy in the Department of Mysteries. He failed and ended up a comatose patient in St. Mungo's, and a Death Eater sent him a potted Devil's Snare before he could recover and warn people. One of the Healer's mistook the plant for a Flitterbloom, and thus the plant was able to complete its job and silence Bode by asphyxiating him.
Venomous Tentacula
The venomous tentacula is a green, spikey, toothed plant with mobile vines or tendrils that it uses to grab prey. They are venomous, obviously, and they have deadly spines. They have large, eyeless "heads" with fangs (much like those of Venus Fly-traps). Their bite injects their venom into its victim and can be fatal.