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FEATURE
DVD&BD
Schools
Hogwarts, the English School for Witchcraft and Wizardry,
was established in the 10th Century in Scotland by four
founders
–
Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Helga
Hufflepuff, and Rowena Ravenclaw. Young American
witches and wizards, on the other hand, are primarily
educated at Ilvermorny, founded by British wizard Isolt
Sayre and No-Maj James Steward. Located on Mount
Greylock in Massachusetts, Ilvermonrny started out as a
simple hut in the 17th century, the only school for young
witches and wizards in the country. The uniform of both
institutions requires the wearing of robes over their attire.
Hogwarts students don black and grey uniforms with
trims, ties and emblems matching their houses, whereas
Ilvermorny pupils all wear the same robe, in colours of blue
and cranberry. The robes are fastened with a gold Gordian
Knot, in memory of Sayre’s mother.
Houses
The four houses of Hogwarts are titled for the surnames of
each of its founders: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and
Ravenclaw. By contrast, the Ilvermorny founders instead
elected to name their houses for magical creatures, each
choosing their favourite: for Sayre, the Horned Serpent;
for Steward, the Pukwudgie; for Chadwick Boot, the
Thunderbird; and for Webster Boot, the Wampus. For the
house selection ceremony, Hogwarts utilises the Sorting
Hat, which chooses a student’s house based on their best
traits. Ilvermorny’s house emblems, however, will fight for
you. If a house wants you, the specific animal crest will
react; if more than one animal begins to move, the student
chooses which house they would most like to join out of the
animated options – much like
The Voice
.
Laws
To keep magical folk safe and relatively unknown to the
non-magical, Europe has the Ministry of Magic, and
America has The Magical Congress of the United States of
America (MACUSA) to uphold law and order. MACUSA is
completely independent of American No-Maj governments,
whereas the Ministry of Magic has some cooperation and
communication with their Muggle counterpart. MACUSA
have always been wary of the No-Majs due to the Salem
Witch Trials of the 1690s; this distrust increased in 1790
with the budding romance of a MACUSA high power’s
daughter and a No-Maj
–
whom, it eventuated, was
obtaining MACUSA secrets from his paramour with the
intent to destroy both MACUSA and all of wizardkind.
These events resulted in the creation of Rappaport’s Law,
which made intermarriage and even friendship between
wizards and No-Majs illegal, until its repeal in 1965.
However, there is one notable law MACUSA were lenient
with
–
the consumption of alcohol.
Source: Pottermore
Niffler
Obsessed with shiny things, the Niffler
is Scamander’s initial undoing when it escapes from
his suitcase in New York. It is a small rodent-like beast
with a long platypus snout, clawed toes and thick black
fur. A Niffler’s belly pouch has a far greater volume than
outwardly appears.
Thunderbird
The Thunderbird is a giant,
multi-winged avian beast, of similar genetic makeup
to the phoenix. Native to the Arizona desert, it can
sense danger approaching and can summon storms
when it flies.
Bowtruckle
Scamander cares for several
Bowtruckles, but has a special friendship with one he
names Pickett. A Bowtruckle is a palm-sized, stick insect-
like creature, gentle in temperament, and operates as a
guardian for its tree home.
Demiguise
A gentle creature, the Demiguise
looks like a small monkey and is covered in long
silver hair. It can make itself invisible and also has
clairvoyant powers, which makes it difficult to catch.
Erumpent
An enormous beast with a
tough leathery hide capable of repelling most charms and
curses, the Erumpent is an African creature which closely
resembles a rhinoceros. Its single glowing nose-horn
is capable of piercing metallic objects, and contains a
detonative fluid. The Erumpent is endangered due to the
creatures accidentally blowing themselves up.
Occamy
Native to India and the Far East, the
Occamy can grow or shrink in size to fit the space avail-
able to it. It resembles a snake with a bird’s head, and
has long purple wings. It’s eggs are incredibly valuable,
as they are composed of pure silver.
Mooncalf
Scamander cares for a herd of
Mooncalves – shy, long-necked quadrupeds with bulging
eyes and pale grey skin, who will only emerge from their
burrows during a full moon.
Billywig
This bright blue Australian insect has
a long stinger; anyone stung will suffer dizziness and
temporary levitation. It’s rapid flying speed makes it
difficult to spot.
Murtlap
The Murtlap is an ocean-dwelling,
four-legged beast with finger-like
growths on its back, resembling a
sea anemone’s tentacles.
America
vs
England