December Lesson
We are now getting to the much more exciting creatures! This month we are looking at M.O.M classification XXXX creatures! By definition these species are dangerous, require specialist knowledge and you may handle them only if you're a skilled wizard! So step back as we start with the Centaur.
Centaur - M.O.M Classification XXXX
The Centaur gets this classification, not because its unduly aggressive, but because humans should show the beast a great amount of respect. By definition the Centaur should be a 'being' but by its own request, it was classified as a beast by the Ministry of Magic.The centaur has a human head, torso and arms with the lower half resembling a horse's body. They come in several colours. Centaurs are intelligent and capable of speech and from events in the wizarding world, it is evident that they are not creatures to be messed with. I am sure that Dolores Umbridge could attest to that!
Centaurs dwell in the forest and are believed to have originated in Greece, but there are now many herds living throughout Europe. The Forbidden Forest in the grounds of our school is known to have a herd residing in it. In each of the areas where Centaurs live, the local Wizarding authorities have set aside habitats to ensure that they aren't disturbed by Muggles. However, Centaurs are more than capable of looking after themselves.
Centaurs usually live in herds of ten to fifty members and are thought to be well-versed in divination, astronomy and magical healing.
Erkling - M.O.M Classification XXXX
Originating in the Black Forest in Germany, the Erkling is an elfish creature that averages three feet high. It has a pointed face and a high-pitched cackle that is entrancing to children, whom it will attempt to lure away and eat. The German M.O.M placed strict controls on its region, which has reduced Erkling killings over the last few centuries.The last known Erkling attack, upon the six-year old wizard Bruno Schmidt resulted in the death of the Erkling after Bruno hit it over the head with his father's collapsible cauldron. Hmm, sounds like little Bruno is not to be messed with!
Erumpent - M.O.M Classification XXXX
From a distance the Erumpent can often look like a Rhinoceros. It is a large, grey African beast with great power and can weigh up to a tonne! This creature is resistant to most charms and curses, due to its thick hide. They have a large, sharp horn upon their noses and a long rope-like tail.Like many creatures, the Erumpent will not attack you unless you provoke it, so please don't go poking one! If it does charge at you, you better get out of there quick smart as the results can be catastrophic. The Erumpent's horn can piece anything from human skin to metal, and it contains a deadly fluid. This fluid will cause whatever is injected with it to explode.
There are not a lot of Erumpent's left in the wizarding world, as males frequently explode each other during mating season. Its interesting to note that Erumpents can only give birth to one calf at a time.
The horns, tails and exploding fluid are all used in potions but are classified as Class B Tradeable Materials, which are dangerous and subject to strict control. It's important for wizards and witches to be able to identify these substances, to ensure that mistakes like the one Xeno Lovegood made, don't happen again*.
*Xeno was in possession of what he thought was a Crumple-Horned Snorkack horn, but it actually belonged to an Erumpent. The horn exploded while he was being visited by Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. It destroyed his house.
Merpeople - M.O.M Classification XXXX
Also known as Sirens, Selkies and Merrows. Merpeople are given this classification for the same reason as the Centaurs, they are not particularly dangerous but should be treated with respect. Merpeople can also be classified as beings but like the centaurs, they have declined this status.Merpeople live all over the world and vary in appearance, much like human beings do. Merpeople have the head and torso of a human, and the bottom half looks like a fish tail. Their habits and customs are not widely known to wizards.
However wizards who have mastered the Mermish language have told tales of highly organised communities varying in size according to habitat, and some are said to have elaborately constructed dwellings.
The oldest recording of Merpeople were known as Sirens (Greece) and it is in warmer waters that we find the beautiful mermaids so frequently depicted in Muggle art and literature. The Selkies of Scotland and the Merrows of Ireland are less beautiful but they share that love of music which is common to all Merpeople.
Merpeople are only understandable below water; above water it sounds like a horrible screeching noise. The Merpeople who live in the lake at Hogwarts are lead by Merchieftainess Murcus.
Runespoor - M.O.M Classification XXXX
The Runespoor is a three-headed serpent that can grow to six or seven feet. It originates from Burkina Faso, a small African country. Its body is bright orange with black stripes which makes it easy to spot. The M.O.M in Burkina Faso has set aside forests for the sole use of the Runespoor, these forests are unplottable.This beast was once a favourite pet of Dark wizards, which is possibly due to its striking and intimidating appearance. Thanks to the writings of Parselmouths who have conversed with the Runespoor, we are able to understand some of its curious behaviour. For example, each head serves a different purpose and has its own personality.
The left head (as seen by the wizard) is the planner, it decides where to go and what to do next. The middle head is the dreamer (Runespoors can remain stationary for days, lost in glorious dreams) and the right head is the critic and will evaluate the efforts of the other two heads with a continual irritable hissing. The right head also has a set of fangs that are extremely venomous.
As you can imagine, having two other heads attached to your body could get quite annoying so its not uncommon for the heads to begin attacking each other. Runespoors don't live to be very old and the first head to go is usually the critic, as the other two heads get fed up and band together to bite it off. So don't be alarmed if you see a two-headed Runespoor, it just means that one of the heads become too much for the others!
The Runespoor is the only magical beast to produce eggs through its mouth. These eggs are very valuable in the production of potions to stimulate mental agility. The runespoor is a protected species, however they and their eggs are often sold on the black market. Hmm, I wonder where I can find this market... maybe the eggs can help with my N.E.W.Ts...
The End!
And thats it for our look at M.O.M Classification XXXX creatures, I hope you found this lesson interesting. Personally I think the Runespoors are quite entertaining, I can just imagine the three heads bickering and disagreeing!Next month will be the most dangerous as we research XXXXX creatures. It will be a big lesson so prepare yourselves! Please go now to your homework due on December 31.