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At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery & Harry Potter: Magic Awakened. |
- "Tamper with the deepest mysteries ― the source of life, the essence of self ― only if prepared for consequences of the most extreme and dangerous kind."
- — Waffling's first Fundamental Law of Magic[src]
Adalbert Waffling (d. 1981)[1] was a wizard who was a magical theoretician, credited to have written "all about magic". Waffling is somewhat seen as the "father of magical theory", as it is a popular claim that every modern witch or wizard has learned from his writings.
Waffling was the one who formulated the Fundamental Laws of Magic[3] and wrote Magical Theory, a most popular textbook still being used today by the young witches and wizards at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.[2]
Biography[]
Early life[]
Adalbert Waffling was born in or before the 19th-century. By the 1890s, he was already a notable theoretician[4] whose ideas on energy transfer in spellcasting illuminated the fact that while certain spells were a matter of the caster's will, others were a question of intent.[5]
Later life[]
By the 1890s, Waffling was already one of most notable wizards of the date,[4][6] so it is more than likely he published some of his writings before this point. Around this time Albus Dumbledore, the "most brilliant student ever seen [at Hogwarts]", was in regular correspondence with Waffling in order to exchange ideas about magic.[4] Minerva McGonagall later shared these letters with members of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force who pursued a Professorship profession to help improve their skills in addressing the Calamity.[7]
Legacy[]
Waffling was commemorated on a Chocolate Frog Card.[8]
During the Calamity in the late 2010s or early 2020s, a Calamity Investigator working for the Statute of Secrecy Task Force attended a retrospective on the life of Adalbert Waffling, paying attention to his ideas on energy transfer in spellcasting. Waffling claimed that certain spells seemed to be a matter of the caster's will while others focused on the caster's intent. The investigator used Waffling's ideas to increase the duration of their Inn Charm.[7]
Etymology[]
Adal is Old High German for "noble" or "aristocratic"; berta, "bright". "Waffling" means speaking or writing at length in a vague or trivial manner without a clear point or aim.
Behind the scenes[]
- In early editions of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, A History of Magic is incorrectly said to be written by Adalbert Waffling, instead of Bathilda Bagshot.
- In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, it is revealed that Albus Dumbledore corresponded with Waffling during his time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, the dates given for Waffling's birth on his Chocolate Frog Card say that he was born after Dumbledore graduated (in 1899).
- Adalbert Waffling's death date coincides with the height of the First Wizarding War and the original downfall of Lord Voldemort. It is unknown if he died as a result of the war, or died of another reason.
- Waffling's canonical physical appearance is unclear; in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, he is shown to be dark-skinned with black hair, but in all other Chocolate Frog Card appearances prior and since, he is light-skinned with grey hair.
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First mentioned)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film) (Name is seen on book cover)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) (Appears on a Famous Wizard Card)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game) (Appears on a Famous Wizard Card)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) (Name seen on wood panelling)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) (Appears on a Famous Wizard Card)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Mentioned only)
- The Tales of Beedle the Bard (Mentioned only)
- Pottermore (Mentioned only)
- Wizarding World (Mentioned only)
- The Art of Harry Potter Mini Book of Graphic Design
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery (Appears on a Famous Wizard Card)
- Harry Potter: Magic Awakened (Appears on a Famous Wizard Card)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Tales of Beedle the Bard, "The Warlock's Hairy Heart"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 2 (In Memoriam)
- ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite - SOS Task Force Training: (Calamity Essentials II: Rhyme and Reason)
- ↑ Pottermore - things we bet the Hogwarts portraits do when no-one is looking - Imagine you’re a long-suffering wizarding portrait of someone famous, like Adalbert Waffling.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (see video)
- ↑ Harry Potter: Magic Awakened