Car

Warning!

At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film). As such, spoilers will be present within the article.

"You were seen. 'Two Muggles in London, convinced they saw an old car flying over the Post Office tower...'"

— Severus Snape reading from the Evening Prophet^[src]

A car is a Muggle wheeled vehicle propelled by a motor used to transport one or more people. It is a very popular mode of transportation for Muggles, and it is known to have been used by wizards on some occasions. In the Muggle world, usage of cars is regulated by devices such as traffic lights and parking metres.

Some Muggles viewed cars as status symbols and Vernon Dursley in particular tended to judge people by what type of car they drove. Harry Potter, however, felt that Vernon wouldn't have taken to Arthur Weasley even if he drove a Ferrari (a brand of car known for top-of-the line luxury.) Harry Potter was told by his uncle Vernon and aunt Petunia that his parents, James Potter and Lily Evans had died in car crash. This, however, was a lie to conceal from Harry that his parents were wizards, and they had died from

Killing Curses cast by the feared Dark Wizard Lord Voldemort while trying to protect him.^[1]

Wizard use of cars

Despite generally showing disinterest or even disdain towards Muggle artefacts, many wizards are known to be envious of Muggles for their cars. The British Ministry of Magic maintained a fleet of staff cars that could be borrowed by employees, and even staunchly anti-Muggle pure-bloods have been known to purchase luxury cars such as Rolls Royces.^[2]

Although a car is defined as a Muggle artefact, and is therefore illegal to enchant under British wizarding law, nevertheless there are a few enchanted cars in Britain. The Ministry of Magic has cars that navigate traffic with magical ease. Mundungus Fletcher "borrowed" a car to take the Weasleys to visit Arthur in the hospital on Christmas day; he had magically enlarged it to fit more passengers. Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter were known to own one of these in their adult years.

Known cars

Owner	Enchantments	Notes
Weasley family	The ability to turn invisible The ability to fly An Undetectable Extension Charm to accommodate the large family	When Harry Potter and Ron Weasley used the car to fly to Hogwarts, the car crashed into the Whomping Willow and then took off into the Forbidden Forest and is presumably still there.
Dursley family	None	In 1993 Vernon Dursley got a new company car.
British Ministry of Magic	An Undetectable Extension Charm The ability to navigate traffic with ease	In 1993 the Ministry lent the cars to Arthur Weasley to transport his family along with Harry Potter and Hermione Granger to King's Cross Station.
Unidentified Muggle taxi company	None	In 1994 the Weasleys were forced to call three Muggle taxis to bring them, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger to King's Cross Station.
Unknown, "borrowed" by Mundungus Fletcher	An Undetectable Extension Charm	Mundungus used this car to transport the current residents of 12 Grimmauld Place to St Mungo's on 25 December, 1995.
Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger	Possibly a super sensory charm	In 2017, Ron tells Harry that he passed his driving test, so it is assumed that they have a car.

Appearances

Notes and references

↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 2 (The Vanishing Glass)
↑ ''Pottermore

[PS2-1] Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 2 (The Vanishing Glass)

[2] ''Pottermore

[1]

[2]

Car

Contents

Wizard use of cars

Known cars

Appearances

Notes and references

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