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A car is a Muggle device powered by petrol, 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. Although a car is defined as a Muggle artefact, and is therefore illegal to enchant under wizarding British 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.

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]

Despite generally showing disinterest or even disdain towards Muggle artefacts, many wizards are known to be envious of Muggles for their cars, and even staunchly anti-Muggle pure-bloods have been known to purchase luxury cars such as Rolls Royces.[2]

In the Muggle world, usage of cars is regulated by devices such as traffic lights and parking meters.

Known cars

Owner Enchantments Notes
Weasley 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 Enlarging Spell
  • 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 Enlarging Spell
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

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