A Fairy is a small human-like creature with large insect-like wings, which are either transparent or multi-coloured. They have a limited intelligence, and live mainly in woodlands or glades.
The fairy is a vain creature, and will often allow itself to be used as decoration by Wizards. They possess a weak brand of magic that allows it to evade its predators such as the Augurey. The fairy cannot speak; instead, it makes a high-pitched buzzing noise to communicate with its fellow fairies.
Fairies can lay up to fifty eggs in one go, laying them on the underside of leaves. The eggs hatch into brightly coloured larvae, and, at six-to-ten days, they spin themselves into a cocoon. They emerge a month later as adult fairies. Bowtruckles eat fairy eggs.
The Muggle's impression of the fairy is a generous one, having been ingrained into children's minds in the form of "fairy tales". Wizards believe that, of all the magical creatures in the world, the fairy, along with the unicorn, have received the best Muggle "press".
It is mentioned that at Christmas time on Harry's third year at Hogwarts that Professor Flitwick may have used live Fairy's as Christmas lights.