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A fly is a type of small insect with a single pair of wings. The term is applied to species belonging to the order Diptera.[2] The larval stage of the fly is known as a maggot.

Varieties[]

Dead blowflies are used as a potion ingredient.[3] They were also fed to the Giant Purple Toads at the Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley.[4]

Flesh flies were used to distract an Acromantula and provoke it into smashing through hedges in the Hedge Maze of the Triwizard Tournament.[1]

History[]

Simon Talmadge told the house-elf Cosa that he died because of having been eaten by a toad that thought he was a fly after he drank the Shrinking Solution incorrectly.[5]

Fly killed by Cormac

Cormac McLaggen catching a fly to demonstrate his quick reflexes

In 1927, while Gellert Grindelwald was sitting in his cell in MACUSA building, a fly was flying around him but was killed by the protective enchantments around Grindelwald. As the dead fly was falling, Antonio the Chupacabra used its tongue to eat it.[6]

On 1 September 1991, when conjuring the lyrics to the school song, Albus Dumbledore waved his wand, as if he was trying to get a fly off the end.[7]

While watching Sybill Trelawney teaching a Divination class during 1995–1996 school year, Dolores Umbridge remarked that she was "just a fly on the wall",[8] a phrase used to denote an unobtrusive or unseen observer.[9]

While trying out for the position of Keeper on the Gryffindor Quidditch team during the 1996–1997 school year, Cormac McLaggen demonstrated his quick reflexes by catching a fly with his fingers.[10]

Later that same school year, Harry Potter told Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape that Katie Bell "wouldn't hurt a fly",[11] a saying used to indicate that someone has an exceptionally gentle nature.[12]

In 1997, after Bathilda Bagshot was killed by Nagini, her home became infested with flies.[13] Bathilda, whose dead body was occupied by Nagini, was described as smelling bad and having flies buzzing around her.[13]

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

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