Hag
From Harry Potter Wiki
Hags, also called crones, are a savage sort of witch who employ archaic earth magic and are easily recognized by Muggles. They have been granted the status of Being by the Ministry of Magic, a decision that was part of the reason that the Centaurs and Merpeople chose to be classified as Beasts since they did not want to be associated with them.
Hags are often malevolent, and some have shapeshifting skills, or at least maintain the illusion of shapeshifting. Hags can be terrifying, apparently, since Quirinus Quirrell allegedly had "a nasty bit of business" with one during his time abroad.
Gilderoy Lockhart's book Holidays with Hags may or may not contain useful information about these beings.
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[edit] The Hag of Legend
Many tales about hags do not describe them well enough to distinguish them from witches or something fouler, and are mostly used to frighten children into being good. The punishment for being bad is, of course, being captured and eaten by a hag.
"The Old Hag" is a nightmare spirit of British and American folklore who purportedly sits upon the sleeper's chest and sends nightmares into their dreams. When the dreamer awakes, he or she may be unable to breathe or even move for a time. This condition is now understood to be sleep paralysis, but in olden days the condition was called "hagridden."
In Scotland, a group of hags known as The Cailleachan are viewed as personifications of the elemental powers of nature. Irish legend depicts hags as beautiful women in the disguise of hideous crones.
[edit] Modern Hags
Hags are classed as "beings," though children and raw liver are a part of their diet. Hags can be occasionally encountered in Knockturn Alley or the Leaky Cauldron, and also Hogsmeade though it is not clear if hags live there or merely pass through.
[edit] Known Hags
[edit] Etymology
Middle English, possibly derived from hægtesse, meaning witch.
[edit] Behind the scenes
- In the July 31, 1998 issue of the Harry Potter Fan Club version of the Daily Prophet, "A Word in Support of Hags" was sent in by a hag who tried to sound inviting and offered babysitting services.
