Veela

Veela
Species information
Eye colour	Various colours (mostly blue)
Skin colour	White
Hair colour	Blonde Brunette Dark
Related to	Human
Distinction	Very beautiful; can charm males (for females) While angry, they transform into creatures like Harpies
Ministry of Magic Classification	Being

"And that, boys, is why you should never go for looks alone."

— Arthur Weasley about Veela

Veela are a race of semi-human, semi-magical hominids reminiscent of the Sirens of Greek mythology. Little is known about their biology; they appear to be young, beautiful human female. Their appearance and especially their dance are magically seductive to almost all male beings, which causes them to perform strange actions in order to get nearer to them. Hearing a Veela's voice can also cause one to incessantly brag in order to impress them, such as claiming they have invented a broom that can reach Jupiter. Veela are thought to have their own type of magic which does not require a wand. When Veela are angry, however, they transform into something more like Harpies — their faces turn into cruel-beaked bird heads and long scaly wings burst from their shoulders, and they can launch balls of fire from their hands.

Veela seem to be quite an angry race. For example, in the 1994 Quidditch World Cup, they were easily wound up by the Leprechauns, resulting in a fight between both teams' mascots on the pitch. They then got sent away.

Veela were the mascots for the Bulgarian National Quidditch team during the 1994 Quidditch World Cup, which indicates an Eastern European origin, although the Delacours, who are from France, are proof that they can be found all over Europe.

Veela hair is a magical substance, suitable as a core for wand manufacture. Renowned wandmaker Garrick Ollivander noted that he personally never uses it, as the product tends to be temperamental.

Cross-Breeding with Humans

Veela have been known to marry wizards, although it is unknown whether any have married Muggles. Children of these unions are half-Veela, and they will inherit magical ability from their fathers and beauty and charm from their mothers. Veela traits seem to persist for at least a few generations.

Apolline Delacour is a half-Veela, thus her children Fleur and Gabrielle are one-quarter Veela, and Fleur's children Victoire, Dominique and Louis are one-eighth Veela though it is unknown if they have any characteristics from their Veela great-grandmother. Fleur's wand contains a single hair from her Veela grandmother.

Known Veelas

• The maternal grandmother of Fleur Delacour
• At least two cousins of Fleur Delacour
• The Bulgarian National Quidditch team mascots at the Quidditch World Cup in 1994. The mascots danced to hypnotise the players as well as the fans on the other team, although even the referee was affected.

Behind the scenes

• Veela are nymph-like creatures in Slavic mythology, who live in bodies of water and have power over storms. They may be the ghosts of women who drowned, especially those who were betrayed by their lovers. They often appear as beautiful women, but are known to shape shift into swans, snakes, horses, or wolves. Their voices hypnotize those who hear them, and they are fierce warriors. Interestingly, given that Fleur Delacour's wand has a hair from her Veela grandmother, it is said in some legends that if even one of their hairs is plucked, a Veela will either die or be forced to change into a non-human shape. Veelas are main features of Bulgarian and Serbian folklore such as the story of Marko Kraljevic and the Veela.
• One of the questions on the 2nd Level W.O.M.B.A.T. asks the taker to identify which of five given statements is false; one of the statements that may be false claims full-blooded male Veela do not exist.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

See also

• Blood purity