Ashwinder

The Ashwinder was a magical serpent that was created from the remains of any magical fire that was allowed to burn unchecked.

The Ashwinder was a thin pale-grey snake with glowing red eyes. They rose from the dying embers of magical fire that had been allowed to burn unchecked and unsupervised. Once birthed, the Ashwinder slithered off into a dark corner to lay their eggs, leaving an ashy trail behind. Ashwinders only lived for an hour and collapsed to dust when they have laid their eggs.

Ashwinder eggs were red and give off an intense heat. The heat was capable of igniting a dwelling within minutes of their birth. Wizards suspecting the presence of Ashwinders in a house had to immediate track down the nest and freeze them using an appropriate spell. Once frozen, Ashwinder eggs were very valuable; they could be used in a love potions or eaten whole as a cure for ague.

Since Ashwinders were created by magical fires — fires that had a magical substance added to them, such as Floo powder — they could be found in many magical residences. However, if they managed to roam free and lay their eggs, the eggs will ignite and may burn the building down within minutes.

"Ash" comes from the colour of itself and ashes are connected to fire. "Winder" recalls the sideway movement of some snakes, which are aptly-named "sidewinders", such as the rattlesnake.