Dark Arts

By Allora Podmore

Hello Everyone, my name is Allora Podmore and I am the current writer of the Dark Arts section. Every issue, I will write an article on a creature, spell or any sort of subject within the Dark Arts. This week, I will be discussing Boggarts.

A Boggart is defined as amortal, this means that it is incapable of death as it has never been alive in the first place. It is a shape-shifting non-being which has the capability to present itself as the observer's worst nightmare. In its normal form, the true physical appearance of this non-being is unknown. It is known to reside in dark or confined spaces, often making its presence known by rattling, shaking or scratching whatever object it decides to hide in.

Boggarts have the ability to change at will, generally being so quick with its transformations that the process is a blur to those observing. It also uses this ability to cycle through various fears if the witch or wizard who encounters it has multiple fears, generally using the most intense fear first. Although the Boggart has the ability to shapeshift at will and hide, it possesses limitations such as being confined to whatever space it is in, as well as being a weaker version of whatever it is shapeshifted into, especially within the magical realm.

There are ways to defend yourself against these non-beings. If you ever find yourself in the situation where you have encountered them, there are two main options. The first and more difficult one, the Boggart-Banishing spell, commonly known as Riddikulus. The secondary option is to confuse it, causing it to shift into a comical and less frightening form. Laughing in its presence is also an easy way to make it immediately disappear.