History Literature / FantasticBeastsAndWhereToFindThem

* AdaptationalVillainy: Once again, averted--sea serpents are said to be fairly docile, when anyone reading knows that "Muggle" literature portrays them as vicious monsters.

* AdaptationalAttractiveness: There's a borderline in-universe example. Merpeople are often interpreted as beautiful in Muggle art and literature - when there is only one particular subspecies that is beautiful, and two others who are more animalistic.

** Muggle children have often been accused of vandalising or destroying a back garden--when an offended Knarl is the culprit.

* BlueAndOrangeMorality: The Sphinx is a mostly benevolent creature who will only get violent if the person who hears their riddle guesses wrongly. It's not known from Harry's encounter in the fourth book if a Sphinx will interpret ''any'' answer as a guess - but she does allow him to ask questions about the riddle. Also she gives the option for them to choose not to guess and walk away.

* BrownNote: Fwooper song, if listened to too much; eyes of a Basilisk. The cry of the Augurey was thought to be this but that's just superstition. The cry of the rooster is this for the Basilisk.

** Hagrid at one point tells Umbridge he has a friend that breeds Abraxan Horses. This book gives the name and information of them--enormously powerful and palomino-bodied--which confirms that Hagrid is talking about Madam Maxime. And that they are the horses that carried the Beauxbatons carriage.
** In the entry for Leprechauns, it mentions that they produce "a realistic gold-like substance that vanishes after a few hours, to their great amusement." Ron notes next to it, "But not mine."

* HeliCritter: The Billywig.

** Another creature--the Hippocampus--has the head and forequarters of a horse but also has a fish's tail. It's not classified as a merpeople species despite the similarities.

* RiddlingSphinx: Despite its humanoid appearance, the sphinx is classed as a beast because of this. It speaks only in riddles and puzzles--and gets violent if given the wrong answer.
* SeaMonster: The Sea Serpent counts as a subversion as--despite reaching up to a hundred feet in length--it's a fairly docile creature.

* SelkiesAndWereseals: In this universe, 'Selkie' is a subspecies of merpeople. It's implied that they are the merpeople encountered in the Second Task[[note]]They are said to come from Scotland and this same book implies that is where Hogwarts is located[[/note]]--possibly referencing selkie mythology, they have a more aquatic appearance that traditional beautiful mermaids.

* TakeThatScrappy: In-universe example. The Flobberworm--the most despised creature Hagrid ever brought to class--is officially classified as 'Boring' in the book's entry.

* VisualPun: Fairies are conjured up to serve as decorative lights--fairy lights.

The book is, of course, a guide to the magical beasts which exist in the Franchise/PotterVerse. It is [[DirectLineToTheAuthor supposedly a copy of the edition owned by Harry Potter]], complete with lots of [[CrowningMomentOfFunny amusing graffiti]] written in it by Harry and Ron, and a bit from Hermione.

A LiveActionAdaptation SpinOff [[Film/FantasticBeastsAndWhereToFindThem film series began airing in 2016]], following the adventures of Newt Scamander [[{{Prequel}} seventy years before Harry set foot in Hogwarts]]. J.K. Rowling wrote writing the screenplay of the first film.

'''''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them''''' is a book mentioned in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'' which was later [[{{Defictionalization}} Defictionalized]] as a real book written by Creator/JKRowling... ahem... [[PenName Newt Scamander]], whose grandson [[WordOfGod married Luna Lovegood]]. The book was first published in 2001, with an UpdatedRerelease scheduled for 2017.

A LiveActionAdaptation SpinOff film series entered production in 2013, following the adventures of Newt Scamander [[{{Prequel}} seventy years before Harry set foot in Hogwarts]]. J.K. Rowling is writing the screenplay of the first film.

* DumbDodoBird: The diricawl, certainly a weird one though. See BeethovenWasAnAlienSpy and TeleportersAndTransporters.

* TeleportersAndTransporters: [[DumbDodoBird Diricawls]] and [[ThePhoenix phoenixes]] can do this (in a puff of feathers and burst of flames, respectively).

'''''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them''''' is a book mentioned in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'' which was later [[{{Defictionalization}} Defictionalized]] as a real book written by Creator/JKRowling... ahem... [[PenName Newt Scamander]], whose grandson [[WordOfGod married Luna Lovegood]]. The book was published in 2001.

A companion piece to ''Literature/QuidditchThroughTheAges'' and ''Literature/TheTalesOfBeedleTheBard''.

** The entry for pixies has them classifed as "XXX", which means competent wizards should cope. Next to it has Ron's note: "but XXXXXXX if you're Lockhart", referencing to the pixie-chaos that Lockhart unleashed in ''Literature/ChamberOfSecrets'' while attempting to teach DADA, and the subsequent injuries he suffered for it.

** The entry for pixies has them classifed as "XXX", which means competent wizards should cope. Next to it has Ron's note: "but XXXXXXX if you're Lockhart."

* ThePunishment: See FeudingFamilies above.

* CallForward: There's an entry referencing Invisibility Cloaks, namely that they wear out after a few years and become opaque. [[spoiler: That Harry's belonged to his dad several decades ago and is still in perfect working order is a hint about it's true nature.]]

A companion piece to ''Literature/QuidditchThroughTheAges''.

** Some Jack Russel Terriers are actually Crups, which usually have two tails but often have the second tail clipped so they can blend in.

''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'' is a book mentioned in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'' which was later [[{{Defictionalization}} Defictionalized]] as a real book written by Creator/JKRowling... ahem... [[PenName Newt Scamander]], whose grandson [[WordOfGod married Luna Lovegood]]. The book was published in 2001.

The book is, of course, a guide to the magical beasts which exist in the PotterVerse. It is [[DirectLineToTheAuthor supposedly a copy of the edition owned by Harry Potter]], complete with lots of [[CrowningMomentOfFunny amusing graffiti]] written in it by Harry and Ron, and a bit from Hermione.

** Muggle children have often been accused of vandalising or destroying a back garden - when an offended Knarl is the culprit.

* BreathWeapon: The Nundu's breath - which causes disease strong enough to depopulate entire villages.

* CallForward: Rita Skeeter claims that Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts are illegal crossbred creatures in the fourth book. Their lack of an entry in this one confirms that.
** There's also an entry referencing Invisibility Cloaks, namely that they wear out after a few years and become opaque. [[spoiler: That Harry's belonged to his dad several decades ago and is still in perfect working order is a hint about it's true nature.]]

* CharacterFilibuster: Ron and Hermoine get into a large argument... via notes... on one of the first pages of Harry's books. Harry tells them both to shut up.

-->My name is Gregory Goyle and I smell

* TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong: It's common to find a Runespoor (three headed serpent) with the right head bitten off - as this head is 'the critic' and criticises the other two's actions.
* ContinuityNod: In the entry for the hippogriff, there's a brief line stating that they can be tamed, though this should only be attempted by experts. Harry's remark? "Has Hagrid read this?"

** The entry of the Hungarian Horntail describes it as the most dangerous dragon breed of all: Harry noted "You're not kidding".
** In the entry on Acromantulas, there's a note about rumours of a large colony established somewhere in Scotland. It's crossed out with "confirmed by Harry Potter and Ron Weasley" written over it. This also confirmed to many fans that Hogwarts was located in Scotland. In addition, Ron adds nine X'es to its XXXXX rating, referencing his arachophobia.
** Hagrid at one point tells Umbridge he has a friend that breeds Abraxan Horses. This book gives the name and information of them - enormously powerful and palomino bodied - which confirms that Hagrid is talking about Madam Maxime. And that they are the horses that carried the Beauxbatons carriage.

* DarkestAfrica: Africa does sure have a lot of dangerous dark creatures such as the Nundu, Tebo, and Streeler.

** DarkIsNotEvil: The Thestral has a black coat, has a very reptilian appearance, is attracted by raw meat and is considered a bad omen - because it can only be seen by those who have witnessed someone die. However that is just superstition and the horses in the series are perfectly friendly to Harry when he meets them. Likewise the Augurey was thought to be an omen of death, when it really just predicts rain on the way.

* EarlyBirdCameo: Many creatures first appeared here before being mentioned in the books. Even Thestrals are included, albeit as a minor reference under "Winged Horse". Likewise some creatures that appeared but weren't named, were given official names in this - such as the Acromantula and the subspecies of Merpeople and Winged Horses.

* FictionalDocument

* GiantSpider: The Acromantula. It's theorised to have originated from experimental breeding - as it is capable of human speech.

-->'''Hermione''': Why don't you buy a new one [book] then?
-->'''Ron''': Write in your own book Hermione.

* NotTheNessie: There ''is'' one, but it's part of a larger species, and is a shapeshifter - it turns into something else whenever muggles look around for it.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: The book obviously depicts every single species of dragons in the Potterverse. Most seem for some reason to be European (even the South American and Australasian species), with only one species based on Chinese dragons, and even so being more akin to European forms as it breathes fire and is malevolent (although all of them are more animalistic than anything, harkening back to the pre-Tolkien versions of the myths).

** Fairies - the traditional tiny cute WingedHumanoid. Has very little intelligence and very basic magic. Usually just used for decoration. The author expresses surprise at the good Muggle press the Fairy has.
** Pixie - tiny shrill flyers. They love making mischief and are strong enough to lift a human's weight.
** Imp - close cousin to the pixie, but much duller in appearance and cannot fly. Also considerably less of a nuisance.
** Doxy - covered in black hair, with two sets of very sharp teeth and extra arms and legs. Considered pests, they're also very hostile to humans.
** Bowtruckle - a tree-dwelling creature that appears to be made of wood. Is normally benevolent but will get violent if it is threatened.

* OurMermaidsAreDifferent: And there are three species of them - Sirens, Selkies and Merrows. Selkies are the only ones that actually appear in the series though. The Mermish language sounds like a lot of shrieking and screaming above the surface. But underwater it sounds like normal talking. All merpeople are said to share a great love of music. They presumably can't transform into humans at all.
** Another creature - the Hippocampus - has the head and forequarters of a horse but also has a fish's tail. It's not classified as a merpeople species despite the similarities.
* PantheraAwesome: The Nundu, a gigantic Leopard so dangerous that it takes a hundred wizards to subdue just one. Take note that it took ten wizards to control four dragons in the Triwizard Tournament.

** Abraxan - the biggest and strongest, with palomino bodies. These horses appear in the series, transporting the Beauxbatons carriage from France to Britain.
** Aethonan - chestnut in appearance and native to Britain and Ireland.
** Granian - a grey[[note]]Meaning actually with a white coat, confusingly enough[[/note]] and incredibly fast. This would be what species Pegasus was.
** Thestral - black and more reptilian in appearance. Is invisible to everyone except those who have 'seen death'. Also very good at finding locations.

* RiddlingSphinx: Despite its humanoid appearance, it gets classed as a beast because of this. It speaks only in riddles and puzzles - and gets violent if given the wrong answer.
* SeaMonster: The Sea Serpent counts as a subversion as - despite reaching up to a hundred feet in length - it's a fairly docile creature.

* SelkiesAndWereseals: In this universe, 'Selkie' is a subspecies of merpeople. It's implied that they are the merpeople encountered in the Second Task[[note]]They are said to come from Scotland and this same book implies that is where Hogwarts is located[[/note]] - possibly referencing selkie mythology, they have a more aquatic appearance that traditional beautiful mermaids.
* SirensAreMermaids: 'Siren' is a species of mermaid found in the Mediterranean. They are the beautiful mermaids commonly depicted in art and literature, contrasting with the Selkies and the Merrows - which have more alien appearances. All merpeople are also said to share a love of music - which comes from the Siren myth.

* TakeThatScrappy: In-universe example. The Flobberworm - most despised creature Hagrid ever brought to class - is officially classified as 'Boring' in the book's entry.

* VisualPun: Fairies are conjured up to serve as decorative lights - fairy lights.
* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: A serious issue, given the wizarding world's [[HalfHumanHybrid partially-human hybrid creatures]] and [[TalkingAnimal talking animals]] of various levels of intelligence. The centaurs in particular willingly separated themselves from humans, rejecting 'Being' classification.
** There was a big debate about the inclusion of Werewolves - since they are essentially just cursed humans.

** Ditto with the Lethifold, which requires a Patronus Charm to repel. Around the time this book came out, we'd only seen Patronuses used on Dementors. Yet no one encounters a Lethifold in-series.
*** All of these are probably due specifically to the remote location of the beast, Nundus being East African and Lethifolds being tropical, though.

* DarkestAfrica: Africa does sure have a lot of dangerous dark creatures such as the Nundu, Tebo, and Streeler.

* EldritchAbomination: Lethifolds, being formless [[LivingShadow living shadows]] that may be hybrids or related to [[HumanoidAbomination Deme]][[TheHeartless ntors]], which like to ambush sleeping people and consume them.

* FootnoteFever: Not just from the author, but from Hermione, Ron, Harry, and various others. If it's from the gang, expect it to be arguing, nitpicking, or Harry telling Hermione and Ron to stop arguing.

* SelfFulfillingProphecy: It was originally believed that the cry of the Augurey foretold the death of whoever heard it. Several wizards are thought to have suffered heart attacks brought on by hearing an unseen Augurey wail.

** In the entry on Acromantulas, there's a note about rumours of a large colony established somewhere in Scotland. It's crossed out with "confirmed by Harry Potter and Ron Weasley" written over it. This also confirmed to many fans that Hogwarts was located in Scotland.

* ExactWords: Early definitions of "Beings" were done with human centrism in mind, leading to definitions like "creatures who walk on two legs" or "who speak the human language." This would leave out obvious beings like centaurs and merfolk, but accidentally include a lot of creatures, such as trolls, augureys, fwoopers, or vampires. Havoc ensues. The definition that stuck was "Any creature that can understand the laws of the Wizarding World", which helped tighten the list to just sentients.

* EldritchAbomination: Lethifolds, being [[LivingShadow living shadows]] that may be hybrids or related to [[HumanoidAbomination Deme]][[TheHeartless ntors]], which like to ambush sleeping people and consume them.

** Crop circles are caused by Mooncalfs doing their mating dance in fields of wheat.

* MultipleHeadCase: Runespoors.