Being (Harry Potter)

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In the Harry Potter universe, a being is, as defined by Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a creature "worthy of legal rights and a voice in the governance of the magical world". This definition is distinct from "beast", or a normal, albeit magical, animal.

In the magical universe, there are many non-human creatures of human or near-human intelligence. Since sentience is very difficult to define in the best of cases, there is much confusion in the wizard world as to which creatures are defined as beings. According to the current official definition, decided upon in 1811 by Minister for Magic Grogan Stump, a being is: "Any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws." This definition is broadly applicable to the sentient creatures in the series, but as yet there is still a great deal of ambiguity, and in practice the distinction still appears largely cultural.

Magical creatures officially classed as "beings" include humans, goblins, hags and vampires. Centaurs, merpeople and spirits are sentient creatures that have formally requested reassignment, either because they have no interest in shaping wizard law (in the case of the centaurs and the merpeople) or because they consider themselves "has beens" rather than "beings" (in the case of spirits). Leprechauns are sentient but have never requested classification as beings. Werewolves are considered beings in human form, but beasts in their wolf form. Acromantulas and manticores, though sentient, are too inherently predatory and violent to ever be considered capable of shaping wizard law. Pure-blood extremists have attempted numerous times to reclassify Muggles as "beasts," presumably on the assumption that Muggles, inherently given as they are to ignoring the wizard world, are not of sufficient intelligence to shape wizard law.

That is the extent of the information revealed so far about what constitutes a being and what constitutes a beast. However, it does not appear to fully account for the situation as presented in the novels. House-elves have never been described as beings, though they would appear to fit the definition, as would veela and giants, since they are both capable of interbreeding with humans, and therefore of coexisting in wizard society. Dementors are particularly puzzling; despite being described as dark creatures, and having demonstrated that they can only barely control their predatory natures, until recently, they acted as the guards in Azkaban prison and therefore, technically, played a role in shaping wizard law. However, a Dementor's interest in wizard society seems based solely on the circumstances under which wizards will allow it to feed upon others; despite having served the Ministry of Magic for many years, the Dementors abandoned Azkaban en masse when it appeared that service to Lord Voldemort would allow them a more plentiful supply of victims.

Even more peculiar are the portraits that inhabit the magical world. These images can interact with people and behave as if they are sentient, but it is unclear as to whether they are self-aware or worthy of legal rights.

None of these creatures is listed as a "beast" by Newt Scamander, yet none have officially been described as "beings." It should perhaps be noted that Rowling hasn't actually produced a list of beings, meaning that any creature not listed as a beast may well be a being.