P-R

[Prof. Destiny Smith]

Peacock (Albino)

The Peacock (and indeed the rare albino variant of it) is a Muggle creature, but included here due to its connection with the wizarding world. The Malfoy family keep at least one (but probably several) Albino Peacocks in the grounds of their manor house, presumably to impress those who come to visit with their taste and wealth [DH1].

Phoenix XXXX

This creature originated in Egyptian mythology, and the Phoenixes depicted in the Harry Potter series remain true to the ancient version. The Egyptian Phoenix could regenerate itself at the point of death, either from old age or an injury, and also heal with its tears. Other abilities assigned to it by JKR, such as the ability to Apparate and maintain extra-sensory communication with humans, are her own invention. After the fall of the Egypian empire, the Phoenix was used in Christianity as a symbol of Jesus, due to it's ability to rise from the dead.

The Harry Potter version of the Phoenix is a large scarlet bird with a gold tail, beak and talons. Its most startling feature is its ability to regenerate itself: it bursts into flame when its body becomes old and rises from the ashes as a new-born chick. This allows these birds to grow to a great age. In addition, the Phoenix can disappear and re-appear at will, and also boasts magical tears and song. The tears have potent healing capabilities, able to bring a person back even from the brink of death, whilst the song will increase the courage of the good and strike fear into the hearts of the evil. Phoenixes are vegetarians, eating herbs. There are no records of a Phoenix ever killing another creature [FB].

The Phoenix is, however, notoriously difficult to domesticate, and few wizards have ever achieved such a task [FB]. One of those few was Albus Dumbledore, who kept his pet Phoenix, Fawkes, in his study [COS12]. Dumbledore enjoyed a remarkable relationship with the bird, which appeared to be able to understand his thoughts, and perhaps even comprehend human speech. Both of these were demonstrated when Dumbledore set Fawkes to go on the lookout for the snooping Dolores Umbridge after Arthur Weasley had been attacked by Nagini [OOTP22]. Fawkes does not share this level of communication with just Albus, however, as he was drawn to Harry in the Chamber of Secrets simply by Harry showing strong loyalty to Dumbledore [COS17].

Fawkes is unswervingly loyal to his master, and has protected and helped him on a number of occasions. Fawkes helped Dumbledore disappear from the school when Cornelius Fudge was attempting to arrest him, assistance that was necessary because even Dumbledore cannot Apparate within the walls of Hogwarts [OOTP27]. Fawkes also took an Avada Kedavra for him during the battle at the Department of Mysteries [OOTP37]. The spell killed Fawkes, as one would expect, but being a Phoenix, he simply burst into flame and was reborn as a chick once again. The Phoenix was mysteriously absent, however, when Dumbledore was murdered by Snape on the Hogwarts ramparts [HBP27]. This has led many observers to believe that either the death was faked, or that Dumbledore actually wanted to die.

Fawkes has also saved Harry's life with his tears: this first occurred in the Chamber of Secrets, when Harry had been poisoned by the Basilisk [COS17]. He also cured Harry's Acromantula wound after the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament, although it is unclear whether this particular injury would have been fatal [GOF36]. Following his healing of Harry in the Chamber of Secrets, Fawkes then flew back up to ground level carrying Harry, Ron, Ginny and Gilderoy Lockhart, showing that in addition to everything else, the Phoenix is immensely strong and capable of carrying very heavy weights [COS17].

Mr Ollivander, the world's premier wandmaker [JKR Website] believes that Phoenix tail feathers are one of only three acceptable wand core materials [PS5], although other manufacturers use different cores. A feather from Fawkes himself is at the core of the wands of both Harry and Voldemort [GOF36].


Pixie XXX

The Pixie, like the Leprechaun, is considered to be one of the "little people". They are very much akin to Leprechauns, being small and mischievous humanoid creatures. They originated in the counties of Devon and Cornwall, in England. Pixies like to play pranks on humans, such as stealing their horses or leading them away from paths, although leaving small gifts will tend to make them more helpful.

JKR's Pixies can grow up to 8 inches in height. Unlike the version from Muggle folklore they can fly, even though they are wingless. Her Pixies do delight in jokes and tricks, however, whilst all the time emitting a high-pitched babbling that is understood only by other Pixies [FB].

Gilderoy Lockhart brought a cage of Cornish Pixies to his first lesson as a DADA teacher with Harry's class. When they were released they smashed windows, threw books around, and hoisted Neville into the air and put him on the candelabra. They took no notice of Lockhart's pathetic attempts to control them with made-up spells, and in the end Hermione had to immobilise them with a Freezing Charm after Lockhart had scarpered [COS6].


Plimpy XXX

This is a spherical fish that has two rubbery legs and webbed feet. The Plimpy prowls lake-beds searching for food, particularly water snails. Merpeople regard the Plimpy as a pest and tie its legs together, causing it to drift away [FB].

When Harry, Ron and Hermione visited Xenophilius Lovegood's house, he claimed (inaccurately) that Luna was out, fishing for Freshwater Plimpies. She had, in fact, been kidnapped by Death Eaters, but Xenophilius' claim at least suggests that in addition to lake or river dwelling Plimpies, there is also a Saltwater variety. When Xenophilius was trying to detain Harry, Ron and Hermione at his house until the Death Eaters arrived, he cooked them what he claimed was Freshwater Plimpy soup. It smelt like burning underpants whilst it was being prepared, although whether this is standard for Plimpy soup or just down to bad cooking is unknown [DH21].


Pogrebin XXX

This is a Russian demon that has a large smooth grey head that resembles a rock. Pogrebins follow humans by staying in their shadow and crouching down to look like a stone if their victim turns round. The effect on the human of being tailed by a Pogrebin is an overwhelming sense of despair. The Pogrebin waits until its prey sinks to their knees to weep at the futility of it all, and then jumps on them and attempts to eat them. The best way to deal with a Pogrebin is with any attacking hex or a good kick [FB].


Porlock XX

This is a horse-guardian from England. It has shaggy fur and a very large nose, walks on two legs and grows to a height of around two feet. It lives only to guard the herd of horses it has chosen to protect [FB].


Puffskein XX

This is a passive spherical creature often kept as a pet by wizard children. Its body is covered in soft fur and it is quite happy to be thrown about. It has an extraordinary long tongue, which it uses to scour its surroundings looking for food. By choice it prefers to locate the noses of sleeping humans and eat their bogies [FB]. Puffskeins make and live in nests, with the entire family group sharing the nest. A nest of dead Puffskeins was found under the sofa in the drawing room at 12 Grimmauld Place [OOTP6].

Puffskeins are an invention of JKR. The name comes from "puff", meaning a small fluffy ball, as in powder puff, and "skein", which refers to a coil of yarn.


Pygmy Puff

This is a miniature version of the Puffskein, and was quite possibly bred specially by Fred and George Weasley for sale in their shop, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes [HBP6]. Pygmy Puffs are small, round and fluffy, and emit a high-pitched squeaking noise. The ones for sale in the Weasleys' shop were coloured either pink or purple. Ginny bought a purple one and called it Arnold [HBP7].


Quintaped XXXXX

Legend states that the Quintaped came about as the result of a feud between two wizarding families on the Isle of Drear, Scotland. The McClivert clan are said to have transfigured the whole of the MacBoon clan into hideous beasts in a revenge attack, after their chief, Dugald, was killed in a drunken duel with Quintius MacBoon. It is unclear whether this is true or not, but the Quintaped is sometimes known as the Hairy MacBoon, and nobody can get near enough to one without being killed to attempt to untransfigure it. The Quintaped is large, hairy and looks like a five-legged spider. It is extremely aggressive and has a particular taste for human flesh, as the McCliverts found to their cost (if the legend is true). Having killed all the McCliverts, the Quintapeds had the island all to themselves, and have retained it ever since. The island has since been made Unplottable to ensure that as few people as possible stumble upon it (and inevitably meet their doom) [FB].


Rabbit (Transforming)

When Harry, Ron and Hermione visited Magical Menagerie, there was a fat white rabbit for sale that repeatedly turned itself into a silk top hat and back again [POA4].


Ramora XX

The Ramora is a silver fish resident in the Indian Ocean. It is a guardian of seafarers and is powerfully magical [FB].


Rat

The Rat is a common nocturnal rodent found across the world. Rats are closely related to mice, but are larger, reaching over 5 inches in length. Wild rats carry disease, and can also damage crops and property. The domesticated variety can be kept as a pet, however.

It is unclear whether Rats are approved pets at Hogwarts. Harry's instructions in his first year stated that he could choose between an Owl, a Cat or a Toad [PS/SS5]. Ron, however, had Scabbers (who at least pretended to be a rat) as his pet and nobody seemed put out [PS/SS6]. Having said this, there are no records of any other students (except Ron's older brothers who handed Scabbers down through the family to him) having Rats as pets. When Harry, Ron and Hermione visited Magical Menagerie at the start of their third year, a cage full of black Rats were playing a skipping game using their tails as a rope [POA4].


Raven

When Harry visited Magical Menagerie with Ron and Hermione at the start of their third year, they had a cage full of noisy Ravens for sale [POA4]. What magical properties they have is unknown.


Red Cap XXX

These are small dwarf-like creatures that can be found wherever there has been bloodshed. Any wizard should be able to repel them easily enough, but they prey on Muggles, attempting to batter them to death [FB, POA8].


Re'em XXXX

Re'em are exceptionally rare, but can be found by the fortunate in North America and the Far East. They look like giant oxen, but have a golden hide. Re'em blood bestows great strength on the drinker, although due to the scarcity of the animal it is difficult to come by [FB].


Rooster

A male chicken, and to all intents and purposes, a mundane Muggle creature. It has one remarkable ability, however, in that the sound of its call is fatal to the dreaded Basilisk [COS16]. In Muggle mythology, the Cockatrice can also be killed this way. Most legends of how to create a Basilisk or Cockatrice involve using a Rooster in one way or another, either to lay or incubate the egg.


Runespoor XXXX

This is a three-headed serpent that originated in the African country of Burkina Faso and can grow to around 6 or 7 feet in length. The three heads each serve their own purpose: the left head is the planner - it takes decisions about what the Runespoor will do next; the middle head is a dreamer - the creature is fond of idling away time in fantasies; the right head is a critic - it appraises the work of the other two heads, usually unfavourably. Conflicts between the heads are common, and the Runespoor rarely lives to an old age. The right head has the most venomous fangs, but it is also the most common loser in any inter-head battles, as the other two heads, irritated by the constant criticism, tend to gang up against it. It is common to see two-headed Runespoor, with the right head missing. Runespoor eggs are greatly prized and used in potions to stimulate mental agility [FB].