Amazing Creatures of Magic

 

Creature of the Week

Basilisk

Background

The Basilisk is known as the King of Serpents. It is a beast that is typically bred by Dark Wizards. Herpo the Foul was the first to breed a Basilisk successfully. He accomplished this by hatching a chicken egg beneath a toad which resulted in a Basilisk. Basilisk breeding was banned in Medieval times. The practise can be hidden when the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures comes to check by simply removing the egg from the toad

Appearance

Basilisk's can grow up to fifty feet in length, and is they are a dark green colour with large yellow eyes. Their eyes have the power to instantly kill anyone who looks into them. Basilisk skin is armoured like a dragon's, which deflects spells cast upon it. The Basilisk sheds its skin at intervals, like all other snakes, when it grows

 

Their Abilities

If a victim looks indirectly at the Basilisk's eyes, such as its reflection, they will merely become petrified, similar to the stare of a Gorgon.

 

Quote

“Nearly all monster stories depend for their success on Jack killing the Giant, Beowulf or St. George slaying the Dragon, Harry Potter triumphing over the basilisk. That is their inner grammar, and the whole shape of the story leads towards it.”

- A. N. Wilson

 

Basilisk references in Harry Potter (Films)

- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Mentioned only)

- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Mentioned only)

- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Mentioned only)

- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Mentioned Only)

- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Mentioned only)

This blog post has been written by: Keko Malfoy

 

Sources

https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Basilisk