Hag

Hags, also called crones, are a savage sort of witch who employ archaic earth magic and are easily recognized by Muggles. Hags are often malevolent, and some have shapeshifting skills, or at least maintain the illusion of shapeshifting. Hags can be terrifying, apparently, since Quirinus Quirrell allegedly had "a nasty bit of business" with one during his time abroad.

Gilderoy Lockhart's book Holidays with Hags may or may not contain useful information about these beings.

The Hag of Legend
Many tales about hags do not describe them well enough to distinguish them from witches or something fouler, and are mostly used to frighten children into being good. The punishment for being bad is, of course, being captured and eaten by a hag.

"The Old Hag" is a nightmare spirit of British and American folklore who purportedly sits upon the sleeper's chest and sends nightmares into their dreams. When the dreamer awakes, he or she may be unable to breathe or even move for a time. This condition is now understood to be sleep paralysis, but in olden days the condition was called "hagridden."

In Scotland, a group of hags known as The Cailleachan are viewed as personifications of the elemental powers of nature. Irish legend depicts hags as beautiful women in the disguise of hideous crones.

Famous Hags

 * Annis Black - Wrote a letter from The Cave, Deadmarsh, to the Daily Prophet protesting their portrayal of hags as flesh-eating monsters. Black Annis is also the name of a legendary hag who lived in a cave in the Dane Hills in Leicestershire. She dug the cave herself with her claws, and hung the skins of children on its walls.
 * Babayaga - Russian hag who dwelled in a hut that stood on giant chicken legs. Ate children for breakfast, and presumably for lunch and tea.
 * Cordelia Misericordia - Represented hags at the 14th century Wizard's Council.
 * Leticia Somnolens - Medieval hag who killed a princess with a spindle tainted with Draught of Living Death. A young wizard who had smeared Wiggenweld Potion on his lips revived the princess with a kiss.
 * Malodora Grymm - Lived in Medieval times. She allegedly used a beauty potion and a charmed mirror to conceal her form from a king, who she married. She became jealous of a beautiful and highly admired young lady, and killed her with a poisoned apple.
 * Old Mother Hubbard - Lured stray pets into her home and starved them to death.

Modern Hags
Hags are classed as "beings," though children and raw liver are a part of their diet. Hags can be occasionally encountered in Knockturn Alley or the Leaky Cauldron, and also Hogsmeade though it is not clear if hags live there or merely pass through.

Etymology
Middle English, possibly derived from hægtesse, meaning witch.

Behind the scenes

 * In the July 31, 1998 issue of the Harry Potter Fan Club version of the Daily Prophet, "A Word in Support of Hags" was sent in by a hag who tried to sound inviting and offered babysitting services.

Appearances

 * Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire