Gnome

A gnome is a common magical creature which infests the gardens of wizarding households. It looks roughly like a potato with legs. It does not look anything like the garden gnomes of Muggles, which, according to Ron Weasley, look like little Father Christmases with fishing rods.

Gnomes live in burrows underground. There they dig up the roots of plants, wreaking havoc on the garden, and requiring the resident wizard or witch to routinely perform pest control (known as "de-gnoming"). This typically involves taking hold of a gnome, swinging it around until it is dizzy, and then throwing it out of the yard. The species has such a low level of intelligence that, when a de-gnoming is being carried out, they will hurry out of their burrows to see what's causing the commotion. This, of course, renders them more easily caught. One can also use a Jarvey to de-gnome a garden, but this method is considered much too violent, and is thus seldom used.

According to Xenophilius Lovegood, the correct name for the species is Gernumbli gardensi, and having an infestation of these creatures in one's garden is a sort of blessing. When Xenophilius's daughter, Luna, was bitten by a gnome, he exclaimed that gnome saliva had many unusual and beneficial properties, such as the ability to suddenly increase one's creativity (in particular, he said it might make one have the urge to sing opera, or give speeches in Mermish). Luna further stated that her father had done a good deal of research on "Gernumbli magic." Although we never actually see the gnomes using any magic.

Crookshanks was fond of chasing gnomes around the garden of The Burrow, and, strangely, the gnomes seemed just as fond of being chased. Gnomes also seem to like Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans. According to Muriel, they breed very fast. Gnomes eat plant roots, create little heaps of dirt, and are a dead giveaway that wizards live in a house.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
 * Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
 * Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4

Notes and references
Gnome