Ashwinder

Ashwinder
Species information
Eye colour	Red
Skin colour	Pale-Grey
Native to	Found worldwide
Ministry of Magic Classification	Beast XXX

The Ashwinder is a serpent that is created from the remains of any magical fire that is allowed to burn unchecked. As it is a serpentine creature, the Ashwinder may very well be susceptible to Parseltongue magic.

Physical description

Frozen Ashwinder eggs

The Ashwinder is thin and pale-grey with glowing red eyes. They rise from the embers of the dying fire and slither off into a dark corner to lay their eggs, leaving an ashy trail behind. Ashwinders only live for an hour and will collapse to dust when they have laid their eggs.

Ashwinder eggs are red and give off intense heat. If they can be frozen with a Freezing Charm, they can be used in a Love Potion or eaten whole as a cure for ague.

Habitat

Since Ashwinders are created by magical fires, they could be found in many magical residences. However, if they manage to roam free and lay their eggs, the eggs will ignite and may burn the building down within minutes.

History

While Armando Dippet was Headmaster of Hogwarts, an Ashwinder was used to represent the "bloated and blind" worm that appeared in the retelling of 'The Fountain of Fair Fortune' during a Christmas pantomime. Unfortunately, the creature was enlarged using an Engorgement Charm, causing it to explode in a shower of hot sparks and dust.

This pantomime signalled the end of Hogwarts's pantomime tradition, as it resulted in the Great Hall catching fire caused in part by the tremendous heat from the Ashwinder's huge eggs, and a packed Hospital wing. Professor Silvanus Kettleburn, who taught Care of Magical Creatures and supplied the enlarged Ashwinder for the production, was put yet again on probation.

Etymology

"Ash" comes from the colour of itself and ashes are connected to fire. "Winder" recalls the sideway movement of some snakes, which are aptly-named "sidewinders", such as the rattlesnake.

Appearances

• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film) (Indirectly mentioned only)
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay (Indirectly mentioned only)
• Fantastic Beasts: Cases from the Wizarding World (Mentioned only)
• The Tales of Beedle the Bard
• Wonderbook: Book of Potions