Hinkypunk

Hinkypunk
Species information
Native to	Scotland
Mortality	Mortal
Distinction	Looks like smoke Bears a lantern Lures travellers into dangerous bogs Turns solid when illuminated
Affiliation	Dark Arts
Ministry of Magic Classification	Beast
Status	Extant

"The Hinkypunk is a little one-legged creature and looks as if it is made of smoke. It carries a lantern with which it lures travellers into bogs."

— Folio Bruti

A Hinkypunk was a diminutive, one-legged magical beast with the appearance of wispy blue, grey or white smoke. It had a proclivity for luring travellers off of their paths at night, into treacherous bogs or wetlands under the guise of a helpful, lamp-bearing being. They were impish varmints who revel in inconveniencing magical folk and non-magical folk alike. They could propel fireballs far from their lamps, causing serious damage. They also sporadically emitted hollering and grunting noises.

History

Jacob Kowalski: "What'd yah got there.."

Newt Scamander: "It's a Hinkypunk, so it disrupts tracking charms."

— Jacob asking what a Hinkypunk was

Newt Scamander's hinkypunk

In 1927, famous Magizoologist Newt Scamander kept one Hinkypunk in a container and dropped it into his suitcase before heading out to Paris to find Tina with Jacob Kowalski.

"Lures travellers into bogs You notice the lantern dangling from his hand? Hops ahead — people follow the light — then —"

— Remus Lupin teaching third year DADA students about Hinkypunks

Hinkypunks were part of Professor Remus Lupin's third-year Defence Against the Dark Arts schedule in the 1993–1994 school year. The class was scheduled to begin study of the Creatures on 5 November, 1993; however, Professor Lupin was absent due to his illness and Professor Snape took the class instead. Professor Snape took the opportunity to lecture the class about werewolves rather than continuing with the appointed curriculum.

Study on them therefore began the following Monday when Professor Lupin returned. The class found the creature rather frail and harmless-looking, although Professor Lupin warned them of how the Hinkypunk would lure travellers ahead with its lantern, although exactly what would happen thereafter was left ambiguous, as the creature then made a loud squelching noise against the glass.

Hinkypunks were later included in the third year exams for Defence Against the Dark Arts in June of 1994, the second-to-last exam. Professor Lupin had created an obstacle course in the sun, and included an artificial bog, into which a Hinkypunk was placed. Students then had to ignore the misleading instructions given by the creatures, which Ronald Weasley failed at despite having battled six in September of that year.

Physical description

"They had a very enjoyable lesson. Professor Lupin had brought along a glass box containing a hinkypunk, a little one-legged creature who looked as though he were made of wisps of smoke, rather frail and harmless-looking."

— Third year DADA students observing a Hinkypunk

The ethereal appearance of Hinkypunks

The Hinkypunk was short and stout in appearance, with no apparent eyes, ears, mouth or nose. Their translucent and cloudy form gave the impression that they were comprised entirely of wispy white smoke. They had maggoty body shapes, with two protruding arms and one thick, supporting leg, the latter feature of which causing their characteristic hobble.

Defence

One could avoid confrontation with the Hinkypunk by simply moving out of their throwing range. However, if one was close enough to a Hinkypunk, the creature would throw flame from its lantern, and therefore destruction was advised. The following method was recommended:

1. Trap the Hinkypunk in a corner or approach it in a tight space.
2. Perform Lumos Duo on the Hinkypunk in question until it solidifies.
3. While the Hinkypunk is still solid and dazed, blinded by the wand light, attack it with the Knockback Jinx three to five times, thereby causing it to disappear in a puff of white smoke.

Behind the scenes

• 'Hinkypunk' is the name for a will-o'-the-wisp in southwestern England.
• They are not included in Newton Scamander's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. However, they are included in the Folio Bruti among dementors, charmed skeletons and jinxed armour.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (Mentioned only)
• Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (Appears in deleted scene(s))
• Pottermore
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
• The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac