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"Are you a wizard, or what?"
The title of this article is conjectural. Although it is based on canonical information, the actual name is a conjecture and may be supplanted at any time by additional information released from canonical sources. If this occurs, please move this page to the appropriate title. |
- Harry Potter: "He murdered thirteen people? with one curse?"
- Stan Shunpike: "Yep, in front of witnesses an; all. Broad daylight. Big trouble it caused, dinnit, Ern?"
- — Harry Potter asking Stanley Shunpike about the massacre of these people[src]
These people were a group of twelve Muggles killed by an explosion deliberately caused by Peter Pettigrew with a single curse on 1 November 1981.[5] This event was one of the most infamous massacres in recent times.[3]
History[]
Origins[]
Eventually, three of these Muggles became employed as a guard, guitarist, and officer respectively, while the others pursued unknown careers.[2]
Destroyed by Peter Pettigrew[]
After betraying the Potters, Pettigrew was pursued by Sirius Black, and was eventually cornered by him on a crowded London[1] street. Pettigrew then loudly accused Black of betraying the Potters, cast an extremely powerful explosive curse (likely the Blasting Curse), and escaped, leaving behind a finger he had cut off to fake his death. This explosion claimed the lives of twelve Muggles, and left a deep crater in the street. Over fifty Muggle witnesses reported what Pettigrew said to Ministry of Magic officials. Black was imprisoned in Azkaban without trial. Before his capture, Black was found laughing like a maniac, seemingly confirming his guilt.[3]
Pettigrew blows up half the street
The Ministry of Magic had difficulty covering up this event given the extent of the damage and the number of Muggle casualties.[3] They erased the memories of surviving Muggle witnesses[4] and disseminated the story that the explosion had been caused by a leak in a gas main.[3]
Legacy[]
It was not until 1994 that Remus Lupin realised Black was innocent and convinced Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger to believe the truth.[5] Nevertheless, Cornelius Fudge ignored their stories,[6] and the Ministry continued to consider Black guilty until after his murder in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries on 18 June 1996.[7]
Victims[]
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (First mentioned)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Mentioned only)
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (First appearance) (Appears in photographs)
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Mentioned only)
- The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac (Possible appearance) (Appears as skeletons)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The fact there was a Queen's Guard in uniform among the casualties suggest the incident happened near one of the Queen's official residences in London.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 3 (The Knight Bus)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 10 (The Marauder's Map)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 19 (The Servant of Lord Voldemort)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 21 (Hermione's Secret)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 36 (The Only One He Ever Feared)