These devices were Dark Detectors originally used by among others Aurors over the course of their duties to detect Dark magical activity in an area. In the late 2010s, these were modified by then Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, to be attuned specifically to the traces of magical activity unleashed by the Calamity. These were then made accessible to members of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force.[1]
History[]
20th century[]
These detectors were invented and distributed at some point prior to 1994, at which point the retired Auror Alastor Moody kept at least one such device in his collection of dark detectors.[2] After he retired from active duty, he kept it in his house, but it was stolen by Bartemius Crouch Jnr, after he subdued and locked him in his own trunk so he could impersonate him with the intent of facilitating the Return of Lord Voldemort under guise of the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher during the 1994–1995 school year.[3]
When Dumbledore's Army reacquired a place to hold their meetings, the Room of Requirement provided a suitable room for them, in which there was a collection of broken dark detectors that Harry Potter recognised as the ones in "Moody's" office the year before.[4]
21st century[]
When Constance Pickering was charged with setting up the Statute of Secrecy Task Force, witches and wizards that volunteered to serve as Calamity Investigators had access to these devices, which they could put down in areas to detect traces of the Calamity.[1]
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite