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Human hair

Hair-lrg


Human hair refers to the hair that grow on the human body, mainly on the head. Scientifically, hair serves to protect the scalp, regulate body temperature.[6] In the wizarding world, there were plenty of spells related to human hair and several potions that required human hair as an ingredient.[2][3]

Description

Hair was sometimes used as a potion ingredient, such as in the Animagus potion or as the human component in the Polyjuice Potion.[1][2][3] There were also potions that affected human hair. The Hair-Raising Potion made the drinker's hair stand on end, while the Hair-Dyeing Potion was a popular brew that changed the drinker's hair colour.[7][8][9]

There were several spells that could effect on individual's hair. Examples of them were the Hair Loss Curse (a curse which caused an individual to lose their hair),[10][11] the Hair-Thickening Charm (a charm that got the hair thicker),[12] and a hex that instantly scalp them.[13] An individual's hair colour and style could be altered using the complex human transfiguration spell Crinus Muto.[14] A Metamorphmagus could change their hair simply by concentrating.[15]

History

After his graduation, the Potioneer Fleamont Potter developed Sleekeazy's Hair Potion, sales of which quadrupled the family gold.[16] On 29 November 1926, the Daily Prophet ran a front page story on how his hair potion had wooed American witches. It was originally sold with the slogan "Two drops tames even the most bothersome barnet". Noted as being suitable for all hair types on its label, it was particularly effective at taming bushy, unruly hair, allowing it to be styled "sleek." However, the label apparently cautioned against use of the product by redheads, stating it would have "unique results" for them.[17]

Vincent Crabbe's and Gregory Goyle's hair was used by Ron Weasley and Harry Potter on Christmas 1992, in order for them transform into them using Polyjuice Potion, so they could gain access to the Slytherin common room and talk to Draco Malfoy.[3] During her sixth year, Hermione Granger used her own hair as an ingredient in an antidote that she brewed in Potions class.[4]

The hair of Harry Potter was used for the Polyjuice transformation during the Battle of the Seven Potters.[18] Later, the hair of a red-haired Muggle boy was used during the wedding of William Weasley and Fleur Delacour, in order for Harry Potter to assume the form of a Weasley family relative using Polyjuice Potion, as he did not wish to be noticed by the other wedding attendants.[19]

Hermione Granger used Bellatrix Lestrange's hair for her Polyjuice tranformation in 1998, in order for her to break into her vault at Gringotts Wizarding Bank.[20]

Behind the scenes

  • Daniel Radcliffe, the actor who portrayed Harry Potter, mentioned the requirement to shave his leg hair during an interview: "In the second film, there was a shot where I had to hitch my trouser legs up to show I'm not wearing socks, and at 12 my legs were way too hairy, and they said, 'Nobody's going to believe any 12-year-old would have that much hair', so they had to shave two inches up from my ankle."[21]

Appearances

The Archive of Magic: The Film Wizardry of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Pottermore Presents: Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies (Mentioned only)

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Pottermore Presents: Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies - Chapter 3 (Minerva McGonagall)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Side Quest "Become an Animagus!"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 12 (The Polyjuice Potion)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 18 (Birthday Surprises)
  5. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 15 (The Counter-Serum)
  6. ↑ WP favicon Hair on Wikipedia
  7. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 13 (The Very Secret Diary)
  8. ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 2 (Grave Danger) - Potions Lesson "Hair-Raising Potion"
  9. ↑ Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
  10. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)
  11. ↑ Pottermore - Curses and Counter-Curses
  12. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 19 (The Lion and the Serpent)
  13. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 20 (The First Task)
  14. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 15 (The Unbreakable Vow)
  15. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 3 (The Advance Guard)
  16. ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "The Potter Family" at Harry Potter (website)
  17. ↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film)
  18. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 4 (The Seven Potters)
  19. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 8 (The Wedding)
  20. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 26 (Gringotts)
  21. ↑ Daniel Radcliffe reveals he shaved his leg for "Chamber of Secrets" Dobby final scene

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