Magic is what sets folks in the wizarding world apart from their Muggle neighbors. Magic is the heart and soul of the wizarding culture in the same way that science and
technology are the heart and soul of Muggle culture. Where a Muggle would pound a stake into the ground using a sledge hammer
(a simple machine), a wizard would use a wand. Both the Muggle and the wizard view their choice of tool as completely and utterly logical and ordinary, although each would
find the other's tools fascinating and even mysterious.
The basic concepts of magic are fairly simple -- even a two-year-old wizard can do some form of magic -- but the inherent power and potential for misuse are great indeed. It is for this reason that
promising young witches and wizards are sent off to Hogwarts and other schools of magic to refine their craft and learn the art and responsibility of their power. At Hogwarts, students learn a variety of magical specialties as well as general theory and the history of magic in their world.
"I don't believe in witchcraft, though I've lost count of the number of times I've been told I'm a practicing
witch. Ninety - let's say ninety five percent at least, of the magic in the books in entirely invented by me. And I've used
things from folklore and I've used bits of what people used to believe worked magically just to add a certain flavor, but
I've always twisted them to suit my own ends. I mean, I've taken liberties with folklore to suit my plot."
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J.K. Rowling on magic in the books (HPM)
Rowling spent the first five years of creating the Harry Potter books working on "the rules" for her fictional universe.
She doesn't spell out these rules in the books, but she drops plenty of hints. In order for the ordinary "Muggle" reader to
better understand the way things work in the world she created, the Lexicon presents a series of essays detailing these rules,
as far as we can discern them. None of these essays was written by Rowling herself, but each is based on careful analysis
and interpretation of events in the stories.
Wand, Word, and Will: How Magic Works
Magical Reference
The Complete Guide to Magic provides a complete guide to all the magical spells, devices, potions, and terms (as well as links to the Lexicon's individual
encyclopedias and directories for specific areas of interest).
History of Magic
some notable events in the history of the wizarding world
