Red Cap

Red Cap
Species information
Eye colour	Red
Skin colour	Green
Native to	Northern Europe
Height of average adult	3-4 feet
Mortality	Mortal
Distinction	Dwarf-like appearance Attracted to spilt human blood Bludgeons unwary to death
Ministry of Magic Classification	Beast XXX
Status	Extant

"These dwarf–like creatures live in holes on old battlegrounds or wherever human blood has been spilled. Although easily repelled by charms and hexes, they are very dangerous to solitary Muggles, whom they will attempt to bludgeon to death on dark nights. Red Caps are most prevalent in northern Europe."

— Newt Scamander, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

The Red Cap was a small, dwarf-like magical beast that inhabited wherever human blood had been shed, such as in the dungeons of castles, the potholes of old battlefields, or holes underground.

Description

Red Caps were normally around three or four feet tall, with red eyes and long, sharp nails. They were most often found in northern Europe.

They attacked those who were lost, and though they were extremely dangerous to lone Muggles, a wizard or witch could easily repel them with charms and hexes. They could also be repelled by dousing them in Beautification Potion, as their temporary "beautiful" appearance was repulsive to them.

Red Caps were less dangerous during their mating season, as they became more interested in attacking each other than any invaders of their territory.

History

Red Caps digging in the earth

The enchanted garden that the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship took place in housed an ancient battlefield infested with Red Caps, which competitors must have evaded or defeated in order to pass through.

During the 1987–1988 school year, Jacob's sibling and their friends encountered a Red Cap in the Forbidden Forest.

Remus Lupin taught his third-year Defence Against the Dark Arts class about these creatures during the second lesson of the 1993–1994 school year, and later used them as part of his obstacle course during the final exam of that year. Among the subjects covered in The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection are Red Caps.

Behind the scenes

• The Red Cap is a real mythological creature; supposedly, it will murder any traveller who strays into its home, dying its hat with their blood, for which they get their name.
• In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7, they appear to have beards (in accordance with the folkloric creature), Voldemort-like faces, and a mushroom on their head rather than a cap.
• While Red Caps were introduced in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, they did not appear in the film adaptation of the book. They did, however, appear as minor enemies in the Gamecube version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. They are encountered in the dungeons of Hogwarts during the Black Deeds chapter.

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 Goblet of Fire (video game) (GBA and Nintendo DS versions only)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game) (Nintendo DS version only)
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (NDS and iPhone versions only)
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
• Pottermore
• Wonderbook: Book of Potions
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened