The world of Harry Potter is known for its different status wizards, but did you know there is such a thing as a wizard-born? Better known as the Squib, these are children of magical folk who did not inherit magic, despite their magical lineage.
While uncommon but not unheard of, the Squib is well aware of the magical world, given their upbringing, but cannot use magic themselves. Two well-known examples include Argus Filch, the caretaker at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Arabella Figg, a neighbour of Harry Potter and the Dursleys on Privett Drive. She is also a member of the Order of the Phoenix and was assigned to watch over Harry on Dumbledore’s behalf.
Now, this post is only a brief one. If you want more information on the Squib, go to the link above, and it will take you to the corresponding page on the Harry Potter Wiki.
Does A Squib Have To Have Two Magical Parents?
A Squib does not have to have two magical parents. One can be magical, and the other a muggle (regular human). It is said that most magical children show signs of their abilities by the time they’re seven years old. However, there are exceptions to this rule.
Neville Longbottom, a friend and classmate of Harry Potter, was believed to be a Squib. His Uncle Algie dropped him out a window “by accident” to see if he would bounce back. When he did, it became apparent that he was a late bloomer to his abilities.
Squib Treatment In The Magical World
Squibs are treated like second-class citizens in the magical world. Their births aren’t recorded, so it seems like they don’t exist. However, the kinder thing to do is to send Squib-identifying children to muggle schools and have them integrate with regular humans where they fit in.
There have been protests throughout the wizarding community. Even a ton of wizarding families who have associations with muggle-borns hold Squibs in low regard. One example is the Weasley family. Despite being poor and having a half-Veela in-law in Fleur Delacour and a muggle-born in-law in Hermione Granger, even they see Squibs as the lowest of the low. No one ever mentions Molly Weasley’s distant cousin.
Suspected Squibs
There have been suspected Squibs (like Neville), but their lack of magical ability isn’t due to their lack of talents. There can be any number of reasons why magic doesn’t show.
One prime example is Merope Gaunt, the mother of Lord Voldemort. She was a full-blooded witch, but she suppressed her abilities out of fear due to her being deeply traumatised by her father and brother.
Her father called her a Squib as an insult.
Another well-known example is Ariana Dumbledore. After two muggle boys assaulted her, she suppressed her magic.
Finally, a third example is Credence Barebone. Born Aurelius Dumbledore, the son of Aberforth Dumbledore, Albus’s brother, Credence was a half-blood wizard whose abilities were suppressed and manifested into an Obscurial, a dangerous parasite that can be destructive. Also, most people with the parasite don’t live past ten. So how Credence survived is unclear.
