harry potter - For which subject do the first years in Hogwarts need "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"?

The letter to the first years mentions following books as mandatory:

All students should have a copy of each of the following: 　　

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot 　　

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling 　　

A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emetic Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The list of subjects for them is:

Transfiguration

Charms

Potions

History of Magic

Defence Against the Dark Art

Astronomy

Herbology

So for which of these do they need "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" ?

Answer

Well in Harry's first three years, his Defense against the Dark Arts teachers taught him about:

Werewolves

Pixies

Red Caps

Grindylows

Kappas

Boggarts

All these creatures have entries in the copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them J.K. Rowling published for charity

If Snape is to be believed (not that he necessarily should), even first year DaDA students would be up to date on some of these creatures:

"Lupin is hardly over-taxing you – I would expect first-years to be able to deal with Red Caps and Grindylows."

All of which lends itself to the theory that they probably primarily use the book for Defense Against Dark Arts classes, which teaches how to defend against dangerous magical creatures. That separates it from Care of Magical Creatures which, as the name suggests, is more about learning to care for them.

Comments

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