Gnome
A gnome, or garden gnome, is a small magical beast commonly known to infest the gardens of wizarding households.
Description
The correct taxonomic name for gnomes is Gernumbli gardensi; they are sometimes referred to as Gernumblies.
Gnomes can reach a size of approximately one foot, making them smaller than Erklings. They are usually brown in colour and have disproportionately large heads, making them look like potatoes with legs. Although not dangerous creatures, they possess razor sharp teeth and tend to bite if provoked.
Their feet are hard and bony, and they do not look anything like the garden gnome lawn decorations used by Muggles.
Gnomes are quick breeders. Gnomes have the ability to speak, and can learn swear words. They scream when thrown away and mumble angrily. They often laugh when a de-gnoming is not done properly. However, they were not particularly intelligent, rushing out of their homes to see what was going on when de-gnoming started. Gnomes may possess unique magical abilities, distinct from wizarding magic.
Habitat
Gnomes are found throughout northern Europe and North America.
Gnomes live in burrows underground, known as gnomeholes, where they dig up and eat the roots of plants, creating little heaps of earth around gardens similarly to moles (and as such causing considerable damage to them). Gnomes prefer to live in wizarding gardens over Muggle gardens. They are known to run out and attempt to trip the unwary travellers near the gardens they claim.
Diet
Gnomes seem to like worms and Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans.
Predators
The natural predator of the gnome is the Jarvey.
Kneazles are fond of chasing gnomes around, but gnomes seem just as fond of being chased.
Wix Response
Some wix believe having an infestation of gnomes in one's garden was a sort of blessing. Most treat them as pests.
Relatives
See also Ice Gnome
Uses
Some believe gnome saliva has many unusual and beneficial properties, such as the ability to suddenly increase one's creativity (example: it might make one have the urge to sing opera, or give speeches in Mermish).
A gnome stunned, painted gold and stuffed into a costume is used as a Christmas tree topper by some wizarding families.
De-gnoming
De-gnoming typically consists of taking hold of the gnomes, swinging them around until they are dizzy, and then throwing them beyond the perimeter fence or wall. Other gnomes will hurry out of their burrows to see what's causing the commotion, facilitating their capture.
Alternatively, one can use a Jarvey to de-gnome a garden, but this method is considered much too violent and thus is seldom used. However, in 2018 Ignan Storm (perhaps taking after his father) bought a Jarvey to the garden at Kaldfjord cottage[1] in Hogsmeade to deal with the gnomes and teach Katrine Elliot.
Some wizarding families have to regularly de-gnome the garden.
Other methods to temporarily deflect gnomes include conjuring water.
At Absit Omen
Families with known infestations:
- Minerva McGonagall's residence, Urquart House [2],
- Aileen Reid [3]
- Darcy Pinn [4]
- Maddy Kameron [5]
- Edward Pratt [6]
- Sarah Brown [7]
In the summer of 1958 Durmstrang had a chronic infestation of gnomes burrowing under the foundations of the school which was dealt with by gassing and sending crups in after them. Gnome rights activists protested about this, much to the disagreement of Headmaster Merik Storm, whom was of the opinion these activists wanted to give the gnomes hugs and houses.
In May 1996 Irene Carstairs was a reporter and responded to reports of strange occurrences in the Dartmouth area: gnomes had gone missing. Every one from the village had vanished.[8]
In August 2008 at the Woodcroft Festival, Charlie Robards ran a game throwing gnomes[9]
In April 2009, the Shodding Arms Hotel had an infestation[10]
At Hogwarts the gnomes are studied by Care of Magical Creatures students.[11]
Beast Division will deal with gnomes in muggle communities.[12]
