Veela

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Veela are a race of semi-human, semi-magical creatures reminiscent of the Sirens of Greek mythology. They appear to be young, beautiful human women, and their appearance and especially their dance are magically seductive to almost all males. When Veela are angry, however, they transform into something more like Harpies — their faces turn into cruel-beaked bird heads and long scaly wings burst from their shoulders, and they can launch balls of fire from their hand.

They have been known to take jobs as cheerleaders for leading Quidditch teams, including the Bulgarian team during the Quidditch World Cup. Other hints also point to Veela being of Eastern European origin, although the Delacour sisters, who are from France, are proof that they can be found all over Europe.

Veela have been known to marry human men, although it is unknown if any have married Muggles as well as wizards. Children of these unions are half-Veela, and they will inherit magical ability from their fathers and beauty and charm from their mothers. Veela traits seem to persist for at least a few generations.

Apolline Delacour is a half-Veela, thus her children Fleur and Gabrielle are one-quarter Veela. Fleur's wand contains a single hair from her Veela grandmother.

Other Types

Veela — also known as Vila, Wila, or Wili — are nymph-like creatures in Slavic mythology, who live in bodies of water and have power over storms. They often appear as beautiful women, but are known to shapeshift into swans, snakes, horses, or wolves. Their voices hypnotize those who hear them, and they are fierce warriors. Interestingly, given that Fleur Delacour's wand has a hair from her Veela grandmother, it is said in some legends that if even one of their hairs is plucked, a Veela will either die or be forced to change into a non-human shape. Veela's are main features of Serbian folklore such as the story of Marko Kraljevic and the Veela.