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hollowed-theory-hall · 22 hours ago

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The Term Warlock

I mentioned in the past I believe the term has to do with a profession in legislation/law-making (i.e Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot or my more headcanoned existence of Law Warlocks) but I read through Tales of Beedle the Bard recently and the author's note described the term as follows:

[The term “warlock” is a very old one. Although it is sometimes used as interchangeable with “wizard”, it originally denoted one learned in duelling and all martial magic. It was also given as a title to wizards who had performed feats of bravery, rather as Muggles were sometimes knighted for acts of valour. By calling the young wizard in this story a warlock, Beedle indicates that he has already been recognised as especially skillful at offensive magic. These days wizards use “warlock” in one of two ways: to describe a wizard of unusually fierce appearance, or as a title denoting particular skill or achievement. Thus, Dumbledore himself was Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. JKR]

(Tales of Beedle the Bard, Albus Dumbledore on “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart”)

That being said, JKR's comments such as those often contradict or aren't 100% accurate to how certain terms are used in the books (like the fashion on Pottermore article she wrote). So I copied down every way in which the word 'Warlock' is used in the HP books to see what the term actually means:

As a title (in legal/political capacity):

ALBUS DUMBLEDORE (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sore., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

(PS)

They’ve demoted him from Chief Warlock on the Wizengamot — that’s the Wizard High Court — and they’re talking about taking away his Order of Merlin, First Class, too.

(GoF)

Here we see the aforementioned title of Chief Warlock (I didn't copy every time it was used in this context, since twice is enough). Contrary to JKR's note, the title of Chief Warlock has nothing to do with skill. It is a legal and political title. The Wizengamot is outright referred to as the Wizard High Court (it's also their parliament, btw, but more on that later). 'Cehif Warlock' is not a title denoting skill, but a title more akin to the Speaker of the House of Lords.

“But it’s against our laws,” said Ron. “Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks’ Convention of 1709, everyone knows that.

(PS)

Professor Binns, glancing up in the middle of a deadly dull lecture on the International Warlock Convention of 1289, looked amazed.

(CoS)

As I mentioned here, 'Warlock Convention' seems to be an alternate name for Wizengamot sessions. The Wizengamot predates the ministry (founded in 1707), and we know it functions as their parliament:

The Order of Merlin (sometimes abbreviated to O.M.) is awarded by the Wizengamot, an organisation that predates the Ministry of Magic and nowadays functions as a combination of court and parliament.

(Pottermore)

So the Wizengamot sessions where they act as a parliament and are devoted to law-making are just referred to as 'Warlock coinventions', as I theorized here. Since 'Warlock' is a term that seems to carry legal status since before the ministry. (Perhaps it is similar to muggle knights in a way like JKR said. Historically knights were part of the noble class. The nights were lords and relatives of lords, so Warlock being used in a similar way historically for a legal position makes more sense than just a skilled dueler. It also works well with the story after which this note appears. The Warlock in The Warlock's Hairy Heart lives in a castle, like a medieval lord).

We would also ask you to remember that any magical activity that risks notice by members of the non-magical community (Muggles) is a serious offense under section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks’ Statute of Secrecy.

(CoS)

This one is interesting since Percy is referring to the ICW (International Confederation of Wizards) as the International Confederation of Warlocks. This is interesting because you know Percy Weasley would use the most accurate term for the ICW, so my headcanon is that, as it is a political/legislative organization the 'W' in ICW stands for 'Warlocks' not 'Wizards' and most have just been saying it wrong for years and Percy is the correct one here.

This headcanon is somewhat supported by the Daily Prophet using 'Warlocks' instead of 'Wizards' too:

Fudge has been criticized by some members of the International Federation of Warlocks for informing the Muggle Prime Minister of the crisis.

(PoA)

(Though they do use 'Federation' instead of 'Confederation' becouse JKR isn't consistent)

Describe the circumstances that led to the Formation of the International Confederation of Wizards and explain why the warlocks of Liechtenstein refused to join.

(OotP)

The above quote also seems to use 'warlocks of Liechtenstein' to refer to a local governing body, since they were offered to join the ICW. This sounds like another Wizengamot-like council in Liechtenstein.

As a title (to signal a skilled wizard?)

Warlock D. J. Prod of Didsbury says: “My wife used to sneer at my feeble charms, but one month into your fabulous Kwikspell course and I succeeded in turning her into a yak! Thank you, Kwikspell!”

(CoS)

The above is from the pamphlet to Kwikspell in Filch's office and uses 'Warlock' the way you would use 'Professor' or 'Doctor' to give credibility to the claim, like saying "recommended by 9 of 10 doctors" on toothpaste.

So it's trying to sell Kwikspell as successful by the use of the term 'warlock' to denote D.J. Prod as a trustworthy wizard with experience. This could mean it's either referring to a skilled wizard (something I haven't seen anyone do in the books elsewhere) or that it's using it as a semi-noble/legal title as mentioned above.

Referring to wizards who are loud or wild-looking

The term 'warlock' is often used by Harry to refer to wizards who look wild or loud and rowdy, in contradiction to the other associations we just spoke of:

Harry ate breakfast each morning in the Leaky Cauldron, where he liked watching the other guests: funny little witches from the country, up for a day’s shopping; venerable-looking wizards arguing over the latest article in Transfiguration Today; wild-looking warlocks; raucous dwarfs; and once, what looked suspiciously like a hag, who ordered a plate of raw liver from behind a thick woolen balaclava.

(PoA)

I marked how the 'venerable' wizards are mentioned separately from the 'wild' warlocks.

It was extremely crowded, noisy, warm, and smoky. A curvy sort of woman with a pretty face was serving a bunch of rowdy warlocks up at the bar. “That’s Madam Rosmerta,” said Ron. “I’ll get the drinks, shall I?” he added, going slightly red.

(PoA)

A sweaty-faced witch in the center of the front row, who was fanning herself vigorously with a copy of the Daily Prophet, kept letting off a high-pitched whistle as steam came pouring out of her mouth, and a grubby-looking warlock in the corner clanged like a bell every time he moved, and with each clang his head vibrated horribly, so that he had to seize himself by the ears and hold it steady.

(OotP)

Staggering under the weight of as many books as he could carry, Harry returned to the Gryffindor common room, pulled a table into a corner, and continued to search. There was nothing in Madcap Magic for Wacky Warlocks . . . nothing in A Guide to Medieval Sorcery . . . not one mention of underwater exploits in An Anthology of Eighteenth-Century Charms

(GoF)

In the above quote, there is a book that uses 'wacky warlocks' in the title. Again, using warlock for a more wild wizard.

I find it super interesting that 'warlock' is either a refined, law-maker or a wild, rowdy wizard. It's possible Harry (and the book) are referring to warlocks from one of the other definitions (specifically the next category) and the wildness of them is just an additional fact mentioned about them.

Referring to an old wizard

The other group often referred to as 'warlocks' are very old wizards who look old:

“My dear boy,” said Lockhart, straightening up and frowning at Harry. “Do use your common sense. My books wouldn’t have sold half as well if people didn’t think I’d done all those things. No one wants to read about some ugly old Armenian warlock, even if he did save a village from werewolves. He’d look dreadful on the front cover.

(CoS)

Seizing the chipped bust of an ugly old warlock from on top of a nearby crate, he stood it on top of the cupboard where the book was now hidden, perched a dusty old wig and a tarnished tiara on the statue’s head to make it more distinctive

(HBP)

Dad was going frantic — it’s only him and an old warlock called Perkins in the office — and they had to do Memory Charms and all sorts of stuff to cover it up — “But your dad — this car — ”

(CoS)

a haze of pipe smoke hung over several elderly warlocks deep in conversation, and a number of house-elves were negotiating their way squeakily through the forest of knees, obscured by the heavy silver platters of food they were bearing, so that they looked like little roving tables.

(HBP)

This kind of goes hand-in-hand with the refined skilled wizard who has a knight-like noble title 'warlock' is used for. Since you have the whole 'wise old wizard' concept it makes sense that 'warlock' is a term used to denote a wisen-looking old wizard.

The following quotes don't mention the 'warlocks' are old, but from the context and how we see 'warlock' used by Harry in his narration, I assume they're all just elderly wizards:

“Shh!” said Hermione desperately, looking around to make sure nobody was listening; there were a couple of warlocks sitting close by who were staring at Harry with great interest, and Zabini was lolling against a pillar not far away. “Harry, I’d be annoyed too, I know it’s your things he’s stealing — ”

(HBP)

“Ours do know a lot of excellent swear words,” said Ron, “but I think Fred and George taught them those.” He led a party of warlocks into the marquee as Luna rushed up.

(DH)

Krum glowered over the top of his drink, watching Xenophilius, who was chatting to several warlocks on the other side of the dance floor.

(DH)

The bar of the Leaky Cauldron was nearly deserted. Tom, the stooped and toothless landlord, was polishing glasses behind the bar counter; a couple of warlocks having a muttered conversation in the far corner glanced at Hermione and drew back into the shadows.

(DH)

It is possible the 'old' category is still using 'warlock' as a title and that these warlocks just happen to be old, but I doubt they would be marked in any way Harry would be able to tell on sight they have any legal position in the Wizaengamot just from looking at them. So, while it's a possibility, I find it unlikely.

Other

“It was a very near miss,” said Ernie. “And in case you’re getting ideas,” he added hastily, “I might tell you that you can trace my family back through nine generations of witches and warlocks and my blood’s as pure as anyone’s, so — ”

(CoS)

This is the only time 'warlock' is truly used as interchangeable with 'wizard' without denoting anything specific about said warlocks (old, skilled, legislator). That is, it is possible Ernie is trying to say many of his family were skilled and talented wizards since he is convincing Harry he is pureblood here. So it's possible he's using 'warlocks' in the context of politically important warlocks — as in claiming he's from a family of "lords". It's possible the Macmillans have a Wizengamot seat and Ernie is referring to many of his family being Wizengamot Warlocks and members of the Warlock's Convention.

Summary

The term Warlock is used for:

Wizards who hold legislative Wizengamot positions.

Historically it might've been used the way noble titles were used in the muggle world. (Knights were nobles and the Warlock from The Warlock's Hairy Heart lives in a castle).

An old wizard that looks elderly.

It might be used for (but it could be argued another meaning is meant in these references so it's open to interpretation):

A skilled wizard.

A loud, wild-looking wizard.

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