N

Niffler - Nogtail - Norwegian Ridgeback - Nundu

Niffler

XXX

A black fluffy long-snouted creature which burrows in dirt as if it were water. Although nifflers are gentle and even affectionate, they are strongly attracted to anything shiny, which can make them difficult to control. They can be very useful for finding treasure, and are often kept by goblins for this purpose (GF28). Native to Britain, nifflers live in lairs up to 20 feet underground and have litters of 6 - 8 young.

Fred and George left a couple of nifflers with Lee Jordan when they left school. He levitated them into Umbridge's office through her window, where they cheerfully trashed the place, then attacked her when she walked in; Umbridge had a habit of wearing rings, and nifflers are prone to attempt to bite off jewelry (OP31, GF28).

"niffer" (Scotland and northern England) to exchange, mutually exchange, or barter [NSOED]

Nogtail

XX

Found in rural areas across Europe, Russia, and America; a Dark Creature (classified as a demon) resembling a piglet, but stunted with narrow black eyes, a thick stubby tail, and long legs. Nogtails curse farms. A nogtail slips into a pigsty and suckles an ordinary pig; the longer it goes undetected, the longer the curse that falls upon the farm. The nogtail is very fast and difficult to catch, but if chased off the farm by a pure white dog it will never return. See the Pest Sub-Division of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures for assistance with nogtail problems (FB).

Norwegian Ridgeback  

XXXXX - Norway

See Dragons - Norwegian Ridgeback.

Nundu

XXXXX

Considered by many to be the most dangerous beast in existence, the nundu is a gigantic leopard, native to East Africa, whose breath carries disease and death. Whole villages have been wiped out by the nundu, and no nundu has ever yet been subdued by fewer than a hundred wizards working together (FB). Compare this with the dragons of the first task of the Triwizard Tournament in Harry's fourth year, each of which - an agitated nesting mother - could be Stunned by a team of fewer than ten wizards (GF19).