What is a Hinkypunk and where are they found?

by Karen
(England)

Well, according to that great reference work Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Hinkypunks don't even exist.

But I'm sure the author has it wrong. Or maybe they're newly arrived in the magical world?

Maybe, it's because Hinkypunks are not - strictly speaking - beasts. They are spirit creatures and look as if they're made from nothing more substantial than smoke.

They're most commonly found in the area of England called Dartmoor, a wide expanse of very little. There's moorland, a bit of heather and a few outcroppings of rock. What's plentiful on Dartmoor is sheep, and fog, and bog - and trading routes.

And that's where the Hinkypunk comes in.

I suppose it has a mischievious nature, because it likes to appear right before the eyes of bemused merchants, seemling materialising out of the mist, and beckoning them to follow. Sometimes, it is even allegded to promise gold and treasure if the merchants follow where it leads.

But beware those that do!

If you follow a Hinkypunk you will die a horrible, wet death in a bog somewhere high up on Dartmoor and nobody will ever find your corpse!

I'm not sure what the Hinkypunks get out of it, though. Maybe they're solitary creatures and don't want too many people cluttering up Dartmoor.

So, if you see a Hinkypunk - don't follow it anywhere. You can, however, take a photo and send it to me. I don't think Hinkypunks have been captured on film yet....

Comment from Sue:

Hinkypunks are - of course - an invention of Harry Potter author J K Rowling. She's done an excellent job of researching English folklore and blending it into her stories, sparking the creativity of many of us who love to write. For that - and for letting Harry survive - we are truly grateful.

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