Lethifolds
Lethifolds are also known as the Living Shroud. It is a mercifully rare creature found solely in tropical climates. It resembles a black cloak that glides along the ground at night, a half an inch thick, thicker if it has recently killed and digested a victim.
The earliest account of a Lethifold was written by the Wizard Flavius Belby in 1782. He survived an encounter with a Lethifold, and described it as trying to smother him completely, clamoring on top of his face, wrapping him in coldness, and sealing itself upon his face.
Once its prey has been successfully suffocated, the Lethifold digests its food right then, usually in the victim’s bed. It then exits the victim’s house slightly thicker and fatter than before, leaving no trace of itself or its victim behind.
Dementors
Dementors are the Dark Guardians of the Wizardring Prison, Azkaban. In appearance, Dementors are covered in dark, hooded cloaks which reveal only grey, scabby, decaying hands. They grow like fungi in the darkest, dankest places, creating dense, chilling fog.
The wraith-like creatures have no eyes. They sense and feed on the positive emotions of human beings, forcing them to relive their worse memories. The very presence of a Dementor makes the surrounding atmosphere grow cold and dark. Those kept in the company of a Dementor for too long are often driven insane.
Prolonged exposure to a Dementor can also rob a Wizard of his power. Dementors are invisible to Muggles, but affect them in the same way. The presence of a Dementor among Muggles, is liken to the disease of depression, and can unfortunately, lead a Muggle to suicide. Chocolate is an effective first aid to mild cases of contact with a Dementor.
In addition to feeding on positive emotions, Dementors can perform what is known as the Dementor’s Kiss, where the Dementor latches its mouth onto a victim’s a sucks out the person’s soul. The victim is left as an empty shell, incapable of thought and with no possibility of recovery. It is believed that existing after a Dementor’s Kiss is worse than death.
Defeating Lethifolds and Dementors
The only way to shield oneself from either of these Dark Creatures, is to use the complex Patronus Charm to drive them away. The charm summons a Patronus, a magical manifestation of good will, providing varied levels of protection against the Creature’s influence, based on the caster’s strength as a Wizard. When summoned by an experienced caster, the Patronus will take the form of an animal significant in some way to the Wizard.
To cast the Patronus Charm, one aims their wand, thinks of their happiest memory, and recites the incantation, EXPECTO PATRONUM.
