What is a demon in Potterverse

[bluesqueak]

No: HPFGUIDX 67559

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Mark D." <uncmark at y...> wrote:
> I was rereading PoA and had a question about Grindylows being 
> defined as "water demons". I couldn't find demons listed in either 
> Fantastic Beasts or the Harry Potter Lexicon. I always thought 
> demons were creatures of the underworld (such as devils, 
hellspawn, 
> fallen angels, followers of Lucifer...)
> 
> Can anyone come up with a suitable definition?

A demon is an evil spirit/creature. British mythology includes the 
conception of evil spirits (who may have very physical forms) who 
have nothing to do with the underworld. It also seems to be the 
Potterverse conception, as well. 

Non underworld demons are usually evil because we interfere with 
them, or because we happen to be on their lunch menu [grin].

So a creature of the underworld is a demon, but not all demons are 
creatures of the underworld.

Pip!Squeak