How to Start
Step 1: Define Your Vision
By Harry Potter
Before you can build anything, you need to know why you're building it. Magic can raise walls and carve roads in a matter of moments, but a true magical community is built on something far stronger than spells—its purpose.
A vision is more than just an idea. It's the foundation upon which every spell, every rule, and every tradition in your community will be based. Without one, even the most powerful wizards can find themselves lost, struggling to hold their settlement together. So, before you start conjuring homes or laying down wards, take some time to craft a clear and meaningful vision for your magical community.
The Three Pillars of a Strong Vision
When defining your vision, ask yourself three key questions:
Who is this community for?
Are you creating a sanctuary for magical beings?A village for witches and wizards looking for a fresh start?A center of magical learning or innovation?
What will life here be like?
Will your settlement be bustling and trade-focused like Diagon Alley, or a peaceful retreat like a hidden monastery for magical scholars?Will it be open to outsiders, or will only certain magical people be allowed in?How will people earn a living? Will trade and barter be the main economy, or will there be jobs and services like in Muggle towns?
What values will define your community?
Will magic be used freely, or will there be rules against certain types of spells?Will equality and fairness be core principles, ensuring that all magical beings have a place?Will your village be independent, or will it work alongside the Ministry of Magic?
Your answers to these questions will shape everything else. A well-defined vision ensures that every decision—from the type of magic allowed to the festivals celebrated—aligns with a shared goal.
Examples of Successful Magical Communities & Their Visions
To help you craft your own vision, let's take a look at some famous wizarding communities and the guiding principles that made them successful.
Hogsmeade – A Thriving Trade and Cultural Hub
Vision: Originally founded as a safe haven for wizards, Hogsmeade evolved into a bustling trade and tourism center, serving Hogwarts students and the greater wizarding world.
Key Features: Shops, taverns, and entertainment hubs like Honeydukes and The Three Broomsticks create a vibrant economy. It embraces visitors while maintaining a strong magical identity.
Godric's Hollow – A Historical and Familial Settlement
Vision: Built as a home for wizarding families, with a deep respect for history and tradition.
Key Features: Strong magical lineage, historic significance (such as the resting place of Godric Gryffindor and important figures from the war), and a peaceful atmosphere for raising magical children.
Ilvermorny – From Refuge to Renowned Institution
Vision: Founded by Isolt Sayre as a safe haven for magical children, Ilvermorny grew into a prestigious school, showing how a small magical settlement can become something greater.
Key Features: A focus on education, community, and equal opportunity for all magical students, regardless of bloodline.
Crafting Your Own Vision: A Guided Exercise
If you're serious about creating a magical community, I highly recommend taking time to put your vision into words. Grab a piece of parchment (or a self-writing quill, if you're feeling fancy) and answer the following questions:
What is the main purpose of this community? (e.g., A safe haven, a place for trade, a research center for magical knowledge)
What types of witches, wizards, or magical beings do you want to attract?
What magical traditions or rules will define this community?
What kind of daily life do you envision here?
How will your community interact with the outside world?
Once you've written your answers, summarize them into a single statement—this is your community's guiding vision. For example:
"Our magical community will be a sanctuary for witches and wizards seeking a peaceful life, free from outside interference. It will be built on values of self-sufficiency, magical innovation, and respect for all magical beings."
This statement will act as your north star, guiding every decision you make as you begin to build.
Final Thought
A strong vision is like a well-cast Patronus—it gives your community form, purpose, and strength even in the face of difficulty. The magical settlements that last are the ones that know exactly why they exist.
So, before you start summoning stone and carving roads, take the time to dream, to imagine, and to define what your magical community truly stands for. Once you have that, everything else—from location to laws—will begin to fall into place.
Now that we've covered the importance of vision, it's time to move on to the next step: choosing the perfect location (and making sure it isn't already occupied by a dragon).
— Harry Potter