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_J.K._Rowling_-_Fantastic_Beasts_and_Where_to_Find_Them_20140530113147938_784

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Burkina Faso. A three-headed serpent, the Runespoor<br />

commonly reaches a length of six or seven feet. Livid orange with<br />

black stripes, the Runespoor is only <strong>to</strong>o easy <strong>to</strong> spot, so the<br />

Ministry of Magic in Burkina Faso has designated certain forests<br />

unplottable for the Runespoor’s sole use.<br />

The Runespoor, though not in itself a particularly vicious<br />

beast, was once a favourite pet of Dark wizards, no doubt because<br />

of its striking <strong>and</strong> intimidating<br />

appearance. It<br />

is <strong>to</strong> the writings of<br />

Parselmouths who have<br />

kept <strong>and</strong> conversed with<br />

these serpents that we owe our underst<strong>and</strong>ing of their curious<br />

habits. It transpires from their records that each of the<br />

Runespoor’s heads serves a different purpose. The left head (as<br />

seen by the wizard facing the Runespoor) is the planner. It<br />

decides where the Runespoor is <strong>to</strong> go <strong>and</strong> what it is <strong>to</strong> do next.<br />

The middle head is the dreamer (Runespoors may remain<br />

stationary for days at a time, lost in glorious visions <strong>and</strong><br />

imaginings). The right head is the critic <strong>and</strong> will evaluate the<br />

efforts of the left <strong>and</strong> middle heads with a continual irritable<br />

hissing. The right head’s fangs are extremely venomous. The<br />

Runespoor rarely reaches a great age, as the heads tend <strong>to</strong> attack<br />

each other. It is common <strong>to</strong> see a Runespoor with the right head<br />

missing, the other two heads having b<strong>and</strong>ed <strong>to</strong>gether <strong>to</strong> bite it<br />

off.<br />

The Runespoor produces eggs through its mouths, the only<br />

known magical beast <strong>to</strong> do so. These eggs are of immense value<br />

in the production of potions <strong>to</strong> stimulate mental agility. A black<br />

37

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