In the fictional Harry Potter series created by J. K. Rowling, magic is depicted as a natural force that can be used to override the usual laws of nature while still being approached entirely scientifically. Many magical creatures exist in the series, as do ordinary creatures that exhibit some magical properties (such as owls, which are used to deliver post).

Objects, too, can be enhanced or imbued with magical power. The small percentage of humans that are able to perform magic are referred to as witches and wizards, in contrast to the non-magical Muggles. In humans, magic or the lack thereof is an inborn attribute.

It is inherited, carried on "dominant resilient genes." Magic is the norm in the children of magical couples and less common in those of Muggles. Exceptions exist: those unable to do magic who are born to magical parents are known as Squibs, whereas a witch or wizard born to Muggle parents is known as a Muggle-born, or by the pejorative "Mudblood". While Muggle-borns are quite common, Squibs are extremely rare.

For a person's ability to perform magic to be of use, a good deal of training is needed. When 'wild,' typically with young and untrained children, magic will still manifest itself subconsciously in moments of strong apprehension, fear, or anger. For example, Harry Potter once made his hair grow back after a bad haircut, and, in anger, made his Aunt Marge inflate enormously.

Whilst this reaction is almost always uncontrollable, Tom Marvolo Riddle, later known as Lord Voldemort, was able to "make things move without touching them, ...Make animals do what he wanted without training them, ...make bad things happen to people who annoy him, ...or 'make them hurt if I [he] want[s] to'" when he was a young child, apparently intentionally.

It should also be noted that Lily Potter was able to guide and control the blades of a flower by wanting to. This may be due to the fact that magic occurs through anger or grief, and since Tom Riddle had quite the tormenting childhood he would have had a great amount of practice to hone this ability, but this is pure speculation. Almost all magic is done with the use of a supporting tool or focus, typically a wand.

On the subject of magic without the use of a wand, Rowling says:

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