Understanding the complex and often misunderstood magical classification systems in the Harry Potter universe, particularly regarding a child born to a Muggle (non-magical person) and a Squib (a magical being who lost their powers as a child), can be quite intriguing. This article aims to clarify the blood status and lineage, based on the provided information from the Harry Potter series and the rules established in the magical world.

Background: The Classification System in Harry Potter

The magical lineage in the Harry Potter world is heavily influenced by blood status, which can be Half-Blood, Muggle-Born, or Pure-Blood. Each blood status carries with it certain social and cultural implications within the magical society. These statuses are determined by the magical abilities and heritage of one’s ancestors, specifically focusing on their grandparents.

Understanding Blood Status

Half-Blood: A Half-Blood is a witch or wizard whose parents are one magical and one non-magical person, or whose parents are both witches/warlocks but come from a mixed or blended magical and non-magical family background. In such instances, a child born to a Muggle and a Squib would be classified as a Half-Blood, as the Squib parent contributes magical blood to the lineage, enhancing the possibility of the child possessing magical abilities.

Muggle-Born: A Muggle-Born is a witch or wizard born to two non-magical parents. The term is inaccurate when applied to a child whose parents possess a significant magical heritage, as explained below.

Pure-Blood: A Pure-Blood is a witch or wizard whose parents, grandparents, and often great-grandparents are all witches or wizards. This status is often sought after by families who wish to maintain their blood purity, although there is no clear evidence that it grants any inherent magical superiority or magical advantages.

Case Study: Tom Riddle Jr. and the Potter Timeline

The example of Tom Riddle Jr. (later known as Voldemort) is particularly illustrative. Born to a Muggle father and a witch (from an inbred and enfeebled Gaunt family), Tom Riddle’s heritage placed him as a Half-Blood. Despite his lowborn lineage, he went on to achieve great power and influence in the magical world. This case highlights that a child’s blood status is not solely determined by their immediate parents but by their grandparents' magical heritage.

Grandparents' Influence on Blood Status

According to the canonical rules within the Harry Potter universe, the blood status of a child is determined by their grandparents. This means that even if one parent or both parents have magical abilities, their level of magical power is not the determining factor. For example:

A child of a Muggle-born and a Squib would be considered a Half-Blood, as the magical heritage still plays a significant role in the lineage. A child of a Squib and a Pure-Blood would also be considered a Pure-Blood, provided that their grandparents had the magical ability. The term 'Muggle-Born' is specifically used for children whose parents are both non-magical and whose grandparents did not possess magical powers. It would be inaccurate to classify a child with magical potential as Muggle-Born unless both parents and their grandparents were Muggles.

Implications and Social Dynamics

The classification of blood status in the magical world affects how individuals are perceived and treated. Sorting into houses at Hogwarts, for instance, is heavily influenced by blood status, which can lead to social stratification and prejudice. Pure-Bloods often have discriminatory attitudes towards Half-Bloods and Muggle-Borns, as seen in the behavior of some of the more "ornery" families.

“A Muggle-born is the filth of the world.” - Severus Snape

This quote from Severus Snape reflects the ingrained prejudices and demarcations that divide the magical community based on blood status.

Conclusion

Understanding the intricacies of magical blood status in the Harry Potter universe reveals the importance of the grandparents' magical heritage. A child born to a Muggle and a Squib would be classified as a Half-Blood, given the presence of magical blood. This system of classification, while complex and sometimes divisive, forms a significant part of the cultural and social dynamics within the magical world.

By examining the specific cases and rules in the Harry Potter series, we can gain a deeper understanding of the magical world’s classification systems and the social implications they carry. This knowledge is not only crucial for fans of the series but for anyone wishing to explore the rich and detailed canons of J.K. Rowling's magical universe.