I've saved Pogrebins for our final lesson before entering the Dark Creatures II class. Next year we will be tackling Major Dark Creatures, and the Pogrebin is similar enough to Dementors, that they provide a good seque into our next class.

Pogrebins are Russian demons, barely a foot tall, with a hairy body but a smooth, oversized grey head. When crouching, the Pogrebin resembles a shiny, round rock. They are attracted to humans and enjoy tailin them, staying in their shadow and crouching quickly should the shadow’s owner turn around. If a Pogrebin is allowed to tail a human for many hours, a sense of great futility will overcome its prey, who will eventually fall into a state of lethargy and despair. When the victim stops walking and sinks to their knees to weep at the pointlessness of life, the Pogrebin will leap upon them and attempt to devour them.

II. Defeating a Pogrebin

Defeating a Pogrebin is similar to defeating a Dementor, or any other Dark Creature. They can be defeated easily enough with simple magic, the hard part, is keeping your wits about you while you do it. It is easy to repulse the Pogrebin with simple hexes or Stupefying Charms. Kicking has also been found effective.

Because Pogrebins infuse their prey with hopelessness, it is important to have strong mind control. Study in Occlumency is very helpful against Pogrebins. One can deter this infusion of hopelessness by focusing on a happy memory, or, if you know that you will come in contact with one, preparing a giddiness, or happiness potion ahead of time. As with Dementors, chocolate is good for restoring constitution after coming into contact with a Pogrebin.