How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Astonishing though it may seem to many wizards, Muggles have not always been ignorant of the magical and monstrous creatures that we have worked so long and hard to hide. A glance through Muggle art and literature of the Middle Ages reveals that many of the creatures they now believe to be imaginary were then known to be real. The dragon, the griffin, the unicorn, the phoenix, the centaur – these and more are represented in Muggle works of that period, though usually with almost comical inexactitude.
Imperfect understanding is often more dangerous than ignorance, and the Muggles' fear of magic was undoubtedly increased by their dread of what might be lurking in their herb gardens. Muggle persecution of wizards at this time was reaching a pitch hitherto unknown and sightings of such beasts as dragons and Hippogriffs were contributing to Muggle hysteria. (5.1-2)
See? The Muggle and the wizarding worlds weren't always so separated. And that was kind of the problem. As Muggles became more and more frightened of magic (and magical creatures), they started to lash out, so wizards had to go into hiding. Bummer.
Quote #2
Tibet and Scotland are two of the most persistent offenders. Muggle sightings of the yeti have been so numerous that the International Confederation of Wizards felt it necessary to station an International Task Force in the mountains on a permanent basis. Meanwhile the world's largest kelpie continues to evade capture in Loch Ness and appears to have developed a positive thirst for publicity. (6.2)
This is a pretty funny moment. So all the monster sightings that we Muggles brush off as fakes are actually really magical creatures that just aren't being kept under control. Looks like the line of secrecy between Muggles and wizards is thinner than you'd think.
Quote #3
Even those Muggles who do notice Porlock droppings or Streeler trails—it would be foolish to suppose that all traces of these creatures can be hidden—appear satisfied with the flimsiest non-magical explanation. If any Muggle is unwise enough to confide in another that he has spotted a Hippogriff winging its way north, he is generally believed to be drunk or a "loony." Unfair though this may seem on the Muggle in question, it is nevertheless preferable to being burnt at the stake or drowned in the village duckpond. (6.3)
Hey, it's kind of true. What would you think if your neighbor told you he saw a thing with the head of an eagle and the body of a horse flying through the sky? You'd think he was a few sandwiches short of a picnic basket.