A "binding magical contract" refers to any sort of magically-enforced commitment.
Known magical contracts[]
The Goblet of Fire enforces one on participants whose names are chosen for the Triwizard Tournament; if the name is submitted, and then chosen, the individual who is chosen is placed under a binding magical contract that forces them to participate in the tournament. Such a contract came up when Harry Potter was chosen. It is unknown what happens should one break the contract created by the Goblet.
The Unbreakable Vow is another type; breaking such a contract results in the death of the one who broke the terms of the agreement.
Trivia[]
- It is unknown what the precise consequences of breaking the magical contract between Triwizard Champion and Goblet of Fire entail. Furthermore, how the contract is placed is also a mystery, as Barty Crouch Jnr. was the one who submitted Harry's name, as opposed to Harry himself, unlike the other Champions such as Cedric, who is known to have submitted his name himself.