HOGWARTS
"Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titallandus"
Which means...
"Never tickle a sleeping dragon."
Things you ought to know:
- The Diadem mentioned frequently throughout this page is that of Rowena Ravenclaw's, which
apparently made the wearer smarter.
- Thestrals are ugly horses invisible to everybody who has not seen death.
School Song
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something, please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot.
General Information
Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age:
Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, Godric Gryffindor, and Salazar Slytherin. They built
Hogwarts far away from Muggles (for magic was an offense at the time).
There are four houses at Hogwarts (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin), each named after one of the founders.
For more information on each house, see the
houses section.
Students attend Hogwarts for seven years. Examinations take place in June of each year, and in fifth and seventh years, Ordinary Wizarding Levels (OWLs) and Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests (NEWTs) take place respectively.
In order to attend Hogwarts, you must be at least eleven years of age and must have shown some signs of magic prior to your eleventh birthday.
Chamber of Secrets
The founders worked well together for a few years, although there was one who was different from the rest, Slytherin.
He believed that only those of pure wizard blood should be permitted to learn magic. The other founders, who had different
beliefs, argued against this. Infuriated, Slytherin left the school forever.
As the legend goes, he left a secret chamber somewhere within Hogwarts. Inside of it, there
was a monster that only the heir of Slytherin could control.
This chamber has been opened twice: once in 1943 by Tom Marvolo Riddle (Voldemort) and again
in 1992/93 by Ginny Weasley, posessed by Tom Riddle's diary.
Houses
(NOTE: The houses are in the order which we see the Common Rooms. We never see Hufflepuff, but we have learnt it's appearance from interviews with JKR.)
(NOTE: First Seen refers to the Common Room.)
Thanks to
Harry Potter Fan Zone for these pictures!
Gryffindor
Sorting Hat Criteria: Brave people
Founder: Godric Griffindor
Head of House: Minerva McGonagall
Animal: Lion
Colours: Red and Gold
Ghost: Nicholas De Mimsy-Porpington (Nearly Headless Nick)
Common Room Description: The Common Room resides on the seventh floor, past a portrait of a fat lady in a pink dress (she is known as the Fat Lady throughout the books). To enter,
she requires a password, which changes quite often.
The room is described as having several squashy armchairs and being decorated with hangings of red and gold. There is also
a fireplace (which is connected to the Floo network) and a notice board, which informs any Gryffindors of important news items.
There are two spiral staircases leading off to the dormitories. The founder, having believed that girls were more trustworthy than boys, had cast a spell so that if any boy were to set foot on the staircase it would soon turn into a slide. and force them to
go back down the staircase.
The dormitories have red four-posted beds and are quite round. The windows overlook the Hogwarts grounds.
First Seen: Philosopher's Stone, when Percy is showing the First Years the Common Room.
Slytherin
Sorting Hat Criteria: Slytherins have no limits and are cunning.
Founder: Salazar Slytherin
Head of House: Severus Snape
Animal: Snake (Salazar Slytherin could talk to snakes)
Colours: Green and Silver
Ghost: the Bloody Baron
Common Room Description: The Slytherin Common Room can be accessed in the dungeons.
A password is required to get past a stone wall into the room.
In the books, the room is described as being low-ceilinged and full of skulls. Everything has a greenish tinge
(quite possibly because the lamps emit a greenish light).
First Seen: In Chamber of Secrets, when Harry and Ron use the Polyjuice Potion. At the time, the password is
pure-blood.
Ravenclaw
Sorting Hat Criteria: Smart people
Founder: Rowena Ravenclaw
Head of House: Filius Flitwick
Animal: Eagle
Colours: Blue and Bronze
Ghost: the Grey Lady
Common Room Description: The Ravenclaw Common Room can be accessed in a tower, up several steps in a dizzying, tight spiral staircase
(which most likely only serves as an entrance to the common room as Harry had never been there before he entered the Common Room). The door is a plain
expanse of wood with an bronze, eagle-shaped knocker. By knocking on the door, the knocker asks you a skill-testing question. If you get it wrong, you
need to wait for somebody to get it right.
The Common Room is a wide, circular, airy room with graceful, arched windows with blue, bronze silks. A midnight-blue carpet covers the floor and the ceiling is domed with stars painted on it.
There is a door which probably leads to the dorms above. Next to the door is a statue of Rowena Ravenclaw, wearing a replica of her beloved diadem (
"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure").
There are bookcases, tables, and chairs.
First Seen: Deathly Hallows, when Luna shows the room for Harry to investigate the Diadem.
Hufflepuff
Sorting Hat Criteria: Patient and loyal
Founder: Helga Hufflepuff
Head of House: Pomona Sprout
Animal: Boar
Colours: Black and Yellow
Ghost: the Fat Friar
Common Room Description: "The Hufflepuff common room is accessed through a [still-life painting] near the kitchens. It is a very cosy and welcoming place, as dissimilar as possible from Snape's dungeon. Lots of yellow hangings, and fat armchairs, and little underground tunnels leading to the dormitories, all of which have perfectly round doors, like barrel tops."
[JKR]
First Seen: Never.
Ghosts
Each Hogwarts house has it's own ghost. Below you can find a few tidbits of information on each ghost:
Ravenclaw Ghost: The Grey Lady
The Grey Lady is the Ravenclaw ghost. Apparently, she never found true love because "she never found
a man up to her standards" [JKR]
The Grey Lady's real name is Helena Ravenclaw and she is the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw.
She stole Rowena Ravenclaws diadem (for she wanted to be smarter) and hid it in a tree in Albania.
Her mother denied this.
When her mother was on the verge of death, she [her mother] called Helena to her, despite Helena's crime. Her mother insisted she marry a man who has loved her all her life, the Bloody Baron, and called him to her. When Helena refused, the Bloody Baron killed her, then commited suicide out of remorse.
Gryffindor Ghost: Nearly Headless Nick
Died October 31st, 1492
Nearly Headless Nick's real name is Nicholas de Mimsy Porpington. While he was alive, he was a wizard at the royal court.
He is a jolly fellow whose head is mostly detatched, with the exception of an inch of skin and sinew.
He was killed by excecution. According to Albus Dumbledore, it was due to persecution of witches and wizards.
He was stripped from his wand and locked in a chamber. Unable to magic himself out, he was excecuted.
Hufflepuff Ghost: The Fat Friar
The Fat Friar is a jolly ghost who treats all students with happiness.
Slytherin Ghost: The Bloody Baron
The Bloody Baron is the only ghost who can control the school poltergeist, Peeves. He is splattered with blood (because he committed suicide after killing the Grey Lady, who he has loved all his life).
Peeves the Poltergeist
Peeves the Poltergeist is the annoying half-ghost who resides at Hogwarts all year. He enjoys all manner of annoying things, from making up rhymes ("
Oh Potter, you rotter, now what have you done? You're killing off students, you think it's good fun!")
to pelting people with moldy peanuts. Some ghosts are all for giving him a second chance while Argus Filch and most students hate him with a passion.
Professor Binns
Professor Binns teaches History of Magic. It appears that he woke up in the staffroom one morning and left his body behind...
JK Rowling has told us that to her, Hogwarts resides in Scotland. But you can use your imagination.
Also, it should be far from prying Muggle eyes. If a Muggle does happen to confront it, they see only a danger sign.
- The name "Hogwarts" came from the name of a flower, though JKR was sure she had made it up herself.
- Initially, there were only seven subjects to be studied at Hogwarts.
- Only Filch stays at Hogwarts during the summer holidays.
- Witches and wizards do not have to go to Muggle school before Hogwarts.
- Although logically there are only about 280 students at Hogwarts, JK Rowling says there are about a thousand.
- Fluffy now resides in the Forbidden Forest.
- Prefects can take house points.
- Most students do not go to Muggle school before Hogwarts because they can not be trusted
to keep their abilities in.
Teachers & Staff
Babbling, Bathsheba (Ancient Runes)
Beery, Herbert (Herbology): He left Hogwarts to join the Wizards Academy of Dramatic Arts (WADA)
Black, Phineas Nigellus (Headmaster, far before 1940)
Binns (History of Magic): A ghost
Burbage, Charity (Muggle Studies, until 1997): She was murdered by Lord Voldemort in 1997.
Carrow, Alecto (Muggle Studies, 1997-1998): A death eater.
Carrow, Amycus (Dark Arts, 1997-1998): A death eater.
Crouch, Barty Jr. (Defense Against the Dark Arts, 1994-95): It was not known that this was Barty Crouch Jr. for he was pretending to be Moody, by means of the Polyjuice Potion. He was therefore fired.
Dippet, Armando (Headmaster, before 1940-1970)
Dumbledore, Albus (Transfiguration, around 1940-1970; Headmaster, around 1970-1997): He was killed in June 1997.
Everard (Headmaster)
Filch, Argus (Caretaker)
Firenze (Divination, 1996-?): A centaur.
Flitwick, Filius (Charms): Head of Ravenclaw house.
Fortescue (Headmaster)
Grubbly-Plank, Whilmelma (Sub for Care of Magical Creatures)
Hagrid, Rubeus (Gamekeeper, around 1943-1993; Care of Magical Creatures, 1993-?)
Hooch (Broom flight)
Kettleburn (Care of Magical Creatures, ?-1993): He endured "no less than sixty-two periods of probation" during his time at Hogwarts, which leads me to believing that he was there for a very long time.
Lockhart, Gilderoy (Defence Against the Dark Arts, 1992-93): He cast a memory charm on himself by accident.
Longbottom, Neville (Herbology, between 1998 and 2017-at least 2017)
Lupin, Remus (Defense Against the Dark Arts, 1993-94): Word got out that he was a werewolf so he resigned.
McGonagall, Minerva (Transfiguration, around 1970-?; Deputy headmistress, around 1970-1998; Headmistress, 1998-before 2017): Head of Gryffindor house.
Merrythought (Defense Against the Dark Arts, around 1940)
Moody, Alastor (Defense Against the Dark Arts, 1994-95): He was an impostor of Moody (he was Barty Crouch Jr.) and therefore was fired.
Ogg (Gamekeeper in Molly Weasley's time and before 1940)
Pince, Irma (Librarian)
Pomfrey, Poppy (Healer)
Pringle, Appolyon (Caretaker in Molly Weasley's time)
Quirrel, Quirinus (Muggle Studies, ?-1991; Defense Against the Dark Arts, 1991-92): He had Voldemort on the back of his head. Because of this, when he touched Harry, Harry's mother's love killed him.
Sinistra, Aurora (Astronomy)
Slughorn, Horace (Potions, around 1940-1981 & 1996-at least 1998)
Snape, Severus (Potions, 1980-1996; DADA, 1996-1997; Headmaster, 1997-1998) Died on May 2, 1998. Head of Slytherin house.
Sprout, Pomona (Herbology): Head of Hufflepuff.
Trelawney, Sibyll (Divination, 1979-?)
Twycross, Wilkie (Apparition instructor)
Umbridge, Dolores (Defense Against the Dark Arts, 1995-96, Headmistress for a very short time in 1996)
Vector, Septima (Arithmancy)
Ancient Runes
Teacher: Babbling Bathsheba
Description: The study of Ancient Runes is a class which Hermione takes from the third year and onwards. In
this class, students examine how to read ancient runes.
Arithmancy
Teacher: Septima Vector
Description: Arithmancy is a different form of Divination. Funny thing is, Hermione
dropped Divination to do Arithmancy, even though they are very similar. This subject is usually
taken only by smart alecks.
Astronomy
Teacher: Aurora Sinistra
Description: According to the first book, they take this class every Wednesday at midnight up in the Astronomy tower.
However, this had been contradicted several times during the series. Occasionally, this subject
requires some homework.
Care of Magical Creatures
Teacher: Professor Kettleburn [before 1993], Rubeus Hagrid [1993-], Whilmelma Grubbly-Plank [sub]
Description: Although Hagrid doesn't teach this the, er, traditional way, the point is that it involves
taking care of magical creatures.
Charms
Teacher: Filius Flitwick
Description: Students learn all sorts of interesting spells in this class.
Defense Against the Dark Arts
Teacher: Quirinus Quirrel [1991-1992], Gilderoy Lockhart [1992-93], Remus Lupin [93-34], Alastor Moody [94-95], Dolores Umbridge [95-96], Severus Snape [96-97], Amycus Carrow [97-98]
Description: Harry really excels at this class. It teaches people how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts.
There was, until Voldemort's death, a jinx on this position, which is why most teachers have avoided it.
Divination
Teacher: Sibyll Trelawney [1979-1996 (probation)-?], Firenze [1996-?]
Description: Most people are pretty bad at this class, which deals with looking into the future. The teacher, Professor Trelawney, is not very good at it.
In book 6 (1996-1997), Firenze and Professor Trelawney shared the spot of Divination teacher.
Herbology
Teacher: Pomona Sprout
Description: Neville's favourite subject, this deals with magical plants in the greenhouses.
History of Magic
Teacher: Professor Binns
Description: Nobody likes this subject, which consists mainly of lectures on old wizards and troll wars. It deals with history.
Potions
Teacher: Severus Snape [1980ish-1996], Horace E.F. Slughorn [1996-?]
Description: The magical art of potion-making has been around for a long time. In this class students learn both about potion theory and how to brew them. Long essays are often assigned as homework.
Transfiguration
Teacher: Minerva McGonagall
Description: This subject is commonly taken and is also one of the more difficult ones. In this class, students attempt to change the appearance of various things, starting out small and eventually moving on to invertibrae and later full-grown animals.
Every year the sorting hat comes up with a new song. Unfortunately, Harry hasn't been there for each of them, but you can still read what we already know!
Philosopher's Stone
Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can top them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a steady mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
Goblet of Fire
A thousand years or more ago,
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favourites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!
Order of the Phoenix
In times of old when I was new
And Hogwarts barely started
The Founders of our noble school
Thought never to be parted:
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning.
"Together we will build and teach!"
The Four good friends decided
And never did they dream that they
Might someday be divided,
For were there such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor?
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?
So how could it have gone so wrong?
How could such friendships fail?
Why, I was there and so can tell
The whole sad, sorry tale.
Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those
Whose ancestry is purest."
Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose
Intelligence is surest."
Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those
With brave deeds to their name,"
Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot,
And treat them just the same."
These differences caused little strife
When first they came to light,
For each of the four founders had
A House in which they might
Take only those they wanted, so,
For instance, Slytherin
Took only pure-blood wizards
Of great cunning, just like him,
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor,
Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,
And taught them all she knew,
Thus the Houses and their founders
Retained friendships firm and true.
So Hogwarts worked in harmony
For several happy years,
But the discord crept among us
Feeding on our faults and fears.
The Houses that, like pillars four,
Had once held up our school,
Now turned upon each other and,
Divided, sought to rule.
And for a while it seemed the school
Must meet an early end,
What with dueling and with fighting
And the clash of friend on friend
And at last there came a morning
When old Slytherin departed
And though the fighting then died out
He left us quite downhearted.
And never since the founders four
Were whittled down to three
Have the Houses been united
And they once were meant to be.
And now the Sorting Hat is here
And you all know the score:
I sort you into Houses
Because that is what I'm for,
But this year I'll go further,
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you
Still I worry that it's wrong,
Though I must fulfill my duty
And must quarter every year
Still I wonder whether sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you..
Let the sorting now begin
Getting to and Fro
To get to Hogwarts, you catch a train at King's Cross Station in London by going through the barrier between platform ten and nine (which takes you to platform nine and three quarters).
The train leaves at eleven o'clock and takes the majority of the day (it is dark by the time you reach the destination). The train arrives at Hogsmeade station and all non-first year students take carraiges pulled by Thestrals
to the castle while the first years arrive by boat.
Feasts
Every major holiday and event is celebrated with a feast. There are Christmas feasts, Hallowe'en feasts, end and start -of-term feasts, etc. They include all matter of delicious foods.
Holidays
During Christmas, Easter, and Summer holidays, students get the chance to go home. In the case of the latter, they are required to. Most students go home for the Christmas holidays, leaving only a few students, while during the Easter holidays almost everybody stays. The Christmas holidays last 2 weeks while the Summer holidays last 2 months. The length of the Easter holidays is unknown.
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