• Magical artifacts Hagrid carries a pink umbrella which conceals his broken wand. which was snapped in half when he was expelled from Hogwarts in june, 1943. The wand/umbrella seems to work just fine. He used it to start a fire, put a pig-tail jinx on Dudley (with a “flash of violet light”… Read More
• Towns A city in eastern Ontario near the Quebec border, Haileybury is home to the Haileybury Hammers, an accomplished Quidditch team (QA8). Read More
• Wizarding culture Hallowe’en is a holiday celebrated by both the Muggle and wizarding worlds. It falls on the 31st of October every year. Hogwarts celebrations Hallowe’en at Hogwarts is the occasion of seasonal decorations and an evening feast (PS10, CS8, PA8, GF16). Decorations include a thousand live… Read More
• Place Hampshire, a county in southern England, is the site of the hamlet of Little Dropping – or at least it was until Archibald Alderton blew it up while trying to mix a birthday cake there (fw40). Portsmouth is also located here. Read More
• Businesses, merchants, and shops • City places • Wizarding places Ginny and Mrs. Weasley visited this shop in Diagon Alley prior to Ginny’s first year at Hogwarts (CS4); this is also likely the place where she purchased Ron’s dress robes for the Yule Ball (GF10). Read More
• Character Wizard whose letter was published in The Daily Prophet proposing the creation of a new wizarding holiday (DP1)… Read More
• Event After Voldemort struck him down with the Killing Curse in the Forbidden Forest (DH33), Harry finds himself lying naked and without his glasses on a sort of floor surrounded by a bright white mist. Slowly his surroundings take on the shape of King’s Cross Station in London, and when… Read More
• Event Hagrid retrieves the Philosopher’s Stone to take it back to Hogwarts, and helps Harry to withdraw some gold from the fortune he never knew his parents had left him. (PS5) After entering the huge, grand bank and explaining what they want to a goblin, Hagrid and Harry are… Read More
• Event In disguise, Harry and Hermione visit Godric’s Hollow on Christmas Eve. First they see a statue of baby Harry with his parents (disguised to Muggles as a war memorial) and visit James’ and Lily’s graves, where they also see the Deathly Hallows symbol on Ignotus Peverell’s grave and the graves of… Read More
• Event On the way to Dumbledore’s office, Harry avoids Professor Trelawney, who has been drinking and is interpreting what a set of playing cards indicate about the future. They view Bob Ogden‘s memory of his first visit to the Gaunt house and discuss the circumstances surrounding Voldemort’s… Read More
• Event First, Harry and Dumbledore briefly discuss Mundungus and Draco, and Dumbledore discusses Merope Gaunt with Harry again. Together, they then view a memory of Dumbledore’s, in which he visits Tom Riddle’s childhood orphanage to invite him to Hogwarts. Dumbledore learns Riddle’s history and discovers that he has already been using magic, hates… Read More
• Character Harry Potter is the Boy Who Lived, the Chosen One, the hero of the Wizarding world. He grew up with Muggles, and then came to Hogwarts where he faced dangers and terrors beyond his years. He, along with his friends Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom, destroyed Voldemort’s Horcruxes. Read More
• Source Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and last book in the series. The book was published in the US and the UK on 21 July 2007. Resources: Day by day calendar of events in the book Differences between the British and American versions Changes in the… Read More
• Quote “He’ll be famous–a legend–I wouldn’t be surprised if today was known as Harry Potter Day in the future–there will be books written about Harry–every child in our world will know his name!”… Read More
• Wizarding culture GIFTS HARRY HAS RECEIVED See also the essay Harry’s Things by Morag Traynor (2004). Birthday presents Christmas presents Other gifts From the Dursleys 10th: a coat hanger and a pair of Uncle Vernon’s old socks (PS3) 12th: ignored (CS1) 13th: ignored (… Read More
• Source Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth book in the series, was published in 2000. For the first time, bookstores held midnight release parties. The Harry Potter phenomenon was in full swing. Unfortunately, the scene in the graveyard provoked a strong anti-Potter response from some conservative Christian groups who… Read More
• Article
Posted by in Essays
© 2000 First Things 99 (January 2000): 35-38. By now most readers in this country are aware of what has come to be called the Harry Potter phenomenon. It’s hard to be unaware. Any bookstore you might care to enter is strewn with giant stacks of the Harry Potter… Read More
• Source Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the first in the series of Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling. It was published in the U.S. as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone a year after being published in the UK. First British printing: July 1, 1997, Bloomsbury Books First American printing: September 1,… Read More
• Article
Posted by and in Canon discussion / Essays
Yes, Harry is half-blood. We learned in PS4 that Lily’s parents were Muggles. At least, that’s the implication of Aunt Petunia’s remarks that they were proud having a witch in the family. Voldemort, too, is half-blood: we learned in CS13 that his father was a Muggle (his mother was a witch). The intense focus on whether or not a certain character does or… Read More
• Event Harry takes Ron to visit Hagrid in his hut near the forbidden forest. While Fang slobbers all over him, Harry tells Hagrid about his classes and that he thinks Snape hates him. Harry reads a Daily Prophet article about the break-in at Gringotts which had happened on July 31. Read More
• Event Harry and Hagrid visit Diagon Alley. Harry realizes how famous he is when he is recognized at the Leaky Cauldron. At Gringotts, Harry learns of his parents’ fortune and Hagrid retrieves the Philosopher’s Stone. Harry meets Draco Malfoy for the first time at Madame Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions. Harry… Read More
• Source Harry attends his first lesson with Albus Dumbledore, who explains that they will be delving into Lord Voldemort’s past via the Pensieve. In Bob Ogden’s memory, they go to Marvolo Gaunt’s house to see about his son, Morfin, who has broken wizarding law… Read More
• Source Harry discovers his newfound popularity, learns that Stan Shunpike has been arrested, and holds a frustratingly massive Quidditch tryout that includes a run-in with Cormac McLaggen. They visit Hagrid and learn that Aragog is dying, Harry confronts Hermione about having confunded McLaggen… Read More
• Source Harry tries one of the Half-Blood Prince’s spells while reading in bed and levitates Ron by accident. He argues with Hermione over the danger of the Prince, and gets word of his next lesson with Professor Dumbledore. They then walk to Hogsmeade, where… Read More
• Source Harry has his second lesson with Albus Dumbledore, where they briefly discuss Mundungus Fletcher and Draco Malfoy. Dumbledore discusses Merope with Harry again. Together, they then view a memory of Dumbledore’s, where he visits Voldemort’s orphanage and invites an eleven-year-old Tom Riddle to… Read More
• Source Hermione remains angry with Ron, but Harry tries to stay friends with both of them. He finds that girls are trying to seduce him and Romilda Vane tries to slip him a Love Potion. Harry asks Luna Lovegood to Slughorn’s Christmas party, and Hermione… Read More
• Source The Muggle Prime Minister recounts his encounters with Cornelius Fudge. Fudge visits him again with Scrimgeour, and we learn that Scrimgeour is the new Minister for Magic. We also hear of the wizarding world’s open war with Voldemort – dozens of Muggles have been killed along with Amelia Bones and Emmeline Vance, the Dementors and giants have joined Voldemort, and the… Read More
• Source Harry talks with Ron and Hermione about Apparition, Professor Slughorn’s memory, and Lavender Brown. Kreacher and Dobby show up to report on Draco Malfoy, making Harry realize Draco’s been using the Room of Requirement with the Polyjuiced Crabbe… Read More
• Source Hagrid writes to inform the trio that Aragog has died. Ron and Hermione have their apparition test, and Harry makes a Euphoria potion in a class with just Professor Slughorn, Ernie Macmillan and Draco Malfoy, after which he tries to… Read More
• Source Harry learns that Professor Dumbledore has returned, races off to his office. Together they watch Horace Slughorn’s memory, where Tom Riddle learns what Horcruxes are and contemplates making more than one. Dumbledore explains his suspicions that Riddle made six, including the now-destroyed ring… Read More
• Source Ron and Ginny Weasley are both single again. Katie Bell returns to Hogwarts, but can’t remember what happened to her. Harry sees Draco Malfoy with Moaning Myrtle on the Marauder’s Map and runs to eavesdrop, but is shocked when he sees Malfoy… Read More
• Source Hermione finds out about Eileen Prince through research in the library and she thinks Eileen may be connected to the Half-Blood Prince. Professor Dumbledore asks Harry to come to his office immediately. On the way there, Harry runs into Professor Trelawney, learning… Read More
• Source Harry and Albus Dumbledore enter the sea cave where Lord Voldemort has hidden a Horcrux. After swimming to the entrance, Dumbledore splatters it with his blood to gain entry and they take a hidden boat across a lake. Protecting the Horcrux there is a… Read More
• Source Ginny leads Harry to the hospital wing, where the Order discusses Bill, Dumbledore, Snape, and the events of the evening. We also learn that Fleur still wants to marry a disfigured Bill, and Tonks is in love with Lupin. McGonagall takes Harry to her office (formerly Dumbledore’s) and asks where… Read More
• Source Narcissa calls on Snape in secret against Voldemort‘s orders. Bellatrix tries to stop her but joins her at Snape’s house anyway. Snape prevents Wormtail‘s eavesdropping and tells Bellatrix his story, though she still refuses to trust him. Narcissa then reveals that Voldemort has ordered… Read More
• Source The wizarding public’s perception of Harry and the steps the Ministry of Magic has taken to provide safety in the war has been written up in the Daily Prophet. Albus Dumbledore returns to Privet Drive to collect Harry. Before leaving, Dumbledore sits with Harry and… Read More
• Source Harry and Albus Dumbledore apparate to Budleigh Babberton – discussing Lord Voldemort, Inferi, and Dumbledore’s injured hand along the way – and meet Horace Slughorn, shortly after Slughorn has faked his own demise. Dumbledore asks Slughorn to teach at Hogwarts, and Harry convinces him… Read More
• Source Harry speaks with Mrs. Weasley (and later Mr. Weasley) about the latest Ministry of Magic news. We see Fleur Delacour, who was nicknamed Phlegm by Ginny, and learn that she and Bill Weasley are engaged, to his family’s dismay. Harry tells Ron and… Read More
• Source We learn of several disappearances including Florean Fortescue and Mr. Ollivander. Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys go shopping at Diagon Alley, escorted by Hagrid.  There they discover a much-changed atmosphere and an empty Leaky Cauldron. They have a run-in with Draco and Narcissa Malfoy in Madam Malkin’s and… Read More
• Source Harry thinks Malfoy might be a Death Eater, everyone departs for King’s Cross, and before getting on the train Harry tells Mr. Weasley his suspicions. On the train, Harry finds he is more famous than ever, but sits with Neville and Luna until Slughorn invites him to tea. After hours… Read More
• Source Before the Hogwarts Express leaves, Tonks rescues Harry from the Full-Body Bind Curse put on him by Malfoy. She escorts him to the castle, but Snape come to collect him and he leads Harry into the feast, criticizing Harry all the way.  Once inside, Harry discusses his… Read More
• Source Gryffindors get their course schedules. Harry, Ron and Hermione discuss Malfoy and Quidditch trials, then go to their first day of classes.  In Defence Against the Dark Arts Harry fights back against Snape’s attempt to jinx him and gets detention, during break he hears his first lesson with Dumbledore will… Read More
• Headlines and advertisements Headlines and articles from the Daily Prophet by date: Historical A series of articles about the disappearance of Violet Tillyman in the Floo Network (DL) Bring Back Our Baskets! (12 February 1883) (QA6) Our Chasers Aren’t Cheating! (22 June 1884) (QA6) An article by… Read More
• Occupations The witch or wizard who runs a wizarding school. Among other duties, a headmaster or headmistress is tasked with hiring faculty and acting as a sort of figurehead for the school. Albus Dumbledore was Headmaster of Hogwarts until the end of Harry’s sixth year, while Minerva McGonagall was the Deputy Headmistress. Igor Karkaroff is… Read More
• Occupations Healers are the doctors of the Wizarding world (OP23, 30, TBB/FFF).  At St. Mungo’s, they wear lime green robes with an image of a crossed bone and wand (OP29).  To become a Healer, students must achieve a N.E.W.T. of at least an E in Herbology, Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, and… Read More
• Place Heidelberg is a fairly large city located near Frankfurt in Germany, Heidelberg is the home of the famous Heidelberg castle. More importantly, however, it is also the home of the Heidelberg Harriers, a Quidditch team which once faced off against the Holyhead Harpies for seven days in one of the… Read More
• Character Hengist of Woodcroft was a Scottish wizard who founded Hogsmeade, near Hogwarts, and possibly lived in what is now the Three Broomsticks (FW). He must have attended Hogwarts because he is listed as a famous Hufflepuff (Pm).  Harry collected his Chocolate Frog Card during… Read More
• Houses and addresses We have not been given a location for Hepzibah Smith’s house, though Harry and Dumbledore visited it in the Pensieve. It was here that Tom Riddle first saw Hufflepuff’s cup and Slytherin’s locket – two items which he stole soon afterward and made into Horcruxes. It was a grand house,… Read More
• Place A county located on the western edge of England, Herefordshire was where the broomstick game of Swivenhodge originated, a game which is still played in England today (QA2). Read More
• Event Hermione is outraged by the treatment of house-elves in the Wizarding World, so she starts an organization called the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare or S.P.E.W. It doesn’t exactly catch on with her classmates. Read More
• Character Resourceful, principled and brilliant, Hermione Jean Granger is easily the brightest witch of her generation. She, along with Ron Weasley, is one of Harry Potter’s closest friends. She is also Muggle-born (her parents were dentists – PS12), and so is a living, breathing example of the fallacy of pureblood… Read More
• Hogwarts academics Consists of lectures on various aspects of magical history. It is extremely boring, but this is due to the teacher, Professor Binns’, teaching style, not the material itself, which seems to emphasize vicious goblin riots, goblin rebellions, and giant wars. Read More
• Headlines and advertisements The History of the Quidditch World Cup appeared in the Daily Prophet on 14 March 2014, before the start of the Quidditch World Cup tournament (QWC). Background The article highlights the contents of The Official Guide to the Quidditch World Cup from the International Confederation of Wizards Quidditch Committee… Read More
• Wizarding villages Hogsmeade is the only entirely wizarding village in Britain (PA5). According to tradition it was founded over a thousand years ago, around the same time as Hogwarts, by Hengist of Woodcroft as he was fleeing persecution by Muggles (FW, Pm). It’s a picturesque little village of thatched cottages and… Read More
• Public places • Railway places • Wizarding places The railway station that serves both the town of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts School. A “tiny, dark platform” where the Hogwarts Express ends its journey north from Platform Nine-And-Three-Quarters (PS6). The station is located near the lake, and from there a road extends around the lake to Hogwarts Castle (PA5,… Read More
• Transportation The Hogwarts Express is a passenger train which makes a run between King’s Cross Station, London, and Hogsmeade Station, taking students to and from Hogwarts. The train makes this run at least four times a year, and probably more often than that, as needed. It does leave without… Read More
• Magical identities There are at least twenty ghosts that reside at Hogwarts (PS7). Each of the four houses has their own house ghost; Nearly-Headless Nick is Gryffindor’s ghost, the Bloody Baron is Slytherin’s, the Fat Friar is Hufflepuff’s and the Grey Lady is Ravenclaw’s. When ghost-related decisions must be made, they… Read More
• Titles, nicknames, and honorifics Dolores Umbridge was made the first Hogwarts High Inquisitor in history when the Ministry passed Educational Decree Number Twenty-three (OP15). She was given the authority to inspect her fellow teachers and, should they prove lacking, have them sacked. She took the job with relish and clearly enjoyed bullying others. Read More
• Hogwarts Students at Hogwarts are grouped into four houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Read More
• Hogwarts castle and grounds • Rooms, chambers, and floors The Hogwarts kitchens are situated exactly beneath the Great Hall, with four wooden tables matching the tables above. It is a huge, high-ceilinged room, with a stone-flagged floor, pots and pans on the stone walls, and a great brick fireplace (GF21, GF28). Read More
• Hogwarts The Hogwarts School Song is a short anthem praising Hogwarts which is sung by the entire student body and staff on special occasions. Dumbledore directed the school song at the end of the start-of-term feast when he felt in a particularly festive mood. The last time the song was known to… Read More
• Event Growing distrust on the part of Muggles for wizards and witches compels the four greatest witches and wizards of the age – Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin – to found Hogwarts. Ravenclaw is said to have dreamed of a warty hog leading her to a particular cliff… Read More
• Headlines and advertisements Holyhead Harpies Draw Record Crowd is an article published in the Sports section of the Daily Prophet about the Holyhead Harpies Quidditch team (DP1). The Prophet reported that the Harpies, who always field an all-witch team, are drawing new fans to every match. The Prophet interviewed Harpy team captain Gwenog Jones about the… Read More
• Businesses, merchants, and shops Honeydukes is a marvelous wizarding sweetshop located on High Street in Hogsmeade. Description It is owned by Ambrosius Flume (HBP4) and his wife, and is filled with “shelves upon shelves of the most succulent-looking sweets imaginable” (PA10). In addition to the standard wizarding candy that is… Read More
• Streets, alleys, and lanes • Wizarding places A street intersecting Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley near Carkitt Market… Read More
• Magical effects House-elves have a very powerful magic all their own, magic which requires none of the types of focusing tools (wands or words) that Wizard magic requires. Dobby used his magic to enchant a Bludger, to close the magic portal that leads to platform nine-and-three-quarters, to interfere with Owl Post and… Read More
• Countries A small country in eastern Europe, Hungary is home to the Hungarian Horntail dragon species – as well as to a national Gobstones team that, at one point, lost to Wales. The Daily Prophet didn’t cover the match, though, because Gobstones is “deeply boring” (DP1). Read More