School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Welcome to Hogwarts
Hogwarts was founded around 990 A.D.
Proclamation
As Referred to
is Decree N 001 of 990 A.D.
is Decree N 001 of 990 A.D.
Proclamation
The castle is protected by ancient Anti-Apparition and Muggle-repelling charms.
As Referred to
is Decree N 002 of 990 A.D.
is Decree N 002 of 990 A.D.
Hogwarts Proclamations
An enchanted quill and book decide if you’re ready to go to Hogwarts.
Proclamation
As Referred to
is Decree N 003 of 990 A.D.
is Decree N 003 of 990 A.D.
Founders
Godric Gryffindor
Gryffindor was said to have praised courage, determination, and strength of heart above all other qualities. Indeed, he selected students for his house based upon their daring and bravery. He also was the most in favor of allowing Muggle-borns into the school.
He also had a versatile mindset as he chose to wield a sword as well as a wand, making him a rather dynamic man who deferred to the duelling style of his opponent, Muggle and wizard alike.
Gryffindor
The Sorting Hat
Gryffindor Sword
The Sorting Hat originally belonged to Godric Gryffindor. It was used to determine which of the four shool Houses was the best fir for each new student. It was normally kept in the Headmaster's office until it was needed for the Sorting Ceremony.
The Sword of Gryffindor was a thousand-year-old, goblin-made magical sword. Whenever a "true Gryffindor" needed it, the sword would let itself be pulled out of another of Gryffindor's artefacts - the Sorting Hat.
Salazar Slytherin
Salazar was a talented wizard, skilled in Legilemency and Parseltongue, and his twisted legacy and talents lived on through many members of his bloodline. A very distant descendant of his, Isolt Sayre, would go on to find Ilvermorny School, and Salazar's wand would eventually be buried in the school's grounds, turning into a snakewood tree with leaves and restorative powers.
Slytherin
Chamber of Secrets
The Chamber of Secrets was created under the Dungeons of Hogwarts during Medieval times by Salazar Slytherin. He disagreed with the other founders on the merits of blood purity. Before leaving the school, Slytherin built this Chamber with the hope of purging the school of those he considered unworthy to study magic.
Slyzerin’s Locket
The locket was a creation of Slytherin. When Slytherin created the locket, he enchanted it so that only a Parselmouth, like himself, could open it. When Slytherin left Hogwarts, he took the locket with him.
Helga Hufflepuff
Helga Hufflepuff was a Welsh witch. While other founders chose to have special students, she accepted them all without preference, although she did want them to be loyal and hard-working.
Helga took in the house-elves to work in Hogwarts Kitchen, where they could work in peace and safety.
Hufflepuff Cup
Helga's Skills
Hufflepuff
Hufflepuff was brilliant with food-related charms and with house-elves, so the cup may have been the very first dining utensil at Hogwarts. The cup might have been used to assist in the magical transportation of food from the House-Elf kitchens. The cup remained with Hufflepuff until the time of her death.
Helga had a gift for food-related charms, and her recipes were still used as the basis for many Hogwarts feasts. She also arranged for the house-elf contingent to work in the kitchens, giving them somewhere safe to work, where they would not be mistreated or abused.
Rowena Ravenclaw
Rowena Ravenclaw was one of the four founders of Hogwarts. She was noted for her intelligence and creativity.
Rowena selected her students according to intelligence and wisdom. Ravenclaw House therefore values a sharp mind, wisdom, creativity, and cleverness in its members.
Helena Ravenclaw
Ravenclaw
Ravenclaw’s Diadem
At some point after starting her education, Helena stole her mother’s diadem and ran away. Rowena became fatally ill while she was away and, hoping to see her daughter one last time, sent the Bloody Baron, a man who harbored an unrequited love for Helena, to find her. In a fit of rage, the Baron murdered her when she refused to return with him. Helena eventually returned as ghost to Hogwarts, where she became the house ghost of Ravenclaw House.
Ravenclaw’s Diadem was the only known relic once belonging to Rowena Ravenclaw. It was said to enhance the wisdom of its wearer, which is Ravenclaw House's most treasured attribute. Rowena kept a secret from the other founders that the diadem was stolen by her daughter until she was on her death bed.
Hogwarts Territory
Hogwarts
Forbidden
Forest
Forest
Hogwarts was regarded as one of the finest institutions of magic in the wizarding world. The precise location of the school could never be uncovered because it was rendered Unplottable. To Muggles, the school appeared to be an old, abandoned castle.
Hogsmeade was a picturesque little village of cottages and shops, with enchanted candles hanging in the trees during the holidays.
Hagrid’s hut served as the home for Rubeus Hagrid and some of his pets, including Fang, during his years as Hogwarts gamekeeper and later as a teacher at Hogwarts. It was used by other gamekeepers prior to Hagrid’s tenure.
Quidditch pitch is where Quidditch teams could practice, hold try-outs and play matches against each other. Each year would see a total of six inter-house matches (with each house competing for the Quidditch Cup playing against every one another).
Sorting Ceremony
The Sorting Ceremony was a yearly ritual performed at the beginning of each school year at Hogwarts.
The decision of the Sorting Hat was final, and 'House Transfers' were not something that was possible.
The decision of the Sorting Hat was final, and 'House Transfers' were not something that was possible.
The Sorting Hat is never wrong, even if a student's behavior seems to contradict their house traits later in life. When the Hat takes an abnormally long time to decide (more than five minutes) because a student's traits perfectly balance multiple houses, it is called a "Hatstall".
The Hat uses Legilimency to see a child's hidden potential, innermost desires, and values, while also taking the student's personal choice into careful consideration. The Hat sorts based on what traits you value most, not just what you already possess.
Hidden within the ever-shifting depths of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, its most mysterious rooms continued to exist—quiet, watchful, and deeply woven into the castle’s magic.
Secret passages and rooms
The existence of the Chamber was known to Slytherin’s descendants and those with whom they chose to share the information. Thus the rumour stayed alive through the centuries.
Chamber of Secrets
Chamber of Secrets
The writings on the Wall referred to two messages written o the walls of the second-floor corridor outside Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom. They were written by the student who was under the possession of Tom Riddle's diary during the second opening of the Chamber of Secrets. The messages were written in such a way that they could not be erased from the wall.
Tom Riddle's diary is a cursed blank notebook that operates as a powerful dark artifact and Lord Voldemort's very first Horcrux. It was designed not just to store secrets, but to interact with the writer, possess them, and siphon their life force to resurrect the Dark Lord.
The entrance to the Chamber was at a snake-engraved sink tap on the second-floor girls' lavatory. A corridor may be entered by giving the command in Parseltongue.
The Chamber of Secrets, once opened by Salazar Slytherin, remained sealed, a place forever marked by the shadows it once held. Despite its proximity to the dungeons, the Chamber is one of the very few locations at Hogwarts not displayed on the Marauder's Map, as the map's creators never found it.
Moving Staircases
The Moving Staircases, ever unpredictable, continued their endless motion, guiding students along paths both expected and unforeseen. Though unchanged in their nature, they became a reflection of the journey itself—that not every path is straight, yet each one leads exactly where it is meant to.
The Room of Requirement or the Come and Go Room, is a secret chamber at Hogwarts that only appears when a person is in genuine need. While the room can provide almost anything, it has magical limitations. It cannot conjure food out of thin air. When not needed for a specific purpose, the room defaults to the "Room of Hidden Things".
The Room of Requirement is unplottable. Even if someone is inside, they will not appear on the Marauder’s Map, and the room itself won't show up on a floor plan.
There are many trick stairs that caused the victim to sink through a step and required another person to pull them out. However, it was second nature to most of the older students to jump them.
The Moving Staircases, ever unpredictable, continued their endless motion, guiding students along paths both expected and unforeseen. Though unchanged in their nature, they became a reflection of the journey itself—that not every path is straight, yet each one leads exactly where it is meant to.
Room of Requirement
The Room of Requirement or the Come and Go Room, is a secret chamber at Hogwarts that only appears when a person is in genuine need. While the room can provide almost anything, it has magical limitations. It cannot conjure food out of thin air. When not needed for a specific purpose, the room defaults to the "Room of Hidden Things".
Core Subjects
History of Magic
Astronomy
Herbology
Potions
Charms
Transfiguration
The History of Magic is a core class focused on significant wizarding events, such as Goblin rebellions and the International Statute of Secrecy. It is taught by Professor Cuthbert Binns - the only ghost teacher.
The Charms class focuses on casting spells that add properties to an object or individual, requiring precise wand movements and proper pronunciation.
Potions is a mandatory core class where students learn the "subtle science and exact art" of brewing magical mixtures. The subject requires precision, a cauldron, and a solid understanding of Herbology.
Herbology is a core, mandatory class at Hogwarts that takes place in the castle's greenhouses. It teaches students how to care for and utilize magical plants and fungi, whose properties are essential for potions and healing remedies.
Defense Against the Dark Arts
Transfiguration class is a mandatory, highly scientific core subject teaching the art of changing the form and appearance of objects or beings.
The Defense Against the Dark Arts is the class that trains students to protect themselves against dark creatures, curses, hexes, and spells.
Astronomy is a mandatory core class at Hogwarts, requiring students to study the stars and planetary movements at night.
The Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts was rumored to be cursed. No professor lasted more than a single school year during Harry's time at Hogwarts. This curse was placed by Lord Voldemort out of spite after Albus Dumbledore refused to give him the teaching job years prior.
The Defense Against the Dark Arts is a core class in which students study and learn how to defend themselves against all aspects of the Dark Arts, including dark creatures, curses, hexes and jinxes, dueling and more.
Defense Against
the Dark Arts
the Dark Arts
There are also many branches of Transfiguration, including Trans-Species Transformation and Human Transfiguration. This type of magic was regarded as "very hard work" and was "more scientific" than charms-work, as one had to get it exactly right for the transfiguration to be successful
There are also many branches of Transfiguration, including Trans-Species Transformation and Human Transfiguration. This type of magic was regarded as "very hard work" and was "more scientific" than charms-work, as one had to get it exactly right for the transfiguration to be successful
Transfiguration Class
click the image to see the magic
Transfiguration allows a witch or wizard to change the form or appearance of their target via the alteration of its molecular structure. Transfiguration can be done to most objects. It covers everything from vanishing items to Human Transfiguration, making it one of the most demanding and strictly taught core classes in the wizarding world.
Transfiguration is achieved through concentration, precise wand movements, and the proper pronunciation of an incantation. However, it is generally more difficult than Charms and required great effort.
Potions Class
Potions isn't just about mixing; it involves science and discipline. The specific motion used to crush an ingredient and the meticulous timing of adding powders matter greatly, as even a sneeze or misstep could cause the mixture to blow up.
Polyjuice Potion is a highly complex and advanced magical concoction that allows the drinker to temporarily assume the physical form of another person.
Veritaserum is a famously powerful truth serum. Completely clear, odorless, and indistinguishable from water, it forces the drinker to spill their innermost secrets after consuming just three drops. The potion is strictly regulated by the Ministry of Magic.
Brewing potions is a precise alchemical practice that relies heavily on physical actions (like stirring) and raw ingredients rather than directly casting spells.
Felix Felicis, also known as "Liquid Luck," is a powerful potion. When ingested, it brings the drinker a temporary period of good fortune, during which all of their endeavors will be successful.
Amortentia is the most powerful love potion. Famous for its mother-of-pearl sheen and spiraling steam, its scent is unique to every person, smelling of whatever attracts them most. While it causes a powerful obsession, it cannot manufacture actual love
Hogwarts Creatures
Unicorn
Bowtruckle
Phoenix
Niffler
Dragon
Thestral
Hippogriff
Demiguise
Unicorns are highly prized for their magical properties, foals are born golden before turning silver, and finally pure white as adults.
Dragons are fire-breathing reptilian beasts classified as Category XXXXX (known wizard killers). The official record recognizes 10 pure-bred breeds, each possessing unique traits, diets, and habitats.
Nifflers are long-snouted, burrowing creatures, famous for their insatiable obsession with shiny objects. Because they possess a magical belly pouch that can hold countless hoarded treasures, Goblins often use them to burrow and find hidden loot.
The Demiguise is a peaceful, herbivorous magical beast. It possesses the ability to turn invisible and can see into the immediate future, making it incredibly difficult to capture. Its silvery, silky hair is highly prized as it is used to weave Invisibility Cloaks.
Hippogriffs are majestic, immensely proud creatures that possess the body of a horse and the head, wings, and front talons of a giant eagle. Because they are easily offended, humans must bow before approaching and wait for the beast to bow in return.
Thestrals are a rare breed of winged horses with skeletal bodies, reptilian faces, and leathery, bat-like wings. They are exclusively visible to individuals who have directly witnessed and processed the reality of death. Despite being unfairly dubbed bad omens, they are intelligent, gentle, and highly loyal.
Phoenixes are gold magical birds known for their immense loyalty, ability to carry immense weights, and periodic reincarnation through "Burning Day". Their tears have potent healing powers, and their tail feathers are notably used in wand cores.
The Bowtruckle was a hand-sized, insect-eating, tree dwelling magical beast with long sharp fingers. TheBowtruckle eats insects, is a peaceable and intensely shy creature.
The Prophecy
While both Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom fit the initial criteria, Voldemort's actions gave the prophecy its ultimate direction. By specifically targeting Harry as a baby, Voldemort "marked him as his equal", which set the two on a fatal collision course.
A prophecy was a prediction made by a Seer— someone with the ability to see into the future. They could take many different forms, but were often rendered in a cryptic language that did not allow easy or direct interpretation. The words of prophecies could be stored in spun-glass spheres referred to as Prophecy Records.
The Seer was left exhausted after giving the prophecy and may not even remember making the prophecy. While some witches and wizards harboured a general distrust of divination, true prophecies were not lightly dismissed, even by sceptics. The truly wise knew that the words of prophecies always held importance, even if that importance was not easily or immediately apparent.
Click the globe to hear the prophecy
"Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love."
When Lord Voldemort learned that his archenemy Harry Potter had secretly ventured into the castle to locate and destroy one of his final Horcruxes, Ravenclaw's Diadem, he ordered every single Death Eater and dark creature that had ever pledged loyalty to him to launch a massive attack on the school.
The battle ended with a victory for the Order and the D.A., with many Death Eaters killed or captured and Voldemort himself dead. It was the most devastating battle of the war.
Nagini was Lord Voldemort’s seventh and final Horcrux. She was the only Horcrux that was a living creature. Highly loyal to Voldemort, she was later killed during the Battle of Hogwarts using the sword of Gryffindor.
"After all this time? -Always."
Dumbledore's Army then communicated the need to fight to the Order of the Phoenix and their other allies within the British Ministry of Magic, leading to a large-scale battle.
