feature

Features

Hero Features Hub Texture

Pub trivia – fun facts you didn't know about wizarding inns

WEB-FEATURE-pub-trivia-fun-facts-you-did-not-know-about-wizarding-inns

pottermore-moments-three-broomsticks-homepage-hero

pub-trivia-fun-facts-you-did-not-know-about-wizarding-inns-text-section-1

__Spoiler warning! There are some mild spoilers ahead – turn back now if you’re not familiar with the stories…__

## The Leaky Cauldron is the oldest pub in London

Despite what many [Muggles](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/muggles) think, the title of oldest pub in London goes to this well-loved wizarding establishment. Found on Charing Cross Road, the [Leaky Cauldron](/fact-file/locations/the-leaky-cauldron) was built in the 1500s – long before Charing Cross Road was even planned! Its true address is number one, [Diagon Alley](/fact-file/locations/diagon-alley).

## Muggles used to frequent the Leaky Cauldron

This wizarding institution wasn’t always a place that where only magical folk congregated. As it was built two centuries before the imposition of the International Statute of Secrecy, it was initially visible to Muggle eyes too. Muggles weren’t made to feel unwelcome or turned away. Having said that, thanks to the *interesting* conversations and even more *interesting* magical pets, many scarpered before finishing their mead.

![LeakyCauldron WB F1 SomeoneOutsideLeakyCauldron Illust 080615 Land](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/5sxx5inySIAWsKA0gcuUEG/ca736eb81e715e092136f42c579a2719/LeakyCauldron_WB_F1_SomeoneOutsideLeakyCauldron_Illust_080615_Land.jpg)

## Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abbott lived above the Leaky Cauldron

In a turn of events that we find extremely adorable, after leaving [Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts) not only did [Neville](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/neville-longbottom) continue his passion for magical plants as [Herbology](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/herbology) professor, but he also married [Hufflepuff](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/hufflepuff), [Hannah Abbott](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/hannah-abbott-fact-file). The happy couple decided to make a home for themselves living above the one-and-only Leaky Cauldron.

## A pub was the headquarters of a rebellion

Although we never learnt which one it was, according to *Sites of Historical Sorcery*, one of the wizarding pubs in [Hogsmeade](/fact-file/locations/hogsmeade) was said to have been the headquarters of the 1612 [goblin](/fact-file/creatures/goblin) rebellion. Could it have been the [Hog’s Head Inn](/fact-file/locations/the-hogs-head) which was known for its dubious dealings and schemes? Or perhaps it was the cosiness of the [Three Broomsticks](/fact-file/locations/the-three-broomsticks) that convinced the goblins to make it their base?

![pottermore-moments-hp-b5-hogs-head-homepage-hero](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/2zygTLqXtChkWM7Asbbca3/14624eac244b6e0d0dd667458176dd1a/pottermore-moments-hp-b5-hogs-head-homepage-hero.jpg)

## The Hog’s Head Inn was run by a Dumbledore

While [Albus Dumbledore](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/albus-dumbledore) ran Hogwarts, just down the road his brother, [Aberforth Dumbledore](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/aberforth-dumbledore-fact-file), ran the Hog’s Head Inn. Crochety and a big fan of goats, he and his brother didn’t always see eye-to-eye. Ultimately, they were both extremely good people and Aberforth even helped the resistance at Hogwarts after Albus’ death – thanks to a secret passage that connected the [Room of Requirement](/fact-file/locations/the-room-of-requirement) to his pub.

## Sybill Trelawney made her infamous prediction at the Hog’s Head Inn

The Hog’s Head Inn was the location of many crucial story moments from the founding of [Dumbledore’s Army](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/dumbledores-army) to [Hagrid](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/rubeus-hagrid) winning a dragon egg in a game of cards. However, there was one particular moment that changed the course of wizarding history forever. On a gloomy night, Albus Dumbledore went to interview [Sybill Trelawney](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/sybill-trelawney) for the role of [Divination](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/divination) teacher. He was thoroughly unimpressed until, among the ramshackle décor and sticky floor, she made her prediction about the boy destined to end [Voldemort](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lord-voldemort) and rid the world of his evil!

![pottermore-moments-three-broomsticks-homepage-hero](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/YvfQFf3Sc7Y1rQNcmqoKm/7278f0704d0a659047a66375127ed129/pottermore-moments-three-broomsticks-homepage-hero.jpg)

## Katie Bell was given the cursed opal necklace at The Three Broomsticks

Run by Madam Rosmerta, the Three Broomsticks was a warm and welcoming establishment in Hogsmeade. Yet Dark Magic still managed to worm its way in there in the form of the cursed opal necklace. Part of a clumsy attempt on Dumbledore’s life, [Gryffindor](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/gryffindor) Quidditch team member, [Katie Bell](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/katie-bell), took the necklace from the pub while under the influence of the [Imperius Curse](/fact-file/spells/the-imperius-curse) and narrowly escaped its deadly power.

## It wasn’t just witches and wizards who frequented the Three Broomsticks

Said to be as old as the only all-wizard village in Britain, the Three Broomsticks was a bit of a haven for all sorts of magical beings, such as hags, who couldn’t disguise themselves particularly well in the Muggle world. In fact, Ron and Hermione once thought they spotted an ogre!

Every quote to live by from your favourite witches

WEB-FEATURE-every-quote-to-live-by-from-your-favourite-witches

HP-F7-deathly-hallows-part-one-hermione-bill-fleur-wedding-red-dress-web-landscape

Hermione wearing a red dress and smiling at Bill and Fleur's wedding.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

HP-F7

and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

every-quote-to-live-by-from-your-favourite-witches-text-section-1

## The importance of keeping things in perspective

![HP-F1-philosophers-stone-hermione-charms-learning-classroom-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/qVjLFPXczR2mwGR54M1JK/5ffbc10854b90be415e66d18504a0f56/HP-F1-philosophers-stone-hermione-charms-learning-classroom-web-landscape)

‘Books! And cleverness! There are more important things – friendship and bravery…’

EXCERPT-HP-B1-hermione-books-and-cleverness-quote

Hermione Granger: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

every-quote-to-live-by-from-your-favourite-witches-text-section-2

Despite being known for her exceptional brain power, [Hermione](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/hermione-granger) also knew the importance of nurturing the other elements of her personality too. It’s a lesson she learnt in her first year after finding genuine friendship. It is also one that we could do with remembering too.

## Don’t be afraid to be bold

![HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-ginny-da-wand-determined-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/3yxtbUPaKL5YRyOXEmcss7/b5f3840e6afd0c2e76548570d0532593/HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-ginny-da-wand-determined-web-landscape)

‘…anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.'

EXCERPT-HP-B5-ginny-anything-possible-quote

Ginny Weasley: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

every-quote-to-live-by-from-your-favourite-witches-text-section-3

If you don’t ask you don’t get! As [Ginny](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ginny-weasley) reminds us, if we shy away from a challenge, we’re never going to achieve our dreams. If we find our courage? Well, the world is our oyster.

## Be proud of who you are

![HP-F4-goblet-of-fire-mcgonagall-desk-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/71JqjFqxFPKBLmoFUGKYJD/22d4d28400d268c5d1382d675b5ce1ae/HP-F4-goblet-of-fire-mcgonagall-desk-web-landscape)

‘It’s high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she’s got, rather than the one she thinks she ought to have...’

EXCERPT-HP-B6-mcgonagall-augusta-should-be-proud-quote

Minerva McGonagall: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

every-quote-to-live-by-from-your-favourite-witches-text-section-4

The no-nonsense [McGonagall](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/minerva-mcgonagall) was a witch worth listening to! It’s all too easy to get caught up in the comparison trap, trying to think about who you *should* be and feeling inadequate next to others. However, you are brilliant just the way you are. You are one-of-a-kind. If the Head of [Gryffindor](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/gryffindor) can see that – so can you.

## There is always hope

![HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-luna-da-room-of-requirement-casting-patronus-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/5zrwB81bovDEUXWbMyCWia/26babee3a72e41ff8557681a28703f5a/HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-luna-da-room-of-requirement-casting-patronus-web-landscape)

‘The things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end. If not always in the way we expect.’

EXCERPT-HP-F5-luna-things-we-lose-quote

Luna Lovegood: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

every-quote-to-live-by-from-your-favourite-witches-text-section-5

When times are hard, it can be easy to give up hope and become despondent. Yet this poignant point from the wonderfully eccentric [Ravenclaw](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/ravenclaw) is a reminder that good days are on the horizon – even if we can’t quite see them yet.

## Don’t be afraid to dream big

![WB-HP-F7-hermione-reading-promo-crop](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/7uWvZ2RIgkybj8J1lCs5RA/39672ce02de6ff4e27d39381deb3c05f/WB-HP-F7-hermione-reading-promo-crop.jpg)

‘I’m hoping to do some good in the world!’

EXCERPT-HP-B7-hermione-hoping-to-do-some-good-quote

Hermione Granger: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

every-quote-to-live-by-from-your-favourite-witches-text-section-6

No matter who you are, you *can* make a difference. If you channel Hermione’s determination, we’re sure you will go on to do great and brilliant things.

## An excellent reminder

![HP-F5-molly-weasley-harry-potter-web-10744](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/1ugOAEKJsmxHxy7rDSEkO8/d6f828346ab08de9e2eb69ed086fdf71/weasley-quiz-title-.jpg)

‘A good first impression can work wonders.'

EXCERPT-HP-B5-molly-weasley-first-impression-quote

Molly Weasley: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

every-quote-to-live-by-from-your-favourite-witches-text-section-7

A sage piece of advice from [Mrs Weasley](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/molly-weasley)! She might have said this to Harry before his [Ministry](/fact-file/locations/the-ministry-of-magic) hearing, but we think this is something that can be applied to many different areas of your life. From making friends to job interviews, things are always easier if you start off on the right foot.

## Do what is right, not what is easy

![WB-HP-F2-hermione-examining-potion-ingredients-with-cauldron-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/4L5hkIozTd68acqd3hpP2I/27590dc492caea34621b56bdd472e45b/WB-HP-F2-hermione-examining-potion-ingredients-with-cauldron-web-landscape.jpg)

‘Well, if you two are going to chicken out, fine… I don’t want to break rules, you know. I think threatening Muggle-borns is far worse than brewing up a difficult potion.’

EXCERPT-HP-B2-threatening-muggle-borns-hermione-quote

Hermione Granger: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

every-quote-to-live-by-from-your-favourite-witches-text-section-8

Hermione was the witch who once declared being expelled to be a fate worse than death. To hear her trying to convince [Harry](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/harry-potter) and [Ron](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ron-weasley) to break the rules was rather shocking. Yet she raises an extremely valuable point. Sometimes you need to push the boundaries to do what is right. Following the rules can only go so far – especially if those rules cause more harm than good. It can be hard to stand up and be counted but we should all try to do so.

## Protect what is important

![WB-HP-F8-professor-sprout-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/6PcDR4xjlhQ8xtErVUHYBc/198864f4ef4413d1ed6e50f91411088e/WB-HP-F8-professor-sprout-web-landscape.jpg)

‘I feel that if a single pupil wants to come, then the school ought to remain open for that pupil.’

EXCERPT-HP-B6-professor-sprout-hogwarts-remain-open-quote

Pomona Sprout: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

every-quote-to-live-by-from-your-favourite-witches-text-section-9

This was a brave statement from [Professor Sprout](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/pomona-sprout) in the wake of [Dumbledore’s](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/albus-dumbledore) death. [Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts) was so much more than a school. For many like Harry, it was a sanctuary and place they could call home. A place that should be protected. This is a sentiment we could all take on board. We should all work hard to take care of what, and who, is important to us.

## Don’t judge a book by its cover

![hp-f4-fleur-arrival-beauxbatons-great-hall-uniform-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/7L4Bw903CP5Rnv0MuCknWF/16abc8334d6185d0b8be2af4c5f93c45/hp-f4-fleur-arrival-beauxbatons-great-hall-uniform-web-landscape.jpg)

‘What do I care how ’e looks? I am good-looking enough for both of us, I theenk! All these scars show is zat my husband is brave!’

EXCERPT-HP-B6-fleur-delacour-good-looking-enough-for-both-quote

Fleur Delacour: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

every-quote-to-live-by-from-your-favourite-witches-text-section-10

You might think glamorous and goodlooking [Fleur Delacour](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/fleur-delacour) would also be extremely vain. Yet she wasn’t. Filled with self-confidence, she didn’t judge her husband based on his appearance – she knew it was the content of his character that truly mattered. That attitude is one we think everyone should embody.

## Boundaries are good

![mcgonagall-web-header-wand](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/6J6heLMpK9Lee0eL8faPnj/18ebb3e1a6694c1ed440bf094b02a127/mcgonagall-web-headrer.jpg)

‘I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking.’

EXCERPT-HP-B5-mcgonagall-do-not-permit-people-to-talk-when-she-is-quote

Minerva McGonagall: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

every-quote-to-live-by-from-your-favourite-witches-text-section-11

Quite right too! Don’t let anybody try to take your voice or diminish you. If someone tries to talk over you, channel your inner McGonagall and lay down the law – they’ll soon learn a valuable lesson.

Your birth month tells us your Harry Potter soulmate

WEB-FEATURE-your-birth-month-tells-us-your-harry-potter-soulmate

PMARCHIVE-Ron Hermione homepage carousel 3Npf2yAQfKUWUUKCGuS6K6-b7

Ron Hermione homepage carousel

your-birth-month-tells-us-your-harry-potter-soulmate-text-section-1

## January: The determined and dedicated Oliver Wood is your perfect match

![WB-HP-F1-philosophers-stone-oliver-wood-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/7iJHeRIUbca989dspC4c2t/a8eae533de5cb364c2b8ef17aa39c857/WB-HP-F1-philosophers-stone-oliver-wood-web-landscape.jpg)

When considering your ideal partner, you don’t want someone who is afraid of commitment and isn’t willing to put the work in. You want someone who is going to give the relationship their all. This is why you and [Oliver Wood](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/oliver-wood) make a perfect pair. This [Gryffindor](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/gryffindor) proved his determination time and time again as [Quidditch](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/quidditch) Captain. He was always coming up with training techniques and drills to make the team better. Yes, some of his teammates might have complained about the early starts, but it didn’t put Oliver off… and it worked. That’s the type of dedication you admire.

## February: Your soulmate is the creative and eccentric Luna Lovegood

![WB-HP-F5-luna-lovegood-wears-spectrespecs-with-quibbler-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/5jiVEF9rz3GdDt6go666da/6431193cd66631881320a9921f2913fe/WB-HP-F5-luna-lovegood-wears-spectrespecs-with-quibbler-web-landscape.jpg)

There is nothing that bores you more than blending into the crowd. From your curious insights to your wacky wardrobe, you march to the beat of your own drum. You are proud to celebrate your uniqueness, and you are looking for a partner that doesn’t shy away from their individuality too. This is why [Luna Lovegood](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/luna-lovegood) with her [Spectrespecs](/fact-file/objects/spectrespecs) and radish-like earrings is your ideal match. The two of you would have a joyful relationship that celebrated creativity, eccentricity and a shared belief in the Crumple-Horned Snorkack.

## March: The brilliantly hilarious Ron Weasley is the one for you

![HP-F6-ron-in-bed-smiling-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/51khMqIDGh7ltBpFgDIet4/4390b7228f2368b128a11304e8a73108/HP-F6-ron-in-bed-smiling-web-landscape.jpg)

Life’s too short not to have fun. Who wants to be miserable? Yes, serious things happen but you still want to find the joy in life, and you want a partner who can do that too. This is why you and [Ron Weasley](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ron-weasley) would make the perfect pair. From his ‘Merlin's most baggy Y-fronts’ exclamations to quippy ‘Oh, of course… I forgot we’ll be hunting down [Voldemort](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lord-voldemort) in a mobile library’ comebacks – his quick with would keep you entertained for life.

## April: The elegant and poised Fleur Delacour is your ideal soulmate

![hp-f4-fleur-arrival-beauxbatons-great-hall-uniform-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/7L4Bw903CP5Rnv0MuCknWF/16abc8334d6185d0b8be2af4c5f93c45/hp-f4-fleur-arrival-beauxbatons-great-hall-uniform-web-landscape.jpg)

Graceful, elegant and gliding through life – that’s the ultimate dream. You aren’t interested in awkward situations and embarrassing encounters; you want life to be as serene as possible. As you want this from your partner too, you and [Fleur Delacour](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/fleur-delacour) would make a flawless duo. No matter what situation she faced – from walking into the [Great Hall](/fact-file/locations/the-great-hall) for the first time to rejecting [Yule Ball](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/yule-ball) dates, she was always perfectly poised which is something you appreciate.

## May: The thoroughly good Cedric Diggory is who you’re drawn to

![HP-F4-goblet-fire-cho-cedric-walking-into-yule-ball-together-happy-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/7Gg3rW3wpho401kh28ueXG/2ce6bdeb293a9f962407b31ab38c3c2b/HP-F4-goblet-fire-cho-cedric-walking-into-yule-ball-together-happy-web-landscape)

You have no time for people that like to play games in relationships. You abhor anyone who has a mean streak. You really can’t stand when people are rude to those around them. This is why [Cedric Diggory](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/cedric-diggory) is the perfect person for you. Despite being handsome, intelligent and an extremely talented wizard, this [Hufflepuff](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/hufflepuff) was also humble. He was *good*. He helped Harry despite him being his [Triwizard](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/triwizard-tournament) rival and never let being the rising star at [Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts) go to his head. Cedric is a partner you would always feel safe with… and he is perfect for you.

## June: Your soulmate is Lavender Brown who wears her heart on her sleeve

![HP-F6-half-blood-prince-weasleys-wizard-wheezes-lavendar-looking-at-ron-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/41iicwNjHTdrMVNZoiTdoC/ddf961f7074d912a9307c0dc9e2716aa/HP-F6-half-blood-prince-weasleys-wizard-wheezes-lavendar-looking-at-ron-web-landscape)

As someone who is often described as vivacious and an open book, you have real difficulty bonding with people who are closed off or reserved. You find those who keep their cards close to their chest rather unsettling – which is why [Lavender Brown](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lavender-brown) is your soulmate. Whether she was snogging Ron in front of the whole [Gryffindor common room](/fact-file/locations/the-gryffindor-common-room) or giving him gaudy necklaces as a token of her affection, she was not afraid of her emotions or letting everyone else see them. This type of openness is something you can’t help but be drawn to.

## July: Your perfect match is loyal Neville Longbottom

![HP WB F4 Neville and his plant crop ](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/66z5lwGFVYTJTiW2dNdKfw/e99e49796545303b7dec644c11004840/NevilleLongbottom_WB_F4_NevilleLongbottomWithPlantPromoShot_Promo_080615_CROP.jpg)

Don’t underestimate [Neville](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/neville-longbottom). He might have initially been a clumsy underdog, but he soon surpassed that and became a [sword-of-Gryffindor-wielding](/fact-file/objects/the-sword-of-gryffindor) hero. One who was loyal to his friends, his school and loyal to what was right. As someone born in July, this is what you would like to find in a partner. You don’t want a person who could easily be swayed. You want someone who is as committed to you as Neville is to his [Mimbulus mimbletonia](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/mimbulus-mimbletonia), which is why he is the one for you.

## August: The logical and intelligent Hermione Granger is the one for you

![HP-F7-deathly-hallows-part-one-hermione-bill-fleur-wedding-red-dress-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/5aJclseoYsrr4a0y0XPiQY/be44e1bfabc2a5f7422ed6e87a5df30e/HP-F7-deathly-hallows-part-one-hermione-bill-fleur-wedding-red-dress-web-landscape)

As somebody who is known for their sharp mind and love of learning, we think you and the [cleverest witch of her age](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/hermione-granger), who takes the largest books out of the [Hogwarts library](/fact-file/locations/the-hogwarts-library) for ‘light reading’, would get on like a house on fire. Your days would be spent verbally sparring with each other, debating Ancient Rune translations and generally broadening your minds and you wouldn’t want it any other way.

## September: The discerning Draco Malfoy is your wizarding soulmate

![WB-F3-draco-in-care-of-magical-creatures-with-monster-book-of-monsters-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/4FeDA9gWYlkm3iFXZMUOF5/47927d38da6fcc8d4660a5cd92a7e6d6/WB-F3-draco-in-care-of-magical-creatures-with-monster-book-of-monsters-web-landscape.jpg)

There’s nothing wrong with being shrewd or ambitious, these are traits that you rather admire. In fact, you find someone who knows exactly what they want and how to get it extremely attractive. This is why [Draco Malfoy](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/draco-malfoy) is the one for you. We are in no way saying you are prejudiced or a bully like he was. However, the embodiment of [Slytherin](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/slytherin) traits, he was not afraid to openly say he liked the finer things in life or believe he deserved them – just like you.

## October: Fiery Ginny Weasley is your magical match

![GinnyWeasley WB F6 GinnyAtSlughornsParty Still 080615 Land](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/4otWY19HKE4WyOOy4Q0wSu/66177ea78a84f5e28b9fb79b2b961e51/GinnyWeasley_WB_F6_GinnyAtSlughornsParty_Still_080615_Land.jpg)

If there was a witch that knew exactly who she was, it was [Ginny Weasley](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ginny-weasley). Having had a rough start at Hogwarts she blossomed into a fierce and phenomenal person – with an excellent talent for the [Bat-Bogey Hex](/fact-file/spells/the-bat-bogey-hex). That self-assuredness is something that you are looking for in a partner. You don’t want somebody who doesn’t take the time to work on being the best version of themselves. You want someone who is confident and powerful – exactly like Ginny.

## November: Harry Potter’s bravery is what makes him your soulmate

![HP-F8-harry-lake-web-header](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/3SzHQWDxZAPjea1KYpaIO0/cc24a62a6e35937f165b190cf14df8e6/harry_heaer.png)

[Harry Potter](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/harry-potter) is not afraid to confront the difficult things in life. He doesn’t shy away from a challenge or let fear stop him. He puts himself out there whether that’s soaring through the sky on his [broomstick](/fact-file/objects/broomstick), fighting the forces of evil or summoning up the courage to ask his crush to the Yule Ball. This is something that you strongly relate to. You’re not one to be called timid and you can’t stand cowardice. We’re not saying you’re necessarily an extrovert, but you stand up when it matters and that’s why Harry is your ultimate wizarding soulmate.

## December: The glass half-empty Moaning Myrtle is your perfect match

![HP-F2-chamber-of-secrets-moaning-myrtle-girls-bathroom-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/2HdGuqY9aOgGStQJii0yVY/5013a2d38cecb8e9f536e42f6dbf0036/HP-F2-chamber-of-secrets-moaning-myrtle-girls-bathroom-web-landscape.jpg)

There is no person that gets on your nerves more than the one who is relentlessly optimistic. You don’t have time from all that chirpiness and being constantly told to look on the bright side. In fact, being stuck with someone like that would be your worst nightmare. You want someone who will always look on the gloomy side – which is why [Moaning Myrtle](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/moaning-myrtle) (emphasis on the *Moaning*) is your perfect match. Despite her crush on Harry Potter, with your maudlin outlook, we’re sure you could win her over and many (un)happy centuries sitting in the [u-bend of a Hogwarts toilet](/fact-file/locations/moaning-myrtles-bathroom) discussing all the reasons why everything is awful.

For beginners, for novices, for Harry Potter superfans going 20 years-strong, dig deep into the wizarding world with our collection of features.

Features - Wizarding World

Luna Lovegood’s eight wackiest moments

WEB-ARTICLE-luna-lovegood-s-eight-wackiest-moments

WB F5 Order of the Phoenix Luna Quibbler

luna-lovegood-s-eight-wackiest-moments-text-section-1

## That time... she read *The Quibbler* upside down like it was completely normal

The first time Harry ever set eyes on Luna Lovegood she had ‘her wand behind her left ear for safekeeping’ and was wearing a ‘necklace of Butterbeer corks’. But perhaps the oddest thing of all was that she was reading her magazine – *The Quibbler* – upside down. It was certainly a brave look for a Hogwarts Express journey, but then it just about summed Luna up. A brave, wacky individual who was always herself, no matter what anyone thought.

## That time... she warned Harry about Nargles in mistletoe

What are Nargles? Nobody really knows, apart from Luna that is. We don’t know about you but Luna has changed mistletoe forever for us. Not only does the traditional Christmas foliage remind us of our favourite dreamy Ravenclaw, but we will now inevitably point out when under any mistletoe: ‘probably full of Nargles’ and – just like Harry – thoroughly confuse anyone in the vicinity.

## That time... she wore those fetching Spectrespecs

In a heartwarming mirroring of the first time Harry met Luna in *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*, a year later in H*arry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince* Harry sat with Luna and Neville again on his way to Hogwarts on the train. This time, instead of being embarrassed by them, he chose to sit with them in a compartment rather than with others:* ‘You are cool,’ said Harry shortly. ‘None of them was at the Ministry. They didn’t fight with me.’* That being said, Luna was sporting some very interesting Spectrespecs – glasses that supposedly allowed the wearer to see Wrackspurts – invisible creatures that ‘float in through your ears and make your brain go fuzzy’. Another stand-out style choice from the queen of individuality.


PMARCHIVE-LunaLovegood WB F6 LunaLovegoodInQuibblerSpecsOnHogwartsExpress Still 080615 Port 555MurDvTGywaS6oqAIeYS

Luna Lovegood WB F6 In Quibbler Specs On Hogwarts Express Still 080615 Port

Luna with her Spectre Specs holding the Quibbler  

luna-lovegood-s-eight-wackiest-moments-text-section-2

## That time... she laughed at Ron’s joke for wayyyy too long

We all know Ron Weasley’s a hoot a minute, but there are limits to even his joke-cracking abilities. Granted, his gag about Goyle looking like a ‘baboon’s backside’ was pretty funny but maybe not quite as funny as Luna Lovegood found it. She ‘let out a scream of mirth that caused Hedwig to wake up and flap her wings indignantly and Crookshanks to leap up into the luggage rack, hissing. Luna laughed so hard her magazine slipped out of her grasp, slid down her legs and on to the floor.’
 
## That time... she commentated the Hufflepuff vs Gryffindor Quidditch match

From forgetting the names of players, to pointing out ‘interestingly shaped clouds’, to being ‘singularly uninterested in such mundane things as the score’, Luna commentating the disastrous Hufflepuff vs Gryffindor Quidditch match in *Half-Blood Prince* had to be one of the most unexpected and hilarious moments of the whole series.  

Ron said of the hilarious commentary: ‘I hope Luna always commentates from now on...’ and we whole heartedly agree. And if you don’t, you’ve probably got a case of ‘Loser’s Lurgy’ just like Luna diagnosed for Zacharias Smith during the match. 

## That time... she wore those radish earrings 
 
Yes, you read that right. They were earrings, they were radishes and they were orange. What a look! At least if Luna ever got hungry, she had a healthy snack hanging from her ears to nibble on. We included this moment for more than just the radishes though. The first time Harry noticed Luna’s radish earrings was also when she randomly declared her belief in him: 

> Luna took a great breath and then said, without so much as a preliminary hello, ‘I believe He Who Must Not Be Named is back and I believe you fought him and escaped from him.’<br>
> *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*
> <br>

We sometimes wish we could wear our hearts on our sleeves as wonderfully as Luna Lovegood.  

## That time... she wore a roaring Gryffindor lion hat 
 
> ‘I’m supporting Gryffindor,’ said Luna, pointing unnecessarily at her hat. ‘Look what it does...’ She reached up and tapped the hat with her wand. It opened its mouth wide and gave an extremely realistic roar that made everyone in the vicinity jump.<br>
> *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*
> <br>
> 

If you’re ever wondering whether you’ve overdone it when showing off your own house pride, just remind yourself of Luna’s lion hat – and she wasn’t even in Gryffindor!

## That time... she warned everyone about the Rotfang Conspiracy

This had to be one of Luna’s wackiest moments of all. In conversation with Harry, Slughorn and Snape at Slughorn’s party, she became very concerned about Harry’s desire to become an Auror. The reason for this? According to Luna, the Aurors were actually ‘part of the Rotfang Conspiracy’. What did this mean, we hear you ask? Luna told the group that the Aurors were ‘working from within to bring down the Ministry of Magic using a combination of Dark magic and gum disease.’ Wow, just wow.





PMARCHIVE-undefined 2ZiWLV74xGyIQgcqs6COCU-g0

LunaLovegood WB F6 LunaLovegoodInGryffindorLionHead Still 080615 Port

Luna wearing her roaring Gryffindor Lions Head  

How to make your own Wizarding World Valentine's Day cards 

WEB-ARTICLE-make-it-magic-video-valentines-cards

PMARCHIVE-GilderoyLockhart WB F2 GilderoyLockhartWithHandOnWaist Still 080615 Land 2LjsaCgzIc6yIEsGMc664G

GilderoyLockhart WB F2 GilderoyLockhartWithHandOnWaist Still 080615 Land

Watch our handy guide on how to make your very own Harry Potter-themed Valentine's Day cards. Puns included. 

WEB-ARTICLE-make-it-magic-video-valentines-cards-text-section-1

This week, we've gone all romantic, and have created these Wizarding World themed Valentine's Day cards you can make along at home. 

Take a look.  

<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style><div class='embed-container'><iframe src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GSJwBJhXUZ8'frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe></div> 

<br>

Feel free to use your own magical puns if you don't like ours!

You can download our Valentine's Day card templates below. 

[Download our Quidditch-themed card is here.](https://assets.wizardingworld.com/cards/quidditch-card.pdf)<br>
[Or our Felix Felicis-themed card here.](https://assets.wizardingworld.com/cards/felix-card.pdf)

Seven behind-the-scenes facts about the third task

WEB-ARTICLE-seven-behind-the-scenes-facts-about-the-third-task

PMARCHIVE-WB F4 Fleur Delacour Fleur Before The Maze Task HP4D-7843 6lewY1ms1yGAKMykgoGOMq-b3

Fleur Delacour and her sister Gabrielle before the third Triwizard task

WB F4 Fleur Delacour Fleur Before The Maze Task HP4D-7843

7-behind-the-scenes-third-task-section-1

Seven is the most powerful magical number and so we are very excited to bring you seven behind-the-scenes facts about the third task! We share secrets about the Triwizard Cup, the design of the maze, and a spell you’d definitely want to know before beginning the third task.

Watch the video below to find out more about these behind-the-scenes facts, as well as few more. 
If you’re brave enough to join us in the maze that is… 

<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style><div class='embed-container'><iframe src=' https://www.youtube.com/embed/L66rLp5MT2c' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Can’t get enough of the Triwizard Tournament? [Here’s an article](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/5-standout-moments-of-the-triwizard-tournaments-third-task "5 standout moments triwizard") we wrote about the five standout moments of the third task.




Wisdom from the Wizarding World: romantic relationships

2020-WEB-ARTICLE-wisdom-from-the-wizarding-world-romantic-relationships

PMARCHIVE-NymphadoraTonks WB F6 TonksLookingScaredWithLupinNextToHer Still 080615 Land 6rCuV1gObuZDVcb3qfEuS5-b7

NymphadoraTonks WB F6 TonksLookingScaredWithLupinNextToHer Still 080615 Land

Tonks looking scared with Lupin at her side from the Half Blood Prince.

Some handy romance tips inspired by the Wizarding World. 

web-wizarding-wisdom-romantic-relationships-text-section-1

## Telling someone how you feel

We can’t all have it as easy as Queenie and Jacob; being a Legilimens would really come in handy when trying to work out how someone feels about you. But for most of our love-struck characters, mindreading just isn’t an option and they have to pluck up the courage to say how they feel. And it isn’t always easy. 

Poor Harry waited so long to ask Cho Chang to the Yule Ball that Hermione could have brewed three batches of Polyjuice Potion by the time he got his act together. But although Cho turned him down faster than you can say Quidditch, there’s a good lesson here in getting your feelings out in the open. 

PMARCHIVE-FB WB Newt Scamander Tucks Tina Goldstein's Hair Behind Her Ear 6UBIGGto2sKQMyoam40mEG

Newt Scamander and Tina Goldstein share a moment as he tucks her hair behind her ear

FB WB Newt Scamander Tucks Tina Goldstein's Hair Behind Her Ear

Newt Scamander tucks Tina Goldstein's hair behind her ear in a tender moment at the port

web-wizarding-wisdom-romantic-relationships-text-section-2

Sometimes actually finding the right words to express how you feel is the problem. Nobody struggled more with this than Newt Scamander, who found it impossible to tell Tina he liked her without comparing her eyes to those of a salamander. Although we wouldn’t necessarily recommend comparing your crush to a magical beast, or indeed screaming in their face like an overexcited Mandrake – oh Ron. The way you express your feelings tells the other person something about who you are, and it’s important to be yourself.

Scorpius Malfoy found it even harder to ask out Rose Granger-Weasley, but he taught us an important lesson about positivity when she turned him down:
‘But I asked her. I planted the acorn. The acorn that will grow into our eventual marriage.’ Bless him. Hopefully he’s got more of a chance in the future than Harry and Moaning Myrtle. 

A final word on the first step: if you’re not as optimistic as Scorpius and wish you could Obliviate all memory of your confession, take comfort in the fact that at least you have been true to yourself.

web-wizarding-wisdom-romantic-relationships-text-section-3

## Beware the Veela effect

On the path to romance, it’s important to remember that looks and personality don’t always align. Hermione ¬– blinded by Gilderoy Lockhart’s good looks –couldn’t see past his wavy blond hair and bright blue eyes to accept that he might not be the wizard he claimed to be in his books. The Veela at the Quidditch World Cup were perhaps the best warning that looks aren’t everything. One moment they were beyond beautiful, and the next they turned into terrifying creatures with ‘cruel-beaked bird heads, and long, scaly wings’. Mr Weasley had some particularly wise words for Harry and Ron once their true natures were revealed: ‘And that boys is why you should never go for looks alone.’ Quite. 

James Potter and Lily Evans taught us a slightly different lesson: personalities can improve over time. Harry was horrified when he witnessed his father being ¬– as Lily put it – ‘an arrogant toerag’ in Snape’s memory. Despite his Quidditch player kudos and constantly rumpled hair, Lily declared to him: ‘I wouldn’t go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid.’ Lily set us a good example when it comes to choosing someone for looks as well as personality: she waited until the seventh year to date James – once he was mature enough for her. 

PMARCHIVE-WB F4 FleurDelacour BeauxbatonsEntranceToHogwarts HP4D-09860 1CceovjoUICSgGO8yAoWw4-b4

WB F4 FleurDelacour BeauxbatonsEntranceToHogwarts HP4D-09860

web-wizarding-wisdom-romantic-relationships-text-section-4

This isn’t to say that looks and personality can’t go together. Save for a slight blip in the Triwizard maze, Viktor Krum was a genuinely lovely young wizard despite his brooding looks being worshipped by witches everywhere. And then there’s Fleur Delacour. The moment when Mrs Weasley assumed Fleur wouldn’t want to marry Bill anymore, after he’d been bitten by Greyback, warmed our hearts: ‘What do I care how ’e looks? I am good-looking enough for both of us, I theenk!’ The wizarding world teaches us not to jump to conclusions about personality, until we really get to know someone.

web-wizarding-wisdom-romantic-relationships-text-section-5

## Valentine’s Day is an absolute nightmare: proceed with caution

Whether you like someone from afar, you’ve just started dating, or you’ve been married for years, romantic gift-giving can be tricky. And never was there a day more fraught with these difficulties than Valentine’s Day, as many of our favourite wizarding characters found out. But what can their blunders teach us?

We can safely say that embarrassing public moments are certainly worth avoiding. Harry’s singing Valentine from a particularly aggressive dwarf doesn’t go well for him or Ginny. Then again, we’d probably also avoid telling someone their ‘eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad’ or telling them their ‘hair is as dark as a blackboard,’ as well. 

web-wizarding-wisdom-romantic-relationships-text-section-6

Harry and Cho’s disastrous date was also made much worse by its location at the very public Madam Puddifoot’s. But it has something else to teach us about Valentine’s Day generally: it’s a day that makes it very easy to compare your relationship to others. Roger Davies and his girlfriend snogging at the table next to Harry and Cho’s, pressured Harry into feeling he should be behaving differently. But the truth is, if he’d just stuck to topics he’d felt comfortable with when spending time with Cho, the date might have gone a lot better.

web-wizarding-wisdom-romantic-relationships-text-section-7

## Unrequited love is worse than sitting on a Blast-Ended Screwt

There is no shortage of unrequited love in the wizarding world, and the heart-broken characters have much to teach us. One lesson is that loving someone who doesn’t love you back isn’t something you should bottle up. In Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt was still upset about how things ended with Leta Lestrange. However, Queenie was the only one who found out about her, saying ‘people are easiest to read when they’re hurting,’ because Newt was hiding his feelings. But it’s not just difficult emotionally when you pine for someone: it can affect you physically. When Remus continued to reject Tonks, she ‘…looked terrible; thinner than usual, her mouse-coloured hair lank,’ and she also lost the ability to shift her appearance.

PMARCHIVE-WB F8 Lily Severus looking at each other young flashback HPDH2-07931 1cdPehkn2aAIaqC8Uws6O0-b20

WB F8 Lily Severus looking at each other young flashback HPDH2-07931

web-wizarding-wisdom-romantic-relationships-text-section-8

Remus eventually came around, but some love stories are never meant to be and that can be tough for the person who can’t move on. Just look at Snape’s enduring love for Lily. Was there ever a more heart-breaking exchange than Snape and Dumbledore’s in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: ‘After all this time?’ ‘Always.’  Through love potions, the wizarding world also teaches us something important: you can’t force true love – just look at Merope Gaunt or Romilda Vane’s efforts. Instead of dreaming about love potions, it might be better to make some tea – as Ron says, ‘that’s what my mum does whenever someone’s upset,’ and eat mountains of Chocolate Frogs while reading about Cheering Charms. If Vernon and Petunia found each other, there’s hope for us all.

web-wizarding-wisdom-romantic-relationships-text-section-9

## Other people might be interested in your relationship choices

So you like someone, and they like you back and everything is as perfect as the Hogwarts grounds in sunshine. Then other people start finding about your new relationship: your friends, your family, your exes… What wisdom does the wizarding world have for us when our relationship goes public?

Prepare for people to have lots of opinions. Remember all the Weasley resistance to Bill and Fleur? Ginny kept calling Fleur, ‘Phlegm’, and hoped that Bill would decide to marry Tonks instead. And Mrs Weasley wasn’t at all keen on her to start with, either. Fred, George and Ron had plenty to say about Ginny’s love life too. Although of course, it’s important to respect other people’s well-meaning opinions, we think that on the whole Ginny had the right idea when she told Fred it was none of his business. 



web-wizarding-wisdom-romantic-relationships-text-section-10

At the end of the day, people with the emotional range of a teaspoon may be insensitive and nosy, but if you’re happy with your new beau, you might not mind. As Harry found when he finally got together with Ginny: ‘it made a very nice change to be talked about because of something that was making him happier than he could remember being for a very long time, rather than because he had been involved in horrific scenes of Dark magic.’

web-wizarding-wisdom-romantic-relationships-text-section-11

## Even when you’re perfect for each other, you still have to work at it 

When everything’s going right, it’s easy to see your life through rose-tinted Spectrespecs. But every relationship has its ups and downs ¬– even for our favourite Wizarding World couples. Do you remember how angry Mrs Weasley was with her husband when she found out about his flying car? Or about his Muggle stitches in St Mungo’s? And Mr Weasley was never much of a fan of Celestina Warbeck. But despite their differences, they can teach us an important lesson – compromise. Mrs Weasley put up with her husband’s plug collection, just as Mr Weasley pretended to enjoy ‘A Cauldron Full of Hot Strong Love.’

Sometimes it is external forces that put pressure on your relationship, rather than internal ones. Jacob and Queenie seemed to be made for each other right from day one, but their disagreement over Rappaport’s Law caused a rift between them. In Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Harry and Ginny found that their struggles with their son, Albus, put pressure on their own relationship. And of course, back when they were younger, Harry had to make the difficult choice to break things off with Ginny, so he didn’t put her in danger whilst trying to defeat Lord Voldemort. 

PMARCHIVE-WB FB Queenie and Jacob 4yruDIn7h6meYCGACGam4W-b1

WB FB Queenie and Jacob 

web-wizarding-wisdom-romantic-relationships-text-section-12

But what can we learn from how our favourite characters faced difficult times? Unlike Ron avoiding a difficult conversation with Lavender, we think that talking to each other and being open about your feelings and fears would be a good place to start. 

We’re all out of wisdom for now, but remember, if all else fails: ‘there are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.’ On second thoughts, it might be better to stick to a Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. 


Has the Wizarding World ever helped your love life? We’d love to hear about it! @WizardingWorld #wizardingwisdom


Things we loved when international magical co-operation came to Hogwarts

2020-WEB-ARTICLE-loved-magical-cooperation-hogwarts

HP-F4-krum-hermione-dancing-web

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

HP-F4

and the Goblet of Fire

2020-WEB-TEXTSECTION-loved-magical-cooperation-hogwarts

### Different wizarding ways to travel  

Before the arrival of the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students to Hogwarts we’d already heard of a few exciting ways for wizards to travel: flying cars, Floo powder, Apparition, broomsticks, even Portkeys – an inanimate object that, once bewitched, can ‘transport anyone who grasps it to a pre-arranged destination’. But we have to say the international transport choices made by Beauxbatons and Durmstrang really did blow us away.  

Remember Beauxbatons? A golden carriage the size of a house? Horses the size of elephants? That beats grasping a mouldy old boot at the top of a hill any day of the week! 

And then there was the stately arrival of the Durmstrang ship: ‘Slowly, magnificently, the ship rose out of the water, gleaming in the moonlight.’ Impressive.
<br>
### Expanded fashion horizons  

Don’t get us wrong, we are big fans of the Hogwarts robes – warm, practical and…  does black really ever go out of fashion? Severus Snape certainly didn’t think so. And we would have loved to be fitted out at Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions in Diagon Alley. However, we thoroughly enjoyed the different wizarding uniforms fashioned by the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students when they attended Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. 

The Beauxbatons robes of fine silk, though impractical, were undeniably beautiful. And the Durmstrang cloaks made from ‘shaggy, matted fur’ were certainly something. If nothing else, they’d keep any wizard warm in winter. But we suppose at the end of the day, for the students of all three schools, it went further than fashion. What international magical co-operation really meant for them was widening their experience of the wizarding world in as many ways as possible, whether they wore silk, or fur or plain old Hogwarts black.  
<br>
### New faces shaking things up 

Obviously, a fresh batch of first years nervously enters the Great Hall to be sorted every year, so there are new witches and wizards arriving each September. But the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students’ arrival at Hogwarts was a little like an established school body absorbing additional sixth form students. They were new, they were mysterious, some of them were very good looking, and they were the same age – if not older – than many of the Hogwarts students. Cue chaos (Krum-mania), teenage tantrums (Ron) and more than a few crushes (or Fleur-fever, as we like to call it). Nothing like new faces to shake things up and we thoroughly enjoyed it – even if Ron didn’t. 
<br>
### Excuses for Hogwarts to show itself off  

International magical co-operation didn’t mean the three wizarding schools weren’t competitive against each other. As host, Hogwarts certainly wanted to put its best brick forward. As the Triwizard Tournament approached, Harry noticed ‘that the castle seemed to be undergoing an extra-thorough cleaning’. Members of staff also seemed ‘oddly tense’ with Professor McGonagall telling Neville: ‘Longbottom, kindly do not reveal that you can’t even perform a simple Switching Spell in front of anyone from Durmstrang!’  

As well as the Hogwarts home team worrying about the castle’s appearance and the apparent abilities of the students, there was the opportunity for shining as a host of the Yule Ball, a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament. As Professor McGonagall put it, the Yule Ball was a chance for ‘us to socialise with our foreign guests’ and ‘of course a chance for us all to – er – let our hair down’. The glitz, the dancing, the giant revelations, the love triangles, the DRAMA – the Yule Ball really was one of the highlights of the Harry Potter stories, and all thanks to international magical co-operation.  
<br>
### Similarities as fascinating as differences 

We loved how the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang presence at Hogwarts allowed us to compare the way they lived and learned magic to our favourite Harry Potter characters. Remember when the champions were required to have their wands weighed by Mr Ollivander? We learned that although Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour owned wands like Harry and Cedric, Krum’s wand was made by Gregorovitch and Fleur’s had a core – Veela hair – that you’d never find in an Ollivander wand.  

Learning about other schools meant we also found out more about Hogwarts, through Hermione’s reading of Hogwarts: A History, of course. Turns out, just like Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, Hogwarts was hidden: bewitched so that if ‘a Muggle looks at it, all they see is a mouldering old ruin with a sign over the entrance saying DANGER, DO NOT ENTER, UNSAFE’. Though the Triwizard Tournament was notoriously dangerous, this was perhaps what Dumbledore envisaged when he helped revive it – students from different wizarding communities learning about each other and making friends along the way. 
<br>
### New and long-lasting friendships 

It was very heart-warming to read in later books that the new international friendships made at Hogwarts during the Triwizard Tournament stayed strong. Hermione and Krum continued to write letters to each other (in a friend way, Ron – calm down). Fleur ended up married to Bill Weasley, and Krum attended their wedding! How’s that for international magical co-operation?

What if… Harry had gone through the Triwizard Tournament without 'Mad-Eye Moody’s' help?

WEB-FEATURE-what-if-Harry-triwizard-without-Moody

PMARCHIVE-WB F4 HarryRunningThroughTriwizardMaze HP4D-1065 1rfjVotWZmSucU0E6iWUaI-b13

WB F4 HarryRunningThroughTriwizardMaze HP4D-1065

what-if-Harry-triwizard-without-Moody-text-section-1

__Warning: spoilers for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire are more abundant than gnomes at the Burrow. Proceed with caution!__ 

Harry Potter never asked for help with the Triwizard Tournament. And he certainly never asked to be assisted by Death Eater Barty Crouch junior disguised as famous Auror Mad-Eye Moody. In fact, he never actually asked for his name to be entered into the Goblet of Fire in the first place. It’s complicated. 

Let’s take this step-by-step and explore how we think Harry would have fared in the Triwizard Tournament without Mad-Eye Moody’s help.

Oh, and you might notice we’ve referred to Barty Crouch junior as Mad-Eye Moody in the title of this article to save people from spoilers. For consistency, we’ll be referring to Barty Crouch junior as Mad-Eye Moody throughout, just to put you in the same position as Harry and keep you on your toes.

## The Goblet of Fire hurdle


what-if-Harry-triwizard-without-Moody-text-section-2

According to the new rules of the Triwizard Tournament, Dumbledore drew an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire, to prevent anyone under seventeen from entering. Harry was as surprised as everyone else when his name came out as a fourth Triwizard champion. Only later did he find out that it was Mad-Eye Moody who put his name in the Goblet of Fire, under the name of a different school. But if Harry had really wanted to enter the Tournament, could he somehow have figured out a way around Dumbledore’s Age Line? 

Fred and George Weasley attempted it with an Ageing Potion and, as Hermione predicted, it didn’t work. But what about if Hermione had really put her mind to it and helped Harry enter the Triwizard Tournament? Could she have used her famous logic to outsmart even Albus Dumbledore? After all, Mad-Eye Moody did, and he wasn’t even the real Mad-Eye. 
One hurdle might have been Hermione not being all too keen on breaking rules. But then she did brew Polyjuice Potion in her second year at Hogwarts, breaking – in her words – ‘about fifty school rules’. 

For the sake of argument, let’s say Harry managed to persuade Hermione to help him, and as a Hogwarts champion, he progressed to the first task… 


## Here be Dragons

PMARCHIVE-Wands WB F4 HarryPotterWandForQuidditch Still 100615 Land 1NXPGxRVz6kgmw6OMIce8y-b2

Wands WB F4 HarryPotterWandForQuidditch Still 100615 Land

Harry holding his wand in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament 

what-if-Harry-triwizard-without-Moody-text-section-3

It was Mad-Eye Moody who nudged Hagrid into showing Harry the dragons, as well as Mad-Eye who helped Harry see how he could play to his Quidditch strengths to succeed in the first task.

But we’re not entirely sure what difference Mad-Eye Moody’s help actually made on this particular task. Hagrid was never a brilliant keeper of secrets – in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, his catchphrase could have been, ‘I shouldn’ta told yeh that!’. And given how much Hagrid cared about Harry, we reckon he would have been likely to show Harry the dragons anyway, to prepare him. Even if Hagrid hadn’t, we’re not entirely sure it was helpful for Harry to have seen the Hungarian Horntail up close. Arguably, it made him even more nervous just before he was about to begin the first task! 

We should also add into our considerations the fact that Harry wasn’t as unfamiliar with dragons as some of the other Triwizard champions might have been. He’d unwillingly come far too close to a Norwegian Ridgeback in his first year at Hogwarts – a dragon Hagrid affectionately named Norbert. Perhaps this familiarity might have helped him in the first task, even without the dragon warning?

Then there is the small matter of getting past the dragon and retrieving the golden egg. Would Harry have been prepared to do this without Mad-Eye Moody’s hints about using a broom? It’s worth remembering that it was actually Harry who worked out that he’d need a Summoning Charm. And then it was Hermione who helped Harry to learn how to Summon his broom from a great distance. Had they had prior warning from Hagrid about the dragons, we reckon Harry and Hermione might have worked things out on their own. 
On to the second task… 
  
## Anyone fancy a swim?

PMARCHIVE-HarryPotter WB F4 HermioneWrappingHarryInTowelSecondTask Still 080615 Land 2HqnvlnWLKu6IqqsiQmWci

HarryPotter WB F4 HermioneWrappingHarryInTowelSecondTask Still 080615 Land

Hermione wrapping Harry in a towel after task 2 

what-if-Harry-triwizard-without-Moody-text-section-4

Mad-Eye Moody told Harry that it was he who told Cedric Diggory to open the golden egg underwater, and then trusted that Cedric would pass the information on to Harry in repayment for the dragons. But it was actually Harry who made the decision to tell Cedric about the dragons himself, so that all the champions were on an equal footing for the first task. Also, Mad-Eye Moody might have pointed Cedric in the right direction with the egg, but Cedric was a clever and resourceful student, as well as kind; he may very well have worked it out on his own and shared the information with Harry anyway.

The trickster Moody also planted (excuse the pun) the book Magical Mediterranean Water-Plants and Their Properties in Harry’s Gryffindor dormitory – and by planted we mean he gave it to Neville Longbottom. When Harry didn’t ask Neville for help, Moody then staged a conversation with Professor McGonagall about Gillyweed in front of Dobby, who ‘ran straight to Snape’s store- cupboard’ to get a mouthful for Harry in time for the second task. 

We think that the question of how Harry would have fared in the second task without Moody’s interference really comes down to loyalty. Harry was a loyal friend and inspired loyalty in others too – perhaps his Gryffindor roots were to thank for this? Neville was great at Herbology and may well have known about Gillyweed even without the book. Perhaps at the eleventh hour, Harry might have sought him out, and no doubt Neville would have helped him anyway.

Then there’s the matter of the second task itself. Moody might have helped with the Gillyweed but he didn’t help down in the lake. Professor Lupin taught Harry about Grindylows – they were in his Defence Against the Dark Arts exam in third year. Harry managed to fight them off in the second task, where Fleur failed. It was also Harry’s Gryffindor courage and loyalty that got him the extra points from the second task – saving both Ron and Fleur’s little sister. On to the third and final task… 


## A-MAZE-ing at the maze

PMARCHIVE-Portkey WB F4 PortkeyInTheMaze Still 100615 Land 1yjsDdk1i8Oqi6G0M8uQ2m

Portkey WB F4 PortkeyInTheMaze Still 100615 Land

what-if-Harry-triwizard-without-Moody-text-section-5

'You had an easier time of it than you should have done in that maze tonight, of course,’ said Moody. ‘That was because I was patrolling around it, able to see through the outer hedges, able to curse many obstacles out of your way. I Stunned Fleur Delacour as she passed. I put the Imperius Curse on Krum, so that he would finish Diggory, and leave your path to the Cup clear.’

We don’t want to be rude, but Moody might have had an inflated sense of his own importance here. Harry’s Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons with Lupin the previous year were hugely beneficial to him in the maze – he cast a Patronus and then saw off a Boggart in quick succession. Harry was also very naturally talented at defensive magic, as we saw with his duel with Lord Voldemort only moments after he completed the maze. Also, let’s not forget that the year after the Triwizard Tournament, Harry actually taught defensive magic to a whole bunch of people known as Dumbledore’s Army. 

We can’t say for sure, but we reckon Harry would have had just as good a chance of getting to that cup first as Cedric, or Krum, or Fleur, even without Moody’s interference. 

## Conclusion


web-image-harry-ron-hermione-library-goblet-of-fire-F4

what-if-Harry-triwizard-without-Moody-text-section-6

We can’t deny that it would have been tough for Harry to get through to the third task without Moody’s help. But we don’t think it would have been impossible, as long as Harry had help from his friends. 

One of Harry’s greatest qualities was that he knew the importance of friendship and knew that sometimes you just have to ask for a helping hand. It didn’t hurt that one of his best friends happened to be the cleverest witch of her age, either.


Still curious? This is just one of the 'What if' articles in the series. Click [here](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/what-if-dumbledore-had-told-harry-that-he-was-the-chosen-one-from-the-beginning "What if Dumbledore had told Harry he was the chosen one article") to read one about Dumbledore...   


hide-from-app

hide-from-discover

Terrible teaching: the Hogwarts professors who could do with a lesson themselves

WEB-ARTICLE-terrible-teaching-the-hogwarts-professors-who-could-do-with-a-lesson-themselves

WB HP F5 Dolores Umbridge in her office in Order of the Phoenix 

WB HP F5 Dolores Umbridge in Order of the Phoenix 

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

terrible-teaching-the-hogwarts-professors-who-could-do-with-a-lesson-themselves-text-section-1

__Before you begin, there are more spoilers in this piece than Harry had hot dinners at Hogwarts. If you haven’t read all the Harry Potter books, proceed with caution...__

## Gilderoy Lockhart – terrible teaching trait: dishonesty

We’re sorry to bring this up in his birthday week, but Lockhart was a terrible teacher for many reasons. Remember when he released those Cornish pixies in his classroom and couldn’t even round them up himself? Or when he tried to make a run for it when he was tasked with saving Ginny Weasley from the Chamber of Secrets?

But we reckon that the root of his failings was his dishonesty. He overcompensated for faking his brave deeds by pretending to know about everything – from duelling to Petrified cats – which made him a pretty irritating person to be around, and a very useless teacher. If he’d been honest about his abilities as a wizard – in particular his Defence Against the Dark Arts achievements – he might have made a decent Charms professor. After all, he may have used Memory Charms for dishonest purposes, but he really was rather good at them. There, we’ve been nice. Happy birthday for this weekend, Gilderoy!


PMARCHIVE-GilderoyLockhart WB F2 GilderoyLockhartHandingOutTests Still 080615 Land 3V6Ge8Oqw0ICQ6Es2W44Ga-b1

GilderoyLockhart WB F2 GilderoyLockhartHandingOutTests Still 080615 Land

terrible-teaching-the-hogwarts-professors-who-could-do-with-a-lesson-themselves-text-section-2

## Severus Snape – terrible teaching trait: unfairness

Snape might have had hidden depths, but we can’t say we would have necessarily looked forward to a Potions lesson with him. The way he behaved towards Harry was highly unfair, from shaming him for being the Boy Who Lived to making him copy out records featuring Sirius after his recent death. His treatment of Hermione throughout the stories was also extremely unfair – often ignoring or even embarrassing her for her enthusiasm and knowledge. Neville Longbottom fared even worse in Potions lessons. Rather than encouraging Neville, he harangued him for his mistakes; Snape once told Neville he would have to feed his beloved toad Trevor the Shrinking Solution he was brewing in a lesson. And let’s not forget that when Neville was asked by Professor Lupin, ‘What would you say is the thing that frightens you most in the world?’, Neville’s answer was ‘Professor Snape’. 

From bullying to Slytherin favouritism, we can’t say Severus Snape was always a shining example of a Hogwarts professor.


PMARCHIVE-undefined 36lauwuKGsAQQKWoE0qUQc-g0

Severus Snape WB F4 Snape Pushing Harry Ron Back Of Head Still 080615 Land

Snape pushes Harry and Ron's heads down in the Goblet of Fire.

terrible-teaching-the-hogwarts-professors-who-could-do-with-a-lesson-themselves-text-section-3

## Alastor Moody – terrible teaching trait: insensitivity

Okay, okay, so the Professor Moody who taught Harry wasn’t actually Alastor Moody, so apologies to the real one for this section. But what Harry and his classmates had to deal with during their fourth-year Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons wasn’t always a walk in the Hogwarts grounds. In one lesson containing both Neville Longbottom (whose parents were tortured into insanity by the Cruciatus curse) and Harry Potter (whose parents were killed by Avada Kedavra), Moody decided it would be a good idea to demonstrate these Unforgivable Curses, as well as the Imperius curse, on a spider. It must have been extremely traumatic for both Harry and Neville to witness this, but Moody didn’t seem to care. That being said, we didn’t mind Moody’s insensitivity so much when we got to see ‘Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret...’ Every cloud, eh?


PMARCHIVE-AlastorMoody WB F4 AlastorMoodyAngryInClassroom Still 080615 Land 3uc2DTebYranW3IRL0bsXC-b13

AlastorMoody WB F4 AlastorMoodyAngryInClassroom Still 080615 Land

terrible-teaching-the-hogwarts-professors-who-could-do-with-a-lesson-themselves-text-section-4

## Dolores Umbridge – terrible teaching trait: all theory, no practice

We could probably write a whole article about how Umbridge made a Blast-Ended Skrewt look friendly (in fact we have, [here](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/how-dolores-umbridge-made-our-skin-crawl)). But what about her teaching, specifically? What made her classes so terrible? Well, we think it’s mostly summed up by the command she used at the beginning of her classes: ‘wands away’. Not only did it make her classes boring and useless, it also put her students in danger at a time when she must have known (or should have known), deep down, that they would need to learn to protect themselves in the coming months and years. Who knows what would have happened if Hermione hadn’t had the initiative to suggest they take matters into their own hands and start Dumbledore’s Army? 


terrible-teaching-the-hogwarts-professors-who-could-do-with-a-lesson-themselves-text-section-5

## Professor Binns – terrible teaching trait: sending the class to sleep

You’d think a lesson taught by a ghost would be on the scary rather than the dull side, but History of Magic was one of Harry and Ron’s least enjoyable classes. In fact, it is referred to at one point as ‘the most boring subject ever devised by wizardkind’. Though we’re not sure it’s entirely the subject’s fault. Professor Binns had some pretty good teaching material to work with but seemed incapable of making even goblin rebellions exciting. The story goes that Professor Binns fell asleep in front of the staff-room fire at a grand old age, died, and then got up the next morning to teach, leaving his body behind. He was reported to have a ‘wheezy, droning voice that was almost guaranteed to cause severe drowsiness within ten minutes, five in warm weather.’ It’s a shame he didn’t make more of an effort to keep his students’ attention. Remember when Hermione surprised him by putting up her hand and asking about the Chamber of Secrets? Professor Binns was so surprised by the attention of the class actually being on him, he was desperate to go back to his droning.  


terrible-teaching-the-hogwarts-professors-who-could-do-with-a-lesson-themselves-text-section-6

## Sybill Trelawney – terrible teaching trait: lack of talent (most of the time)

Like Lockhart, Sybill Trelawney’s terrible teaching also came from a place of insecurity. It was indeed Trelawney who made the prophecy that resulted in Lily and James Potter’s deaths: ‘*...the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...*’ But in her Divination lessons, she wasn’t quite so impressive. According to Professor McGonagall, ‘seeing death omens’ was her ‘favourite way of greeting a new class’. She added that none of the students whose deaths she’d predicted had ‘died yet’. We’re not sure pretending that your young students are in mortal peril is a very good teaching method. Plus, for those who believed her predictions – we’re looking at you Lavender and Parvati – it could be very stressful. Nobody wants to hear from their teacher that the thing they are dreading will happen on ‘Friday the sixteenth of October’. It wouldn’t exactly inspire you to finish your homework.



TRENDING SEARCHES

Features