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

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__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

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

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

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and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

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## 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…’

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Hermione Granger: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

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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.'

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Ginny Weasley: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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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...’

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Minerva McGonagall: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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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.’

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Luna Lovegood: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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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!’

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Hermione Granger: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

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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.'

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Molly Weasley: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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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.’

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Hermione Granger: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

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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.’

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Pomona Sprout: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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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!’

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Fleur Delacour: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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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.’

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Minerva McGonagall: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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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

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## 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

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[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

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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

Boring Hogwarts textbooks Muggles would love to read

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Harry Ron and Hermione spy Hagrid in the libiray   

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Students at Hogwarts never knew how good they had it. While Muggles everywhere have to try to remember various parts of a cell for biology and struggle through Pythagoras’s Theorem in maths (which, so far, has still not helped us at *all* in our real lives), these learner-wizards were discovering how to make things float, reading up on magical defence, brewing potions and turning objects into cooler objects. And the most annoying thing about this situation? They complained about it! Incessantly! 

While Hermione (and maybe Ernie Macmillan) were the key exceptions, most Hogwarts students seemed to think that studying their school textbooks was a drag. We couldn’t disagree more. After all, how amazing would it be to pore over their reading list? Here are the books Muggles everywhere would surely love to read… 

Note: we’ve tried to stick to the Hogwarts curriculum, which sadly means no books that can’t stop screaming from the Restricted Section or Ron’s favourite, *Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches.*

## Hogwarts: A History 

Although Harry and Ron always gave the impression that they’d rather sample fine mouldy cuisine together at Nearly Headless Nick’s Deathday Party every night rather than read a page of *Hogwarts: A History,* it has saved them in more than one sticky situation. From the titbits we’ve heard via Hermione, the vast history of the castle sounds fascinating AND helpful. Maybe if the boys had tried to read it they wouldn’t have suggested ‘Apparating’ EVERY TIME they wondered how someone got in or out of the castle grounds! 

> Ron was fascinated, but Hermione interrupted them. ‘Aren’t you two ever going to read Hogwarts: A History?’ 
> ‘What’s the point? ’said Ron. ‘You know it off by heart, we can just ask you.’ 
 *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* 

## Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart (or any of them, really)

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We know that Gilderoy Lockhart was a total charlatan, but he said himself that the experiences recounted in his books were taken from other witches and wizards, and so his many adventures actually happened! He was just more of a biographer, rather than an autobiographer. Wait, why are we defending him? 

Anyway, as such, Muggles everywhere would love to read about an encounter with a legitimate vampire. Or a ghoul. Or a banshee. Whatever took Gilderoy’s fancy at the time. Also, just consider all of the surely hilarious embellishments from the golden-haired winner of *Witch Weekly’s* Most Charming Smile award. It might not be non-fiction, but it’s probably very entertaining fiction. Wait, we’re defending him again?

## The Monster Book of Monsters

We’re not quite over the lack of gratitude shown by those ungrateful young witches and wizards who didn’t appreciate this tome’s ingenuity. It’s less a book and more like having a pet! A hostile and bloodthirsty pet! It’s fair to say that Muggles would enjoy learning about all the various monsters they never knew existed – well, assuming they knew to stroke the book down the spine first. But we like to think we would’ve figured it out anyway. We’ve met cats, after all. 

> ‘Oh, how silly we’ve all been!’ Malfoy sneered. ‘We should have stroked them! Why didn’t we guess!’ 
> ‘I... I thought they were funny,’ Hagrid said uncertainly to Hermione. 
 *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* 

## Home Life and Social Habits of British Muggles by Wilhelm Wigworthy

Taking Muggle Studies would obviously be an easy ‘O’ for any Muggle, but just imagine how funny it would be for Muggles to be told about their own lives via a witch or wizard. Would they have got anything right? And while we’re thinking about it, how was this book even written? Were Muggles even consulted? And what would wizarding authors make of our Muggle world and Muggle traditions? Would it be like when David Attenborough commentates on a nature documentary? Or would they think our breakthroughs in technology and beyond were pretty impressive? We’re guessing it’s more likely to be the former. 

## Unfogging the Future by Cassandra Vablatsky

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A steam filled divination class room from the Prisoner of Azakban 

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Divination might be a load of (mostly) hogwash, but Muggles wouldn’t know that. In fact, our culture is fascinated with fortune-tellers, tarot cards and starsigns. It would be pretty incredible to flick through this text to find out more about reading crystal balls, charting stars and deciphering tea leaves from a wizarding perspective. Harry and Ron definitely didn’t appreciate Professor Trelawney’s inner eye.

> ‘Here you are,’ said the manager, who had climbed a set of steps to take down a thick, black-bound book. ‘Unfogging the Future. Very good guide to all your basic fortune-telling methods – palmistry, crystal balls, bird entrails…’ 
 *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* 

## The Handbook of Hippogriff Psychology 

When Buckbeak is put on trial for attacking Malfoy, Harry, Ron and Hermione become resident Hippogriff exports in the Hogwarts library looking through books books that might help them figure out how to get Buckbeak off the hook. Alright, it’s a bit of a niche one, but the fact that ‘Hippogriff Psychology’ is even a thing is amazing, and we want in! 

## Advanced Potion-Making by Libatius Borage

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Front page of the Half-Blood Prince's book

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But preferably the Half-Blood Prince’s anotated version, of course. It’s not like we’ll be making life-changing potions any time soon, but we’d do anything for a glimpse at Snape’s scribbles. 

## One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore 

The only reason Harry remembered anything from this book was because Snape humiliated him in his first year with the bezoar – which he later used to save Ron’s life. Imagine how handy it would have been if he’d actually read the whole thing! It would definitely come in handy for Muggles as well. We have fungus too, guys. 

> Harry forced himself to keep looking straight into those cold eyes. He had looked through his books at the Dursleys’, but did Snape expect him to remember everything in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi?’ 
 *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*

Discover the films

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to Fantastic Beasts

Things we wish we could have told the Hogwarts students

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Neville defies Lord Voldemort and holds the sword of Gryffindor in the aftermath of the Battle at Hogwarts.

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Life at Hogwarts wasn’t always a barrel of laughs, with broken hearts, bullying and the whole Voldemort-coming-to-power thing taking turns to disrupt school life. Still, there were some incredible moments along the way – and more than a few near-misses. Sometimes we wish we could go back to their first year and warn our favourite students about what was to come…

## Neville would prove one of the bravest Gryffindors of all

Neville did not have the best start to his Hogwarts life. No wonder, really, when you consider his upbringing: parents tortured into insanity by Death Eaters, brought up by a formidable grandmother convinced he was ‘all Muggle’, his experiences with a great-uncle who liked to dangle him out of windows and push him off Blackpool pier... Magic must have seemed pretty terrifying, so it’s not really a surprise Neville arrived at Hogwarts so lacking in confidence.

All of which made him a prime target for the bullying Draco Malfoy. It was heartbreaking when we saw Neville struggling with Malfoy’s sneering assertion that he wasn’t brave enough to be in Gryffindor. 

How we wish we could tell Neville how wrong Malfoy was. From nervously standing up to his friends at the end of the first year to running the resistance during Hogwarts’ post-Dumbledore years and, finally, his epic takedown of Voldemort’s snake, there is absolutely no doubt that Neville was a true Gryffindor – and a pretty badass one, at that.

## Hogwarts isn’t *that* safe

When Harry found himself in Borgin and Burkes at the beginning of *Chamber of Secrets,* he hid from the Malfoys in a cupboard that turned out to be the twin of Hogwarts’ broken Vanishing Cabinet. Malfoy would later use those cabinets to invite the Death Eaters into Hogwarts, beginning the battle that saw Dumbledore die. Harry also saw Malfoy studying a cursed opal necklace that would later seriously injure Katie Bell.

If only we could have told Harry what those objects would go on to do. Maybe the Ministry could have raided Borgin and Burkes and seen them destroyed. Except who are we kidding? With patrons like Lucius Malfoy, nobody would have wanted to believe it.

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## Watch out for Horcruxes

Still, Lucius Malfoy was nervous enough to sell some of his own Dark objects to Mr Borgin – and it was during that same shopping trip that Voldemort’s old school diary found its way into Ginny Weasley’s hands. THAT particular Horcrux, Harry destroyed with a Basilisk fang in the Chamber of Secrets, but how we wish we could have told Harry to watch out for a couple more.

First there was Rowena Ravenclaw’s diadem, which Harry perched carelessly on top of a statue in the Room of Hidden Things, while attempting to hide his Half-Blood Prince-annotated copy of *Advanced Potion-Making.*

Then, even more maddeningly, there was the locket casually tossed aside during the clearing of Grimmauld Place. Rescued by Kreacher, stolen by Mundungus Fletcher and subsequently acquired by Umbridge: if we could only have told them to STOP CHUCKING STUFF AWAY, it would have saved a lot of time during their Horcrux hunt. It may even have meant Dumbledore not having to go through all that health-weakening stuff in the cave. What a thought.

## A tip specifically for Ron: Hermione is a girl 

Okay, Ron. There were a few occasions when we wanted to shout at him – and the others sometimes too, to be fair – but the way he sort-of asked Hermione to the Yule Ball was right up there. 

‘Hermione, Neville’s right – you are a girl…’ is not the way to anyone’s heart, and to compound this insensitivity by refusing to believe Hermione had already accepted someone else’s invitation was… Well, let’s just say we can see why Hermione went on to accuse Ron of having the emotional range of a teaspoon.

We’d have liked to step in and tell Ron to sort himself out; maybe then he’d have avoided all that Krum jealousy, the Lavender debacle, being attacked by twittering birds and Hermione’s ill-advised date with Cormac McLaggen. Oh, Ron.

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## That Dumbledore’s brother was the landlord of The Hog’s Head

We’re not sure if knowing this would have actually solved anything, but the fact that Aberforth Dumbledore was working a few miles away from his brother’s school would surely have been interesting to know. Imagine what secrets Aberforth might have been encouraged to reveal about the enigmatic Albus! And how knowing he was there might have impacted Harry, especially when Dumbledore was banished from Hogwarts, or even in the dark months after the professor’s death. 

On second thoughts – Aberforth might have been a member of the Order of the Phoenix, but his relationship with his brother was pretty complicated. So, maybe that’s a connection better left alone…

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Aberforth Dumbledore standing in the Hog's Head Inn with Ron and Hermione

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

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The big personalities of the rather small house-elves

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Dobby and Kreacher deilver Mundungus to Ron, Hermione and Harry in Grimmauld Place.

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Those house-elves were small, but they had big personalities.

With S.P.E.W., Hermione sparked the debate that a house-elf should be free, despite many house-elves feeling incredibly uncomfortable at that prospect. Over the books, we met three key house-elves who taught us about their different mentalities and identities.

Dobby started off as a little frustrating for Harry (you know, like blocking him trying to go to the one place in the world he felt happy), but once we got to know him, the house-elf was a dear friend – and to Ron and Hermione, too. When we lost Dobby, it nearly broke us.

The other house-elf characters – Winky and Kreacher – were just as fascinating. Winky showed us the interesting trauma that a freed house-elf can go through, and Kreacher was a fascinating study into a house-elves’ allegiances. Let’s take a closer look at them.

## Dobby

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Dobby clicking his fingers to cast a spell 

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We first met Dobby when he appeared in Harry’s bedroom in *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, determined to save Harry’s life. And by ‘save Harry’s life’ we mean ‘stop him getting on the Hogwarts Express, forcing him to fly a car into a murderous tree’.

This was not the first time Dobby used unorthodox methods to protect Harry. How about the time he cursed a Bludger to follow Harry around the Quidditch pitch, which resulted in Harry receiving a broken arm… which then became a boneless arm, thanks to Gilderoy Lockhart’s ineptitude. Alright, to be fair to Dobby, no one could have predicted that a Hogwarts professor would actually remove the bones from a student’s limb, but there we go.

Despite the multitude of ways in which Dobby accidentally caused more aggro for Harry, at the end of *Chamber of Secrets*, Harry freed Dobby from his servitude – tricking Lucius Malfoy into handing the house-elf a sock. After all, Harry knew he meant well.

Dobby became an anomaly among house-elves – he was happy to be a ‘free elf’, and was not ashamed to ask to be paid for his work. Equality! This made finding employment a little difficult, until he was finally offered a job at Hogwarts. Dobby might just be one of the most progressive house-elves we’ve heard of – and his independent status made the other house-elves feel uncomfortable. Sadly, living to serve was too deeply engrained in their culture.

For the next few years, Dobby was a loyal friend to Harry – genuinely helping him in his times of need, without floppy arms becoming a problem. When Dobby was killed while rescuing Harry and his friends during *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*, Harry paid his respects in a hugely apt way: by digging his old friend’s grave by hand, without the use of magic.

## Winky

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Dobby and Winky in the Hogwarts kitchens with the other elves.

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Unlike Dobby, Winky was someone who felt lost when she was handed her own freedom. When we met Winky, she was serving the Crouch family – as her mother, and her grandmother before her did – until she was abruptly fired after being implicated in the casting of the Dark Mark in *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*.

As the reader later discovered, it was Barty Crouch Jr, while under Winky’s care, who cast the Dark Mark. While Winky had no love for Voldemort, she was incredibly loyal and loved the family she served, and would have done anything in her power to protect Barty Jr.

Winky did not take kindly to the freedom situation, despite Dobby trying to comfort her about the liberty of his own life. She was embarrassed and emotional after being fired from her job, and worried about the Crouch family since she was no longer around to take care of them. While Hermione believed all house-elves should be liberated, the house-elves themselves had known no other life, and Winky struggled deeply to adjust to her freedom.

In fact, Winky was so traumatised by the turn her life took that she even started drinking. Her Butterbeer addiction haunted her life, but she still gathered the strength to join bravely in the Battle of Hogwarts.

## Kreacher

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Kreacher at Grimmauld Place from the Order of the Pheonix

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Kreacher was perhaps the most complex of the house-elf characters in Harry Potter. Not to overstate it, but he might have been one of the most complex characters in the series full-stop.

At the time he was introduced, Kreacher skulked around Grimmauld Place muttering under his breath about Mudbloods and impurity. It was the first time we’d really seen a prejudiced house-elf.

It’s no wonder that he was, though. Kreacher had served the pure-blood obsessed Black family for his entire life and, like Winky, he was intensely loyal. When he was passed down to Sirius, Harry’s godfather hated Kreacher, because the house-elf reminded him of his unhappy upbringing; and Kreacher hated Sirius in return, because he had never shown him kindness for his hard work.

At first, Harry disliked Kreacher too – because that’s what Sirius felt – and then came to hate the house-elf after he contributed to Sirius’s death. But as time went on, and after Harry became Kreacher’s master, the relationship between the two changed. Once Harry understood Kreacher’s backstory – how the house-elf loved Regulus Black, and suffered for his family – he began to treat him kindly despite his former betrayals. Harry even went so far as to give Kreacher a gift.

The pair were never going to be best friends, but by the end of the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry wondered if Kreacher would make him a sandwich. That’s certainly progress.

Unsung heroes: Lee Jordan

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Every schoolboy knows the ‘gift of the gab’ can be a blessing and a curse. An exquisitely timed off-colour remark in class might well earn the respect and adoration of peers. But once the bell rings and the wag is summoned to the head’s office, most schoolboys find words fail them. Well, maybe not in our subject’s case.

Silver-tongued Lee Jordan had his share of spats with authority. Minerva McGonagall, in particular, regularly took issue with his refusal to feign impartiality when commentating on inter-house Quidditch games, especially on the all-too-regular occasions his choice of language turned the air blue. Jordan’s stock response, after been reproved for luridly calling out yet another instance of Slytherin under-handedness, rather sums up his whole credo:

‘I’m telling it like it is, Professor.’

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McGonagall at her desk from the Chamber of Secrets 

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Tellingly, McGonagall never saw fit to expel young Lee from the commentary box. As the wayward lad’s Head of House, she believed in nurturing noble Gryffindor qualities such as forthrightness and derring-do. Even when, indeed, a little circumspection might have been called for. Consider the time pretty Angelina Johnson won the Quaffle in the heat of a match, and Jordan proved unable to restrain himself from blurting out over the PA that not only did he have a crush on her, but she had consistently and over a number of years spurned his advances. TMI, as the kids say.

His lighthearted approach to life and gentle suspicion of authority was very much reflected in his choice of friends. Though beloved by most students, his closest pals at school were Fred and George Weasley, with whom he shared with not only a dorm but a profound love of pranks, jokes and chicanery. The three of them, working together, discovered countless secret passageways at Hogwarts; this was knowledge that would become invaluable when defending against the marauding Death Eaters in the great final battle with Voldemort. Jordan was very possibly the wisest of the trio – when the group procured an ageing potion in a harebrained bid to qualify for the Triwizard Tournament and split the 1,000-Galleon prize pot, Lee sagely let the twins share the first draught. And subsequently mocked them with the rest of the school when the brothers grew full white beards.

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The Goblet of Fire rejects the Weasley twins names.

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He delighted in spectacle. When Harry Potter and Ron Weasley crashed the Ford Anglia into the Whomping Willow, rather than enquiring after their wellbeing (or, indeed, that of the tree) Lee Jordan simply marvelled ‘What an entrance! Flying a car right into the Whomping Willow, people’ll be talking about that one for years!’

Such irreverence and testing of boundaries inevitably led to him to come a cropper when sinister forces descended on Hogwarts. Dolores Umbridge, in her role as High Inquisitor, instituted ‘Educational Decree Number 27’, forbidding staff from discussing matters outside their subject. When she reprimanded Fred and George for playing Exploding Snap in class, Lee Jordan (quite correctly) retorted back that games aren’t related to her subject, and therefore, by Umbridge’s own edict, outside her remit. He received a summary detention and an excruciating date with the blood quill for his sass (though it didn’t stop him sneaking Nifflers into her office later on).

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The dark reign of Voldemort and the Death Eaters, however, led to arguably Lee Jordan’s finest hour. As lead presenter on *Potterwatch* pirate radio, the brave Gryffindor hosted regular covert news broadcasts aimed at spreading information to dissenters: a lifeline for Harry, Hermione and Ron on their hunt for Horcruxes. It’s hard to imagine anybody but cocky, confident Lee Jordan taking on the role. His passion, verve and lightning class-clown wit were great assets to his friends when it counted. Not all heroes fight monsters. Some are heroes just because they tell it like it is.

*Each month Pottermore will shine a spotlight on a character from the Harry Potter stories who we feel deserves more credit. Come back next month when we celebrate [Frank and Alice Longbottom](/features/unsung-heroes-of-harry-potter-stories-frank-and-alice-longbottom "Unsung Heroes: Frank and Alice Longbottom")*

Pottermore’s guide to Hippogriffs

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The Gryffindor and Slytherin students learn about Hippogriffs.

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When Dumbledore announces Hagrid as Hogwarts’ new Care of Magical Creatures teacher, it’s fair to say there is a little trepidation after the initial excitement. And really, when you look at some of the creatures Hagrid has introduced before (Norbert the dragon, Fluffy the three-headed dog, Aragog the monstrously gigantic spider), you can see why.

So it’s something of a relief when Hagrid brings a herd of beautiful, regal Hippogriffs to his first class. They might look unusual, but at least they’re not breathing fire or attempting to eat people. Which is not to say you should underestimate a Hippogriff – quite the reverse. If Draco Malfoy had listened to Hagrid or read our guide below, perhaps he’d have avoided that injury he so enjoyed milking.

## What is a Hippogriff?

Hippogriffs are half horse, half eagle. These legendary creatures were first mentioned by the ancient Latin poet Virgil and have subsequently appeared in numerous stories, poems and works of art. They are similar to another mythical creature, the griffin. Griffins have the hind quarters of a lion rather than a horse, but griffins and Hippogriffs both have the front features of an eagle, including a beak, talons and wings – just like the Hippogriff herd at Hogwarts. 

## What do Hippogriffs look like?

Most artistic representations of Hippogriffs show a creature with the colouring of a giant eagle – large white-tipped wings and a curved yellow beak. The Hippogriffs of Hogwarts are more varied. They all have different coloured coats, including stormy grey, chestnut brown and a pinkish roan. Buckbeak, the Hippogriff that allows Harry to fly on his back and injures Malfoy, also has large, piercing orange eyes and a great, sharp head.

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Photograph of a paper model of a Hippogriff, by artist Andy Singleton

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## How do Hippogriffs behave?

By nature, the Hippogriffs of the wizarding world are very proud. They will react quickly and decisively to anyone foolish enough to insult them – hello, Draco – and they respond favourably to those with good manners. They are loyal to those that gain their trust, but they are well able to look after themselves and definitely not reliant on humans. Newt Scamander’s *Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them* textbook states that taming a Hippogriff should only be attempted by an expert.

## How do you approach a Hippogriff?

Given their intensely proud nature, when meeting a Hippogriff it is customary to wait for them to make the first move. Eye contact should be maintained. You should always bow to a Hippogriff – it shows that you are well-intentioned – and wait for them to reciprocate. If they don’t return your greeting, make a quick retreat. If they bow back you can go closer, and if a Hippogriff accepts your approach they might even allow you to climb aboard and take a flight into the skies.

## What does a Hippogriff eat?

Newt Scamander – whose mother was a breeder of fancy Hippogriffs – tells us that Hippogriffs burrow for insects, and they will also eat birds and small mammals. Buckbeak seems to have a particular relish for foods so rare they ooze blood, which is lovely.

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Buckbeak the Hippogriff in Hagrid's hut with Fang.

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## Where do Hippogriffs live?

Hippogriffs are native to Europe, and the Hogwarts herd live in the Forbidden Forest. When they are breeding, Newt explains in *Fantastic Beasts*, a Hippogriff will build a nest on the ground and lay a single large egg, which hatches within 24 hours. Hippogriffs can usually fly within a week of birth, but it takes many months before they are able to travel great distances. In the wizarding world, those who keep Hippogriffs in their own homes are bound by wizarding law to perform a Disillusionment Charm on their pets to prevent Muggles from noticing.

## Hippogriffs in history and culture

They were supposedly a symbol of the Greek god Apollo, and the word Hippogriff comes from the Ancient Greek word for horse, ‘hippos’, and the Italian ‘grifo’, which means griffin, that other mythical half-eagle creature. According to legend, Hippogriffs are created when a griffin mates with a horse, hence the name. 

The Italian poet Ludovico Ariosto wrote about a Hippogriff in his 1516 epic *Orlando Furioso*. His Hippogriff flies around the world and helps one of the poem’s heroes, Ruggiero, rescue the pagan princess Angelica. 

The word ‘Hippogriff’ was adopted into English in the 1600s. Often shown on heraldic coats of arms, in the 19th century Hippogriffs became a regular subject of visual art, appearing in works by the prolific French artist Gustave Doré. More recently Hippogriffs have appeared in books by E Nesbit and the fantasy role-playing game *Dungeons & Dragons*. And, of course, *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*.

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The etymology of Hogwarts professor names

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Flitwick teaches his first year Charms class Wingardium Leviosa

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## Professor Filius Flitwick

We love a name that has a good bit of alliteration, but there’s a lot more meaning behind ‘Filius Flitwick’ than that. The first part can be directly translated from Latin – it’s similar to the word ‘filial’, which means ‘of a son or daughter’. It is the masculine derivative of the Latin word and can be taken to mean ‘son of’. To understand the relevance of the Professor’s first name, we need to look at it in conjunction with his surname – Flitwick.

Fun fact: Flitwick happens to be a town in Bedfordshire which was once a dairy farm beside the river Flit. The name is derived from the old English words ‘fleot’, meaning river, and ‘wic’, meaning dairy farm. It seems a little odd to think of the Charms Professor as the ‘Son of River Dairy Farm’ so perhaps it is worth digging just a little deeper…

If you look at the words ‘flit’ and ‘wick’ individually, then it starts to make sense. A lot of the spells that we see Professor Flitwick perform require an adept flick of the wand and the first part of his name means just that – to flutter, or a light, swift movement. It comes from the Middle English word ‘flitten’ which translates to ‘fly’. And what is the first spell that Professor Flitwick teaches our class? Nothing other than *Wingardium Leviosa* – the spell to make things soar through the air. So here we have the ‘Son of Movement’, which is an accurate description of a very talented Charms professor, wouldn’t you say?

## Professor Sybill Trelawney

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The sibyls of Ancient Greece were revered as oracles, women who had the ability to prophesise the future and were respected for their divine knowledge. The first sibyl was known as Sibylla, a woman who could ‘utter predictions in an ecstatic frenzy’. Not only is the name Sybill uncanny in its accuracy, but the way Professor Trelawney changes when she makes a real prophecy is very much a frenzy.

> ‘Her eyes started to roll. Harry stood there in a panic. She looked as though she was about to have some sort of seizure. He hesitated, thinking of running to the hospital wing – and then Professor Trelawney spoke again, in the same harsh voice, quite unlike her own.’ 
 *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* 

The professor’s last name is steeped in history and literature and adds more weight to her character. In Cornwall, Trelawney is an old family name which translates to ‘the open town near the water’. The family motto is ‘Sermoni consona facta’ which means ‘Deeds agreeing with words’. It is a very accurate description of our professorial oracle who not only predicted the rise of Harry Potter, but who used her own tools of the trade in the war against Voldemort. Flying crystal ball, anyone?

## Professor Horace Slughorn

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Professor Slughorn looks worried at the prospect of being asked about Tom Riddle

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The name Horace is said to have its origins in the Latin word Horatius, with an Italian influence in the form of the name Orazio. It is thought to mean ‘timekeeper’ and it is whimsically apt in the case of this Professor. While he may not have a dazzling collection of clocks, he keeps a collection of people he has met and appreciated through time. He holds their history as a part of his own.

The name Slughorn, on the other hand, has a rich etymological story. It is often used to describe a fictional musical wind instrument in books such as Eneados, by Gavin Douglas, the Rowley Poems, by Thomas Chatterton, and a series of poems about the Battle of Hastings. These tales imply that the slughorn is used to signal the start of a battle, which is interesting, because many records point to the concept that slughorn is actually the original way to say ‘slogan’ (meaning ‘war cry’).

So Professor Horace Slughorn’s name can be translated to mean ‘Timekeeper’s War Cry’, and it is eerily accurate. He is the last key to unlocking what Voldemort has done to make himself immortal and allowing the last battle to commence. His revelation to Harry in Hagrid’s home is what sets in motion the events that signal the end of Voldemort’s tyranny and control.

## Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank

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Hogwarts students learn about unicorns in Care of Magical Creatures

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Wilhelmina is a derivative of the German name ‘Wilhelm’, and this comes from the English name ‘William’, which has its roots in the Germanic name ‘Willahelm’. That’s all quite a mouthful, almost as much as the name itself.

Wilhelmina loosely translates to mean ‘will to protect’. It is a fabulous description of this Professor — not only did she protect Hagrid’s location and refuse to share any information with Harry while she stood in as a replacement for Care of Magical Creatures, but she was quick to stand up for Dumbledore when questioned by Dolores Umbridge.

Her surname is a gem – Grubbly-Plank. It conjures up images of reliable methods of creature control and pet storage. The first part of the name ‘grubbly’ is very likely from the English word ‘grubble’ which means to ‘grope’ or ‘feel about in the dark’. Considering that Professor Grubbly-Plank was forever standing in for disappearing Hagrid, she may have often felt as if she was kept in the dark. The second part of her surname ‘plank’ can easily refer to a piece of wood, but there is another meaning attached to it — ‘something to cling to for support’. As a stand-in teacher, she was just that, especially for some of the students who felt she was a less (ahem) terrifying teacher.

## Professor Pomona Sprout

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Sprout holds a mandrake in her greenhouse.

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