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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

![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

Deconstructing Divination: What do you know about the subject?

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*__Wait a minute! This article will contain plot spoilers from the end of the Harry Potter series.__*

## What is Divination anyway?
Put simply, Divination is the study of defining the future, and is an optional class that [Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts) students can choose from their third year onwards. The practice involves a variety of techniques, from tea leaf reading to palmistry, to help determine upcoming events. However, it is hotly disputed amongst the wizarding community, in terms of its legitimacy. 

If you were to ask Hermione Granger or Professor McGonagall (two very logical and intelligent witches) you might hear that it is a subject which is ‘woolly’ or ‘imprecise’… that’s if they were feeling polite. But if you asked the likes of students [Lavender Brown](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lavender-brown) and [Parvati Patil](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/parvati-patil), you would hear a completely different story. Those two were hardcore Divination fans and fully believed that their futures could be divined by gazing into the fog of a crystal ball. The truth? Well, it’s probably somewhere between the two.

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## Seers can predict prophecies, but they are few and far between
Firstly, those who are most likely to find success in this subject are Seers. Seers are witches and wizards that have gift of Sight or ‘Inner Eye’. They are able to predict the future and create prophecies, though they are a rare bunch. [Professor Trelawney](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/sybill-trelawney) could arguably be considered one – she did make the infamous prediction about Harry and [Voldemort](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lord-voldemort). However, her power was incredibly watered-down in comparison to her great-great grandmother, the famous Seer, Cassandra Trelawney. In fact, Trelawney’s ‘talent’ was mainly smoke and mirrors with occasional flashes of clairvoyance. She never remembered her true predictions, as those were made when she entered a trance-like state, and the ‘predictions’ she would make in Divination lessons, in our opinion, were pure luck, guesswork and showmanship.


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<center> 

__Did you know?__

*In real life, Seers have been thought to walk amongst us Muggles. Throughout history, there have been those who have appeared to accurately predict future events. William Lilly was one such person. He apparently correctly predicted the 1666 Great Fire of London in his book, published in 1651, Monarchy or No Monarchy. He was so on the nose with it, that he was even hauled in front of an investigative committee and accused of starting the blaze himself!*

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## Centaurs rely on the stars
It’s not just some of the humans of the wizarding world that believe in the art of Divination (or teach it), the [centaurs](/fact-file/creatures/centaur) respect the importance of it too. [Firenze](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/firenze), whom we first met in *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone* during Harry’s trip to the Forbidden Forest, even gave up his place in his herd to come and teach it at Hogwarts. For centaurs, Divination is mainly about the stars. They look up at the night sky and interpret their movements along with the planets. By doing so, they can see the future before them. 

Though as Parvati Patil soon learnt, gazing at the stars is no trivial matter: 


‘I know that you have learned the names of the planets and their moons in Astronomy,’ said Firenze’s calm voice, ‘and that you have mapped the stars’ progress through the heavens. Centaurs have unravelled the mysteries of these movements over centuries. Our findings teach us that the future may be glimpsed in the sky above us –’

‘Professor Trelawney did astrology with us!’ said Parvati excitedly, raising her hand in front of her so that it stuck up in the air as she lay on her back. ‘Mars causes accidents and burns and things like that, and when it makes an angle to Saturn, like now –’ she drew a right-angle in the air above her ‘– that means people need to be extra careful when handling hot things –’

‘That,’ said Firenze calmly, ‘is human nonsense.'

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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__Did you know?__ <p>

*Many cultures have found reading the stars to be a handy tool, whether that’s using the constellations for navigation or using the stars and planets to tell the future. The Babylonians (specifically the priests) would interpret different astronomical events as omens. For example, a red-coloured Mars was widely seen as a sign that war and bloodshed were approaching. Whereas the Greeks believed that the proximity of the Sun god (the sun) to the other ‘gods’ (the planets) at the time of your birth would influence your personality.*

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## Tea leaves, crystal balls and palmistry
Ok, so we know that Seers predict the future and centaurs read the night sky, but how do others learn how to master Divination? We doubt you’ll find even one genuine Seer in a Hogwarts year group, let alone a whole class of them. No need to worry though, there are several more practical techniques the students can try to master instead. There’s observing the symbols left in tea leaves – where Professor Trelawney saw the Grim and predicted Harry’s death. There’s reading palms, where Professor Trelawney would flinch when she saw Harry’s hands. And there is crystal ball gazing where [Ron](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ron-weasley) predicted fog… and Trelawney saw the Grim and therefore Harry’s death. You’ll notice a pattern emerging. 

It's safe to say that these techniques might not be the most… accurate. However, we think that giving them a go could be rather fun (as long as you’re not Harry – or Ron’s Uncle Bilius). Who wouldn’t want to know what lay in store for them? Would great wealth be lurking in the leaves? Or great love visible on your palm? Or a vision of all your dreams coming true in the crystal ball? Nobody can know for definite – but we’d like to try and find out.


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__Did you know?__

*Tea leaf reading (or tasseography) is another technique that comes from our own history. In fact, it has been a common fortune-telling practice in the Muggle one for centuries. It was particularly popular in the Victorian era when there was a rise in interest in the occult and the idea of self-analysis – thanks to the works of people such as Sigmund Freud and Josef Breuer.*

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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## Prophecies 
We don’t think it’s too hard to predict that if you’re talking about how to unravel the mysteries of the future, prophecies might be involved. In fact, it was a [prophecy](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/sybill-trelawneys-first-prophecy) (made by Sybill Trelawney) that led to Voldemort targeting Harry in the first place. It was that prophecy that led to the events of the Department of Mysteries and the death of [Sirius](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/sirius-black). And it was that prophecy that ultimately led to Voldemort’s downfall. The power they hold cannot be underestimated. 

However, prophecies are not foolproof. If you were to ask Firenze, he would readily admit that like many elements of Divination, they are not concrete facts. Take Trelawney’s first prophecy where she talked about ‘the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord’. Voldemort didn’t hear the prophecy in its entirety and assumed that it meant Harry. Though we know it could have also applied to [Neville Longbottom](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/neville-longbottom). It was Voldemort’s interpretation that shaped the direction of the prophecy and therefore the entirety of his and Harry’s life. This idea stems back centuries – look at old Greek mythology. In the story of Oedipus, the titular character created his own fate in an act of trying to avoid it, making the prophecy self-fulfilling. Just like Voldemort! 

Imagine how different the story could have been if Voldemort had chosen not to obsess over a snippet of a prophecy, overheard by one of his acolytes, made by the lesser-talented great-great granddaughter of a famous Seer during a job interview at the pub? Perhaps he would never have marked Harry as his equal? Maybe Harry’s parents would never have died? Or maybe Voldemort would never have been defeated. It certainly makes you think.


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<center> <p>

__Did you know?__

*Many prophecies have been made about events in Muggle history and one very famous person who made such predictions was Nostradamus. A Seer from 16th century France, he has been said to have predicted numerous events – from the rise of Napoleon to the French revolution. Nostradamus’ prophecies still remain contentious today – there are those who believe in him completely and those who find the whole thing... a bit woolly.* </center>

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and the Order of the Phoenix

Number Magic #16

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Harry and Ron next to each other at their desk in a lesson. Both are facing forward and listening.

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How are your maths skills? Find out as you apply mathematics to magic in our latest puzzle.

Play away...

<iframe width="100%" height="1050" allowtransparency="true" style="background: #FFFFFF" src="https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/numbermagic/20231215/0016/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Want even more puzzles? [You can play our crosswords and wordsearches in our puzzles collection. ](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles)

The prophecy crossword

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The tea leaves wordsearch

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The Grim made of tea leaves in divination 

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The shrewd skills of Severus Snape

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## He’s a Potions pioneer 
We couldn’t talk about the skills of the Potions Master without mentioning his aptitude for, well, [Potions](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/potions), could we? If you needed a seamless [Shrinking Solution](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/shrinking-solution), a flawless phial of[Felix Felicis](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/felix-felicis) or a valuable vial of [Veritaserum](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/veritaserum), Snape was your guy. There was no concoction that he couldn’t pull together – which is as handy as it is terrifying. He also knew how to make a potion the best it could be, even if it meant deviating from the instructions. It certainly helped Harry when he got his hand on Snape’s (or should we say the Half-Blood Prince’s) copy of *Advanced Potion-Making*. Who knew that a crushed, rather than chopped, Sopophorous Bean would make such a difference to a [Draught of Living Death](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/the-draught-of-living-death)? 


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Snape in his potions class room from the Order of the Pheonix 

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## His Half-Blood Prince creations
Speaking of [Snape’s](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/severus-snape) creations, his ingenuity as the Half-Blood Prince went far beyond tinkering with potion recipes – he created spells of his own. Not any witch or wizard would have that capability. But for Snape? He didn’t just stop at one spell. No, he made multiple. Some were useful, practical and even exhibiting Snape’s lesser-seen sense of humour – such as Levicorpus which hoisted the target into the air by their ankle. Though after Snape’s run-in with the [Marauders](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/marauders), we saw a darker side to that spell. Others played into his obsession with the Dark Arts. Sectumsempra was a particularly violent spell, and it is rather troubling that a teenager came up with it. When Harry used it against Malfoy, he almost killed him. So yes, Snape had the power to create his own spells, but great power should always come with great responsibility.  


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## Did we mention he can fly?
We’re not talking about Snape’s skills on a [broomstick](/fact-file/objects/broomstick) here – although we’d be fascinated to see how that played out… We’re talking about the fact that he could transform into a bat-like creature and seemingly take off into the sky, unaided.  It came in handy when faced with an irate McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout – why face consequences when you can, quite simply, soar off into the night? But it also showed just how well learned a wizard Snape was. There was only one other wizard who had been known to be able to fly without a broom: Voldemort. While Snape was a famously complex figure, he often used his set of magical abilities for manifold reasons.  

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## He’s an unreadable book 
Snape projects an aura of mystery – he’s an impenetrable fortress. An island. Some might say really great at maintaining boundaries. Good luck trying to find out who the real Snape is – arguably only Dumbledore had that honour. Snape’s air of mystery wasn’t just down to his secretive personality: he also happened to be a very talented [Occlumens](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/occlumency). Nobody was going to break into his head and steal his secrets. Well… except that *one* time. You know, when Harry accidentally ended up in there, witnessed Snape’s most humiliating moment and made their relationship even more tense than usual. That time. 


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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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and the Goblet of Fire

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## His sarcasm
For cutting remarks and scathing putdowns, you need look no further than Severus Snape. His ability to wound with words was unparalleled. Hermione was dubbed the ‘insufferable know-it-all’, while poor Neville was callously re-named ‘the boy with the thick skull’ – ice cold sentiments, always. Snape had no kind words for Ron, Sirius, James, Lupin, Harry either – well, any Gryffindor come to think of it. While Snape’s put-downs could be devastating to the extent he became Neville’s Boggart, sometimes, when faced with a worthy adversary (such as Professor [Umbridge](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/dolores-umbridge)) his deadpan delivery and excellent timing also revealed his secret funny side. Who can forget his response when Harry gave a less-than-pleasing answer to his question about the difference between a ghost and an Inferius? 


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‘Oh, very good,’ interrupted Snape, his lip curling. ‘Yes, it is easy to see that nearly six years of magical education have not been wasted on you, Potter. Ghosts are transparent.’

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## His fashion sense 
Ok, so when you think of fashion icons, Snape might not spring to mind. Your [Lockharts](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/gilderoy-lockhart) and your Dumbledores are more likely to take centre stage with their celebration of eccentricity and colour. But we are prepared to die on this hill: Snape was a fashion icon too! For those who favour a dark and gloomy look, think it would be cool to resemble an overgrown bat and recoil at anything other than the colour black, then Snape’s your fashion guru. From his long black robes to his long black hair to his long withering stare, he had his aesthetic perfected – minimal yet dramatic, repetitive, yet classic. His vibe might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it takes skill and confidence to stick to one specific look so adamantly like Snape did. Not to mention a great deal of stubbornness. 

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The Half-Blood Prince crossword

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The Snape and Lily wordsearch

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

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and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

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The wizarding world cryptic crossword #8

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Try our latest cryptic brainteaser for those with Hermione-level brains.

<iframe width="550" height="700" allowtransparency="true" style="background: #FFFFFF" src="https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/cryptic/20231204/00045/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

For more puzzles, crosswords and wordsearches, [visit our puzzles hub.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles)

Our previous cryptics can be found here!

[Cryptic Crossword 1](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/wizarding-world-cryptic-crossword) <br>
[Cryptic Crossword 2](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/another-wizarding-world-cryptic-crossword) <br> 
[Cryptic Crossword 3](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/cryptic-crossword-3) <br>
[Cryptic Crossword 4](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/cryptic-crossword-4) <br>
[Cryptic Crossword 5](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/cryptic-crossword-5) <br>
[Cryptic Crossword 6](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/cryptic-crossword-6) <br>
[Cryptic Crossword 7](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/cryptic-crossword-7) <br>


The Sybill Trelawney crossword

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A close-up shot of Professor Trelawney wearing her signature glasses

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Cyber Monday: Up to 70% across everything on the Harry Potter Shop

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