Magical Mischief Collection Symbol

Magical Mischief

Up to no good

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The Peeves Challenge Quiz

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What did Professor loony loopy Lupin send straight up my left nostril? 

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Which of these foods is the best for throwing at Moaning Myrtle while calling her spotty? 

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What did Filch believe I had thrown down the stairs when it was potty wee Potter who did it? 

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If you want to create chaos at Hogwarts, which Hogsmeade shop would you go to?  

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Where is a great place to hide in Hogwarts when you want to belt out rude Christmas carols? 

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What curse did crackpot Potter use to stick my tongue to the roof of my mouth? 

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Which caretaker tried (and failed) to trap Peevesy in a giant bell jar in 1876? 

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If Peeves the mischief maker extraordinaire were to set a quiz, what kind of silliness would he include? We have studied the tricksy poltergeist very closely and come up with this Peeves-worthy challenge! 

Play our Magical Mischief crossword

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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As it's Magical Mischief month, we gift you with a new crossword to try out.

This puzzle comes with extra magic, should you desire it. As you play the crossword, much like a Hogwarts staircase, you'll notice the letters not behaving like they should. If you want to play the crossword with this magic in place, simply go to settings and select "SHOW MAGIC". If you'd rather play your crossword the more traditional way, deselect that option and enjoy.

Good luck.

<iframe width="100%" height="1050" allowtransparency="true" style="background: #FFFFFF" src="
https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/crossword/20210303/00046/index.html" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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

Play our silliest words wordsearch!

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Our Wizarding World app users may have already played our wordsearches and crosswords, but now, we're popping a few on our website so everybody can have a go.

The theme for this particular one is rather silly words - all in the spirit of Magical Mischief month. See how quickly you can find these ridiculous words - hopefully the wordsearch won't be like Peeves and behave itself.

Simply click and drag to find all the words...

<iframe width="600" height="650" src="https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/wordsearch/20200317/00013" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Fancy playing our other free puzzles? Be our guest.

[Try our Triwizard Tournament wordsearch here. ](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/wizarding-world-triwizard-tournament-wordsearch)
[Try our Wizarding World books crossword here. ](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/wizarding-world-books-crossword)

Wizarding World Gold subscribers can play weekly challenges in our app feed, with a few treats thrown in for free-users too. You can learn more about [Wizarding World Gold here. ](https://www.wizardingworld.com/about-gold?gclid=CjwKCAiAhc7yBRAdEiwAplGxXxd32IayJKnEscllKgsPU4_IPOqy9bD51W21pSP5saL64lLwzoU7lBoC1wYQAvD_BwE)

Beasts Behaving Badly: a look at the most mischievous magical creatures

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The wizarding world is crawling with creatures – some proud, some vindictive, some visible only to those who have witnessed death. They function as familiars, friends and foes. And some of them, it seems, are mainly there to mess with the nearest witch or wizard.
<br>
## Nifflers

These cute little diggers are the original mischief-makers. Their affinity for anything expensive makes them more dangerous than Dementors (if you care more about your watch than your soul). It makes sense that they’re adorable; it makes it much more likely that you’ll forgive them for raiding your jewellery box, robbing you blind, and destroying your house.

The Nifflers dived in and out of the patch of earth as though it was water, each scurrying back to the student who had released it and spitting gold into their hands. Ron’s was particularly efficient; it had soon filled his lap with coins.

>‘Can you buy these as pets, Hagrid?’ he asked excitedly, as his Niffler dived back into the soil, splattering his robes.
>
>‘Yer mum wouldn’ be happy, Ron,’ said Hagrid, grinning, ‘they wreck houses, Nifflers.’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

## Kreacher

House-elves as an entity aren’t exactly mischief-makers, interested as they are in serving – but the pages of Harry Potter are studded with diminutive tea-towel-clad rebels, and Kreacher is the most intent on causing trouble.

Alternately scattering Dungbombs, prowling after dark, and smuggling valuables in his loincloth, Kreacher’s deep love for his family resulted in plenty of problems for the new occupants of his domain.

There was the sound of pattering feet, a blaze of shining copper, an echoing clang and a shriek of agony: Kreacher had taken a run at Mundungus and hit him over the head with a saucepan.

>‘Call ’im off, call ’im off, ’e should be locked up!’ screamed Mundungus, cowering as Kreacher raised the heavy-bottomed pan again.
>
>‘Kreacher, no!’ shouted Harry.
>
>Kreacher’s thin arms trembled with the weight of the pan, still held aloft.
>
>‘Perhaps just one more, Master Harry, for luck?’
><br>*Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows*

## Hedwig

Hedwig is a loyal friend and a reliable mail carrier, but she’s also got plenty of personality, which more often than not expresses itself in the form of non-verbal jokes. She nibbles ears, nips wrists and disapproves of tropical birds. She’s often present when Harry receives bad or worrying news (because she brings it, tied to her leg) and if he overreacts, she makes sure he knows, by cuffing him about the head with her wing.

Hedwig came fluttering down onto his shoulder, and held out her leg.

>‘I can’t use you,’ Harry told her, looking around for the school owls. ‘I’ve got to use one of these ...’
>
>Hedwig gave a very loud hoot, and took off so suddenly that her talons cut into his shoulder. She kept her back to Harry all the time he was tying his letter to the leg of a large barn owl. When the barn owl had flown off, Harry reached out to stroke Hedwig, but she clicked her beak furiously and soared up into the rafters out of reach.
>
>‘First Ron, then you,’ said Harry angrily. ‘This isn’t my fault.’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*

## Grindylows

There are degrees of mischief, and Grindylows sit further towards the murderous end, given their predilection for dragging witches and wizards down to watery deaths. But they’re small! Green! Cute!

>Harry twisted his body around and saw a Grindylow, a small, horned water demon, poking out of the weeds, its long fingers clutched tightly around Harry’s leg, its pointed fangs bared – Harry stuck his webbed hand quickly inside his robes and fumbled for his wand – by the time he had grasped it, two more Grindylows had risen out of the weed, had seized handfuls of Harry’s robes, and were attempting to drag him down.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

## Nargles

The actual presence of Nargles is yet to be verified, but if Luna tells us that they infest mistletoe, then who are we to disbelieve her?
<br>
## Freshly caught Cornish Pixies

Gilderoy Lockhart was always a great lover of a mischievous wink, so it’s no surprise that he brought these blue-hued wreckers of havoc into the classrooms of Hogwarts.

Shockingly strong and good at working in teams, it didn’t take long for a cage full of the cobalt sprites to reduce a Defence Against the Dark Arts class to panic.

>It was pandemonium. The pixies shot in every direction like rockets. Two of them seized Neville by the ears and lifted him into the air. Several shot straight through the window, showering the back row with broken glass. The rest proceeded to wreck the classroom more effectively than a rampaging rhino. They grabbed ink bottles and sprayed the class with them, shredded books and papers, tore pictures from the walls, upended the waste bin, grabbed bags and books and threw them out of the smashed window; within minutes, half the class was sheltering under desks and Neville was swinging from the candelabra in the ceiling.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*

Watch our guide on how to draw a Niffler 

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Is there a cuter fantastic beast than the Niffler? (Shush, nobody tell Pygmy Puffs we said that.) How about creating your own to show off to your friends?

The mischievous creature, known for foraging shiny objects and for being a particular favourite of Newt Scamander, was first introduced to us in the book *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*, and we’ve been in love ever since.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wdhd0hNU5W8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And don’t worry, you don’t have to have the artistic prowess of Dean Thomas (remember his ‘Potter for President’ Quidditch banner?) to draw this little fellow – our guide is designed so everyone can draw along. 

Don’t forget to draw the Niffler’s gold coins – otherwise you’ll have yourself one sad Niffler. 

For more of our arts and crafts videos, check the [Wizarding World YouTube channel.](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChPRO1CB_Hvd0TvKRU62iSQ) 

The Marauder’s Map

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Harry locates the One Eyed Witch using the Maurauder's Map.

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Perhaps no students (even including Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Tom Riddle) have ever explored the castle and grounds of Hogwarts as thoroughly and illicitly as the four creators and contributors to the Marauder’s Map: James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew.

James, Sirius and Peter were not initially impelled to explore the school grounds by night out of devilment alone (though that played its part), but by their desire to help their dear friend Remus Lupin to bear his lycanthropy. Prior to the invention of the Wolfsbane Potion, Lupin was compelled to undergo an excruciating transformation every full moon. Once his condition was discovered by his three best friends, they sought a way to render his transformations less solitary and painful, which led to them learning to become (unregistered) Animagi, so that they could keep him company without harm to themselves. The ability of Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and James Potter to become, respectively, a dog, a rat and a stag, enabled them to explore the castle grounds by night undetected. The interior of the castle, meanwhile, was mapped over time with the help of James Potter’s Invisibility Cloak.

The Marauder’s Map is lasting testimony to the advanced magical ability of the four friends who included Harry Potter’s father, godfather and favourite teacher. The map they created during their time at Hogwarts appears to be a blank piece of parchment unless activated by the phrase: ‘I solemnly swear that I am up to no good,’ a phrase that, in the case of three of the four makers, should be understood as a joke. The ‘no good’ of which they wrote never denoted Dark magic, but school rule-breaking; similar bravado is evinced by their use of their own nicknames on the map (‘Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs’).

The magic used in the map’s creation is advanced and impressive; it includes the Homonculous Charm, enabling the possessor of the map to track the movements of every person in the castle, and it was also enchanted to forever repel (as insultingly as possible) the curiosity of their nemesis, Severus Snape.

Although the precise circumstances surrounding the makers’ loss of their map are not given in the Harry Potter novels, it is easy to conclude that they eventually over-reached themselves and were cornered by Argus Filch, probably on a tip-off from Snape, whose obsession it had become to expose his arch-rival, James Potter, in wrongdoing. The masterpiece of a map was confiscated in Sirius, James, Remus and Peter’s final year and none of them were able to steal it back from a well-prepared and suspicious Filch. In any case, their priorities changed in their final months at school, becoming far more serious and focused on the world beyond Hogwarts, where Lord Voldemort was successfully rising to power. All four of the map’s creators would shortly be inducted into the renegade organisation headed by Albus Dumbledore, the Order of the Phoenix, and a map of their old school – no matter how ingenious – would no longer be of use to them except as a piece of nostalgia.

The Marauder’s Map was, however, of immense use to the young Weasley twins. The story of Fred and George’s acquisition of the map is told in *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*. It was a mark of their high esteem for Harry Potter, and their belief that he stood in need of assistance with a destiny none of them yet fully understood, that they later gifted the map to him, unwittingly passing it on to the child of one of the creators.

The map was subsequently confiscated from Harry Potter by a Death Eater in disguise at the school, who recognised it as a likely source of his own discovery.

## J.K. Rowling’s thoughts

The Marauder’s Map subsequently became something of a bane to its true originator (me), because it allowed Harry a little too much freedom of information. I never showed Harry taking the map back from the empty office of (the supposed) Mad-Eye Moody, and I sometimes regretted that I had not capitalised on this mistake to leave it there. However, I like the moment when Harry watches Ginny’s dot moving around the school in *Deathly Hallows*, so on balance I am glad I let Harry reclaim his rightful property.

The Mischievously Tricky Quiz

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The Mischievously Tricky Quiz  

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What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?

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How many O.W.L.s does Hermione have?

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Whose wand conjured the Dark Mark during the Quidditch World Cup?

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What does the spell Peskipiksi Pesternomi do?

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How many Horcruxes did Voldemort make?

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Who taught Harry and his class the Unforgivable Curses?

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Who was the rightful owner of the Elder Wand before Harry?

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How much Felix Felicis does Ron take in Half-Blood Prince?

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Which of these characters was not first mentioned by name in Philosopher’s Stone?

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How many brothers does Ron have?

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Test Some intriguing wizarding world facts

If Peeves ever wrote a quiz, it’d probably look something like this. Pay attention, this one's tricky. 

How do you become an Animagus?

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Becoming an Animagus is not as easy as Sirius Black and Minerva McGonagall make it look. Learn all the steps in this long and dangerous process!

How do you become an Animagus? | Wizarding World

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*Definition: An Animagus is a witch or wizard who can transform at will into an animal.*

*Notable Animagi: Minerva McGonagall, Rita Skeeter, James Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew*

In *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, [Remus Lupin](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/ten-times-remus-lupin-made-us-wish-he-was-our-teacher) shared that it took his fellow Marauders – James, Sirius and Peter – until their fifth year at Hogwarts to finally become Animagi and keep him company in his werewolf form. But how did they manage it? And why did it take them so long to learn how to transform into animals?

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Here’s a witch or wizard’s step-by-step guide to Animagus transformation, but we’re warning you – it makes for some grizzly reading.

## Step 1: Do your homework…

…in Transfiguration and [Potions](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/ranked-the-best-and-worst-potions) at least. Becoming an Animagus requires a witch or wizard to be skilled in both these areas in order to stand a chance of achieving such a complex transformation.

## Step 2: Carry a single Mandrake leaf in your mouth…

…for an entire month – from full moon to full moon to be precise. Yes, we’re serious. If you swallow the leaf or remove it from your mouth at any point, you have to start the whole thing again (no-one likes to see that happen). You then have to find a ‘small crystal phial that receives the pure rays of the moon’, put your saliva-filled leaf inside, and add one of your own hairs.

## Step 3: Add a silver teaspoon of dew from a place that neither sunlight nor human feet have touched…

…for a full seven days. And if that wasn’t hard enough, you then have to add the chrysalis of a Death’s-head Hawk Moth to the crystal phial as well. Then put ‘this mixture in a quiet, dark place’ and leave it alone until the next electrical storm. And really leave it alone – don’t even look at it. Don’t even think about looking at it.

## Step 4: While waiting for the transfiguration to begin, you must place your wand tip over your heart…

…every sunrise and sundown and speak the following incantation: ‘Amato Animo Animato Animagus’. If you keep repeating your incantation, ‘there will come a time when, with the touch of the wand-tip to the chest, a second heartbeat may be sensed.’ Don’t change anything! Keep going. Keep waiting for that storm!

## Step 5: As soon as lightning appears in the sky, go to the place where…

…you’ve hidden your crystal phial. At last! If you’ve done everything right then you will ‘discover a mouthful of blood-red potion inside it.’ Then move somewhere where you aren’t going to alarm anyone or place yourself in physical danger during your transformation. An Animagus transformation party is definitely a bad idea.

## Step 6: Place your wand-tip against your heart and speak…

…the incantation ‘Amato Animo Animato Animagus’ and drink the potion. You will then feel fiery pain – lucky you – and an intense double heartbeat.

## Step 7: The shape of the creature into which you will shortly transform will appear…

…in your mind. The instructions then warn: ‘You must show no fear/ It is too late now, to escape the change you have willed’. Yikes!

## Step 8: When your transformation is complete you are strongly advised to pick up your wand…

…and hide it somewhere safe, so you can find it post-transformation. To return to human form, visualise your human self as clearly as you can. Don’t worry if you don’t change back immediately, ‘with practice, you will be able to slip in and out of your animal form at will, simply by visualising the creature’. Once you’re an advanced Animagus, you should be able to transform without your [wand.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/whats-in-a-wand-tree-symbolism-and-wandlore-in-harry-potter)

## The (many) things to be wary of…

- When the process of becoming an Animagus goes wrong, it often goes seriously wrong. We’re talking horrible half-human, half-animal mutations here, with no known cure.

- The first transformation is usually ‘uncomfortable and frightening. [Clothing](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/clothing) and items such as glasses or jewellery meld to the skin and become one with fur, scales or spikes.’

- When you first transform, try to avoid panicking otherwise the animal mind ‘may gain the ascendancy’ and you could do something stupid or dangerous.

- ‘Generally, wizards prefer to have their clothes [Transfigure](https://www.wizardingworld.com/quiz/the-tricky-transfiguration-quiz) with them, to escape the embarrassment of reappearing naked’.

- Don’t forget to log your personal details and Animagus appearance on the Animagus Registry. Failure to do this might land you in Azkaban prison.

The Weasley Twins Quiz 

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Do you know your Fred from your George? Or is that Fred? Or is that George? Who knows. Sometime even Mrs Weasley got confused. How about a little quiz to see how much you really know about our beloved cheeky Weasley twins. Will your result be twice as nice, or simply second best? 

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<script src="//dcc4iyjchzom0.cloudfront.net/widget/loader.js" async></script>

Discover the films

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to Fantastic Beasts

It was Fred and George Weasley who really introduced us to magical mischief. The moment they gave Harry the Marauder's Map, and taught him to say 'I solemnly swear I am up to no good', we know we were in for some magical fun. But let's not forget about the Marauder's who made the map, and who became Animagi or the sassiest moments of the Boy Who Lived. There's plenty of mischief to manage in this collection. 

What is magical mischief?

Welcome to the sillier side of the wizarding world! This collection, all about Magical Mischief, gathers together some of our cheekiest articles, funniest Harry Potter characters and quizzes fit for a trickster. Do you solemnly swear that you're up to no good?

Celebrate the joys of Magical Mischief in 2021 with new AR filter and many more silly activities 

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What’s your favourite funny moment from the Wizarding World? Is it basically anything Fred and George do? Ron vomiting slugs? Peeves’ poems? The many naughty antics of the Niffler? Whatever it may be, this is what Magical Mischief is all about – a chance for us to embrace magic, even when it doesn’t do quite what you expect. 

This year, we’ve recruited the help of singer, dancer and television star, Aston Merrygold, to try out one of our new mischievous creations – an AR filter available on Instagram.  In the video below, Aston, alongside his son, Grayson, shows you how our new filter works and the mischievous options to choose from. The results? Adorable. 

Magical Mischief 2021 | Hagrid's Magical Mischief AR Filter

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As you can see, the filter features different magical modes to try out, themed around some of our favourite mischievous magical creatures. As Harry Potter fans know all too well, Rubeus Hagrid is somewhat an expert when it comes to magical creatures (the good, bad and the ugly) so we’ve equipped you with his ‘umbrella’ (which definitely did not hold the contents of Hagrid’s broken wand...) to perform some of your own digital enchantments.

For example, you can recreate Ron’s famous “eat slugs” moment, complete with slugs coming out of your mouth, or you can relive Dudley’s unfortunate pig transformation, courtesy of Hagrid, from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Our official filter tester Aston spoke about his love for Harry Potter, and how he’s now enjoying passing down the stories to his son. 

“I am a big Harry Potter fan and love a bit of mischief too, Dobby is my favourite character! He might be a house-elf, but he’s definitely got some mischievous tricks up his sleeve! Being such a big fan, I couldn’t wait to join in with Magical Mischief Month. The filter made everyone at home laugh so much, especially when Grayson started puking slugs like Ron, he thought it was hilarious!”

“Halloween is usually a favourite Harry Potter time in our household when we re-watch the films, but it’s been so much fun celebrating Magical Mischief with the Wizarding World this March with the filter and all the great activities on the website! It’s made family time even more magical.”

So, if you’re old enough, check out the AR filter for yourself by heading to @WizardingWorld on Instagram. There, you can click the Face icon at the top of photo grid and select the ‘Magical Mischief’ effect. You’ll then see an example of the effect and the option to ‘Try it’. Be sure to tag @wizardingworld and include #MagicalMischief in your posts. 

And if you want to see what other magical tomfoolery we’ve been up to, visit our [Magical Mischief collection page](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/magical-mischief) for quizzes, articles, puzzles and more.

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Learn all about Helga Hufflepuff

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The Origins of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

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Discover the origins of Hogwarts and its founders: Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw.

The Origins of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry | Wizarding World

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## Hogwarts was founded by two wizards and two witches

At some point in the tenth century, four of the greatest witches and wizards that ever lived founded [Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/stories-of-the-hogwarts-founders). Their names were Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff and Salazar Slytherin. As The Sorting Hat told us, their reason for doing so was because they had the ‘selfsame yearning, to make the world’s best magic school’, and once they did, each created their own house to represent a personality and skill that they wanted to nurture. Gryffindor students embodied bravery and chivalry; Ravenclaw, intelligence and wit; Hufflepuff, loyalty and fair play; and Slytherin, the values of being sly and cunning.

## Hogwarts castle was built in Scotland, away from Muggle eyes

The tenth century was a dangerous time for witches and wizards, who were being persecuted by [Muggles](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/a-guide-to-the-muggles-of-harry-potter) hostile to magic. Therefore, Hogwarts was built somewhere in the Scottish Highlands, and concealed with numerous charms and spells to make it impossible for Muggles to trespass. For instead of an enormous school, any passing Muggle would only see ruins and signs warning them of danger.

## The castle itself was huge and complex

Hogwarts has a long history of ancient magic, and Albus Dumbledore admitted that not even he knew all of its secrets. Indeed, much about the design and construction of Hogwarts remains a mystery. Did the founders implement the Anti-Disapparition Jinx? Where did the [Room of Requirement](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-room-of-requirement) come from? Why did they build a school next to a dark and dangerous forest?

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## Its name is very literal

It’s a popular wizarding theory that Rowena Ravenclaw came up with the name of Hogwarts after dreaming of a warty hog that led her to a cliff by a lake. It’s unknown, however, whether this is actually true.

## The founders were friends, but fell out over what Hogwarts should be

Much like [the Marauders](/features/everything-we-know-about-the-marauders "Everything we know about the lives of the Marauders"), or Harry, Hermione and Ron, the founders of Hogwarts were originally friends. Yet that changed once it became clear that certain founders had a very different idea of what they wanted Hogwarts to be. That founder, of course, was Salazar Slytherin, who distrusted Muggle-born wizards, and believed that only ‘[pure-blood](/writing-by-jk-rowling/pure-blood "Pure-Blood by J.K. Rowling")’ students should be allowed to attend Hogwarts. The other founders disagreed – especially Godric Gryffindor, who was, up until then, Slytherin’s greatest friend. Their argument – possibly, it’s suggested, a duel – resulted in [Slytherin](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/slytherin) leaving the school behind.

## Salazar Slytherin left, but not before...

...he built the [Chamber of Secrets](/writing-by-jk-rowling/chamber-of-secrets "Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling"). The story goes that the hidden chamber was kept secret from the other founders, and was sealed until Slytherin’s ‘true heir’ arrived at the school: a student who would be able to unseal the Chamber of Secrets and unleash the Basilisk inside, a huge snake that would purge the school of Muggle-born wizards. Now *that* is a grudge.

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## Tragedy also followed Rowena Ravenclaw

Rowena [Ravenclaw](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/ravenclaw) was the greatest witch of her time; a figure famed for her intelligence and wit – and that was before she wore her enchanted diadem, which was said to enhance the wisdom of the wearer. Such a witch casts a long shadow, one her daughter Helena found it difficult to escape from. Envying her mother’s status and power, she betrayed her by stealing the diadem – believing it could make her powerful – and ran away from Hogwarts. The betrayal embarrassed Rowena, who told no one, including her fellow founders, that the diadem was missing.<br> 

On her death bed, she sent a young man to find Helena, so she could see her daughter for one last time. That young man, who had long been infatuated with Helena, tracked her down to a forest in Albania... but ending up killing her when she rejected his advances. His real name is unknown, but you’ll recognise him by his post-mortem moniker, the Bloody Baron.

Rowena Ravenclaw died soon after. Legend has it that the cause of death was a broken heart.

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## Helga Hufflepuff on the other hand...

Let’s go now to Helga [Hufflepuff](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/hufflepuff), who was apparently the founder responsible for giving house-elves jobs in the kitchens, giving them somewhere to work where they would be treated fairly, and not be abused. She was also very good at food-related charms, and her recipes are still used by Hogwarts for their [feasts](/features/the-deliciously-detailed-foodographic "The deliciously detailed food-o-graphic").

## Godric Gryffindor’s legacy lives on today – through his hat

Godric [Gryffindor](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/gryffindor) favoured the virtues of courage and heroism, and has been described by J.K. Rowling as ‘the best duellist of his time’ — both with a wand, and a sword. Thus his legacy lives on with the Sword of Gryffindor, the relic that Harry Potter used to destroy Horcruxes. But he also endures through another object. You see, when the founders became older, they were faced with a problem: how would they ensure that students were sorted into the right House after they were gone? For up until that point, that decision was made by them and them alone. The solution? Godric’s hat. The founders decided that the best course of action was for Godric to take off his hat so that all four of them could enchant it to sort students long after their deaths. And lo, the [Sorting Hat](http://wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/the-sorting-hat) was born.

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The Sorting Ceremony

The origins of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Famous Hufflepuffs through the ages

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An Illustration of Sprout from the Chamber of Secrets

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> ‘You might belong in Hufflepuff,  
> Where they are just and loyal,  
> Those patient Hufflepuffs are true  
> And unafraid of toil’  
> *The Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*

__Helga Hufflepuff__  
‘Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad’ was one of the four founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Known for being kind and caring, and especially loved for her food-related charms. While the other founders prized daring and cunning, Helga reportedly welcomed all students, particularly hard workers.  

__Bridget Wenlock__  
A famous thirteenth-century witch celebrated for her skills in Arithmancy. Protective of her theorems, she wrote many of her ideas down in invisible ink making them somewhat easy to misplace. Bridget was the first to discover the magical significance of the number seven. 

__Newt Scamander__  
Magizoologist Newton Artemis Fido Scamander, or ‘Newt’ to his readers, was the author of trusted Hogwarts textbook *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*. Passionate about magical creatures from an early age, he travelled the world observing beasts and their behaviour in the wild. 

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Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander in 'Fantastic Beasts'

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__Pomona Sprout__  
Head of Hufflepuff house, her hat may have been patched but there was nothing shabby about Professor Sprout’s knowledge of all things Herbology. From her greenhouse classroom she taught students how to handle dangerous plants like Mandrakes and Bubotubers. 

__Cedric Diggory__  
Cedric Diggory was Hufflepuff house’s Quidditch team captain and Seeker. In his sixth year at Hogwarts, he became one of the Triwizard Champions. Good, kind, brave, and a credit to his house.

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An Illustration of Cedric's dress robes for the Yule Ball 

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__Nymphadora Tonks__  
Not your average witch, or your average Hufflepuff, ‘Don’t-call-me-Nymphadora’ Tonks is an Auror and Metamorphmagus – born with the ability to control her appearance at will, without the aid of a wand. Funny, slightly clumsy but as bright as her ever-changing hair colour, Tonks was also a member of the Order of the Phoenix.  

__House ghost: The Fat Friar__  
Hufflepuff house’s ghost is an amiable fellow known as the Fat Friar. He was executed by senior churchment for curing some peasants of the pox with the poke of a ‘stick’ and pulling rabbits out of the communion cup. In his afterlife, he seems like quite a jolly old ghost.

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WATCH: Our history of the Hogwarts house founders video

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Delve deep into the annals of Hogwarts history with us. 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/-4smX8W1hcU?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Fancy extending your Hogwarts house education? Join us on our [Hogwarts house pride page](https://www.wizardingworld.com/hogwarts-house-pride) where we celebrate Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin in equal measure.

The Newt Scamander challenge quiz

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Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

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The Newt Scamander Challenge Quiz

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Tina has similar eyes to which creature? 

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What did Jacob use as collateral for his bakery? 

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Queenie Goldstein was known for being a skilled what? 

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Who was engaged to my brother Theseus?

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What is the horse-like water demon that I keep in my case? 

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What is the name of my assistant? 

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Which escaped creature did I recapture in Central Park (with a little help from Jacob)? 

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What if Magizoologist Newt Scamander were to set you a quiz - what kind of questions do you think he would ask? Take our quiz and find out... 

Discover Hufflepuff house! Read about famous members such as Cedric Diggory and Newt Scamander, enjoy related quizzes, and more.

Hufflepuff - Learn about the Hogwarts House | Wizarding World

Welcome to the Hufflepuff house collection. We've gathered together everything Hufflepuff all in one place – just for you. Read about your favourite characters, peruse J.K. Rowling's writing, test your knowledge of your house in our quizzes and explore so much more. 

Magical Mischief

Welcome to the sillier side of the wizarding world! This collection, all about Magical Mischief, gathers together some of our cheekiest articles, funniest Harry Potter characters and quizzes fit for a trickster. Do you solemnly swear that you're up to no good?

Celebrate the joys of Magical Mischief in 2021 with new AR filter and many more silly activities

More mischief for you

The Mischievously Tricky Quiz

How do you become an Animagus?

The Weasley Twins Quiz