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Slytherin

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Slytherin House Pride

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Learn all about Salazar Slytherin

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A portrait of Salazar Slytherin looking imperious

Chamber of Secrets

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Harry looking inside the Chamber of Secrets 

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The subterranean Chamber of Secrets was created by Salazar Slytherin without the knowledge of his three fellow founders of Hogwarts. The Chamber was, for many centuries, believed to be a myth; however, the fact that rumours of its existence persisted for so long reveals that Slytherin spoke of its creation and that others believed him, or else had been permitted, by him, to enter.

There is no doubt that each of the four founders sought to stamp their own mark upon the school of witchcraft and wizardry that they intended would be the finest in the world. It was agreed that each would construct their own houses, for example, choosing the location of common rooms and dormitories. However, only Slytherin went further, and built what was in effect a personal, secret headquarters within the school, accessible only by himself or by those he allowed to enter.

Perhaps, when he first constructed the Chamber, Slytherin wanted no more than a place in which to instruct his students in spells of which the other three founders may have disapproved (disagreements sprung up early around the teaching of the Dark Arts). However, it is clear by the very decoration of the Chamber that by the time Slytherin finished it he had developed grandiose ideas of his own importance to the school. No other founder left behind them a gigantic statue of themselves or draped the school in emblems of their own personal powers (the snakes carved around the Chamber of Secrets being a reference to Slytherin’s powers as a Parselmouth).

What is certain is that by the time Slytherin was forced out of the school by the other three founders, he had decided that henceforth, the Chamber he had built would be the lair of a monster that he alone – or his descendants – would be able to control: a Basilisk. Moreover, only a Parselmouth would be able to enter the Chamber. This, he knew, would keep out all three founders and every other member of staff.

The existence of the Chamber was known to Slytherin’s descendants and those with whom they chose to share the information. Thus the rumour stayed alive through the centuries.

There is clear evidence that the Chamber was opened more than once between the death of Slytherin and the entrance of Tom Riddle in the twentieth century. When first created, the Chamber was accessed through a concealed trapdoor and a series of magical tunnels. However, when Hogwarts’ plumbing became more elaborate in the eighteenth century (this was a rare instance of wizards copying Muggles, because hitherto they simply relieved themselves wherever they stood, and vanished the evidence), the entrance to the Chamber was threatened, being located on the site of a proposed bathroom. The presence in school at the time of a student called Corvinus Gaunt – direct descendant of Slytherin, and antecedent of Tom Riddle – explains how the simple trapdoor was secretly protected, so that those who knew how could still access the entrance to the Chamber even after newfangled plumbing had been placed on top of it.

Whispers that a monster lived in the depths of the castle were also prevalent for centuries. Again, this is because those who could hear and speak to it were not always as discreet as they might have been: the Gaunt family could not resist boasting of their knowledge. As nobody else could hear the creature sliding beneath floorboards or, latterly, through the plumbing, they did not have many believers, and none, until Riddle dared unleash the monster on the castle.

Successive headmasters and mistresses, not to mention a number of historians, searched the castle thoroughly many times over the centuries, each time concluding that the chamber was a myth. The reason for their failure was simple: none of them was a Parselmouth.

Famous Slytherins through the ages

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An illustration of Slughorn in his pyjamas.

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> ‘Or perhaps in Slytherin  
> You’ll make your real friends,  
> Those cunning folk use any means  
> To achieve their ends.’  
> *The Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*

__Salazar Slytherin__  
One of the four founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Slytherin prized resourcefulness and ambition in his students. He believed that the school should only teach [pure-blood](/writing-by-jk-rowling/pure-blood "Pure-Blood by J.K. Rowling") witches and wizards. His ability to speak Parseltongue is why the Slytherin emblem is a serpent. 

__Merlin__  
Merlin himself was sorted into Slytherin when he was at Hogwarts, and the young wizard went on to become one of the most famous wizards in history. The [Order of Merlin](/writing-by-jk-rowling/order-of-merlin "Order of Merlin by J.K. Rowling"), named to commemorate him, has been awarded since the fifteenth century. Legend has it that the First Order of Merlin’s green ribbon reflects his Hogwarts house. 

__Severus Snape__  
As [Potions](/writing-by-jk-rowling/potions "Potions by J.K. Rowling") master at Hogwarts, Severus Snape held his students to almost impossibly high standards and wasn’t one to suffer fools gladly. As Head of Slytherin house, he clashed with some of Gryffindor’s more… active students like Harry Potter. Still waters run deep though, and underneath the sneer lies a complicated man.

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__Phineas Nigellus Black__  
Sirius Black’s great-great grandfather, Phineas Nigellus Black was the least popular of all Hogwarts headmasters. Possibly because he hated being a teacher and seemingly young people in general. Even after his death Phineas went on to advise future headmasters, albeit from his lofty position on their [office wall](/writing-by-jk-rowling/hogwarts-portraits "Hogwarts Portraits by J.K. Rowling").

__Tom Riddle__  
The orphaned Tom Riddle found a home at Hogwarts and also a Dark purpose. A direct descendent of Salazar Slytherin, Riddle shared his forebear’s attitude on restricting magical learning to pure-bloods – despite having a Muggle father himself. As a teenager, he unlocked the [Chamber of Secrets](/writing-by-jk-rowling/chamber-of-secrets "Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling"), leading to the death of a Muggle-born girl, and even learned Dark magic to protect himself from death.

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Harry and Dumbledore watch Tom Riddle inspect Slytherin's locket in a memory from the Half-Blood Prince. 

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__Horace Slughorn__  
Another Hogwarts Potions master, Horace Slughorn was Head of Slytherin house – twice. Lily Potter, Harry’s mother, was one of his most gifted students. Not one for the spotlight, but certainly one to name-drop, Horace enjoyed the reflected glory his ‘Slug Club’ favourites gave him.

__House Ghost: The Bloody Baron__  
The Bloody Baron is the gaunt and blood-soaked Slytherin [house ghost](/writing-by-jk-rowling/hogwarts-ghosts "Hogwarts Ghosts by J.K. Rowling"). He’s the only one who can keep pesky poltergeist Peeves under control. The strong and silent type, the Baron wears chains in penitence for a terrible act.

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The Great Hall when Slytherin have momentarily won the House Cup.

Discover the films

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to Fantastic Beasts

WATCH: Our history of the Hogwarts house founders video

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Delve deep into the annals of Hogwarts history with us. 

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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 Ultimate Lord Voldemort Quiz

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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The Lord Voldemort Quiz

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In the Harry Potter books, which character speaks Voldemort’s name for the first time?

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What happened to Professor Quirrell when Voldemort left him?

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Which day did Voldemort die?

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Where did Voldemort work after leaving Hogwarts as a student?

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What’s the name of the Muggle gardener who Voldemort murdered after overhearing his plans to kill Harry? 

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Why did Voldemort give Wormtail a silver hand? 

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In the book, Goblet of Fire, what was the first thing Voldemort said when he had risen again?

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From whom did Tom Riddle take Hufflepuff’s cup and Slytherin’s locket from?

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Where did Voldemort flee following his downfall in 1981?

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What colour are Lord Voldemort’s eyes?

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New year, new You-Know-Who…? We’ll let ourselves out.

Try our four Hogwarts house-themed wordsearches 

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Simply click and drag to find all the words, all connected to each of the four Hogwarts houses. And if you don't know which house you're in, [remember you can get sorted with us right here.  ](https://my.wizardingworld.com/sorting-hat)

## The Gryffindor wordsearch 

<iframe width="600" height="650" src="https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/wordsearch/20200617/00023/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## The Ravenclaw wordsearch

<iframe width="600" height="650" src="https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/wordsearch/20200612/00022/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## The Hufflepuff wordsearch

<iframe width="600" height="650" src="https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/wordsearch/20200522/00019/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## The Slytherin wordsearch

<iframe width="600" height="650" src="https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/wordsearch/20200620/00025/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

For more puzzles, [visit our puzzles hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles) or check out our Wizarding World app. 

Complete the quote quiz: Severus Snape edition

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

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“Tut, tut – fame clearly isn’t…”

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"‘Or maybe,’ said a very cold voice right behind them, ‘he’s waiting to hear why you two didn’t arrive on…'"

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“'The Dark Arts,’ said Snape, ‘are many, varied, ever-changing and …'"

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“You think a joke-shop could supply him with such a thing? You don’t think it more likely that he got it directly from…” 

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“I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper…"

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“Yes, it is easy to see that nearly six years of magical education have not been wasted on you, Potter. Ghosts are…”

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“'That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger,’ said Snape coolly. ‘Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable …'” 

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Severus Snape. Severe, sarcastic, scathing yet secretly sentimental. Can you finish these famous Severus Snape lines?

The House of Black crossword

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Best of luck!

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Visit our [puzzles page](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles) for more challenges!

The Draco Malfoy Challenge Quiz 

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The Draco Malfoy Challenge Quiz

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Which of the following skills was Salazar Slytherin known for?  

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How is a Basilisk bred?  

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Which Dark magical object provides candlelight only to the holder?  

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A Vanishing Cabinet resides at Hogwarts, but where does its twin live?  

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In which British county do the Malfoys own a sizeable amount of land?   

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What is the Bloody Baron, the Slytherin house ghost, covered in?   

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And finally, which renown Death Eater is Narcissa Malfoy’s sibling?  

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If Draco Malfoy were to set a quiz, what sort of questions would he ask? Find out in our latest quiz... 

The Severus Snape wordsearch

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Play today's wordsearch all about the surly Hogwarts potions professor, Professor Severus Snape.

Play our Severus Snape wordsearch

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How quickly can you complete today's puzzle?

<iframe width="600" height="650" allowtransparency="true" style="background: #FFFFFF" src="https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/wordsearch/20220819/00120/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

For more crosswords and wordsearches, [visit our puzzles hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles) or you can also enjoy Wizarding World challenges in our app. Scan the QR code below to check it out.

![wizarding-world-app-qr-code-with-padding](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/19sj3D6vOwqCj1FAWayhW7/25a5a201a196b9e9b4bc03a44b34db34/QR-wizarding-world-app-code-with-padding.png)

Discover Slytherin house! Read about famous members of the Hogwarts house such as Draco Malfoy, take part in quizzes, and much more.

Slytherin - Learn about the Hogwarts House | Wizarding World

Learn all about Draco Malfoy

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Draco Malfoy standing in the Slytherin common room looking smug with his hands on his hips.

Welcome to the Slytherin house collection. We've gathered together everything Slytherin 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.

Which Slytherin are you most like?

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Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

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The Crimes of Grindelwald

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## If you’re a nerd and proud… you’re like Scorpius Malfoy
Are you somebody that is happiest when learning something new? Do you spend most of your time with your nose in a book? Are you unafraid to be your geeky self – even when others don’t appreciate it? If this sounds anything like you, you’re like Scorpius Malfoy.

Scorpius was one Slytherin that was not ashamed or scared to embrace his nerdy side. He took pride in his schoolwork, enjoyed reading and was ambitious when it came to his magical knowledge. If anything, studying hard seemed to be Scorpius’s happy place. His best friend (and fellow Slytherin) Albus recognised this and said that a good way to distract Scorpius from difficult emotional issues was to take him to the library. And despite Albus’s gentle teasing, Scorpius never pretended to anything other than his excellent boffin self – and neither should you.

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Scorpius Malfoy is sat on his bed in his pyjamas. He has his duvet wrapped round him and is pulling a funny face.

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## If you’re prepared to do what is right rather than what is easy… you’re like Leta Lestrange 
Leta Lestrange was by no means perfect. She had a history of lashing out at those who wronged her, and she didn’t always seem to be a great friend for Newt. However, while Leta was flawed, she ultimately stood up to protect those she loved. During *Crimes of Grindelwald*, when she realised that Newt and Theseus were in peril, she caused a distraction to aid in their escape. It worked – but she ended up paying the ultimate price and was engulfed in Grindelwald’s flames. 

If you’re someone who has had to make some difficult decisions to protect those you care about, then you’re like Leta Lestrange. While it might be nice to have an easy life – your conscience wouldn’t allow it and you’re a stronger person for it.

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## If you’re sarcasm savant… you’re like Severus Snape
When you think of the surly Head of Slytherin, you’d be forgiven for not immediately realising that Snape possessed a sense of humour – and it is true that he was often sour, unpleasant and a bully. However, sometimes Snape’s loathing of the world slipped into some excellent deadpan humour. Who can forget the time he replied to Umbridge questioning his teaching history with the perfect, sardonic ‘obviously’? Or the many sarcastic comments he made throughout Harry’s time at Hogwarts (his reaction to Harry’s terrible answer about ghosts and Inferi was particularly amusing). 

If you’re someone that doesn’t buy into the idea that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, has been known to make some side-splittingly sharp-tongued remarks and has a knack for finding a quip for any situation, then you share some traits with Snape.

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## If family matters more to you than anything else… you’re like Narcissa Malfoy
Narcissa Malfoy was hardly someone you would consider to be a good person. She colluded with the Death Eaters and Voldemort, was a bigot and believed in pure-blood superiority. Yet there was one thing she valued above all else, and that was her family. During the Battle of Hogwarts, Narcissa lied to Voldemort and told him Harry was dead – so that she could return to try and find her son. Her motivation was not to do the right thing or to protect Harry (though she arguably saved his life), but to reunite her family. To lie to someone as powerful as Voldemort is not a small feat. Narcissa’s love for her family outweighed any sympathy she had with Voldemort’s cause and was her utmost priority.  

If you’re someone who would do anything for their family, then you’re like Narcissa. There is nothing more important to you than the safety and well-being of those closest to you. Even if you don’t agree with all the choices they have made, you will still support them no matter what – because that is what you believe families should do.

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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and the Half-Blood Prince

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## If you are a fan of the finer things in life… you’re like Horace Slughorn
Do you always have one eye on the latest sought-after trends? Do you enjoy your home comforts and little treats? Do you have an eye for collecting precious things? Are you more likely to pick something valuable over something sentimental? Then we reckon you’re most like Horace Slughorn. 

The former Head of Slytherin was a complicated fellow, but he definitely had a taste for the finer things in life. Whether it was a box of crystallised pineapple, a bottle of oak-matured mead, a hamper sent from Honeydukes every birthday, or free tickets to see the Holyhead Harpies play – Slughorn was never happier than when he was collecting a new and exciting treasure or gift. So, if you’re a fan of materialistic things and think there is nothing wrong in enjoying life’s little luxuries, you’ll find that you two have a lot in common.

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Professor Slughorn with a Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks

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## If love is what motivates you… you’re like Andromeda Tonks
Andromeda Tonks may be the sister of Narcissa and Bellatrix – but their personalities are worlds apart. Where her sister Bellatrix was often fuelled by rage and hate, Andromeda’s motivation was love. It was love that motivated her to turn her back on her prejudiced family, knowing that they would disown her for marrying Muggle-born Ted Tonks. It was love that drove her to be an ally to the Order of the Phoenix during the second wizarding war – because her daughter Nymphadora was involved. And despite losing both her husband and child, she loved her Grandson Teddy fiercely and raised him single-handedly. 

If you’re someone that would move heaven and earth in the name of love, then you’re similar to Andromeda. We can imagine that you’re the kind of person who believes that love is the most powerful force in the world and would move across an ocean to be with the person they hold most dear.

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Not a Slytherin? Don’t worry – you can find out which Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff you are most like in our other house-themed articles.

[Which Gryffindor are you most like?](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/which-gryffindor-are-you-most-like) 

[Which Ravenclaw are you most like?](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/which-ravenclaw-are-you-most-like)

[Which Hufflepuff are you most like?](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/which-hufflepuff-are-you-most-like)

Slytherin house is full of shrewd and ambitious characters. But who are you most similar to? In the last in our short series of house-themed articles, we take a look at which notable Slytherin matches your personality.

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Learn all about Rowena Ravenclaw

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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.

PMARCHIVE-Basilisk PM B2C17M2 BasiliskBeingFoughtByFawkesAndHarry Moment 3nF5Yb4jpukGYSmYGyC4qo-b20

Basilisk PM B2C17M2 BasiliskBeingFoughtByFawkesAndHarry Moment

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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.

The origins of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Discover Ravenclaw house! Read about iconic members such as Luna Lovegood and Gilderoy Lockhart, enjoy related quizzes, and more.

Ravenclaw - Learn about the Hogwarts House | Wizarding World

Welcome to the Ravenclaw house collection. We've gathered together everything Ravenclaw 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. 

Slytherin

Welcome to the Slytherin house collection. We've gathered together everything Slytherin 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.

Which Slytherin are you most like?

Slytherin quizzes and puzzles

The Ultimate Lord Voldemort Quiz

Try our four Hogwarts house-themed wordsearches

Complete the quote quiz: Severus Snape edition

The House of Black crossword

The Draco Malfoy Challenge Quiz

The Severus Snape wordsearch