The Significance of Seven

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[Text version](/about/the-significance-of-seven-text-version)

*Who lost the most house points at Hogwarts? Find out our [handy history of Hogwarts house points.](/features/a-handy-history-of-hogwarts-house-points-infographic "A Handy History of Hogwarts House Points")*

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Try our Harry Potter wordsearch!

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Search for the magic words and drag your cursor across the letters.

How quickly can you crack it?

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Ten words you need to know when reading the first Harry Potter book

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## 1.	Wand: 
Implement used by wizards to perform magic. Available from Ollivanders in Diagon Alley.

## 2.	Muggle: 
Person totally without magical powers. Most Muggles live in ignorance of the world of wizards and witches.

## 3.	Galleon: 
Gold wizarding money.

## 4.	Poltergeist: 
A mischievous spirit.

## 5.	Herbology: 
Study of plants. Professor Sprout is the Herbology teacher at Hogwarts.

## 6.	Remembrall:
Magical glass ball, the size of a large marble, filled with white smoke. The smoke turns red to tell you that there is something you have forgotten to do.

## 7.	Centaurs:
Half-man, half-horse creatures. Centaurs live in the Forbidden Forest.

## 8.	Quidditch: 
The wizarding national sport. Played on broomsticks by seven players.

## 9.	Transfiguration:
The art of turning one thing into another.

## 10.	 Seeker: 
Quidditch player who tries to catch the Golden Snitch.



Want more wizarding words? The rest of our [Harry Potter Glossary is available on the Bloomsbury website here](https://harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/uk/fun-stuff/glossary/ "Harry Potter Glossary Link"), taking you through words and definitions from all seven books. 

*Illustration by Jim Kay © Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

A handy guide to reading the Harry Potter books for the first time 

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Illustration Jonny Duddle © Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

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So, you’ve probably heard of Harry Potter already, right? Probably caught a film on TV, probably got a mate who has a Hogwarts robe. And you’ve probably been thinking – ‘who is this Dumbledore fellow, anyway?’ ‘What is a Wingardium Leviosa?’ 

### So what are the books about, exactly? Like, actually?

Okay: in a nutshell, a young 11-year old boy with glasses and a lightning bolt scar called Harry Potter finds out that he’s a wizard with magical powers and must go to a special school to learn how to do magic. Along the way, he learns many secrets about his past, and discovers that not all wizards are good...

### You’re going to be reading a lot of strange words

Quaffle. Flobberworm. Riddikulus! Get ready for all manner of weird and wonderful words, guys. These are not your every-day books. But don’t worry, everything will be explained as you go along, and soon, the words of the wizarding world will be a second language! And if you get really stuck, [here’s a handy glossary](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/web-ten-words-you-need-to-know-for-hp1 "Bloomsbury glossary") to get you started.

### And meet a lot of interesting people 

Albus Dumbledore! Professor McGonagall! Who are all these curious people? For a book called “Harry Potter”, you do get a lot of fascinating names in this series... no offence, Harry. You’ll soon learn that wizards and witches are rather different to us, wear different sorts of clothes, and have many different interests. And it’s not just people too – prepare to meet magical creatures and even portraits that talk! 

### You may know a few things already – but that’s OK 

If you’ve not read the books, that doesn’t mean you haven’t seen a Harry Potter film on the television. Or maybe a friend or family-member has told you all about how they’re a [Gryffindor](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/gryffindor), and you’re like, ‘What?’ So you might know bits and bobs about the adventure already – but don’t worry. It’ll all make sense once you start at the beginning. Just maybe ask your friends to be nice and not spoil anything for you! 

### Things might get a little scary...

Are you squeamish? Be on your guard, then! At Hogwarts school, not everything is as it seems. Sometimes these books get a little frightening, especially when a certain someone called Lord Voldemort makes an appearance... but also watch out for giant spiders, werewolves, and more things we won’t spoil for you now.

Remember, at the end of the day, it’s just a book – so you can always snap it shut if things get too much! 

### And the books will magically start getting bigger and bigger 

As you read more Harry Potter books, you’ll learn that there’s just so much in the wizarding world that the books start getting fatter! But trust us, once you’ve read the first one and got hooked in, you’ll be even hungrier for more pages.

### It’s a marathon, not a sprint 

Don’t feel bad if you’re not the fastest reader in the world. There are seven Harry Potter books, and that’s a lot of magic to get through! Take your time, because you don’t want to speed through it too fast and miss something – there are loads of important mentions in the books that will become important in later books. We’ll give you a heads up on one: in the first chapter of *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone* (or *Sorcerer's Stone* for our US readers), a character called ‘Sirius Black’ is mentioned. Keep an eye on that name in particular... 

### And once you’re done, that’s definitely not the end 

When we first finished the Harry Potter books, to say we were sad is an understatement. But chin up, you’ve actually started reading the stories at an exciting time. Now, there’s a new story, *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child*, that looks at the adventures of the wizarding world 19 years later. And then, if you fancy going back in time, you can watch the Fantastic Beasts films, which go all the way back to the 1920s where we meet a host of brand-new witches and wizards.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to read a Harry Potter book (except, maybe, upside down!) so give them a go, and you can always visit WizardingWorld.com if you want to learn more about the wizarding world as you go along. 

So, chapter one... 

*Illustration Jonny Duddle © Bloomsbury Publishing Plc*

Harry Potter Who’s Who: Harry, Ron & Hermione

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## Harry Potter:
Harry Potter is a wizard, the only child of James and Lily Potter. He is famous for having survived an attack by Lord Voldemort when he was a baby. He is also sometimes known as ‘The Boy Who Lived’. For the first eleven years of his life Harry lives with his mean aunt and uncle and is unaware of his wizarding roots. It is only on his eleventh birthday that he finds out he is a wizard and is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At Hogwarts Harry is in Gryffindor house.

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## Ron Weasley:
Ron quickly becomes one of Harry’s best friends at Hogwarts. He has bright red hair and freckles, like his five older brothers, Charlie, Bill, Percy, George and Fred. He also has a younger sister called Ginny. Ron is also in Gryffindor house at Hogwarts and has a pet rat called Scabbers.

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## Hermione Granger:
Hermione, along with Ron Weasley, becomes one of Harry’s best friends. She, too, is in Gryffindor house. She is very clever and hardworking and always gets top marks in her exams. Her parents are Muggle dentists. 



For our complete guide to all the much-loved characters in the Harry Potter books, you can visit our [Who’s Who page on the Bloomsbury website here](https://harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/uk/fun-stuff/harry-potter-whos-who/ "Bloomsbury Who's Who"). 

*Illustration by Jim Kay © Bloomsbury Publishing Plc*

The ABCs to Reading for Pleasure

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## A.	
__Audio books__ mean the whole family can listen together.

## B.	
Books at __bedtime__ are a great way to wind down the day.

## C.
__Children's books__ on the shelves are always a familiar, comforting read (we have all seven Harry Potter books on ours!).

## D.	
Reading allows us to __discover__ new worlds, new people (like Harry, Ron and Hermione), and new events.

## E.	
__Everyone__ can read the same book and talk about it together.

## F.	
Reading takes us to __fun, faraway__ places (like Hogwarts)

## G.	
Sharing a book you love with a family member makes a great __gift__.

## H.	
The best kind of __homework__? Free reading!

## I.	
__Infinite__ possibilities exist with reading.

## J.	
Great __joy__ exists upon finishing a whole series. (And sometimes a little sadness, too!)

## K.	
When you __know__ better, you do better. Reading helps us to know more so we can do better.

## L.	
__Learning__ to read is one of the coolest, most amazing and magical processes ever.

## M.	
Reading __motivates__ you to learn more, try new things, and reach for the stars.

## N.	
Every day you can meet __new people, places, and ideas__ with books.

## O.	
Reading allows you to learn about different __options and opinions__.

## P.	
Anything is __possible__ with reading (especially magic). 

## Q.	
__Questions__ are answered with reading.

## R.	
__Reading__ aloud to a loved one or friend is time well spent.

## S.	
Our favourite way to __spend__ our time? Reading makes time fly (particularly when there are broomsticks involved)!

## T.	
Reading __transforms__ lives.

## U.	
Books take you to __unusual and unique places__ (like the Forbidden Forest). 

## V.	
Finding new authors and new series is one of our __very favourite things__.

## W.	
You can read __wherever__ you want in the house—no need to sit at a desk or wait until bedtime.  

## X.	
There's something for everyone with reading: __eXactly__ what every person needs. 

## Y.	
__You__ always have a pal when you pick up a book.

## Z.	
Reading before bed lets you catch your __ZZZZZzzzzzzz's__.  (C'mon, this one was tough…)


For more brilliant articles, book recommendations and reading advice and tools for parents, visit [Scholastic’s, Raise a Reader blog here](https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog.html "Scholastic Raise a Reader Blog").

*Illustration by Mary GrandPré*

Ten times Wizarding World characters (who weren’t Fred and George) made us laugh out loud

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In a world where your eyebrow might suddenly turn yellow, or your DNA be melded with a mangy cat, it’s important to retain the ability to laugh at yourself. These are moments that were the best at distracting us from possible impending Avada Kedavara-ing. 

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## Any time Moaning Myrtle appeared

She might have been occasionally gloomy, but this toilet-haunting ghost knew how to bring the accidental laughs. Whether she was trying to inspect prefects, flirt with boys brewing potions in her bathroom, or merely delight in the misfortune of others, her particular brand of mournful charm was always funny.

> ‘You’ll be teased something dreadful,’ said Myrtle happily. 
> ‘It’s OK, Hermione,’ said Harry quickly. ‘We’ll take you up to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey never asks too many questions ...’ 
> It took a long time to persuade Hermione to leave the bathroom. Moaning Myrtle sped them on their way with a hearty guffaw. 
> ‘Wait till everyone finds out you’ve got a tail!’ 
> Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

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Harry, Ron and Hermione work on brewing the Polyjuice Potion in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom

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## Jacob - especially when he discovered Gigglewater

Now, here’s one from Fantastic Beasts. It’s always amusing when a Muggle (or in this case, a No-Maj) is introduced to any moment of witchcraft or wizardry – and seeing as Jacob is just a funny guy anyway - witnessing him become acquainted with the magical drink Gigglewater made us giggle too.

Trying to have a flirtatious exchange with Queenie, while sipping the beverage that makes it impossible to stifle a laugh, had us surpressing chuckles too.

Still, he styled it out. Okay, maybe he didn’t. 

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## Roonil Wazlib 

Given that homework at Hogwarts always had to fit inbetween the gaps of avoiding giant snakes and eating twelve-course lunches, it’s really a wonder that the less academically gifted ever made time to do any at all. That made it particularly funny when Ron’s Spell-Checking quill, the wizarding answer to autocorrect, turned on him. 

> ‘How d’you spell “belligerent”?’ said Ron, shaking his quill very hard while staring at his parchment. ‘It can’t be B – U – M –’ 
> ‘No, it isn’t,’ said Hermione, pulling Ron’s essay towards her. ‘And “augury” doesn’t begin O – R – G either. What kind of quill are you using?’ 
> ‘It’s one of Fred and George’s Spell-Checking ones … but I think the charm must be wearing off …’ 
> ‘Yes, it must,’ said Hermione, pointing at the title of his essay, ‘because we were asked how we’d deal with Dementors, not “Dugbogs”, and I don’t remember you changing your name to “Roonil Wazlib”, either.’ 
> Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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## Luna’s Quidditch commentary 

Luna was an unsung humorous hero, and it’s frankly a shame that people spent too much time laughing at her to enjoy themselves laughing with her. She had the brand of off-beat humour that would make her a star on Twitter, and she never sought laughs at the expense of anyone else. You could pick from multiple Luna-isms to prove her comedic value, but it was perhaps her work commentating on the Quidditch match that was the most hilarious. 

> ‘And that’s Smith of Hufflepuff with the Quaffle,’ said a dreamy voice, echoing over the grounds. ‘He did the commentary last time, of course, and Ginny Weasley flew into him, I think probably on purpose – it looked like it. Smith was being quite rude about Gryffindor, I expect he regrets that now he’s playing them – oh, look, he’s lost the Quaffle, Ginny took it from him, I do like her, she’s very nice …’ 
> Harry stared down at the commentator’s podium. Surely, nobody in their right mind would have let Luna Lovegood commentate? 
> Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Of course, [Lee Jordan had his moments too. You can read some of our favourite moments of his here.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/web-funniest-ten-moments-of-quidditch-commentary)

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Luna wearing her roaring Gryffindor Lions Head  

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## Flying baby Nifflers  

In *Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald*, it was revealed that Newt didn’t just have one Niffler – he now had baby Nifflers. Seeing one of the little fellas hop aboard a champagne cork like a rocket is an image we won’t forget in a hurry. 

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Baby Nifflers from Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

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## Alas. Earwax. 

Albus Dumbledore might be better remembered for sound advice and totemic proclamations, but it’s also worth remembering that he also had some of the funniest and most memorable lines. There are a number of millennials who can’t hear the word ‘earwax’ without recalling Albus’s disappointment in his Every Flavour Bean. And who could forget his inaugural sorting speech?

> ‘Nitwit. Blubber. Odment. Tweak.’ 
> Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

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Dumbledore smiling from the Philosopher's Stone 

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## Malfoy the bouncing ferret 

Mad-Eye Moody (or, rather, Bartemious Crouch Jr. topped up with Polyjuice Potion) might have been terrifying, but he was also extremely dry and very capable of directing his terror to those most deserving. 

Never has so much been summed up in a single word: 

> The ferret flew through the air, its legs and tail flailing helplessly. 
> ‘Never – do – that – again –’ said Moody, speaking each word as the ferret hit the stone floor and bounced upwards again. 
> ‘Professor Moody!’ said a shocked voice. Professor McGonagall was coming down the marble staircase with her arms full of books. 
> ‘Hello, Professor McGonagall,’ said Moody calmly, bouncing the ferret still higher. 
> ‘What – what are you doing?’ said Professor McGonagall, her eyes following the bouncing ferret’s progress through the air. 
> ‘Teaching,’ said Moody. 
> Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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## Ron attempting Divination

Ron was the joke-maker of the trio, and as such had plenty of funny moments – but many of the very best occurred in the stuffy, pouffe-studded environment of Divination, as he tried desperately to extract some mystical meaning from his crystal ball, overseen by Professor Trelawney.

> ‘Would anyone like me to help them interpret the shadowy portents within their Orb?’ she murmured over the clinking of her bangles. 
> ‘I don’t need help,’ Ron whispered. ‘It’s obvious what this means. There’s going to be loads of fog tonight.’ 
> Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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## Gilderoy Lockhart

The brocade-clad purported vampire slayer would likely have described himself as brilliant, gifted, attractive, wry and charming before listed ‘funny’, but his pompous arrogance led to some genuine laugh-out-loud moments. 

> ‘His memory’s gone,’ said Ron. ‘The Memory Charm backfired. Hit him instead of us. Hasn’t got a clue who he is, or where he is, or who we are. I told him to come and wait here. He’s a danger to himself.’ 
> Lockhart peered good-naturedly up at them all. 
> ‘Hello,’ he said. ‘Odd sort of place, this, isn’t it? Do you live here?’ 
> Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

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## Sassy Harry Potter

Harry might be daring, bold and chivalrous, but when it came to comic relief, we usually relied on other characters. Ron usually took care of the funnies while Harry focused on saving the world, and that was a good division of responsibilities.

It played to their strengths. That said, Harry was definitely capable of a good comeback. Snape in particular was capable of bringing out the jollies in him – even if he wasn’t exactly a responsive audience. 

> His Shield Charm was so strong Snape was knocked off balance and hit a desk. The whole class had looked round and now watched as Snape righted himself, scowling. 
> ‘Do you remember me telling you we are practising non-verbal spells, Potter?’ 
> ‘Yes,’ said Harry stiffly. 
> ‘Yes sir.’ 
> ‘There’s no need to call me “sir”, Professor.’ 
> Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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For more amusing moments, [we ranked some of our favourite funny ones here.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/watch-funniest-harry-potter-moments-ranked)

Watch the funniest Harry Potter moments - ranked

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Newt Scamander and Jacob Kowalski in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

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No Cheering Charms required - this video is all you need. 

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For more [Wizarding World videos, pop by our official YouTube channel.](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChPRO1CB_Hvd0TvKRU62iSQ)

Your wand has chosen you – but what does it mean?

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First things first, if you haven’t yet discovered your wand, [here’s a link ](https://my.pottermore.com/wand) to our test written by J.K. Rowling. And remember... the wand chooses you, not the other way around. 

Now you’ve discovered your personal wand, just like Harry did in Mr Ollivander’s shop in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, you most likely want to find out a bit more about what your wand type would mean for you in the wizarding world… 

## Ten most common core and wood combinations

1.	Unicorn core and sycamore wood – most common 
2.	Unicorn core and laurel wood 
3.	Dragon core and sycamore wood 
4.	Phoenix core and sycamore wood 
5.	Unicorn core and alder wood 
6.	Unicorn core and vine wood 
7.	Phoenix core and laurel wood 
8.	Dragon core and laurel wood 
9.	Unicorn core and redwood 
10.	Unicorn core and hazel wood 

## Top three rarest core and wood combinations

1.	Phoenix and poplar 
2.	Dragon and poplar 
3.	Unicorn and poplar 

## What core does your wand have?

Mr Ollivander used only three substances for wand cores. Three he deemed of enough quality to give the illustrious name of Ollivander: unicorn hair, dragon heartstring and phoenix feather. 

## Which one of the three cores does your wand have? 

### Unicorn hair

__Wizarding world characters who share this core: Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Cedric Diggory__

If your wand is unicorn hair, this core, according to [Ollivander’s notes](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/wand-cores), ‘generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. They are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. The most faithful of all wands, they usually remain attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch of wizard. Minor disadvantages of a unicorn hair core are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may “die” and need replacing.’ 

### Dragon heartstring

__Wizarding world characters who share this core: Hermione Granger, Bellatrix Lestrange, Viktor Krum__

If your wand is dragon heartstring, this core as a rule produces ‘wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner. The dragon wand tends to be the easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.’ 

### Phoenix feather

__Wizarding world characters who share this core: Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort, Silvanus Kettleburn__

This is the rarest core type of our Wizarding World fans, and in the wizarding world itself: ‘Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this.

They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike. Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.'

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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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### What wood is your wand made of?

These are the top ten wand woods from those who have discovered their wands through WizardingWorld.com (and previously on Pottermore). If your wand wood doesn’t make it on to this list don’t worry – [you can read all about the types of wood in full here.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/wand-woods)

__Sycamore – most popular__

•	A questing wand; eager for new experience and loses brilliance if engaged in the mundane. 
•	May burst into flame if allowed to become ‘bored’. 
•	Ideal owner is curious, vital and adventurous. 
•	When paired with its ideal owner, it demonstrates a capacity to learn and adapt that earns it a rightful place among the world’s most highly-prized wand woods. 

__Laurel – 2nd most popular__

•	It is said that a laurel wand cannot perform a dishonourable act, although Ollivander has known them to perform powerful and sometimes lethal magic in the quest for glory. 
•	Seems unable to tolerate laziness in a possessor, and in such conditions, it is most easily and willingly worn away. 
•	Otherwise it will cleave happily to its first match forever and can issue a spontaneous lightning strike if another witch or wizard attempts to steal it. 

__Alder – 3rd most popular__

•	Although an unyielding wood, its ideal owner is helpful, considerate and likeable. 
•	When happily placed, an alder wand becomes a magnificent, loyal helpmate. 
•	Best suited to non-verbal spell work, whence comes its reputation for being suitable only for the most advanced witches and wizards.
 

__Hazel – 4th most popular__

•	A sensitive wand, hazel often reflects its owner’s emotional state and works best for a master who understands and can manage their own feelings. 
•	Capable of outstanding magic in the hands of the skilful. 
•	So devoted to its owner that it often ‘wilts’ at the end of its master’s life – if the core is also unicorn hair, the wand will almost certainly completely ‘die’. 
•	Hazel wands have the unique ability to detect water underground. 

__Vine – 5th most popular__

•	Owners are nearly always those who seek a greater purpose, who have a vision beyond the ordinary and who frequently astound those who think they know them best. 
•	Vine wands seem strongly attracted to personalities with hidden depths and are more sensitive than any other when it comes to instantly detecting a prospective match. 
•	Reliable sources claim that vine wands emit magical effects upon the mere entrance into their room of a suitable owner. 

__Redwood – 6th most popular__

•	Wand-quality redwood has a reputation for bringing good fortune to its owner – however, according to Ollivander, this is the wrong way around. 
•	Redwood wands are strongly attracted to those who already possess the admirable ability to fall on their feet, to make the right choice and to snatch advantage from catastrophe. 
•	Ollivander generally expects to hear of exciting things when such a person is paired with a redwood wand. 

__Beech – 7th most popular__

•	If you are young, you will be best suited to a beech core if you are wise beyond your years. 
•	If you are fully grown, you will be best suited to beech if you are rich in understanding and experience. 
•	Beech wands perform very weakly for the narrow-minded and intolerant. 
•	When properly matched, beech is capable of a subtlety and artistry rarely seen in other woods.

__Maple – 8th most popular__

•	Those chosen by maple wands are often travellers and explorers by nature. 
•	Maple wands are not stay-at-home wands, and prefer ambition in their owners, otherwise their magic grows heavy and lacklustre. 
•	Fresh challenges and regular changes of scene cause this wand to literally shine, burnishing itself as it grows with its partner in ability and status. 
•	Possession of a maple wand has long been a mark of status, because of its reputation as the wand of high achievers.

__Rowan – 9th most popular__

•	Rowan is reputed to be more protective than any other wand, and renders all manner of defensive charms especially strong and difficult to break. 
•	It is commonly stated that no Dark witch or wizard ever owned a rowan wand – and Ollivander cannot recall one of his rowan wands going out to do evil in the world. 
•	Wands of rowan wood are most happily placed with the clear-headed and the pure-hearted. 
•	However, this reputation for virtue ought not to fool anyone – these wands are the equal of any, often the better, and frequently out-perform others in duels. 

__Cypress – 10th most popular__

•	Cypress wands are associated with nobility. 
•	The great medieval wandmaker, Geraint Ollivander, wrote that he was always honoured to match a cypress wand, for he knew he was meeting a witch or wizard who would die a heroic death. 
•	Fortunately, in less bloodthirsty times, the possessors of cypress wands are rarely called upon to lay down their lives, though doubtless many of them would do so if required. 
•	Wands of cypress find their soulmates among the brave, the bold and the self-sacrificing: those who are unafraid to confront the shadows in their own and others’ natures. 

### A note on the rarest wood amongst Wizarding World fans:

__Poplar – rarest__

•	‘If you seek integrity, search first among the poplars’, was a great maxim of Ollivander’s grandfather, and his grandson reports that his own experience tallies exactly with this impression. 
•	Poplar is a wand to rely upon – of consistency, strength and uniform power. 
•	This wand wood is always happiest when working with those of clear moral vision. 

__Something to keep in mind:__ ‘Every single wand is unique and will depend for its character on the particular tree and magical creature from which it derives its materials.

Moreover, each wand, from the moment it finds its ideal owner, will begin to learn from and teach its human partner.’ [Therefore, as J.K. Rowling reminds us through Ollivander](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/mr-ollivander), these notes ‘should be regarded very much as a starting point, for this is the study of a lifetime, and I continue to learn with every wand I make and match.’

The funniest ten moments of Quidditch commentary

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## When Lee Jordan couldn’t keep his Gryffindor loyalty under control 
‘So – after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating –’

‘Jordan!’ growled Professor McGonagall.

‘I mean, after that open and revolting foul –’
‘Jordan, I’m warning you –’

‘All right, all right. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I’m sure’.

*Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*

## When Luna Lovegood wasn’t too fussed about remembering the players’ names 
‘… but now that big Hufflepuff player’s got the Quaffle from her, I can’t remember his name, it’s something like Bibble – no, Buggins –’

‘It’s Cadwallader!’ said Professor McGonagall loudly from beside Luna.

*Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*

## When Malfoy fouled Harry and Professor McGonagall forgot all about Lee Jordan’s bias 
Professor McGonagall didn’t even bother to tell him off. She was actually shaking her fist in Malfoy’s direction; her hat had fallen off, and she, too, was shouting furiously.

*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*

## When Ginny Weasley deliberately flew into biased commentator Zacharias Smith 
‘Forgot to brake, Professor, sorry.’

*Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*

## When Lee Jordan spoke mostly in capital letters
‘YOU CHEATING SCUM!’ Lee Jordan was howling into the megaphone, dancing out of Professor McGonagall’s reach. ‘YOU FILTHY, CHEATING B–’

*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*

## When Luna Lovegood had a deep and meaningful chat with the whole Quidditch crowd 
‘Smith was being quite rude about Gryffindor, I expect he regrets that now he’s playing them – oh, look, he’s lost the Quaffle, Ginny took it from him, I do like her, she’s very nice …’

*Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*

## When Ludo Bagman noticed the referee at the Quidditch World Cup having Veela issues
‘Now, we can’t have that!’ said Ludo Bagman, though he sounded highly amused. ‘Somebody slap the referee!’

*Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

## When Lee Jordan appeared to be sponsored by the Firebolt
‘The Firebolt’s precision-balance is really noticeable in these long –’

‘JORDAN! ARE YOU BEING PAID TO ADVERTISE FIREBOLTS? GET ON WITH THE COMMENTARY!’

*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*

## When Professor McGonagall just couldn’t take it anymore
‘Seventy–forty to Hufflepuff!' barked Professor McGonagall into Luna’s megaphone. 

‘Is it, already?’ said Luna vaguely. 

*Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*

## When Lee Jordan bemoaned the state of his love life
‘And it’s Johnson – Johnson with the Quaffle, what a player that girl is, I’ve been saying it for years but she still won’t go out with me –’

*Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*

Into the Pensieve: Do you remember Bob Ogden?

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## Who was Bob Ogden?
This exact question was asked by Harry Potter himself in *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*. According to Dumbledore, Bob Ogden was employed by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement back when Voldemort’s relatives – the Gaunt family – were still at large.

## When did we meet him?
Confusingly, we met Bob Ogden in the Pensieve, via a memory Dumbledore collected from Ogden before the Ministry official died. Dumbledore showed Ogden’s memory to Harry during one of their private lessons in *Half-Blood Prince*. Bob Ogden was dead by the time Harry saw this memory – he was around when Lord Voldemort’s mother, Merope Gaunt, was barely out of girlhood. 

## What was he doing when we met him?
When Harry dropped into his memory, Bob Ogden was acting in his capacity as a Ministry official. A wizard called Morfin Gaunt had ‘performed a jinx or hex on a Muggle, causing him to erupt in highly painful hives’ and Ogden was tasked with seeking Morfin out and summoning him to a Ministry hearing. However, Ogden got a little bit more than he bargained for when he turned up at the Gaunt house. He was met by Morfin Gaunt who hissed at him in Parseltongue – a language he couldn’t understand – and was then hit in the nose by a thoroughly unpleasant spell. 
The rest of the family weren’t much fun either. Marvolo Gaunt, who we later learned was Lord Voldemort’s grandfather, was obsessed with being descended from Salazar Slytherin, and treated Ogden – as well as his daughter Merope – with utter contempt.   

## What did he look like?
Appearance-wise, Bob Ogden was short, plump and wore ‘enormously thick glasses that reduced his eyes to molelike specks’. In the memory Dumbledore had collected, he was also wearing ‘the strange assortment of clothes so often chosen by inexperienced wizards trying to look like Muggles: in this case, a frock-coat and spats over a striped one-piece bathing costume’. It was a bold look, we’ll give Ogden that.

## What about his personality?
Bob Ogden might have only appeared on a total of thirteen pages across the Harry Potter series, but we reckon you can tell quite a bit about the kind of wizard he was from his brief encounter with the Gaunt family. He was definitely a patient man. Despite Marvolo and Morfin taunting and insulting him, he remained calm and professional, refusing to retaliate. He also made it clear he didn’t share Marvolo’s contempt for Muggles and didn’t give two hoots whether or not someone was of pure blood. He also protected Merope from her father’s temper at great personal risk. He was certainly brave to enter the Gaunt house alone, but not foolhardy – his logic told him to fetch reinforcements when Morfin chased him from the house with a bloody knife and hexes. 

We’d bet our favourite Chocolate Frog card that Bob Ogden was a fair and just Head of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad. 

## Why did he matter?
Ogden’s memory of the Gaunts proved extremely useful to both Dumbledore and Harry in the fight and eventual defeat of Lord Voldemort. He shed light on the life of Lord Voldemort’s mother, Merope, and her son’s past – something that Dumbledore told Harry was ‘very important’, particularly when it came to the prophecy. Bob Ogden’s memory also provided vital clues about not one, but TWO Horcruxes, that Harry would have to ensure were destroyed before defeating Lord Voldemort. 

Let us explain. In the memory, Merope Gaunt – Voldemort’s mother – was wearing a heavy gold locket around her neck. Marvolo almost strangled her with it as he pointed out to Ogden that it had belonged to Salazar Slytherin. After finding a fake version of the locket with Dumbledore, Harry would later break into the Ministry of Magic to steal the real locket from Dolores Umbridge. And Ron would eventually destroy it with Godric Gryffindor’s sword. 

Ogden also saw Marvolo Gaunt wearing the black-stoned ring that Tom Riddle later made into his second Horcrux – a Horcrux Dumbledore himself destroyed before his death. But the ring didn’t just give Harry a clue about Horcruxes, he remembered that Marvolo had boasted that the ring displayed the Peverell coat of arms – a family inextricably linked to the Deathly Hallows. Arguably, the black-stoned ring of Bob Ogden’s memory helped Harry work out that Dumbledore had left him the Resurrection Stone. 

## Why might we have forgotten him?
We’d certainly forgive you for overlooking Bob Ogden. With an appearance on only thirteen pages of a book series with an enormous catalogue of supporting characters, Ogden might have been one that slipped your mind. He also only appeared in the Pensieve, so never truly entered Harry Potter’s timeline – and this can make him harder to remember. That being said, we hope that one day you’ll take a Harry Potter quiz and the winning answer will be Bob Ogden – and you can feel really, really smug. 


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)

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.
 
## 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.’
> *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?’
> *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.’
> *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.
> *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?
 
## 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.
> *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*

The worst Hogwarts punishments: ranked

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__For more mischievous content, check out our new [Magical Mischief collection.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/magical-mischief)__

## 10. Writing inventive lines

Hogwarts might be a school of magic, but it doesn’t shy away from the boring punishment of writing a sentence over and over and over again. Though some of the lines students had to write out during Harry’s time at Hogwarts were a little more inventive than the usual ‘I must not run in the corridors’. One such amusing incident starred Seamus Finnigan accidentally firing a jet of water at Professor Flitwick – who ended up flat on his face. The Charms professor had Seamus writing out, ‘I am a wizard, not a baboon brandishing a stick’. 

## 9. Carrying out tedious tasks without magic

How do you punish a witch or wizard? The Hogwarts teachers know! Make the wayward student do something without magic, that they could do in two seconds with a swish of their wand. Ron was incredibly frustrated when he had to spend hours polishing the silver in the trophy room and scrubbing the bedpans in the hospital wing – no Scourgify spells allowed. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Snape also tasked Harry with sorting rotten Flobberworms from good ones, without magic or gloves. Bleurgh.  

## 8. Forbidden Forest with Hagrid

Though detention could never be too bad if it was being supervised by Hagrid, venturing into the Forbidden Forest is far from an ideal night out. It’s no wonder the place was out of bounds to students – at various times it housed often-irate centaurs, Acromantulas (giant magical spiders), and Grawp (an actual giant), as well as a feral car. We’d rather face the rotten Flobberworms.

## 7. Helping Professor Lockhart answer his fan mail

We think spending hours of our evening with Gilderoy Lockhart would certainly be worse than a night in the Forbidden Forest. Give us a giant spider over Lockhart gushing on about his super fans, any day of the week. We don’t know how Harry managed to keep awake whilst Lockhart gave him smug advice like, ‘Fame’s a fickle friend, Harry’ or ‘Celebrity is as celebrity does, remember that’. Spare us, please!

## 6. Quidditch playing ban

If you’re on the Quidditch team, we reckon that this punishment would be amongst the worst at Hogwarts. Given that Quidditch teams are so small, not only would it mean you wouldn’t be able to play, but it would also affect the whole team’s performance and risk losing you the next match, or even the Quidditch Cup. Was there ever a sadder sight than the Gryffindor Quidditch team ‘slumped around the fire’ in the common room after Harry and the Weasley twins were banned by Umbridge?

## 5. Owl home to parents or guardian

A letter home is a common punishment used in the Muggle world, as well as the wizarding one. But it isn’t just the letter home that wizarding children have to worry about. Wizarding parents have a very noisy way to reply to the news of their child’s wayward ways. Remember when Molly Weasley sent Ron that Howler? The embarrassment! We’d be begging for lines instead. 

## 4. Banned from Hogsmeade

Neville was banned from all future Hogsmeade visits by Professor McGonagall when his list of Gryffindor Tower passwords ended up in the hands of Sirius Black. Imagine being left behind – without access to an Invisibility Cloak – whilst all your Hogwarts mates got to go to Hogsmeade. You’d miss out on Zonko’s Joke Shop, Dervish and Banges, and Butterbeers at the Three Broomsticks, just to name a few. 

## 3. Umbridge’s evil quill

You might have expected Dolores Umbridge’s preferred detention method to be at the top of this list – but we didn’t want to give her the satisfaction. Umbridge forced students to use this quill when writing lines, but it didn’t use ink. Rather, it magically cut into the back of the student’s hand, using blood to mark the page. At first, the cuts would heal over, but after a long time the words of the lines would scar from the continued damage. Evil on so many levels. 

## 2. Copying out old detention records

Ordinarily this wouldn’t seem much worse than writing lines, but this particular punishment was tailor made to make Harry feel miserable. Snape vindictively asked Harry to copy out the crimes and punishments of his father and godfather. At this point, Sirius had not long passed away and we really felt the ‘jolt’ in Harry’s stomach every time he had to read their names. A cruel punishment, indeed.

## 1. Expulsion

What’s worse than your Hogwarts letter never arriving? We reckon it would have to be arriving at Hogwarts for real, being sorted into your house and then… being sent away. It seems as though getting expelled is a pretty brutal experience as well – they snap your wand in half! And there would be no promises that you’d have Dumbledore on your side and get to stay on at Hogwarts. Expulsion wins the number one spot for worst Hogwarts punishment by miles. 


Thirteen times the Golden Trio could have done with some Felix Felicis

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## 1.	That time Harry and Hermione had to transport a dragon up the tallest tower at Hogwarts 
If only they’d swigged some Felix Felicis before setting out on this mad mission. A baby dragon, a Slytherin enemy (Malfoy) and a less than helpful friend (Neville) made it all the more likely that Hermione and Harry were going to be caught out of bed. Then they went and left the Invisibility Cloak at the top of the tower. That golden potion could have saved them so many Gryffindor house points. 

## 2.	That time Harry and Ron hit the only tree that hits back 
They didn’t exactly think through flying Mr Weasley’s enchanted car to Hogwarts. Given that the Invisibility Booster was on the blink and they were seen by Muggles before crashing into the Whomping Willow, we reckon a quick mouthful of Liquid Luck before setting off might have made the flight a little smoother. 

## 3.	That time Harry played Quidditch with Dobby’s rogue Bludger 
We do understand why Felix Felicis is banned from competitive sports, but poor Harry didn’t have the easiest time in Quidditch matches. This game in particular (from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) involved a Bludger that was out to get him. If Harry had taken Felix Felicis perhaps the Bludger would have missed him and kept Gilderoy Lockhart away from his broken arm. We’re still cringing at Skele-Gro. 


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Madam Pomfrey tends to Harry with Skele-Gro after Lockhart removes all the bones in Harry's arm

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## 4.	That time Peter Pettigrew escaped justice for a second time
This whole scene was an absolute unlucky mess. Lupin forgot to take his Wolfsbane Potion and started to turn fully-fledged werewolf. Pettigrew used the commotion to transform back into his rat Animagus form, AKA Scabbers. Some Felix Felicis for Harry, Ron or Hermione – even the tiniest of drops – might have helped keep Pettigrew under control and cleared Sirius Black’s name. 

## 5.	That time Fred and George tried to put their names in the Goblet of Fire
Fred and George tried and failed to get around Dumbledore’s Age Line by taking an Ageing Potion, but imagine if they’d had Felix Felicis on their side? Maybe then Harry’s name wouldn’t have come out of the Goblet at all? We would have paid good Galleons to see the Weasley twins competing in the Triwizard Tournament – they probably would have given their dragons Puking Pastilles or U-No-Poo…

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The Goblet of Fire rejects the Weasley twins names.

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## 6.	That time Harry asked Cho to the Yule Ball 
A couple of years after this, Felix Felicis actually helped Harry get together with Ginny in a non-direct way. But wouldn’t it have given Harry’s ego a boost if Cedric hadn’t already asked Cho to the Yule Ball, and she’d said yes to him instead? 

## 7.	That time Professor Umbridge broke into the Room of Requirement
Thanks to Dobby’s warning, the DA members got an early warning about Umbridge bursting in on their meeting. But their luck really did run out after that: Pansy Parkinson grabbed their list of names from the Room of Requirement, which referred to them as ‘Dumbledore’s Army’. This piece of evidence led to Dumbledore leaving Hogwarts and Umbridge taking control, which we all could have done without.


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## 8.	That time Harry tried to speak to Sirius, but got Kreacher instead
With the help of Liquid Luck, Harry might have had better timing and succeeded in contacting Sirius – rather than a house-elf loyal to the wrong side. If he’d had enough Felix Felicis, Harry might even have avoided capture by Umbridge immediately afterwards. Could Sirius’ death have been avoided if Harry hadn’t rushed to the Department of Mysteries? Or would Lord Voldemort have found another way to trick Harry into going there, even with the help of Felix Felicis?

## 9.	That time Ron failed his Apparition exam by half an eyebrow 
Maybe not one of the most important moments in the Harry Potter series that required Felix Felicis… but half an eyebrow! We really felt Ron’s frustration. We’re sure Liquid Luck could have helped Ron with this – although of course it’s banned in examinations so he may well have been expelled, even if he was able to legally Apparate. 

## 10.	That time Hermione tried to ask Borgin what Malfoy was after in Borgin and Burkes… 
Harry, Ron and Hermione really could have done with some luck when they ditched Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes for Borgin and Burkes and tried to work out what Malfoy wanted to buy. Extendable Ears didn’t do it, and neither did Hermione’s attempts to convince Borgin that she wanted to buy Malfoy a birthday present! Finding out about Malfoy’s interest in Vanishing Cabinets might have been really helpful this early on. 

## 11.	That time Harry, Ron and Hermione broke into Gringotts
Using Polyjuice Potion to change into Bellatrix Lestrange, using the Imperius Curse, trying to trick goblins, breaking into a vault… What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot as it turned out, including a dragon. We suppose the three were quite lucky to make it out of the wizards’ bank alive but a few drops of Felix Felicis definitely wouldn’t have gone amiss. 

## 12.	That time Harry gave away his location to the Snatchers 
Felix Felicis might not have prevented Harry from saying Voldemort’s name – which by that stage had been made Taboo – and revealing his (and Ron and Hermione’s) location to the Snatchers, but perhaps they would have had a better chance of escape. Malfoy Manor was a terrifying place for them to end up and it meant poor Dobby sacrificed himself to save them.

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The chapter that made us fall in love with Dobby

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## 13.	That time all our favourites risked their lives at the Battle of Hogwarts 
We wish we could have shared out Felix Felicis between all our favourite Harry Potter characters at the Battle of Hogwarts. Not just Harry, Ron and Hermione, but all the characters we loved and lost on the day that ended Lord Voldemort for good.

A guided tour of the Hogwarts portraits

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Aside from the Fat Lady, what other portraits hang on the walls of Hogwarts? And what else do we know about them? 

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Hogwarts, like any self-respecting old building, is full of works of art. They adorn the stairwells and line the walls of the Headmaster’s office – gilt-framed and larger than life. 

The most convincing examples of the artistic school of realism ever, Hogwarts portraits are imbued with the memories and emotions of their subjects: they sidle between frames and interact with the living, spending their time drinking, singing, shouting and generally seeming to have a better time with their legs painted on than we’ve ever managed in real life. 

In the Muggle world, portraits are often as much about the artists as they are about the subjects; in the wizarding world it’s all about those portrayed in paint. 

These are the portraits with the biggest influence on the action: 

## The Fat Lady 

[The Fat Lady](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/5-portraits-at-hogwarts-we-want-to-talk-to), clad in a floor-length gown, and charged with the important task of guarding the door to the Gryffindor common room, leads a life of decadence and delight. Alternately depicted singing, necking whole casks of wine and socialising with her posse, she knows the value of a liqueur chocolate and a tinsel headband.

She might be a fan of the finer things in life, but she suffers at the hands of Sirius Black, when she refuses him admission to the common room. Two parts sarcasm and one-part whiskey, she’s the portrait with the most staying power, making regular appearances throughout the novels, always equipped with top-notch passwords such as ‘banana fritters’, ‘baubles’ and (after some festive over-indulgence) ‘abstinence’. 

Of all the animated oil paint, she’s the most human. She celebrates wins with the Gryffindors; she mourns [Dumbledore’s death](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/harry-potter-most-devastating-deaths). And since the levels of activity of the portrait is a direct reflection of the powers of the witch or wizard in life, we’re sad we never got to know her in the flesh. She’d have really enjoyed the Three Broomsticks. 

> ‘I’ve got something for you, Harry,’ said Hermione, neither looking at Ron nor giving any sign that she had heard him. ‘Oh, hang on – password. Abstinence.’ 
> ‘Precisely,’ said the Fat Lady in a feeble voice, and swung forwards to reveal the portrait hole. 
> ‘What’s up with her?’ asked Harry. 
> ‘Overindulged over Christmas, apparently,’ said Hermione, rolling her eyes as she led the way into the packed common room. ‘She and her friend Violet drank their way through all the wine in that picture of drunk monks down by the Charms corridor. Anyway…’ 
> Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

## Sir Cadogan

This portly knight makes his first appearance in *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, when he aids Harry and Ron in finding their first Divination class. Though he’s clearly committed to his knightly duty to aid those in need, he’s not exactly what you would call competent. All over-long sword and grass-stained knees, he spends more time trying to get back on his pony than he does rescuing damsels in distress. 

Still, you can’t say that he’s not brave: when the Fat Lady’s canvas is slashed to strips by one knife-happy Sirius Black, it’s his portrait that takes her place guarding the Gryffindor common room, with its precious Harry-shaped cargo (leaving aside the fact that he subsequently cheerfully admits Sirius through, when he comes equipped with Neville’s list of passwords). 

Cadogan’s last appearance is during [The Battle of Hogwarts](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/battle-of-hogwarts-timeline), when he accompanies Harry on a mad dash through the corridors, shouting encouragement, ready for battle to the last. 

> ‘Farewell!’ cried the knight, popping his head into a painting of some sinister-looking monks. ‘Farewell, my comrades-in-arms! If ever you have need of noble heart and steely sinew, call upon Sir Cadogan!’ 
> ‘Yeah, we’ll call you,’ muttered Ron, as the knight disappeared, ‘if we ever need someone mental.’ 
> Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 

> ‘Braggarts and rogues, dogs and scoundrels, drive them out, Harry Potter, see them off!’ 
> Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 

## Ariana Dumbledore

The youngest Dumbledore is never present as a ghost, but her spirit is everywhere, haunting Albus Dumbledore throughout his life. 

It makes sense, then, that it’s her portrait that provides Harry with his most pivotal return to Hogwarts, concealing the passageway between Aberforth’s house and the Room of Requirement. She’s nothing but memory, reflection, paint on canvas: an ever-present reminder of the impossibility of restoring what once was lost. 

Ariana’s portrait, described as nothing more than blonde with ‘vacant sweetness’, never speaks, unlike the garrulous occupants of most of Hogwarts’ paintings. Deceased long before the events of the books, she is the silent catalyst, the unspoken regret, the family secret. 

> Aberforth remained fixed in his chair, gazing at Harry with the eyes that were so extraordinarily like his brother’s. At last he cleared his throat, got to his feet, walked around the little table and approached the portrait of Ariana. 
> ‘You know what to do,’ he said. 
> She smiled, turned and walked away, not as people in portraits usually did, out of the sides of their frames, but along what seemed to be a long tunnel painted behind her. They watched her slight figure retreating until finally she was swallowed by the darkness. 
> Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

## Phineas Nigellus Black

An ex-Headmaster of Hogwarts and Slytherin to his oil-paint core, Phineas hangs in the Headmaster’s office and represents the silly side of evil. He feigns sleep when Dumbledore calls upon him, and speaks only to reinforce his intense dislike for Harry Potter, all Gryffindors, and more or less everyone without the surname Black. 

He plays an important role in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, as his other painting adorns the dirty walls of 12 Grimmauld Place. He therefore serves as an unwilling messenger for the Order. 

A wearer of silk gloves and admirer of style, the child-loathing ex-teacher is extremely well-endowed with personality and pride, if not with charm. He might be deliberately loathsome, but he’s also capable of words of wisdom, and his sneering disregard for Harry is what enables him to give Harry an essential talking-to when he verges on breaking down 

> ‘You know,’ said Phineas Nigellus, even more loudly than Harry, ‘this is precisely why I loathed being a teacher! Young people are so infernally convinced that they are absolutely right about everything. Has it not occurred to you, my poor puffed-up popinjay, that there might be an excellent reason why the Headmaster of Hogwarts is not confiding every tiny detail of his plans to you? Have you never paused, while feeling hard-done-by, to note that following Dumbledore’s orders has never yet led you into harm? No. No, like all young people, you are quite sure that you alone feel and think, you alone recognise danger, you alone are the only one clever enough to realise what the Dark Lord may be planning –’ 
> ‘He is planning something to do with me, then?’ said Harry swiftly. ‘Did I say that?’ said Phineas Nigellus, idly examining his silk gloves. 
> ‘Now, if you will excuse me, I have better things to do than listen to adolescent agonising … good-day to you.’ 
> Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

## The Provocative Mermaid

Just because she doesn’t get given a name doesn’t mean this scaled siren doesn’t play an important role among the framed alumni of Hogwarts. Given prime position in the prefect’s bathroom, the mermaid spends her time flirting with the finer prefect specimens as they wallow in their flashy swimming-pool-sized tub. While it can’t be ideal to be an aquatic creature left high and dry, she certainly knows how to make the best of her situation. 

> Harry’s eyes had fallen on the picture of the snoozing mermaid on the wall. ‘Myrtle, there aren’t merpeople in there, are there?’ 
> ‘Oooh, very good,’ she said, her thick glasses twinkling. ‘It took Diggory much longer than that! And that was with her awake, too – Myrtle jerked her head towards the mermaid with an expression of great dislike on her glum face – ‘giggling and showing off and flashing her fins...’ 
> Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

## Violet 

Best pal to the Fat Lady, Violet doesn’t seem to do much more with her second life than imbibe fine wine and indulge in lengthy gossip sessions with her friend. An icon to us all. 

> ‘Well, well, well,’ said the Fat Lady, ‘Violet’s just told me everything. Who’s just been chosen as school champion, then?’ 
> ‘Balderdash,’ said Harry dully. ‘It most certainly isn’t!’ said the pale witch indignantly. ‘
> No, no, Vi, it’s the password,’ said the Fat Lady soothingly, and she swung forwards on her hinges to let Harry into the common room. 
> Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Cumulatively, the canvas occupants of Hogwarts play a key role in events that transpire, from protection to betrayal – human to the end. I hope that any future portraits capture McGonagall’s raised-eyebrow wrath, Sirius’ sardonic humour and Harry’s bravery. It’s reassuring to know that there are multiple ways that our favourites might live on in death, whether it be as portrait or ghost, or both.