Dictionary of terms and more

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A

ABBOTT, HANNAH:
A pupil at Hogwarts, a member of Hufflepuff House.

AGRIPPA:
Famous historical Wizard who appears in the `Famous Wizards and Witches` series of collectable cards.

ANIMAGUS:
A witch or wizard that can change into animal form.

APPARATE / DISAPPARATE:
The ability of a witch or wizard to vanish from one place and appear in another almost instantly.

ARAGOG:
A Giant Spider, raised by Hagrid when he was a pupil at Hogwarts. Suspected (wrongly) of being the monster locked in the Chamber of Secrets. Smuggled out of Hogwarts by Hagrid, who set him free in the Forbidden Forest. He then married Mosag and fathered a multitude of offspring.

AUROR:
Dark wizard catcher.

AZKABAN:
The wizard prison.

B

BAGSHOT, BATHILDA
A witch. The author of `A History of Magic`

BARON, THE BLOODY
A spectre who haunts Hogwarts. A particularly nasty individual, he is the resident ghost of Slytherin House.

BANE
A centaur Harry meets in the Forbidden Forest. Bane is not particularly friendly towards humans.

BARUFFIO
According to Professor Flitwick, an unfortunate wizard who said `F` instead of `S` and found himself lying on the floor with a buffalo on his chest.

BASILISK
King of Serpents, a monster imprisoned inside The Chamber of Secrets, capable of killing merely by gazing at his victim. It was unleashed first of all by Tom Marvolo Riddle (later known as Lord Voldemort), and more recently by Ginny Weasley, who was being influenced by Riddle through his enchanted diary. After petrifying several students, including Hermione Granger, the beast was killed by Harry Potter, who was armed with the sword of Godric Gryffindor.

BAYLISS, HETTY
A muggle who sees Harry and Ron flying in an enchanted car.

BEATER:
Position on Quidditch team. Beaters keep Bludgers away from their team.

BEAUXBATONS ACADEMY OF MAGIC:
Another witchcraft and wizardry school. Competes with Hogwarts and Durmstrang in the Triwizard Tournament in GOBLET OF FIRE.

BELL, KATY
A Hogwarts student who plays at Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

BERTIE BOTT'S EVERY FLAVOR BEANS:
Magical jellybeans that come in literally EVERY flavor, including spinach and liver.

BILIUS, UNCLE
Ron Weasley`s uncle, who died within a day of seeing a grim.

BINNS, PROFESSOR
The only spectral teacher at Hogwarts, this ghost teaches History of Magic. His classes are by far the most boring on the school curriculum.

SIRIUS BLACK
`The Prisoner of Azkaban`. A close friend of James and Lily Potter, he was asked by them to become Harry`s godfather. Sirius Black is an animagus who sometimes assumes the form of a fierce, black dog called Padfoot. Wrongly suspected of deliberately causing an explosion which caused the death of thirteen people, Black was imprisoned in Azkaban. He escaped, but after a huge manhunt he was recaptured and held at Hogwarts awaiting the receipt of the Dementor`s Kiss. However, Harry had discovered that Sirius was innocent of the crimes of which he was accused and, with the aid of his friend Hermione and her Time Turner, managed to set him free. Unfortunately the Ministry of Magic still believed Black to be guilty, so he was forced to go on the run once again. He was last seen flying into the distance on the back of Buckbeak, Hagrid`s hippogriff.

BLAST-ENDED SKREWTS:
Mean-spirited, crab-like creatures bred by Hagrid, which Harry and his classmates must care for in GOBLET OF FIRE.

BLETCHLEY
Student at Hogwarts. During Harry`s first year he plays Seeker for the Slytherin Quidditch team.

BLUDGER:
A Quidditch ball that flies around the field trying to knock players off their brooms.

BOGGART:
A shape-shifting monster; takes the form of whatever it thinks will frighten those near it.

BOLE
A Slytherin who plays Beater for their Quidditch team.

BONES, THE
Well known wizard family, many of whose members were killed by Voldemort.

BONES, SUSAN
A pupil at Hogwarts. In the same year as Harry, she is a member of Hufflepuff House.

BORGIN, MR.
Co-owner of Borgin and Burkes, a Dark Arts shop in Knockturn Alley

BOOT, TERRY
Hogwarts student. Belongs to Ravenclaw House.

BOTTS, BERTIE
Famous for his `All Flavour Beans`, which can shock as well as delight, as they can be vomit flavoured as easily as vanilla.

BROCKLEHURST, MANDY
A pupil at Hogwarts. A member of Ravenclaw House.

BROWN, LAVENDER
Hogwarts student who belongs to Gryffindor House.

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BUCKBEAK
Hagrid`s pet Hippogriff. Wrongly thought to be dangerous after he bit Draco Malfoy, he was sentenced to be executed by the Ministry of Magic. Rescued by Harry and Hermione`s use of the Time Turner. Last seen aiding in the escape of Sirius Black.

BUBOTUBERS:
Magical plants that look like slugs. Their pus has healing qualities, but can also cause painful blisters when it comes directly in contact with skin.

BULSTRODE, MILLICENT
A pupil at Hogwarts. A member of Slytherin House.

C

CADOGAN, SIR
A knight who inhabits a portrait near the North Tower at Hogwarts. Brave and chivalrous, he was the only painting who was willing to replace the Fat Lady as the guardian of Gryffindor Tower. This was only a temporary arrangement though, and he soon returned to his own canvas.

CANARY CREAM:
Creamy snack that turns those who eat it into canaries. Invention of Fred and George Weasley.

CHAMBER OF SECRETS:
Hidden chamber within Hogwarts, built over a thousand years ago by Salazar Slytherin, one of the school's four founders. According to legend, only Slytherin's true heir can ever open the Chamber, unleashing a horrible monster that supposedly lives inside it.

CHANG, CHO
Student at Hogwarts. An excellent Quidditch player who represents Ravenclaw at Seeker. Harry seems rather fond of her.

CHASER:
Quidditch position. Chasers try to score with the Quaffle.

CHOCOLATE FROGS:
A popular candy among wizards.

CHUDLEY CANNONS:
Ron's favorite Quidditch team.

CIRCE
A famous witch of past times, she appears in the `Famous Wizards and Witches` series of collectable cards.

CLEARWATER, PENELOPE
Pupil at Hogwarts. A prefect for Ravenclaw House. Penelope is petrified by the Basilisk but is later restored to health. She is also Percy Weasley`s girlfriend.

CLIODNE
Legendary witch who appears in the `Famous Wizards and Witches` series of collectable cards.

CRABBE
A Slytherin. One of Draco Malfoy`s friends/bodyguards.

CREEVEY, COLIN
Hogwarts student. A Gryffindor one year below Harry, whom he hero worships, much to Harry`s irritation.

CROCKFORD, DORIS
A witch Harry meets on his first visit to The Leaky Cauldron.

CRUCIATUS CURSE
Cruciatus Curse One of three illegal Unforgivable Curses. Causes intense pain. It's used to torture someone. "Crucio!"

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D

DAILY PROPHET
The wizards' newspaper.

DARK MARK
Skull and serpent symbol that is the sign of Voldemort. It appears in the night sky during the Quidditch World Cup. It's said that the Death Eaters, Voldemort's followers, display the sign whenever they have killed.

DEATH EATERS
Name of the group of Dark wizards who are Voldemort's followers.

DEATHDAY
The day when a ghost celebrates when he or she became a ghost.

DELANEY-PODMORE, SIR PATRICK
A ghost, Sir Patrick is the leader of the Headless Hunt. He refuses Nearly Headless Nick admittance to the Hunt because Nick can`t `headjuggle`.

DEMENTORS
Dark, cloaked, faceless creatures from Azkaban, appearing in Book Three (PRISONER OF AZKABAN), where they are guarding Hogwarts to protect students from Sirius Black. When they get near Harry he gets chilled, clammy and faints. A dementor's kiss will suck out a person's soul.

DENNIS
A member of Dudley Dursley`s gang.

DERRICK
Hogwarts student who is a member of the Slytherin Quidditch team.

DIAGON ALLEY
Mysterious, magical twisting street of shops where wizards and witches shop for supplies. Gringotts bank located here, also.

DIGGLE, DEDALUS
A wizard with a flair for the dramatic. For example, causing a shower of shooting stars in Kent.

DIGGORY, CEDRIC
A student at Hogwarts. A good Quidditch player who is the Hufflepuff Seeker.

DIPPET, PROFESSOR ARMANDO
A wizard. The Headmaster of Hogwarts when the Chamber of Secrets was first opened by Tom Marvolo Riddle.

DOBBY
The Malfoy`s house elf. Cruelly treated by them, especially Lucius, until he is freed from their service by Harry.

DUELING CLUB
Hogwarts club where students pair off and cast spells against each other, learning how to defend themselves.

DUMBLEDORE, ALBUS
The current headmaster of Hogwarts, generally regarded as the most powerful wizard alive. One of his most renowned feats was his defeat of the evil wizard Grindelwald in 1945. He is somewhat eccentric, but acts as a kind of unofficial advisor to the Ministry of Magic. Dumbledore is very fond of Harry, and often helps him out of trouble when it is necessary.

DURMSTRANG
Another wizarding school in Europe. No one knows its true whereabouts, but people assume it's in the cold Far North

DURSLEY, DUDLEY
Harry`s cousin. A fat, despicable muggle who tries his best to make Harry`s life a misery. He was turned into a pig by Hagrid, which was no less than he deserved. Unfortunately he reverted to human, although he had to go to hospital to have his tail surgically removed. He attends Smeltings School, which has a truly disgusting orange uniform. Dudley seems to get fatter with every book.

DURSLEY, PETUNIA
Harry`s aunt, his mother`s sister. A petty, vindictive woman who spoils her son Dudley terribly.

DURSLEY, VERNON
Harry`s uncle. A fat, moustachioed man who works for Grunnings, a firm which makes drills. He tries to prevent Harry going to Hogwarts, and disapproves strongly of Harry`s magical abilities.

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E

ELFRIC THE EAGER
An infamous wizard of past times who led an unsuccessful uprising.

EMERIC THE EVIL
A famous historical wizard.

ERROL
The Weasley`s owl. Like most things owned by the Weasley`s, Errol is old and well past his best.

F

FANG
Hagrid`s pet boarhound.

FAT FRIAR, THE
The Hufflepuff house ghost who, as his name suggests, has the appearance of a rotund monk. He is good-humoured and popular with the students.

FAT LADY, THE
A portrait which hangs at the entrance to Gryffindor Tower and acts as a guardian. She is attacked by a mysterious assailant in Book 3, and is temporarily replaced by Sir Cadogan.

FAWKES
Professor Dumbledore`s phoenix. He provides invaluable help to Harry when he fights the Basilisk.

FIGG, MRS.
A neighbour of the Dursleys who occasionally babysits Harry. Her house smells strongly of cabbage, and she makes Harry look at photographs of her pet cats.

FILCH, ARGUS
The caretaker at Hogwarts. A nasty, malicious man who delights in making the students as miserable as possible. Although born into a wizard family, he is a squib, meaning that he has no magical ability whatsoever.

FINCH-FLETCHLEY, JUSTIN
A Hufflepuff who is in the same year as Harry. He is one of the students who is petrified by the Basilisk when it is freed from the Chamber of Secrets. Like the others, he is successfully restored to full health.

FINNIGAN, SEAMUS
A Gryffindor in Harry`s year at Hogwarts.

FIRENZE
A centaur who gives Harry a ride in the Forbidden Forest. He is far more friendly and helpful than Bane and Ronan, much to their annoyance.

FLAMEL, NICOLAS
A famous wizard, owner of the Philosopher`s Stone. Possession of this gives virtual immortality, and at the time of Harry`s first adventure, Flamel is over 600 years old. However the fate suffered by the stone means that he is now mortal, like everyone else. A great friend of Albus Dumbledore, Nicolas lives in Devon with his wife Perenelle.

FLAMEL, PERENELLE
The wife of Nicolas Flamel.

FLEET, ANGUS
A muggle who sees Harry and Ron during their magical car ride to Hogwarts.

FLETCHER, MUNDUNGUS
A colleague of Arthur Weasley at the Ministry of Magic.

FLINT, MARCUS
Captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team. A large, muscular boy who will resort to any tactics in order to win.

FIREBOLT
State-of-the-Art racing broom that can even go faster than a Nimbus Two Thousand. Harry receives one for Christmas in Book Three (PRISONER OF AZKABAN) but doesn't know who it's from

FLITWICK, PROFESSOR
The Charms teacher at Hogwarts. A thin, diminutive man who can barely see over his desk. Popular with most of the students.

FLOO POWDER
Magical, glittering powder that, when sprinkled, transports a wizard or witch from one place to another in a flash

FLOURISH AND BLOTTS
Wizard bookstore in Diagon Alley.

FLUFFY
A huge three-headed dog who guards the trapdoor leading to the Philosopher`s Stone. Rather inappropiately named by Hagrid.

FOE-GLASS
A magical mirror that shows one's enemies. Moody has one of these.

FORBIDDEN FOREST
Forest surrounding Hogwarts. Home to unicorns and other mystical creatures. Very dangerous; Hogwarts students are told to stay away from it.

FORTESCUE, FLOREAN
Owner of the ice-cream parlour on Diagon Alley. An expert on medieval witchburning.

FUBSTER, COLONEL
A friend of Marge, Vernon Dursley`s sister, who looks after her dogs when she is away.

FUDGE, CORNELIUS
The Minister of Magic. A weak, ineffectual man who is easily influenced by others. Relies on the advice of Albus Dumbledore when he is in trouble.

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G

GALLEONS
Coins, form of wizard money.

GILLYWEED
Magical plant that, when eaten, gives a person gills like a fish, allowing her or him to breathe underwater.

GOBLET OF FIRE
A large wooden cup that is filled to the brim with dancing blue flames. It magically selects the contestants for the Triwizard
Tournament.

GOLDEN SNITCH
The most important ball in Quidditch. It's fast and hard to catch; must be caught by the Seeker to earn 150 bonus points, which usually wins a game.

GORDON
A member of Dudley Dursley`s gang.

GOSHAWK, MIRANDA
A witch and author. Her series `Standard Book of Spells` is required reading at Hogwarts.

GOYLE
An associate of Draco Malfoy, who acts as a bodyguard rather than a friend.

GRANGER, HERMIONE
A student at Hogwarts. A member of Gryffindor House. Despite her muggle background, Hermione is one of the best students ever to have entered Hogwarts. She is studious, self-righteous and never admits she is wrong, but despite this she is one of Harry`s best friends. Her knowledge of Charms, Spells and Potions have proved useful on many occasions. Hermione uses a Time Turner to attend extra classes and according to Ron Weasley, her worst fear is a teacher giving her a mark of only 9/10. Hermione was petrified by the Basilisk but was later restored to health.

GRANGER, MR. & MRS.
The parents of Hermione. They are both muggles and work as dentists.

GREY LADY
The Ravenclaw House ghost.

GRINDELWALD
A powerful Dark wizard, who was defeated by Albus Dumbledore in 1945.

GRINGOTTS
The wizards' bank.

GRYFFINDOR
One of four student houses at Hogwarts. Named for Godric Gryffindor, one of Hogwarts's four founders. This is the house where Harry, Ron and Hermione live.

GRIPHOOK
A goblin who works in Gringotts Bank. He shows Harry to his personal vault on his first visit there.

GRUNNAN, ALBERIC
A famous wizard of yesteryear. Appears in the `Famous Wizards and Witches` cards.

GRYFFINDOR, GODRIC
One of the four founders of Hogwarts. Harry uses his sword to kill the Basilisk.

GUDGEON, GLADYS
A devoted admirer of Gilderoy Lockhart.

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H

HAGRID, RUBEUS
The Keeper of the Keys at Hogwarts. Hagrid is a great bear of a man, "almost twice as tall as a normal man and at least five times as wide". He is of wild appearance, with a tangle of black hair and beard covering most of his face. He carries a pink umbrella which one soon realises is a disguised wand. Hagrid was originally a student at Hogwarts at the time of the first opening of the Chamber of Secrets. However, his well-known fondness for dangerous creatures coupled with the scheming of Tom Marvolo Riddle led to Hagrid being unjustly expelled from the school. The influence of Albus Dumbledore was instrumental in Hagrid`s appointment as Keeper of the Keys. Hagrid was given the responsibility of introducing Harry to his wizard heritage, and the two immediately became firm friends. Hagrid has a fondness for drinking which occasionally lands him in trouble, for example when a stranger managed to extract from him the secret of how to pass the three headed dog which guarded the Philosopher`s Stone. During Harry`s third year at Hogwarts, Hagrid is given the job of teaching Care of Magical Creatures.

HEDWIG
Harry`s owl.

HENGIST OF WOODCROFT
A famous wizard. One of Harry`s Famous Witches & Wizard Cards.

HERMES
Percy Weasley`s owl. A gift received from his parents when he became a prefect.

HIGGS, TERENCE
Pupil at Hogwarts. A member of Slytherin, Higgs plays Seeker on the Quidditch team, until replaced by Draco Malfoy.

HIPPOGRIFF
Magical creature that is half bird and half horse.

HOGSMEADE
Wizarding village that Hogwarts students (third years and up) can visit occasionally on the weekend. Filled with shops like Zonko's Joke Shop and the Shrieking Shack.

HONEYDUKES
An amazing candy store in Hogsmeade.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Boarding school housed in an old castle where witches and wizards like Harry and his friends learn their craft --- and much more.

HOOCH, MADAME
A teacher at Hogwarts. Students learn how to fly broomsticks under her expert tutelage. She also is closely involved with the Quidditch teams.

HOPKIRK, MAFALDA
A witch who works for the Improper Use of Magic Office at the Ministry of Magic. She writes to Harry to warn him not to use magic outside of school after Dobby casts a Hover Charm on Aunt Petunia`s pudding.

HORNBY, OLIVE
A girl at Hogwarts who used to tease Moaning Myrtle about her glasses. She later regretted this when Myrtle began to haunt her.

HOWLER
A screaming, scolding letter sent by owl. Ron receives one from Mrs. Weasley after he flies the family car without permission.

HUFFLEPUFF
One of four student houses at Hogwarts. Named for Helga Hufflepuff, one of the school’s four founders.

HUFFLEPUFF, HELGA
One of the four founders of Hogwarts. As you may have already worked out, Hufflepuff House is named after her.

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I

IMPERIOUS CURSE
One of three illegal Unforgivable Curses. When cast, it gives a wizard total control over another person or creature. "Imperio!"

INVISIBILITY CLOAK
A "silvery gray" cape that makes its wearer invisible. Harry receives it as a Christmas gift in Book One but does not know who it's from. It arrives with a note explaining that the cloak once belonged to Harry's father.

J

JIGGER, ARSENIUS
The author of Magical Drafts and Potions, one of Harry`s first year textbooks.

JOHNSON, ANGELICA
Hogwarts student. Plays Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

JORDAN, LEE
A pupil at Hogwarts. Member of Gryffindor House. Lee is a good friend of the Weasley twins. His lively, inventive and completely biased commentary on the school Quidditch matches often puts him at odds with Professor McGonagall.

K

KEEPER
Player who guards the goal posts in a Quidditch game.

KETTLEBURN, PROFESSOR
Teaches Care of Magical Creatures at Hogwarts until Harry`s third year at school, when he is replaced by Hagrid.

KILLING CURSE
One of three illegal Unforgivable Curses. It will kill a person or creature when cast. "Avada Kedavra!"

THE KNIGHT BUS
Magical bus that serves as emergency transport for stranded witches and wizards. It picks up Harry in Book Three (PRISONER OF AZKABAN).

KNOCKTURN ALLEY
An alleyway of shops devoted to the Dark Arts. An offshoot of Diagon Alley.

L

THE LEAKY CAULDRON
A "tiny, grubby-looking pub" at the entrance to Diagon Alley where witches and wizards hang out.

LITTLE HANGLETON
Town where Tom Riddle and his family once lived. Many years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Riddle and their son Tom were found dead in the house.

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LOCKHART, PROFESSOR GILDEROY
Teaches Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts during Harry`s second year. A prolific (and conceited) author, Gilderoy`s books about his supposed exploits fighting dangerous magical creatures has gained him a devoted, mainly female following. After some of his classes Harry begins to think that perhaps Lockhart is not what he claims to be. This is proven to be true during the final battle against the Basilisk, when Lockhart leaves Harry to face the beast alone. He loses his memory during this incident, which hopefully made him a better person.

LONGBOTTOM, ALGIE
Neville`s great-uncle.

LONGBOTTOM, NEVILLE
A student, member of Gryffindor House. One of Harry`s friends. Although he is from a distinguished Wizard family, Neville is practically a squib. However, despite being accident prone, clumsy, talentless and generally a sad case, Neville manages to win the House Cup for Gryffindor at the end of Book 1. He is brave, loyal and always means well, so everyone can forgive his other shortcomings.

LUPIN, PROFESSOR REMUS
Harry`s third year Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. As a result of being bitten by a werewolf as a child, Lupin turns into a werewolf at every full moon. He studied at Hogwarts, and became a close friend of James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. He was known to them by the nickname Moony. He was also one of the makers of the Marauder`s Map. Lupin helps Harry rescue Sirius Black from the Dementors and teaches him how to invoke a patronus. After being revealed as a werewolf by Professor Snape, Lupin is forced to resign from Hogwarts. However, it is expected that we will encounter him in the future.

M

MACMILLAN, ERNIE
A Hufflepuff student who thinks for a time that Harry is Slytherin`s Heir and that he opened the Chamber of Secrets. He makes a handsome apology when he discovers that he is wrong.

MACNAIR, WALDEN
A friend of Lucius Malfoy who works as an executioner for the Ministry of Magic. He seems to take an unwholesome pleasure in his work.

MALCOLM
A member of Dudley Dursley`s gang.

MALFOY, DRACO
A pupil at Hogwarts. A member of Slytherin House, Draco is Harry`s arch enemy. An arrogant, treacherous, devious character who, with his lackeys Crabbe and Goyle, tries to get Harry into trouble whenever he can. Draco and Harry meet in Diagon Alley during Harry`s first visit there and dislike each other almost immediately. Draco belongs to an pureblood wizard family who are very wealthy and wield a strong influence over much of the magical community. His background means that he despises those pupils who are from a muggle background, such as Hermione, and he is of the opinion that they should not be allowed to study at Hogwarts. He also looks down on families like the Weasley`s who, although of pure wizard blood, are poor. Draco is a good Quidditch player and represents Slytherin at Seeker. However, he got this position because his wealthy father Lucius supplied the entire Slytherin team with new broomsticks. Harry and Draco clash on numerous occasions throughout the books (too many to list here) and will undoubtedly do so many times in the future.

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MALFOY, LUCIUS
Draco`s father. A rich and influential wizard, Lucius is one of Hogwarts school governors. He uses this position to attempt to remove Dumbledore, whom he hates, from his position as Headmaster. Lucius has much influence with the Ministry of Magic. Lucius was one of the first wizards to join Voldemort, though he claimed after Voldemort`s defeat that he had been `bewitched`. Anyone with any sense wouldn`t believe this for a minute.

MALKINS, MADAME
A squat, smiling witch who owns a shop in Diagon Alley called `Madame Malkin`s Robes For All Occasions`.

MANDRAKE
A screaming plant that helps "return people who have been transfigured or cursed to their original state." Comes in handy in Book Two (CHAMBER OF SECRETS).

MARGE
Vernon Dursley`s sister. An objectionable woman who generally prefers dogs to people. After insulting Harry`s parents, she finds herself turned into a gigantic balloon. Unfortunately, two wizards from the Accidental Magic Reversal Department turn her back again.

MARSH, MADAME
A witch. One of Harry`s fellow passengers on the Knight Bus.

MARAUDER'S MAP
Map showing every detail of Hogwarts castle and the castle grounds. It magically shows people moving around within the school, too. Also shows secret passageways to Hogsmeade, the wizarding village.

MCGONAGALL, PROFESSOR MINERVA
Teaches Transfiguation at Hogwarts. She is also Head of Gryffindor House. Professor McGonagall is a formidable woman and most of the students like her, but are a little scared of her at the same time. She treats everyone equally, even to the point of deducting points from her own students if she feels it necessary. She also has a keen interest in Quidditch.

MERLIN
A legendary historical wizard. Appears in the Famous Wizard & Witches series of collectable cards.

MIGGS, MARTIN
`The Mad Muggle`. The hero of a comic book which Ron Weasley enjoys reading.

MIMSY-PORPINGTON, SIR NICHOLAS DE
The Gryffindor House ghost. Also known as Nearly Headless Nick, owing to the fact that a botched execution left his head partially attached to his shoulders. To his eternal shame, this means he cannot gain admittance to the Headless Hunt.

MINISTRY OF MAGIC
Council whose main job is to keep wizards and witches a secret from Muggles.

THE MIRROR OF ERISED
A mirror that Harry discovers in a hidden room at Hogwarts. Whoever looks in the mirror sees his or her greatest desire reflected back at them.

MOANING MYRTLE
A ghost who inhabits the girls toilets at Hogwarts. She was killed by the Basilisk when it was first released from the Chamber of Secrets.

MONTAGUE
A member of Slytherin House. Plays Chaser on their Quidditch team.

MOONY
The nickname of Remus Lupin. It refers to the fact that he changes into a werewolf when the moon is full.

MORGANA
A notable witch of a previous time who appears the series `Famous Wizards & Wizards`.

MOSAG
A giant spider. The wife of Aragog.

MUDBLOOD
A mean name to call someone who is Muggle-born (born to non-magical parents, like Hermione).

MUGGLE
A non-magical person. Examples: the Dursleys, and most of you reading this glossary....

MUNGO'S HOSPITALFOR MAGIC MALADIES AND INJURIES
Where wizards can recuperate and receive treatment.

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N

NAGINI
Gigantic 12-foot female snake whose venom is used as food by Lord Voldemort as he regains his strength and body.

NETTLES, MADAME Z.
An obviously desperate witch who tries out the Kwikspell magic course.

NICK, NEARLY HEADLESS
The more commonly used name of Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, the Gryffindor House ghost.

NIMBUS TWO THOUSAND
The super-duper, fast-flying broomstick that Harry receives as a gift. It helps Harry become an ace Quidditch player.

NORBERT
Hagrid`s pet dragon. A Norwegian Ridgeback. When Norbert becomes too much for even Hagrid to manage, Harry and Ron help Hagrid smuggle him to Charlie Weasley in Romania.

NORRIS, MRS.
Filch`s cat. An unpleasant creature who helps Filch try to catch the students whenever they try to get up to anything.

NUMBER FOUR, PRIVER DRIVE
The address of the Dursleys, Harry's Muggle family.

O

OLLIVANDER, MR.
The proprietor of Ollivanders, the wand shop in Diagon Alley. He has a perfect memory of every wand he has ever sold, though he fails to spot Hagrid`s pink umbrella. Harry finds him a bit creepy

OMNIOCULARS
Magical binoculars that have instant replay and slow-motion features.

O.W.L.s:
Ordinary Wizarding Levels. Exams Hogwarts students must take at age 15 (fifth year).

P

PADFOOT
The nickname Sirius Black was given by his friends while he was a student at Hogwarts. Sirius is an animagus who can transform into a large, black dog, hence the name.

PARACELSUS
A famous wizard of the past. One of Harry`s `Famous Wizards & Witches` cards.

PARKINSON, PANSY
A particularly unpleasant member of Slytherin House.

PARSELMOUHT
A witch or wizard who can talk to (and understand) snakes. A talent that Salazar Slytherin, one of the founders of Hogwarts, was famous for. Harry is a Parlsemouth.

PATIL, PARVATI
A pupil at Hogwarts. Belongs to Gryffindor House.

PATRONUS
An "anti-dementor," it guards a person from dementors.

PEEVES
A spiteful, malicious ghost who haunts Hogwarts.

PENSIEVE
Magical basin that stores a persons thoughts and memories. Dumbledore has one.

PERKINS
An old warlock who works with Arthur Weasley at the Ministry of Magic.

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PETTIGREW, PETER
A friend of Harry`s father while he was at Hogwarts, Pettigrew is an animagus and was known to his friends by the nickname Wormtail. He went over secretly to the side of Voldemort and betrayed the Potters to him. He then faked his own death and framed Sirius Black for the murder of thirteen people. Pettigrew had actually turned himself into a rat and made his escape. At the start of the books he belongs to Ron Weasley, who is unaware of his true identity and calls him Scabbers. However, he is unmasked during the Sirius Black affair at the end of Harry`s third year at Hogwarts, but unfortunately manages to escape once again. His current whereabouts are unknown.

PIGWIDGEON
Tiny gray owl belonging to the Weasleys. Delivers most of Ron's mail.

PINCE, MADAME
The librarian at Hogwarts.

Platform nine and three-quarters: The magical platform (invisible to Muggles) at London's King's Cross station where Hogwarts students board the Hogwarts Express train to school.

POCKET SNEAKOSCOPE
A tool that lights up and spins whenever someone untrustworthy is near.

POLKISS, PIERS
A scrawny ratfaced boy who is Dudley Dursley`s best friend.

POLYJUICE POTION
Changes a person into someone else

POMFREY, MADAME
The matron at Hogwarts. She is in charge of the school hospital.

PORTKEY
Object (which usually looks like trash to a Muggle) that can transport wizards from one place to another at a specific, prearranged time. Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys travel this way to the Quidditch World Cup in GOBLET OF FIRE.

POTTER, HARRY
Our hero! Harry is a small, thin boy with black hair and piercing green eyes. Orphaned at the age of one after his parents were killed by Lord Voldemort, Harry was raised by his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, the Dursleys. Unfortunately they were the worst kind of people imaginable, and Harry had a thoroughly miserable upbringing until he discovered the truth about his wizard heritage. Despite the best efforts of the Dursleys, Harry began attending Hogwarts at the age of 11 and discovered, to his surprise, that he was something of a celebrity among the magical community. In spite of the misgivings of the Sorting Hat who thought that Harry `would do very well in Slytherin`, he became a member of Gryffindor House. He made many friends there, especially Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Harry also discovered that he had a great talent for Quidditch and he became the youngest player for over a century to be selected for one of the House teams. Many adventures have befallen Harry since attending Hogwarts and his main achievements to date include the prevention of Voldemort stealing the Philosopher`s Stone, the slaying of the Basilisk and the rescue of Sirius Black, his godfather, from unjust imprisonment. Harry is brave, resourceful, and loyal to his friends. He is one of only a few wizards in history able to speak Parseltongue, the language of serpents. As for what the future holds for Harry, who knows? It will surely be interesting to find out.

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JAMES POTTER
The father of Harry Potter. James attended Hogwarts and was a close friend of Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. A powerful animagus who sometimes adopted the form of a stag, he was known to them as Prongs. While at Hogwarts, he became an enemy of Severus Snape, who hated James because he owed his life to him. Later, James married Lily, and shortly after Harry was born. He was killed trying to protect his wife and son from Voldemort.

POTTER, LILY
The mother of Harry Potter. Little is known about her except that she died trying to save Harry from Voldemort.

PREWETTS, THE
A well-known wizard family who have suffered greatly at the hands of Voldemort.

PROD, D.J.
A wizard who resorts to the Kwikspell magic course in an attempt to improve his abilities.

PRONG, ERNIE
The driver of the Knight Bus.

PRONGS
James Potter`s nickname whilst a student at Hogwarts. It refers to his ability to transform into a stag.

PTOLEMY
A famous wizard who appears in the `Famous Wizards & Witches` series of collectable cards.

PUCEY, ADRIAN
A student at Hogwarts. Plays at Chaser for the Slytherin Quidditch team. With a surname like `Pucey` he couldn`t really play for anyone else.

Q

QUAFFLE
A ball used in Quidditch to score goals.

QUICK-QUOTES QUILL
Quill: Magical quill that writes by itself. Used by nasty Daily Prophet reporter Rita Skeeter.

QUIDDITCH
Wizard sport played up in the air on broomsticks. A bit like soccer. Harry is the best player on his house’s team.

QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP
Championship tournament like World Cup Soccer. Each country has a team; a world champ is determined in a final playoff. Harry, Hermione and most of the Weasleys attend a final match between Ireland and Bulgaria in GOBLET OF FIRE. The game is attended by 100,000 witches and wizards at a magical stadium unseen by Muggles.

QUIRRELL, PROFESSOR
Harry`s first year Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. To all appearances a timid, nervous man, Quirrell is actually possessed by Lord Voldemort, and is only at Hogwarts to attempt to steal the Philosopher`s Stone. However Harry manages to prevent this from happening.

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R

RAVENCLAW, ROWENA
One the co-founders of Hogwarts. Ravenclaw House is named in her honour.

RAVENCLAW
One of four student houses at Hogwarts. Named for Rowena Ravenclaw, one of the school’s four founders.

REMEMBRALL
A glass marble ball that turns red when held by its owner if he or she has forgotten something.

RIDDLE, TOM MARVOLO
A powerful wizard who is a master of the Dark Arts. Released the Basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets while still a student at Hogwarts. Disappeared and later emerged as Lord Voldemort (`I am Lord Voldemort` is an anagram of his real name). He then led an uprising during which he killed the parents of Harry Potter as well as many other people. He was unable to kill Harry though, and has failed in several attempts since. Some people think that Voldemort is Harry`s real father and there is some evidence to support this idea. Voldemort speaks Parseltongue and there is a suggestion that this ability has a genetic basis. Voldemort is descended through his mother`s side from Salazar Slytherin, who also had this talent. The question is, from where did Harry receive it? The fact that the Sorting Hat considers placing Harry in Slytherin House could also be a hint. Harry and Voldemort look alike and we know that there will a major revelation about Lily Potter in a future book. All these things together make me consider it a strong possibility that this theory could be true.

RONAN
An unfriendly centaur Harry encounters in the Forbidden Forest.

ROSMERTA, MADAME
The proprietess of the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. A pretty, voluptuous woman.

S

SCABBERS
Ron Weasley`s pet rat. Scabbers is lazy and useless, a fact which baffles Ron until it is discovered that he is actually the animagus Peter Pettigrew.

SCAMANDER, NEWT
A wizard, the author of `Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them`.

SECRECY SENSOR
Tool that vibrates when it detects concealment or lies. Moody has one.

SEEKER
The key position on a Quidditch team. The Seeker must catch the Golden Snitch before the other team’s Seeker does. When the Snitch is caught, the match ends. Harry plays Seeker for Gryffindor.

SHUNPIKE, STAN
A young wizard who is the conductor on the Knight Bus.

SHRIEKING SHACK
A house in Hogsmeade commonly believed to be the most haunted dwelling in Britain … but is it?

SLYTHERIN, SALAZAR
One of the four wizards who founded Hogwarts. Slytherin House is named after him. Lord Voldemort is descended from him through his mother.

SMETHLEY, VERONICA
A fan of Gilderoy Lockhart. A poor, deluded woman obviously.

SNAPE, PROFESSOR SEVERUS
The Potions teacher at Hogwarts. Also head of Slytherin House. Snape is an ambitious wizard whose main desire is to become the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Harry`s father saved his life when they were both students at Hogwarts. Snape hated being in James Potter`s debt and he seems to have transferred these feelings to Harry. Snape shows a marked bias towards Slytherin students and frequently deducts house points from Harry and his Gryffindor friends.

SNITCH
See "Golden Snitch".

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SLYTHERIN
One of four student houses at Hogwarts. Named for Salazar Slytherin, one of the school’s four founders.

SORCERER'S STONE
Special stone that can change metal into gold and produces the Elixir of Life, which makes the drinker immortal.

SORTING HAT
Tattered, talking wizard's hat, which, when tried on, tells first years which house they will live in at Hogwarts.

S.P.E.W.: Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. An organization started by Hermione to get fair treatment for the hard-working house-elves.

SPINNET, ALICIA
A pupil at Hogwarts. Play at Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

SPORE, PHYLLIDA
A witch. The author of `One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi`.

SQUIB
Someone who has no magical powers even though he or she was born into a wizarding family.

SPROUT, PROFESSOR
The Herbology teacher at Hogwarts. Always covered in mud and foliage.

SWITCH, EMERIC
A wizard. The author of `The Beginner`s Guide to Transfiguration.`

T

THOMAS, DEAN
A Gryffindor who shares Harry`s dormitory. Of muggle heritage, Dean supports West Ham United, and sometimes appears to get confused between Quidditch and football.

THE THREE BROOMSTICKS
Pub in Hogsmeade, where wizards congregate and Hogwarts students go to drink butterbeer.

TIME-TURNER
An hourglass-like tool that allows a witch or wizard to travel back in time.

TOM
The landlord of The Leaky Cauldron, a pub on Diagon Alley.

TON-TONGUE TOFFEE
Magical toffee invented by twins Fred and George Weasley. It makes one's tongue swell to a giant size.

TRELAWNEY, PROFESSOR SYBIL
The Divination teacher at Hogwarts, who considers herself something of a mystic. Professor McGonagall is of the opinion that she is a fake, although some of her predictions seem to come true.

TREVOR
Neville Longbottom`s toad.

TRIMBLE, QUENTIN
A wizard. The author of `The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-protection`.

TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT
Year-long magical tournament between three European wizarding schools --- Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. One student from each school is chosen to compete, their names selected by the ancient Goblet of Fire. The tournament is held at Hogwarts in GOBLET OF FIRE; it has not been held for centuries, because the death toll was too high.

TURPIN, LISA
One of Harry`s fellow students. A member of Ravenclaw House.

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U

UNFORGIVEABLE CURSES
Three cruel curses illegal in the wizarding world. Includes the Imperious Curse, the Cruciatus Curse, and the Killing Curse.

URIC THE ODDBALL
A famous wizard Harry learns about during a History of Magic lesson.

V

VECTOR, PROFESSOR
The Arithmancy teacher at Hogwarts.

VEELA
Beautiful female creatures that can enchant boys and men.

VENTASERUM
A powerful Truth Potion.

VIRIDIAN, VINDICTUS PROFESSOR
A wizard. The author of `Curses and Countercurses.`

VLABLATSKY, CASSANDRA
A witch. The auhor of `Unfogging the future.`

VOLDEMORT
An extremely powerful evil wizard. Probably the strongest living practitioner of the Dark Arts. Formerly known as Tom Marvolo Riddle, see that entry for full details.

W

WAFFLING, ADALBERT
A wizard. The author of `Magical Theory`. Book 3 also states that he wrote `A History of Magic`, but according to the first book, this was written by Bathilda Bagshot. I have assumed that the first book is correct.

WARBECK, CELESTINA
`The Singing Sorceress`. A popular performer on wizard radio.

WARRINGTON
A student at Hogwarts. A member of the Slytherin Quidditch team.

WEASLEY, ARTHUR
The father of the numerous Weasley clan. A wizard who works at the Ministry of Magic, he has a great interest in muggles and everything about them.

WEASLEY, BILL
The eldest of the Weasley children. Bill works for Gringotts bank and is currently based in Egypt. He was also Head Boy while he was at Hogwarts.