Johnson, Angelina
(b. October 1977; Gryffindor, 1989; Quidditch Chaser 1990-1996, Captain 1995-6; Dumbledore's
Army)
A tall black girl (GF16) and an excellent Quidditch player (PS11). She put her name
in for the Triwizard Tournament but wasn’t chosen (GF16). She is in Fred and George’s
year and seems to be friends with the two of them, as well as Lee Jordan (GF22, GF23).
Angelina became Quidditch captain in 1995 (OP12), which stressed her out and gave
her something of a mean streak (OP13).
joke cauldron
A customer came into Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes looking for one of these (HBP6).
Jones, Gwenog
(b. 1968; Hogwarts 1979-1986)
Captain and Beater of the only all-female professional Quidditch team, the Holyhead
Harpies (FW). She herself believes that the Harpies ‘are easily the most exciting
team playing’ (DP1). Gwenog was a favourite of Horace Slughorn's while at Hogwarts;
she still sends Slughorn free tickets to see the Harpies play whenever he wants them
(HBP4). Gwenog visited one of Slughorn’s Slug Club parties at Hogwarts. Hermione met
her but thought she was ‘a bit full of herself’ (HBP14).
Jones, Hestia
A member of the Order of the Phoenix assigned to escort the Dursleys to safety before
Harry's departure (DH3).
Jones, Megan
(Hufflepuff 1991)
Megan's name appears in the draft of the class list of Harry's year that Ms. Rowling
displayed during the ‘Harry Potter and Me’ TV interview (HPM). She is a half-blood.
Megan has never appeared in the canon, but her name is listed here because she apparently
existed in early plans for the books.
Jordan, Lee
(b. 1978; Gryffindor 1989; Dumbledore’s Army)
A compatriot of Fred and George Weasley who commentated Quidditch matches while at
Hogwarts; he occasionally let himself drift off topic (PS11). He is a black boy with
dreadlocks (OP10). (See also DH22).
Jorkins family
Primrose and Albert Jorkins, already the parents of Grimwold and Granville, had a
third baby, Griselda Harmonia, whose birth was announced in the Daily Prophet (DP2).
Jorkins, Bertha
(1958? - 1994; Hogwarts c.1969)
Two years ahead of Sirius, James, and their friends at Hogwarts, Bertha Jorkins was
gossipy and not especially bright (GF27, GF30). After leaving Hogwarts, Bertha went
to work for the Ministry of Magic, where she earned a reputation for being scatterbrained;
when she went missing on a vacation to Albania in 1994, most people simply assumed
she’d lost track of time and would come wandering back eventually (GF7), (c.f. GF33).
The tale of Bertha Jorkins is undoubtedly one of the weakest links in Ms. Rowling’s
plot. That Jorkins would have happened to learn of Barty Crouch’s existence at his
father’s home is at least plausible. However, that she of all people would have just
happened to visit Albania, and then out of that entire country just happened to meet
Pettigrew and therefore reveal this information to Voldemort is a bit difficult to
believe. Ms. Rowling has said that she discovered a major plot hole while writing
book four and had to scramble to fix it. Perhaps Bertha’s improbable fate was the
result of Ms. Rowling’s frantic plot fixing as she tried to meet her deadline.
Jorkins, Stamford
Ministry spokesperson, interviewed by the Daily Prophet for the story about new Ministry regulations on Hallowe’en celebrations (DP4).
Jugson
Death Eater who fought in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries (OP35).
junk shop
A shop in Diagon Alley (CS4).
Kappa
A water-dweller resembling a scaly monkey with webbed hands, a kappa will grab and
strangle waders in its pond (PA8). According to Snape, the kappa is commonly found
in Mongolia (PA9), though the Care of Magical Creatures textbook states that the kappa
is a Japanese creature (FB).
Kappas are water sprites from Japanese folklore. They are said to have bowl-like depressions
on the tops of their heads and they keep these filled with water. This is the source
of their strength. To overcome a kappa, according to folklore, one must bow to it,
enticing it to bow in return and spill the water from its head.
Karkaroff, Igor
(d. 1996; Death Eater)
Headmaster of Durmstrang and a former Death Eater. Karkaroff was a coward and a bully;
he treated his students unfairly and didn’t even take the trouble to pilot the school
ship (GF15 ff.). (See also HBP6).
Karkus
(d. 1995)
The Gurg of the giants in Europe, first contacted by Hagrid and Maxime in the summer
of 1995 (OP20).
Keeper
Quidditch player who guards the goal hoops. Oliver Wood (PS10) and later Ron Weasley
(OP13) played this position for the Gryffindor team.
Keeper of the Keys and Grounds
Hagrid's title at Hogwarts, along with Gamekeeper (PS4).
Kegg, Roland
(b. 1903)
President of English Gobstones team (FW).
kelpie
A carnivorous, shape-shifting water creature (CS7). The world's biggest and most famous
kelpie is the Loch Ness Monster, which is known to give Wizarding authorities some
trouble because of it tends to be a bit of a show-off (DP1).
In Celtic folklore, the kelpie is a shape-shifting horse which haunts the lochs and
rivers. A kelpie looks like a lost pony with a perpetually dripping mane. According
to some legends, the kelpie will lure humans into the water to kill and eat them.
Kenmare Kestrels
An Irish Quidditch team (DP1-4).
Kent
A south-eastern English county, the home of Dedalus Diggle (PS1). The Wailing Widow
(CS8) ghost also hails from Kent.
Ketteridge, Elladora
(1656-1729)
Discovered Gillyweed. For more information, see the Famous Wizard cards (FW).
Kettleburn, Professor
Care of Magical Creatures professor at Hogwarts until September 1993, when he retired
to spend time with ‘his remaining limbs’, as Dumbledore put it. Hagrid took over his
position (PA6).
Kevin
Two-year-old wizard boy, hanging around his parents' tent early in the morning at
the Quidditch World Cup campground. He played with his father's wand and managed to
enlarge a slug, much to his mother's dismay (GF7).
keys
One of the chambers which had to be crossed to reach the hiding place of the Philosopher's
Stone was filled with hundreds of brightly-coloured flying keys (PS16). Keys are also
bewitched by wizards as a form of ‘Muggle-baiting’ – they shrink the keys so the Muggle
owners can’t find them (CS3).
Kiely, Aidan
Kenmare Kestrels Seeker (DP2).
This player gets his name from Aine Kiely, a friend of Ms. Rowling’s when she lived
in Portugal. Ms. Rowling dedicated the third book to Aine and another friend, Jill
Prewett.
Killing Curse
See AVADA KEDAVRA.
King's Cross Station
A railway station in London. Between Platform Nine and Platform Ten in this station
is a metal barrier and a ticket box, but witches and wizards can push right through
these onto magical Platform Nine and Three Quarters. There, under a wrought-iron archway
with the name of the platform on it, they find the Hogwarts Express leaving on September
1 for Hogwarts and the start of term (PS6, etc). (See also DH35).
Ms. Rowling wrote King’s Cross into the stories because it was the place her parents
met; however, she admitted she was accidentally picturing the layout of Euston Station
in her head while writing it (HPM). In the films the platform scenes are shot on King’s
Cross platform four, while Marylebone Station is used for the Hogwarts Express departure
scenes. Trains bound for Scotland do in fact leave King’s Cross every day.
Kirke, Andrew
(Gryffindor, mid 1990s; Quidditch Beater, 1996)
Kirke was at least a second year during the 1995-1996 school year, and became a Beater
on the Quidditch team after Fred and George were banned (OP21). Unfortunately he wasn’t
very good; the most memorable moment of his season was when he fell backwards off
his broom in fright during a match against Hufflepuff (OP26).
This minor character’s name may be a nod to the character of Professor Diggory Kirke
in C.S. Lewis’s Narnia tales.
kitchens, Hogwarts
Located one floor below the Great Hall, reached through the door to the right of the
main staircase in the entrance hall, continuing on to a painting of a bowl of fruit,
and tickling the pear until it giggles and becomes a door handle. The kitchens are
staffed by more than a hundred house-elves. Food preparation tables are located directly
below the four house tables in the Hall above; when the time comes for the food to
be served, it is magically transported up through the ceiling of the kitchen and onto
the plates (GF21).
Knarl
Very similar to a hedgehog, except that the knarl have very suspicious natures (OP31)
Fred and George use the quills in their products (OP9).
The name probably comes from ‘gnarl’, which means ‘growl or snarl’.
kneazle
(NEE-zul)
This very intelligent cat-like creature can detect unsavoury or suspicious persons
very well and will react badly to them. However, if a kneazle takes a liking to a
witch or wizard, it makes an excellent pet. The kneazle has spotted fur, large ears,
and a lion-like tail. Crookshanks is part kneazle (Nr, JKR). Mrs Figg raises kneazles
(JKR).
Knight Bus, The
A magical purple bus that provides ‘emergency transport for the stranded witch or
wizard’ (PA3). It is also possible to book a seat on the Knight Bus for trips around
Britain (PA14). The ride is rather uncomfortable (e.g. OP24). The bus travels anywhere
you want to go, ‘as long as it’s on land’, according to the conductor, Stan Shunpike
(PA3). The driver is Ernie Prang, an elderly wizard in thick glasses (PA3). During
the day, the bus is filled with armchairs for passengers (OP24), though at night the
seats are replaced by half a dozen brass bedsteads on each level (PA3).
The name of the bus is a play on words. Buses which run all night in London and other
British cities are called Night Buses. Using the word ‘knight’, however, suggests
a heroic rescuer. Since the Knight Bus can be called from anywhere in Britain with
just a wave of the wand, it certainly can rescue witches and wizards from tight spots.
Knightley, Montague
(1506-1588)
Wizard Chess Champion; for more information, see the Famous Wizard cards (FW).
Knights of Walpurgis
Original name for the Death Eaters (HPM).
The name comes from Walpurgis Night, a celebration in central and northern Europe.
Walpurgis Night, which is celebrated on the night of April 30/May 1, was believed
to be one of the days when the barriers between the realms of the dead and the living
break down. The other such day, Hallowe’en, is exactly six months opposite from Walpurgis
Night on the calendar. In Germany, ‘Walpurgisnacht’ is also called ‘Hexennach’ (‘witches
night’), and is said to be the night when witches gather and celebrate the arrival
of spring.
knitting charm
Spell which bewitches knitting needles to knit elf hats (OP17).
Knockturn Alley
A dingy alleyway connecting to Diagon Alley near Gringotts which is full of disreputable
shops devoted to the Dark Arts, including stores selling shrunken heads, live gigantic
black spiders, and poisonous candles. Street vendors include an old witch with a tray
full of whole human fingernails (CS4). Prominent in the Alley is Borgin and Burkes,
a Dark items shop where Tom Marvolo Riddle once worked and which is now frequented
by the Malfoy family (CS4, HBP6, HBP20).
The name is a play on words, just like the name of Diagon Alley. Knockturn Alley is
a homophone of ‘nocturnally’. This kind of word play is actually called an ‘oronym’.
A classic example of this is the ‘Four Candles’ sketch of ‘The Two Ronnies’ television
show in Britain, in which a man asks the clerk in a shop for ‘fork handles’ and is
given four candles.
knotgrass
An ingredient in Polyjuice Potion (CS10) that is kept in the student store-cupboard
in the Potions classroom. It also grows in the Forbidden Forest (OP30).
Culpeper’s Complete Herbal, a famous book of herbal lore from the 1600s which Ms. Rowling has mentioned as one
of her sources, lists many uses for knotgrass, including the relief of gallstones
and inflammation. There’s no mention of transforming a person into someone else, though.
Knut
(kuh-NUT or kah-NOOT)
A small bronze coin, the smallest unit of Wizarding currency; there are twenty-nine
Knuts to a silver Sickle (PS5). One bronze Knut is worth about £0.01 (about 2 US cents)
(CR).
Knut (or Canute) is a Scandinavian first name. Several kings of Denmark were named
Knut, two of whom ruled over parts of Britain as well during medieval times.
Kreacher
An aged house-elf whose family has served the Black family for generations. He was
devoted to Sirius Black's mother and father, as well as their younger son Regulus
(OP5, OP6). Kreacher’s allegiances were always to the House of Black, but his mistreatment
at the hands of the last of the Blacks induced the elf to betray his master (OP37).
(See also (DH10, DH11, DH36).
Krum (grandfather)
Grandfather of Viktor Krum, a victim of the dark times in Europe in the 1940s (DH8).
Krum, Mr and Mrs
Viktor Krum's parents; his father has a hooked nose like his son, and his mother is
dark-haired. Mr and Mrs Krum travelled from Bulgaria to Hogwarts for the third and
final task of the Triwizard Tournament (GF31).
Krum, Viktor
(b. 1977; Bulgarian National Quidditch Team Seeker 1994; Durmstrang Triwizard Champion
1994-1995)
A famous international Quidditch player while still in school (GF8), Viktor Krum attended
Hogwarts for the 1994-1995 school year, and represented Durmstrang as their Triwizard
champion (GF16). (See also GF27, DH8).
Kwikspell
‘A Correspondence Course in Beginners' Magic’, which arrives in a purple envelope
with silver lettering. The Kwikspell course is aimed at those whose magical abilities
are unusually low, but not completely absent (or at least those who would like to
believe that that is the case). Filch, the caretaker at Hogwarts, is a Squib. He sent
for and received the Kwikspell course in October of 1992 (CS8), though it never worked
for him (JKR).
Laburnum Gardens
A street located in Clapham, London, which at number two is the home of Sturgis Podmore
(OP14).
Lachlan the Lanky
A statue of this wizard stands on the seventh floor of Hogwarts Castle, just to the
right of the top of the stairs leading down to the floor below, between the stairs
and the Fat Lady's portrait (OP13).
LaFolle, Fifi
(1888 - 1971)
Author of the ‘Enchanted Encounters’ series (JKR).
J.K. Rowling's Wizard of the Month for October 2005. This was the first new character
to appear on the Wizard of the Month; previously they had all previously appeared
on a Famous Wizard card. LaFolle's image on Ms. Rowling’s website bears a striking
resemblance to romance writer Barbara Cartland.
Lake, the
Before the castle lies a large lake which is home to the giant squid, merpeople, and
grindylows. First-years approach the castle for the first time across this lake in
magically self-propelled boats (PS6).
Although never referred to as such in the books, any lake in Scotland would more properly
be called a loch.
Lancelot
Cousin of Aunty Muriel who worked at St Mungos around 1900. He told Muriel that the
Dumbledores never brought Ariana into the hospital, which naturally made Muriel suspect
the worst. After all, not going to the hospital certainly suggests that someone is
sick, doesn’t it (DH8).
While the name Lancelot is well known from the stories of King Arthur and his knights,
in this case the name was more likely chosen because it is related to the term ‘lancet’,
which is a surgical instrument. ‘The Lancet’ is the name of one of the leading British
medical journals.
Langlock
(LANG-lok)
A jinx that glues the target's tongue to the roof of his or her mouth (HBP19).
‘langue’ = Fr. ‘tongue’ + ‘lock’ = Eng. ‘to fasten’
Languages
Giant—speak their own language; some do not speak English, and possibly do not speak
any human language (OP20).
Gobbledigook— Goblin language (GF24, DH15).
Mermish— Merfolk language (GF7); it sounds like horrible screeching if heard in air
(GF21).
Parseltongue— The language of snakes which sounds like extended hissing (HBP10).
Troll— The Trolls' crude form of language consists of grunts (from the viewpoint of
a human listener, at any rate), although some can be trained to speak a few words
of English (PS10, GF7).
Unlike Tolkien, Ms. Rowling makes no effort to create the actual languages of her
world. The only word given in the books from one of these languages is ‘bladvak’,
which we are told means ‘pickaxe’ in Gobbledegook. Instead, the noises and sounds
of the languages of magical creatures and races are described from the point of view
of Harry, who doesn’t speak those languages himself.
Lawson, Artemius
Outspoken campaigner for the suppression of trolls. He has strong objections to letting
them wander free, referring to trolls as ‘creatures weighing over a ton, with brains
the size of a bogey’. He has a pretty good point (DP2).
Leach, Nobby
Minister of Magic from 1962-1968 (JKR).
‘nobby’ = Br. slang ‘a rich man, an aristocrat’
Leaky Cauldron, The
A small, shabby-looking inn on Charing Cross Road, London, sandwiched between a big
book shop and a record store. The Leaky Cauldron is not in Diagon Alley itself; rather,
it serves as a ‘bridge’ between the two worlds. The pub was built by Daisy Dodderidge
around 1500 ‘to serve as a gateway between the non-Wizarding world and Diagon Alley’
(FW). The Leaky Cauldron has rooms to let upstairs and a bar and dining room on the
ground floor (PA3, PA4, PA5). The innkeeper in the 1990s was named Tom (PS5, HBP6,
HBP13). The current innkeeper is Hannah Abbott (OBT/CH).
Leanne
(Hogwarts student, 1990s)
Friend of Katie Bell's (HBP12).
leaping toadstools
The second-year Herbology students worked with these (CS14).
leech
A small slug-like creature that lives in water. Leeches attach themselves to other
creatures and suck their blood. Leeches are used as potion ingredients (CS10, CS11),
both sliced and in the form of leech juice (PA7).
leek jinx
Results in leeks growing out of the target's ears (PA15).
Legilimency
(le-JIL-i-men-see)
The magical ability to extract emotions and memories from another person's mind. Someone
who practices Legilimency is known as a Legilimens. Legilimency is easier when the
spell-caster is physically near the target, and when the target is off-guard, relaxed,
or otherwise vulnerable. Eye contact is often essential, so it is useful for a Legilimens
to verbally manipulate his or her target into meeting the Legilimens' eyes, with the
fringe benefit that the target's emotional state may bring relevant associated memories
to the surface (OP24, OP26).
Legilimens
(le-JIL-i-menz)
Incantation for performing Legilimency (OP24). This term is also used for a wizard
who has learned the art of Legilimency, sensing the thoughts of another person (OP37,
HBP2).
‘legens’ = L. ‘reader’ + ‘mens’ = L. ‘mind’
Leg-Locker Curse
See LOCOMOTOR MORTIS.
lemon drop
A sour hard sweet shaped like a tiny lemon (PS1). A password to Dumbledore’s office
(CS11).
This term appears only in the US editions of the books. In the UK editions, it’s given
as ‘sherbet lemon’.
leprechaun
A tiny fairly-like creature native to Ireland. They are able to produce a gold-like
substance that vanishes after an hour or two (GF8, GF28) which they think is funny
(but Ron Weasley doesn't). Leprechauns are the Irish National Quidditch Team's mascots
(GF8). For more information, see the book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Leprechauns are fairies from Irish mythology and folklore. They are typically described
much as Ms. Rowling describes them in the books, as little old men. According to the
tales, leprechauns are very clever and fabulously wealthy, but it is very difficult
to convince or trick them into revealing the location of their gold.
Lestoat, Amarillo
(1776-1977)
An American vampire author (FW).
'Lestoat' is a reference to the name 'Lestat,' a main character of Anne Rice's vampire
novel Interview with a Vampire and that novel’s sequels. The first book was published in 1976, exactly two hundred
years after this character was born, which suggests an intentional reference by Ms.
Rowling to Rice’s novel.
Lestrange
(b. late 1920s, Slytherin late 1930s; Death Eater)
One of the earliest (c.1955) members of the Death Eaters (HBP20); attended Hogwarts
with Tom Riddle (HBP17). Probably related to Rabastan and Rodolphus Lestrange, who
attended Hogwarts with Severus Snape.
Bellatrix married into an ancient and aristocratic family. The family line originated
in the Norman Conquest, with Roland Le Strange (‘the stranger’, since he was French).
The Lestrange family coat of arms has the family motto: 'mihi parta tueri' ('I will
fight for what is mine'). Seems a fitting motto for Death Eaters and Slytherins.
Lestrange, Bellatrix (Black)
(1951-1998; Slytherin c.1962; Death Eater)
Fanatical member of Voldemort's inner circle of Death Eaters, a member of the pure-blood
Black family (DH33). Bella, as she is called, went to Azkaban for her crimes as a
Death Eater in the 1970s (GF27, 33). Bella was tall with black hair and heavily-lidded
eyes; she enjoys causing pain using the Cruciatus Curse (e.g. OP35). Once beautiful,
she was forever marked by the horror of Azkaban (GF30, OP25). (See also DH36)
‘Bellatrix’ = L. ‘female warrior’; also the name of a brilliant star in the constellation
Orion that is sometimes called the ‘Amazon star’.
In a way, Bellatrix is the ‘anti-Molly’. Where Molly is devoted to her husband and
children, Bellatrix forsakes her husband and loves only Voldemort. Far from being
nurturing and compassionate, as Molly is, Bella delights in harming others, including
children. How fitting that these two women faced off in such a memorable duel.
Lestrange, Rabastan
(Slytherin, early 1970s; Death Eater)
A Death Eater; brother of Rodolphus Lestrange (GF30, OP6). Rabastan and his brother
Rodolphus were given a life sentence in Azkaban (GF27, GF33); however, they escaped
in January 1996 (OP25).
Lestrange, Rodolphus
(Slytherin, early 1970s; Death Eater)
A Death Eater, brother of Rabastan, husband of Bellatrix (GF27, GF30, OP6).
Lethifold
This dangerous magical beast (FW).
‘lethe’ = Gr. ‘forgetfulness, concealment’, or perhaps more directly from ‘lethal’
Eng. ‘deadly’ + ‘fold’ Eng. ‘a crease or doubling-over of cloth’
Levicorpus
(leh-vi-COR-pus)
Dangles the target person upside-down by the ankle in mid-air. The counter-jinx is
Liberacorpus (HBP12, DH26).
‘levo’ = L. ‘to lift up, raise’ + ‘corpus’ = L. ‘body’
Levitation Charm
A basic charm (OP31) that allows the target to float up to five feet above the ground.
Possibly the same as ‘Wingardium Leviosa’ (q.v.).
Levski
Bulgarian National Team Chaser for the 1994 World Cup (GF8).
Li, Su
(Ravenclaw 1991 – 1998)
Su's name appears in the draft of the classlist of Harry's year that Ms. Rowling displayed
during the ‘Harry Potter and Me’ TV interview (HPM). According to the class list she
is half-blood. Su has never appeared in canon, but her name is listed here because
she apparently existed in early plans for the books.
Liberacorpus
(lee-ber-ah-COR-pus)
Counter-jinx to Levicorpus. When cast on someone hanging by their ankle from the Levicorpus
spell, the person crashes to the ground (HBP12, DH26).
‘liber’ = L. ‘free’ + ‘corpus’= L. ‘body’
library, the
The Hogwarts library, on the fourth floor, contains tens of thousands of books on
thousands of shelves (PS12). Included in its many sections are an Invisibility Section
(CS11), a section with information about dragons (PS14), and a Restricted Section
(PS12, CS9, 10, GF26, HBP18). The library closes at 8 pm (GF20). Madam Pince is the
librarian.
Licorice Wands
Sweets sold from the snack trolley on the Hogwarts Express (PS6). This was among the
list of sweets' names Harry said when trying to guess the password into Dumbledore's
office (GF29).
Liechtenstein
A tiny, mountainous country located between Austria and Switzerland, Liechtenstein
is home to only about 33,000 people. Though it has not played a central role in Muggle
history, it did have a place in Wizarding history: the warlocks of Liechtenstein refused
to join the International Confederation of Wizards at its first forming. Harry's History
of Magic O.W.L. asked why this was the case, though he never did come up with the
answer (OP31).
Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore, the
by Rita Skeeter
A 900-page biography of Dumbledore . Chapters 9 through 12 discuss his mother and
sister. Chapter 16 discusses the uses of dragon's blood and argues that Dumbledore
might not have been the first to find some of them after all. An entire chapter is
devoted to his relationship with Harry Potter (DH2). The book also has a chapter entitled
‘The Greater Good’ discussing Albus Dumbledore's friendship with Gellert Grindelwald.
The chapter entitled ‘The Greater Good’ is quoted in its entirety in DH18.
lion
The animal symbol of Gryffindor house (PS3, GF15).
Little Dropping
A hamlet in Hampshire which was blown up by Archibald Alderton when he tried to mix
a birthday cake (FW).
The name was no doubt chosen to fit the fact that it was ‘blown up’, after which it
may be assumed that bits of the town were dropping all over the countryside. There
is no actual town called Dropping in Britain, although there is one called Dropping
Well in South Yorkshire.
Little Hangleton
A town of massive importance to recent Wizarding history and yet unknown to most modern
wizards. Little Hangleton is found about six miles from its neighbour, Great Hangleton,
(HBP10) and is the location of the Riddle House (GF1, GF32, HBP10). Nearby, in a copse
on the hillside, was the Gaunt House, wherein lived the Gaunt family, the last remaining
descendants of Salazar Slytherin (HBP10).
Little Norton
At a 1980 Hobgoblins concert in Little Norton church hall, lead singer Stubby Boardman
was hit in the ear by a turnip, prompting him to retire (OP10).
Little People, Big Plans
by Ragnok the Pigeon-toed
Book written by an activist for Goblin rights (DP3).
Little Whinging
A quiet, perfectly normal suburb of London, where the houses are large and square
(OP1), and where you'll find the perfectly normal residence of number four, Privet
Drive, home of the perfectly normal Dursley family (PS1).
‘whinging’ = Br. ‘whining, complaining’
Liverpool
A famous port town on the western coast of England and the site of a Celestina Warbeck
concert some years back. As late ticket-holders raced to the event, there was a three-broom
crash over the Mersey River, which runs through Liverpool (DP2).
Livius
One of two wizards who, according to history, might have taken the Elder Wand from
Loxias (DH21).
Llewellyn, ‘Dangerous’ Dai
Famous Quidditch player for the Caerphilly Catapults. He was known for his reckless
and foolhardy style of play. The St Mungo's ward for treating magical bites is named
for him (OP22).
This foolhardy character bears the name of two famous Welshmen. The more famous is
of the two is a baronet who is a socialite and self-proclaimed playboy. The other,
however, is a Wales international rugby union player, which fits better for a Quidditch
player.
Loch Lomond
Perhaps the most famous loch in Scotland, Loch Lomond is home to merpeople. Mirabella
Plunkett fell in love with a merman from Loch Lomond (FW).
Loch Ness
A large, deep lake in the Highlands of Scotland. It is home of the Loch Ness Monster,
a large kelpie that prefers to take the form of a sea serpent. The monster is notorious
for showing off for Muggles. In fact, the Ministry has been looking to move the monster
(DP1).
locked room
A mysterious room, connected to the circular entrance chamber in the Department of
Mysteries, which stayed locked despite everyone’s best efforts. Even Harry’s magical
penknife from Sirius couldn’t open it (OP34, 37).
locket of Regulus Black
A plain non-magical locket which Regulus Black left as a decoy. Years later, Harry
gave Regulus’s locket to Kreacher as a gift, earning the house-elf’s deep respect
and gratitude (DH10).
Locket of Slytherin
A heavy gold locket carrying Salazar Slytherin's mark (an ornate serpentine S) and
originally owned by Marvolo Gaunt. The locket had a strange, tragic history, passing
from one person to another and leaving misery in its wake (OP6, HBP20, DH13, DH19).
.
Lockhart, Gilderoy
(DADA professor, 1992-1993)
Defence Against The Dark Arts professor, a pompous buffoon. Lockhart is obsessed with
himself and his image (esp. CS7). In his many books, he tells of his exploits fighting
various types of magical creatures, but the truth is that he simply interviewed the
people who really dealt with the creatures, then performed Memory Charms on them and
took the credit (CS16). (See also OP23).
Locomotion Charms
A series of spells which use the word ‘locomotor’ for moving objects around. Usually
the objects name is part of the incantation. Parvati and Lavender practice these as
they get ready for their O.W.L.s (OP31).
Locomotor
(lo-co-MO-tor)
Moves an object. Typically, the spell word ‘Locomotor’ is followed by a target word, which is the object to be moved (e.g. ‘Locomotor trunk!’) (OP3, OP26, DH30).
‘loco’ = L. ‘from a place’ + ‘motionem’ = L. ‘motion’
Locomotor Mortis
(lo-co-MO-tor MOR-tis)
‘Leg-Locker Curse’
Locks together the legs of the victim, making him or her unable to walk (PS13).
‘loco’ = L. ‘from a place’ + ‘motionem’ = L. ‘motion’ + ‘mortis’ = L. ‘death’
London
Located in south-eastern England, one of the largest and most famous cities in the
world. For wizards as well as Muggles it is the centre of commerce and government.
London is the location of the Ministry of Magic (esp. OP7, OP34, DH12, DH13) and St
Mungo’s Hospital (esp. OP22, OP23). It is also the location of Grimmauld Place, near
King’s Cross Station (OP10) and The Leaky Cauldron, on Charing Cross Road (PS5 etc.).
Longbottom, Alice
(Order of the Phoenix)
A respected Auror during the first Wizarding war, wife of Frank Longbottom. Alice
is a round-faced woman; her son Neville looks a lot like her. Along with her husband,
she was a member of the original Order of the Phoenix (OP9, c.f. OP23).
Longbottom, Augusta ‘Gran’
Neville's paternal grandmother who is raising him in the absence of his parents. She
is a forceful, strong woman. Neville loves her, but he's a bit scared of her as well
(PA7). In the spring of 1998, when Neville was causing problems for the Death Eaters,
Dawlish was sent to try to take her into custody to put pressure on the boy. It didn’t
go so well for Dawlish (DH31). (See also OP23).
Longbottom, Frank
(Order of the Phoenix)
Auror, popular in the Wizarding world, who fought against Voldemort and his supporters
during the 1970s. He was a member of the Order of the Phoenix and Neville’s father
(OP9, c.f. OP23).
Longbottom, Grandfather
Under interrogation, Neville tells Umbridge that he can see Thestrals because he saw
his Grandad die (OP21).
Longbottom, Harfang
On the Black Family Tree, Harfang Longbottom married Callidora Black, daughter of
Arcturus Black. No dates are given for Harfang, but Callidora was born in 1915 and
appears to still be alive (BFT).
In the Chronicles of Narnia, the House of Harfang was the large (even by giant standards)
castle of a clan of Northern Giants.
Longbottom, Neville
(b. July 30, 1980; Gryffindor 1991; Dumbledore’s Army; Herbology professor, early
21st C.)
A staunch friend of Harry Potter’s and a true Gryffindor. Neville is described as
‘round-faced’; he looks like his mother (OP23). His bravery is a different sort than
Harry’s. It is the bravery of children who keep trying even though they have repeatedly
failed in the past, of the unpopular child who never succumbs to peer pressure, even
from friends. At Hogwarts, he was rather forgetful and often had trouble performing
magic; it didn’t help that Professor Snape relentlessly singled Neville out for ridicule
(e.g. PA7). While broom-flying (PS9) and Potions (GF14) were problems, Neville excelled
at Herbology (GF14). When he joined Dumbledore's Army, he gained confidence and skill
through sheer hard work (OP19, etc.). (See also OP35, HBP28, DH29, 36, /e, BLC).
Loser's Lurgy
Luna suggests that Zacharias Smith is suffering from this ailment during her commentary
on the Quidditch match (HBP19).
The ‘dreaded lurgy’ was a humorous disease invented for an episode of the Goon Show
on BBC Radio in the 1950s (and spelled ‘lurgi’, incidentally). The term is popularly
used to refer to a vague, nonspecific illness one gets occasionally, sometimes as
an excuse not to do something. It also has become a British playground slang term
for the sort of vague ‘different-ness’ children use to exclude another child from
their games (‘You can’t play, you’ve got the dreaded lurgy!’). In other words, Luna
is saying that Smith has cooties. It’s pronounced with a hard g, rhyming with ‘Fergie’.
Love Potion
Potion which causes the drinker to develop a powerful infatuation or obsession with
someone (HBP9). The duration of the effects of a love potion vary depending on such
factors as the weight of the person drinking the potion and the attractiveness of
the person with whom the potion is supposed to make the drinker obsessed (HBP6). The
effects wear off naturally over time, but can be renewed by administering further
doses (HBP10). After taking an antidote to a love potion, the drinker does not forget
what he or she did while under its influence, which can be terribly embarrassing (HBP18).
Lovegood House
Located in the hills near Ottery St Catchpole, the Lovegood house looks something
like a castle tower, tall and black. The cluttered rooms inside are circular and have
been painted with colourful designs of flowers and insects. A wrought-iron staircase
runs up the centre of the tower, connecting the rooms. The ground floor is the kitchen.
The first floor is a combination living room and workplace, the next above that is
Luna’s bedroom (DH21).
Lovegood, Mrs
(d. circa 1990)
The mother of Luna, Mrs Lovegood was ‘a quite extraordinary witch’ who liked to experiment
(OP38). Luna resembles her mother (DH21).
Lovegood, Luna
(b. 1981; Ravenclaw 1992; Dumbledore’s Army)
A witch in Ginny's year who simply wasn’t like the other kids at all. She dressed
unusually, she proclaimed her strange beliefs openly, and in some ways she seemed
to be completely out of touch with what was going on around her (e.g. OP10). She tucked
her wand behind her ear for safekeeping, wore odd items as jewellery such as a necklace
of butterbeer corks and Dirigible Plums for earrings, which she believes ‘enhance
the ability to accept the extraordinary’ (DH20). Luna was often the butt of jokes.
She was called Loony Lovegood behind her back. Through it all, Luna was surprisingly
patient and accepting. She didn’t fight back or even seem to notice, although she
was certainly aware of much of the teasing (OP38). Luna proved to be a faithful friend
to Harry and his friends (e.g. OP13) and a valiant member of the Order of the Phoenix
(e.g. OP35, DH32), (See also BLC).
See SCAMANDER, ROLF.
Lovegood, Xenophilius
Editor of The Quibbler, father of Luna Lovegood and a rather odd fellow. Unusually open-minded, he agreed to publish
Rita Skeeter’s exclusive interview giving Harry Potter’s side of things, which helped
turn public opinion (OP25). (See also DH20, 21).
‘Xenophilius’ comes from ‘xenophile’ = Eng. ‘one who loves unusual things, other cultures,
and appreciates differences’
Loxias
Described as a ‘dreadful’ fellow, Loxias once owned the Elder Wand (DH21).
Luckless, Sir
A Muggle knight in the story ‘The Fountain of Fair Fortune’ from The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Sir Luckless, along with three witches, Amata, Asha and Altheda, was a competitor
for a drink of the curative water from the Fountain (TBB).
Sir Luckless is probably a reference to ‘Sir Luckless Woo-All’ a knight addressed
in some of Ben Jonson’s Epigrams (1616): ‘Sir LUCKLESS, troth, for luck's sake pass
by one; He that wooes every widow, will get none.’
Ludicrous Patents Office
This office is part of the Department of Magical Games and Sports and is located on
Level Seven of the Ministry of Magic (OP7).
Lufkin, Artemisia
(1754 - 1825)
First witch to become Minister for Magic, serving from 1798-1811 (FW).
Lumos
(LOO-mos)
Causes a small beam of light to shine from the end of the caster's wand (CS15).
‘lumen’ = L. ‘light’
lunascope
Some kind of astronomical model or instrument which shows the phases of the moon.
Dumbledore kept a lunascope in his office (OP37). It was invented by Perpetua Fancourt
(FW).
Lupin, Remus John
(1960 – 1998; Gryffindor. 1971; Prefect, 1975; Order of the Phoenix; DADA professor,
1993-1994)
Friend of James Potter and Sirius Black and for a year, Harry Potter’s Defence Against
the Dark Arts teacher. He was a very capable wizard and an excellent teacher (e.g.
PA7), although his personal problems relegated him more often than not to the fringes
of Wizarding society (PA17, HBP16). At Hogwarts, Lupin was one of the Marauders (PA17)
and after leaving school he joined the Order of the Phoenix (esp. OP34-35, HBP28,
DH4, DH31, DH35). (See also DH25).
Both Lupin’s first and last names have wolf connections. The mythological founders
of Rome were Romulus and Remus, who as babies were suckled by a she-wolf. ‘Lupin’
comes from ‘lupus’ = L. ‘wolf. Ms. Rowling revealed his middle name in an interview
(WBD).
Lupin, Teddy
(b. 1998; Hogwarts, 2009)
Son of RemusLupin (DH11). Apparently from the photos, he’s a metamorphmagus, since
as a baby his hair kept changing colours (DH25). (See also DH/e, BLC).
Luxembourg
A tiny European country sandwiched between France, Germany, and Belgium, Luxembourg
had a Quidditch team that slaughtered Scotland's team in the World Cup playoffs of
1994, according to Charlie Weasley (GF5).
Lynch, Aidan
Irish National Quidditch Team Seeker for the 1994 World Cup (GF8).
MacDonald, Mary
(Hogwarts, 1970s)
Student at Hogwarts at the same time as Lily Evans and Severus Snape (DH33).
MacDougal, Morag
(Hogwarts, 1991)
A young witch who was Sorted as a member of Harry’s class (PS7).
According to an early list of Harry's classmates that Ms. Rowling displayed during
an interview, Morag's name may originally have been Isabel MacDougal. If so (and this
document can't really be considered canon), she is a Ravenclaw student from a pure-blood
family (HPM).
Macmillan, Ernie
(b. 1980; Hufflepuff, 1991; Prefect 1995; Dumbledore’s Army)
Though sort of a pompous fellow, Ernie's heart and loyalties are in the right place
(CS15, OP13, OP16, DH31, DH32). Ernie became a prefect in his fifth year, together
with his close friend Hannah Abbott (OP10).
MacMillan, Melania
(1901-1991)
Wife of Arcturus Black, and Sirius Black’s paternal grandmother (BFT).
Macnair, Walden
(Death Eater)
A Death Eater (OP20, OP38, DH36) who sports a black moustache. Macnair worked as an
executioner of dangerous creatures for the Ministry of Magic (PA16, PA21, GF33).
According to a (non-canon) planning chart for Order of the Phoenix, Macnair was the
one visiting Bode at St. Mungo's on Christmas Eve (JKR). It seems likely, then, that
Macnair was the ‘friend’ who brought Bode the Devil's Snare (OP25).
Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions
A Diagon Alley shop next door to Flourish and Blotts, and the primary seller of Hogwarts
school robes (PS5, HBP6). During one summer sale, the store offered a wide range of
magical robes and included a ‘free frog-skin belt with every purchase’ (DP1).
Madam Primpernelle's
Located at 275 Diagon Alley, this company brews Beautifying Potions. They recently
advertised in the Daily Prophet classifieds, looking for a Junior Potion Mixer (DP2).
Madame Puddifoot's Tea Shop
A small, cramped tea shop with decor on the tacky side of frilly (which included floating
golden cherubs throwing pink confetti), located just off High Street in Hogsmeade.
The only Hogwarts students who seem to patronise the place are trysting couples (OP25).
Madcap Magic for Wacky Warlocks
One of the books that Harry, Ron, and Hermione examined while preparing for the Second
Task of the Triwizard Tournament (GF26).
Maddock, Alasdair
Chaser for the Montrose Magpies who was a bit over-interested in Muggle sports (DP1-
3).
Madley, Laura
(Hufflepuff, 1994)
A girl sorted during Harry’s fourth year (GF12).
Maeve, Queen
Medieval witch from Ireland who trained young witches and wizards there (FW).
According to Irish mythology, Maeve was a warrior queen who lived in the 1st Century
BC. She is perhaps most famous for the war she fought to claim the brown bull of Ulster,
which she desired because it would make her wealthier than her husband
Mafalda
A character who never appeared in the books, though Ms. Rowling originally wrote her
to be in GF. Mafalda was a Weasley cousin, a Slytherin, who came to stay with the
Weasleys for a summer. She was quite annoying, though an intellectual match for Hermione
(JKR).
magic
Magic is the heart and soul of the Wizarding culture in the same way that science
and technology are for Muggle culture. Where a Muggle would pound a stake into the
ground using a sledge hammer (a simple machine), a wizard would use a wand (GF18).
Both the Muggle and the wizard view their choice of tool as completely and utterly
logical and ordinary, although each would find the other's tools fascinating and even
mysterious. In the Wizarding world, magic is just ‘the way you do things’ and is studied
systematically just like science is for Muggles (e.g. HBP18, DH15).
Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, Department of
A Ministry department, located on level three of the Ministry of Magic, that includes
the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad, Obliviators, and generally anyone who deals with
breaches of the Statute of Secrecy (DH23).
Magical Drafts and Potions
by Arsenius Jigger
A potions textbook on the booklist for Hogwarts first-years in 1991 (PS5).
Magical Equipment Control
A Ministry department that once issued a warning about sub-standard wands, which were
being sold by a street peddler named ‘Honest Willy’ Wagstaff (DP1).
Magical Games and Sports, Department of
Formed in the wake of the Statute of Secrecy in 1692 to enforce Quidditch regulations
and ensure that the sport did not attract Muggle attention (esp. OP7). The Department
was recently was led by Ludo Bagman (GF7) until he resigned in 1995. It helped organise
the Quidditch World Cup and the Triwizard Tournament, along with the Department of
International Magical Cooperation (GF7, GF12). Other sports are overseen by this Department,
including Gobstones, but let’s face it, what’s Gobstones compared to Quidditch?
Magical Hieroglyphs and Logograms
Book that Hermione sits reading in the common room during her fifth year, most likely
for Ancient Runes class (OP26).
A logogram is a symbol used in writing to indicate an entire word. The alphabet used
in most languages today employs letter symbols by themselves or in combination to
represent sounds. We use the letter ‘B’, for example, to represent the sound at the
beginning of the word ‘baby’. A logogram, on the other hand, represents the whole
word in one go, not tied to pronunciation at all. In modern written language, for
example, the numeral 3 represents the word ‘three’ in English, while in Spanish that
same symbol represents the word ‘tres’. The numeral is a logogram. The term ‘hieroglyph’
refers to any symbol used in a writing system which includes logograms. The most familiar
to many people is the hieroglyphs of Ancient Egypt. Hermione is studying Ancient Runes
using this textbook, which suggests that magical runes are often logograms. In fact,
the rune symbols we do know of – a three-headed Runespoor to symbolise the number
three, for example – are logograms.
Magical Law Enforcement, Department of
The largest department in the Ministry of Magic, headed once by Barty Crouch, Sr.
(GF27) and more recently by Amelia Bones (OP8), Pius Thicknesse (DH1), and Yaxley
(DH12). Its six primary branches are Auror Headquarters, the Wizengamot, the Magical
Law Enforcement Squad, the Improper Use of Magic Office, Magical Equipment Control,
and Misuse of Muggle Artefacts (esp. OP7). Other offices set up at one time or another
include the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells
and Protective Objects (HBP5) and the Muggle-Born Registration Commission, headed
by Dolores Umbridge (DH13).
Magical Law Enforcement Squad
Headed at one time by Bob Ogden (HBP10), this squad is within the Department of Magical
Law Enforcement and serves as a basic police force for the Wizarding world. Among
other things, it employs Hit Wizards to handle dangerous criminals (PA11).
Magical Maintenance
An office that oversees the basic functions of the Ministry of Magic headquarters,
including its magical windows (OP7, DH12). The department’s employees include Reg
Cattermole (DH12).
One can’t help but wonder if the rainstorms in various people’s offices during the
takeover of the Ministry by Death Eaters weren’t caused by Magical Maintenance as
a subtle way of fighting back.
Magical Me
by Gilderoy Lockhart
Lockhart's autobiography, which apparently had just come out in the summer of 1992,
since he was doing book signings for it at the time (CS4).
Magical Menagerie
Diagon Alley pet shop where Hermione bought Crookshanks. The walls are covered with
cages and the place is noisy with the sounds of all the animals. The proprietor is
a witch who wears heavy black spectacles. She offers advice and sells things like
rat tonic (PA4).
Magical Theory
by Adalbert Waffling
Required textbook for first-years, possibly for Charms (PS5).
Magical Transportation, Department of
Located on level six of the Ministry of Magic, this office regulates Portkeys, Brooms
(OP7), the Floo Network (OP27), and Apparition (GF6), among other things.
Magical Water Plants of the Mediterranean
Barty Crouch Jr., disguised as Mad-Eye Moody, gave Neville a copy of this book after
the first Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson of Neville's fourth year (GF14); it
discusses gillyweed, a plant which can come in very handy sometimes (GF35).
magic, disciplines of
There are five fundamental branches of magic taught at Hogwarts: Charms, Herbology,
Potions, Transfiguration, and the Dark Arts (taught at Hogwarts as ‘Defense Against
the Dark Arts’). Other magical disciplines in the Wizarding world include Arithmancy,
Divination, Herbology, wandlore, Legilimency, medical magic, Magizoology, and Occlumency
(PS8, OP31).
All the classes at Hogwarts are not separate disciplines. Astronomy and History of
Magic, for example, seem to be informational classes teaching necessary background
knowledge rather than separate magical disciplines of their own.
'Magic is Might'
Slogan adopted by the Ministry of Magic in 1997 to justify the oppression of Muggles
and Muggle-borns. A huge black stone statue in the Ministry atrium paid homage to
this idea, depicting a witch and wizard sitting on a throne made from suffering, naked
Muggles in their ‘rightful place’ (DH12).
Magick Most Evile
A library book in the restricted section that refers to Horcruxes in its introduction,
but only to call them ‘the wickedest of magical inventions’ and to say that the book
will not speak of the subject further (HBP18).
Magi-Me-More
A pill that is advertised as making a wizard feel younger and more powerful. However,
the side effects from this drug sound dire indeed, including ‘tusks’. It pays to read
the fine print sometimes (JKR).
magizoology
The study of magical creatures from all over the world (FB); at Hogwarts it’s taught
in the form of Care of Magical Creatures classes (PA5).
‘magic’ + ‘zoology’ = ‘the study of animals’
Magnolia Crescent
‘Several streets away’ from Privet Drive (PA3), Magnolia Crescent is a street on which
several of Dudley's friends probably live, as he bade them goodbye ‘at the entrance
to Magnolia Crescent’ when they were all walking home (OP1).
Magnolia Road
Also found in Little Whinging, Magnolia Road is on the opposite side of Magnolia Crescent
from Privet Drive (OP1).
Magorian
Acts as the leader of the Centaurs of the forest. He is not as rash as Bane, but he
does not trust humans (OP30, DH36).
mahogany
A wand wood that Mr Ollivander used to make James Potter's first wand, which was ‘excellent
for Transfiguration’ (PS5).
Maidenhead
A town on the River Thames in Berkshire, to the west of London. In a Daily Prophet story about out-of-control Hallowe'en celebrations, a Maidenhead barbecue is mentioned
as an example of a Wizarding party gone awry (DP4).
Majorca
A Mediterranean vacation spot where the Dursleys wanted to buy a vacation home (CS1)
and where Petunia's friend Yvonne once vacationed (PS2).
Malcolm
Malcolm is one of Dudley Dursley's gang, which certainly tells you something about
Malcolm (PS3, OP1).
Malfoy, Abraxas
Draco's grandfather who died of dragon pox (HBP9).
Malfoy, Draco
(b. 5 June, 1980; Slytherin 1991; Quidditch Seeker 1992-?; Prefect, 1995; Inquisitorial
Squad; Death Eater)
The archrival of Harry Potter, son and only child of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Draco
worships his stern father and is doted on by his mother. The rivalry between Harry
and Draco began on the Hogwarts Express at the start of their first year (PS6) and
continued in classes, in the corridors, and on the Quidditch pitch for the next six
years (e.g. PS9, CS10, CS11, etc.). Draco is a good student, although he wishes that
Hogwarts actually taught how to perform Dark Magic, not just defend against it (GF11).
Draco was seldom seen without his two friends, Crabbe and Goyle, who were much larger
than he and function as bodyguards (e.g.PS6). (See also DH/e, PC-JKR2). Draco has white-blond hair and a pale, pointed face (PS5).
‘draco’ = L. ‘dragon’; ‘malfoy’ = Fr. ‘bad faith’
Malfoy, Lucius
(b. circa 1954; Slytherin 1965; Prefect, 1969; Death Eater)
Rich, haughty wizard, father of Draco Malfoy. Lucius was a Death Eater during the
Voldemort’s first rise to power, but after Voldemort fell Lucius ‘came back saying
he'd never meant any of it’ (CS3). He used his position in the Wizarding world to
wield considerable power in the Ministry of Magic; impressing people with the ‘purity’
of his Wizarding blood and amount of Galleons he donated (CS14, OP9). (See also OP34, DH1).
‘lucius’ from ‘lux’ = L. ‘light’, probably a reference to ‘Lucifer’, a name for the
Devil meaning ‘light-bearer’
Malfoy Manor
A fine old manor house with extensive grounds (DH1) located in south-western England
in Wiltshire (OP15). Draco Malfoy grew up here with his parents, Lucius and Narcissa.
(See also DH1, DH23, DH26).
Malfoy, Narcissa Black
(b. 1955; Slytherin, c. 1966; Death Eater)
Lucius' wife and Draco's mother; blonde, blue eyes, with a haughty expression (GF8).
Narcissa doted on her son (e.g. GF11, 13) and would do anything to protect her family
(HBP2). When events threatened to tear the family apart, she became the strong one,
holding things together and taking what steps were necessary to ensure that her son
and husband were safe(DH1, 35).
‘Narcissa’ is the feminine form of the name Narcissus of Greek mythology. Narcissus
fell in love with his own reflection and died gazing at himself.
Malfoy, Scorpius Hyperion
(b. 2006; Hogwarts, 2017)
Son of Draco Malfoy, and similar to him in appearance (DH/e).
‘scorpius’ = L. ‘scorpion’; ‘Hyperion’ = a Titan (the original gods) in Greek mythology
(ITV-YIL)
Malkin, Madam
Proprietor of a robe shop in Diagon Alley called ‘Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions’.
She is a squat witch who is generally very friendly (PS5), though she becomes alarmed
when wands are drawn in her shop (HBP6).
‘malkin’ = Brit. ‘an untidy woman’
mallowsweet
A plant which, along with sage, is burned as part of the Centaur divination ritual.
They observe the fumes and flames to refine the results of their stargazing (OP27).
There are a number of plants which are called ‘mallow’, including the marsh mallow,
the roots of which were originally used to make marshmallows.
manager of Flourish and Blotts
A much-put-upon wizard who has to deal with bizarre and dangerous books assigned by
Hogwarts teachers. He complained that the store’s copies of the Invisible Book of Invisibility ‘cost a fortune, and we never found them’ and dealt with the fact that his copies
of the Monster Book of Monsters attacked him and each other (PA4).
Mandrake
Also known as the Mandragora, this plant is used to make Mandrake Restorative Draught,
a powerful potion which can cure the effects of Petrification (CS9). Mandrake seedlings
are tufty little plants, purplish-green in colour, with what look like tiny babies
growing where the roots would be (CS6). The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to humans
– even as a baby, the howls can knock a person out for a couple of hours – so special
care must be taken when handling them (CS6, DH31).
Ms. Rowling’s version of the mandrake plant comes directly from folklore, although
embellished with her typical humour. The root of a mandrake was thought by ancient
sorcerers to resemble the human form and therefore was considered to be powerfully
magical. When pulled from the ground, the root was said to emit a scream that would
kill any who hear it, which necessitated some rather drastic measures for obtaining
it. One account suggests tying a dog to the partially-exposed root, then walking away
quickly. The dog would try to follow and pull out the root. The dog would then be
killed by the scream (reflecting the same cavalier attitude toward animal life that
we see in the Wizarding world). Mandrakes were thought by some alchemists to be the
original human form, as created by God from the ground, and as such were cultivated
with a variety of strange rituals and procedures in the hope of creating a ‘homunculus’,
a tiny animal-like humanoid which would serve the alchemist who created it.
manticore
A sentient creature, capable of intelligent speech but classified as a beast due to
violent tendencies. A manticore has a human-like head, a lion's body, and the venomous
tail of a scorpion (GF24). In 1296, a manticore seriously wounded someone but was
let off because no one dared go near it (PA11).
The manticore comes originally from Persian mythology. The name comes from the Persian
word ‘martikhoras’, meaning ‘man-eater’. Like a sphinx, the manticore was said to
pose a riddle to its victims before eating them.
maple
A wand wood used on occasion by Ollivander (PS5).
The maple wand might have been a pretty good fit for Harry, actually. In tree lore
it signifies an independent mind, with ambition and an eagerness to learn and experience
new things, but also someone who can be reserved and complex. Sounds like Harry.
Marauders
Self-assigned nickname for James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew,
who created the Marauder’s Map (PA17, HBP21).
Marauder's Map
Magical map of Hogwarts created by the Marauders that shows the castle and grounds
and the location of people within the school (PA10). When not in use, the map looks
like a blank parchment (PA10, PA14). (See also BLC).
Marchbanks, Madam Griselda
(b. mid-1800s)
Elderly witch, head of the Wizarding Examinations Authority (OP31) and at one point
a member of the Wizengamot (OP15). She is at least a decade Dumbledore's senior, since
when he was about seventeen, she was already working for the Wizarding Examinations
Authority and personally administered his N.E.W.T.s (OP31).
Marius
Wizard bearing a Probity Probe in front of Gringotts (DH24).
Marjoribanks, Beaumont
(1742 - 1845)
Marjoribanks was a pioneer in the field of Herbology. Marjoribanks is also credited
with discovering Gillyweed, although Elladora Ketteridge had discovered it about a
century earlier (FW).
Mars Bars
Harry’s idea of a real treat – that is, until he visited the trolley on the Hogwarts
Express and discovered Wizarding sweets (PS6).
Marsh, Madam
An elderly witch who seems prone to motion sickness, but nevertheless braves the Knight
Bus (PA3, OP24).
Martha
A Muggle girl working at Tom Riddle's orphanage the time of Dumbledore's visit (HBP13).
Masking Fog
One of the methods used to hide Quidditch pitches from Muggles (DP2).
Mason, Mrand Mrs
Builder and his wife, who were dinner guests of the Dursleys' on Harry's twelfth birthday
– an unfortunate night for all parties involved (CS1).
Their surname refers to someone who works in brick and stone, fitting for a builder.
Maxime, Madam Olympe
Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy, respected both for her work at her job (GF29)
and for her Wizarding power (OP20). Though she’s a half-giant with the height to prove
it, she publicly denies her ancestry (GF23) and runs counter to all stereotypes of
giants, as she dresses elegantly in silk and jewels, and is an excellent dancer (GF29).
(See also GF19, GF23, GF28, HBP30).
Madam Maxime’s names suggest her large size. The word ‘maxime’ in Latin means ‘the
very largest’, while ‘Olympus’ is the name of a mountain in Greece where the gods
were thought to live.
McBride, Dougal
Seeker for the Pride of Portree (DP3).
McDonald, Natalie
(Gryffindor, 1994)
Hogwarts student (GF12).
This character was named for a Canadian girl who wrote to J.K. Rowling in the late
1990s. Natalie at that time was terminally ill and Ms. Rowling wrote back and told
her some of the secrets of the books to come. Sadly, Natalie had died by the time
the letter arrived. Natalie’s mother responded to the letter and she and Ms. Rowling
have since become friends. Ms. Rowling sorted Natalie into Gryffindor as a tribute
to the girl’s courage (Mac).
McGonagall, Minerva
(b. circa 1925; Gryffindor c. 1937; Transfiguration professor, from December 1956;
Head of Gryffindor House; Order of the Phoenix)
Hogwarts Transfiguration professor for over forty years, as well as its Deputy Headmistress.
McGonagall is a powerful witch and Animagus (PS1, PS4). McGonagall was known for teaching
challenging classes (CS6). She did not break rules (PA8) or tolerate misbehaviour
(CS5, PA14). Though generally respectful of her fellow teachers, McGonagall occasionally
used her sharp wit to skewer those she considered frauds, most noticeably Lockhart
(CS16) and Trelawney (PA11). However, when faced with Dolores Umbridge, she defended
Trelawney (OP26) and Hagrid (OP31).
Minerva in Greek mythology was the goddess of wisdom. It’s easy to see how that name
fits the character. However, the last name, McGonagall, comes from a very unlikely
source. William Topaz McGonagall was a self-styled poet in the late 1800s in Scotland.
His clunky rhymes and faltering rhythms, along with his fondness for subject matter
such as train disasters, have earned him the title of the worst poet of all time.
McGonagall's office
Located on the first floor of Hogwarts (PS15), with a window overlooking the Quidditch
pitch (PA9). McGonagall’s office has a fireplace with a mantelpiece (CS18) that can
be connected to the Floo Network (HBP18). She keeps a tin of biscuits on her desk
(OP12, OP19), tartan decorations, and more often than not these days, the huge silver
Quidditch Cup (OP19).
McGuffin, Jim
Muggle weatherman on the evening news Vernon Dursley was watching on 1 November 1981
(PS1).
McKinnon, Marlene
(d. July 1981; Order of the Phoenix)
A member of the Order of the Phoenix in the 1970s (PS4, GF30, OP9, DH10).
McLaggen, Cormac
(Gryffindor, 1990; Slug Club; Substitute Quidditch Keeper, 1996)
A burly Gryffindor, arrogant and foolhardy. He was accepted into the ‘Slug Club’ because
of his Uncle Tiberius who had been a favourite student of Horace Slughorn's (HBP7).
During his seventh year Cormac tried out for Gryffindor Keeper (HBP11, HBP19).
Ms. Rowling talked about the origin of McClaggen’s name in an interview:
“You have to be careful if you get friendly with me because you tend to turn up in
my books, and if you offend me, you often turn up as a nasty character. I found the
name McClaggen the other day, which I think is a great name. There is a McClaggen
in book six because I thought that it is a surname that is too good to waste” (EBF).
She never made it clear whether she took the name from someone who had offended her,
but she certainly gave it to an unpleasant character. In the book, Cormack demonstrates
what might be seen as the bad side of Gryffindor: courage and self-confidence turned
into arrogance and boorishness.
McLeod, Cormack
Manager of the Montrose Magpies (DP2, DP3).
McTavish, Tarquin
(b. 1955)
Wizard who got into trouble for magically inserting his Muggle neighbour into a teapot
(JKR).
Meadowes, Dorcas
(died c. 1981; Order of the Phoenix)
Member of the Order of the Phoenix in the 1970s (OP9).
Medal for Magical Merit
Award given to Tom Riddle fifty years ago. Since Tom was one of the brightest wizards
ever to attend Hogwarts, this award may be one for achievement in academic studies
(CS13).
Medical magic
Healing magic performed by Healers (OP22), or occasionally mediwizards (GF8) or witch
doctors (DP1). St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries is the main centre
for medical magic in Britain (OP22), in addition to a hospital wing at Hogwarts (PS8).
Medical magic has healed and re-grown broken bones (PS9, CS10, DH25), fixed and replaced
teeth (GF23, DH5), relieved the common cold (CS8) and repaired the scarring power
of thoughts (OP38), and it’s all done with treatments ranging from elaborate potions
(OP38) and spells to chocolate (PA5).
Mediterranean Sea
Large sea which separates Europe from Africa. Somehow merpeople (including the Greek
Sirens), the hippocampus and the sea serpent manage to live in this heavily trafficked
sea undetected. The Mediterranean Sea is also the natural habitat of gillyweed, as
described in Magical Water-Plants of the Mediterranean (GF35).
Mediwizard
Healers who were present to treat injuries at the Quidditch World Cup; they seem to
differ from other Healers in the way that Muggle paramedics, or perhaps athletic trainers,
differ from doctors (GF8).
Mega-Mutilation Part Three
A favorite video game of Dudley Dursley. It does sound like something he’d like (GF2).
megaphone, magical
Device used to give Quidditch play-by-play (PA15, HBP14, HBP19, c.f. PS11), to make
announcements to the entire student body (CS14), and to address a rally (DP2).
Meliflua, Araminta
Cousin to Sirius Black's mother; she tried to have a Ministry Bill passed that would
make it legal to hunt Muggles (OP6).
Memory Charm
See OBLIVIATE.
Men Who Love Dragons Too Much
Harry and Hermione tried this book while searching for a simple spell for dealing
with a dragon, but couldn’t find anything (GF20).
Merlin
Considered to be the most famous wizard of all time, part of the court of King Arthur
and a specialist in Charms magic (PS6). Merlin believed that wizards should help Muggles
and therefore created the Order of Merlin to support laws protecting and benefiting
Muggles (FW).
Merlin is probably the most famous wizard in folklore, figuring in a variety of tales
from the history of Britain. He is most known as the advisor to King Arthur, although
his role in the stories is not consistent and is sometimes portrayed as evil. Over
the centuries of retelling, folklore paints Merlin most often as the wise magician
who masterminded Arthur’s birth and eventual ascent to the throne.
‘Merlin's Beard!’
An exclamation of surprise, used frequently by Arthur Weasley (GF7). There are number
of other variations on this as well (DH12).
Mermish
The language of merpeople, which some wizards can speak as well – Barty Crouch Sr
(GF7) and Albus Dumbledore included. It sounds like screeching above water, but underwater
it simply sounds like English spoken in a croaky voice (GF26).
merpeople
Intelligent water-dwelling folk who have developed their own culture and social structures
and have a great love of music (GF26). Merpeople are found all over the world, including
Scotland in the Lake near Hogwarts (GF26) and Loch Lomond (FW). The merpeople of Hogwarts
have greyish skin and long green hair (GF26). Merpeople live in underwater villages,
which consist of crude stone dwellings (GF26).
Mermaids have appeared in legends and folklore from ancient times. Descriptions from
all over the world are very similar: a creature which has the tail of a fish to the
waist, with the torso, arms, and head of a human female. In some stories, mermaids
kill humans accidentally because they forget that humans can’t breathe water. In others,
mermaids intentionally lure sailors to wreck their ships and drown them when they
fall into the sea.
Merrythought, Galatea
Defence Against the Dark Arts professor from c.1895 to c.1945 (HBP20).
Considering the subject this professor taught, his name is interesting. Certainly
a positive mental state would be helpful as a defence against any Dark magic. In some
cases, for example the Patronus, ‘merry thought’ is absolutely required for spells to be effective. ‘Galatea’ was
the name of a mythological sea-nymph.
Mersey River
A three-way broom crash occurred over this river involving wizards racing to get to
a Celestina Warbeck concert in Liverpool (DP2).
Merwyn the Malicious
Medieval wizard known for creating many nasty jinxes and curses (FW).
metal-charmer
A Wizarding occupation analogous to that of a Muggle metalsmith (FW).
Metamorphmagus
Witch or wizard born with the ability to change their appearance at will. Nymphadora
Tonks is a Metamorphmagus (OP3), as is her son Teddy Lupin (BLC).
‘meta’ = Gr. ‘changed, altered’ + ‘morphe’ = Gr. ‘form, shape’ + ‘magus’ = Persian
‘wise one, magician’
Metamorph Medal
A necklace marketed by a street vendor in Diagon Alley which was supposed to allow
a person to change their appearance at will; in reality, it turned them orange and
produced bizarre warts. While technically that is a change in appearance, it is not
likely what the customer had in mind (HBP5).
Meteolojinx Recanto
(mee-tee-OH-lo-jinx ree-CAN-toh)
One of the spells used by Magical Maintenance to control the weather at the Ministry
of Magic; in this case, it halts rain (DH13).
‘meteorologia’ = Gr. ‘meteorology’ + ‘jinx’ + ‘recanto’ = L. ‘to recant; to charm
back, charm away’
Midgen, Eloise
(Hogwarts, early 1990s)
Tried to curse off her acne and had to have her nose reattached by Madam Pomfrey (GF13).
To this day, Harry, Ron, and Hermione speak of her as the standard against which bad
acne must be measured. Eloise may be in Hufflepuff, since the Hufflepuffs chatted
about her in a very familiar way in Herbology class (GF13).
Miggs, Martin
Fictional character in a Wizarding comic book that Ron was reading, ‘The Adventures
of Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle’ (CS3).
‘Might as well be hanged for a dragon as an egg’
This is analogous to the Muggle expression about being ‘hanged for a sheep as a lamb’.
The sense of it is that if one is to be punished severely for a minor offence, one
might as well go ahead and commit a more serious offence since one is going to be
punished anyway (OP2).
Millamant's Magic Marquees
Company that hires magical tents for special events (DH6).
Mimbulus mimbletonia
A very rare Assyrian plant that resembles a gray cactus, but with boils where the
spines would have been. The boils spew Stinksap upon contact. This plant is a particular
favourite of Neville Longbottom's, who received one as a present from his Great Uncle
Algie for his 15th birthday. Like its owner, the plant grew a lot over that year (OP10,
OP11, OP38). Password to get into Gryffindor Tower (OP11).
The name probably comes from the genus of plants called mimulus. In the lore of flower
remedies, as developed by British physician Dr Edward Bach in the 1920s, an essence
made from the mimulus flower is said to counter anxiety and fear.
Mimsy-Porpington, Sir Nicholas de
The full name of the Gryffindor house ghost, popularly known as Nearly Headless Nick
(PS7, etc.).
Minister of Magic
The head of the Wizarding government. This is a position of great honour and prestige,
as well as great responsibility. Unfortunately, the actions of recent Ministers resulted
in much suffering and misery in the world.
Known Ministers of Magic:
• 1798-1811: Artemisia Lufkin, first witch to become Minister for Magic (FW)
• 1811-1819: Grogan Stump (FB, FW)
• 1819-1865: unknown
• 1865-1903: Faris ‘Spout-Hole’ Spavin (JKR)
• 1903-1962: unknown
• 1962-1968: Nobby Leach (JKR)
• 1968-1980: unknown
• 1980-1990: Millicent Bagnold
• 1990-1996: Cornelius Fudge
• 1996-1997: Rufus Scrimgeour
• 1997-1998: Pius Thicknesse
• 1998 ff.: Kingsley Shacklebolt
Ministry Cars
Cars that navigate traffic with magical ease. The Ministry has loaned them for the
Weasleys to use on occasion (PA5, HBP6).
Ministry of Magic
The governmental authority for the Wizarding world in Britain. Its basic mission is
to keep the Muggles from finding out about an entire culture of magical folk (PS5).
It's a huge, complicated, and inefficient bureaucracy, just like most governmental
organisations. The Ministry consists of seven departments, of which the Department
of Magical Law Enforcement is the largest (OP7). The numerous Departments, Committees,
Boards, and Offices make and enforce laws and regulations. Besides keeping the Wizarding
world secret, the Ministry also handles commerce and international relations.
Ministry of Magic Decree of 1631
Legislation that forbade all ‘Non-Human Magical Beings’ from carrying wands (JKR).
Ministry of Magic headquarters
Vast governmental office located in the heart of London (OP7, DH12, 13). The actual
structure is underground, although magical windows show whatever weather Magical Maintenance
has chosen for the day, from sunshine to hurricanes.
Floor Guide:
Level One: the offices of the Minister for Magic and administrative staff.
Level Two: Department of Magical Law Enforcement
Level Three: Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes
Level Four: Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
Level Five: Department of International Magical Cooperation
Level Six: Department of Magical Transportation
Level Seven: Department of Magical Games and Sports
Level Eight: Atrium
Level Nine: Department of Mysteries
Level Ten: Courtrooms
Minsk
The capital city of Belarus, an Eastern European country which was at one time part
of the Soviet Union. Hagrid and Madame Maxime passed through Minsk on their way to
meet the giants in the mountains (OP20).
The fact that Hagrid and Madame Maxime passed through Minsk means that the mountains
they were visiting were very likely in Russia, and that they travelled across the
entire length of Europe.
Mirror of Erised
A large magical mirror with a gold frame and two clawed feet. The inscription carved
around the top reads ‘Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi,’ which is ‘I show
not your face but your heart's desire’ written backwards (that is, in what is called
'mirror writing'). When a person looks into the Mirror, they see the ‘deepest, most
desperate desire of their heart’ (PS12). Dumbledore used the power at one point to
keep something safely hidden (PS17, HBP23).
Over the course of the books, Ms. Rowling introduces various magical artefacts and
spells which reveal the innate qualities of her characters. The Mirror of Erised is
one such artefact. According to Ms. Rowling, Voldemort would see ‘himself, powerful
and eternal’ (TLC). Dumbledore would see ‘his family alive, whole and happy — Ariana,
Percival and Kendra all returned to him, and Aberforth reconciled to him’ (BLC). Harry
sees his family in the Mirror; Ron sees himself as Head Boy and Quidditch champion
(PS12). When she was asked in an interview what Snape would see in the Mirror, Ms.
Rowling wouldn’t give an answer. That interview happened just before the last book
came out, so it might be assumed that what she didn’t want to reveal was that Snape
would see himself and Lily, together.
mirrors, talking
Magical mirrors which give advice, whether you want them to or not. Harry encountered
one in the kitchen of the Burrow (CS3) and another one in room 11 of the Leaky Cauldron
when he stayed there for a few weeks (PA4).
mirrors, two-way
Magical means of communicating, originally used by James and Sirius while they were
in school. Sirius gave one to Harry, but he never even opened the package until it
was too late (OP24, OP38, DH23, DH28, BLC).
Misericordia, Cordelia
(1298-1401)
Hag representative at fourteenth century summit of Wizard's Council (FW).
‘misericordia’ = L. ‘tender-heartedness, pity, compassion, mercy’
mistletoe
The front yard of the Lovegood house has a sign advertising ‘PICK YOUR OWN MISTLETOE’
(DH20). Dobby decorated the Room of Requirement with mistletoe (OP21).
Mistletoe was one of the druids’ most sacred plants. It signified, among other things,
life-force and fertility, which in turn influenced the custom of kissing under the
mistletoe.
Misuse of Magic Office
This appeared on the first W.O.M.B.A.T. exam as an answer choice, implying that it
is a Ministry department (JKR). However this was likely a confusion between the Misuse
of Muggle Artefacts Office and the Improper Use of Magic Office (which is what the
test should probably read instead).
Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office
A two-person office in the Department for Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry
of Magic, not even considered important enough to get its own window (OP7). Arthur
Weasley worked in this office for years, along with an old warlock named Perkins.
The office is charged with keeping enchanted items out of the hands of Muggles and
with crafting legislation that determines legal – and illegal – uses for Muggle items
(CS3).
Mnemosyne Clinic for Memory Modification
With the slogan, ‘Helping witches and wizards find their marbles since 1426,’ the
Mnemosyne Clinic advertises in the Daily Prophet that they perform charms to help fix up faulty memories (DP4).
Derived from ‘mnemonikos’ = Gk. ‘of or pertaining to memory’
Moaning Myrtle
(d. 1943; Ravenclaw c. 1941)
A Ravenclaw (JKR) student at Hogwarts in 1943 (CS16, CS17, GF25, HBP21, HBP24), now
a ghost. After her death, Myrtle decided to haunt Olive Hornby to make her pay for
teasing her, until the Ministry had to step in and stop her (GF25). She then returned
to the site of her death, a toilet, which she has haunted ever since (CS8, CS9).
The name ‘Moaning Myrtle’ is an interesting one. It is similar to the term ‘Moaning
Minnie’ which was used in World War Two for a type of German mortar which made a shrieking
sound when it was fired. The name came to be used as a slang term for someone who
constantly moaned or complained about things.
Mobiliarbus
(MO-bi-lee-AR-bus)
Spell which moves a tree (PA10). The basic spell for moving something starts with
the ‘Mobili-’ prefix. It is up to the caster to be able to tack on the correct Latinate word
for the object to be moved, in this case a tree.
‘mobilis’ = L. ‘movable’ + ‘arbor’ = L. ‘tree’
Mobilicorpus
(MO-bi-lee-COR-pus)
Spell which moves a body. Again the basic spell for moving something starts with the
‘Mobili-’ prefix, and in this case, the Latin word for ‘body’ is tacked on the end (PA19,
20).
‘mobilis’ L. movable + ‘corpus’ L. body
Mockridge, Cuthbert
Head of the Goblin Liaison Office (GF7).
Modern Magical History
Harry is mentioned in this book, according to Hermione, who read it in preparation
for her first year at Hogwarts (PS6).
Moke
A small magical lizard that can shrink at will (DH7).
Mokeskin pouch
Harry receives one of these from Hagrid for his seventeenth birthday, as Hagrid explains
that only the owner can retrieve items from within this rare object (DH7, DH10, DH18).
MoM
Commonly used abbreviation in fandom and even by Ms. Rowling herself for Ministry
of Magic.
money
There are three basic types of coins in the Wizarding world: the gold Galleon, the
silver Sickle, and the bronze Knut. There are seventeen Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine
Knuts to a Sickle, which seems like it would make for some rather confusing maths
for anyone trying to make change, but Hagrid says it’s ‘simple’ (PS5).
Exchange rates (approximate):
1 Galleon = £5.00 (CR)
1 Sickle = £0.29
1 Knut = £0.01
Monster Book of Monsters, The
Required textbook for Care of Magical Creatures in Harry's third year. The book attempted
to bite anyone who touched it, causing rather a lot of problems for the manager of
Flourish and Blotts (PA4, PA6).
Montague
(Slytherin, c. 1989; Quidditch Chaser c. 1992-1996, Captain 1995-1996; Inquisitorial
Squad)
Member of Umbridge's Inquisitorial Squad who made the mistake of trying to take House
Points from the Weasley twins without witnesses (OP19, OP28, OP30).
Montgomery sisters
(Hogwarts students, 1990s)
Twin sisters whose five-year-old brother was bitten by Fenrir Greyback in the spring
of 1997 (HBP22).
Montmorency, Laverne de
(1823 - 1893)
Invented a number of love potions (FW)
Montrose Magpies
A Quidditch team in in the British and Irish league (DP1-4).
Moody, Alastor ‘Mad Eye’
(d. 1997; Order of the Phoenix)
Retired Auror, considered one of the best Dark Wizard catchers the Ministry has ever
had. Mad-Eye was noted for his paranoia, particularly in regard to food and drink,
but also wand safety; this last may be related to his own missing leg (GF13, OP3),
but that is mere speculation. Moody took command of any operation he was associated
with. He was brusque and efficient (OP3, DH4, 5, also DH15). Moody’s favourite expression
was ‘Constant vigilance!’
The name ‘Alastor’ was one sometimes given to the Greek god Zeus in mythology (‘Zeus
Alastor’). The name referred to the Zeus’s role as an avenger of evil deeds.
Moon
(Hogwarts 1991)
A student in the same class as Harry, though sorted into a different house (PS7).
Mooncalf
A strange creature that dances by the light of the moon and whose dung is very valuable
(JKR).
moon frog
Someone interviewed by The Quibbler claimed to have a bag of moon frogs, substantiating
his claim that he had flown to the moon on a Cleansweep 6 (OP10).
Moonshine, Regulus
A professor who claimed to have developed a potion that would decrease a ‘hag’s natural
desire to feast on human flesh’. He had several chunks of flesh missing from his face
and neck, thanks to his test subjects (DP4).
‘moonshine’ = Eng. ‘moonlight; illegally-distilled liquor; nonsense’
Moony
Remus Lupin gained this nickname as one of the Marauders because of his condition
(PA17).
moor
Open land, usually raised higher than the surrounding terrain, where few trees grow.
Moors tend to be sparsely inhabited. Most Quidditch pitches in Britain are located
on deserted moors, far from Muggle eyes (GF6, DP1-4).
A moor is a broad tract of open land, often high but poorly drained, with patches
of heath and peat bogs. Of the heather moorland in the United Kingdom, most of it
lies in North Yorkshire, Wales, Cumbria and Dartmoor (with some moorlands in the far
West Country in the county of Cornwall). Godric Gryffindor hailed from ‘wild moor’
according to the Sorting Hat, and could accordingly have been from the any of these
regions (GF12).
Mopsus
Ancient Greek soothsayer; for more information, see the Fantastic Wizard cards (FW).
Mopsus was an ancient Greek seer who was a rival of Calchas, another seer. Both seers
made predictions about an upcoming battle. When Mopsus’ predictions proved to be true
and Calchas’ false, the latter died of grief.
Mopsy
A character initially included in GF, who was a batty dog-owner living on the outskirts
of Hogsmeade, and adopted Sirius Black, thinking him a stray. Ms. Rowling cut the
character because she ‘added nothing to the plot’ (JKR).
Moran
Witch who was an Irish Quidditch Team Chaser, one third of the famous trio of Chasers,
‘Troy, Mullet, and Moran’ (GF8).
Mordaunt, Ethelbard
Wizard whose next door neighbour, Elladora Guffy, was overly fond of practical joke
spells. Ethelbard sent a letter complaining about Guffy to the Daily Prophet (DP1).
Morgan le Fey (Morgana)
A bird Animagus and King Arthur's half sister. She was a dark sorceress and an enemy
of Merlin. For more information, see the Famous Wizard cards (FW). She appeared on
one of the first Chocolate Frog trading cards Harry Potter ever saw (PS6).
The legendary figure of Morgan le Fey, also known as Morgana, takes a number of forms
in various tales in which she appears. Originally, Morgana was a fairy (‘le fey’ =
Fr. ‘the fairy’). In later works, she was Arthur’s half-sister who dallied with one
of his knights and was subsequently estranged from the king. She was an enemy of Arthur
and Guinevere for many years, but was finally reconciled and was one of the sorceresses
who bore Arthur, gravely wounded, to Avalon to be healed.
Morgan, Valmai
Chaser who replaced Wilda Griffiths on the Holyhead Harpies team (DP3, DP4).
Morholt
An ancient giant, brother of the King of Ireland. For more information, see the Famous
Wizard cards (FW).
Morholt is not a giant but a mighty Irish warrior in the British folktales, including
the Arthurian legends. In an early tale, Morholt comes to Britain to collect a debt
owed to Ireland, whereupon Tristan battles him to erase the debt. He grievously wounds
Morholt, leaving a piece of his sword in the wound, but the Irish warrior wounds Tristan
in return with a poisoned spear. Morholt manages to return to Ireland to die. Tristan,
poisoned and dying as well, travels to Ireland in disguise to be healed, but is found
out when the piece missing from his blade is seen to match the piece taken from Morholt’s
wound. In the tales of King Arthur, Morholt is an Irish warrior who becomes a knight
of the Round Table.
Morsmordre
(mors-MOR-druh)
‘The Dark Mark’
Conjures an immense glowing skull in the sky, comprised of green sparks, with a snake
coming out of the skull's mouth. This spell is known only to Death Eaters, who send
it up in the sky when they kill. The Dark Mark caused panic at the Quidditch World
Cup in 1994 (GF9).
‘mors’ = L. ‘death’ + ‘mordere’ = L. ‘to bite’
Mortlake
A Ministry raid on his house in August 1992 turned up some suspiciously unusual ferrets
(CS3).
Mortlake is a district of Greater London, located on the south bank of the Thames.
In Elizabethan times, the town of Mortlake was the location of one of the most impressive
libraries in Britain, collected by Dr John Dee, a scholar and astrologist who was
obsessed with the occult and who claimed to speak with angels and spirits. Sadly,
his library was targeted by a mob in 1583 which feared him because he was a magician.
The mob destroyed and looted much of the collection.
Mosag
An Acromantula, found by Hagrid to be a wife for Aragog (CS15). Together, Aragog and
Mosag raised a family of scores of Acromantulas (HBP22).
‘mosag’ = urban slang: ‘a very ugly girl’; Gaelic: ‘a dirty woman’ (HPM)
Most Charming Smile Award
A somewhat silly award given out by Witch Weekly Magazine. It has been won five times
by Gilderoy Lockhart, which is quite possibly his only genuine accomplishment (CS6).
Mostafa, Hassan
Chairwizard of the International Association of Quidditch in 1994, when he served
as referee for the World Cup. Mostafa is small, skinny, and bald, with a huge moustache
(GF8).
Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers
Organisation founded by Hector Dagworth-Granger (HBP9).
Moste Potente Potions
Illustrated book of very powerful and dangerous potions, kept in the Restricted Section
of the Hogwarts library. It contains (among other things) the instructions for making
Polyjuice Potion (CS9).
motorcycle, flying
An amazing magical flying machine once owned by Sirius Black. It's huge, big enough
to carry Hagrid (or perhaps it magically expands as necessary to accommodate its rider
(PS1, DH4).
Mould-on-the-Wold
A town where the Dumbledore’s family lived when he was young, and where Ariana was
attacked by Muggles (DH11).
The word ‘wold’ originally referred to a forested hill, but the meaning changed to
refer to rolling hills. In any case, it only survives now as part of place names,
such as ‘Cotswolds’. Of the over two hundred place names in Britain which include
the word ‘wold’, the town with the name closest is Stow-on-the-Wold, located in Gloucestershire.
Mountain Troll
The biggest and nastiest type of troll (PS10, OP31, DP2).
Mrs Scower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover
A magical cleaning product (GF8, JKR) used extensively by Filch (CS9) and stored in
various broom cupboards around Hogwarts (GF18).
‘Mudblood’
A derogatory term used by ‘pure-blood’ wizards to describe someone of Muggle descent.
Once considered absolutely foul and not to be used in polite company, the term unfortunately
became more common during Voldemort’s second war against the Wizarding world (CS7,
etc.).
Muffliato
(muf-lee-AH-to)
A spell Harry learned from the Half-Blood Prince’s notes in his potions book. It fills
the ears of people nearby with a buzzing sound so they cannot overhear a conversation.
Hermione disapproved of it (HBP12, c.f. DH7, DH14).
‘muffle’ = Eng. ‘to wrap something up to deaden sound’
Muggle
Non-magical people (PS4). Muggles are completely oblivious to the existence of magic,
going so far as to routinely create non-magical reasons for things that happen to
them. Many wizards look upon Muggles with disdain, viewing them as lesser beings (DH12),
while others, like Arthur Weasley, simply seem to think they’re kind of cute (CS3).
To most witches and wizards, Muggle society is essentially unknown. Hogwarts does
offers a class in Muggle Studies (CS14). Despite this, wizards remain largely ignorant,
and their attempts to act like Muggles can be humorous indeed (GF7).
Muggle-baiting
Considered a game by some wizards, but it’s one Arthur Weasley despises. It consists
intentionally confusing Muggles with magic, such as making keys shrink so they can’t
find them (CS3).
Muggle-borns
A term used for people of magical ability whose parents were Muggles, like Hermione
Granger or Lily Evans (HBP4, DH13).
Muggle-born Registration Commission
A Ministry of Magic program, headed by Dolores Umbridge, which was designed to persecute
and imprison witches and wizards who had been born to Muggle parents (DH13). (See also BLC).
Muggle guard
Magical device that acts as an alarm when touched by a non-magical hand; one such
device is a Muggle-deterring-gate (DP2, JKR).
Muggle Protection Act
A law written in part by Arthur Weasley. Lucius Malfoy saw this law as a threat to
Wizard superiority (CS4, CS12, CS18).
Muggle-Repelling Charm
See REPELLO MUGGLETUM.
Muggle Studies
A Hogwarts class taught recently by Quirinius Quirrell (BLC), Charity Burbage (DH1),
and Alecto Carrow (DH12 ff.). Its textbook is Home Life and Social Habits of British Muggles, and class work includes creating charts showing Muggles using levers to lift heavy
objects, understanding the importance of electricity to Muggle technology, and so
on (esp. PA13).
Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee
A branch of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, which in the case
of a magical accident or disaster is responsible for generating plausible explanations
to be disseminated to the Muggle population (OP7).
Mulciber
The name of two Death Eaters. The first went to school with Voldemort (HBP20). The
second was a school friend of Snape and Avery some twenty years later (DH33). One
of the Mulcibers was an Imperius Curse specialist (GF30). (See also OP35).
The two Mulcibers, older and younger, are not differentiated in the stories.
‘Mulciber’ = alternative name for the god Vulcan in Roman mythology; Vulcan appears
as a demon in Milton’s Paradise Lost with the name ‘Mulciber’.
Muldoon, Burdock
Chief of the Wizard’s Council from 1448 to 1450 (FW).
The dates given on the chocolate frog cards are inconsistent with the reference in
Fantastic Beasts which places Muldoon ‘in the fourteenth century’. Ms. Rowling may simply have made
the common mistake of referring to events in the 1400s as being in the fourteenth
century.
mulled mead
A favourite drink of Hagrid's (PA10).
Mullet
Witch who was the Irish National Team Chaser, one third of the famous trio of Chasers
known as ‘Troy, Mullet, and Moran’ (GF8).
mummy
A preserved human body, wrapped in strips of cloth. Pavarti Patil is afraid of them
(PA7). When the Weasleys toured the tombs of Ancient Egypt, they encountered mutant
skeletons of Muggles who’d been cursed by spells put on the tombs by Egyptian wizards.
Perhaps the mummies Parvati fears are similar to these (PA1).
Munch, Eric
A badly-shaven watchwizard at the Ministry of Magic, who during sits at the security
desk in the Atrium where visitors are required to present their wands for registration
(OP7, OP14).
Murcus, Merchieftainess
The leader of the community of merfolk in the Hogwarts lake. She is on speaking terms
with Dumbledore, which is saying something since she speaks Mermish (GF26).
Muriel, Auntie
(1890-present)
A great aunt of the Weasleys who is quite an eccentric and outspoken character. She
doesn’t seem to have any sense of tact; however, she is kind and generous in her own
peculiar way (HBP29, DH5, DH8, DH24).
Murtlap
A magical water creature. Its tentacles can be made into a yellow liquid, Essence
of Murtlap, which soothes and heals wounds (OP15, OP18, OP26).
musical box
This mysterious object sat on the shelves in number twelve, Grimmauld Place, and when
wound made everyone sleepy (OP6).
Myrtle's Bathroom
The gloomiest, most depressing bathroom Harry has ever entered, though its poor light
and lack of proper maintenance probably have something to do with the fact that it
is haunted by Moaning Myrtle (CS9, CS16, DH31).
There is a continuity error in the second book’s description of Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom.
Hermione tells Harry and Ron that it’s on the first floor while chatting at the Deathday
Party. However, a few chapters later the first Basilisk attack happens right outside
of Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom and the book clearly places that event on the second
floor.
Mysteries, Department of
Section of the Ministry of Magic, deep in the lowest level, where wizards called Unspeakables
research some of the deepest mysteries of existence, exploring and experimenting in
various chambers which are clustered around a central, circular room lined with doors
(OP24, OP34). Among the forces explored are time, death, thought, and love (OP35,
OP37). Part of the time area consists of a vast Hall of Prophecies (OP34, OP35). Because
of the secret nature of the work done in the Department of Mysteries, strange rumours
often arise about what goes on there (OP18).
Nagini
(d. 1998)
Voldemort’s massive snake. As a Parseltongue, Voldemort had unusual control over snakes;
however, his attachment to and control over Nagini was particularly strong (esp. OP21,
HBP23, DH17, DH36).
‘Nagini’ = female snake deity, from ‘naga’ = Sanskrit ‘snake’
In both Hinduism and Buddhism, the Naga are deities who take the form of large snakes.
The feminine version of the Naga is called a Nagini. The Naga are generally evil in
the stories and are in constant conflict with Garuda, a gigantic man-bird.
Nagnok
A Gringotts goblin several hundred years ago who was involved in a most unfortunate
incident (JKR).
Nargle
A creature that Luna believes infests mistletoe (OP21).
Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests (N.E.W.T.s)
A standard exam taken by students at the end of their seventh year at Hogwarts. These
tests are administered by the Wizarding Examinations Authority and are given at the
same time as the O.W.L.s are given to fifth-year students. Passing scores on various
N.E.W.T. exams are required for different professions in the Wizarding world (PA16).
The N.E.W.T.s are the equivalent of A-levels, standard exams given to British students
prior to their entering university.
Nature's Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy
Sirius' family kept a copy of this book (OP6, DH22).
Nearly Headless Nick
Nickname of the ghost of Sir Nicholas de Mimsy Porpington, a wizard who died in a
botched execution on 31 October, 1492 (CS8). Nick wears a tunic with a ruff to hide
the fact that his head is nearly severed (GF12, OP38). He is the resident ghost of
Gryffindor House and is always helpful to Gryffindor students (PS7). Nick occasionally
entertains at Hogwarts banquets by re-enacting his own ‘botched beheading’ (PA8).
On Hallowe’en of 1992, a five hundredth Deathday party was held in Nick’s honour,
attended by ghosts from all over the country as well as Harry, Ron, and Hermione (CS8).
Nettles, Madam Z.
An apparently happy customer of the Kwikspell course. Before Kwikspell, she writes
that her feeble attempts at magic were laughed at (CS8).
newt
Mentioned as a potion ingredient during Harry's research for the Second Task of the
Triwizard Tournament (GF26).
N.E.W.T.s
See NASTILY EXHAUSTING WIZARDING TESTS.
New Theory of Numerology
A book, Harry's Christmas present to Hermione during their fifth year (OP23).
Niffler
A ‘[f]luffy, black and long-snouted creature’ which burrows in dirt. Although Nifflers
are gentle and even affectionate, they are strongly attracted to anything shiny, which
can make them difficult to control (GF28). They can be very useful for finding treasure
(OP31).
The name probably comes from the word ‘sniff’, since Nifflers use their noses to sniff
out treasure.
Nigellus, Phineas
See BLACK, PHINEAS NIGELLUS.
Nimbus Racing Broom Company
Company that, beginning in 1967, was the leader in producing high-end sport brooms. The company was founded by Devlin Whitehorn (FW). Harry’s first broom was a Nimbus
2000, given to him by Professor McGonagall (PS10, CS7).
‘nimbus’ = L. ‘cloud’
‘Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, the’
The self-appointed title of the Black Family, proud and protective of their pure-blood
status (OP6, BFT).
Nogtail
Dark magical creatures which are sometimes hunted for sport (HBP7).
‘non-human magical beings’
A broad category of creatures that are forbidden from carrying wands, according to
the Wand Ban of 1631. Included in the ban are Goblins and House-Elves (JKR).
Norbert/Norberta
A dragon hatched from an egg and raised for two weeks by Rubeus Hagrid in his hut
at Hogwarts. It didn’t work out too well (PS14, 17, DH7).
Norris, Mrs
A cat owned by Argus Filch, who helps him patrol the corridors at Hogwarts. Mrs Norris
is a scrawny gray cat who is always on the lookout for troublemakers (PS8). Filch
dotes on her, talking to her constantly and calling her ‘my sweet’. They have an inexplicable
connection that brings Filch running whenever Mrs Norris spots a student out of line
(CS8).
Filch’s cat is named after a character in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park. In that book, Mrs Norris was a meddlesome, shallow person who frequently interfered
in the life of the main character, Fanny Price.
North Sea
Sea which lies to the north and east of Britain. Azkaban fortress is located on an
island in the middle of the North Sea (HBP1).
North Tower
One of the towers of Hogwarts castle, where Trelawney's residence and the Divination
classroom are located (PA16); access to the classroom at the top of this tower is
by way of a silver ladder through a trap door (PA6).
Norwegian Ridgeback
Dragon species, native to Norway, which has black scales and characteristic black
ridges along its back. Hagrid once obtained a black Ridgeback egg and hatched it,
naming the baby Norbert (PS14).
Nose-Biting Teacup
A product sold at Zonko’s Joke Shop (PA14).
Nosebleed Nougat
The most popular of Fred and George’s Skiving Snackboxes, which gives a nosebleed
designed to get students out of class (HBP6). One end, the Blood Blisterpod, causes
the bleeding, and swallowing the other end stops it immediately (OP14).
Notable Magical Names of Our Time
A book in the Hogwarts library in which Harry, Ron, and Hermione unsuccessfully searched
for Nicholas Flamel (PS12).
Nott
A longtime Death Eater (OP35, HBP20). His son is Theodore Nott, a Slytherin in Harry’s
year (JKR).
Nott, Theodore
(b. 1980; Slytherin, 1991)
Son of the Death Eater Nott, Theodore is a scrawny boy (OP26) who is something of
a loner, not feeling the need to join anyone’s clique (JKR).
Nottingham
A large city in the East Midlands region of Britain. A goblin family was murdered
near Nottingham during the first war against Voldemort (OP5).
Nox
(noks)
Spell which extinguishes the wandlight cast by Lumos (PA17).
‘nox’ = L. ‘night’
number four, Privet Drive
The home of Vernon and Petunia Dursley, their son Dudley, and for sixteen years their
nephew Harry Potter. Located in Little Whinging, Surrey, the house is large, square,
and it’s kept immaculately clean (PS1, OP3). This house played a crucial role in protecting
Harry throughout his childhood
‘privet’ = a type of shrub commonly used for hedges
number twelve, Grimmauld Place
An Unplottable London row house on a shabby Muggle street, protected by many magic
spells and protections. Grimmauld Place has been handed down through the generations
of the Black family (OP6). The house itself is quite large, and rather scary-looking,
with rows of house-elf heads mounted on the wall and creepy décor (OP4).
Numerology and Gramatica
An Arithmancy textbook. Hermione has a copy (PA16).
It seems strange that the title of an Arithmancy book would include the word ‘Gramatica’.
However, that word can be used to indicate the basic elements and understandings of
any art or science, so in this case it suggests that the book covers the basic ‘grammar’,
or structure, of Arithmancy, as well as the theories of Numerology, which might be
the more esoteric philosophies of the subject.
Nurmengard
A prison built by Gellert Grindelwald, with his slogan – ‘For the Greater Good’ –
over the door. Though it was designed to hold his enemies, he ended up incarcerated
there himself after being defeated by Albus Dumbledore (DH18, 23).
The name of this prison comes from the Nuremberg Palace of Justice in the city of
Nuremberg, Germany, where the famous Nazi trials after World War II were held. A prison is part of the palace complex. Nuremberg had been the site of Nazi rallies
for many years before and during the war, which made the trials and prison a symbol
of the defeat of the Nazis and justice being served.
Nutcombe, Honoria
(1665 - 1743)
Founder of the Society for the Reformation of Hags (FW).
oak
A wand wood which Ollivander used to make Hagrid’s wand (PS5).
Ms. Rowling assigned an oak wand to Hagrid because the oak tree is considered ‘King
of the Forest’ and it symbolises strength (JKR).
Oakby, Idris
(1872-1985)
Founder of the S.S.S. – the Society for the Support of Squibs (JKR).
Oblansk, Mr
The Bulgarian Minister for Magic, who watched the Quidditch World Cup along with Cornelius
Fudge in the top box (GF8).
This is most likely not the Minister’s name. Fudge tried to introduce him to the Malfoys
but stumbled over the name (‘Mr Oblansk - Obalonsk - Mr - well, he’s the Bulgarian
Minister of Magic’). Fudge passed it off with an undiplomatic ‘he can’t understand
a word I’m saying anyway, so never mind’ (GF8). As it turned out, the Minister could
speak English just fine, but was leading Fudge along. One wonders what other blunders
Fudge made, assuming that his foolish words weren’t being understood.
Obliteration Charm
Spell which can wipe out footprints in the snow (OP20).
Obliviate
(oh-BLI-vee-ate)
‘Memory Charm’, ‘Memory Modifying Charm’
This charm modifies or erases portions of a person’s memory. The Ministry of Magic
has a team of Obliviators who erase the memories of Muggles who have seen evidence
of magic (PS14). Memory Charms can be reversed (DH6), though in some cases not without
permanent brain damage (GF33, CS16).
According to Ms. Rowling, there are two kinds of Memory Charms. One changes memories
while the other totally erases them (BLC). This explains why Hermione says she’s never
cast a Memory Charm before (DH9) when she’d modified the memories of her parents just
a few weeks before. She was saying that she’d never cast the kind of charm that erases
memories completely.
‘oblivisci’ = L. ‘forget’
Obliviator
Title given to Ministry employees who cast Memory Charms on Muggles, helping keep
the Statute of Secrecy intact (GF7). Their headquarters is on level three of the Ministry
of Magic (OP7).
Obscuro
(ob-SCOO-roh)
Hermione used this spell to place a blindfold on Phineas Nigellus Black. Since Phineas
Nigellus was a painting, the blindfold magically appeared, painted in place (DH15).
‘obscuro’ = L. ‘to cover, darken, obscure’
Occlumency
Occlumency is the art of magically defending the mind against attempts to read or
influence it, the defensive counter to Legilimency. A practitioner of Occlumency is referred to
as an Occlumens. Elementary Occlumency involves clearing the mind of thought and emotion,
so that the Legilimens can find no emotional ties to memories that the target wishes
to conceal. In its more advanced form, Occlumency allows the user to suppress only
feelings and memories that contradict what the user wishes a Legilimens to believe,
thus allowing the Occlumens to lie without self-betrayal (OP24).
‘occulto’ = L. ‘to hide, conceal, cover’ + ‘mens’ = L. ‘mind’
Oddpick, Winkus
Wrote an editorial for the Daily Prophet titled ‘Why can't goblins be more like elves?’ after the Chipping Clodbury riot (DP3).
‘oddsbodikins’
One of Sir Cadogan’s strange passwords to get into Gryffindor Tower (PA12).
‘oddsbodikins’ = an archaic interjection, from ‘Gadsbodikins’ = ‘God’s body’, a mild
oath.
‘Odo the Hero’
A Wizarding drinking song (DH8).
Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective
Objects
A Ministry office created in the wake of Voldemort’s return, and headed by Arthur
Weasley (HBP5).
The Ministry meets the threat of Voldemort’s return by, what else, creating new bureaucracy.
Official Gobstones Club
This club has an office on level seven of the Ministry of Magic (OP7).
O'Flaherty
The name Professor Binns uses to refer to Seamus Finnigan; he doesn’t seem to know
his students particularly well (CS9).
Ogden, Bob
(c. 1920s)
Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in the 1920s. Ogden was a short,
pudgy man who wore thick glasses (HBP10).
Ogden, Tiberius
Wizengamot elder who resigned in protest when Fudge appointed Dolores Umbridge as
the first Hogwarts High Inquisitor (OP15); friend of Professor Tofty of the Wizarding
Examinations Authority (OP31).
Ogden's Old Firewhisky
See FIREWHISKY.
Ogg
Gamekeeper at Hogwarts during Molly Weasley's era, probably the man who held the job
before Hagrid. Molly seemed to be rather fond of him (GF31).
Oglethorpe, Dunbar
(b. 1968 )
Head of Q.U.A.B.B.L.E., the Quidditch Union for the Administration and Betterment
of the British League and its Endeavors (FW).
ogre
A monstrous magical creature, but one which can be around witches and wizards relatively
safely, since Ron and Hermione thought they saw an ogre at the Three Broomsticks (PA8).
Ogres in folklore are horrible, grotesque, man-eating creatures, which doesn’t seem
to describe the creature Ron and Hermione saw. No ogre of the folklore variety would
be found hanging about a pub. Considering the context, it’s certainly possible that
Ron and Hermione didn’t see an ogre at all. The word ogre has the same roots as the
word ‘orc’, which was used by Tolkien for the grotesque creatures who were servants
of the Dark Lord.
Olde and Forgotten Bewitchments and Charmes
A spellbook that Harry, Ron, and Hermione examined while preparing Harry for the Second
Task of the Triwizard Tournament (GF26).
Oldridge, Chauncey
(1342 - 1379)
The first known victim of Dragon Pox (FW).
However, Gunhilda Kneen suffered a bout of Dragon Pox 250 years before that, according
to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Perhaps Oldridge is the first to actually die from the disease.
Oliphant, Gondoline
(1720 - 1799)
A famous Troll expert; for more information, see the Famous Wizard cards (FW).
Ollerton, Gifford
(1390-1441)
Famous giant slayer; killed the famous giant Hengist of Upper Barnton (FW).
Ollivander, Mr
An old wandmaker who owns a shop in Diagon Alley (PS5, HBP6). Ollivander has eerie,
moon-like eyes and makes Harry a bit uncomfortable, as he seems just as fascinated
by the power of wands used for evil as those used for good. Ollivander remembers every
wand he has ever sold, and greets people by rattling off the specifications of their
wands (PS5, DH24). (See also HBP6, DH5, DH23).
Ollivander's
(‘Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC’)
A narrow little shop in Diagon Alley where everyone goes to buy wands (PS5). (See also HBP6, DH5).
Omnioculars
Magical devices which look like a pair of brass binoculars, except that they are covered
with knobs and dials (GF7).
‘omni’ = L. ‘all’ + ‘-oculars’ from ‘binoculars’, which is from ‘oculus’ = L. ‘eye’,
One Minute Feasts - It's Magic!
Wizarding cookery book. The Weasleys keep a copy of this book in their kitchen (CS3).
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
A textbook required by Snape for Potions classes at all levels (PS5, HBP25).
opal necklace
A Dark Item with a heavy curse (CS4) and a 1500 Galleon price tag, on sale at Borgin
and Burkes (See also HBP6, 12, 27).
‘open’ or ‘open up’
This password is all it takes to open the Chamber of Secrets, spoken to one particular copper tap in
Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Of course, you must say the words in Parseltongue ... (CS16,
DH31).
Oppugno
(oh-PUG-noh)
A spell which causes something to attack (HBP14).
‘oppugno’ = L. ‘to attack, assault’
Orchideous
(or-KID-ee-us)
Spell which makes a bouquet of flowers come out of the wand’s end (GF18).
‘Orchideae’ = L. ‘name for the orchid plant family’
Order of Merlin
An award given to witches and wizards who have done great deeds (PS4, CS6, CS13, PA10,
PA21, OP6, OP19, HBP7, DH10, FW).
Although we now think of the Order of Merlin as an award, the text of the Famous Wizard
card for Merlin suggests that it was originally conceived by Merlin himself as an
organisation which made rules against using magic on Muggles. With the exception of
Tilly Toke, the recipients of the Order of Merlin we know about from the books don’t
seem to have done things which specifically protect Muggles.
Order of the Phoenix
A resistance organisation originally formed by Dumbledore in the 1970s to fight Voldemort.
It had limited success during the First War when a large number of its members were
killed (OP9). The Order was revived in 1995 (OP5). Its members communicated using
the Patronus Charm (DH9).
Ordinary Wizarding Levels (O.W.L.s)
Tests given to Hogwarts students at the end of their fifth year for each of the classes
he or she has taken. These are standardised tests administered by the Wizarding Examinations
Authority, and scores can affect both the classes students may take in the future
(HBP5) and their potential career choices (DP2). Each O.W.L. has a theory portion;
for applicable classes a separate practical portion is given, so that many O.W.L.s
are in two parts (OP31).
See GRADES ON EXAMS
Ornithomancy
A branch of Divination (OP25).
Ornithomancy, practiced by the ancient Greeks and Romans, is the foretelling of the
future by watching the behaviour of birds.
‘ornis’ = Gr. ‘bird’+ ‘mancy’ = ‘divination by means of’ from ‘manteia’ = Gr. ‘oracle, divination’
orphanage
A London orphanage was where Tom Marvolo Riddle spent the first eleven years of his
life. The orphanage was run by a Mrs Cole who kept the place clean and seemed to do
her best with the children in her care (HBP13, DH15).
Ottery St. Catchpole
A small Muggle town along the River Otter in Devon, Ottery St Catchpole is nevertheless
home to a number of wizarding families (DH16). Included among these families are the
Lovegoods, the Fawcetts, the Diggorys, and the Weasleys, who live in the Burrow on
the outskirts of town (GF6).
Ottery St. Catchpole borrows its name from the town of Ottery St. Mary in Devon, near
Exeter where Ms. Rowling went to university. She borrowed a few other names from that
area as well, in each case changing the name somewhat (e.g. Budleigh Salterton, a
town along the coast near Exeter, became Budleigh Babberton in book six). Of course,
just because she borrowed the name of a town doesn’t mean that the fictional town
has to be in the same place, but in the case of Ottery St. Catchpole, it almost certainly
is. The first part of the name, Ottery, refers to the fact that the town is on the
River Otter. Since there are no other rivers with that name in Britain, it’s safe
to assume that Ottery St. Catchpole is somewhere along that river.
Ouagadougou
A small city in Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou is mentioned by Gilderoy Lockhart as the
site of one of his fictitious exploits (CS9).
owl
A magical bird (JKR), very capable and intelligent. Owls understand instructions in
English and are able to read names written on messages (OP14). They know who their
deliveries are for and where the recipient will be (GF18). Owls’ emotions can seem
very human at times (e.g. PA1, OP2, PS8, CS7, GF18).
The folklore about owls spans the globe, since these birds are found on every continent
except Antarctica. Although some cultures saw the owl as a symbol of wisdom, many
considered it to be a symbol of evil or of sorcery; the hoot of an owl was often considered
to be a death omen. The ancient Romans considered it to be bad luck to see an owl
in the daytime. Of course, seeing all the owls flying about after the first fall of
Voldemort was actually very good luck, although the Muggles couldn’t have known that.
In some cultures, different species of owl have different connotations. A white owl
is considered to be a friend and companion in India, for example, while at the same
time, the Hindi word for owl, ‘ulloo’, is used as a slang term for a stupid person.
owl nuts
Treats that Harry and Ron keep on hand for their owls. Owl nuts are sold at Eeylops
Owl Emporium (HBP6).
These can’t be actual nuts, despite the name. Owls, after all, are carnivores.
owl post
The system whereby wizards send messages and parcels to one another tied to the legs
of owls (GF3), or occasionally other large birds (PA1). The owls use magic to find
their recipients (e.g. PA2, PA22, OP17).
Owlery, the
The large chamber where Hogwarts school owls and owls belonging to students live, located on the top of West Tower. It is a circular stone room with open archways
rather than windows, and perches holding hundreds of owls (GF15).
O.W.L.s
See ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVELS.
‘pack!’
A spell that causes items to collect themselves into a trunk (OP3).
This isn’t the actual spell word or name of the spell. Tonks just happens to wave
her wand at the moment she says the word ‘pack’ in her sentence.
Paddington Station
One of the main railway stations in London, serving the western part of Britain. On
Harry's eleventh birthday, after touring Diagon Alley for the first time, Hagrid took
Harry here so he could catch a train back to the Dursleys. Before Harry's train departed,
the two ate at a hamburger restaurant in the station (PS5).
Trains from Paddington don’t run to Surrey, which makes it a bit odd that Hagrid would
have taken Harry there for a trip to Little Whinging.
Padfoot
Nickname the Marauders gave Sirius Black, due to his Animagus form of a large dog
(PA18).
Painswick
A small town in Gloucestershire, in the Cotswolds. A crowd of three hundred gathered
there in 1836 to watch Xavier Rastrick tap-dance, a performance made famous when he
vanished in the middle of it and was never seen or heard from again (FW).
Paisley
A good-sized Scottish town which was famous for textiles in the 1800s, lending its
name to a very distinctive cloth design. A witch in Paisley wrote to Harry shortly
after his interview with The Quibbler (OP26).
palmistry
A method of Divination taught to third-years where the lines on a person’s hand are
analysed for information about that person’s life (PA12).
Palmistry, also called ‘chiromancy’, is an ages-old method of fortune-telling. It
was practiced by ancient people in India, China, and Egypt, and it is still practiced
today. Clues about the life and experiences of the person are thought to be ‘written’
in the lines on the palm of a person’s hand. These lines are given names which correspond
to area of the subject’s life. Trelawney seems to be implying from her statement that
Harry’s short life line indicates that he won’t live very long. However, the length
of the life line – the curved line which encircles the base of the thumb – is not
believed by practitioners of the art to indicate how long a person will live. Either
Trelawney isn’t the expert on palmistry that she thinks she is, or more likely, she’s
just trying to scare Harry with a bit of her usual mumbo-jumbo.
paper aeroplanes
Pale violet paper aeroplanes, used for interdepartmental memos in the Ministry of
Magic, flying around the building by themselves. The Ministry switched to these from
owls because of the mess the birds made while flying to and fro indoors (OP7).
paper shop
A Muggle shop in Ottery St Catchpole that Fred and George enjoy visiting because there's
a pretty Muggle girl who works there who enjoys Fred's card tricks (HBP16).
Paracelsus
(par-a-SELL-sus)
A ‘secretive wizard’ about whom little is known (FW). There is a bust of him in a
Hogwarts corridor that Peeves has been known to drop on people’s heads (OP14).
Paracelsus was born Phillip von Hohenheim in Austria in 1493. He was a physician and
a astrologer who made important contributions to medicine. Unlike most scholars at
that time, he didn’t consider himself to be a magician at all. He was disdainful of
many of his contemporaries – including Nicolas Flamel and Cornelius Agrippa – and
rejected their teachings. He was rather arrogant and self-aggrandizing. He gave himself
the title Paracelsus, meaning ‘greater than Celsus’ (Celsus being a famous Roman scholar).
parchment
Wizards write on scrolls of parchment, rather than on Muggle paper (OP3).
Actual parchment is very thick and heavy, made from the skin of sheep or goats. With
the rate they go through parchment in the wizarding world, someone must be raising
and skinning a lot of sheep.
Paris
The capital and largest city of France, and one of the world’s great cities. Gladrags
Wizardwear has a location in Paris (along with London and Hogsmeade) (GF8).
Also, in an early, handwritten version of book one, Ms. Rowling mentioned that Flamel
was spotted at the opera in Paris in 1762 – though this line never made it into the
final book (JKR).
Parkinson, Pansy
(Slytherin, 1991; Prefect, 1995; Inquisitorial Squad)
An unpleasant Slytherin girl in Harry’s year (PS8) who has been described as having
a ‘face like a pug’ (PA6, GF27). She is the ringleader of a ‘gang of Slytherin girls’
who take pleasure in mocking other students, especially Hermione (OP25).
Pansy is one character Ms. Rowling really doesn’t like. She said:
‘I loathe Pansy Parkinson… She's every girl who ever teased me at school. She's the
Anti-Hermione’ (PC-JKR2).
She said elsewhere (RAH) that, judging by the letters she’s received, most girls know
someone like Pansy.
Parselmouth
A wizard who can speak the language of snakes (CS11, HBP13).
According to Ms. Rowling, the term ‘parselmouth’ is an old word used for someone with
deformed mouth, such as with a cleft palate (RAH).
Parseltongue
The language of snakes; to a human who cannot speak it, it sounds like hissing without
taking a breath (GF1). There are only a few wizards who can speak Parseltongue, and
it is something for which Salazar Slytherin was famous (CS11). (See also BLC).
Patented Daydream Charms
Sold at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, and according to Hermione, ‘really extraordinary
magic.’ They give a realistic, undetectable, thirty-minute daydream (HBP6).
Patil, Padma
(Ravenclaw, 1991; Prefect, 1995; Dumbledore’s Army)
Identical twin sister of Parvati, though they are in different houses (GF12, see also GF24, OP16, DH29).
Patil, Parvati
(Gryffindor, 1991; Dumbledore’s Army)
Identical twin sister of Padma (GF22) and best friends with Lavender Brown (PS10),
who shares her fondness for Divination (PA6). Their favourite pastime is giggling,
with a bit of gossiping thrown in for good measure (GF22, OP13, HBP13). Parvati was
one of the first students to join Dumbledore’s Army (OP16), and was able to produce
quite a good Reductor Curse (OP19). She has long dark hair which she wears in a plait
(GF15).
Patronus
The corporeal form created by a Patronus Charm, which takes an animal shape unique
to each witch or wizard (DH28). The Patronus Charm was adapted by Dumbledore for the
Order of the Phoenix to use as a messenger (JKR). When cast correctly, it appears
talking with the voice of the wizard who cast the spell (DH7).
Known Patronuses:
Harry – stag
Hermione – otter
Ron – terrier
Aberforth – goat
Snape – doe
McGonagall – cat
Umbridge – kitten
Luna – hare
Ernie MacMillan – boar
Seamus – fox
Cho – swan
Tonks – wolf
Kingsley – lynx
Dumbledore - phoenix
Patronus Charm
See EXPECTO PATRONUM.
Pauncefoot, Randolph
Fan of the Magpies who didn’t care so much if their Chaser wanted to give Muggle sport
a try, although he pointed out that you have to be a bit crazy to play golf (DP3).
Paws, Mr
One of the pet cats, or perhaps Kneazles, of Mrs Figg (PS2).
Payne, Mr
A campground manager at the site where the 1994 Quidditch World Cup was held; the
Diggorys stayed in his campground (GF7).
Peakes, Glanmore
(1677 - 1761)
Famous slayer of the Sea Serpent of Cromer (FW).
Peakes, Jimmy
(Gryffindor, 1994; Quidditch Beater 1996-?)
A short, solidly-built boy two years younger than Harry. He plays Quidditch ‘ferociously’
(HBP11).
Peasegood, Arnold
Obliviator for the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad (GF7) and trained Hit-Wizard (DP3).
Peeves
A poltergeist, not a ghost, but an ‘indestructible spirit of chaos,’ that haunts the
halls of Hogwarts (JKR). He is a little man dressed in loud, outlandish clothes, and
is completely solid-looking, in contrast to the transparent ghosts (CS8, GF12). He
swoops around the corridors and in the classrooms of the castle causing mischief and
trouble wherever he can. He answers to no one (except maybe the Bloody Baron) and
particularly enjoys pestering Filch (PS7, PS9). His jokes, which usually involve dropping
things on people and rude words, are fairly predictable; as Nearly Headless Nick says,
‘Subtlety has never been Peeves’s strong point’ (OP14).
‘peevish’ = Eng. ‘perverse, capricious, silly’
penfriend
A young wizard in Brazil who wrote back and forth with Bill Weasley years ago (GF7).
penknife, magical
A present given to Harry by Sirius for Christmas in 1994. This handy penknife had
attachments to ‘unlock any lock and undo any knot’ (GF23, OP29, OP32, OP34).
Pennyfeather, Miss
Binns called Parvati Patil this when he couldn’t remember her name (CS9).
Penrose, Professor Phoebus
Professor Penrose headed a committee that produced a report entitled ‘A Study into
Muggle Suspicions About Magic.’ The report discusses crop circles (actually ‘Contorting
Cereals’), escaped Quaffles that Muggles have labeled UFOs, and the ongoing problem
of hiding the kelpie in Loch Ness (DP1).
Pensieve
A shallow stone basin with odd runes and symbols carved around the edge which can
be used to store thoughts and allow others to view them. When in use, a silvery light
shines from the memories within. The Pensieve can be a useful tool to explore events of the past (GF30, OP24, OP28,
OP37, HBP10, HBP13, HBP17, HBP20, HBP23, DH33).
‘pensive’ = Eng. ‘pondering’ from ‘penser’ = L. ‘to think’, combined with a double
meaning of the word ‘sieve’, which is a gadget with a screen which is used in cooking
to separate and ‘un-clump’ powdered ingredients, such as flour. In this case it conveys
the idea of sifting through a number of options or thoughts.
pepper breath
Harry came across this charm while searching for a weapon against the dragon in the
First Task of the Triwizard Tournament; he decided it would only increase the creature’s
firepower (GF20).
Pepper Imps
Small black candy that makes you ‘[b]reathe fire for your friends!’ (PA5, PA10).
Peppermint Toads
Peppermint creams shaped like toads (PA10).
Pepper, Octavius
Wizard who disappeared in the early spring of 1997, as reported by the Daily Prophet. It was implied that the disappearance was connected to an attack by Death Eaters
(HBP21).
Pepperup Potion
A potion invented by Grover Hipworth that cures the common cold (FW). It leaves steam
coming out of the drinker’s ears (CS8).
Perkins
An elderly wizard who works with Arthur Weasley at the Ministry (OP7, GF7, DH14).
Perkins
The name by which Professor Binns mistakenly refers to Harry (OP17).
How out of touch must a professor be not to know Harry Potter’s name?
Perks, Sally-Anne
(Hogwarts 1991)
A student in Harry’s year (PS7).
Sally-Anne seems to have disappeared between Harry's first and fifth years. Although
she was sorted just before him (PS7), when the alphabetical list of names was read
off for O.W.L.s, the name ‘Perks’ was not called (OP31). It would seem that she left
Hogwarts before fifth year.
Permanent Sticking Charm
A rather annoying charm, really, that sticks things to walls so they cannot be removed
(OP6, DH10).
Peru
The most Quidditch-crazed country in South America. Peru’s national team was flattened
by that of Ireland in the World Cup semi-finals in 1994 (GF5). Instant Darkness Powder
is imported from Peru (HBP6).
Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder
A powder imported by Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes for defensive use (HBP6); when thrown,
it casts the surrounding area into a blackness that even wand light cannot penetrate
(HBP29).
Peskipiksi Pesternomi
(pes-kee PIK-see pes-ter-NO-mee)
Lockhart's version of a Freezing Charm (CS6).
These so-called spell words actually are a simplistic English phrase: ‘pesky pixie
pester no me’. Nice try, Gilderoy. It’s kind of like someone pretending to speak a
different language by affecting an exaggerated accent.
Pest Advisory Board
A Ministry office that keeps a list of known pests and suggests ways to get rid of
them (JKR).
Petrification
Not a spell so much as a magical effect, caused by seeing the reflected eyes of a
basilisk (looking at the eyes directly is deadly). It essentially turns a person into
a statue until he or she is revived with a Mandrake Restorative Draught (CS9).
‘petrificare’ = L. ‘to make into stone’, from ‘petra’ = L. ‘rock’
Petrificus Totalus
(pe-TRI-fi-cus to-TAH-lus)
‘Full Body Bind’, ‘Body-Bind Curse’
A spell that turns the victim’s entire body rigid which Hermione reluctantly cast
on Neville when he tried to stop them going after the Philosopher’s Stone (PS16).
It’s also a favourite spell used by members of the D.A., though it’s easily released
by another witch or wizard (OP35).
‘petrificare’ = L. ‘to make into stone’ + ‘totalis’ = L. ‘entire’
Pettigrew, Peter ‘Wormtail’
(1960 – 1998; Gryffindor, 1971; Order of the Phoenix; Death Eater)
One of the Marauders, a Gryffindor student who idolised his schoolmates James, Sirius,
and Lupin (PA10). Pettigrew was weak-willed, following whomever had the most power
(e.p PA19). Peter’s life was one of tragedy, betrayal, and deceit. (See also GF33, HBP2, DH1, esp. DH23).
Peverell brothers: Antioch, Cadmus, and Ignotus
These are the three brothers in the wizarding fairly tale, ‘The Tale of Three Brothers.’
Though the extent to which the story is factually accurate is unknown, legend holds
that they were the original owners of the Deathly Hallows. Their story is not widely
known among wizards, but to Hallows seekers, they are revered (DH21).
Philosopher's Stone
(U.S.: Sorcerer's Stone)
A fabulous magical item, the goal of alchemists for centuries. It transforms metal
into gold, and can be used to create the Elixir of Life, thus, giving unlimited riches
and immortality. Only one such stone was known to be in existence, created by Nicolas
Flamel in the 1300s (PS14, 17).
The name of the stone was changed to ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’ by the book’s American publishers
and Ms. Rowling, as this was thought to better appeal to a wide audience. Some of
the richness of Ms. Rowling’s created world is lost, however. The Philosopher’s Stone
was really a part of alchemical teaching and practice for centuries, symbolising purification
and transformation of the soul. The Sorcerer’s Stone, on the other hand, is purely
an invented name, having no connection to legend or folklore whatsoever.
Philpott, Arkie
Wizard who ran afoul of a Probity Probe at after the goblins tightened security at
Gringotts (HBP6).
Phoenix
A magical bird the size of a swan, with crimson and gold plumage (CS17). Phoenixes
can carry great weight (CS17) and have the ability to vanish and reappear in another
place, in a burst of flame (OP22). Phoenixes regenerate after they die; they are reborn
from their own ashes following each death (CS12). Phoenix tail-feathers are used as
wand cores (PS5, GF36). Phoenix tears are an immensely powerful healing solution,
serving as an antidote even to basilisk venom (DH6).
The phoenix exists in the mythology and folklore from a number of cultures. Generally
speaking, it was a large bird which, when it died, would transform – typically by
fire – into a hatchling and begin its life over again. In the Classical tradition,
the phoenix represented Christ, particularly his death and resurrection.
photograph potions
If photographs are developed in certain potions, the resulting images will move (CS6).
Piertotum Locomotor
(pee-air-TOE-tum lo-co-MOE-tor)
A variation on the Locomotor spell, used to animate armour and statues (DH30).
‘pier’ = ? + ‘totum’ = L. ‘total, all’ + ‘loco’ = L. ‘from a place’ + ‘motionem’ = L. ‘motion’
What does ‘pier’ mean? Well, here’s the best I can come up with:
‘pier’ = Eng. ‘support of a span of a bridge,’ which according to etymological dictionaries
is derived through Fr. from ‘petra’ = L. ‘rock’, and since this spell animates all
the stone statues, it does make sense.
‘pig snout’
Password to get into Gryffindor Tower (PS9).
Pigwidgeon
Ron's owl (PA22), a tiny bird, possibly a Scops owl. ‘Pig,’ as he is called, is very
excitable. He annoys Ron (GF5) and irritates Hedwig, who apparently doesn't think
Pig has the proper bearing and manners for a post owl (GF3).
Pilliwickle, Justus
(1862 - 1953)
Once the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement (FW).
The name ‘Justus’ is a homonym for ‘justice’, which is fitting for someone who heads
the main law enforcement entity of the government.
Pillsworth, Bernie
A senior member of Magical Maintenance, at the Ministry of Magic (DH13).
Pimple Vanisher
A WonderWitch product sold at Weasleys’ Wizarding Wheezes, guaranteed to work in ten
seconds (HBP6). Apparently Marietta Edgecombe has yet to discover it (HBP7).
Pince, Irma
Librarian at Hogwarts, mean and nasty (CS10). She is highly suspicious of students,
placing spells on books to make sure they're returned on time (QA/i) and getting irate
when library rules are broken (OP29).
Ms. Rowling has apologised to librarians for writing Pince as stereotypically unhelpful,
saying that she had to do so because of all the times she needed the trio to be forced
to search for information. ‘If they’d had a pleasant, helpful librarian, half my plots
would be gone’ (HCG).
‘pincer’ = Fr. ‘pinch’; used in the term ‘pince-nez’ (literally ‘pinch-nose’) which
are used for a pair of glasses with no bows which just perch on the bridge of the
nose. Pince-nez are often used as reading glasses; they’re the type of glasses one
might imagine on a chain around the neck of someone like Madam Pince.
‘pine fresh’
Password to get into the Prefects’ Bathroom on the fifth floor of Hogwarts (GF23,
25).
Pinkstone, Carlotta
(b. 1922)
Famous for campaigning to lift the Statute of Secrecy; this has got her into trouble
with the Ministry on more than one occasion (JKR).
Pips, Dagbert
Proprietor of Pumpkins R Us, who complained to a Daily Prophet reporter that a restriction on Hallowe'en celebrations would ‘hit the pumpkin-growers
particularly hard’ (DP4).
Another word for a fruit seed is ‘pip’, so his is a fitting last name for someone
who runs a pumpkin shop.
Pixie
Native to Cornwall, these mischievous creatures are a bright blue in color (CS6).
In folklore, pixies, (or piksies, as they are also called), are typically found in
Devon and Cornwall. They appear in various forms and are described as fond of music
and dancing. Typically, they are helpful creatures who help with housework, and are
even sometimes credited with creating clotted cream on Dartmoor for deserving housewives.
On the other hand, pixies are just as likely to eat all the cream, since they’re mischievous
and fond of tricks. They will confuse travellers on the moors and have been accused
of stealing children. Pixies wear green clothing to better blend in with their surroundings.
They have slanted eyes and pointed ears, but they definitely aren’t blue-skinned.
They resemble wildly-dressed humans, not the electric blue imps seen in the Harry
Potter books or film.
Planet Room
Located in the Department of Mysteries, the dimly-lit Planet Room is described as
an ‘odd place’ even by Luna Lovegood (OP35).
Models of the solar system and even of the whole galaxy are popular with wizards because
these give the information needed for spell casting. From the fact that the solar
system is studied in such detail in the Department of Mysteries, we can assume that
the influence of the planets on magic is very great indeed—and not well understood.
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
A hidden platform in Kings Cross Station in London, and the home platform of the Hogwarts
Express. The platform is reached by running through the solid metal barrier between
platforms nine and ten, which transforms into a wrought iron archway. Through the
archway, the scene is like one from a hundred years ago: a beautiful scarlet steam
train sits waiting, with hundreds of families crowding the steam-filled platform,
loading trunks into the cars, and saying goodbye to their children for the start of
the school year (PS6, DH/e).
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters is filled with romantic imagery, and intentionally
so; Ms. Rowling’s parents met at King’s Cross Station, and it became part of her ‘childhood
folklore’ that she wanted to include in Harry’s life (HPM). This romanticism is reflected
in many scenes, such as when the train pulls out of the station for the first time
with Ginny Weasley running after it, waving (PS6), or when Harry sends his children
off to school, and he finds himself still waving as the train rounds the corner and
twists out of sight (DH/e).
Platt, Yardley
(1446 - 1557)
A famous serial goblin-killer (FW). Platt’s murder spree was one of the factors which
many believe led to the 1612 goblin rebellion (JKR).
PlayStation
Dudley owned a PlayStation, until he threw it out the window in a fit of rage. His
favourite game was Mega Mutilation Part Three (GF2).
Ms. Rowling wrote the fourth book in 1999, when the term PlayStation was often used
generically for ‘video game console’. Trouble is, the events of the fourth book take
place in 1994-1995, and the PlayStation wasn’t released in the UK at that point. But
no matter. It is doubtful that Ms. Rowling bothered to research the history of the
PlayStation while writing book four. Instead she just used the name of the game console
that was most popular at that time and didn’t realise that she’d made an error in
dates. Then again, who’s to say when things happened in Harry Potter’s universe? Perhaps
the PlayStation was released before 1994 in that reality.
Plimpy
A magical fish. The stream near Bottom Bridge, behind the Lovegoods’ house, contains
Freshwater Plimpies that Xenophilius uses to make soup (DH20). Luna carries a Gurdyroot
to ward off Gulping Plimpies (HBP20).
Plumpton, Roderick
(1889 – 1987)
Seeker for the England National Team and the Tutshill Tornados (FW).
Plunkett, Josiah
Quidditch referee for the match between the Pride of Portree and the Appleby Arrows
during which one Seeker transfigured the other’s head into a cabbage (DP3).
Plunkett, Mirabella
(b. 1839)
Famous for falling in love with a merman in Loch Lomond; for more information, see
the Famous Wizard cards (FW).
Pocket Sneakoscope
See SNEAKOSCOPE.
pocket watch
It is a Wizarding world tradition for parents to give their son a pocket watch on
his seventeenth birthday (DH7, see also DH/e).
Podmore, Sturgis
(Order of the Phoenix)
Square-jawed wizard with thick yellow-blonde hair. Member of the Order of the Phoenix
and part of the Advance Guard (OP3, 14).
‘Point Me’
‘Four-Point Spell’
A simple spell, performed with the wand laying flat on the open palm of the caster.
When the words are spoken, the wand rotates to point north (GF31).
Poke, Royden
One of the representatives of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical
Creatures at a meeting with the Brotherhood of Goblins in Chipping Clodbury (DP3).
Pokeby, Gulliver
(1750-1839)
Author of Why I Didn't Die When The Augurey Cried and an expert on magical birds (FW).
Poliakoff
Male student from Durmstrang who was treated with disdain by Karkaroff despite the
fact that he must have been a rather talented wizard to make the Durmstrang short
list for the Triwizard Tournament (GF16).
Polkiss, Piers
(b. 1980)
A Muggle boy and Dudley's best friend, described as ‘scrawny, with a face like a rat’
(PS2). Piers attends Smeltings with Dudley (PS3).
The similarities between Piers and Peter Pettigrew are striking. He’s a follower,
hanging around the powerful kids and participating in their bullying. His first and
last names start with P, just like Peter Pettigrew’s, and Piers is actually a form
of the name Peter. To top it all off, Ms. Rowling describes Piers as having ‘a face
like a rat’ (PS2).
Polyjuice Potion
A muddy brown potion (HBP9) described as ‘complicated’ (CS10), The potion transforms
the drinker to look exactly like someone else, requiring only that they have a bit
of that person to add to the potion, usually hair (CS12, HBP21, DH4, 26,). However,
the potion only lasts an hour each time it is drunk (GF35). For obvious reasons, Polyjuice
Potion can cause major security headaches (HBP3).
Polyjuice Potion, like the Time Turner, is a complicated plot device to include in
a story. Ms. Rowling included some limitations when she first introduced it in book
two: it took a month to brew, the ingredients were hard to come by, it only lasts
an hour, and so on. However, in book four, Ms. Rowling had Barty Crouch drinking a
swig of it every hour, all day and every day, for nine months, in order to maintain
his disguise as Mad-Eye Moody. No matter how you look at it, that’s a lot of potion.
How could his body stand up to that kind of abuse, and where would he have obtained
all the ingredients for gallons and gallons of the stuff? Was he brewing it in his
office? He would have to be making it constantly, since each batch takes a month.
By the time we get to book seven, Polyjuice Potion is flowing like water. The one-hour
time limit is all but ignored. Just consider the impact this kind of thing would have
on a society, particularly on security. With all that Polyjuice Potion around, how
could the Death Eaters have been fooled by Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they infiltrated
the Ministry and Gringotts just because they happened to look like someone else? They
would have been on the lookout for such things. On the plus side, Polyjuice Potion
has given us some delightful moments, such as Crabbe and Goyle as little girls or
Hermione trying to be as nasty as Bellatrix when she took that appearance.
‘poly’ = Gr. ‘many’ + ‘juice’
Pomfrey, Poppy
The Hogwarts school matron (U.S.: ‘nurse’), who is very adept with curing spells,
potions, herbs, and other remedies (PS17). Among other things we’ve seen her re-grow
bones (CS10), cure a poisonous dragon bite (PS14), fix Eloise Midgen’s nose after
she cursed it off (GF13), remove beards (GF16), and shrink overgrown teeth (GF23).
Madam Pomfrey works hard to protect her patients’ peace and quiet, not hesitating
even to throw out Dumbledore when necessary (PS17, PA21). She has been the matron
at Hogwarts for a long time, as she was there when the Marauders were in school (PA18).
‘poppy’ = flower from which a number of medicines are derived, including morphine
and codeine
‘pomfrey’ = may be a reference to ‘comfrey’, an herb used in medieval times as a remedy
for internal bleeding.
Pontner, Roddy
Wizard who bet on the World Cup with Ludo Bagman (GF7).
Porlock
A magical creature studied in Care of Magical Creatures (OP15, 20).
Porlock is a small coastal village in Somerset, near Exmoor.
Porskoff Ploy
Complicated Quidditch manoeuvre involving several Chasers (GF8).
Portable Swamp
Created magically by Fred and George in a corridor at Hogwarts, to annoy Umbridge
(OP29, OP30, OP38).
Portkey
An enchanted object, typically a piece of seemingly worthless junk, which when touched
will transport a person to a pre-programmed location (GF6). Any object can be transformed
into a Portkey by the Portus spell (OP36). The Portkey Office, part of the Department
of Magical Transportation at the Ministry of Magic, authorises the creation of Portkeys
(OP7).
portraits
Painting of a person’s face. Wizarding portraits are very life-like, as the wizards
depicted within them are able to talk and hold conversations. However, the wizards
are not as fully realised as ghosts are, only able to ‘repeat catchphrases’ from the
wizard’s life. The most life-like portraits exist in the head’s office at Hogwarts,
as the previous heads of the school leave their ‘aura’ in that room (EBF). We see
evidence of this in the portraits of Phineas Nigellus (DH15) and Dumbledore (DH33),
which seem to repeat much more than the usual catchphrases so evident in the portrait
of, say, Walburga Black (OP6).
Portree
See PRIDE OF PORTREE.
Portuguese Long Snout Dragon
A breed of dragon not listed in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them which appears in Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit. The Long Snout has scales of light green and black eyes, and is found in the north of Portugal, around
Geres, an area of rocky summits and valleys (JKR).
Portus
(POR-tus)
A spell that turns an object into a Portkey (OP22).
‘portus’ = L. ‘door’
possession
A very powerful and mysterious magical ability. A soul or soul fragment that has no
body can possess other living things (PS17, OP36). Horcruxes can also possess people
if they get too emotionally close to one (CS17, DH7).
post office (Muggle)
The Weaselys have used the Muggle post office in Ottery St Catchpole on occasion, , but Molly notes that the postman probably doesn’t know where the Burrow is located
(GF3, 11).
Very likely a Wizarding house like the Burrow has Muggle-Repelling enchantments on
it to gently divert Muggle attention away. In this case, we might guess that the Muggle
postman just conveniently doesn’t notice that there’s a house down that particular
lane.
post office (Wizarding)
Located in Hogsmeade, an office filled with owls waiting to take messages (PA8). It
is also referred to as an ‘Owl Office’ (PA22).
potion-making kit
Hogwarts students use these (GF10), although curiously they aren’t listed on the supply
list sent to first-years (PS5).
potions
Magical liquids created by mixing various ingredients in a cauldron according to very
specific rules; they can only be brewed by someone of magical ability (HCG). These
mixtures must usually be drunk to give their magical effect. The ingredients in potions
range from the mundane (caterpillars, pomegranate juice) to the bizarre and fantastic
(Ashwinder eggs, unicorn horns) (PA7, OP17, FB, PS15), and the procedures for creating
some potions can be complicated and time-consuming; Felix Felicis, for example, has
to brew for six months (HBP24).
Potions class
Potions is one of the seven fundamental classes at Hogwarts, taught starting first
year (PS8).
Severus Snape was the Potions Master at Hogwarts from c. 1980 to the fall of 1996.
Horace Slughorn, an earlier Potions Master, came out of retirement for the following
two school years (OP15, HBP4, HBP8, DH30).
Potions class is a good example of how the various fields of study at Hogwarts fit
together. In order to obtain the necessary ingredients for a potion, a wizard needs
to have quite a wide understanding of the magical world. Herbology, for example, gives
wizards the knowledge of plants such as Mandrakes, which are grown for the purpose
of creating certain potions. Other ingredients come from magical creatures, which
are studied in Care of Magical Creatures. The power of some ingredients comes from
when they’re picked, such as when the moon is full, and other potions obtain full
strength if brewed under specific astronomical conditions; this is why students study
Astronomy at Hogwarts. The world of Harry Potter was very carefully created by Ms.
Rowling to be believable and consistent, and this is particularly clear in the way
magical training is portrayed.
Potions classroom
A ‘creepy’ room in the Hogwarts dungeons where Potions classes are held (PS8). In
the corner stands a gargoyle with water pouring from its mouth into a basin, for washing
hands (PA7). The walls hold a variety of dead animals in jars, probably to be used
in potions making. The room can get cold enough in the winter to that students can
see their breath (PS12).
Potter, Albus Severus
(b. 2006; Hogwarts, 2017)
Middle child of Harry and Ginny Potter, named for Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape
(DH/e).
Potter, Charlus
(20th century)
Husband of Dorea (Black) Potter and father of one son (BFT).
Potter cottage
On the outskirts of Godric’s Hollow, the house where James and Lily Potter lived with
their son Harry, protected by a Fidelius Charm, when they were attacked by Voldemort
(DH16, DH17, c.f. PA19).
Potter, Dorea (Black)
(1920-1977)
Daughter of Cygnus and Violetta (Bulstrode) Black, sister to Cassiopeia, and wife
of Charlus Potter; they had one son (BFT).
It is doubtful that Dorea is Harry's grandmother because Ms. Rowling has stated that
James's parents ‘were old in wizarding terms’ when they died, (TLC), but Dorea died
at age 57 (BFT).
Potter, Harry James
(b. 1980; Gryffindor, 1991; Quidditch Seeker, 1991-1997, Captain, 1996-1997; Dumbledore’s
Army; Slug Club)
Born under a prophecy (OP37) to parents who were desperately fighting Voldemort and
the Death Eaters, Harry Potter was destined to become a hero. After the strange events
in Godric’s Hollow which resulted in the deaths of Harry’s parents and a lightning-shaped
scar on his forehead, not to mention the complete disappearance of Voldemort (DH17),
he was sent off at age one to live with his Muggle relatives, the Dursleys (PS1),
where he stayed, downtrodden and abused, for ten years. At age eleven, his true heritage
was revealed to him (PS4) and he travelled for the first time to Hogwarts. He was
sorted into Gryffindor (PS7) and became the Seeker for the house Quidditch team. He
made excellent friends in Hermione Granger (PS10) and Ron Weasley (PS6), and with
their support over the years, Harry faced a reborn Voldemort and his Death Eaters
on several occasions as the Dark Lord gained power (esp. CS17, GF32, OP37). During
those years, the strange connection between Harry and Voldemort became more and more
obvious, leading Harry, with Dumbledore’s guidance, to discover secrets behind the
existence of the Dark Lord, secrets which allowed Harry to weaken his enemy, bit by
bit. Eventually, Harry faced Voldemort one final time, and the prophecy was fulfilled
(DH35).
Potter, James
(b. circa 2005; Gryffindor, 2016?)
The oldest son of Harry and Ginny Potter, named for Harry’s father. He seems to have
inherited a bit of Weasley – interrupting his cousins while snogging (DH/e) – as well
as a bit of his namesake, stealing the Marauder’s Map from his father’s desk (BLC).
Potter, James ‘Prongs’
(27 March, 1960 – 31 October, 1981; Gryffindor, 1971; Quidditch Chaser; Head Boy 1997;
Order of the Phoenix)
Father of Harry Potter. At Hogwarts, James was very popular; he was a Quidditch Chaser
(Sch2) and liked to show off (OP28). He was one of the Marauders who became Animagi
and created the Marauder’s Map (PA22). James had a particular disdain for Snape(PA19).
He ‘deflated his head a bit’ his seventh year, was named Head Boy, and started dating
Lily Evans, whom he later married (PS4, OP9, OP30). James joined the Order of the
Phoenix (OP9, OP30), but was betrayed and killed along with Lily on October 31, 1981,
in their cottage at Godric’s Hollow (DH17).
Potter, Lily
(b. 2008; Hogwarts, 2019)
Youngest child and only daughter of Harry and Ginny Potter, named for Harry’s mother,
Lily. Like her mother twenty-eight years earlier, Lily was jealous as she stood on
Platform 9 ¾, watching her older brothers go off to Hogwarts (DH/e).
Potter, Lily Evans
(30 January, 1960 – 31 October, 1981; Gryffindor 1971; Head Girl 1997; Slug Club;
Order of the Phoenix)
Mother of Harry Potter, from whom he inherited his green eyes (OP28). Lily was a gifted
witch (HBP4) born to a Muggle family, and had a sister named Petunia. Lily discovered
she was a witch when she befriended a young wizard at the playground (DH33). After
Hogwarts, Lily joined the Order of the Phoenix to fight Voldemort (OP9, OP30) and
married James Potter (OP30); their only child, Harry, was born on July 31, 1980. (See also OP37, DH33, DH36).
Potter, Mr and Mrs
James’s parents, a wealthy and elderly couple when he, their only son, was born; they
considered him a ‘gift’ and pampered him throughout his childhood (TLC, AOL). They
were kind enough to let James’s best friend Sirius Black come live with the family
after he ran away from home (OP6).
Potterwatch
A radio show hosted by Lee Jordan (code name: ‘River’) during the second war against
Voldemort. Hidden behind a different password each week on the Wizard Wireless, the
show discussed news that was being ignored by the Daily Prophet and other mainstream media. They also reported on the resistance being put up by
the Order of the Phoenix (DH22).
Powers You Never Knew You Had and What To Do With Them Now You've Wised Up
One of the books that Harry, Ron, and Hermione examined while preparing for the Second
Task of the Triwizard Tournament (GF26).
Practical Defensive Magic and Its Use Against the Dark Arts
Harry's Christmas present from Sirius and Lupin in his fifth year (OP23).
Practical Household Magic
by Zamira Gulch
A book of solutions to everyday magical problems (DP3).
Practical Potioneer, The
One of the scholarly journals of the Wizarding world; Albus Dumbledore had at least
one paper published in it when he was still quite young (DH2).
Prang, Ernie
Elderly, bespectacled driver of the Knight Bus (PA3).
Ernie is named after Ms. Rowling’s grandfather. His last name, ‘prang’, is a British
slang term for an automobile accident, as in ‘I missed a turn and pranged the Rolls
Royce ...’.
Predicting the Unpredictable: Insulate Yourself Against Shocks
A book in the Divination section of Flourish and Blotts (PA4).
prefect
Starting fifth year, one boy and one girl in each Hogwarts house are named prefects,
giving them duties supervising younger children and assisting the teachers in maintaining
discipline (OP9, c.f. OP37).
prefects' bathroom
Located behind the ‘fourth door to the left of the statue of Boris the Bewildered
on the fifth floor’ (GF23). Inside there is an enormous white marble bathtub, the
size and depth of a swimming pool, with a diving board. The tub is also lined with
over a hundred taps, releasing various types of perfumed bubble bath (GF25).
Prefects Who Gained Power
A book that, not surprisingly, interested Percy (CS4).
Prentice, Mr
A Muggle neighbour of the Dursleys (OP2).
Prewett, Fabian and Gideon
Brothers of Molly Weasley (JKR, OP9). Among the ‘best witches and wizards of the age’
(PS4). When he turned seventeen, the Weasleys gave Harry the traditional gift, a watch.
The one they gave him had belonged to Fabian (DH7).
The Prewett family name is borrowed from one of Ms. Rowling’s best friends when she
lived in Portugal, Jill Prewett. The third book is dedicated to Jill, along with another
good friend, Aine Kiely.
Prewett, Ignatius
Husband of Lucretia Black and a paternal uncle of Sirius Black (BFT).
Ms. Rowling intentionally included familiar names on the Black Family Tree to show
the way the various pure-blood families were related. Prewett is Molly Weasley’s maiden
name, and Percy Weasley’s middle name is Ignatius, likely after this relative.
Pride of Portree
A Quidditch team in the British-Irish League (DP1-4).
Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is one of the only Muggles to whom wizards intentionally reveal
their existence. It is frustrating for him, particularly when events in the Wizarding
world negatively affect his constituency and he is powerless to do anything about
it. A small portrait hanging in the Prime Minister’s office serves to announce the
impending arrival of the Minister for Magic for meetings (HBP1).
Primpernelle, Madam
Witch who produces a line of Beautifying Potions in Diagon Alley (DP2).
‘primp’ = Eng. ‘to dress with care, to make oneself pretty’, blended with ‘pimpernel’,
a red-coloured flower commonly referred to as a ‘scarlet pimpernel’.
Prince, Eileen
Severus Snape's mother, a witch (HBP13). Described as skinny, sullen woman (HBP25).
Eileen was the captain of the Hogwarts Gobstones Team during her years there (HBP25).
Her husband was Tobias Snape, a Muggle who treated her badly (HBP30).
Pringle, Apollyon
Caretaker at Hogwarts when Arthur and Molly Weasley attended (1960s), preceding Argus
Filch (GF31).
‘Apollyon’ = Gr. ‘Destroyer’, a name used for one of the terrible Beasts in the book
of Revelation in the Bible.
printing press, magical
Xenophilius Lovegood runs a magical printing press in his home to churn out copies
of The Quibbler (DH20).
Priori Incantatem
(pry-OR-ee in-can-TAH-tem)
‘Reverse Spell Effect’
The strange magical effect which happens when two wands are forced to duel that have
core material from the same single creature. The effect is a ghostly display, in sequence,
of the last spells one of the wands cast (GF36). Which wand will show the spell effect
depends on the willpower of the two wizards involved (GF34, c.f. DH5).
‘prior’ = L. ‘former, earlier, preceding’ + ‘incantatare’ = L. ‘to bewitch or enchant’
Prior Incantato
(pry-OR in-can-TAH-toe)
A spell that, when cast on a wand, forces it to emit a ghost image of the last spell
it cast. The images can be dispelled using Deletrius (GF9).
Pritchard, Graham
(Slytherin, 1994)
A student sorted into Slytherin at the start of Harry’s fourth year (GF12).
private hospital
London hospital where the Dursleys took Dudley to have his tail removed (PS6).
Privet Drive
A street in Little Whinging, Surrey. Privet Drive is an ordinary Muggle street with
boring, boxy houses. It is also, at number four, home to the Dursley family (PS2).
Probity Probes
Magical security devices used to scan wizards for Dark items upon entering Gringotts
(HBP6, DH26).
‘probity’ = Eng. ‘honesty’
Prod, D. J.
Warlock living in Didsbury who was excited about the Kwikspell course and wrote a
glowing testimonial (CS8). Possibly the same person as the late Demetrius J. Prod.
Prod, Demetrius J.
Died, according to the Daily Prophet, ‘very noisily’ after an argument with his wife Elsie (DP2).
Prod, Elsie
Widow of Demetrius J. Prod, according to the Daily Prophet (DP2).
Prongs
James Potter’s nickname among his closest friends (PA18).
Prophecy
A prophecy is an uncommon magical effect where someone with the gift of Seeing gives
information about the future. The prophecy is often in a cryptic form which then itself
requires some interpretation. Prophecies are recorded and stored in glass spheres
in the Hall of Prophecies in the Department of Mysteries (OP34).
Ms. Rowling wrote about the nature of prophecy on her website. She said:
‘As for the prophecy itself, it remains ambiguous, not only to readers, but to my
characters. Prophecies (think of Nostradamus!) are usually open to many different
interpretations. That is both their strength and their weakness’ (JKR).
Much of the plot of the books revolves around the prophecy made about Voldemort and
Harry. Specifically, it is Voldemort’s lack of appreciation for the ambiguity of prophecy
– his own hubris in thinking that he understood what it meant – that drove him to
set events in motion which caused in the very result he was trying to avoid.
Protean Charm
(PRO-tee-an)
A complex charm that Hermione cast on fake Galleons which were used by the D.A. to
communicate meeting times. When Harry changed the numbers on his coin, they automatically
changed on the others. It is a very advanced N.E.W.T.-level spell (OP19).
‘protean’ = Eng. ‘able to readily assume a different form’, from Proteus, a sea god
from Greek mythology who could change his shape rapidly
Protego
(pro-TAY-go)
‘Shield Charm’
Spell that creates an invisible magical barrier to deflect spells (GF31, OP25, OP26,
OP35, OP36, HBP6, HBP9, DH9, DH5, DH19, DH26, DH36).
‘protego’= L. ‘to defend’
Protego Horribilis
(pro-TAY-go ho-RIB-i-lis)
An advanced Shield Charm, cast by Flitwick to help defend Hogwarts from oncoming Death
Eaters (DH30).
‘protego’= L. ‘to defend’ + ‘horribilis’ = L. ‘horrible, frightful’
Protego Totalum
(pro-TAY-go to-TAL-um)
A semi-permanent version of the Shield Charm, cast routinely by Hermione to protect
the trio’s campsites (DH14).
‘protego’ = L. ‘to defend’ + ‘totalum’ = L. ‘total, entire’
Proudfoot
Auror stationed at Hogwarts during Harry's sixth year, along with Tonks, Dawlish,
and Savage (HBP8).
Ptolemy
Famous wizard who appears on a Chocolate Frog trading card (PS6, FW).
Ptolemy, whose full name was Claudius Ptolemaeus, lived from 83-161 AD in Egypt. He
was a scholar who wrote books on astronomy, mathematics, and astrology. Several of
these books were a great influence on scientific thought in Islamic and Western culture.
Pucey, Adrian
(Slytherin, 1989 or 1990; Quidditch Chaser c.1991-1996)
Slytherin student who played in matches against Harry’s Gryffindor team (PS11, OP19)
Since he was on the Slytherin team during Harry's first year, he was at least a year
ahead of Harry; since he was still there during Harry's fifth year, he's no more than
two years ahead of Harry, assuming he's up to scratch academically.
Puddifoot, Madam
The owner of a small tea shop in Hogsmeade, blessed with the kind of taste in decorating
that involves a lot of frilly doilies (OP25).
Pudding Lane
The street where the Great London Fire of 1666 started; however, there is some debate
as to whether it began in a Muggle bakery (as Muggles believe) or in the basement
of the house next door, where a young Welsh Green dragon was being kept (JKR).
Puddlemere United
A Quidditch team in the British and Irish League, managed by Philbert Deverill. The
team recently changed the colour of its robes from mud brown to the bright blue (DP2).
Oliver Wood joined this team as a reserve Keeper after leaving Hogwarts in 1994 (GF7).
Puffapod
Plant with fat pink pods with seeds that burst into flower if dropped (PA8).
Puffskein
A magical creature which looks like a little furball. These pleasant creatures are
often kept as pets, particularly by wizarding childrenWeasleys' Wizard Wheezes breeds
and sells miniature Puffskeins called Pygmy Puffs (HBP6).
Puking Pastilles
Perhaps the most dramatic of the sweets in the Skiving Snackboxes sold by Weasleys’
Wizard Wheezes. Eating the orange end makes a person vomit continuously until they
eat the purple end, which makes the vomiting instantly stop (OP6).
Pumpkin Fizz
Some type of treat, possibly a beverage, which Fred and George brought back from Hogsmeade
(PA13).
Pumpkin juice
A beverage, usually served iced, which is available on the Hogwarts Express and at
Hogwarts (CS5, PA6). It seems to be the drink of choice for wizarding children, giving
way to butterbeer (PA8) and even firewhisky (DH5) as they get older.
Pumpkin Pasty
Treat sold on the Hogwarts Express (PS6).
Pumpkins R Us
For a Daily Prophet article on Ministry laws cracking down on Hallowe'en celebrations, the proprietor
of Pumpkins R Us was interviewed, clearly upset at restrictions he feared might hurt
his business (DP4).
pure-blood
According to some wizards, being a ‘pure-blood’ – that is, not having any Muggle ancestors
– is an elite status symbol. It’s a form of racism, really, but families like the
Malfoys (CS7), the Blacks (OP6), and the Gaunts (HBP10) have clung to it for generations
and refuse to marry anyone of Muggle descent. Used as a password to enter the Slytherin
common room (CS12).
Purge and Dowse, Ltd.
An old abandoned department store in Muggle London, Purge and Dowse, Ltd. is actually
a false front that prevents Muggles from seeing St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies
and Injuries. Wizards enter by talking to the dilapidated mannequin in the window,
then walking straight on through the glass (OP22).
The names of this abandoned department store both have interesting meanings. To ‘purge’
means to cleanse or purify by removing whatever is undesirable. It’s used in a medical
sense to refer to cleansing out the intestinal tract. A medication which causes this
to happen is called a ‘purgative’. ‘Dowse’ doesn’t have a medical meaning, although
in some ways it connects to the word ‘purge’. ‘Dowse’, or ‘douse’, means to drench
something with water. ‘Dowse’ can also refer to a pseudo-scientific procedure where
a person holds ‘divining rods’, often two wires or sticks, and walks around trying
to detect underground water by the movements of the rods. The method, while not supported
by science, is still practiced today.
Purkiss, Doris
In the summer of 1995, The Quibbler printed an interview with Doris Purkiss, who claimed that Sirius Black was really
Stubby Boardman, and that Stubby had been enjoying a romantic dinner with her the
day of the murder of the Potters and therefore had an alibi (OP10).
Put-Outer
See DELUMINATOR.
Pye, Augustus
Trainee Healer on the Dai Llewellyn Ward of St Mungo's who tried to heal Arthur Weasley's
snakebite in December 1995. He was very interested in ‘complementary medicine’ (using
Muggle techniques along with the magical approaches) (OP23).
Pygmy Puff
Miniature Puffskeins, bred and sold in Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. They sell so quickly
that Fred and George ‘can't breed them fast enough’ (HBP6). Ginny convinced her mother
to buy one for her, and she named it Arnold. Arnold is frequently seen riding around
on Ginny's shoulder in the Gryffindor common room, often with a curious Crookshanks
trailing behind (HBP14).
pyramids
Huge stone tombs, arguably the most recognisable ancient structures in the world.
Some of the most famous pyramids are located in Egypt. Wizards have discovered that
they were protected by curses cast by ancient wizards. The Weasley family toured some
of them when they visited the country in the summer of 1993, where they saw, among
other things, mutant skeletons of Muggles who had broken in and ‘grown extra heads
and stuff,’ according to Ron (PA1). Fred and George tried to shut Percy in a pyramid,
but unfortunately were spotted by Mrs Weasley (PA4).
Pyrites, Argis
He was a character Ms. Rowling included in early drafts of PS1, but discarded eventually.
His name means ‘fool’s gold’. Ms. Rowling described him as a servant of Voldemort,
‘a dandy’ who wore white gloves (JKR).
Q.U.A.B.B.L.E.
Acronym for the ‘Quidditch Union for the Administration and Betterment of the British
League and its Endeavours’ (FW).
Quaffle
A seamless red leather ball, twelve inches in diameter, which is used in playing the
game of Quidditch. The Quaffle is the ball with which Chasers score goals, and due
to the nature of the game must be caught and thrown one-handed, since the player must
at the same time control his or her broomstick (PS10).
Quaffle Drops
A statistic kept in Quidditch. Dropping the Quaffle is not something one would wish
to be known for. The record for the most dropped Quaffles not surprisingly belongs
to a member of the Chudley Cannons, Dragomir Gorgovitch. He broke the record shortly
after transferring to the team c. 1995 (DH7).
Quality Quidditch Supplies
Harry Potter's favourite shop in Diagon Alley. He visited it often when he stayed
for three weeks at the Leaky Cauldron in 1993, since that summer the new Firebolt
racing broom had been introduced and the shop had one on display (PA4). Quality Quidditch
Supplies also displayed a full set of Chudley Cannons robes in the front window (CS4).
Quibbler, The
The tabloid newspaper of the Wizarding world, edited by Luna Lovegood’s father, Xenophilius
(DH8). It publishes an edition every month (OP26), usually filled with wild, silly,
and bizarre stories about famous people, particularly involving conspiracy theories
(OP10).
‘quibble’ = Eng. ‘to evade the truth in an discussion with petty objections or meaningless
arguments’
Quick-Quotes Quill
A quill that is enchanted to be set up on a sheet of paper without human support,
which when activated will write an exaggerated account of whatever is said in its
presence. Rita Skeeter famously carries an acid-green Quick-Quotes Quill in her crocodile
skin handbag (GF18).
‘quid agis’
Password to get into Gryffindor Tower (HBP24).
‘quid agis’ = L. ‘how do you do?’
Quidditch
Quidditch is the premier sport of the Wizarding world. It is a fast, dangerous, exciting
game in which two teams flying on broomsticks compete for points scored by throwing
a ball through hoops on either end of a large grassy pitch (PS10). Quidditch is played
by kids on broomsticks in the back apple orchard (HBP6), by teams of students at Hogwarts
(PA15), and by professional athletes whose exploits are followed avidly all over the
world. The World Cup matches attract hundreds of thousands of fans (GF8).
After a fight with her boyfriend, Ms. Rowling checked into a hotel and spent some
time working on the rules of the sport she was inventing for her books. She knew she
wanted the name of the sport to start with a Q, so she scribbled a lot of names on
a pad, looking for one that ‘worked’. When she wrote ‘Quidditch’, she knew she’d found
it. Although the word was invented, it is possible that a real place name provided
some inspiration. Near Exeter, where she went to university, is a small town named
Quoditch. Perhaps she heard or saw that name at some point and it stuck in her mind.
The colourful history of this thousand-year-old sport is detailed in the excellent
book, Quidditch Through the Ages, written by Ms. Rowling using the penname Kennilworthy Whisp, and available in Muggle
bookshops.