~ NAVIGATION ~
A B C D E F G H I J K L
M N O P Q R S T U V W Z
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A
Accio
Incantation of the Summoning Charm. For example, the incantation ‘Accio Firebolt’ would cause the required broomstick to fly into the hand of the person using the charm.
Acid pops
Wizarding sweets that burn holes in your tongue. Available at Honeydukes in Hogsmeade.
Aconite
Plant used in potions. Also known as monkshood or wolfsbane.
Acromantula
Monstrous eight-eyed, hairy spiders capable of human speech. Carthorse-sized and carnivorous, they have eight legs and sharp pincers. When excited or angry, they make a distinctive clicking sound and secrete poison. They fear Basilisks.
Alchemy
A medieval forerunner of chemistry, alchemy developed out of experiments to find a method of turning base metals into gold, and of making an elixir of life that would prolong life indefinitely.
Alohomora
Incantation of the spell that opens locked things such as doors and windows.
Animagus
A witch or wizard who can at will transform into a specific animal. All Animagi must register with the Ministry of Magic, stating what animal they become and its distinguishing features.
Anti-venom
An antivenin or anti-poison that counteracts a specific venom, such as that of a snake.
Aparecium
The incantation to magically reveal hidden writing or markings.
Apparate
To transport oneself instantly to any destination. It is accompanied by a loud crack sound, and there is always a risk of Splinching. Because it is difficult and dangerous, Appariation requires a licence from the Department of Magical Transportation, which can only be issued to those of seventeen and over. It is impossible to Apparate or Disapparate within Hogwarts.
Arithmancy
Ancient study of the magical properties of numbers.
Astronomy
Study of the stars and planets.
Auror
Professional Dark-wizard catcher. To become an Auror, a witch or wizard must gain at least five N.E.W.T.s with grades no lower than ‘Exceeds Expectations’ in subjects including: Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Transfiguration, and Charms; pass stringent character and aptitude tests at the Ministry of Magic’s Auror office, then do three years of Auror training. By their fifth year at Hogwarts Harry and Ron both want to be Aurors.
Azkaban
Prison fortress where wizarding criminals are sent. Guarded day and night by the terrifying Dementors, who drain peace, hope and happiness out of any human in their vicinity.
B
Basilisk
Snake-like creature whose gaze will turn you to stone.
Bat-Bogey Hex
Covers the hexed person in great flapping bat-bogeys.
Beater
Quidditch player who tries to knock the Bludgers towards the opposing team.
Beauxbatons Academy of Magic
School of witchcraft and wizardry somewhere in Europe.
Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans
Wizarding jellybeans. They come in every flavour, including spinach, liver, tripe, sprout, curry, grass, and even bogey and vomit!
Bezoar
Stone taken from the stomach of a goat. A bezoar will counteract the majority of poisons.
Black Forest
Place in Germany where Professor Quirrell was rumoured to have encountered vampires.
Blast-Ended Skrewt
Cross between a manticore and a fire crab. They have no recognisable head or eyes, but they might explode intermittently from one end. Males have a sting like a scorpion and females have suckers on their bellies. Adult Skrewts have thick grey armour and may grow to be ten feet long.
Blood Blisterpod
Causes bleeding when swallowed, potentially from the nose.
Blood-flavoured lollipops
Lollipops for vampires.
Bludgers
Black balls that try to knock players off their broomsticks in Quidditch.
Body-Bind curse
Anyone jinxed by the incantation ‘Petrificus Totalus’ becomes completely rigid, as if turned to stone.
Boggart
Shape-shifter that takes on the likeness of your worst fear.
Borgin and Burkes
Purveyors of Dark artefacts; this shop is located in Knockturn Alley.
Bouncing Bulb
Plant studied and repotted in Herbology.
Bowtruckle
Tree guardian. These tiny creatures are made of wood and usually live in wand-trees. They have knobbly brown arms and legs, two twig-like fingers at the end of each hand and a flat bark-like face with beetle-brown eyes. Eat woodlice.
Broomstick Servicing Kit
A black leather case containing a jar of Fleetwood’s High-Finish Handle Polish, Tail-Twig Clippers, brass compass and a Handbook of Do-it-Yourself Broomcare. Thirteenth birthday present for Harry from Hermione Granger.
Bubble-Head Charm
Puts a protective globe like an upside-down goldfish bowl over the head to ensure a supply of fresh air in the presence of Stink Pellets and Dungbombs, and to allow the charmed person to breathe underwater.
Bubotuber
Plant that resembles a black slug with swellings that contain a yellowish-green liquid. Bubotuber pus is used to cure acne, but undiluted it can cause sores and boils.
Bulbadox powder
Causes boils.
Burrow, The
The home of the Weasley family.
Butterbeer
Frothy, buttery drink drunk by witches and wizards.
C
Canary Creams
Trick biscuits that turn the eater briefly into a canary. Invented by Fred and George Weasley.
Care of Magical Creatures
Class taken at Hogwarts that teaches students how to look after magical creatures.
Centaurs
Half-man, half-horse creatures. Centaurs live in the Forbidden Forest.
Chamber of Secrets, the
Concealed room created by Salazar Slytherin wherein he sealed an unknown horror that could only be freed by his true heir to purge the school of those unworthy to study magic.
Charm
Spell that adds properties to an object or person.
Chaser
Quidditch player who tries to score using the Quaffle.
Chimaera
A rare Greek monster with a lion’s head, a goat’s body and a dragon’s tail. Vicious and bloodthirsty.
Chocoballs
Wizarding sweets full of strawberry mousse and clotted cream.
Chocolate Frogs
Wizard confectionery that contains Famous Witches and Wizards cards.
Chudley Cannons, the
Ron Weasley’s favourite professional Quidditch team. They wear bright orange and black robes and are ninth in the League at the start of Harry’s second year.
Cleansweep Eleven
Broomstick with Spanish oak handle, anti-jinx varnish and in-built vibration control. It accelerates from nought to seventy in ten seconds.
Cleansweep Seven
Type of broomstick used by Fred and George Weasley.
Cockroach Clusters
Wizarding sweets made from cockroaches.
Colloportus
Magical incantation for a spell that seals doors.
Come and Go Room
Also known as the Room of Requirement, it is on the seventh floor of Hogwarts, opposite the Barnabus the Barmy tapestry. The room is sometimes there, sometimes not. It can only be entered by people with a real need, who must walk past the part of wall three times while concentrating on what they need. The room will then appear fully equipped with all their immediate requirements.
Comet
A type of broomstick, flown by Cho Chang.
Common room
Comfortable room, which is different for each Hogwarts house, where students gather to chat, play games or do homework.
Common Welsh Green
Type of dragon found in Britain.
Cornish pixies
Naughty little fairies that create havoc.
Cribbages Wizarding Crackers
Wizarding snack food.
Cruciatus Curse
Inflicts torture with the incantation ‘Crucio’. One of the three Unforgivable Curses.
Crumple-Horned Snorkacks
Creatures believed to exist in Sweden by Luna Lovegood and her father, Xenophilius. They believe them to be shy and highly magical creatures.
Crup
Almost certainly a wizard-created dog that closely resembles a Jack Russell terrier but with a forked tail. Intensely loyal to wizards and ferocious towards Muggles.
D
Daily Prophet, the
The national wizarding newspaper.
Dark detectors
A range of instruments, such as Sneakoscopes, Secrecy Sensors and Foe-Glasses, that warn when Dark wizards or enemies are around. Not completely reliable as they can be fooled.
Dark Mark, the
Sign of the Death Eaters: a skull with a serpent emerging from its mouth.
Death Eaters
Witches and wizards known to be loyal to Lord Voldemort.
Deathday Party
Celebration held by ghosts to commemorate the day they died. In Harry’s second year at Hogwarts he, Ron and Hermione attend Nearly Headless Nick’s Deathday Party.
Decree
A law made by someone in authority. In Harry’s fifth year at Hogwarts, Professor Umbridge initiates a number of increasingly restrictive Ministry of Magic decrees.
Defence Against the Dark Arts
Subject taught at Hogwarts to teach young witches and wizards how to defend themselves against harmful hexes, jinxes and spells, as well as against witches and wizards who use the Dark Arts.
Deflating Draught
Potion that counteracts a swelling solution. Causes swollen body parts to return to normal size.
Dementor
Creature who feeds on the happy emotions of humans. Dementors are employed as guards at Azkaban. The kiss of a Dementor will suck out a human’s soul, leaving an emotionless shell.
Dementor’s Kiss
To be kissed by a Dementor is to have one’s soul sucked out, a fate worse than death.
Densaugeo
Incantation for a spell causing teeth to grow.
Dervish and Banges
Wizarding equipment shop in Hogsmeade.
Devil’s Snare
A carnivorous plant that reaches out its tendrils to strangle anyone who touches it.
Diagon Alley
A long cobbled street filled with the most fascinating wizarding shops in the world. Accessible through the Leaky Cauldron pub in London.
Diffindo
Severing Charm.
Disapparate
To disappear at will.
Disillusionment Charm
Camouflages a person by making them the exact colour and texture of the surrounding environment. The accompanying wand tap causes a curious sensation as if a smashed egg is trickling down coldly from where the wand struck.
Dissendium
Incantation for the spell that opens the entrance to a secret passage leading to Hogsmeade.
Divination
Magical art of telling the future using tea leaves, crystal balls and so forth. Professor Trelawney is Divination teacher at Hogwarts.
Doxy
Also known as a Biting Fairy, a Doxy looks like a tiny human covered in black hair, but has four arms and four legs and thick curved and shiny wings like a beetle. They multiply rapidly by laying up to five hundred eggs at a time. Infestations can be treated with Doxycide spray. A Doxy bite is poisonous and must be treated with an antidote.
Dr Filibuster’s Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks
Wizarding fireworks and one of Fred and George Weasley’s favourite jokes. They fill the room with red and gold stars that last for about half an hour.
Dr Ubbly’s Oblivious Unction
Magically curative and soothing ointment.
Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus
The Hogwarts motto. It means ‘Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon’
Dragon
Mythical reptilian creature who can fly and breathe fire. Hagrid is particularly fond of dragons and has a Norwegian Ridgeback called Norbert for a while.
Draught of Living Death, the
Powerful sleeping draught.
Draught of Peace
A potion to calm anxiety and sooth agitation, but heavy-handedness with the ingredients could put the drinker into a deep and sometimes irreversible sleep.
Drooble’s Best Blowing Gum
Wizarding sweet. Fills the room with bluebell-coloured bubbles that last for about half an hour.
Duelling Club
Club started by Professor Lockhart to teach students how to duel with spells.
Dumbledore’s Army
Also known as ‘the DA’, a group of Hogwarts students who, in Harry’s fifth year, meet secretly to develop their skills in Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Dungbomb
Stinkbomb.
Durmstrang Institute
School of witchcraft and wizardry somewhere in the far north of Europe. It is smaller than Hogwarts but has more extensive grounds.
E
Eeylops Owl Emporium
Owl shop in Diagon Alley where Hagrid bought Hedwig for Harry’s eleventh birthday.
Elixir of Life, the
Substance produced by the Philosopher’s Stone that will make the drinker immortal.
Engorgio
Swelling charm.
Evanesco
Incantation for the Vanishing Spell.
Expecto patronum
Incantation for the Patronus Charm, which works only if cast whilst thinking one’s happiest thought. It produces a witch or wizard’s Patronus from the tip of the wand, which will guard against Dementors and some other Dark creatures, such as Lethifolds.
Expelliarmus
Incantation of the Disarming Charm, a basic spell to disarm an opponent by making their wand fly out of their hand.
Exploding bonbons
Wizarding sweets available from Honeydukes in Hogsmeade.
Exploding Snap
Wizarding card game, made more interesting than the Muggle version, given the chance that it could blow up at any moment.
Extendable Ears
Invented by the Weasley twins, Fred and George, these spying devices look like long pieces of flesh-coloured string. They can slither under doors to enable the owner to overhear conversations from a distance, but they can’t get past an Imperturbable Charm.
F
Fainting Fancy
One of the trick sweets invented by Fred and George Weasley in their seventh year at Hogwarts. They cause whoever eats one to faint.
Ferula
Incantation for the spell to conjure a sling for a broken limb.
Fidelius Charm
A charm that conceals a secret within a person (Secret Keeper) so that no one will know about it unless the Secret Keeper chooses to divulge it.
Finite Incantatem
This incantation causes the effect of a preceding spell to cease. Sometimes it is enough to just say ‘Finite’.
Firebolt
Fastest, most technologically advanced broomstick during Harry’s third year at Hogwarts. Can accelerate from 0 to 150 miles per hour in ten seconds.
Fizzing Whizzbee
One of the passwords that grants entry into Dumbledore’s rooms at Hogwarts via a moving stone staircase that operates like a spiral escalator. Dumbledore can override the password when he doesn’t want it to work.
Fizzing Whizzbees
Wizarding sweets. Sherbet balls that make you levitate several feet in the air when you eat them.
Flagrate
Incantation for a spell that causes a fiery mark to appear.
Flobberworm
Species of worm that Harry and his friends have to keep alive in order to pass in their Care of Magical Creatures lessons.
Floo Network
Magical network whereby witches and wizards can travel long distances between different fireplaces, or use them to communicate.
Floo powder
Glittering powder that allows witches and wizards to travel magically via the Floo Network by throwing the powder into a fireplace, stepping into the flames, and naming their destination.
Florean Fortesque’s Ice-Cream Parlour
Wizarding ice-cream shop in Diagon Alley.
Flourish and Blotts
Wizarding bookshop in Diagon Alley.
Flutterby Bush
Plant used in Herbology.
Foe-Glass
Magic mirror in which you can see your enemies.
Forbidden Forest, the
The dark woods surrounding the Hogwarts grounds. Students are not allowed to go there unless accompanied by a teacher.
Ford Anglia
Make of Mr Weasley’s bewitched car.
Fountain of Magical Brethren
This group of larger than life-size golden statues (a witch, wizard, centaur, goblin and a house-elf) stands as a water fountain in a round pool in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic.
Four-Point Spell
A spell that makes your wand function as a compass, using the incantation ‘Point Me’.
Fudge Flies
Wizarding sweets.
Furnunculus
Incantation for a curse that causes boils.
G
Galleon
Gold wizarding money.
Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop
Shop on Diagon Alley selling items such as Dr Filibuster’s Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks.
Garrotting Gas
A gas that catches people by the neck if they pass through it.
Ghoul
Ghostly creature that generally lives in attics, eating spiders and moths. The Weasleys have one living in their attic.
Giant
Huge humanoid. Giants can grow to a height of twenty feet. They have a history of violence and warring among themselves. Many giants allied themselves with Voldemort and massacred Muggles on his behalf. Others withdrew to remote mountain ranges. Their numbers are in decline and in Britain they are believed to be extinct.
Gillyweed
Water plant which, if eaten causes you to temporarily grow gills and fins, permitting you to breathe underwater.
Gnomes
Very small creatures with leathery skin and large, bald heads like knobbly potatoes. They have horny feet and razor-sharp teeth. They live in holes in gardens and aren’t very bright. To de-gnome a garden, grab the gnome by the ankles, swing it round your head and throw!
Goblet of Fire
Wooden cup full of flames, used as an impartial selector for the contenders in the Triwizard Tournament.
Goblins
Small creatures with swarthy faces, pointed beards and very long hands and feet. Goblins staff Gringotts Bank.
Gobstones
The wizarding version of marbles. The pieces squirt a stinky substance into other players’ faces when they lose a point.
Godric’s Hollow
Home where Harry’s parents, Lily and James Potter, lived.
Golden Snitch
Small, golden ball with silver wings used in Quidditch. Must be caught by a Seeker to end the match.
Great Hall, the
The main hall in Hogwarts where the Sorting Ceremony takes place, meals are served and gatherings sometimes happen. The ceiling is bewitched to look like the sky outside.
Grim
A giant black dog taken to be an omen of death.
Grimmauld Place
A small square in London. Number twelve is Sirius Black’s family house and Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, which no one can enter unless a secret keeper has personally told them its whereabouts. Usually invisible from outside, it materialises with a shabby black door and a silver twisted-serpent doorknocker but with no keyhole or letterbox. The Black family put every known security measure and sealing jinx on the house and Albus Dumbledore added his own protection to make it a safe house. Inside, it looks like a house of the Darkest of wizards.
Grindylow
Water demon. Sickly green with sharp horns and very long fingers.
Gringotts
The wizard bank in London, with vaults far below the streets, run by goblins.
Grunnings
Firm where Harry’s uncle Vernon Dursley is a director. Grunnings manufactures drills.
Gryffindor house
One of the four houses in Hogwarts. Harry, Hermione Granger and the Weasleys are all in Gryffindor house. It was founded by Godric Gryffindor and the Gryffindor coat of arms features a lion. The resident ghost is Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, also known as Nearly Headless Nick. Professor McGonagall is the head of Gryffindor house and Professor Dumbledore was in Gryffindor in his youth.
Gubraithian fire
Everlasting fire. Dumbledore bewitches a branch to burn forever as a gift for the giant Gurg.
Gurg
The name given to whomever is the current chief of the giants.
H
Half-breed
Person or creature of mixed race, such as a centaur or a merperson; or someone taken over by another breed, such as a werewolf. Hagrid, part-giant, part-wizard, is insultingly referred to as a half-breed by Professor Umbridge.
Hand of Glory
Withered hand that, when grasping a candle gives light only to the holder.
Headless Hat
An invention created by Fred and George Weasley. When worn, the head of the wearer vanishes along with the hat until it is removed or the spell eventually wears off.
Headless Hunt, the
Team of ghosts whose heads have been completely cut off. Activities include Horseback Head-Juggling and Head Polo. Nearly Headless Nick is keen to join the hunt but can’t because his head has not been completely severed.
Healer
The wizarding equivalent of a Muggle doctor. In St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries the Healers wear lime-green robes with a crossed wand and bone emblem embroidered on the front.
Hebridean Black
A breed of wild Dragon found in Britain.
Heir of Slytherin
True heir to Salazar Slytherin who can open the Chamber of Secrets to release the horror within.
Heliopath
According to Luna Lovegood in Order of the Phoenix, Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, has an army of these tall flaming spirits of fire that gallop across the ground, burning everything in their path. Hermione, however, claims that they don’t exist.
Hellebore
A flower. Syrup of hellebore is used as an ingredient in potions such as the Draught of Peace.
Heptomology
A branch of divination.
Herbology
Study of plants. Professor Sprout is the Herbology teacher at Hogwarts.
Hinkypunk
Small, one-legged creatures that live in bogs and swamps; they wander about at night with a lantern to lure lost travellers into the swamps.
Hippogriff
Magical creature that has the front legs, wings and head of an eagle, and the body, hind legs and tail of a horse. Buckbeak, the one-time subject of Hagrid’s Care of Magical Creatures class, is a Hippogriff.
Hit Wizards
Wizard police from the Magical Law Enforcement Squad who are specially trained to deal with powerful criminals.
Hog’s Head, the
Pub in Hogsmeade where Hagrid once won a dragon’s egg, and where Harry and other Hogwarts students meet in his fifth year to discuss forming the Dumbledore’s Army.
Hogsmeade
The only completely magical village in Britain. Hogsmeade is not far from Hogwarts and has an array of wonderful shops including Honeydukes sweet shop, the Three Broomsticks pub and Zonko’s Joke Shop.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The best school of its kind in the world. The greatest witches and wizards of the age founded Hogwarts more than a thousand years ago: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin. They built a remote castle so that witches and wizards could train in safety. Pupils attend from age eleven for seven years of rigorous training in the art of witchcraft and wizardry. There are a hundred and forty-two staircases at Hogwarts and everything keeps moving around, so things are not always in the same place. Hogwarts is in a secret location somewhere in the North of the United Kingdom.
Honeydukes
Wizarding sweet shop in Hogsmeade.
House Cup, the
Trophy awarded to the Hogwarts house with the most points at the end of the school year.
House-elf
Small creature that works as a servant in some wizarding houses. A house-elf can only be set free when its master or mistress gives the elf a piece of clothing.
Howler
Wizarding letter which, when opened, shrieks and howls at the reader in an extremely loud voice. Comes in a red envelope and is usually sent by someone who is very angry. Ron Weasley received one from his mother after crashing his father’s flying Ford Anglia into the Whomping Willow.
Hufflepuff house
One of the four houses in Hogwarts. It was founded by Helga Hufflepuff and their coat of arms bears a badger. The resident ghost is the Fat Friar.
I
Ice Mice
Wizarding sweets available from Honeydukes in Hogsmeade which make your teeth squeak and chatter.
Impediment Jinx
Spell to slow down and obstruct attackers. The incantation is ‘Impedimenta’.
Imperius Curse
One of the three Unforgivable Curses. Cast with the incantation ‘Imperio’, it gives a witch or wizard complete control over another one. It can be resisted but only with great mental effort.
Imperturbable Charm
Creates an invisible barrier that prevents anything making contact with it. For example, Dungbombs flicked at an Imperturbed door will just soar away from it.
Impervius
Incantation for a charm that causes an item to that repel water and mist.
Incarcerous
Incantation for a restraining spell that magically binds a person tightly with rope.
Incendio
Fire-Making Spell.
Inquisitorial Squad
During Harry’s fifth year at Hogwarts, Professor Umbridge enlists a group of ‘trustworthy’ students, including Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Millicent Bulstrode, to spy on and help her crush and control any rebellious students. Unlike prefects, the squad has the authority to dock house points, and to check the content of other students’ mail before it is delivered to them.
Inter-departmental memos
Letters sent between employees of the Ministry of Magic fly around the building like paper aeroplanes, which is much less messy than using owls.
Invisibility Cloak
Magic cloak granting the wearer invisibility.
J
Jelly Slugs
Wizarding sweets available from Honeydukes in Hogsmeade.
Jelly-Legs Jinx
A jinx that makes your adversary’s legs wobbly.
K
Kappa
Monkey-like creatures that live in water and strangle people who invade their ponds.
Karkus
During Harry’s fifth year at Hogwarts, Karkus is the Gurg of the few remaining giant tribes who live in the mountains of Eastern Europe. He’s the biggest (22-23 feet tall and the size of two bull elephants), laziest giant with skin like a rhinoceros.
Keeper
Quidditch player who guards the goalposts.
Killing Curse, The
One of the three Unforgivable Curses. Its incantation is ‘Avada Kedavra’ and causes a flash of green light from the wand-tip, which causes instant death.
King’s Cross Station
The station in London where the Hogwarts Express leaves from platform nine and three-quarters.
Knarl
Indistinguishable from a hedgehog but very defensive, and if offered food it assumes it is being poisoned or lured into a trap and will savage the person’s garden plants and ornaments.
Kneazle
A Kneazle is a magical cat-like creature. It has flecked, speckled or spotted fur with oversized ears and a tail similar to a lion’s. They make a loyal pet to a witch of wizard they like.
Knight Bus, the
Emergency bus that transports witches and wizards to any destination. One need only hold out their wand hand to stop the bus.
Knockturn Alley
Street of wizard shops devoted to the Dark Arts. Shops include Borgin and Burkes.
Knut
Bronze wizarding money. There are twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle.
Kwikspell
Correspondence course in beginner’s magic for Squibs (witches or wizards who have little magical powers).
L
Leaky Cauldron, the
The wizarding pub and boarding house through which witches and wizards gain access to Diagon Alley.
Legilimency
The magical ability to extract thoughts, feelings and memories from another person’s mind. Eye contact is often essential to Legilimency. Dumbledore, Snape and Voldemort are all skilled Legilimens.
‘Legilimens’
Magical incantation used in the practice of Legilimency.
Legilimens
A witch or wizard skilled at Legilimency.
Leprechaun
Irish elf or pixie.
Locomotor
Used together with the name of an object that needs to be moved, this incantation magically mobilises inanimate objects without physical effort. For example, ‘Locomotor trunk’.
Lumos
Incantation of the spell that causes a wand-tip to flare with magical light.
M
Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occassions
Shop in Diagon Alley selling wizarding robes, where many Hogwarts students buy their school attire.
Magical eye
This large, round, electric-blue false eye belonging to Mad-Eye Moody spins to provide all-round vision, allowing him to see through walls, doors and even through the back of his own head.
Magical Law Enforcement Squad
Wizard police or Hit Wizards who are specially trained to deal with powerful criminals.
Magical Menagerie
Wizarding pet shop in Diagon Alley.
Magorian
Chestnut-coloured centaur who lives in the Forbidden Forest.
Mandragora
Another name for the Mandrake plant.
Mandrake
Powerful restorative used to return cursed or transfigured people to their natural state. The cry of the Mandrake plant is fatal to anyone who hears it. Also known as Mandragora.
Marauder’s Map
A map that shows all the secret passageways and the current whereabouts of everyone in Hogwarts. Harry and Ron use it to get to Hogsmeade.
Merpeople
Underwater dwellers who build cities at the bottom of lakes. They have fishtails, green hair and grey skin, and they fish with spears. Above water their voices are unintelligible.
Metamorphmagus
A witch or wizard who can change their appearance at will.
Mimbulus mimbletonia
A rare and sinister-looking, grey cactus plant that pulsates slightly. If prodded it squirts out thick, slimy, dark-green jets of non-poisonous Stinksap which smells like rancid manure. The cactus grows fast and by the time it is a year old it makes soft crooning noises when stroked. Neville Longbottom’s Great Uncle Algie got him one from Assyria for his fifteenth birthday.
Ministry of Magic
Government agency that tries to keep witches and wizards secret from non-magical people.
Mirror of Erised
Magical mirror that shows the onlooker their heart’s desire.
Mobiliarbus
Incantation for a spell to move objects.
Mobilicorpus
Incantation for a spell to move someone who can’t walk.
Monkshood
Plant used in potions. Also known as aconite or wolfsbane.
‘Monster Book of Monsters, The’
Large green book describing a variety of monsters. Required reading for Harry during his third year. Must be stroked down the spine or it will bite your fingers.
Morsmordre
Spell to conjure up the Dark Mark.
Mudblood
Term used to describe a person who has non-magical parents. This term is considered a great insult.
Muggle
Person totally without magical powers. Most Muggles live in ignorance of the world of wizards and witches.
Muggle duelling
A non-magical physical fight.
Muggle Studies
Class taken by wizarding folk to study non-magical people.
Murtlap
Rat-like shore-dwelling creature with an anemone-like growth on its back, which can be pickled and eaten.
Murtlap essence
A yellow solution of strained and pickled Murtlap tentacles which can relieve the pain of magical wounds, and cure magically induced boils.
N
Nargles
Unknown creatures that Luna Lovegood believes often infest mistletoe.
N.E.W.T.s
Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests. Higher level examinations taken at the end of the seventh year at Hogwarts.
Niffler
Magical creatures that can find buried treasure. Nifflers are black and fluffy with long snouts and spade-like feet.
Nimbus Two Thousand
A very fast broomstick, sleek and shiny with a mahogany handle. Harry’s first broomstick.
Nimbus Two Thousand and One
The successor to the Nimbus Two Thousand broomstick, and much faster than its predecessor.
Norwegian Ridgeback
Breed of dragon that is very rare and very aggressive. Hagrid had one as a pet for a while.
Nosebleed Nougat
A double-ended chew invented by Fred and George Weasley for their Skiving Snackboxes. Eating one half makes your nose bleed, eating the other half stops it.
Nox
Spell to extinguish light coming from your wand.
O
Obliviate
Incantation for a spell that modifies the subject’s memories.
Obliviator
Member of Accidental Magic Reversal Squad. They work for the Improper Use of Magic Office.
Occlumency
The sealing of the mind against magical intrusion and influence by a witch or wizard skilled at Legilimency. Professor Snape is a superb Occlumens and Legilimens, as is Lord Voldemort.
Ollivanders
Diagon Alley wand shop. ‘Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC’.
Omnioculars
Magical binoculars with slow-motion and replay settings.
Order of the Phoenix
Albus Dumbledore founded this association of witches and wizards to fight against Lord Voldemort. Founder members included: Sirius Black, Edgar Bones (deceased), Caradoc Dearborn (vanished), Dedalus Diggle, Elphias Doge, Albus and Aberforth Dumbledore, Benjy Fenwick, Rubeus Hagrid, Frank and Alice Longbottom (tortured into madness), Remus Lupin, Marlene McKinnon, Dorcas Meadowes (killed by Voldemort), Sturgis Podmore, James and Lily Potter (deceased), brothers Gideon and Fabian Prewett (deceased), and Emmeline Vance. In Harry’s fourth year at Hogwarts, Dumbledore recalls members of the Order about an hour after Voldemort’s return. The Order then expanded to include Kingsley Shacklebolt, Severus Snape, Nymphadora Tonks, Mr and Mrs Weasley and their sons Bill and Charlie. Members of the Order must be over 17 and have left school. Its Headquarters is in number twelve, Grimmauld Place.
Ornithomancy
A branch of divination.
O.W.L.s
Ordinary Wizarding Levels. Hogwarts standard-level examinations which are taken at the end of the fifth year.
P
Parselmouth
Wizard who can talk to snakes – very rare. Commonly thought to be the sign of a Dark wizard, given that Salazar Slytherin and Lord Voldemort were both skilled Parselmouths.
Parseltongue
Language spoken by a Parselmouth.
Patronus
A positive force that protects against Dementors. The form of each Patronus is particular to an individual witch or wizard, each of whom produces theirs with the Patronus Charm by saying the incantation ‘Expecto Patronum’ while thinking a strong happy thought. Harry’s Patronus is a stag.
Pensieve
Stone basin which enables one to view thoughts and memories that they have captured.
Pepper Imps
Wizarding sweets available from Honeydukes in Hogsmeade. They make you smoke at the mouth.
Pepperup Potion
Magical restorative.
Peppermint Toads
Toad-shaped peppermint sweets.
Petrificus Totalus
Incantation for the Body-Bind Curse that causes the subject to become completely rigid.
Philosopher’s Stone
Legendary stone which will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal. The only known stone belongs to Nicholas Flamel, Albus Dumbledore’s alchemy partner.
Phoenix
Rare bird that bursts into flames and rises from its ashes. Their tears can heal wounds. Albus Dumbledore has a phoenix companion, Fawkes.
Platform nine and three-quarters
The platform at King’s Cross Station where students gather to board the Hogwarts Express.
Pocket Sneakoscope
Small wizarding toy ─ a spinning glass top that lights up when there is somebody or something suspicious around.
Poltergeist
A mischievous spirit.
Polyjuice Potion
Potion that will transform the drinker into another person for a period of time.
Porlock
A horse-guardian. About two feet tall, they are shy, eats grass and live to guard horses. They walk on two cloven feet, are covered in shaggy fur with a lot of rough hair on their head, have an exceptionally large nose, and two small arms that end in four stubby fingers.
Portkey
Any object can be bewitched for use as a Portkey to whisk witches and wizards away to a prearranged destination the instant they touch it. Use of a Portkey should be authorised by the Ministry of Magic.
Portus
Incantation used to transform an object into a Portkey.
Potions
Class at Hogwarts to learn how to make potions. Professor Snape is Potions master for most of Harry’s time at Hogwarts.
Prior Incantato
Incantation that reveals the most recent spell or spells a wand has performed.
Privet Drive
The street where Harry lives with the Dursleys.
Protego
Incantation for the Shield Charm that usually deflects only minor curses. In Harry’s fifth year, Professor Snape is surprised when Harry uses this charm to successfully repel his use of Legilimens.
Puking Pastilles
Double-ended chews invented by Fred and George Weasley. The orange half makes you throw up, the purple half makes you better.
Pumpkin juice
Wizarding drink.
Pumpkin pasty
Wizarding food.
Purge & Dowse Ltd.
Disused Muggle department store in the heart of London. It serves as the discreet entrance to St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
Put-Outer
Device resembling cigarette lighter, used to turn street lamps on and off. Used by Albus Dumbledore. Also referred to as a Deluminator.
Q
Quaffle
Red ball used for scoring in Quidditch.
Quality Quidditch Supplies
Quidditch shop in Diagon Alley.
‘Quibbler, The’
A magazine with a reputation for publishing ‘rubbish’: far-fetched stories, often about outlandish creatures that Hermione is sure do not exist. The editor is Luna Lovegood’s father.
Quick-Quotes Quill
Pen used by some journalists to record their articles during interviews.
Quidditch
The wizarding national sport. Played on broomsticks by seven players: three Chasers, one Keeper, two Beaters, one Seeker. Played with four balls: the Quaffle (red) is used for scoring; two Bludgers (black) which try to knock players off their brooms; one Golden Snitch (bright gold with silver wings). The Chasers throw the Quaffle to each other and try to score by throwing the Quaffle through one of the six hoops. Ten points are awarded every time a player scores. The Keeper guards the goalposts and tries to prevent the Chasers from scoring. The Beaters try to keep the Bludgers away from their team and knock them towards the opposing team. The Seeker tries to catch the Golden Snitch. Whichever team catches the Golden Snitch earns 150 points. The game ends when the Snitch is caught.
Quietus
Incantation that reverses the effect created by the incantation ‘Sonorus’.
R
Ravenclaw house
One of the four school houses in Hogwarts. Founded by Rowena Ravenclaw. The Ravenclaw coat of arms bears an eagle. The resident ghost is the Grey Lady.
Red Cap
Goblin-like creature found in places where bloodshed has occurred. They lie in wait to bludgeon the lost.
Reducio
Incantation for the Shrinking Charm.
Reductor Curse
Its incantation ‘Reducto’ reduces a solid object to dust.
Relashio
Incantation for the spell to make someone or something release whatever they have hold of, with a strong physical effect.
Remembrall
Magical glass ball, the size of a large marble, filled with white smoke. The smoke turns red to tell you that there is something you have forgotten to do.
Rennervate
Incantation spoken to revive someone.
Reparo
Incantation of the Repairing Charm.
Rictusempra
Incantation for a Tickling Charm.
Riddikulus
Incantation for the charm to defend oneself against a Boggart- the incantation must be used whilst also concentrating on something very funny, in order to transform the Boggart in to something no longer terrifying.
Riddle House
Deserted former home of Voldemort’s father, in the village of Little Hangleton.
Room of Requirement
See Come and Go Room.
S
Salamander
A white fire-dwelling lizard that feeds on flame, and appears to be blue or scarlet depending on the heat of the fire it is in. Its blood has powerfully curative and restorative properties.
Scourgify
The incantation for the Scouring Charm, which is often used in cleaning.
Scrivenshaft’s Quill Shop
Located in Hogsmeade, it sells writing implements such as copper inkpots and pheasant feather quills.
Secrecy Sensor
Aerial that vibrates when it detects concealment and lies.
Secret Keeper
Someone who has had a secret concealed within them using the Fidelius Charm to keep the secret safe until they choose to reveal it.
Seeing Eye
Possessed by a Seer who is born with the supernatural ability to divine or predict the future. Also known as the Inner Eye or Second Sight.
Seeker
Quidditch player who tries to catch the Golden Snitch.
Seer
Someone born with the ability to predict, or See, future events.
Self-shuffling playing cards
Wizarding playing cards which shuffle themselves.
Shield Charm
Casts a temporary invisible shield around you to deflect minor curses.
Shrieking Shack
Alleged to be the most haunted building in Britain. Situated in the town of Hogsmeade.
Sickle
Silver wizarding money. There are seventeen Sickles to a Galleon.
Silencio
Incantation for the Silencing Charm.
Skele-Gro
Potion used to re-grow bones after they have been removed.
Skiving Snackboxes
In their seventh year at Hogwarts, Fred and George Weasley develop this range of sweets to make you just ill enough to get out of class. One end of a double-ended chew makes you ill, the other restores you to full fitness. See also, Fainting Fancies, Puking Pastilles, Nosebleed Nougat.
Sleekeazy’s Hair Potion
Tames bushy hair.
Sloth Grip Roll
A Quidditch manoeuvre by which a player avoids a Bludger by hanging upside-down from his or her broom while gripping it tightly with both hands and feet.
Slytherin house
One of the school houses in Hogwarts. Founded by Salazar Slytherin. The Slytherin coat of arms is a snake. The resident ghost is the Bloody Baron. Harry’s arch-enemy, Draco Malfoy, is in Slytherin. Professor Snape is head of Slytherin house.
Smeltings
Dudley Dursley’s private school. Uncle Vernon also attended.
Sneakoscope
This Dark detector has a glass top which lights up and spins when someone untrustworthy is close by.
Sonorus
Incantation for a charm used to magnify one’s voice.
Sorting Hat
The hat that decides which house each student belongs in during their time at Hogwarts.
Spellotape
Wizarding repair tape. It was used by Ron Weasley to mend his broken wand.
S.P.E.W.
Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, pressure group organised by Hermione in her fourth year at Hogwarts. Harry and Ron frequently refer to it as ‘Spew’, much to Hermione’s annoyance.
Splinching
Injury caused by careless Apparating, whereby part of the person’s body is left behind.
Squib
Someone who despite being born into a wizarding family has little or no magical ability. However, they are able to see Dementors.
Stealth Sensoring Spell
A spell put on an area, such as a door or window, to monitor any suspicious movement.
Stupefy
Incantation for the Stunning Spell.
Sunday Prophet, the
The Sunday wizarding newspaper.
Swelling Solution
Potion that causes body parts to swell to enormous proportions.
T
Tarantallegra
Incantation for a spell that causes the victims legs to dance uncontrollably.
Thestral
Breed of winged horse, skeletal with black coat and pupil-less white eyes in a dragonish head; visible only by those who have witnessed a death. They have an excellent sense of direction. Classified as ‘dangerous’ by the Ministry of Magic.
Three Broomsticks, the
Pub in Hogsmeade whose publican is Madama Rosmerta. The pub is frequently visited by Hogwarts students during trips to the village.
Time-Turner
Hourglass that allows the wearer to travel back in time.
Ton-Tongue Toffee
Trick sweet that causes the tongue to swell. Invented by Fred and George Weasley.
Toothflossing Stringmints
Wizarding sweets that can be bought in Hogsmeade.
Toujours pur
The family motto of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black reflects the belief held by most members of the Black family that the wizarding race should be kept pure, that Muggle-borns and ‘half-breeds’ should be eradicated so that pure-bloods can take charge.
Transfiguration
The art of turning one thing into another.
‘Transfiguration Today’
Specialist wizarding magazine about Transfiguration.
Triwizard Tournament
Competition between the three largest European schools of witchcraft and wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Each school selects a champion, and the champions compete in three magical tasks. The prize money is a thousand Galleons. The Triwizard Tournament was first established some 700 years ago.
Two-way mirrors
These come in pairs and are the size of a paperback book. By looking into one mirror and saying the name of the witch or wizard who has the other in the pair it is possible to communicate with them no matter where they are.
U
Umbridge-itis
The explanation students give to Professor Umbridge for the ‘mysteriously incurable’ maladies (fevers, vomiting, nosebleeds, fainting), which they have in fact induced in themselves by eating sweets from Fred and George Weasley’s Skiving Snackboxes.
Unforgivable Curses
The three Unforgivable Curses are: the Killing Curse (‘Avada Kedavra’), which kills instantly; the Imperius Curse (‘Imperio’), which takes complete control of another person; and the Cruciatus Curse (‘Crucio’), which inflicts torture. The use of these curses is illegal.
Unicorn
Mythical white horse-like creature with a golden mane and a golden horn sprouting from the head. Innocent and beautiful creatures. The tail hair and horn can be used in magic. It is considered a monstrous crime to slay a unicorn, for whilst drinking its blood will keep you alive, even when you are close to death, you have killed something pure, and will therefore live a half, cursed life.
Unspeakable
Employee of the Department of Mysteries. No one knows exactly what it is that they do.
V
Vampire
Evil creature that roams the night feeding on the blood of living beings.
Veil, the
A tattered black curtain that flutters continuously and mysteriously in a crumbling stone archway on a dais in one of the rooms in the Department of Mysteries.
Venomous Tentacula seeds
Seeds from the shrivelled black pods of this spiky, dark red and apparently carnivorous plant. Despite them being a Class C Non-Tradeable Substance, Mundungus Fletcher sells some seeds to Fred and George Weasley who want to use them in creating their Skiving Snackboxes.
Veritaserum
Powerful Truth Potion. Its use is restricted by the Ministry of Magic.
W
Wand
Implement used by wizards to perform magic. Available from Ollivanders in Diagon Alley.
Wand-tree
The wood of wand-trees is used to make wands.
Wartcap powder
Causes an unpleasant tough brown encrustation to form on the skin.
Watchwizard
A security guard, such as Eric Munch at the Ministry of Magic, who registers every wand brought into the building.
Weasleys’ Wildfire Whiz-bangs
Enchanted fireworks that cause even more mayhem if anyone tries a Stunning Spell on them. Fred and George’s joke shop range of fireworks include boxes such as the Basic Blaze and Deflagration Deluxe.
Weasleys’ Wizarding Wheezes
A joke shop at number ninety-three Diagon Alley, opened by Fred and George Weasley during Harry’s sixth year at Hogwarts.
Weird Sisters, the
Popular music group. The line-up includes guitars, drums, lute, cello and bagpipes.
Welcomewitch
A receptionist, such as at St Mungo’s Hospital, who deals with visitors’ enquiries.
Werewolf
A human (wizard or Muggle) who, as a result of being bitten by another werewolf, takes the form of a wolf during every full moon. Transition is painful. Werewolves are dangerous but the disability can be managed to avoid passing on the condition to others.
‘Which Broomstick?’
Broomstick consumer magazine. Test-rides all makes of broom and reviews them.
Whomping Willow
Large tree in the grounds of Hogwarts that hits anything that comes too close to it.
Wingardium Leviosa
Magical incantation recited together with a swish and flick of the wand to make an object rise into the air.
Wizarding Examinations Authority
Sets and oversees wizarding examinations. An old witch called Griselda Marchbanks is the head of the organisation.
Wizengamot
The Wizard High Court, consisting of about fifty witches and wizards who wear plum-coloured robes with a silver ‘W’ worked onto the left-hand breast. In Harry’s fifth year at Hogwarts, Dumbledore is demoted from his position as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Harry is brought before the full Wizengamot for a Disciplinary Hearing for using magic outside school while under the age of seventeen.
Wizengamot Administration Services
A department in the Ministry of Magic, located on Level Two.
Wolfsbane
Plant used in potions. Also known as monkshood or aconite.
WWN
The Wizarding Wireless Network.
Z
Zonko’s
Wizard joke shop in Hogsmeade.
