Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Hogwarts is the largest school of magic in the world, which employs about twenty faculty members. Rowling has estimated that over one thousand students attend Hogwarts, but three hundred is a closer approximation. Professor Albus Dumbledore (was) the Headmaster and the Deputy Headmistress (was) Professor Minerva McGonagall. The Caretaker of Hogwarts Castle is Argus Filch, and the groundskeeper is Rubeus Hagrid. The Hogwarts School Nurse is Madam “Poppy” Pomfrey. The Hogwarts School Librarian is Madam Irma Pince.
Hogwarts Classes
Locations of classes are based upon information found in the books, unless otherwise noted by the locations featured in the video games. *Locations are not listed for games 1 and 4, because those games did not feature an open system of exploration. Where numbers are not listed, the floors are consistent throughout the whole series, minus these two games (1 and 4). During one part of the first game, however, you are able to reach the third floor from the first floor, and it is mentioned that Defense Against the Dark Arts is there.
| Classes | Professors | Location |
| Ancient Runes | Unknown | Unknown |
| Arithmancy | Professor Vector | Unknown |
| Astronomy | Professor Sinistra | Astronomy Tower (books, game 6) |
| Care of Magical Creatures | Prof. Kettleburn (1-2), Rubeus Hagrid (3+), Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank | Outside, near Hagrid’s Hut and the Forbidden Forest (books, game 3) |
| Charms | Filius Flitwick | Third Floor (books), Second Floor (games*) |
| Defense Against the Dark Arts | Prof. Quirrel (1), Gilderoy Lockhard (2), Remus Lupin (3), Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody impostor (4), Dolores Jane Umbridge (5), Severus Snape (6), Amycus Carrow (7). | First Floor (books), Third Floor (games*+1) |
| Divination | Prof. Sibyll Trelawney (1-7), Firenze (5-7) | Seventh Floor (books, game 5) |
| Flying Lessons | Madam Hooch | Outside, at the Quidditch Pitch (book 1, game 1) |
| Herbology | Pomona Sprout | Outside, in the Greenhouses (books, games*) |
| History of Magic | Prof. Binns | First Floor (books) |
| Muggle Studies | Charity Burbage (1-6), Alecto Carrow (7) | First Floor (books) |
| Potions | Severus Snape (1-5), Horace Slughorn (6-7) | Dungeons (books, games*) |
| Transfiguration | Minerva McGonagall | First Floor (games 3-6), Second Floor (game 2) |
Hogwarts Houses
Gryffindors are brave at heart, daring, and chivalrous. Founder: Godric Gryffindor. Head of House: Minerva McGonagall. Resident Ghost: Nearly-Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas). Colors: Scarlet and Gold. Mascot: Lion.
Slytherins are cunning folk who will use any means to achieve their ends. Founder: Salazar Slytherin. Head of House: Severus Snape. Resident Ghost: The Bloody Baron. Colors: Green and Silver. Mascot: Serpent.
Hufflepuffs are just, loyal, patient, true, and unafraid of toil. Founder: Helga Hufflepuff. Head of House: Pomona Sprout. Resident Ghost: The Fat Friar. Colors: Yellow and Black. Mascot: Badger.
Ravenclaws have a ready mind, and prize wit and learning. Founder: Rowena Ravenclaw. Head of House: Filius Flitwick. Resident Ghost: The Grey Lady. Colors: Blue and Bronze. Mascot: Eagle.
Hogwarts Grounds
The Forbidden Forest is off-limits to all students, although Harry has visited it several times.
Hogwarts Lake is enormous, but is not recommended for swimming in, even on the hottest of days, because it is ice cold. A giant squid resides in the lake. The Whomping Willow is a tree that was planted when and because Remus Lupin began at Hogwarts. By pressing a knot on the tree, you can calm it down and enter a secret tunnel that leads to the Shrieking Shack. Don’t get too close to this tree, because it attacks violently, and it destroyed Harry’s beloved Nimbus 2000 and broke Ron’s wand in two.
Hagrid’s Hut: Hagird, who is half-giant and the first friend Harry has ever known, lives in a wooden hut at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. He lives there with his black boarhound, Fang. Harry, Ron, and Hermione often visit him here, and the Care of Magical Creatures Class also takes place near it.
The Quidditch Pitch: This is the field where the four Hogwarts teams compete in playing the wizard’s sport, Quidditch, which involves three types of balls (one Quaffle, two Bludgers, and one Golden Snitch), and seven players, of which there are four types (one Keeper, who defends the three hoops at either end of the Pitch; three Chasers, who try to score by throwing the Quaffle into one of the opposing team’s three hoops; two Beaters, who have bats with which to beat the Bludgers against opposing players; and finally, one Seeker, whose only task is to find, and catch, the Golden Snitch).