The Lexicon

Day-to-Day Calendar of Goblet of Fire

Day-to-Day Calendar of Goblet of Fire

NOTE: This calendar is NOT formatted for smaller screens. We are working to create a version which will work on any size device, but that’s a bit trickier than you might think with the calendar layout. Since this is a direct port from an outdated system, some of the formatting might be a bit wonky and some links might not work. 

editor: Amy Z.

“No one’s tried to attack me all year.”
— Harry Potter

NOTES:
Creating a reliable calendar of Harry’s fourth year at Hogwarts is possible if one allows for some vaguenesses and inconsistencies.

Overall, it is clear that Rowling did work out a class schedule and calendar for the year, since the vast majority of dates, days of the week, and intervals are consistent with each other. However, she certainly was not attempting to conform to the actual 1994-1995 calendar, since the dates are explicitly contradicted (e.g., Halloween fell on a Monday in 1994, but JKR places it on a Saturday). Therefore, although Easter fell on April 16 in 1995, this is not a reliable piece of evidence for deciding when “the Easter holidays” fall in GF; Easter could be anywhere between the third week of March and the fourth week of April, as in any year. As a result, I have not tried to make this calendar consistent with Real Life 1994-95.

Instead, the calendar that follows is as nearly as possible internally consistent. In a few places, which are noted, adjustments such as extra or omitted days are necessary.

Course Schedule
The course schedule is quite consistent and follows a pattern Americans associate with college schedules: three, possibly four class periods per day, two before and two after lunch, with a break between the two morning classes (there is only documentation of break on Fridays, but I have assumed it would take place every day). “Double” classes are twice the length of other lessons. A particular subject may meet once or twice per week.

There are a few glitches. For example, the days History of Magic are held are clearly Tuesday and Friday (History and Double Potions on the same day–what an ordeal), but the time of day is not clear. In GF29 it is the first class on Friday, but an earlier passage implies that it takes place after lunch: “every time he glimpsed Cho that day–during break, and then lunchtime, and once on the way to History of Magic–she was surrounded by friends” (GF22). (It is possible, though unlikely, that it is Cho, not Harry, who is on the way to History of Magic.)

It is also possible that the schedule is more complex than the simple grid given below and that classes are not always in the same slot. The general consistency elsewhere suggests that the schedule is quite fixed, however.

Harry’s course schedule

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
Herbology
with the Hufflepuffs (GF13)
History of Magic (GF20) Transfiguration
(GF22); may be first, second, or both morning blocks)
History of Magic (GF29)
break break break break break (GF29)
Care of Magical Creatures (GF13)
with the Slytherins
Charms (GF22; block unknown, but it is sometime on Wednesday morning) Charms (GF26)
lunch lunch lunch lunch lunch
Divination (GF13) Potions
(GF14 tells us there is a Potions class between Monday and lunch on Thursday;
GF18 tells us Friday is the only Double Potions)
Defense Against the Dark Arts
(GF14; it is never described as “double,” but it is: it begins immediately after lunch and runs up to dinner)
Potions (GF18)
with the Slytherins
Divination (GF13) Defense Against the Dark Arts (GF14) Potions (GF18)
dinner dinner dinner dinner dinner

There is no mention of Astronomy, whether of continuing it or dropping it.

Ron‘s schedule, as far as we know, is the same as Harry’s
Hermione‘s differs in that she has Arithmancy on Monday afternoons (GF13)
Fred, George, and Lee have DADA on Monday afternoons (GF13)
Cedric has Charms in the first block on Monday mornings (GF20)
Cho has DADA last thing on Friday afternoons (GF22)

Inconsistencies
Time was behaving in a more peculiar fashion than ever.
— (GF20)

There are several internal inconsistencies in the GF calendar, mostly around intervals that are described as longer or shorter than they really are. Occasionally intervals are implied that are not borne out by the facts: e.g., Harry worries a great deal about Sirius when Hedwig takes 12 days to return with a letter (August 23-September 4), but later replies take much longer and meet with much less worry; his very next letter, sent to dissuade Sirius from returning north, doesn’t get a reply for eight weeks.

Events in blue are approximate dates. The lettered items in the calendar have corresponding notes below.

July 1994 – July 1995
and mid-1940s

JUL – AUG – SEP – OCT – NOV – DEC – JAN – FEB – MAR – APR – MAY – JUN

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY references
GF1
c. 1945, summer: Tom Riddle, Sr., and his parents die mysteriously
Jul 27 28 29 30 Jul 31
Harry’s 14th birthdayreceives cakes from Ron, Hermione, Sirius, and Hagrid
Aug 1 2 GF3
Aug 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Aug 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Aug 17 18 19 20 21 22
Aunt Petunia catches Dudley smuggling doughnuts; he throws hisPlayStation out the window
23
Voldemort kills Frank BryceHarry wakes up in the early morning hours (a)writes to Siriusreceives the Weasleys’ invitation
GF1GF2
Aug 24
Mr. Weasley, Ron, and the twins pick Harry up
25
the Quidditch World Cupriot, late p.m. 25th or early a.m. 26th
26
Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys return to the Burrow
27 28 29 30 GF4GF5GF6,GF7GF8GF9,GF10
except for one night at the World Cup, Harry spends the week at the Burrow
Aug 31
Mad-Eye Moody kidnappedlast night at the Burrow
Sept 1
Amos Diggory calls on Mr. Weasley to help MoodyHogwarts Express back to Hogwarts, arrives in a violent downpourDAY OMITTED TO MAKE CALENDAR AGREE:
lessons begin (b)Bubotubers in Herbology,
Skrewts in Care of Magical Creatures,
astrology in DivinationRita’s article about Mr. Weasley/Moody appears in the Daily ProphetMoody transforms Malfoy into a ferret
2 3 4
first DADA class: Unforgivable CursesMoody lends Neville Herbology bookRon and Harry get creative with their Divination homeworkHermione founds S.P.E.W.Hedwig returns with Sirius’s note
5
Harry writes to Sirius, using Hedwig
6 GF11GF12,GF13GF14
Sept 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 GF15
Imperius Curse in DADA sometime between now and October 27
Sept 14 15 16 17 18 19
Hermione’s birthday (passes without comment)
20
Sept 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Sept 28 29 30 Oct 1 2 3 4
Oct 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Oct 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Oct 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 GF15
they begin studying Summoning Charms
Oct 26 27
notice of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students’ upcoming arrival is posted (c)
28 29 EXTRA DAY ADDED TO MAKE CALENDAR AGREE (d)

Switching Spells in Transfiguration

29 30
breakfast: Sirius’s reply arrivesBeauxbatons and Durmstrang students arrive, 6 p.m. (d)
31
breakfast: Goblet of Fire is in the Entrance HallH-R-H visit Hagriddinner: Harry’s name comes out of the GobletRon and Harry argue
GF15GF16,GF17
castle is spiffed up, teachers very tense
Nov 1
Harry writes to Sirius about Goblet, using barn owl; Hedwig now very irritated
2
Bouncing Bulbs in Herbology
3 4 5 6 7 GF18
Harry shunned by most of the school
Nov 8 9 10 11 12 13
Support Cedric Diggory/Potter Stinks badges appearDraco and Harry duel; Hermione’s teeth hexedAntidotes in PotionsWeighing of the Wands; Rita interviews HarrySirius’s letter arrives, arranging Nov. 22 conversation (e)
14
Rita’s article appears in the DPevening: Ron and Harry serve detention for Snape (pickling rats’ brains)
GF18GF19
Summoning Charms in Charms
Harry and Hermione come in for a lot of ridicule following Skeeter article
Nov 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Hogsmeade visit; Harry and Hermione talk to Moody and Hagrid at the Three Broomsticks11:30 p.m. Harry heads to Hagrid’s house
GF19
post-article ridicule continues
Nov 22
shortly after midnight: Hagrid leads Harry to see the dragons1 a.m. Harry and Sirius talk via fire in the common roomRon interrupts
23
Harry tells Cedric about the dragonsMoody gives Harry hintsFlutterby Bushes in Herbology
24
Harry and Hermione practice Summoning Charms until 2 a.m.after lunch:The First TaskHarry and Krum tied for first place with 40 points eachHarry and Ron make upevening: Harry writes to Sirius about the First Task, using Pig
25 26 27 28 GF19GF20
Nov 29 30
Dobby and Winky come to Hogwarts
Dec 1 2 3 4 5 GF22
weather windy and sleeting
Dec 6 7
Rita Skeeter shows up at Care of Magical CreaturesHermione discovers Dobby, leads Harry and Ron to kitchens
8 9 10
McGonagall announces Yule Ball in TransfigurationCross-Species Swtiches in Transfiguration
11
Rita Skeeter interviews Hagrid
12 GF21GF22
Dec 13 14 15 16 17 18
Last day of termAntidotes test in PotionsHarry asks Cho, and Ron Fleur, to the Ball unsuccessfully
19 GF22
Dec 20 21 22 23 24 25
Christmas8 p.m.- midnight: Yule Ball
26 GF23 
Sometime between the 18th and 25th, Sirius’s reply about the first task arrives
Dec 27 28 29 30 31 Jan 1 2 GF24
Harry begins opening egg each time he goes to his room
Jan 3 4
first day of termRita’s article about Hagrid appears in the Daily ProphetProf. Grubbly-Plank takes over Care of Magical Creatures (unicorns)
5 6 7 8 9 GF24
Jan 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Hogsmeade visitH-R-H see Krum diving into lakeRun-in with Rita at the Three BroomsticksDumbledore and H-R-H convince Hagrid to return to work
GF25
Unicorns in Care of Magical Creatures
Jan 17 18 19 20 21
Harry takes egg for a bath, works out clue with Myrtle’s helpMap shows Crouch in Snape’s office; Harry runs into Filch, Snape, and Moody on stairs
22
Banishing Charms in CharmsHarry writes to Sirius by brown owl about previous night’s events
23 GF25GF26
Unicorns in Care of Magical Creatures
Jan 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 GF26
Unicorns in Care of Magical Creatures
Harry researching underwater breathing
Jan 31 Feb 1 2 3 4 5 6 GF26
Unicorns in Care of Magical Creatures
Harry researching underwater breathing
Feb 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 GF26
Unicorns in Care of Magical Creatures
Harry researching underwater breathing
Feb 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 GF26
Unicorns in Care of Magical Creatures
Harry researching underwater breathing
Feb 21 22
brown owl returns with Sirius’s note asking date of next Hogsmeade weekend; Harry sends it off with reply
23 24
9:30 a.m. The Second TaskHarry and Cedric tied for first place with 85 points each
25 26 27 GF26
Unicorns in Care of Magical Creatures
Harry researching underwater breathing
Feb 28 Mar 1
Ron’s birthday (passes without comment)
2 3 4 5
breakfast: brown owl from Sirius arranging to meet next dayRita’s article about Hermione, Krum, Harry appears in Witch WeeklyKarakroff shows up in Potions, worried about his arm
6
Hogsmeade visitnoon: H-R-H leave castle, pick out lurid socks for Dobby at Gladrags2 p.m.: H-R-H meet Sirius and talk in cave
GF26GF27

weather dry and very windy; owls often blown off course

Mar 7
after breakfast: H-R-H write to Percy, using Hedwig; visit kitchens againHarry sends food to Sirius, sees Hagrid digging, eagle owl flying
8
breakfast: Hermione gets first hate mailNifflers in Care of Magical Creatures
9 10 11
hex-deflection test in DADA
12 13 GF28
Hermione gets hate mail all week
Mar 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Mar 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Mar 28 29 30 31 Apr 1
the twins’ birthday (passes without comment)
2 3
Apr 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Apr 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 GF28 
at at “end of Easter holidays” Percy responds by owlMrs. Weasley sends toffee eggs: large to Ron and Harry, small to Hermione
Apr 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Apr 25 26 27 28 29 30 May 1
May 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
May 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
May 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 GF28
Crouch Sr. escapes from Voldemort
May 23 24 25 26 27
9 p.m. Bagman explains third task to ChampionsCrouch Sr. appears on grounds, apparently insane
28
early a.m. Harry sends owl to Sirius; H-R-H see Fred and George sending one to mystery personbreak (after History of Magic): H-R-H talk to Moody
29
breakfast: owl from Sirius
GF28
Harry practicing for Third Task, with Ron and Hermione’s help
May 30 31
Harry has dream of Voldemort in Divinationgoes to Dumbledore’s office, looks in Pensievewrites to Sirius
June 1 2 3 4 5 GF29GF30,GF31
weather: sunny
Harry practicing for Third Task, with Ron and Hermione’s helpH-R-H see Malfoy talking into his hand
June 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 GF31
Harry practicing for third task, with Ron and Hermione’s help
June 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 GF31
Sirius sending daily owlsHarry practicing for third task, with Ron and Hermione’s help
June 20 21 22 23 24
breakfast: Rita’s article about Harry appears in DP (f)History examBill and Mrs. Weasley arrivedusk: The Third TaskCedric killedVoldemort regains his bodyCrouch Jr. confesses, is Kissed by DementorHermione captures Rita
25
morning: conversation with Diggorys
26
evening: Harry leaves hospital wing
GF31GF32,GF33GF34,GF35GF36,GF37
exams
June 27 28 29 30 July 1
H-R-H visit Hagrid
2
end of the year FeastMad-Eye Moody out of hospital wing;
Snape has returned
3
Hogwarts Express back to London
GF37
weather: sunny
students avoid Harry in corridors; he avoids Great Hall when it’s crowded
  1. In GF10, Harry says “On Sunday morning, I woke up with my scar hurting again.” However, the evidence elsewhere is that it is a Saturday. Ron’s letter says that Harry will be picked up “at five o’clock on Sunday” (GF3) and the next chapter says “By twelve o’clock next day, Harry’s trunk was packed;” therefore, the day Ron’s letter (and Molly’s) arrived, the day Harry’s scar hurt, was a Saturday. Furthermore, Harry spends one night at the Burrow (GF5) and the Quidditch World Cup is on a Monday (“Ireland vs. Bulgaria, Monday night”) (GF3). The chronology seems clear: Harry’s scar hurts early Saturday morning, the invitation arrives that day, the Weasleys pick him up the next day (Sunday), and the World Cup is the day after that (Monday). The GF10 reference is an error.
  2. Rowling seems to have made an error here, placing both the return to Hogwarts and the first day of lessons on a Monday.
    • The last night at the Burrow is a Sunday, and they return to Hogwarts the next day: “‘It’s been absolute uproar,’ Percy told them importantly, the Sunday evening before they were due to return to Hogwarts”; later in the same conversation, Fred says, “If the Hogwarts Express crashed tomorrow, and George and I died, how would you feel knowing the last thing we ever heard from you was an unfounded accusation?” (GF10).
    • The first day of lessons is also a Monday. “‘Today’s not bad . . . outside all morning,’ said Ron, who was running his finger down the Monday column of his timetable” (GF13). Later references to Care of Magical Creatures, which they have that morning, repeatedly place it on a Monday and never on another day.
    • Furthermore, the two dates can’t be a week apart, as Dumbledore speaks of lessons beginning “tomorrow morning” at the Welcoming Feast (GF12). Call it a Flint. I have proceeded as if the lessons begin on Monday, September 1.
  3. Ernie says the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students’ arrival is “only a week away!” (GF15) Given the choice between making that 4 days (notice posted on October 27) or 11 (notice posted on October 20), I have chosen the former.
  4. Counting from September 1, October 30 should be a Thursday. However, the sign announcing the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students’ arrival explicitly states that it is a Friday (GF15). If one accepts it as a Friday, the calendar is quite consistent from that date on, and I have done so by inserting a blank day (call it Thursday, October 29.5).
  5. “The prospect of talking face to face with Sirius was all that sustained Harry over the next fortnight” (GF19), though it is in fact only 8 days between the letter and the conversation.
  6. The article refers to Harry’s scar paining him in class “Monday last,” though it is actually four Mondays previous. Perhaps Rita’s editor held onto it for a few weeks and added the bits about the third task being that night?

Commentary

Editor: