Welcome to the The Harry Potter Lexicon
The most compleat and amazing reference to the wonderful world of Harry Potter
est. 2000 A.D.
Phase of the Moon: First Quarter
5 GBP = 1 Galleon 
Ancient Magic
Ancient Magic is magic which happens independently of efforts by wizards, an effect which is triggered by events and powers endemic to the nature of reality. It is extremely old and mysterious, and a wand is not necessary for it to work. It is part of the “magical-ness” of the universe. Examples include the bond of love which happens when… Read More
Durmstrang Institute
Durmstrang Institute is a Northern European school of witchcraft and wizardry, one of at least three wizarding schools in Europe, along with Hogwarts and Beauxbatons. Headmasters: Nerida Vulchanova (founder), Harfang Munter, Igor Karkaroff (until fleeing in 1995) Location: a castle in northern Europe, far enough north that days are very short in winter Uniform: furs,… Read More
How A Man Treats His Inferiors
After the Dark Mark appears in the sky on the night of the Quidditch World Cup, Barty Crouch releases Winky the house-elf from his service, and her unfair treatment draws Hermione’s sympathy and indignation. When she, Harry, and Ron visit Sirius in the cave above Hogsmeade to discuss concerning current events, she describes Crouch’s treatment of Winky,… Read More
Poisonous toadstools don’t change their spots
“Poisonous toadstools don’t change their spots” is a wizarding phrase meaning “people can’t change who they really are inside.” Ron quotes this sage advice when Hermione says she thought that maybe Snape would be less mean to Harry in their fifth year since the Potions Master was in the Order (OP13). Read More
Lists
Sometimes it’s just fun to explore. You can do that by following links all over the Lexicon — there are fact boxes with related entries, icons, tags, and all sorts of other connections on every page. You will quickly find yourself delightfully lost in all the richness of Rowling’s creation. But if you want to be a little bit more… Read More
Descriptive Words in the Harry Potter Books
Most authors expend substantial effort on description, describing scenes, events or characters so that readers will be able to visualise them. The best descriptions often offer no more than hints, keywords, a trained butler’s unobtrusive opening of a particular door. The reader goes through that door himself or herself. Rowling, apparently, is a master of this form of butling. I… Read More
On this day in 1997...
Harry and Ginny kiss for the first time
The first kiss between Harry and Ginny happened spontaneously in front of the members of… Read More
“The Dark Arts are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which… Read More
The Harry Potter Minute
🎙️ OP8: Sweet Victory Foreshadowed
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Latest from the Lexicon Blog
How A Man Treats His Inferiors
• Essay
After the Dark Mark appears in the sky on the night of the Quidditch World Cup, Barty Crouch releases Winky the house-elf from his service, and her unfair treatment draws Hermione’s sympathy and indignation. When she, Harry, and Ron visit Sirius in the cave above Hogsmeade to… Read More
Improper Use of Magic Office: Not the only office for improper use of magic?
• Essay
As any fan of the franchise worth their salt can tell you if asked, the biggest and most important responsibility of the fictional Ministry of Magic in J. K. Rowling’s universe is to make sure people like you and me (Muggles) remain blissfully ignorant of the continued existence… Read More
Another Bundle of Podcast Episodes for Patreon Supporters
• Article
More reasons to be excited about Hogwarts Mystery!
• Article
Come April 25, we’ll all have a chance to play Hogwarts Mystery. Jam City, the developers, recently announced that a number of stars who played Hogwarts professors in the films would be returning to voice the characters in the game, including Dame Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, Michael Gambon as… Read More
Fears and Naïveté
• Essay
Professor Lupin‘s first class with the third-year Gryffindors covers boggarts, which shapeshift into a form that the person who encounters it will find the most frightening. As humans grow and age, they compile more experiences, which result in unique personalities, a deeper capacity for emotions, and more… Read More