Hogwarts, A History

Hogwarts, a History

Introduction
"Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus" which means "Never tickle a sleeping dragon" is the famous school motto for Hogwarts of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This quote only shapes the mysterious school of wizardry.

In 992 A.D., the four greatest witches and wizards of the age shared a dream, to create a school where young people of the Wizarding World could study and be trained in the magical arts they needed to become skilled, fully-trained Wizards. These four great Wizards each founded one of the houses of the school that they worked together to form: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Because of the recent discovery of the Hogwarts founder's journals this new edition of Hogwarts, A History is more accurate. There will excerpts from the journals themselves.

Chapter One: The Four Creators
I. Godric Gryffindor
Godric Gryffindor believed that anyone who showed magical ability should be allowed to attend Hogwarts. The Sorting Hat originally belonged to Gryffindor. His sword, with rubies in the handle, has also survived and is in the possession of Dumbledore. According to the Sorting Hat, Gryffindor came from the moors. It is possible that Godric's Hollow is named after Godric Gryffindor. He and Salazar Slytherin were great friends.

II. Salazar Slytherin
Salazar Slytherin believed that only pure-blood Witches and Wizards should be allowed to attend Hogwarts. He got into an argument with Godric Gryffindor about this and eventually left the school. There was a legend that Slytherin built a secret chamber somewhere in Hogwarts that only his true heir would be able to open. This chamber, called The Chamber of Secrets, contained a monster that would finish his "noble purpose" of killing all the Muggle-born students at Hogwarts. According to the Sorting Hat, Slytherin came from the fen.

III. Rowena Ravenclaw
Rowena Ravenclaw is believed to be from the glen. She was very intelligent and was great friends with Helga Hufflepuff. She was described as "being ahead of their time and was able to come up with many ideas." Godric often mentioned that she was their muse. Her diary, unlike the others, is filled with ideas, plans, and problems. She strongly supported Godric's belief that anyone who showed magical ability should be allowed to attend Hogwarts. She believed though that even Muggles who showed no magical ability should be allowed to attend Hogwarts if they had enough intelligence.

IV. Helga Hufflepuff
According to the Sorting Hat, Hufflepuff came from the valley. She was the eccentric and friendly one, or so described by Rowena, she was the one who would try to bring joy to Hogwarts. She was not liked very much by Salazar and Godric because her beliefs were very different from theirs. She mentioned once in her journal that she did not care who should be allowed to attend Hogwarts as long as they had students to teach.

Chapter Two: How it came to be
How did it came to be that we have Hogwarts? How did the four founders of Hogwarts knew each other? These are questions that are often asked when thought of Hogwarts.

They first came to know one another when they were all taught by the same mage. When years later they would meet once again, they all had the same belief: to create a school for magical students. Rowena and Helga believed the school should be created in a big and important city (such as Paris or London). Godric and Salazar believed in somewhere secluded and open. They agreed that a private, open, and secluded place would be the best place to place the school. They all believed there should be a lot of space to create the school and there should be wide open space for the students to relax and play in.

They found the location, but what about the name? Apparently, Helga Hufflepuff used to collect Hogwarts lilies. The other founders thought this sounded perfect for the name. Now all they needed was to think of the rest.

Chapter Three: The Four Houses
The idea for the houses was introduced by Helga. She believed that it would give students a chance to befriend other students with similar interest and personality.

I. Gryffindor
This house was named after Godric Gryffindor. The colors are red and gold because those were the only colors Godric would wear. The animal, the lion, was chosen because it matched his personality. The Gryffindors are often known for their courage. The ghost of Gryffindor house was Sir Nicholas deMimsy-Porpington (Nearly Headless Nick). He arrived to Hogwarts around 1492. He was murdered in the town of Hogsmeade. The location of the Gryffindor Tower is located on the seventh floor. The entrance is guarded by the painting of the Pink Lady. The Gryffindor Quidditch team wear robes of scarlet.

Known Gryffindor alumni are Oliver Wood, the famous Quidditch player, who attended in 1987. George and Fred Weasley, the owners of the famous joke shop "Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes." Harry Potter, the only known survivor of the Killing Curse and famous Auror. Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger friends of Harry Potter and famous Aurors. Albus Dumbledore who is famous for the defeat of the Dark Wizard Grindelwald and of the twelve uses of dragon's blood. Sirius Black, who was once accused for killing thirteen people with one curse. He was also accused for being Voldermort's supporter. Through recent events he was actually found not guilty of these accuses. Agnus McGrath is also a very famous alumni among Gryffindor Quidditch players. She was a beater for Gryffindor. Rubeus Hagrid is very famous around Hogwarts and is the current caretaker. He is a very warm person.

II. Hufflepuff
Hufflepuff house was named after Helga Hufflepuff. The mascot of the house, the Badger, was chosen because this was her favourite animal. The colors are yellow and black because it was known that she always would wear yellow and that the badger was black. The Hufflepuffs are known for their loyalty, friendliness, and patience. The Hufflepuff ghost is the Fat Friar. He used to be a Hufflepuff student, he is very friendly and loves to be humored. Every year, he wishes new students to be sorted into Hufflepuff house. The entrance to the Hufflepuff common room is located in the dungeons near the kitchens. It is guarded by one of the tapestry of the lady and the unicorn.

The most known Hufflepuff Alumni is Cedric Diggory who played Hufflepuff seeker. Unfortunately, what he is known for is being a victim of Voldemort's last rise during the last Triwizard Tournament in 1995.

III. Ravenclaw
Ravenclaw house was named after Rowena Ravenclaw. The colors are blue and bronze, it was known that she used to believe Blue and Bronze meant intelligence and abstract things. The Raven is the house's mascot. The ghost of Ravenclaw house is The Grey Lady. She was a Ravenclaw student in around the beginning of the 1800s. She is very nice and loves to have conversations with Ravenclaw students. The entrance to the Ravenclaw house is located on the 6th floor. It is guarded by a Sphinx made of Stone. If you tell it the wrong password, it will attack you and chase you down the hall. This has happened to many forgetful students.

Known Aumnis are Stephen Cornfoot who is a famous Herbologist and discovered the cure for tobacco addicted patients, it was once rumoured that he was once addicted to Tobacco. Kevin Entwhistle who is famous for discovering two new Magical Beasts.

IV. Slytherin
Slytherin house was named after Salazar Slytherin. He owned many pets, who all were snakes, and all were green and contained silver eyes. Salazar Slytherin even had silver eyes. He also created the Chambers of Secrets, which was opened twice after his death. The Slytherins are cunning, and ambitious folks. The Slytherin Quidditch Team wear green Robes. The entrance to the Slytherin common is located in the dungeons and is guarded by a knight. Like the Ravenclaw's sphynx if you forget the password it will attack you, chase you, or challenge you to a duel. Upper class Slytherin used to play many pranks on the first year students by having the knight chase them down the hall.

The ghost is the Bloody Baron, he is grim, silent, and very terrifying. He is covered with bloodstains. He never speaks unless directly spoken to. In my childhood I have spoken to him. I have found out that his name is actually Berthold Tacitus. He told me that his servant Peeves had killed him but in return he haunted his servant until the point of suicide. He is the only one who can control Peeves because of reasons that the Baron has kept secret. He rarely ever mentions his servant's name when speaking of him.

Known alumni are Draco Malfoy a famous employee of the Ministry of Magic. He deals with International Affairs. Lucius Malfoy works for the Ministry of Magic as chair of the advisory board. He is mainly know for once being a Death Eater. Severus Snape who is known for creating many potions. He is also the current Minister of Magic. Tom Riddle is known around Hogwarts for receiving an 'Award for Special Sevices to the School' in 1943 and another 'Award for Magical Merit' in 1948. He is mainly known for being the Dark Lord Voldemort.

Chapter Four: The Helping Devices

I. Charms, spells and protection
Hogwarts contain so many spell that it would be impossible for me to mention them all. The very first charm that was placed here at Hogwarts was the Anti-Apparation spell. It is just like the name suggest. No one can Apparate in and out of Hogwarts. The only exception is being transported into other dimensions. If you try to Apparate in or out of Hogwarts all you will receive is a very painful headache and you will also be left in near death.

Another spell, are the anti-Muggle spells. Any Muggles that arrive at Hogwarts will see a castle in ruins with a sign at the front reading "DO NOT ENTER! DANGEROUS!" Another anti-Muggle spell is that any Muggle objects will cease to work. If you bring electronics to Hogwarts, they will cease to work while they are located at Hogwarts but once out of Hogwarts they will work once again.

A very important spell was placed inside the Great Hall of Hogwarts. This spell acts as a boundary protection spell. This spell was created for is any danger arrived at Hogwarts they would bring all the students inside the Great Hall, lock the doors, and whatever was causing danger at Hogwarts cannot enter the Great Hall therefore anyone that is inside the Hall is protected against whatever is outside the doors. This spell does not kill whoever they're trying to protect from, it only serves as a barrier.

Another spell is to confuse any strangers at Hogwarts. The moving staircases and the moving room play a part in this. Only certain charmed room will move their place around in Hogwarts.

II. The paintings
Everyone knows that any school needs paintings to bring decoration, joy, and fun. Hogwarts has many paintings, and as usual the paintings speak, have emotions, and act like any other human or animal.

The Gryffindor's Pink Lady is very famous around Hogwarts. She was, in actuality, Godric Gryffindor's sister. The Pink Lady is a rule abiding woman, she is nice but she does not like first year students. She only likes seventh year students because they usually leave and won't come back.
If you wish to go on a quest, or be amused greatly go and visit Sir Cadogan who resides near the Divination Tower. He will challenge anyone he sees to a duel but if you ask him directions he will back down and show you your destination. I suggest that in your spare time, you visit Sir Cadogan and either challenge him to a duel or propose to go on a quest. He will greatly appreciate it and sometimes will tell you a secret about Hogwarts.

There are paintings of famous people like Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Ptolemy, Caesar, etc.... These people reside in many places around the castle. As a suggestion, do not ask them about their accomplishments or else they will speak for hours.

One of the unknown paintings are the paintings of the Founders of Hogwarts. These paintings used to be located in the common rooms but around 1991 they were taken away from the common rooms. No one exactly know where the paintings are now located. They were painted in the classes they taught at the time and if you looked carefully you could find out exactly what room they were.

III. The ghosts
There are many ghosts around Hogwarts. These ghosts will often tell you events that happened in their life. There are less ghosts during these times than there used to be because many finally found peace.

A very popular ghost around Hogwarts is the Laughing Boy. He is a young boy of eleven who still hangs around Hogwarts because even after his death. He drowned in the lake. Even though of his dark path he is a very playful and nice boy. He loves to play with everyone and he always seems to laugh every time you see him.