Harry Potter Wiki:Canon

Since there are different sources of information for Harry Potter canon and sources do, on occasion, conflict with one another, the following guide is to be used on the Harry Potter Wiki. In order to simplify the different areas that exist as sources for canon information in the Harry Potter universe we have devised a three tier system summarized below. Please remember any type of fanon, information created by fans using the Harry Potter characters, is not considered canon at all and must be marked as such, unless made canon by a legitimate source.

Although there are different levels of canon, this does not mean relevant information can not be included in situations where there are conflicting canon sources. Ambiguous continuity should always be noted. If an "official" canon source has been chosen, (e.g. J. K. Rowling has said that a fact was a mistake and it was meant to be something else), the information from the conflicting source should still appear in the article in the "Behind the scenes" section.

Basically put, everything is canon unless specifically contradicted by a "higher" source.

Canon Tiers

 * JKR - These sources come from J. K. Rowling herself. When J. K. Rowling contradicts herself, the newest source is to be taken as the "most" canon.
 * Books
 * The 7 Harry Potter novels
 * Quidditch Through the Ages
 * Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
 * The Tales of Beedle the Bard
 * Other writings by Rowling set within the Harry Potter universe, i.e. the "Harry Potter Prequel" short story.
 * jkrowling.com
 * Interviews
 * JKR Involved - These sources do not contain information directly from the "mouth" of J. K. Rowling, yet they are projects that she was involved in.
 * Movies
 * JKR Licensing - These sources are where J. K. Rowling licensed the use of the Harry Potter universe to another company or individual.
 * Video Games
 * Wizard Cards
 * Trading Card Games
 * Official merchandise

Examples of usage

 * 1) Oliver Wood mentions in the Philosopher's Stone film that he took a Bludger to the head in the first few minutes of his first ever Quidditch game.  This is never mentioned in the books.  Is it canon according to our guide?  Yes, since there is no evidence from the books to say that it didn't happen.
 * 2) The Harry Potter games contain a spell known as Avifors to change statues into birds.  Is this canon according to our guide?  Yes, since there is no evidence to suggest that such a spell doesn't exist.  This can generally be applied to most spells/items from the games.
 * 3) In the Goblet of Fire film, Krum attacks Fleur in the Maze during the Triwizard Tournament.  Is this considered canon?  No, because the books, a higher source of canon, specifically states that Crouch/Moody did it.  However, it should be noted in the Behind the scenes section.
 * 4) Mafalda is a cut character from an early draft of Goblet of Fire.  Is she canon according to our guide?  Yes and no.  The fact that she exists may be considered canon, but anything about her intended part in the story cannot be considered canon because it did not happen in the books.
 * 5) In the games, are the various challenges/levels considered canon according to our guide?  Yes and no.  Levels like the Glacius Challenge from the Prisoner of Azkaban game should not be considered canon since it is highly unlikely that the students would be put in danger like that.  However, challenges like helping to assemble Dumbledore's Army for their first meeting in Order of the Phoenix could concievably be considered canon because they usually involve helping out with a task to free the student up to attend.