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{{Spoiler|HM|PAS|MA}}
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{{Pottermore}}
  
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{{Creature infobox
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{{Creature_infobox
  
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|image = Banshee PM.png
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|bgcolor1=
  
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|name = Banshee
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|bgcolor2=
  
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|skin = Green-tinged
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|image=[[File:Banshee.png|250px]]
  
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|eyes = Varies
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|name=Banshee
  
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|hair = Black
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|sentience=Sentient
  
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|feathers =
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|skin=Green tinged
  
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|related =
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|eyes=Varies
 
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|native = [[Ireland]]<ref name="Ireland">As the Bandon Banshee came from Bandon, in Ireland.</ref>
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|hair=Black
  
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|alias =
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|feathers=
  
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|height =
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|related=
  
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|length =
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|native=[[Ireland]] and [[Scotland]]
  
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|wingspan =
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|alias=
  
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|mortality =
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|height=Average height of a human
 
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|distinction = *[[Zombie]]-like appearance<ref name="POA7"/>
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|length=
  
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*Fatal scream<ref name="POA7"/>
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|wingspan=
  
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|affiliation = [[Dark Arts]]<ref name="WBP"/><ref name="HM624"/>
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|distinction=*Zombie-like appearance
 
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|class = [[Spirit]]<ref name="WBP"/>
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*Fatal scream
  
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|status = Extant
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*Superhuman strength
 
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|affiliation=
  
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|class=
  
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|status=Most likely [[Being]]
  
 
}}
  
}}
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{{Quote|Where the [[mummy]] had been was a woman with floor length black hair and a skeletal, green-tinged face — a banshee. She opened her mouth wide and an unearthly sound filled the room, a long, wailing shriek that made the hair on [[Harry Potter|Harry's]] head stand on end —|Banshee impersonation by a [[Boggart]]|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
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The '''Banshee''' (Gaelic spelling ''beannsidhe'') is a Dark creature native to [[Ireland]] and [[Scotland]].
  
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The '''banshee''' was a [[Dark Arts|dark]] [[creature]]<ref name="WBP"/> which could be found in [[Ireland]].<ref name="Ireland"/> Banshees were malevolent [[spirit]]s<ref name="WBP"/> that had the appearance of women and their cries were [[Death|fatal]] to anyone that heard them. The [[Laughing Potion]] was an effective defence against them.<ref name="WBP">{{WBP}}</ref>
   
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==Biology and Description==
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==Biology and description==
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A banshee had the appearance of a woman with floor length black hair, and a skeletal face. They also had green skin
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Banshees had the appearance of a woman with floor length black hair, a skeletal face, and green skin. A banshee's scream was fatal to the ears, in a manner similar to fully grown [[Mandrake]]s.<ref name="POA7">{{POA|B|7}}</ref> Most banshees were likely hostile, as at least one wizard had a boggart that was a banshee.<ref name="POA7"/>
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
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The [[Bandon Banshee]] was supposedly defeated by [[Gilderoy Lockhart]], which he describes in his book ''[[Break with a Banshee]]''; though he admits to stealing credit for his books. The only thing known about the actual witch who defeated the Bandon Banshee was that she had a hairy chin.
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The [[Bandon Banshee]] was supposedly defeated by [[Gilderoy Lockhart]], which he described in his book ''[[Break with a Banshee]]'';<ref name="COS6">{{COS|B|6}}</ref> though he later admitted to stealing credit for his books.<ref name="COS16"/> The only thing known about the actual [[Witch with a hairy chin|witch who defeated the Bandon Banshee]] was that she had a hairy chin.<ref name="COS16">{{COS|B|16}}</ref>
   
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[[File:Banshee DADA lesson HM624.png|thumb|left|250px|Bill Weasley showing sixth-years a banshee in Defence Against the Dark Arts]]
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[[Seamus Finnigan]] is afraid of Banshees, as his [[Boggart]] demonstrated. Seamus also mentions it when [[Harry Potter]] opens up the [[golden egg]] and hears a screeching sound.
  
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During the [[1989–1990 school year]] at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], [[William Weasley|Bill Weasley]] taught his [[sixth year|sixth-year]] friends about banshees and instructed them on how to defend themselves from the creatures in one of his [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] tutoring sessions. Bill even brought an actual banshee into the [[Classroom 3C|classroom]] to study, with him and his classmates wearing protective [[earmuffs]] to prevent them hearing its deadly scream. [[Jacob's sibling]] banished the banshee with the [[Laughing Potion]].<ref name="HM624">{{HM|6|24|dada}}</ref>
   
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On [[31 July]] [[1992]], [[Mason's wife|Mrs Mason]] "screamed like a banshee" when the [[Owl Postal Service|owl post]] letter warning Harry Potter about his supposed [[underage magic]] transgression (actually committed by [[Dobby]]) was dropped on her head at [[4 Privet Drive]], as she suffered from ornithophobia (the fear of [[bird]]s).<ref name="CS2">{{COS|B|2}}</ref>
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The singer [[Celestina Warbeck]] is known to perform with a backing group of banshees. Another possible banshee was the [[Bogle-banshee]], mentioned by a student on the "[[Defence Against the Dark Arts Second Year Essential Knowledge Test|Second Year Essential Knowledge Test]]" that [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] gave his [[second year]] [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] class in [[1992]].<ref>''[[Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey]]'', p. 74 {{see image|File:LockhartTest1.jpg}}</ref>
  
   
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[[Seamus Finnigan]] was afraid of banshees, as his [[Boggart]] demonstrated.<ref name="POA7">{{POA|B|7}}</ref> Seamus also mentioned it when [[Harry Potter]] opened the [[golden egg]] and heard a screeching sound.<ref name="GOF21">{{GOF|B|21}}</ref>
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==Protection from Banshees==
  
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The only known way to stop a banshee is to break its neck when it closes its eyes to scream, because every other part of its body is as tough as steel.
  
   
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The singer [[Celestina Warbeck]] was known to perform with a backing group of banshees.<ref name="PM-Warbeck">{{WW|celestina-warbeck}}</ref> She once had to cancel a [[Hallowe'en]] concert one year with Banshees as backup singers.<ref name="DP4">{{DP|N|4}}</ref>
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==Powers and Abilities==
  
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A notable power of a banshee is a high-pitched supersonic scream that can kill anyone. A banshee's fatal scream is very similar (if not the same) to a fully grown [[Mandrake]]'s scream, which is also fatal. {{Fact}}
  
   
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Another possible banshee was the [[bogle-banshee]], mentioned by a student on the "[[Defence Against the Dark Arts Second Year Essential Knowledge Test|Second Year Essential Knowledge Test]]" that [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] gave his [[second year|second-year]] [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] class in [[1992]].<ref name="HBBS">{{HPPS}}, p. 74 {{see image|File:LockhartTest1.jpg}}</ref>
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During the [[Wizarding Schools Potions Championship]], a banshee drove the [[Uagadou potions champion]] mad.<ref name="WBP">{{WBP}}</ref>
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Banshees appeared throughout the [[wizarding world]] during the [[Calamity]] in the [[2010]]s, in which they acted as [[Confoundable]] guards to certain [[Foundable]]s, such as a portrait of [[Salazar Slytherin]], which belonged at [[Hogwarts Castle]]. Volunteer members of the [[Statute of Secrecy Task Force]] had to cast the [[Bombardment Spell]] in order to repel them, allowing the Foundable to return to their rightful place.<ref name="WU">{{WU}}</ref>
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==Behind the scenes==
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*The {{W|banshee}} is a female [[spirit]] in [[Ireland|Irish]] folklore and mythology, who appears to herald the [[death]] of a family member, usually by wailing, shrieking or keening. They are generally believed to be [[Fairy|fairies]] or [[ghost]]s.
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*Due to their similarities, it is possible that banshees are related to [[Dementor]]s, and may like them be considered [[Amortality|amortal]].
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*As Celestina Warbeck performed with them as backing singers, it was possible that not all were malevolent or they could be trained/tamed by wizards.
 
==Appearances==
  
==Appearances==
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{{Imagecat|Images of banshees}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)]]''
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' {{Mention}}
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*{{COS}} {{1st Mention}}
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*{{COS|F}} {{Mention}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)]]'' {{Mention}}
  
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*{{POA}} {{Boggart}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)]]''
  
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*{{GOF}} {{Mention}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' {{comment|Seen as boggart}}
  
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' {{Mention}}
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*{{DP}} {{Mention}}
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*{{PM}} {{C|Seen on book cover}} {{Boggart}}
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*''[[Daily Prophet Newsletters]]''
  
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*{{WW}} {{Boggart}}
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*''[[Pottermore]]'' {{C|Appears on book cover}}
  
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*{{WBP}} {{1st}}
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*{{HM}}
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*{{WU}}
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*{{PAS}} {{Mention}}
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*{{MA}} {{Mention}}
   
 
==Notes and references==
  
==Notes and references==
 
{{Reflist}}
  
{{Reflist}}
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{{Defence Against the Dark Arts}}
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[[de:Todesfee]]
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[[de2:Todesfee]]
 
[[es:Banshee]]
  
[[es:Banshee]]
 
[[fr:Spectre de la mort]]
  
[[fr:Spectre de la mort]]
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[[it:Banshee]]
 
[[ru:Банши]]
  
[[ru:Банши]]
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[[Category:Banshees| ]]
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[[pl:Szyszymora]]
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[[Category:Creatures]]
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[[pt-br:Banshee]]
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[[Category:Spirits]]
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[[Category:Banshees]]
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[[Category:Boggart forms]]
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[[Category:Confoundables]]
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[[Category:Creatures from Ireland]]
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[[Category:Defence Against the Dark Arts]]
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[[Category:Muggle-known creatures]]

Latest revision as of 16:25, 30 September 2023

Hand pointing right transparent Warning!

At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery & Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells & Harry Potter: Magic Awakened.
As such, spoilers will be present within the article.

"Where the mummy had been was a woman with floor length black hair and a skeletal, green-tinged face — a banshee. She opened her mouth wide and an unearthly sound filled the room, a long, wailing shriek that made the hair on Harry's head stand on end —"
— Banshee impersonation by a Boggart[src]

The banshee was a dark creature[3] which could be found in Ireland.[1] Banshees were malevolent spirits[3] that had the appearance of women and their cries were fatal to anyone that heard them. The Laughing Potion was an effective defence against them.[3]

Biology and description

Banshees had the appearance of a woman with floor length black hair, a skeletal face, and green skin. A banshee's scream was fatal to the ears, in a manner similar to fully grown Mandrakes.[2] Most banshees were likely hostile, as at least one wizard had a boggart that was a banshee.[2]

History

The Bandon Banshee was supposedly defeated by Gilderoy Lockhart, which he described in his book Break with a Banshee;[5] though he later admitted to stealing credit for his books.[6] The only thing known about the actual witch who defeated the Bandon Banshee was that she had a hairy chin.[6]

Banshee DADA lesson HM624

Bill Weasley showing sixth-years a banshee in Defence Against the Dark Arts

During the 1989–1990 school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Bill Weasley taught his sixth-year friends about banshees and instructed them on how to defend themselves from the creatures in one of his Defence Against the Dark Arts tutoring sessions. Bill even brought an actual banshee into the classroom to study, with him and his classmates wearing protective earmuffs to prevent them hearing its deadly scream. Jacob's sibling banished the banshee with the Laughing Potion.[4]

On 31 July 1992, Mrs Mason "screamed like a banshee" when the owl post letter warning Harry Potter about his supposed underage magic transgression (actually committed by Dobby) was dropped on her head at 4 Privet Drive, as she suffered from ornithophobia (the fear of birds).[7]

Seamus Finnigan was afraid of banshees, as his Boggart demonstrated.[2] Seamus also mentioned it when Harry Potter opened the golden egg and heard a screeching sound.[8]

The singer Celestina Warbeck was known to perform with a backing group of banshees.[9] She once had to cancel a Hallowe'en concert one year with Banshees as backup singers.[10]

Another possible banshee was the bogle-banshee, mentioned by a student on the "Second Year Essential Knowledge Test" that Gilderoy Lockhart gave his second-year Defence Against the Dark Arts class in 1992.[11]

During the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship, a banshee drove the Uagadou potions champion mad.[3]

Banshees appeared throughout the wizarding world during the Calamity in the 2010s, in which they acted as Confoundable guards to certain Foundables, such as a portrait of Salazar Slytherin, which belonged at Hogwarts Castle. Volunteer members of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force had to cast the Bombardment Spell in order to repel them, allowing the Foundable to return to their rightful place.[12]

Behind the scenes

  • The banshee is a female spirit in Irish folklore and mythology, who appears to herald the death of a family member, usually by wailing, shrieking or keening. They are generally believed to be fairies or ghosts.
  • Due to their similarities, it is possible that banshees are related to Dementors, and may like them be considered amortal.
  • As Celestina Warbeck performed with them as backing singers, it was possible that not all were malevolent or they could be trained/tamed by wizards.

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 9 images related to Banshee.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 As the Bandon Banshee came from Bandon, in Ireland.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 7 (The Boggart in the Wardrobe)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Wonderbook: Book of Potions
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 24 (Return to the Forest) - Defence Against the Dark Arts Lesson "Banshees"
  5. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 6 (Gilderoy Lockhart)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 16 (The Chamber of Secrets)
  7. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 2 (Dobby's Warning)
  8. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 21 (The House-Elf Liberation Front)
  9. ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Celestina Warbeck" at Wizarding World
  10. ↑ Daily Prophet Newsletters, Issue 4
  11. ↑ Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey, p. 74 (see this image)
  12. ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
Defence Against the Dark Arts (D.A.D.A.)
Subjectsdada
D.A.D.A. at Hogwarts
Classroom 3C · Classroom 3C backrooms · Temporary Classroom · Hogwarts Turris Magnus · Teacher's Office · Storeroom · Staircase · Storage room · Lesson Cup · Race Cup · Duelling Club · Dumbledore's Army
Professors
Isidora Morganach · Dinah Hecat · Arsenius Jigger · Albus Dumbledore · Galatea Merrythought · 1984–1985 professor · 1985–1986 professor · 1986–1987 professor · 1987–1988 professor · Patricia Rakepick · 1989–1990 professor · First 1990–1991 professor · Olivia Green · Quirinus Quirrell · Gilderoy Lockhart · Remus Lupin · Bartemius Crouch Junior (as Alastor Moody) · Dolores Umbridge · Severus Snape · Amycus Carrow (as Dark Arts teacher) · Unidentified professor · Brindlemore
Textbooks
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection · Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts · Break with a Banshee · Gadding with Ghouls · Holidays with Hags · Travels with Trolls · Voyages with Vampires · Wanderings with Werewolves · Year with the Yeti · The Essential Defence Against the Dark Arts · Defensive Magical Theory · Dark Arts Defence – Basics for Beginners · Confronting the Faceless · Defence Against the Dark Arts
Spells studied at Hogwarts under D.A.D.A.
Aqua Eructo · Boggart-Banishing Spell (Riddikulus) · Bombarda Maxima · Cave inimicum · Concealment Charms · Counter-curses · Counter-jinxes · Cruciatus Curse (Crucio) · Curse of the Bogies (Mucus ad Nauseam) · Cursed barrier spell · Densaugeo · Deprimo Spell (Deprimo) · Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus) · Ear-Shrivelling Curse · Everte Statum · Freezing Spell (Glacius) · Full Body-Bind Curse (Petrificus Totalus) · Fumos Duo · Green Sparks · Hex-Breaker· Hex-deflection · Hex Zapper · Homorphus Charm · Human-presence-revealing Spell (Homenum Revelio) · Impediment Jinx (Impedimenta) · Imperius Curse (Imperio) · Imperturbable Charm · Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) · Knockback Jinx (Flipendo) · Lacarnum Inflamari · Langlock · Levitation Spell (Levioso) · Limbo Mist anticharm · Nonverbal spells · Patronus Charm (Expecto Patronum) · Pimple Jinx (Furnunculus) · Protective enchantments · Red Sparks (Vermillious) · Reductor Curse (Reducto) · Salvio hexia · Sea Urchin Jinx · Seize and pull charm (Carpe Retractum) · Shield Charm (Protego) · Smokescreen Spell (Fumos) · Snake-Vanishing Spell (Vipera Evanesca) · Softening Charm (Spongify) · Stretching Jinx · Tickling Charm (Rictusempra) · Tongue-Tying Curse (Mimblewimble) · Trip Jinx · Twitchy-Ears Hex · Verdimillious Charm (Verdimillious) · Verdimillious Duo Spell (Verdimillious) · Verdimillious Tria · Vermillious Duo · Vermillious Tria · Wand-Lighting Charm (Lumos)
Creatures studied at Hogwarts under D.A.D.A.
Banshee · Boggart · Chameleon Ghoul · Charmed skeleton · Cornish Pixie · Dementor · Dugbog · Erkling · Flesh-Eating Slug · Ghost · Ghoul · Gnome · Grindylow · Gytrash · Hag · Hinkypunk · Iguana · Imp · Inferius · Kappa · Manticore · Nocturnal beasts · Nogtail · Poltergeist · Red Cap · Snake · Troll · Vampire · Vampire bat · Werewolf · Yeti · Zombie
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