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"Where's the cannon?"
Dudley Dursley making a non-sequitur while suddenly awakening[src]

A cannon is a piece of artillery typically used as a weapon, although they are also commonly used for ceremonial purposes.[3]

History[]

In 1876 caretaker Rancorous Carpe attempted to capture Peeves in a trap, which failed and resulted in Peeves arming himself with several weapons including a miniature cannon.[4]

By 1890, there was a cannon stored in the Bell Tower Wing at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Most wizards found the prospect of wielding such a hefty weapon "utterly head-scratching".[5]

In the early hours of 31 July 1991, while the Dursley family and Harry Potter were hiding out at the Hut-on-the-Rock following Vernon Dursley's taking the family on the run from wizards, Dudley Dursley stupidly commented "Where's the cannon?" when Rubeus Hagrid knocked loudly on the door.[1] Later that year, Harry pulled a Wizard Cracker with Fred Weasley and it "went off with a blast like a cannon".[6]

A cannon was used at the start of each of the three tasks during the 1994–1995 Triwizard Tournament. Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch fired it, signalling the contestants to proceed to the task. On the first occasion, he accidentally fired the cannon before it was time for the champions to proceed to the task as well as nearly bringing down the tent around him. The second time went without incident, but the third time was another early misfire; Dumbledore gestured with his wand towards the cannon, accidentally causing it to discharge.[2]

There was also a Quidditch team named the Chudley Cannons, of whom Ron Weasley was very fond of.[7]

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

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