Warning!
At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery & Harry Potter: Magic Awakened & Hogwarts Legacy. |
- "History of Magic by common consent the most boring subject ever devised by Wizard-kind. Professor Binns, their ghost teacher, had a wheezy, droning voice that was almost guaranteed to cause severe drowsiness within ten minutes, five in warm weather."
- — Harry Potter's description of the class[src]
History of Magic was a subject and core class taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This class was a study of magical history.[1][5] This was one of the subjects where the use of magic practically was not necessary. History of Magic was taught from the first year to the fifth,[5] and was completed with an O.W.L. exam with only a written section.[6]
The professor of this subject, Cuthbert Binns, taught at Hogwarts for many years before his death, and even after his death he continued teaching at Hogwarts as a ghost.[1]
Class information[]
- "My subject is History of Magic. I deal with facts, Miss Granger, not myths and legends."
- — Professor Binns[src]
The lesson plan usually consisted of lectures on the 'History of Wizards and the Magical World' (in which goblin rebellions appeared most memorably). This class was similar to the study of History in the Muggle World, as particular emphasis was placed upon remembering dates, names and events.[1]
The class was taught by the ghost of Professor Cuthbert Binns. According to Hogwarts folklore, Professor Binns had failed to notice that he was dead; he simply went to sleep by the Staffroom fire one night, then got up from his chair the next morning and left his body behind.[1][4]
As Professor Binns was very old at the time of his death, he was very set in his ways and students found him difficult to relate to. Binns' lessons consisted of him reciting (or "droning", as many would put it) lectures to his students. He did not seem to mind (or notice) that the class rarely paid attention or even that they slept through his class (with the exception of Hermione Granger, who alone "seemed able to resist the soporific power of Binns' voice"). Ron Weasley and Harry Potter both found History of Magic terribly boring, and only managed to pass the class by borrowing Hermione's notes.[7]
When Hermione ventured a question, Professor Binns did not even remember her name, calling her "Miss Grant," even though she was the only person in his class that actually paid attention. Professor Binns was also very dismissive of the legend of Chamber of Secrets when he responded to Hermione's question about it, calling it "Legend" and maintaining that he taught only "Fact".[4]
During class, Binns sometimes fell asleep and students played and practised games. Peeves and other Hogwarts ghosts sometimes came in and lectured the class. Another, unofficial, lecturer was Rowan Khanna, who took advantage of Binns' frequent naps and inattention to practice their teaching technique as they aspired to be a professor after graduation. To mix up their lectures, Khanna sometimes brought in another guest lecturer of sort — a portrait of Rowena Ravenclaw, allowing classmates to hear about the founding of Hogwarts directly from the memories of one of the founders.
Location and time[]
Classrooms[]
History of Magic classes took place in Class 72 on the third-floor and Classroom 4F on the first-floor. Classroom 4F was filled the room with books on history, with a Draconifors spellbook locked in a side-room, protected with minor magical defences.[8]
Lesson times[]
Year | Day | Period |
---|---|---|
First | Thursday | second |
Second | Second | |
Friday | Fourth | |
Third | Wednesday | morning |
Fourth | Tuesday | |
Friday | ||
Fifth | Monday | first/second (first half) |
Sixth | unknown | unknown |
Seventh |
Curriculum[]
First year[]
- Gargoyle Strike of 1911[9]
- Soap Blizzard of 1378[9]
- Werewolf Code of Conduct[10]
- Emeric the Evil[1]
- Uric the Oddball[1]
- Elfric the Eager[10]
- Self-Stirring Cauldron[10]
Second year[]
Third year[]
- "I've rewritten my whole History of Magic essay to include some of the things I've found out, I hope it's not too long — it's two rolls of parchment more than Professor Binns asked for."
- — Hermione Granger telling Harry Potter about her third year History of Magic homework[src]
Fourth year[]
- "Meanwhile Professor Binns, the ghost who taught History of Magic, had them writing weekly essays on the goblin rebellions of the eighteenth century."
- — Professor Binns setting fourth year homework.[src]
Fifth year[]
- "Today, they suffered an hour and a half's droning on the subject of giant wars."
- — A fifth year lesson[src]
- Medieval Assembly of European Wizards[13]
- Giant wars[7][14]
- Goblin Rebellion of 1612[15]
- Goblin Rebellion of 1752[16]
- International Statute of Secrecy[6][17]
- Witch Hunts of 14th century[18]
- Werewolf Code of Conduct[19]
- International Warlock Convention of 1289[20]
- International Confederation of Wizards[6]
- Goblin Rebellions[6]
Sixth year[]
- History of Wandlore[21]
- Uprising of Elfric the Eager[22]
- Witch Trials of 1692[23]
- Wendelin the Weird[24]
- Gargoyle Strike of 1911[25]
- Dissolving of the Wizards' Council[26]
- Ancient Runes[27]
- Owl Airforce[28]
- Uric the Oddball[29]
- 14th Century Wizarding Economic Bubble[30]
Seventh year[]
- Emeric the Evil[31]
- Famous and historical duels[32]
- Alchemy in Medieval Europe[33]
- Broom history[34]
- Founding of St Mungo's Hospital[35]
- History of Dragon Pox[36]
- Warlocks' Convention of 1709[37]
- Gringotts history[38]
- Azkaban history[39]
- Historical Mischief[40]
- Dai Ryusaki[41]
Known professors[]
Required textbooks[]
Grades[]
Passing grades[]
|
Fail grades[] |
Known O.W.L.s[]
Behind the scenes[]
- As Binns became a ghost, he could no longer move beyond the veil, and would remain earthbound for all eternity. This meant that unless he resigned or was sacked, he would have been the History of Magic teacher forever. This was probably the reason that the school had not sacked him thus far, despite his dreadful teaching technique. Although it could be that sometime after the Second Wizarding War that a more engaging teacher took over from Binns, as it was crucial and necessary for more students to make the subject far more interesting and to increase the chance for students to at least achieve a passing grade on their O.W.L. exam.
- It is also unknown if any careers in the Wizarding world specifically require the study of this subject, since Careers Advice as shown in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix does not mention the subject as a necessary requirement for any wizarding professions, although it is possible that the subject is useful for Curse-Breakers, or journalists/researchers.
- Ancient Studies may be a specific specialised branch of this subject, which is only taught about in N.E.W.T.-level classes. It may have also been covered in Study of Ancient Runes.
- Aside from a brief mention in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Professor Binns and the class are omitted from the film series. However, History of Magic is seen in some of the early video games, and Binns is included in the LEGO video games.
- In Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, if players take Jacob's sibling to the O.W.L. through an optional side quest, they will definitely gain at least an Acceptable, even if they fail to answer every question.
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) (GBC version only) (Mentioned in console versions)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game) (GBC version only)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) (Mentioned on Marauder's Map)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) (Mentioned only) (Console versions only)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film) (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter Trading Card Game
- Pottermore
- Wizarding World
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
- Hogwarts Legacy
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 8 (The Potions Master)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Year 2
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 9 (The Writing on the Wall)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Hogwarts School Subjects" at Wizarding World
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 31 (O.W.L.s)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 12 (Professor Umbridge)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) - Console versions
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 16 (Through the Trapdoor)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 1 (Owl Post)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 15 (Beauxbatons and Durmstrang)
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 3 (Detention Before Extension) - History of Magic Lesson "Medieval Assembly of European Wizards"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 5 (Penny, Portraits, Peace, and Pressure) - History of Magic Lesson "Giant Wars"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 11 (Mundungus Fletcher) - History of Magic Lesson "Goblin Rebellion of 1612"
- ↑ Hogwarts Legacy, Side Quest "History of Magic Class"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 15 (Secrets and Lies) - History of Magic Lesson "International Statute of Secrecy"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 19 (The Unforgivable Curses) - History of Magic Lesson "Witch Hunts of 14th Century"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 28 (About Merula) - History of Magic Lesson "Werewolf Code of Conduct"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 32 (The Trouble With Ben) - History of Magic Lesson "International Warlock Convention of 1289"
- ↑ 21.00 21.01 21.02 21.03 21.04 21.05 21.06 21.07 21.08 21.09 21.10 21.11 21.12 21.13 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 2 (Curses and Prophecies) - History of Magic Lesson "History of Wandlore"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 5 (Wherefore Art Thou, Weasleys?) - History of Magic Lesson "Uprising of Elfric the Eager"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 10 (Cloaks and Conflicts) - History of Magic Lesson "Witch Trials of 1692"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 15 (In the Deep End) - History of Magic Lesson "Wendelin the Weird"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 18 (Into the Forest) - History of Magic Lesson "Gargoyle Strike of 1911"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 22 (The Exchange Student) - History of Magic Lesson "Dissolving of the Wizards' Council"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 28 (Moving On) - History of Magic Lesson "Ancient Runes"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 33 (Imitation Game) - History of Magic Lesson "Owl Airforce"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 37 (Entering the Black Lake!) - History of Magic Lesson "Uric the Oddball"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 43 (What's Next) - History of Magic Lesson "14th Century Wizarding Economic Bubble"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 2 (More Questions Than Answers) - History of Magic Lesson "Emeric the Evil"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 8 (Back to Hogwarts) - Assignment "Duelling Mastery"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 10 (The Wampus Cat's Out of the Bag) - History of Magic Lesson "Alchemy in Medieval Europe"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 10 (The Wampus Cat's Out of the Bag) - Assignment "Transportation Regulation"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 18 (Long Live the Doxy Queen) - History of Magic Lesson "Founding of St Mungo's Hospital"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 21 (Burning Up) - Assignment "Dragon Pox"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 31 (Circle Up) - History of Magic Lesson "Warlocks' Convention of 1709"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 36 (Impenetrable and Unplottable) Assignment "Stolen Goblin Treasure"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 37 (Lockdown) - Assignment "Azkaban Orientation"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 39 (The Aftermath) - Assignment "Mischief Management"
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 57 (The Final Battle) - Assignment "Ryusaki's Fate"
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 As Professors of this subject who taught the subject at Hogwarts, it seems extremely likely that they had formal qualifications in the subject.
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 4 (At Flourish and Blotts) - It is said that both Percy and Bill Weasley earned twelve Ordinary Wizarding Levels, meaning they must have earned an O.W.L. in this subject.
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 5 (An Excess of Phlegm)
Hogwarts subjects | ||
---|---|---|
Core classes | Astronomy · Charms · Defence Against the Dark Arts · Herbology · History of Magic · Potions · Transfiguration | |
Elective classes | Alchemy · Arithmancy · Care of Magical Creatures · Divination · Muggle Studies · Study of Ancient Runes | |
Extracurricular classes | Apparition · Advanced Arithmancy Studies · Ancient Studies · Art · Flying · Ghoul Studies · Magical Theory · Muggle Art · Muggle Music · Music · Xylomancy · Field Studies | |
Former classes | Beasts · Dark Arts | |
Examinations | ||
First year exams · Second year exams · Third year exams · Fourth year exams · Ordinary Wizarding Level · Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test |