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{{WizardsUniteSpoiler}}
 
{{Object infobox
 
{{Object infobox
 
|name=Howler
 
|name=Howler
|image=[[File:Howler Pottermore.png|250px]]
+
|image=[[File:Howler WB F2 HowlerCloseUpPromo Promo 100615 Land.jpg|250px]]
 
|manufacturers=
 
|manufacturers=
 
|made=
 
|made=
|usage=Letter that plays recorded message in a very loud voice, and then explodes
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|usage=Letter that plays recorded message in a very loud voice, and then explodes into [[Fire|flames]]
 
|owners=* [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]]
 
|owners=* [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]]
 
* [[Neville Longbottom]]
 
* [[Neville Longbottom]]
* [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]
+
* [[British Ministry of Magic]]
 
* [[Petunia Dursley]]
 
* [[Petunia Dursley]]
 
* [[Hermione Granger]]
 
* [[Hermione Granger]]
|first=''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''
 
|latest=''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
 
|last=
 
 
}}
 
}}
{{Quote|You'd better open it, Ron. It'll be worse if you don't. My gran sent me one once, and I ignored it and - it was horrible.|Neville talking to Ron about his Howler|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}
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{{Quote|You'd better open it, Ron. It'll be worse if you don't. My gran sent me one once, and I ignored it and it was horrible.|Neville talking to Ron about his Howler|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}
A '''Howler''' is a magical letter in a red envelope which enchants the written message into the writer's voice, usually at a very high volume. The physical temperature of the Howler begins to rapidly increase upon delivery, and it will explode if left unopened for too long. This mechanism ensures that the recipient will open the Howler, even though he or she knows that it contains an unpleasantly loud message. Once the message has been received, the envelope bursts into [[Fire|flames]], leaving only ashes.
+
A '''Howler''' is a [[magic]]al letter in a red envelope which [[Charm|enchants]] the written message into the writer's voice, usually at a very high volume.<ref name="COS6" />
   
  +
==Description==
The purpose of the Howler is to deliver a message expressing anger or great displeasure in a manner which standard writing cannot adequately convey. As such, a howler will convey the displeasure of its author/sender even if left unopened, for it will shower the recipient with insults and cursing upon exploding.
 
  +
The physical temperature of the Howler begins to rapidly increase upon delivery, and it will explode if left unopened for too long. This mechanism ensures that the recipient will open the Howler, even though he or she knows that it contains an unpleasantly loud message. Once the message has been received, the envelope bursts into [[Fire|flames]], leaving only ashes.<ref name="COS6">{{COS|B|6}}</ref>
   
 
The purpose of the Howler is to deliver a message expressing anger or great displeasure in a manner which standard writing cannot adequately convey. As such, a howler will convey the displeasure of its author/sender even if left unopened, for it will shower the recipient with insults and cursing upon exploding into flames.<ref name="COS6" />
==People who have been known to receive Howlers==
 
* [[Neville Longbottom]] mentioned receiving at least one [[Augusta Longbottom's Howler to Neville Longbottom|howler]] from his grandmother before [[1992]].
 
* In 1992, [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] received a [[Molly Weasley's Howler to Ron Weasley|Howler]] from [[Molly Weasley|his mother]] after he stole [[Arthur Weasley|his father]]'s [[Flying Ford Anglia]].
 
* In [[1994]], Neville received [[Augusta Longbottom's Howler to Neville Longbottom (1994)|a Howler from his grandmother]], after he supposedly misplaced his [[password]] list enabling [[Sirius Black]] to enter [[Gryffindor Tower]].
 
* A significant number of Howlers were sent to the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in the summer of [[1994]] after the disturbing events of that year's [[Quidditch World Cup]]. The Howlers were primarily critical of the security precautions, and they caused appreciable damage to [[Percy Weasley]]'s work area.
 
* Also, on that year, [[Hermione Granger]] received a few Howlers from readers of ''[[Witch Weekly]]'' when [[Rita Skeeter]] wrote a nasty article on her.
 
* [[Harry Potter]]'s [[Petunia Dursley|Aunt Petunia]] received a Howler in [[1995]] from [[Albus Dumbledore|Dumbledore]] when the Dursleys threatened to kick Harry out of their home after two [[Dementor]]s attacked Harry and his cousin, [[Dudley Dursley|Dudley]].
 
   
  +
==History==
==Behind the scenes==
 
  +
[[File:Howler.png|200px|thumb|A howler speaking its message]]
[[File:Ron_Weasley's_howler.gif|thumb|250px|[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] received a Howler from his mother, [[Molly Weasley|Mrs Weasley]] in [[1992]]]]
 
 
[[Neville Longbottom]] mentioned receiving at least one [[Augusta Longbottom's Howler to Neville Longbottom|howler]] from his grandmother before [[1992]].<ref name="COS6" />
   
 
In 1992, [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] received a [[Molly Weasley's Howler to Ron Weasley|Howler]] from [[Molly Weasley|his mother]] after he stole [[Arthur Weasley|his father]]'s [[Flying Ford Anglia]].<ref name="COS6" />
*Instead of simply being a red envelope that can explode, in the [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|film version]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'', Ron's Howler resembles a mouth with teeth (simulated by the red envelope and white paper, with a ribbon for the tongue) that screams at the recipient, then blows a raspberry and tears itself to shreds once finished shouting. Also, Mrs. Weasley added a congratulations directly to [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny]] for making it into [[Gryffindor]], stating that her parents are proud of this [[Sorting ceremony|sorting]]. This implies that the film version's Howler possesses a certain degree of sentience and awareness of its surroundings, as it turned to face Ginny to make this comment, changing its tone into a more calm and kind one.
 
 
In [[1994]], Neville received [[Augusta Longbottom's Howler to Neville Longbottom (1994)|a Howler from his grandmother]], after he supposedly misplaced his [[password]] list enabling [[Sirius Black]] to enter [[Gryffindor Tower]].<ref name="POA14">{{POA|B|14}}</ref>
   
 
A significant number of Howlers were sent to the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in the summer of [[1994]] after the [[Reappearance of the Dark Mark|disturbing]] events of that year's [[Quidditch World Cup]]. The Howlers were primarily critical of the security precautions, and they caused appreciable damage to [[Percy Weasley]]'s work area.<ref name="GOF10">{{GOF|B|10}}</ref> Also, on that year, [[Hermione Granger]] received a few Howlers from readers of ''[[Witch Weekly Magazine|Witch Weekly]]'' when [[Rita Skeeter]] wrote a nasty article on her.<ref name="GOF28">{{GOF|B|28}}</ref>
[[File:Order_Of_The_Phoenix_Howler.png|thumb|310px|Order of the Phoenix Howler]]
 
   
 
[[Harry Potter]]'s [[Petunia Dursley|Aunt Petunia]] received a Howler on [[2 August]] [[1995]] from [[Albus Dumbledore]] after [[Vernon Dursley]] threatened to kick Harry out of their home after two [[Dementor]]s [[Attack in Little Whinging|attacked]] Harry and his cousin, [[Dudley Dursley|Dudley]] in [[Little Whinging]].<ref name="OOTP2">{{OOTP|B|2}}</ref>
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', [[Mafalda Hopkirk]]'s letter floats characteristically and talks in an official tone to Harry Potter (the letter's sealing wax shapes the mouth). While there's no confirmation on this, this letter can be considered a different kind of Howler. Later in the same film, in a [[Educational Decree Number Eighty-One|non-canonical Educational Decree]], Dolores Umbridge referred to the Howlers as "Red Howlers", supporting the theory that there may be several kinds of Howlers.
 
  +
*For the Howler scene, [[Julie Walters]] had to scream so loud that she almost lost her voice at the end of the day.
 
  +
Howlers were among the various [[magic]]al items that appeared as [[Foundable]]s during the [[Calamity]], which affected the [[Wizarding world]] in the [[2010s]]. They were found being guarded by [[Gnome]]s, as [[Confoundable]]s.<ref name="WU">{{WU}}</ref>
  +
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
*Instead of simply being a red envelope that can explode, in {{COS|FA}}, Ron's Howler resembles a mouth with teeth (simulated by the red envelope and white paper, with a ribbon for the tongue) that screams at the recipient, then blows a raspberry and tears itself to shreds once finished shouting. Also, Mrs Weasley added a congratulations directly to [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny]] for making it into [[Gryffindor]], stating that her parents are proud of this [[Sorting ceremony|sorting]]. This implies that the film version's Howler possesses a certain degree of sentience and awareness of its surroundings, as it turned to face Ginny to make this comment, changing its tone into a more calm and kind one.
  +
 
[[File:Order_Of_The_Phoenix_Howler.png|310px|thumb|Order of the Phoenix Howler]]
  +
 
*In {{OOTP|FA}}, [[Mafalda Hopkirk]]'s letter floats characteristically and talks in an official tone to Harry Potter (the letter's sealing wax shapes the mouth). While there's no confirmation on this, this letter can be considered a different kind of Howler. Later in the same film, in a [[Educational Decree Number Eighty-One|non-canonical Educational Decree]], Dolores Umbridge referred to the Howlers as "Red Howlers", supporting the theory that there may be several kinds of Howlers.
 
*For the Howler scene, [[Julie Walters]] had to scream so loudly that she almost lost her voice at the end of the day.
  +
* The Howler message from the second film was parodied by fans and posted as comments on the music video of Ed Sheeran's 2012 hit, "Lego House", which also starred [[Rupert Grint]] as an Ed Sheeran lookalike who is mistaken as Sheeran. The message read: ''RONALD WEASLEY! HOW ''DARE'' YOU '''STAR IN A MUGGLE MUSIC VIDEO/LIP SYNC TO A MUGGLE SONG!''' I AM ABSOLUTELY ''DISGUSTED!'' YOUR FATHER'S NOW FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK AND IT'S ''ENTIRELY'' YOUR FAULT! IF YOU PUT ''ANOTHER'' TOE OUT OF LINE WE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT ''HOME!'' — '''Oh, and Ed dear, congratulations on your new single. Your fans and I are ''''' '''so'' proud.'''''
   
 
==Appearances==
 
==Appearances==
[[File:Howler.png|thumb|200px|A howler plays its message]]
+
[[File:HowlerWU.png|thumb|A Howler as seen on {{WU}}]]
  +
* {{COS}} {{1st}}
* ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' {{1st}}
 
  +
* {{COS|F}}
* ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)]]''
 
  +
* {{POA}}
* ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''
 
  +
* {{GOF}}
* ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''
 
  +
* {{OOTP}}
* ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
 
  +
* {{OOTP|F}}
* ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)]]''
 
* ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)]]'' {{comment|Heard only}}
+
* {{OOTP|G}} {{comment|Heard only}}
* ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]] ''{{Mention}}
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* {{CC}} {{Mention}}
 
* {{CC|P}} {{Mention}}
* ''[[Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book]]''
 
  +
* {{LEGO|Y2}} {{Mention}}
* ''[[The Wizarding World of Harry Potter]]''
 
  +
* {{HPPU}}
*''[[Harry Potter Trading Card Game]]''
 
  +
* {{WWHP}}
*''[[Pottermore]]'' {{Mention}}
 
  +
* {{TCG}}
*[[Harry Potter: The Character Vault]] (concept artwork)
 
  +
* {{PM}} {{Mention}}
*[[Harry Potter: The Creature Vault]] (mentioned only)
 
  +
* {{HPV|CH}} {{Comment|Appears in concept artwork}}
[[es:Carta vociferadora]]
 
  +
* {{HPV|CR}} {{Mention}}
[[fr:Beuglante]]
 
  +
* {{WU}}
  +
  +
==Notes and references==
  +
{{Reflist}}
  +
  +
[[de:Heuler]]
 
[[es:Carta vociferadora]][[fr:Beuglante]]
 
[[fi:Räyhääjä]]
 
[[fi:Räyhääjä]]
 
[[it:Strillettera]]
 
[[it:Strillettera]]
 
[[ru:Громовещатель]]
 
[[ru:Громовещатель]]
  +
[[Category:Explosives]]
 
[[Category:Letters]]
 
[[Category:Letters]]
  +
[[Category:Speaking objects]]

Revision as of 07:09, 7 May 2020

"You'd better open it, Ron. It'll be worse if you don't. My gran sent me one once, and I ignored it and — it was horrible."
— Neville talking to Ron about his Howler[src]

A Howler is a magical letter in a red envelope which enchants the written message into the writer's voice, usually at a very high volume.[1]

Description

The physical temperature of the Howler begins to rapidly increase upon delivery, and it will explode if left unopened for too long. This mechanism ensures that the recipient will open the Howler, even though he or she knows that it contains an unpleasantly loud message. Once the message has been received, the envelope bursts into flames, leaving only ashes.[1]

The purpose of the Howler is to deliver a message expressing anger or great displeasure in a manner which standard writing cannot adequately convey. As such, a howler will convey the displeasure of its author/sender even if left unopened, for it will shower the recipient with insults and cursing upon exploding into flames.[1]

History

Howler

A howler speaking its message

Neville Longbottom mentioned receiving at least one howler from his grandmother before 1992.[1]

In 1992, Ron Weasley received a Howler from his mother after he stole his father's Flying Ford Anglia.[1] In 1994, Neville received a Howler from his grandmother, after he supposedly misplaced his password list enabling Sirius Black to enter Gryffindor Tower.[2]

A significant number of Howlers were sent to the Ministry of Magic in the summer of 1994 after the disturbing events of that year's Quidditch World Cup. The Howlers were primarily critical of the security precautions, and they caused appreciable damage to Percy Weasley's work area.[3] Also, on that year, Hermione Granger received a few Howlers from readers of Witch Weekly when Rita Skeeter wrote a nasty article on her.[4]

Harry Potter's Aunt Petunia received a Howler on 2 August 1995 from Albus Dumbledore after Vernon Dursley threatened to kick Harry out of their home after two Dementors attacked Harry and his cousin, Dudley in Little Whinging.[5]

Howlers were among the various magical items that appeared as Foundables during the Calamity, which affected the Wizarding world in the 2010s. They were found being guarded by Gnomes, as Confoundables.[6]

Behind the scenes

  • Instead of simply being a red envelope that can explode, in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Ron's Howler resembles a mouth with teeth (simulated by the red envelope and white paper, with a ribbon for the tongue) that screams at the recipient, then blows a raspberry and tears itself to shreds once finished shouting. Also, Mrs Weasley added a congratulations directly to Ginny for making it into Gryffindor, stating that her parents are proud of this sorting. This implies that the film version's Howler possesses a certain degree of sentience and awareness of its surroundings, as it turned to face Ginny to make this comment, changing its tone into a more calm and kind one.
Order Of The Phoenix Howler

Order of the Phoenix Howler

  • In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Mafalda Hopkirk's letter floats characteristically and talks in an official tone to Harry Potter (the letter's sealing wax shapes the mouth). While there's no confirmation on this, this letter can be considered a different kind of Howler. Later in the same film, in a non-canonical Educational Decree, Dolores Umbridge referred to the Howlers as "Red Howlers", supporting the theory that there may be several kinds of Howlers.
  • For the Howler scene, Julie Walters had to scream so loudly that she almost lost her voice at the end of the day.
  • The Howler message from the second film was parodied by fans and posted as comments on the music video of Ed Sheeran's 2012 hit, "Lego House", which also starred Rupert Grint as an Ed Sheeran lookalike who is mistaken as Sheeran. The message read: RONALD WEASLEY! HOW DARE YOU STAR IN A MUGGLE MUSIC VIDEO/LIP SYNC TO A MUGGLE SONG! I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED! YOUR FATHER'S NOW FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK AND IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT! IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE WE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT HOME!Oh, and Ed dear, congratulations on your new single. Your fans and I are so proud.

Appearances

HowlerWU

A Howler as seen on Harry Potter: Wizards Unite

Notes and references

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 6 (Gilderoy Lockhart)
  2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 14 (Snape's Grudge)
  3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 10 (Mayhem at the Ministry)
  4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 28 (The Madness of Mr Crouch)
  5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 2 (A Peck of Owls)
  6. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite