Jack-in-the-box

Jack-in-the-box
Object information
Location	Muggle Studies Classroom, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland
Usage	Toy, Muggle Studies
Owners	Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Fred Weasley George Weasley

A jack-in-the-box was a Muggle and wizarding toy that outwardly consistsed of a box with a crank. When the crank is turned, it played a melody, at the end of which the lid popped open and a figure, usually a clown or jester, popped out of the box.

History

At one point, a jack-in-the-box stall was located in front of Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley.

During the 1993–1994 school year, Draco Malfoy locked Neville Longbottom and a Ghoul inside the Muggle Studies Classroom. While searching for a way to get rid of the Ghoul, Ron Weasley came across a huge closed jack-in-the-box. Wondering what it was, Ron tried to open it, but its lid sprung open suddenly, throwing Ron over an upper balustrade.

Fred and George Weasley had jack-in-the-boxes for sale at their shop, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, in 1996. There were some customers interested in them.

Behind the scenes

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Parvati Patil's boggart is a giant snake, which she turns into a jack-in-the-box with Riddikulus. Some fans joke that it is actually scarier than the snake.
• The jack in the box boggart form may be a reference to the character of Pennywise the Dancing Clown from Stephen King's 1986 horror novel It, who in turn was actually an evil fear-feeding entity who assumed various forms to terrify its prey, much as boggarts do.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) (First appearance) (Appears as a Boggart form)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) (Console versions)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
• Harry Potter: The Creature Vault
• Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells (Appears as a Boggart form)
• Hogwarts Legacy