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The Owl Lecturn,[3] also known as the Owl Lectern,[4] was an ancient,[5] owl-shaped podium located in the Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,[1] behind which the Head of the school or esteemed guests would preside over events and ceremonies, or simply address the students.[6]

Description[]

It was often used by the Headmaster or Headmistress of the day while addressing the student population such as at the Start-of-Term Feast. A sheet of parchment would sometimes be clipped to the podium with the list of announcements he or she would say during their welcoming speeches or other occasions. From the podium, the Head of the school would take their place behind the lectern while welcoming the students, introducing new additions to the Hogwarts staff, informing of any new rules, as well as reminding of old ones, and notifying of special events that would be occurring during the course of the school year.[1][7][8][9]

Many visitors would also use the lectern while addressing the students: Rita Skeeter when informing the student body of her contest where a lucky student would be able to get their story printed in the Daily Prophet,[10] Patricia Rakepick when introducing herself as a curse-breaker contracted by the school to help with the Cursed Vaults,[11] Professor Tofty when explaining how the O.W.L. examinations would be conducted,[12] and Minerva McGonagall when she addressed the students in Dumbledore's absence.[13]

History[]

1800s[]

This lectern has been in use It since at least the before the 1800s.[2]

1932[]

In 1932, the Owl Lecturn was located in the Great Hall when Albus Dumbledore briefed a select group of allies on the 1932 International Confederation of Wizards' Supreme Mugwump election.[14]

1984[]

After the Sorting Ceremony was concluded in 1984–1985 school year, Professor Dumbledore took place behind the lectern and held the customary welcoming speech; addressing the first-years in particular, he informed them of how Harry Potter, the "Boy Who Lived", who had been indirectly responsible for the Lord Voldemort's downfall and the end of the wizarding war, was safe and well, but before his own attendance, it was now the current first years who had the chance to shine. He briefly explained the rules of the House Cup before the Welcoming Feast formally began.[6]

1985 and 1986[]

At the Start-of-Term Feasts for the 1985–1986 school year and 1986–1987 school year, Dumbledore took the podium and recalled major events related to the Cursed Vaults in the last year, and asked students to leave the investigation to the faculty rather than doing it themselves.[15][16]

1987[]

The lecturn was once again used by Dumbledore at the start of the 1987–1988 school year. Dumbledore introduced Patricia Rakepick, who also stepped to the podium to tell the students to stay away from her research of the Cursed Vaults.[11]

1988[]

At the start of the 1988–1989 school year, Professor Minerva McGonagall informed the school of the start of year announcements, as Professor Dumbledore was away.[13]

1989[]

Professor Dumbledore gave his speech before the Start-of-Term Feast at the beginning of the 1989–1990 school year at the Owl Lecturn.[17]

1990[]

Professor Dumbledore gave his speech before the Start-of-Term Feast at the beginning of the 1990–1991 school year at the Owl Lecturn.[18]

Behind the scenes[]

Dumbledore's owl podium

Albus Dumbledore speaking at this podium in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Appearances[]

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Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) - Chapter 8 (Welcome and Warning)
  2. 2.0 2.1 Hogwarts Legacy
  3. The Making of Harry Potter (see this image)
  4. Hogwarts Legacy (see this video)
  5. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Registry: Exploration)
  6. 6.0 6.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 1, Chapter 2 (Welcome to Hogwarts)
  7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) - Chapter 5 (The Triwizard Tournament)
  8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) - Chapter 9 (Preserve, Perfect and Prune)
  9. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film) - Chapter 7 (Dark Forces)
  10. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Side Quest "Wizarding World Famous"
  11. 11.0 11.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 4, Chapter 1 (Year Four Begins)
  12. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, "Ordinary Wizarding Levels" Achievement
  13. 13.0 13.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 1 (Year Five Begins)
  14. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
  15. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Chapter 1 (Year Two Begins)
  16. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Chapter 1 (Year Three Begins)
  17. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 1 (Year Six Begins)
  18. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 1 (Year Seven Begins)
  19. Concept art from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (see this image)
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