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"The optimum writing tool for any witch or wizard."
— Description[src]

A quill is a writing instrument made from a feather whose tip has been cut into a pointed shape.[2] It was the standard writing instrument in the wizarding world, as opposed to pens and pencils in the Muggle world. They usually had to be dipped into ink.[1]

History[]

On 31 July 1991, Harry Potter and Rubeus Hagrid shopped for quills in Diagon Alley as a part of Harry's school supplies.[3]

In 1992, Gilderoy Lockhart owned a large peacock feather quill.[4] For Christmas that year, Hermione Granger bought Harry Potter an eagle feather quill.[5]

Harry used an eagle feather quill to do his homework during the summer in 1993.[6]

In 1994, Harry Potter used his eagle feather quill to write a letter to Sirius Black.[7] He used this same quill to write to Ron saying he could attend the 1994 Quidditch World Cup.[8]

In 1995, while at the British Ministry of Magic for his hearing, he noticed an Auror dictating a report to his quill.[9]

Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop sold pheasant-feather quills. Hermione bought a black-and-gold one during the first Hogsmeade visit of the 1995–1996 school year.[10]

Albus Dumbledore had a "handsome scarlet quill" on the desk in his office;[11] since it matched the colour of Fawkes's body feathers, it might have been a phoenix feather quill.

Types of quills[]

Peacock-quill-lrg

A peacock quill

There was a great variety of quills, some plain and simple, some (like Fwooper quills) more fancy-looking, others enhanced with magical properties.

Numerous types of feathers were used including pheasant, eagle, peacock (Gilderoy Lockhart's favourite), and perhaps phoenix. Augurey feathers, however, were no good for this purpose as they repelled ink.[12]

Anti-Cheating Quills[]

Auto-Answer Quills[]

Dolores Umbridge's Black Quill[]

Blood Quill

The Black Quill

  • This quill did not use ink, but used the writer's own blood to mark the paper. Harry had to use this quill to write lines in 1995 while serving detentions with Professor Umbridge.[15] His hand was now permanently scarred with I must not tell lies from writing with this quill. Lee Jordan also was forced to use this quill for joking about a rule Professor Umbridge imposed.[16]

Quick-Quotes Quill[]

  • Great for reporters, this quill wrote what the speaker dictated - often exaggerating the story. Rita Skeeter had an acid green one.[17]

Quill of Acceptance[]

  • Detected the birth of each wizard or witch, then wrote his or her name down in a large parchment book at Hogwarts. The Deputy Head checked the book every year, and then sent owls to these children as they approached their eleventh birthdays to invite them to attend Hogwarts.[18]

Self-Inking Quills[]

Sugar Quills[]

  • A confection that looked like a writing quill, so that it could be nibbled on discreetly during classes. This treat was sold at Honeydukes Sweetshop.[20]

Smart-Answer Quills[]

Spell-Checking Quills[]

Self-Spelling Quills[]

  • Presumably similar to the above and a banned device in examinations.[22]

Appearances[]

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 393 images related to Quill.

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Pottermore
  2. WP favicon Quill on Wikipedia
  3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)
  4. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 10 (The Rogue Bludger)
  5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 12 (The Polyjuice Potion)
  6. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 1 (Owl Post)
  7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 2 (The Scar)
  8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 3 (The Invitation)
  9. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 7 (The Ministry of Magic)
  10. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 16 (In The Hog's Head)
  11. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 37 (The Lost Prophecy)
  12. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Augurey
  13. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 16 (Through the Trapdoor)
  14. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 31 (O.W.L.s)
  15. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 13 (Detention with Dolores)
  16. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 25 (The Beetle at Bay)
  17. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 18 (The Weighing of the Wands)
  18. Writing by J. K. Rowling: "The Quill of Acceptance and The Book of Admittance" at Wizarding World
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 6 (Draco's Detour)
  20. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 5 (The Dementor)
  21. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 21 (The Unknowable Room)
  22. Pottermore - Hogwarts sorting quiz
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