Sardine

Harry Potter: "A spell backfired on him!"

Rubeus Hagrid: "Similar thing happened to me once. But it was sardines comin' out a' me nose..."

Hermione Granger: "Please, how can we make it stop! It's gross!"

Rubeus Hagrid: "That's just what folks said 'bout the sardines..."

A sardine is a small, oily fish related to herrings.

Portuguese sardines can be bought from the Apothecary in Diagon Alley. Presumably, when conserved in olive oil, they can be used in potion-making. It is also a flavour of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.^[1] Rubeus Hagrid was once the victim of a spell which made sardines come out of his nose.^[2]

Behind the scenes

Sardines play an important role in Portuguese culture. Having been a people who depended heavily on the sea for food and commerce, the Portuguese have a predilection for fish in their popular festivities. The most important is Saint Anthony's day, 13th June, when the biggest popular festival takes place in Lisbon, taking the people to the streets where grilled sardines are the snack of choice. Almost every place in Portugal has the summertime popular tradition of eating grilled sardines (or sardinhas assadas). This is probably why Portuguese Sardines were featured on the set of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film).