St Jerome's graveyard

St Jerome's graveyard
Location information
Location	Godric's Hollow, England, Great Britain
Permanent residents	Peverell family James Potter Lily Potter Kendra Dumbledore Ariana Dumbledore Various ghosts
Affiliation	Godric's Hollow

"Behind the church, row upon row of snowy tombstones protruded from a blanket of pale blue that was flecked with dazzling red, gold, and green wherever the reflections from the stained glass hit the snow."

— Description

St Jerome's graveyard was located in Godric's Hollow, next to St Jerome's Church. It was the home of the graves of many former residents of the village, both Muggles and wizardkind, including members of such prominent families as the Peverells, the Potters, and the Dumbledores.

According to Scorpius Malfoy, the graveyard was supposed to be "magnificently haunted". This was certainly true around Hallowe'en time.

History

Early history

"The graveyard is full of the names of ancient magical families, and this accounts, no doubt, for the stories of hauntings that have dogged the little church beside it for many centuries."

— A History of Magic

The Graveyard in Godric's Hollow, during Christmas time

It is unknown, with certainty, when the graveyard was founded, however, it appears that it was already in existence by 1291, as Ignotus Peverell, who died in that year, is buried in there. However, the grave of Bowman Wright, who died in 1560, is one of the oldest graves in the graveyard.

Many people, both wizards and Muggles, would be buried in the graveyard over the centuries, including people such as Kendra and Ariana Dumbledore, a member of the Abbott family, and James and Lily Potter.

1980s and 1990s

At one Hallowe'en during the 1980s or 1990s, Ismelda Murk tried to charm a skeleton to look like Pumpkin Johnny, however the charm backfired and she accidentally ended up raising an army of charmed skeletons that marched on Hogsmeade.

Ben Copper, Jacob's sibling, Ismelda Murk and Merula Synde in the graveyard

On the eve of Hallowe'en in another year, Merula Snyde tried to steal the Sword of Gryffindor. She tried to open the crypt marked with the crest of Gryffindor, thereby provoking the wrath of the ghost of the goblin king Ragnuk who lived in it. Ragnuk cursed her for seeking his creation. Merula ended up losing her sight. Jacob's sibling quickly took her to Bathilda Bagshot to see if she could help.

Merula Snyde talking with goblin king Ragnuk in the graveyard

They learned that goblins used a special kind of wandless magic, and the only one who could reverse the curse was Ragnuk. The only option was to convince him to lift the curse. Jacob's sibling and Merula found that Ragnuk most likely sought revenge because the sword was not returned to him. Back in the crypt, Jacob's sibling was able to convince Ragnuk that by letting the others use his sword, his legacy would live on. Ragnuk realised that he was blinded by revenge to see what truly mattered. He agreed to lift the curse from Merula and everyone who came before her. Shortly after, Ragnuk returned to his crypt.

1997

Harry Potter: "I want to go to Godric's Hollow."

Hermione Granger: "Yes. Yes, I've been wondering that too. I really think we'll have to."

— Decision to visit Godric's Hollow

Harry and Hermione visiting the graveyard disguised as Muggles

On 24 December 1997, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger visited Godric's Hollow as part of their search for Horcruxes. On their way to try and locate Bathilda Bagshot, they passed this graveyard and decided to take a detour to visit the grave of Harry's parents. During their search for it, they discovered other graves, including Ignotus Peverell's, which showed them another use of a symbol.

The trio would later learn that the symbol was associated with the Deathly Hallows, and the Dumbledores', which confirmed what they had read in The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore about the Dumbledores having lived in the village. After seeing his parents' graves, Harry was overcome with emotion, and began to cry, and Hermione conjured some flowers to place at the grave. The two then made their way to leave, only pausing once to ascertain if someone was watching them.

Known burials

King Ragnuk the First

Ignotus Peverell

Bowman Wright

Ariana Dumbledore

Kendra Dumbledore

James Potter

Lily Potter

• Abbott
• H. Knighton
• D. Williams
• M. Kenton
• Elsbeth M.
• Dinah Stevenson
• John Stevenson
• Edwin Booth
• Julie Parkes
• Peter G.

Behind the scenes

• In the novel, Harry and Hermione came to this graveyard disguised as an old couple, however in the film, the video game as well as the LEGO game they visit the graveyard as themselves, though Hermione liked the idea of using Polyjuice Potion.
• In Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, for unknown reasons, the models for all the skeletons in the graveyard that Ismelda animate all have fangs like vampires.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (First identified as St Jerome's graveyard)
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (play)
• Pottermore
• Harry Potter (website)
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery