Do you know Hogwarts’ history as well as Hermione or would you fail your O.W.L.s? Here are some facts you might not know about the magical school…
1. The most famous headmaster of Hogwarts is obviously Albus Dumbledore – but we do know the names of many other head teachers over the years. These are (deep breath) Heliotrope Wilkins, Phyllida Spore, Eoessa Sakndenberg, Fytherley Undercliffe, Vindictus Veridian, Amrose Swott, Professors Vulpus, Everard and Limebert, Brian Gagwilde, Quintin Trimble, Phineas Nigellus Black, Basil Fronsac, Walter Aragon, Armando Dippet, Dolores Umbridge (boo), Severus Snape (boo/yay) and Minerva McGonagall (yay).
2. The legendary wizard Merlin from Arthurian legend attended Hogwarts. He was in Slytherin House – proving that not every Slytherin is evil!
3. If you’ve read the books, you might recall that Hogwarts has a school song. Though it was outlined in The Philosopher’s Stone, it was not in the film adaptation. Instead, it can be briefly heard in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, where Ron, Hermione and Hagrid merrily sing it while wandering through the woods. It would have featured properly too, but the scene was cut. Watch it below:
4. The school’s motto is “Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus” – in English, “Never tickle a sleeping dragon.” Rowling chose this because she had a dislike for those school mottos that don’t mean anything e.g. “Reach for the stars.” She wanted Hogwarts’ one to offer practical advice.
5. Rowling has confirmed that there are only about one thousand students attending Hogwarts at any given time.
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