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What Did the Centaurs Do with Dolores Umbridge?

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In The Order of the Phoenix, the prim, proper and completely evil Professor Dolores Umbridge got herself captured and dragged off by a herd of Centaurs. But what happened to her after?!

Dolore Umbridge was a psychotic witch who revelled in the superiority of her fabricated magical background. Although of half-blood descent with a Squib for a brother, she pretended to be of pure-blood lineage and took it upon herself to look down on those she felt were “less than”.

While much of her prejudiced was reserved for other witches and wizards, she also harboured ill-will towards magical creatures who she believed to be subordinate to herself—like Centaurs.

So, despite the fact that the Centaurs who inhabited the Forbidden Forest mostly left the students and faculty of Hogwarts alone, Dolores found herself in an altercation with these creatures near the end of The Order of the Phoenix.

But what in Merlin’s Beard happened to her after they took her away? In this article, we’ll look into the events that led to Professor Umbridge entering the Forbidden Forest, being carried off by Centaurs, and what the herd might have done with her next.

How did Professor Umbridge end up in the Forbidden Forest?

At the time of Dolores’ abduction in The Order of the Phoenix, Professor Umbridge had in fact become Headmistress Umbridge. This was the result of members of the Ministry of Magic—like herself—working hard to defame Albus Dumbledore and discredit his assertions that Voldemort had risen again to power.

As the acting Headmistress, she was able to wield power over the student body in horrifying ways. For example, earlier in The Order of the Phoenix she forced Harry to write out “I must not tell lies”, with the letters magically carving themselves into his skin as he wrote out the statement, again and again.

Right before heading to the Forbidden Forest, she was once again threatening to torture Harry—this time with the Cruciatus Curse. In order to stop her, Hermione pretended that they had hidden away a secret weapon in the forest.

Of course, Dolores couldn’t resist the temptation of uncovering this secret weapon, and demanded that the students take her there.

How did Dolores Umbridge get captured by Centaurs?

Accompanying Harry and Hermione into the woods, the small group came upon a herd of Centaurs. Being an obnoxiously prejudiced witch, Umbridge unwisely insulted the herd, telling them that they were “creatures of near-human intelligence” and “’filthy half-breeds”.

The Centaurs got angry, grabbed her and carried her off…

“Over the plunging, many-coloured backs and heads of the centaurs Harry saw Umbridge being borne away through the trees by Bane, still screaming nonstop; her voice grew fainter and fainter until they could no longer hear it over the trampling of hooves surrounding them.”

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

What happened to her after her capture?

It’s unknown what exactly happened to Umbridge after she was taken by the Centaurs, before she was ultimately saved by Albus Dumbledore.

However, despite her rough capture, it’s unlikely that any physical distress or torture befell Umbridge, since she was altogether unharmed upon her release. She was probably just scared senseless in an effort by the Centaurs to prove that they did not exist simply to serve wizardkind.

This seems all the more likely based on what one of the Centaurs said to Hermione when she tried to reason with him after they’d taken Umbridge:

“We are an ancient people who will not stand wizard invasions and insults! We do not recognise your laws, we do not acknowledge your superiority.”

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

To put it simply, they were pissed off and trying to prove a point.

So, with that in mind, it’s likely that Umbridge was probably held captive, bound and not provided with food or comforts of any kind, but was then rescued pretty quickly by Dumbledore.

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Poltergeists Explained

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Of all the mystical and magical apparitions that go, “BOO!” in the wizarding world of Harry Potter, none are quite so mischievous as the prank-loving spirits known as poltergeists.

For anyone who’s familiar with the Harry Potter series, you’ve likely heard the name Peeves. A rather mischievous poltergeist, he made his first introduction within the franchise shortly after Harry initially arrived at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Peeves then remained a rather un-silent presence throughout the rest of both the books and films, bobbing around obnoxiously in the background .

But what exactly was Peeves? A poltergeist, yes. But what is a poltergeist? For, this kind of apparition is much more than simply a ghost. Read on to find out!

Everything You Need to Know About Poltergeists

What is a poltergeist?

Poltergeists are defined as typically destructive,  noisy apparitions who are often responsible for physical disturbances like throwing objects from one side of the room to the other.

How is a poltergeist different from a ghost?

In terms of comparing poltergeists to ghosts, the two beings—at least in the wizarding world—differ in a number of ways. This includes:

  • Mortality status: Poltergeists are neither living nor dead, whereas ghosts are the spirits of people who have passed on.
  • Physical interactions: Ghosts are incorporeal, meaning they can’t touch you or move things about. Poltergeists, on the other hand, are able to throw objects and make quite the ruckus.
  • Reasons for being: It’s believed that many ghosts are unable to pass on into the afterlife due to unfinished business in the world of the living. Poltergeists are here just to make mischief.

Poltergeists in modern history

Outside of the wizarding world of Harry Potter, poltergeists are sometimes described as “ghosts” or simply supernatural beings.

In many tales of old—or even a certain 1980s horror film—poltergeists are not represented as having a physical manifestation of their being. This suggests that people who experience a poltergeist usually can’t see them—they can just hear them. Which makes sense, as the etymology of the word “poltergeist” can be traced to the German words “poltern”, which means “to make noise”, and “geist”, meaning “ghost” or “spirit”.

Poltergeists in Harry Potter

In terms of Harry Potter, however, a poltergeist is viewed as something a little different.

Not dead, but not alive

Described as neither dead nor alive, a poltergeist has never truly lived in the way a human or ghost has. Rather, poltergeists have been defined by wizardingworld.com as a “Non-Human Spiritous Apparition”, and are classified as such alongside other strange magical creatures like the Boggart.

The fact that poltergeists have never been alive indicates that they are amortal, meaning they have never lived nor died and are unable to die now.

It’s not entirely known whether or not they can feel pain, but they certainly are incapable of getting injured.

Ghostlike appearances

For the most part, they are typically ghostlike in appearance and behaviour. However, the varied descriptions and experiences with poltergeists reveal just how little is really known about these beings.

Long-term inhabitants

Poltergeists typically inhabit a location for a substantial period of time. Many believe it’s impossible to expel this type of spirit and often experience quite a lot of difficulty in controlling them.

It is said that Peeves has haunted Hogwarts castle for as long as anyone can remember. He is considered “the most notorious and troublesome poltergeist in British history”, according to wizardingworld.com.

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Why Didn’t Voldemort Realize Harry Was a Horcrux?

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The Dark Lord was one of the most powerful wizards of all time, and the first to make multiple Horcruxes. So, how did he not realize that he’d made Harry into one?

Horcruxes are, of course, one of the darkest bits of magic known to the wider wizarding world. In fact, they are considered to be so dark and dangerous that teaching on the subject has been banned at Hogwarts for years, with even the Restricted Section of the Library barely acknowledging their existence.

What’s a Horcrux and How Is It Made?

From what we know, a Horcrux is made by murdering an innocent victim without regret. This horrendous act allows the killer to rip a piece of their soul from their body and place it into an inanimate object or living host.

The theory is that if the killer were to die themselves, the Horcrux would survive, rendering that person immortal.

The actual ritual of creating a Horcrux is rather unknown.

Top 3 Reasons Voldemort Didn’t Realize Harry Was a Horcrux

1. Voldemort Didn’t Perform a Ritual

There are many theories abounding on the internet as to what the ritual of creating a Horcrux involves. But, regardless of exactly what takes place, the fact remains that there is a ritual. This is likely one of the main reasons that Voldemort never realized Harry was a Horcrux, since he never intentionally performed one.

2. There Was a Lack of Intent

When Voldemort inadvertently made Harry into a Horcrux he was simply intending to murder him. He was definitely NOT trying to make a Horcrux.

So, without the intention of creating a Horcrux and in the absence of the required ritual, why would Voldemort even consider that Harry had been made into a one?

3. Voldemort Was Blinded by Rage

In addition to the reasons above, Voldemort was also so driven by rage towards Harry that he was likely blinded to the idea. The fact that a baby and his mother’s self-sacrifice were able to defeat him was probably more than he could handle. So, perhaps, he refused to think about it.

Plus, how much more enraged would he have been if he’d realized that, in an attempt to kill Harry, he’d accidentally stored a piece of himself inside of the boy.

If Voldemort Didn’t Mean to Make a Horcrux, How’d It Happen?

There are a few different possible answers here. One theory regarding the ritual of making a Horcrux is that the killer must give up a piece of their own mortal body. Since Voldemort’s Killing Curse bounced back at him after Lily Potter sacrificed her own life for her son’s, it’s possible that the Dark Lord did lose a body part—or several—upon impact of the curse.

After all, what remained of Voldemort was only a shadow version of himself. Which stands to reason that his body was destroyed—giving up not just a part of himself, but his entire self. 

If we also consider that Voldemort murdered Lily without remorse, the result very well could’ve been—and, in actual fact, WAS—the accidental making of a Horcrux. 

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Why Did Quirrell Join Voldemort?

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Quirinus Quirrell was no Death Eater, so why did this timid and rather innocent-looking professor join Voldemort and attempt to kill a young Harry Potter?

During the latter half of the 20th century, the Defence Against the Dark Arts (DADA) teaching position at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was somewhat cursed. And, indeed, as Harry made his way through school, he had a new professor for this particular subject each and every year.

Harry met his first-ever DADA Professor, Quirinus Quirrell, in The Philosopher’s Stone during his initial journey to Diagon Alley. During this little expedition, Hagrid and Harry stopped in at the popular wizarding pub known as The Leaky Cauldron. It was here that a timid man introduced himself to Harry as Professor Quirrell.

Described as a wizard full of nerves, with an incredibly pronounced stammer, Quirrell did not appear to be someone who was out to harm children. Nor did he look like a wizard who had been recruited by the Dark Lord.

So, how exactly did Quirrell come to do Voldemort’s bidding? Read on to find out!

How Quirrell Came to Join Lord Voldemort

From what we know, Quirrell was quite a shy person throughout his entire life, including his time as a student at Hogwarts. It’s even believed that he was targeted and mistreated by his peers for his nervousness.

And so, as a young man, Quirrell set out to prove to those around him that he mattered. In this manner, he began a “Grand Tour” of the world.

A Grand Tour Focused on the Dark Arts

It’s rumoured that Quirrell’s tour of the world had a particular interest. A theoretical curiosity in how the Dark Arts worked. Evidently, he believed a pursuit of knowledge in this area would allow him to become an accomplished and more confident wizard.

During Quirrell’s travels, as he searched for answers about the Dark Arts, many people think that he was specifically looking to uncover what had become of Lord Voldemort. Apparently, he believed that this would really show those who doubted him that he could do extraordinary things.

In fact, according to wizardingworld.com:

“Quirrell set out deliberately to find whatever remained of the Dark wizard, partly out of curiosity, partly out of that unacknowledged desire for importance. At the very least, Quirrell fantasised that he could be the man who tracked Voldemort down, but at best, might learn skills from Voldemort that would ensure he was never laughed at again.”

A Complete Underestimation of Voldemort’s Remaining Power

Sadly for Quirrell, he greatly underestimated how powerful Voldemort would be, even in his shadow state. So, when Quirrell at last came upon what remained of the Dark Lord in the forests of Albania, the young professor was overtaken—and rather easily at that.

The rumour goes that Voldemort, in realizing that Quirrell would be returning to Hogwarts as a teacher, possessed Quirrell’s body.

Puppeted and Possessed by the Dark Lord

From there, Quirrell’s actions were largely determined by Voldemort, whose evil soul was much stronger than the feeble—albeit talented—mind of the Professor.

So, as it happens, Quirrell never actually “joined” Voldemort. Rather, the professor was subjugated by Voldemort against his will. And, in the end, Quirrell’s search for greatness resulted in his untimely death.

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Why Can’t You Say Voldemort’s Name?

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The first time the evil wizard who murdered Harry’s family was introduced in the series, it was not as “Voldemort”—or even the “Dark Lord”—but as “You Know Who” and “He Who Must Not Be Named”.

In discovering that he was a wizard, Harry began to untangle the truth behind what had happened to his parents. They had not died in a car crash, as he aunt and uncle had told him. But, instead, had been murdered by one of the darkest wizards to have ever lived.

Voldemort.

But in the conversations that followed regarding this particular wizard, Harry quickly learned that no one referred to this most evil of wizards by his actual name. 

As one of—if not THE—darkest and most evil wizard of all time, being afraid of Voldemort made plenty of sense. The man was absolutely terrifying. Even before his appearance began to resemble that of a snake. He murdered A LOT of people—Muggles and magical folks alike. Sometimes he killed in his attempt to become immortal. Other times he took lives because he just seemed to enjoy it.

So, to be afraid of the Dark Lord was, of course, completely understandable. But why in Merlin’s beard were people so afraid of his NAME? Read on to find out.

Why Witches and Wizards Wouldn’t Say “Voldemort”

Reason #1: Historical superstition supported this practice

It’s possible that people were afraid to say Voldemort’s name because of certain European folklore. In stories of old, not just in Britain, there are many fairy tales and accounts of vengeful or evil spirits who are said to appear at the mention of their name.

One popular tale that you’ve likely heard of is that of Bloody Mary. As the legend goes, this spirit will appear if a person repeats her name over and over again in front of a mirror.

And so, it’s rather likely that it was in this tradition that witches and wizards were wary about saying Voldemort’s name out loud. Perhaps they believed him to be so powerful that if they were to say his name, he would be conjured right before their very eyes.

Reason #2: He eventually put a Taboo curse on his name

Later in the Harry Potter series, the wizarding world began to embrace the use of Voldemort’s name again. This gave rise to witches and wizards taking the power back that the Dark Lord had once held over them. And as Voldemort began his second rise to power, he became aware this.

He clearly did not appreciate it.

In response, the Dark Lord gave people a REAL reason to be afraid of saying his name out loud, putting a Taboo Curse on “Voldemort”. This enabled his army of Death Eaters to locate any witch or wizard who uttered the name “Voldemort” aloud.

So, in conclusion, it would appear that a combination of superstition and real danger seem to be what contributed to the wizarding world being so afraid of saying the Dark Lord’s name!

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Have Wizards Been to Space?

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Considering magical society’s teachings in astronomy, it’s entirely possible that the wizarding world also has an interest in visiting space. Of course, whether or not they have, is an entirely different question.

Aside from a brief explanation that witches and wizards are able to fly a broom into low orbit around the Earth, there was only ever one mention of witches or wizards travelling to space in Harry Potter.

This instance was referenced in an edition of The Quibbler, the wizarding tabloid run by Xenophilius Lovegood, Luna’s father. As Harry flipped through this particular issue, he briefly read about “an interview with a wizard who claimed to have flown to the moon on a Cleansweep Six and brought back a bag of moon frogs to prove it”.

Although quite the story, it seems rather unlikely to be true. Read on to find out why.

Reasons a Wizard Would be Unable to Fly to the Moon on a Broom

1. It was reported in The Quibbler

The mere fact that this claim was reported by The Quibbler, also known as The Wizarding World’s Alternative Voice, makes it rather unlikely that the interview had any truth to it. For better or for worse, The Quibbler’s reputation had very little credibility—it was known to run stories built around conspiracy theories and imaginary creatures.

2. The numbers don’t check out

    Then there’s the idea that a wizard could’ve flown all the way to the moon on a Cleansweep Six. This is, quite frankly, rather unbelievable.

    Forget about the fact that a Cleansweep Six wasn’t the best of broomsticks available on the market, it wasn’t even the latest version of that make and model!

    Not that any of that would have made a difference.

    The moon is 384,400 kilometres from Earth. According to Quality Quidditch Supplies, the Firebolt broomstick—which is a much faster broomstick than the Cleansweep—is capable of reaching a speed of approximately 240 kilometres per hour. So, assuming the Cleansweep can reach maybe 225 kilometres per hour, it would take over 1,700 hours to reach the moon by broomstick.

    That’s more than 71 days.

    A rather impossible length of journey to make only by broomstick—in space.

    3. The wizard didn’t have access to oxygen

    Then there’s the question of air.

    The wizard wouldn’t have been able to wear a Muggle astronaut suit, since the current space suit, the Extravehicular Mobility Unit, only allows for astronauts to spacewalk outside of a space shuttle for up to 7 hours.

    Perhaps he used magic then?

    Well, the only magical spell we know of that can help a witch or wizard breathe in an atmosphere without oxygen is the Bubble-Head Charm. While we do not have any solid evidence to suggest how long this charm can last, we know from The Goblet of Fire, that it can work for at least an hour.

    But an hour is a far cry from 71 days. You’d be better off in the Muggle space suit.

    Will Wizardkind Ever Go to Space?

    While it doesn’t seem likely that witches or wizards have been to space yet, it does seem possible for them to make it there in the future. Especially, if the wizarding world was willing to combine magic with Muggle inventions!

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