Kara S. – Page 3 – CinemaFlux

Hogwarts Legacy offers fans one of the first opportunities to explore the castle on their own, without any restrictions. If you’ve seen trailers or played the game already, then you’re aware of just how detailed it is.

Apparently, the castle is so vast and intricately built that even the game’s developers get lost in the castle! What this means, of course, is that we’re certainly not going to run out of places to explore in this immersive, open-world role-playing game. At least, not anytime soon!

But where to start? In this article, we’ll cover some of the top locations for players to explore in the Hogwarts Legacy video game.

10 Locations You Need to Explore in Hogwarts Legacy

In the following list, you’ll find the top places that you simply must check out, ranked in order from exciting to absolutely MAGICAL!

#10: The Great Hall

Coming in at number 10 is the enchanted Great Hall. Although not the most mysterious place within Hogwarts castle, it does have its charms—quite literally.

So much detail has gone into the enchanted ceiling that is meant to mimic the sky above, it is a must see. And who could resist being a part of their first-ever Sorting Hat ceremony?

#9: The Dungeons

Other than the fact that Professor Snape’s office and the Potions classroom are located down in the dungeons, we never used to know all that much about this location. But not anymore.

What mysteries or secrets can you uncover down there…?

#8: The Common Rooms

Within the Harry Potterseries, there were descriptions of three of the four house common rooms, including Gryffindor, Slytherin and Ravenclaw. Of course, being that Harry and his pals spent more time in certain common rooms, descriptions of Gryffindor were a lot more detailed than those of the others.

In Hogwarts Legacy, players have the opportunity to finally explore ALL of the houses in equal measure. Not to mention, you can finally learn what the Hufflepuff common room looks like!

#7: The Secret Passageways

Just how many hidden passages exist within Hogwarts Legacy? In the game, players have the chance to roam about the castle in search of these legendary and unknown routes throughout Hogwarts, and maybe even get up to a little mischief…

#6: The Great Lake

The Great Lake is, of course, one of the challenge locations in The Goblet of Fire’s Triwizard Tournament. Within the confines of Harry’s experience, we know that this body of water is home to some magical and menacing creatures.

What else could be hiding below its placid surface? Dive on in and discover what lurks beneath the depths of this enchanted lake.

#5: The Quidditch Pitch

Despite not being able to play in a Quidditch match in Hogwarts Legacy, it’s rather exciting to think that players have the opportunity to fly around the school’s pitch. Hop on your broomstick and see if you can find any new mysteries.

#4: The Forbidden Forest

Although a great many scenarios played out in the Forbidden Forest throughout the Harry Potterseries, there is still so much more to explore in the game. Here’s where you can meet a number of dangerous and exciting magical beasts—and who knows what else!

#3: Hogsmeade Village

Haven’t you always wanted the chance to simply wander around and explore the wizarding village of Hogsmeade? From Honeydukes Sweetshop to The Hog’s Head Pub, there’s plenty here that we have yet to learn…

#2: Gringotts Wizarding Bank

How could you not be excited to poke around Gringotts? Housing some of the wizarding world’s most famous treasures, exploring the bank is a thrilling journey all on its own. And since Hogwarts Legacytakes place well over 100 years before The Deathly Hallows, there’s bound to be a dragon—or two—residing in the depths of the building.

#1: The Room of Requirement

Coming in at number one, the most EXCITING place for players to explore is definitely The Room of Requirement. How could it not be? It’s the room that provides you with exactly what you need!

Are there any Hogwarts Legacy locations that excite you even more? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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How Did the Grangers Convert Their Muggle Money?

By Kara S. April 17, 2024 All Posts

**Despite the fact that witches and wizards are able to conjure some truly incredible items and objects, it becomes clear early on in the Harry Potterseries that money is not one of those things.**

Valuable and unalterable by magic, the currency of the wizarding world is distinct from that of Muggle society. There are no British pounds or American dollars. Instead, they have their own entirely unique and separate economy that runs on a global wizarding currency.

But not all witches and wizards come from magical families. So, how do these individuals get their hands on the currency used to purchase magical items like wands?

In this article, we’ll cover how Muggleborn witches and wizards, like Hermione Granger, are able to convert their Muggle money into the magical currency accepted in the wizarding world.

Before we dive into that, though, let’s first review the different kinds of money that we’re looking at here.

Types of Money in Harry Potter

MUGGLE MONEY

British Pound Sterling

The Granger family, as well as all other witches and wizards born into non-magical families, would’ve only had access to the Muggle currency used within their native country. Since Hermione Granger was born in England—to two successful dentists, I might add—the money her parents would’ve earned would’ve been the British pound sterling.

The pound is, of course, the basic monetary unit of the United Kingdom and can be divided decimally into 100 new pence.

WIZARDING CURRENCY

Knuts, Sickles and Galleons

In the wizarding world, a completely different type of money is used as currency, and comes in the following three denominations:

Bronze Knuts
Silver Sickles
Golden Galleons

The most valuable of the three is—as you may have guessed—the GOLDEN Galleon, with 17 Sickles making up one Galleon, and 29 Knuts equalling one Sickle.

Answers to All Your Questions About Wizarding Money

From the rate of conversion to how a Muggle exchanges currency, this section seeks to answer all of your questions about wizarding money.

What’s the Conversion Rate of a Galleon to a Pound Sterling?

If you’re wondering what the conversion rate is between Muggle money and wizarding money, you’re not alone. There are entire websites dedicated to this exact thing!

Evidently, 1 Galleon is the equivalent of about 5 British pounds.

How Does a Muggle Convert their Pounds to Galleons?

When it comes to HOW Muggleborn witches and wizards exchange their pounds for the magical currency used in Diagon Alley and beyond, the answer is surprisingly simple. They take their money to Gringotts Wizarding Bank, speak with a goblin, and ask for their pounds to be converted into Galleons, Sickles and Knuts.

We actually get a glimpse of the Granger family on their way to do this very errand near the beginning of The Chamber of Secrets…

‘But you’re Muggles!’ said Mr. Weasley delightedly. ‘We must have a drink! What’s that you’ve got there? Oh, you’re changing Muggle money. Molly, look!’ He pointed excitedly at the ten-pound notes in Mr. Granger’s hand.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

This, of course, answers how Hermione and her family converted their pounds into Galleons, so that she could buy her school supplies.

What Happens to Muggle Money After It’s Exchanged at Gringotts?

Once Muggles convert their money, where does it go? It’s obviously not circulated into communities like Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village, as it has little value there and would not be accepted by shop owners and proprietors.

It also seems unlikely that the goblins of Gringotts would use precious bank space to store it there. Not to mention that Muggles probably never wish to convert their wizarding money back into pounds. Although, I suppose that’s possible.

A lot more probable? The idea that goblins do “dispose” of the money but not by destroying it. After all, Muggle money would still hold value outside of the wizarding community, so it seems doubtful that goblins would simply throw it away. Especially due to goblinkind’s keen interest in money and finances.

Instead, it’s rather amusing to believe that perhaps goblins launder pounds back out into Muggle communities by way of fronts—run by Squibs. Since Squibs have no magical abilities of their own, this type of position would allow them to continue to be a contributing member of the wizarding world, while also being completely integrated into Muggle society.

What do you think? Do you have any ideas on where Muggle money goes after it’s exchanged at Gringotts? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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What Lies BEYOND the Veil?

By Kara S. April 11, 2024 All Posts

The Department of Mysteries, located within the British Ministry of Magic, holds many of the wizarding world’s most inexplicable secrets. An entire division within Britain’s governing body, its sole purpose is to solve the things that not even magic can explain.

While we learn that the department houses some truly odd and mystifying items, none are quite as perplexing as the Veil. A massive, cracked archway shrouded in darkness, it’s the central structure in the department’s Death Chamber.

But what exactly is the Veil, and what lies beyond it? In this article, we’ll cover everything you should know about the Veil and where it leads—if anywhere at all.

All the Facts You Need About the Veil

What Is the Veil in Harry Potter?

The Veil is an ancient stone archway located in the Death Chamber that resides in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic.

Tall and pointed, the archway is so cracked it seems to defy gravity just by staying upright. Hanging from the top of the structure is a black, tattered piece of fabric best described as—surprise, surprise—a veil.

What Is the Death Chamber in Harry Potter?

The Death Chamber is a large amphitheatre with tiered seating encircling a dais. Atop the dais is the archway of the Veil.

This large, dimly-lit room is located deep within the Department of Mysteries, suggesting that it is only known to employees who have unregulated access to this division with the Ministry.

While seemingly no longer in operation, it’s unknown what the Death Chamber’s specific use once was. (Although, it seems pretty obvious that it had something to do with, well, death.)

The History of the Veil

The Veil is an ancient magical structure that’s existed for a very, very long time.

From what we know, it has been around at least as long as the Ministry of Magic, which was founded in 1707. However, many witches and wizards believe it has existed even longer than that, due to its poor state of repair.

This means that the Death Chamber, which is part of the Ministry, is likely not nearly as old as the Veil. Presumably after the Veil was discover, the chamber was built around it sometime in the 1700s; although, the exact date of construction is unknown.

Centuries later, in 1996, during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Harry and his friends accidentally came upon the Death Chamber and discovered the Veil. Upon moving closer to the crumbling archway, Harry began to hear whispers…

He had just heard something. There were faint whispering, murmuring noises coming from the other side of the veil.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Not long after, the battle between Harry, his allies and a group of Death Eaters broke out. The fighting led to a duel between Harry’s godfather, Sirius Black, and Sirius’ deranged cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange.

A final blow from Bellatrix launched Sirius through the Veil, where he disappeared, never to be seen again.

In terms of the Veil’s history, this is all we know.

Is There Anything Beyond the Veil?

What we learn from the experience of both Harry and Sirius is that the Veil appears to be a gateway to the land of the dead.

Of course, we can’t know this for certain. But, there are at least three things that support that the Veil may be an entryway to the afterlife.

Creepy Whispers: Harry and Luna were able to hear voices, which got louder the closer they came to the dais. Presumably, these two were able to hear the whispers, even though Ron and Hermione could not, because they’ve both been “touched by death”. That is, both Harry and Luna have lost someone close to them. Perhaps that’s who was trying to call out to them from beyond.
Lack of Visibility:One cannot see through to the other side of the Veil, as is made clear from Sirius’ crossing. He falls through the archway and does not come out the other side but continues into a realm unknown. This makes a case for it being a gateway into the mysterious world of the dead.
No Return: Since Sirius’ fall through the Veil is effectively his death, it appears as though one can only cross through into this other realm—but not back again. As it’s impossible to come back from the dead, this further supports that the afterlife is what waits beyond the veil.

What do you think? Share your theories about the Veil and what lies beyond in the comments!

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What Happens If Polyjuice Potion Goes HORRIBLY Wrong?

By Kara S. April 10, 2024 All Posts

If you’re at all familiar with the series, then you know that the wizarding world of Harry Potteris filled with A LOT of things that can harm a human. Vicious magical beasts, spells that can kill you on the spot, and potions that, if brewed incorrectly, can be fatal.

Obviously, Polyjuice Potion falls into that last category—a brew that you wouldn’t want to go wrong.

But if it did, what would happen?

In this article, we’ll cover all that you need to know about this somewhat fickle potion, including the risks if something were to go terribly wrong.

Everything You Need to Know About Polyjuice Potion

What Is Polyjuice Potion?

Polyjuice Potion is a complex concoction that’s known to be especially difficult and time-consuming to brew. Those new to potion making would be ill-advised to try their hand at making this particular magical mixture, as it generally requires great skill and experience to get it right.

The purpose of Polyjuice Potion is to transform one witch or wizard into that of another; thereby taking on the appearance of someone other than themselves.

What does Polyjuice Potion look like?

When the brew is almost complete, Polyjuice Potion basically looks like thick mud. When the potion takes on this appearance, the final ingredient is added, which is a piece of the soon-to-be-impersonated individual. This can be anything from a strand of the person’s hair to one of their toenail clippings.

With the final addition of the person’s what-have-you, the potion typically changes in colour to align with the “essence” of that individual.

What goes into Polyjuice Potion?

Aside from the piece of the person you want to look like, there are a handful of other rather rare ingredients. See below for a full list!

INGREDIENTS FOR POLYJUICE POTION

“Lacewing flies (the first part of the name suggested an intertwining or binding together of two identities); leeches (to suck the essence out of one and into the other); horn of a Bicorn (the idea of duality); knotgrass (another hint of being tied to another person); fluxweed (the mutability of the body as it changed into another) and Boomslang skin (a shedded outer body and a new inner).”
J.K. Rowling

When and How Polyjuice Potion Is Used in Harry Potter

Despite the warning that only experienced witches and wizards should take on making a batch of Polyjuice, Harry and his friends brew an awful lot of this stuff over the years.

Below is a run down of when and how this tricky potion was used by characters in the series.

The Chamber of Secrets: Hermione’s Mishap

Hermione brewed Polyjuice for the first time as a 12-year-old second-year—and did so incredibly well for a witch her age! With one minor exception. She kind of turned into a cat, slash human.

While she certainly managed to assist Ron and Harry in turning into Crabbe and Goyle, Hermione herself was not so fortunate in her attempt to transform into Millicent Bulstrode. But more on that in a minute!

The Goblet of Fire: Barty Crouch Junior’s Long Con

After getting to know—and dare I say, love?—Professor Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody throughout Harry’s fourth year at Hogwarts, it’s revealed that this wizard wasn’t the man we thought he was. Literally.

For an entire school year, Death Eater Barty Crouch Junior had been sipping Polyjuice Potion and impersonating Professor Moody in order to manipulate Harry Potter and the Triwizard Tournament.

The Deathly Hallows: Everyone, All the Time

In what would have been Harry, Ron and Hermione’s final year at Hogwarts, the Golden Trio drink A LOT of Polyjuice.

It starts with Harry’s allies all taking the potion to resemble Harry himself in order to get him safely to the Weasleys’ family home at The Burrow. Just days later, Harry then pretends to be “Barney Weasley”—a fictional relative of the family—so that he can attend Bill and Fleur’s wedding incognito.

And who could forget the time that Hermione transformed into the likeness of Bellatrix Lestrange in order to break into her vault at Gringotts? Or when Harry, Ron and Hermione broke into the Ministry of Magic by impersonating Ministry employees?

And yet, with all these examples, there seems to be little danger involved in consuming this rather complex potion. That is, with the exception of Hermione and her—err—little mishap in her second year at school.

So, what CAN happen if this complicated potion is brewed or taken incorrectly?

The Risks of Taking Polyjuice Potion

Like any powerful and effective magic, Polyjuice Potion comes with its own risks. From what we know, the biggest danger with this concoction seems to be drinking it if brewed with a non-human body part.

In the case of Hermione in The Chamber of Secrets, she accidentally made the potion using cat hair. As a result, she became half-cat, half-human and needed to be treated by Madam Pomfrey, the Hogwarts’ school nurse.

If Hermione had not been treated, she would have remained in this state PERMANENTLY.

What Else Could Go Wrong?

While the books don’t delve into all the possible dangers, due to its complex nature, there are likely many other ways Polyjuice could cause harm.

For example, using the wrong amount of an ingredient might result in a distorted or incomplete transformation. Maybe even death.

Polyjuice also only lasts so long. It’s possible that if a witch or wizard attempted to tweak this outcome, there may be lasting consequences.

But, as I mentioned, these are merely speculations. And the only canonical event that we have to draw any conclusion from is when Hermione drank the feline-hair potion.

So, if Polyjuice goes wrong?

Basically, you become a GIANT CAT.

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Harry Potter

Can Muggles See THESTRALS?

By Kara S. April 2, 2024 Harry Potter

There are likely more magical beings abounding in the wizarding world than us Muggles could ever count.

From dragons to nifflers, the majority of these beasts and creatures are not meant for non-magical society. And if a Muggle were ever to cross paths with a magical being of any variety, it’s entirely likely that a witch or wizard would need to wipe our memory.

And yet, with all the magical species out there, it’s quite possible that there are a few creatures that Muggles cannot even comprehend. Like Thestrals. No memory wiping required!

In this article, we’ll analyze whether a Thestral is one of those magical creatures that may be beyond our Muggle abilities. Or what it would take in order for someone who is not a witch or wizard to be able to perceive a Thestral, if they were to ever encounter one.

Thestrals and the Wizarding World

What is a Thestral?

A Thestral, as described in the wizarding world of Harry Potter, is essentially a “winged horse” that only SOME witches and wizards are able to see.

While the majority of their appearance is indeed rather horse-like in nature, they are also quite a bit reptilian in the way that they look. They have dragon-like heads and completely white eyes, lacking both pupils and irises.

The body of a Thestral is also completely devoid of any muscle or “meatiness”. Instead, their thin bodies are composed entirely of skin and bones. Their dark black coats cling to their skeleton-like frames, which are flanked on either side by large leathery wings.

Within the context of Harry Potter, these creatures are responsible for pulling the “horseless” carriages that upper-year students occupy when they first arrive for the school year at Hogwarts. The reason the carriages are said to be “horseless” is because most students are unable to see the Thestrals.

Why can only some witches and wizards see Thestrals?

Thestrals can only be seen by a person after they have witnessed, and internalized, death first-hand.

This is why the first time Harry himself encounters a Thestral isn’t until The Order of the Phoenix—since Cedric Diggory’s murder in The Goblet of Fire was the first death he consciously witnessed.

Thestrals and Muggle Society

Do you have to be magical to see a Thestral?

As it turns out, you do not need to be a witch, wizard, or other magical being in order to see a Thestral. Muggles CAN see them too.

Of course, in order for a Muggle to be able to see a Thestral, they would also have to have seen someone die in front of them.

The fact that Muggles are able to see Thestrals is proven in the companion book to the Harry Potterseries, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themby famous Magizoologist, “Newt Scamander”—aka J.K. Rowling. This text shares the following:

WINGED HORSE

CLASSIFICATION: XX-XXXX

Winged horses exist worldwide. There are many different breeds, including the Abraxan…and the rare Thestral (black, possessed of the power of invisibility and considered unlucky by many wizards). As with the Hippogriff, the owner of a winged horse is required to perform a Disillusionment Charm upon it at regular intervals (see Introduction).
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, by J.K. Rowling

Readers of the book are also educated on how any witch or wizard who owns a magical beast, such as a Hippogriff—ergo, a Thestral— “are bound by law to enchant the beast with a Disillusionment Charm to distort the vision of any Muggle who may see it.”

Since wizardkind is bound by law to perform Disillusionment Charms on creatures like Thestrals, it seems obvious that these creatures can be seen—or at the very least detected—by Muggles.

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Why Percy Weasley HATED His Own Family

By Kara S. April 1, 2024 Harry Potter

Percy Ignatius Weasley was not the easiest wizard to get along with. He was an incredibly ambitious, somewhat pompous young man, who had great admiration for authority. Even when said authority didn’t deserve his admiration.

Incredibly dedicated to rising above his family’s modest station in life, Percy was equally motivated by recognition and status. These interests are likely what led to him becoming a prefect and Head Boy while at school and, later, an employee at the British Ministry of Magic.

Despite his great ambitions in life, however, Percy was somewhat forgettable amidst all the chaos and vibrancy that filled the Weasley home. As the third son of Arthur and Molly Weasley, Percy was very much a middle child—younger than both Bill and Charlie, and older than Fred, George, Ron and Ginny.

And while it makes sense that his role within the Weasley clan may have contributed to Percy feeling a little “left out” among his fellow family members, it certainly doesn’t explain why he fell out with them completely.�

In this article, we’ll take a look at the events that led to Percy Weasley cutting off his entire family and explore if he ever truly HATED them.

Percy’s Early Life with the Weasleys

From a young age, Percy was noticeably different from the majority of his immediate family members.

Unlike his parents, who were entirely focused on raising a loving and supportive brood of witches and wizards, Percy wanted respect. He wanted power. And he really wanted to matter.

While attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, this seemed to manifest in his pursuit of academic achievements. Percy received high grades, became a prefect, and eventually Head Boy.

With the exception of his two elder brothers, both of whom were also prefects while at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Percy had very little in common with his siblings. Or even his parents, for that matter. From the jovial antics of Fred and George to his father’s obsession with Muggle artefacts, there wasn’t much overlap between Percy’s interests and those of his family members.

When taken into consideration individually, these dissimilarities seem to be of little importance. However, over time, each of these differences added up, and then blew up.

The Breaking Point Between Percy and His Family

A Job at the Ministry

After many years of diverging interests, Percy truly began to fall out with his family when he accepted a job at the Ministry of Magic as Barty Crouch Senior’s personal assistant. Working in the Department of International Magical Cooperation, he was determined to rise above the menial job his father had held for years within the Ministry.

A Poisonous Promotion

Percy quickly moved up the career ladder at the Ministry, after working there for only a short amount of time. In fact, he became the junior assistant to the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, so quickly that Arthur Weasley was suspicious of the promotion.

After suggesting that Percy only received the position as a ploy by the government to keep an eye on the Weasleys, he was furious. This accusation deeply hurt Percy’s pride and made him extremely resentful of Harry Potter and his affiliation with the Weasley family.

Denouncing His Family

Percy’s new role and Arthur’s speculation of the promotion occurred around the same time that Harry and Dumbledore declared that Voldemort was back. The Ministry of Magic said this was absolutely not true. All of the Weasleys believed Harry and Dumbledore. All, except Percy.

So furious was Percy with his father for suggesting that he had not received his promotion on account of his own merit, he chose to stick by the Minister, rather than his family. The Minister steadfastly refused to believe Voldemort’s return to be true. Therefore, Percy steadfastly refused to believe Voldemort’s return to be true.

Percy took the disagreement even further, publicly declaring that he did not believe that Voldemort was back and condemning his family for their continued support of Dumbledore, Harry and the Order of the Phoenix. Even when it became clear that Voldemort had indeed returned, Percy refused to apologize to his family or acknowledge that they had been right.

Did Percy Weasley Truly HATE His Family?

While Percy Weasley’s pride took a terrible hit when his family didn’t believe he’d earned his Ministry position, it doesn’t seem likely that he actually HATED them.

He was proud and stubborn, with not a whole lot in common with his family. But underneath it all, there was love.

This is made evident by the fact that the estrangement between Percy and his family only lasted a few years. He and the rest of the Weasley clan officially reconciled in 1998 during the Battle of Hogwarts, where he fought alongside each of them, before the tragic loss his younger brother, Fred.

After making amends with his family and defeating Voldemort, Percy returned to the Ministry as a high-ranking official. He got married to a woman named Audrey, and they had two daughters named Molly and Lucy.

Naming one of his daughters after his mother shows that Percy had let go of his past grievances. It also indicates that there were no more hard feelings between him and the rest of the Weasley family later in life.

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Goblins vs. Elves: What’s the Difference?

By Kara S. April 1, 2024 Lore

Throughout the Harry Potter series, we meet many fantastical beasts and creatures. Some are EXTREMELY beast-like, resembling monsters of old and primarily functioning at nightmare fuel. Whereas, others are much more humanoid than they are creature in their appearance, intellect and nature.

Alongside merpeople and centaurs, goblins and elves both fall into this latter, humanoid category of magical beings who live within the wizarding world of Harry Potter. And while the differences between the half-fish, half-humans of the sea and the half-horse, half-humans of the forest are quite obvious, the variations between goblins and elves are a little more difficult to identify.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how these magical beings are similar, and the many ways in which they are incredibly different.

The Similarities Between Goblins and Elves

While uniquely their own species, there are quite a few ways in which goblins and elves are the same. Below is a list identifying the most obvious similarities between the two.

Magic:Both of these beings have powerful abilities to perform magic that seem to be unique when compared to the capabilities of witches and wizards.
Appearance:The goblins and house elves that we are introduced to throughout Harry Potter—and even Fantastic Beasts for that matter—all have long, hooked noses and larger, pointed ears.
Stature:Goblins and elves are both much smaller than humans, and grow to be around three-to-four feet in height, on average.
Subjugation: Both goblins and elves have experienced oppression from wizardkind. Goblins are prohibited from using wands and studying wandlore, whereas elves have been enslaved as servants for powerful magical households.

The 5 Most Remarkable Differences Between Goblins and Elves

Despite the similarities noted above, there are actually more ways in which these two magical beings are quite unique from one another, including…

1. They are different species

One of the most obvious differences between goblins and elves is, of course, the fact that they are not the same species. This can be seen in a few particulars, including their DIFFERENCES in appearance, such as:

Build: Goblins are a lot stouter than elves, who typically seem to be much more slender, with bodies that are more proportionate than goblins.
Claws: Elves’ fingers and hands resemble those of humans much more than goblins, who have long, claw-like fingers with sharp nails.
Hair: While the majority of goblins we meet have hair on their heads, most elves are bald or have very little hair.

2. Their dispositions are completely opposite

With elves, it is evident that they are generally gentle and compliant beings. A perfect example of this is when the house elf, Dobby, punishes himself for speaking negatively about the Malfoy family, despite being a free elf and his general disdain for his former masters.

Goblins, on the other hand, are widely known for their trickery and lack of honesty. One notable example is when the goblin, Griphook, betrays Harry, Ron and Hermione in order to gain possession of the Sword of Gryffindor.

While some may argue that this perception of goblins is rooted in wizard prejudice, the limited portrayal of goblins in the series does seem to support this belief.

3. They have unique brands of magic

While elves possess extraordinary magical abilities that surpass those of most wizardkind, a goblin’s power seems to align more with that of a human’s.

This is evident from the fact that elves can teleport at will and perform magic without the need for a wand. Throughout the series, we even observe Dobby demonstrating telekinetic skills and the ability to turn invisible.

On the other hand, goblins rarely showcase their powers in the series, with the exception of what we see within Gringotts Wizarding Bank. This could be because their magic is closely tied to specific tools, like wands, much like with witches and wizards.

4. There’s a disparity in their social statuses

In both the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, goblins are often employed in jobs that are considered “lower class.” For example, we see them working as bartenders and bank tellers, which seems to indicate that they are not accepted into more important societal positions within the magical community.

That said, goblins do have significant roles in running Gringotts Wizarding Bank and, therefore, the magical economy.

While goblins may not receive the best treatment from humans, they very clearly hold a higher position in the wizarding world compared to elves.

Elves, or more commonly, “house elves”, essentially live in a state of indentured servitude. Their only chance at freedom centers around receiving a gift of clothing from their masters. Obviously, this is much worse than having lower-ranking, paid jobs like goblins do.

5. Their languages are different

Goblins communicate with each other using a language called Gobbledegook, while house elves are believed to exclusively speak the languages of their human masters.

While it’s possible that house elves have their own language, there is no evidence to support the existence of such a language. That said, it’s hard to believe that magical beings with such abilities would not have their own native tongue.

Are Goblins and Elves All that Different?

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Student Relationships: Did Hogwarts ALLOW Dating?

By Kara S. March 28, 2024 Theories

From Ron Weasley and Lavender Brown to Harry Potter and Cho Chang, there are more than a few examples of students dating while at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But, as a magical boarding school, in which boys and girls not only shared the classroom and dining hall but also dormitory space, was dating fellow students at Hogwarts even ALLOWED?!

Throughout the series, there seemed to be a number of contradictory answers to this question. Sometimes, it was okay to have a romantic entanglement with one’s classmates. Yet, in other scenarios, it was pretty clear that it was, at the very least, STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.

In this article, we review the instances in which it seemed like it was fine to date while attending Hogwarts, as well as the times when it certainly did not!

Where Dating Was Encouraged at Hogwarts

Formal Events Like the Yule Ball

If you don’t think too hard about the topic, it may seem like the answer to this question is that it was totally okay to date fellow students. In fact, there are certain times when it appeared as though Hogwarts not only tolerated but even EMBRACED romantic relationships. This is especially true in consideration of the school’s more formal events, such as the Yule Ball.

As part of the Triwizard Tournament, there was the cherished tradition of the Yule Ball, a grand formal dance attended by students from all three schools who were involved in the tournament: Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons.

Student attendees of the event, especially the champions of the tournament, were encouraged to invite a date and come to the dance in pairs. This obviously suggests that there was a supportive environment for relationships within the hallowed halls of Hogwarts castle. What’s more, the tournament champions and their partners were then asked to perform a first dance together, suggesting that had they NOT brought a date, it would’ve been…quite awkward.

This all seems to clearly indicate that Hogwarts was an environment that supported and even ENCOURAGED student relationships.

Where Romance Was Prohibited at Hogwarts

And yet, while Hogwarts may not have explicitly banned relationships, it is important to note that these dalliances between students were not actively encouraged either.

Upon closer examination, there were actually several factors within the school that discouraged or quite plainly prevented romantic entanglements, including:

How the dormitories of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were set up
The strict enforcement of curfew, applicable to students of all ages
The constant presence of adult figures, including the dead and painted ones

The Set Up of House Dorms

Unlike other schools, Hogwarts did not provide students with private bedchambers. Instead, they were assigned to dorm rooms shared with their fellow house mates. This arrangement seemed to be a deliberate attempt to prevent students from being alone with one another, thus discouraging intimate relationships.

Even if the dorm rooms offered some semblance of privacy, accessing rooms in other dormitories proved challenging. For instance, the stairs leading to the girls’ dorm in Gryffindor house would transform into a slide if a male student attempted to ascend them. Such magical deterrents further inhibited interactions between students.

The School’s Strict Curfew

Hogwarts maintained a stringent curfew, leaving students with limited opportunities for clandestine encounters. The curfew’s strictness is shown in The Philosopher’s Stone, when Draco attempted to manipulate Harry and Ron into breaking curfew, hoping to have them expelled.

The threat of expulsion would obviously serve as a powerful deterrent against midnight rendezvous.

Ever-Present Chaperones

Within the hallowed halls of Hogwarts, solitude was a rare commodity. The presence of sentient paintings and haunting ghosts ensured that students were never truly alone. It’s quite possible that the abundance of these watchful entities was intentionally designed to monitor students and discourage any romantic “activities.”

In addition to the spectral and magical guardians, Hogwarts’ professors were also known to patrol the corridors. The ever-watchful caretaker, Filch, and his feline companion, Mrs. Norris, added an extra layer of surveillance. Even during the Yule Ball, Snape stood guard over the garden, presumably to prevent students from sneaking off into the night together.

Student Romances: A Hogwarts Contradiction

It would seem that romantic relationships between student was neither explicitly prohibited nor actively encouraged at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

While the Yule Ball and other instances suggest a certain level of acceptance, various factors within the school definitely prove the dissuasion of such connections. As such, it seems fair to assume that Hogwarts may have been attempting to strike a balance between allowing personal connections to flourish and maintaining a structured educational environment.

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