03-16-2016, 11:33 AM
HOGWARTS
Here's everything you could possibly want to know about Hogwarts
for game event and character planning.
This info is not completely official as I've adapted and gone deeper into many things,
so please don't copy anything without asking me first. Thank you.
* * * *
- SOCIAL EVENTS - SCHOOL STAFF -
* * * *
- NOT MANDATORY, except in 1997-1998 when Voldemort and Death Eaters run it. That year it's mandatory to even 17-year olds as in for all seven years -
but even then it's not mandatory to absolutely everyone, but only to:
- Anyone who's currently registered as a student.
- Anyone dropped out during the previous year or at the end of it, they're ordered to return.
- All who turn 11 that year before September, as in those who receive the invitation as usual.
---> And everyone has to prove that their blood status is at least half-blood.
So, on 1st of September 1997: if you're 10-years old, 12-years old or older, or dropped out two or more years ago, you are not required to attend.
+ Those who can't prove their blood status are labelled muggle-borns and don't have to attend Hogwarts – but instead are in much bigger trouble.
- Hogwarts has a BOOK OF ADMITTANCE and a QUILL OF ACCEPTANCE also known as Magical Quill which marks down the name and birth date of each magical child born in Great-Britain. Not at the moment of birth but when the child first shows signs of magical ability, does accidental magic - but only until the child turns 11. So, if a child doesn't do accidental magic by his/her eleventh birthday the Quill interprets the child as a squib and will not mark their name down – or if a magical child does not live in Great-Britain at age 10-11, their name will be wiped out.
- They will not get an invitation to attend Hogwarts.If a child begins to show magical ability after their eleventh birthday, their parents can contact the Headmaster and arrange a meeting to show this. Over 11-year olds usually aren't accepted, unless there's a valid special reason for the delay (ie. that late blooming) – but even then no one older than 13 and every case is considered individually.
~ OFFICIAL INVITATION arrives in June or July of the year the child turns 11, but only if they do so by September. Others will get the invitation the next year, closer to their twelfth birthday. Every year the Deputy Headmaster McGonigall checks whose eleventh birthday is between the previous year's September and the current year's August, and sends them an invitation. It always arrives at the earliest in early June and at the latest in the beginning of the last week in July. The child's attendance must be confirmed by the end of July. If you don't want to accept the invitation, you don't have to do anything.
Generally they send only one invitation per child and if there's no reply they interpret it as being declined. Harry was an exception, because the Hogwarts staff knew what Harry's family was like and thus his invitation probably had some sort of tracking spell on it that also revealed the letters were being destroyed. As the envelope read an exact spot where Harry's room was located in the house, which is not normal.
This is why he was sent countless of invitations and eventually Hagrid to hand one out in person. This was an exception, for they don't know every child's home life situation and muggle-borns don't get letters but a staff member from Hogwarts arrives to explain the matters and hand out the invitation in person.
With the invitation letter is included a list of required books and other equipment, and what kind of a pet the child may bring with. The updated list is sent every year to all students, accordingly to the year they're in. The required books also includes english, math, physics, chemistry, biology and geology books. Available in muggle book stores.
- HOGWARTS SERVES only Britain and Northern Ireland. (Britain = England, Scotland, Wales.) As in the invitation is sent only to children who live in Great-Britain at age 10-11. If you've moved to Great-Britain and received an official residence before age 11, and you wish to attend Hogwarts you should contact the Headmaster or Deputy Headmaster. You must be able to prove that your official residence is in Great-Britain and of course that the child is able to cast spells.
- SCHOOL YEAR:
Registration must happen before the end of July.
* The year starts on September 1st – (the train to Scotland), and ends on the last Saturday of June – (the train back to London), that is the Summer Holiday lasts 9 weeks.
* Christmas Holiday lasts 2 weeks; starts on the Friday before Christmas (the train back to London at 11:00) and ends on the first Sunday of January (the train back to Scotland at 11:00.)
* Easter Holiday lasts 2 weeks; starts on the previous Saturday to Good Friday (the train travel) and ends on the next Sunday after Easter, (the train travel.) As in, Easter itself falls right in the middle of the two holiday weeks.
Exceptionally the end of school years is later in the mid-'90s because of the Triwizard Tournament in 1994-1995 and the Second Wizarding War during 196-1998.
- DISTANCE:
The distance between London and the Hogwarts Castle in Scotland is 725 km as the bird flies, and by driving on the ground it's 950 km. London alone as the bird flies is 50 km, max. 60 km.(This is essential especially in sending Owl Post. It will take 24-48 hours for a letter to arrive from London to Hogwars and vice versa.)
- NUMBER OF STUDENTS: at Hogwarts each year is around 300-400. Every year the invitation is sent to a little over hundred children out of which usually at the most a few tens accept it.
- THE TRAIN TRAVEL lasts from 11:00 to 16:00. Transferring from the train to the carriages or the other way around usually takes about 15 minutes and the carriage ride about 10 minutes. The distance between the gates and the castle takes about 10 minutes to walk or 5 minutes rowing across the lake. Thus on average the travel to or from the school lasts about 5 h 30 min. Much longer if you have to walk between the school gates and the Hogsmeade village. See, Trips to Hogsmeade.If you travel by Floo Network, you end up at the Hogsmeade Train Station. The Floo connection is open only on the day of the train travel, from 11:00 to 16:00.
- THE SORTING HAT can sometimes make a mistake - seldom, but still. It'll never admit it though. Like in the movies, it speaks out loud so that everyone can hear – but of course no secrets. The sorting is done more according to the child's current values than their personality.
- THE STAFF forms the same as in the books during this era. There are more staff members, though, the books only mention the Heads of subjects and the hospital wing staff.
- THE TRACE:
The Trace from the Ministry of Magic is only on those underage witches and wizards who attend Hogwarts or have at some point attended it. It is automatically cast on a child when they are sorted into a House.
- STATE FUNDED SCHOOL:
Hogwarts began as charity funded by rich wizarding families, until the late 1600's when the new wizarding government and the Ministry of Magic was founded. Since then the school has been state funded (as in by the Ministry of Magic through tax money) which pays for the staff's saleries, the broomsticks, growing/buying the food, potions/herbology ingredients, and all other common equipments. Thus Hogwarts doesn't takle tuition fees, but the families have to pay for all the child's personal school supplies including the text books, school uniform, cauldrons, robes and everything such. The list of needed supplies is sent along with the invitation letter and subsequently just the list of supplies before the beginning of each school year. Though, even for that there is a fund at Hogwarts to support families with a very small income.
The Ministry holds very little power over how the school runs. The only things that are always controlled by the Ministry, are the grading system and the general curriculum - (but the professors have freedom to decide what about their subject they teach and how.) Literally everything else about the school - (in example the disciplining methods of students, the appointment and expelling of a Headmaster, how the state fund money is used, any crowd funding events, sports events and so on) - is up to the Hogwarts Board of Governors. That is formed by 12 wizards/witches, two of them are from the Ministry of Magic, two from the Hogwarts staff including the Headmaster, and eight are parents of the attending students. Any decisions about the school are discussed between and voted for by these Governors.
- APPARATION:
It's not possible to apparate or disapparate in the Hogwarts Castle or on its grounds. Except for house-elves and the headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
- CURFEW:
Students are required to remain in their Houses between 21:00-06:00.
- LUNCH TIMES:
- Breakfast: 07:00-08:30
- Lunch: 12:00-14:00- Dinner: 16:00-17:00
Exception: 1. September dinner starts at 17:30, because of the need to sort first-years in their Houses and students arriving at school not before 16:30-ish.
- Evening meal/snack: 19:30-20:30.
Nobody should stay at lunch for more than an hour at the most, it's that long only so everyone could have time to eat regardless of how their afternoon classes are organised.
- CLASSES:
Between 09:00-16:00, from what time to what depends on the year you're in and how many subjects you're studying.
- BREAKS:
* Morning break: 25 minutes between 10:30-10:55
* Lunch hour, sometime between 12:00 and 14:00
--> Student in 5th to 7th year may have more breaks, depending on their timetable.
- TRIPS TO HOGSMEADE:
Four times per school year, students in the 3rd year and up, get to visit the Hogsmeade village located half an hour walk from the school. But only if they can provide a permission notice signed by their parent or guardian, to their Head of House. The way is always by foot in the company of at least two staff members, and just before departing there's a name call in the entrance hall. The same in the village at the Train Station, before returning to the school.
Trip Dates:
- Last Saturday of October (around Halloween)
- Third Saturday of December (the last Saturday before Christmas, but note that the train back to London left yesterday)
- Second Saturday of February (around Valentine's Day)
- Second Saturday of June (one week before Summer Holiday)
Departing at 13:00 (arriving around 13:30) and back to school at 16:30 (arriving round 17:00)That is three hours in the village, and anyone visiting can't make it to the dinner at school unless asking and receiving permission to return by themselves. But you need a very good reason to, as the staff prefers the group to stay together. Anyone who wants to visit Hogsmeade, must inform their Head of House at the latest the previous day.
- DISCIPLINE:
The selection of discipline methods are authorised by the Hogwarts Board of Governors, who oversee the running of the school all in all as well as appoint and supervise the Headmaster. Decisions about the school and the formation of the Board itself are discussed and voted on among the members. Acceptance of individual students and hiring new staff is all Dumbledore's decision, but expelling anyone is decided among either the staff or the whole Board.
(In example, a werewolf student's acceptance or expulsion won't be brought to the Board's attention unless absolutely necessary but only decided among the certain staff members, as the Board has generally decided that werewolves can attend by Dumbledore's judgement.)
The actual punishments are decided on case-by-case bases by a staff member - whatever he or she sees fit for the offense - and also administered by said person. Though the rights depend on their status in the staff.
More specific details here.
~ Methods:
* Corporal discipline / physical pain
(until 1981 & temporarily in 1995-1996)
The popularity of corporal punishment in school environments in Britain started to decrease remarkably in the 1970s and early '80s although was still very common in most schools, until outlawed in state funded schools in 1987. In muggle private schools however it was legal for nine more years.
Until January 1981, in the 20th century Hogwarts corporal punishment could be at the worst a severe caning on the palms of hands or on the clothed buttocks.
(For reference, Molly Weasley claimed in the '90s that her husband Arthur still had some marks of a caning he had received in the '60s. Implying that it could've been so severe that it left permanent though likely eventually faint marks.)
In that case it was administered by the school's then-caretaker, but after he left the school in 1973 and was replaced by Argus Filch the caretaker no longer had the right to deliver any punishments but only suggest them to those who held the right.
Since 1981 causing physical pain to a student was not allowed by any staff member until temporarily brought back during the school year 1995-1996 by the then-corrupted Ministry of Magic. Even the caretaker was again allowed to punish students. But unlike previously, that year even the use of a whip was allowed. The whole method was again outlawed at the end of that year when the Ministry-appointed Dolores Umbridge was removed from power at the school.
* Confiscation of possessions
(has always been allowed)
The student would get the possession back at the end of the school year, if ever - depending on who confiscated it and what it was. In the late '80s and '90s there was lots of confiscated stuff in the caretaker Filch's office from as long ago as the '70s!
* House point deduction
(has always been allowed)
Possibly one of the least effective methods seeing to that not every student cares about House points and winning the House Cup. But for some, this would work.
* Detention
(has always been allowed)
Usually served in the office of the teacher who handed out this punishment but there is also a Detention Chamber that might be used. What the detention includes and how long it is, is up to the staff member who hands it out. But the maximum duration on a school night can be a few hours at the most. A detention is usually held on a school day but can sometimes be set on a Saturday or Sunday as well on which day it could be much longer.
* Removal of privileges
(has always been allowed)
Teachers can suspend or remove privileges such as Quidditch playing/viewing or trips to Hogsmeade.
* Parent or guardian notification
(has always been allowed)
In addition to other suitable punishment, for serious offenses or repeated offenses a teacher or other adult staff member usually sends a letter to the student's parent or guardian, letting them know about it and what punishment is to follow.
* Suspension
(has always been allowed)
Temporary prohibition to attend the school for a previously determined period of time. The student must leave the castle and go back home and is not allowed to enter the school grounds during that time. This is for some of the most serious offences or constantly repeated semi-serious offences. A notification about this is sent to the parent or guardian so they can come and pick up their child.
* Expulsion
(has always been allowed)
The permanent removal of a student from the school, after which they are not allowed to enter the school grounds without permission. This is reserved only for the most extreme offences, and is never decided on before thoroughly and face to face discussing the matters with the parent or guardian of the student, with the student included in the meeting.
It's extremely unlikely that expulsion wouldn't happen, but the meeting is to discuss and take care of any further actions or help that may be needed related to the offence.
If a student is expelled for an offence involving seriously inappropriate, unlawful, or dangerous use of magic, their wand is destroyed by the Ministry of Magic's appropriate authorities and the person is prohibited from using magic ever again.
- SUBJECTS
Year 1:
11 Core classes: English, Math, Science (biology, chemistry, physics, geology), Astronomy, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Herbology, History of Magic, Potions, Transfigurarions and Flying.
* English, math and science are the core subjects in muggle schools.
Year 2:
All the core classes. During the Easter Holiday you must elect 2 more subjects for the third year.
Optional subject selection: Study of Ancient Runes, Arithmancy , Care of Magical Creatures, Divination and Muggle Studies.
Only two can be picked.
Year 3:
All the core classes except not Flying. Plus, the two new classes you elected.
Year 4:
All the core classes except not Flying. Start practising for the O.W.L examination. One or both of the elective classes can be dropped.
Year 5:
All the core classes except Flying. The possible elective classes + in June the O.W.L Examination.
Year 6:
The core classes; english, math, science. The magical classes and their difficulty level depends on your O.W.L Examination results. At the end of this year you can opt to re-take the O.W.L examination.
Year 7:
The core subjects; english, math and science. In magical classes the same as you took the previous year, unless you want to drop something. This is not a mandatory year as in you can graduate without attending this year. Except if you're aiming at a magical occupation that requires N.E.W.T level studies, for those examination are held at the end of this year.
X The elective classes can be dropped at any year you wish. The muggle core classes are mandatory through all seven years, and the magical core classes up to the sixth year when the O.W.L results begin to affect.
~ Passing grades:
O - Outstanding
E – Exceeds Expectations
A - Acceptable
~ Failing Grades:
P - Poor
D - Dreadful
T - Troll
Of course, if you get a failing grade in too many examination at any year level, you get held back and your graduation is delayed by a year. Many magical examination have the theory part in the morning and the practical part in the afternoon, except in Astronomy the practical part is late in the evning or at night. Some of course don't have a practical part at all.
- THE O.W.L EXAMINATION are extremely essential to pass, if you wish to advance to a professional training for any magical occupation. As most occupations require skills and knowledge on the O.W.L level. Plus, some occupations require N.E.W.T level grades, and you can't get to even studying in a N.E.W.T level course unless you received at least an E in the subject in question, in your O.W.L examination.
Examples:
* Auror training and Healer training: require at least five N.E.W.T level studies with at least Exceeds Expectations grades. In classes: DADA, Potions, Charms, Transfigurations and Herbology.
* Magical Law Enforcement Squad: requires at least five O.W.L level studies with at least Exceeds Expectations grades. In the same classes as aurors and healers.
You can pass at the most 9 O.W.Ls, that is in the seven core subjects and in the two electives. No one has ever taken or passed all twelve O.W.Ls, because it's simply impossible to study more than two electives in addition to the core classes. Unless using a Time Turner, but Hermione Granger was the only Hogwarts Student ever to receive one for studies – and even her after a long persuasion. So, Barty Crouch Jr. Did not pass 12 O.W.Ls – his father was out of his mind when stating that. Bill and Percy Weasley did not pass that many either – their mother talked before considering the impossibility of it, in efforts to motivate her twins to be more ambitious. Even Hermione had to note that studying so many classes even with a Time Turner was way too exhausting and she had to drop two classes, eventually taking and passing only one additional O.W.L.
Unlike regular tests the O.W.Ls and N.E.W.Ts are not evaluated by the Hogwarts Staff but a group from the Ministry of Magic, specifically for that purpose. They arrive on Sunday prior to the first day of the examination week. And unlike in regular exams, in these students must use a special quill that has an anti-cheating charm on it, as do the papers. No one's been able to cheat since the 1800's.
Of course the muggle core subjects listed below aren't part of the O.W.L.s but they're still part of the examnation weeks.
~ O.W.L Examination Timetable:* Elective Subject, as in only for those who study it.Week 1Mon – CharmsTue – TransfigurationsWed – HerbologyThu – Defence Against the Dark ArtsFri – English, Study of Ancient RunesWeek 2Mon – PotionsTue – Math, Care of Magical CreaturesWed – Astronomy, Biology, Divination or ArithmancyThu – Chemistry, History of MagicFri – Physics, Muggle Studies
- EXAMINATION WEEKS:
Are always in June; regular examination during the first week, and O.W.L & N.E.W.T level during the second and third week. For a long time the muggle course subjects (english, math, science) are not part of the National Examination, but from 1988 onward they are and thus are tested during the O.W.Ls. And from year 1997-1998 those subjects are also tested at the end of third year, at age 14. Other year levels have only smaller random testing during the school year, as the Head of House pleases – usually at the end of the autumn and spring terms. In any case, everyone gets a final grade on these subjects too, for their report card.
- EXTRA-CURRICURAL CLASSES/ACTIVITIES
All of these are available for all students.
* Art - covers both wizarding and muggle art.
* Muggle music - covers anything related to muggle artists and the history of music.
* Hogwarts Choir
* Orchestra - comprised of saxophonists, violinists, cellists, flutists, drummers and harpists. Accompanies the Choir. See further details from the Choir's info.
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