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Headmaster

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At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery & Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells & Harry Potter: Magic Awakened & Hogwarts Legacy.
As such, spoilers will be present within the article.

Mirror of Erised "Is this all real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"

The topic of this article is of a real-life subject that has been mentioned "in-universe" in a canon source. The Harry Potter Wiki is written from the perspective that all information presented in canon is true (e.g., Hogwarts really existed), and, as such, details contained in this article may differ from real world facts.

"Point me!"
This article is about the title in general, of any school. You may be looking for specifically Hogwarts's use of this title.

"Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay."
— Dolores Umbridge regarding the legacy of headteachers at Hogwarts[src]

A Headmaster or Headmistress was an individual who headed the staff of a school, be it Muggle or magical. They had the final say on the safety and the day-to-day functioning of the school;[1] though at Hogwarts, this was with the possible exception of the Board of Governors,[2] and, during the 1995–1996 school year, the "High Inquisitor".[3]

Beauxbatons Academy of Magic[]

Known Headmasters of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic:

Portrait Headmaster
(term of office)
Unidentified Headteacher

(1790s)

Maxime Olympe Maxime[4]

Castelobruxo[]

Known Headmasters of Castelobruxo:

Portrait Headmaster
(term of office)
Benedita Dourado[5]

(c. 1940s/50s)

Headmaster of Castelobruxo during 1989

(c. 1989)

Durmstrang Institute[]

Known Headmasters of Durmstrang Institute:

Portrait Headmaster
(term of office)
Nerida Vulchanova[6]

(pre–1290s)

Harfang Munter[6]
Unidentified Headteacher[4]

(1790s)

Igor Karkaroff GoF Igor Karkaroff[4]

(Unknown–1995)

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry[]

Main article: Hogwarts Headteacher

Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry[]

Known Headmasters of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:

Portrait Headmaster
(term of office)
Isolt Sayre Isolt Sayre[7]

(c. 1620s)

JamesSteward James Steward[7]

(c. 1620s)

Agilbert Fontaine (c. 2016)[8]

Mahoutokoro[]

Known Headmasters of Mahoutokoro:

Portrait Headmaster
(term of office)
Headmaster of Mahoutokoro during 1990

(1990)

Norihiko Senju Norihiko Senju (c. 2011-2012)

St. Grogory's Primary School[]

Known Headmasters of St. Grogory's Primary School:

Portrait Headmaster
(term of office)
C. Roemmele[9]

(1990s)

Behind the scenes[]

  • In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Dumbledore refers to Karkaroff's title as "Highmaster". Pottermore, however, confirms that the title of Headmaster is used at Durmstrang as well.
  • It is unclear if Headmasters must die in office to get a portrait on the wall[10] or if they must simply not abandon (in the sense of betraying, not simply leaving) their position.[11]

Translations[]

  • Danish: Rektor (literal)
  • Estonian: Direktor
  • Faroese: skúlastjóri
  • Greek, Modern: Διευθυντής ("director")
  • Icelandic: skólastjóri
  • Russian: Директор ("direktor") - Principal
  • Italian: Preside - Principal of a middle/high school

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

  1. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 26 (Seen and Unforeseen)
  2. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 14 (Cornelius Fudge)
  3. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 15 (The Hogwarts High Inquisitor)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 15 (Beauxbatons and Durmstrang)
  5. ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Castelobruxo" at Harry Potter (website)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Durmstrang Institute" at Harry Potter (website)
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" at Harry Potter (website)
  8. ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "The Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA)" at Harry Potter (website)
  9. ↑ Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey, p. 403 (see this image)
  10. ↑ 2007 Accio Quote! Bloomsbury Chat: Laura Trego: Was the absence of snapes portrait in the headmasters office in the last scene innocent or deliberate
    J.K. Rowling: It was deliberate. Snape had effectively abandoned his post before dying, so he had not merited inclusion in these august circles..
  11. ↑ J.K. Rowling at Carnegie Hall
    Q: Is Severus Snape's portrait in the headmaster's office? JKR: Some have been asking why hasn't the portrait appeared immediately. It doesn't. The reason is that the perception in the castle itself and everyone who was in the castle, because Snape kept his secret so well was that he abandoned his post. So all the portraits you see in the headmaster's study are all headmasters and mistresses who died, it's like British royals. You only get good press if you die in office. Abdication is not acceptable, particularly if you marry and [sic] American. I'm kidding! [laughter] I digress. I know, because I thought this one through, because it was very important to me, I know Harry would have insisted that Snape’s portrait was on that wall, right beside Dumbledore's. [Applause.]
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