Warning!
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. |
The Head[6] of Hogwarts (referred to as Headmaster if the individual was male and Headmistress if female)[3] was a title and an occupation at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, held by the witch or wizard on the Hogwarts faculty who was in charge of the safety and the day-to-day functioning of the school, and acted as the school's primary authority on the grounds.[4]
The Headmaster or Headmistress was appointment to the office by the Hogwarts Board of Governors or the British Ministry of Magic. [4][6][7]
The occupant of this post also had a Deputy Heads, or a number of co-Deputy Heads, who would assist them in their duties and who, in the event of their absence, served as acting head of the school until their return, or until a new Headteacher was appointed.[9]
The incumbent headteacher acted as the school's main ambassador, and was therefore expected to diplomatise with the Ministry of Magic,[10][11] as well as with foreign schools, in the event of the Triwizard Tournament and presumably other competitions.[12]
Resources[]
- "I use the Pensieve. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from one's mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one's leisure. It becomes easier to spot patterns and links, you understand, when they are in this form."
- — Albus Dumbledore[src]
The headteacher of the school was provided a support mechanism for the decisions they had to make in the form of a large gallery of portraits mounted on the walls of the Headmaster's office, all of which depicted previous headteachers who held the office in past centuries. The portraits had been trained by their once-living counterparts to assist the later headteachers as best as possible in an advisory capacity.[13] Even so, a magical living portrait was still less than half of the real thing, and the responsibility of decision making fell on the current headteacher.
In addition, the office of headteacher came with access to a Pensieve, one that Hogwarts founders discovered half-buried in the dirt in the very location where they would build the school. With this Pensieve, they could view the memories of past headteachers, and even contribute to that library of knowledge by adding in their own memories.[14]
Power and rights[]
Over the castle and grounds[]
- "As High Inquisitor you have every right to dismiss my teachers. You do not, however, have the authority to send them away from the castle. I am afraid that the power to do that still resides with the headmaster, and it is my wish that Professor Trelawney continue to live at Hogwarts."
- — Albus Dumbledore to Dolores Umbridge[src]
The Headmaster's Tower, which housed the office and personal residence of the current headteacher, like so many things in Hogwarts, seemed to have a will of its own. The portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black, a previous Headmaster of Hogwarts, remarked that under certain circumstances, the tower would be "barred to all but the rightful headmaster", and at least partially subject to their will as well, as Dumbledore on at least one occasion was able to decide if his office door could be opened or not by force of will alone.[15] Hence, when Dolores Umbridge was appointed as headmistress, the office saw her as illegitimate and refused to grant her access, forcing her to use her old office instead.[16]
The headteacher was only one with the authority to banish people from the grounds,[17] and also had the final say on what creatures resided within the Magical Creatures Reserve at the school.[18] They were also able to Apparate and Disapparate at will from the Hogwarts grounds,[19] which most individuals were otherwise incapable of doing.[20] Albus Dumbledore, as headmaster of the school, was also able to open a window in the Anti-Disapparition Jinx for teaching purposes,[21] yet other members of the faculty could not do the same when they needed to evacuate the school in an emergency situation.[22] They could similarly lift the Muggle-Repelling Charm on Hogwarts, as Armando Dippet did when he invited the parents of Myrtle Warren to collect her body from the school in the 1940s.[23]
Over the staff[]
- "Oh, he definitely wanted the Defence Against the Dark Arts job. The aftermath of our little meeting proved that. You see, we have never been able to keep a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher for longer than a year since I refused the post to Lord Voldemort."
- — Albus Dumbledore[src]
The headteacher of Hogwarts was tasked with interviewing, evaluating, and had the final decision on the appointment of new teachers and other faculty members, all of whom were answerable to them upon assuming their position. Accordingly, the head of the school had the power to promote them to higher positions within their department, such as Head of Herbology[24] and Head of Transfiguration.[25] Presumably, they were also in charge of selecting the four Heads of House, which were similarly seen as a promotion,[26] and had disciplinary powers over the staff, such as the right to determine the outcome of their probationary period,[18] and to terminate their employment if necessary.[27]
Over the students[]
The Headteacher of Hogwarts could not only invoke the same disciplinary actions as their fellow professors, but they could also change or overturn any punishments, sanctions, and removal of privileges handed out by other staff members (with the likely exception of those handed out by the High Inquisitor during the period that Educational Decree Number 25 was in effect).[28] Misbehaving students, such as Bertha Jorkins, would sometimes be sent to the Headteacher's office.[29] Apparently, any expulsion needed to be confirmed by the head of the school, who had also the power to revoke the expulsion after the fact if he or she had reason to believe there were mitigating circumstances previously unknown to them, or otherwise found that they had made a mistake.[30]
School security[]
The Headteacher of Hogwarts was responsible for ensuring the safety of students, and this could be accomplished through various means. In the 1926–1927 school year amid the rise of Gellert Grindelwald, students were sent home early and an emergency meeting was called with parents to discuss Grindelwald's threat.[31] The headteacher was expected to cooperate with the Ministry of Magic to conduct school security, such as stationing Dementors,[32][33] Security trolls,[34] and trained Aurors within the grounds and castle.[35]
When the Chamber of Secrets was reopened during the 1992–1993 school year, the threat in question came from within the school itself. Then-Headmaster Albus Dumbledore organised and supervised patrols around the school by the staff, and implemented security measures such as having students escorted back and forth to the bathrooms and between lessons by the teachers, and to have cancelled all Quidditch practices and evening activities in order to keep the students confined to the safety of their common rooms for most of the day.[36]
List of Headteachers[]
Known time period[]
Portrait | Name | Tenure | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
First Headmaster of Hogwarts | c. 11th century | He was the first headmaster of the school, as none of the four founders ever held the position before him.[8] | |
Professor Dame Phyllida Spore |
c. 1408[37] | A celebrated Herbologist and author of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.[38] At some point in her life, she was awarded the title of 'Dame'.[39] During her tenure she cultivated a fungus that could greatly enhance a wizards magical abilities. She documented her findings in The Spore Scrolls and subsequently hid them from the wider wizarding world so her discovery would not be abused.[40] | |
Professor Niamh Fitzgerald |
c. 1470s[41] | One of the Keepers.[42] | |
Professor Edessa Sakndenberg |
c. 1503[43] | A social historian who specialised in Muggle society.[44] | |
Professor Fytherley Undercliffe |
c. 1531[45] | ||
Professor Brian Gagwilde |
c. 1568[46] | A contemporary of Walter Aragon and Aberforth Dumbledore, with whom he played Wizard's Chess.[47] | |
Professor Dame Antonia Creaseworthy |
c. 1624[45] | At some point in her life, she was awarded the title of 'Dame'.[48] | |
Professor Vindictus Viridian |
c. 1703[49] | Published a wide bibliography ranging from Dark charms[38] to taming tigers.[50] Apparently a highly skilled potioneer as well, as most of his portraits depicted him brewing potions.[49] | |
Professor Amrose Swott |
c. 1724[45] | ||
Professor Dilys Derwent |
1741 – 1768[51] | Worked as a Healer at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, as well as one of the most celebrated heads in the history of Hogwarts.[51] | |
Unidentified Headteacher | 1792[12] | Headteacher during the Triwizard Tournament of 1792.[12] | |
Professor Eupraxia Mole |
1876[52] | Bewitched the Daedalian Keys.[53] Signed a contract with Peeves which allowed him a once-weekly swim in the boys' toilets on the ground floor.[52] | |
Professor Phineas Nigellus Black |
1890s[53] | The most unpopular headmaster in history.[54] Served during the invasion of the school by Ranrok.[53] | |
Professor Armando Dippet |
c. 1925 – between 1965 and 1971[55] | Famously accomplished headmaster. His tenure oversaw the opening of the Chamber of Secrets by Tom Riddle.[23] | |
Professor Albus Dumbledore O.M. (First Class) |
Between 1965 and 1971[55] – 8 May 1993[4] | Long-time headmaster during the First Wizarding War. Suspended by the Hogwarts Board of Governors due to the opening of the Chamber of Secrets in the 1992–1993 school year.[4] Later reinstated.[56] | |
Professor Minerva McGonagall |
8 May 1993[4] – June 1993[56] | Acting headmistress during Albus Dumbledore's suspension.[4][57] | |
Professor Albus Dumbledore O.M. (First Class) |
June 1993[56] – April 1996[6] | Sacked by the British Ministry of Magic for spreading the truth that Lord Voldemort had returned, as well as being accused of establishing Dumbledore's Army.[6] | |
Professor Dolores Umbridge |
April 1996[6] – 18 June 1996[16] | Though proclaimed headmistress, Umbridge was not actually acknowledged as such by the Headmaster's office, which shut her out for the remainder of the year.[16] | |
Professor Albus Dumbledore O.M. (First Class) |
19 June 1996[15] – 30 June 1997[58] | Reinstated, but killed by Severus Snape at the end of the school year under his own orders.[58] | |
Professor Minerva McGonagall |
30 June 1997[58] – 1 September 1997[59] | Acting headmistress after Albus Dumbledore's murder. She and the other professors discussed whether Hogwarts should be closed, but she was quickly deposed by Severus Snape after the fall of the Ministry.[60] | |
Professor Severus Snape |
1 September 1997[59] – 2 May 1998[61] | A spy for the Order of the Phoenix, he was appointed by the Death Eater-controlled Ministry of Magic after murdering Albus Dumbledore on Dumbledore's own orders.[59] He ran the school with an emphasis on the Dark Arts, and was eventually killed by Lord Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts.[61] After his death, Harry Potter learned the truth behind Snape's actions and campaigned for his portrait to reside in the Headmaster's office,[62] which Minerva McGonagall allowed.[63] | |
Professor Minerva McGonagall O.M. (First Class) |
2 May 1998[61] – at least 2021[64] | Instrumental in defending the castle during the Battle of Hogwarts.[22] In the 2010–2011 school year, she once again defended the school in the Siege of Hogwarts.[18] She was considered an "inspirational headmistress".[1] |
Alternative timeline[]
Portrait | Name | Tenure | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Professor Dolores Umbridge |
1998 – at least 2020[65] | In an alternative world where Lord Voldemort won the Battle of Hogwarts, Umbridge was the Headmistress.[65] |
Unknown time period[]
Unidentified Headteachers[]
The following are individuals of whom no information can be gained. They were never seen to interact with any other portraits or individuals, and there is no knowledge of their names or dates of tenure:
Behind the scenes[]
- Hogwarts is the only school confirmed to have Deputy Headmasters and Headmistresses. It's unknown if this position exists in other wizarding schools.
- Dolores Umbridge was not considered an official Hogwarts Headmistress by most. Hence, the Headmaster's office did not open to her, and Phineas Nigellus Black told Severus Snape that he was the first Headmaster from Slytherin since himself, although Professor Umbridge was also a Slytherin.
- Phineas Nigellus Black was considered to be the least popular Headmaster of Hogwarts if one discounts the unofficial Headmistress Umbridge.
- When Dumbledore was suspended in 1993 for the second opening of the Chamber of Secrets, Draco Malfoy suggested that Snape apply for Headmaster due to his liking for the teacher at the time. Eventually, Snape indeed became Headmaster, five years after the suggestion, though at that time Draco lost his liking for Severus.
- In Jack Thorne's original version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the Headmaster of Hogwarts was a professor named Marazion, but after reading it, J. K. Rowling sent him an e-mail saying she didn't think Marazion fit, and that they need McGonagall.[75]
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (play)
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Mentioned only)
- Quidditch Through the Ages
- The Tales of Beedle the Bard (Mentioned only)
- J. K. Rowling's official site
- Harry Potter Trading Card Game
- Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book
- The Making of Harry Potter
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World
- LEGO Harry Potter
- LEGO Creator: Harry Potter
- LEGO Creator: Harry Potter
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
- LEGO Dimensions
- LEGO Harry Potter
- Harry Potter: The Character Vault
- Harry Potter: The Creature Vault
- Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup
- Harry Potter for Kinect
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
- Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells
- Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
- Hogwarts Legacy
- The Art and Making of Hogwarts Legacy
See also[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Professor McGonagall" at Harry Potter (website)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 4 (The Keeper of the Keys)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 9 (The Writing on the Wall)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 14 (Cornelius Fudge)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 12 (The Polyjuice Potion)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 28 (Snape's Worst Memory)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Headmaster Black's Legacy | Hogwarts Legacy (Simon Pegg Reveal)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Wizarding World of Harry Potter Grand Opening June 18: Details About Hogwarts Emerge at The Leaky Cauldron
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 15 (Aragog)
- ↑ Hogwarts Legacy, Main Quest "Secrets of the Restricted Section"
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 21 (Hermione's Secret)
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 15 (Beauxbatons and Durmstrang)
- ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Hogwarts Portraits" at Harry Potter (website)
- ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Pensieve" at Harry Potter (website)
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 37 (The Lost Prophecy)
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 32 (Out of the Fire)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 26 (Seen and Unforeseen)
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 25 (The Seer Overheard)
- ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "The Hogwarts Express" at Harry Potter (website)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 18 (Birthday Surprises)
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 30 (The Sacking of Severus Snape)
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 13 (The Very Secret Diary)
- ↑ Pottermore - Hufflepuff introductory message
- ↑ Pottermore
- ↑ Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists, Chapter 3 (Horace Slughorn)
- ↑ The Tales of Beedle the Bard, "The Fountain of Fair Fortune"
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 19 (The Lion and the Serpent)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 30 (The Pensieve)
- ↑ Dumbledore was a young teacher at the time Newt was expelled. He wasn't able to revoke expulsions. by J.K. Rowling on Twitter
- ↑ The Daily Prophet, 29 November 1926 states that "Hogwarts School increases security", "Headmaster calls for emergency meeting with worried parents", and that he sent "students home early".
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 5 (The Dementor)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 14 (Snape's Grudge)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 3 (Will and Won't)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 14 (Cornelius Fudge)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) - Chapter 21 (The Pensieve)
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)
- ↑ The Making of Harry Potter (see this image)
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, HOGWARTS DIARY: THE SPORE SCROLLS
- ↑ Hogwarts Legacy, Main Quest "The Path to Hogwarts"
- ↑ The Art and Making of Hogwarts Legacy (see this image)
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 43.4 43.5 43.6 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) DVD (Disc 2 - Dumbledore's Office)
- ↑ Harry Potter Limited Edition - A Guide to the Graphic Arts Department: Posters, Prints, and Publications from the Harry Potter Films (see this image)
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 Harry Potter Limited Edition - The Paintings of Hogwarts: Masterpieces from the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Sets
- ↑ Harry Potter: Magic Awakened (see this image) – Notably, this portrait is identical to this image, which states the subject is from 1568.
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Side Quest "The Curse-Breaker's Gambit"
- ↑ The Making of Harry Potter (see this image)
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) (see this image)
- ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 22 (St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries)
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Peeves" at Harry Potter (website)
- ↑ 53.00 53.01 53.02 53.03 53.04 53.05 53.06 53.07 53.08 53.09 53.10 53.11 53.12 53.13 53.14 53.15 53.16 53.17 53.18 53.19 53.20 53.21 53.22 53.23 53.24 53.25 53.26 53.27 53.28 53.29 Hogwarts Legacy
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 6 (The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black)
- ↑ 55.0 55.1 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 18 (Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs) - Remus Lupin says "I was a very small boy when I received the bite...But then Dumbledore became Headmaster, and he was sympathetic." Lupin was attacked shortly before his fifth birthday and visited by Headmaster Dumbledore shortly before his eleventh birthday. This makes the date Dippet left and Dumbledore became Headmaster between March 1965 - March 1971 or before.
- ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 18 (Dobby's Reward)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 15 (Aragog) - "Maybe we'll get a decent headmaster now. Someone who won't want the Chamber of Secrets closed. McGonagall won't last long, she's only filling in..."
- ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 27 (The Lightning-Struck Tower)
- ↑ 59.0 59.1 59.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 12 (Magic is Might)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 29 (The Phoenix Lament)
- ↑ 61.0 61.1 61.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 33 (The Prince's Tale)
- ↑ JK Rowling Deathly Hallows Web Chat: "J.K. Rowling: However, I like to think that Harry would be instrumental in ensuring that Snape’s portrait would appear there in due course."
- ↑ Pottermore Presents: Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies, Chapter 1 (Minerva McGonagall)
- ↑ Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
- ↑ 65.0 65.1 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- ↑ 66.0 66.1 66.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
- ↑ Quidditch Through the Ages
- ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Florean Fortescue" at Harry Potter (website)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 14 (The Unforgivable Curses)
- ↑ Harry Potter Limited Edition (see this image)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
- ↑ 73.0 73.1 73.2 73.3 73.4 73.5 73.6 The Making of Harry Potter
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The Journey