Owl Lecturn

Owl Lecturn
Object information
Location	Great Hall, Hogwarts Castle
Made	In or before 19th century
Usage	Informing students of notices for the school year
Owners	Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

The Owl Lecturn, also known as the Owl Lectern, was an ancient, owl-shaped podium located in the Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, behind which the Head of the school or esteemed guests would preside over events and ceremonies, or simply address the students.

Description

It was often used by the Headmaster or Headmistress of the day while addressing the student population such as at the Start-of-Term Feast. A sheet of parchment would sometimes be clipped to the podium with the list of announcements he or she would say during their welcoming speeches or other occasions. From the podium, the Head of the school would take their place behind the lectern while welcoming the students, introducing new additions to the Hogwarts staff, informing of any new rules, as well as reminding of old ones, and notifying of special events that would be occurring during the course of the school year.

Many visitors would also use the lectern while addressing the students: Rita Skeeter when informing the student body of her contest where a lucky student would be able to get their story printed in the Daily Prophet, Patricia Rakepick when introducing herself as a curse-breaker contracted by the school to help with the Cursed Vaults, Professor Tofty when explaining how the O.W.L. examinations would be conducted, and Minerva McGonagall when she addressed the students in Dumbledore's absence.

History

Pre-1980s

This lectern has been in use since at least the before the 1800s.

In 1932, the Owl Lecturn was located in the Great Hall when Albus Dumbledore briefed a select group of allies on the 1932 International Confederation of Wizards' Supreme Mugwump election.

1980s and 1990s

After the Sorting Ceremony was concluded in 1984–1985 school year, Professor Dumbledore took place behind the lectern and held the customary welcoming speech; addressing the first-years in particular, he informed them of how Harry Potter, the "Boy Who Lived", who had been indirectly responsible for the Lord Voldemort's downfall and the end of the wizarding war, was safe and well, but before his own attendance, it was now the current first years who had the chance to shine. He briefly explained the rules of the House Cup before the Welcoming Feast formally began.

At the Start-of-Term Feasts for the 1985–1986 school year and 1986–1987 school year, Dumbledore took the podium and recalled major events related to the Cursed Vaults in the last year, and asked students to leave the investigation to the faculty rather than doing it themselves.

The lecturn was once again used by Dumbledore at the start of the 1987–1988 school year. Dumbledore introduced Patricia Rakepick, who also stepped to the podium to tell the students to stay away from her research of the Cursed Vaults.

At the start of the 1988–1989 school year, Professor Minerva McGonagall informed the school of the start of year announcements, as Professor Dumbledore was away. Professor Dumbledore gave his speech before the Start-of-Term Feast at the beginning of the 1989–1990 school year at the Owl Lecturn. Professor Dumbledore gave his speech before the Start-of-Term Feast at the beginning of the 1990–1991 school year at the Owl Lecturn.

Behind the scenes

Albus Dumbledore speaking at this podium in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

• "Owl Lecturn" is spelt as such on its design blueprints, as displayed in The Making of Harry Potter. However, the proper spelling of the word is "lectern", though "lecturn" is considered a common misspelling.
• In the novels, Dumbledore simply stands up to make his announcements; thus, this lectern only appears in the films and video games. Therefore, its usage in the Harry Potter films by Dumbledore cannot be canon, since it is directly stated in the novels that he used no such podium when giving announcements. In concept art for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Severus Snape is shown using the podium as Headmaster, but whether or not this is canon is unknown. Only can the podium's usage in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery (along with other video games released after it) be considered canon, since its usage does not contradict higher canon sources.
• In the video game adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, casting various spells on the lectern causes changes to occur in the room. For example, casting Incendio will make the Floating Candles appear, and Depulso activates the Enchanted Ceiling.
• The concept of this lectern is possibly based on the eagle lecterns used by many Christian churches.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) (First appearance) (Non-canonical appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) (Non-canonical appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game) (Non-canonical appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Non-canonical appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film) (Non-canonical appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game) (Non-canonical appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (Concept art)
• Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened