Hogwarts Entire Subjects

> And then, once you had managed to find them, there were the classes themselves. There was a lot more to magic, as Harry quickly found out, than waving your wand and saying a few funny words.
>
> The challenging nature of academic classes at Hogwarts, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

 File:Subjects.JPG
There were a variety of **subjects** taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. These included both the core curriculum and the electives, available from ***third year*** forward. In the ***fifth year***, students took the ***Ordinary Wizarding Level*** (O.W.L.) exams to determine whether or not they would reasonably be able to keep up with the much more advanced curriculum in the remaining two years. In ***seventh year***, students would take the ***Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test*** (N.E.W.T.), the results of which were what potential employers would look at when they were looking for a career after completing their education.

Some classes, including the core classes, might be dropped in ***sixth year***. Specialised classes such as ***Alchemy*** became available in sixth year provided there was sufficient demand.

Even though students couldn't apply for ***Time-Turners*** to take more classes than were able to fit in the timetables, a student's head of house was able to suggest a Time-Turner to an individual on very rare occasions. All students did, however, have a choice to drop a course if they became a burden (aside from the essential classes).

## Overview

All first-years at Hogwarts had to take seven core subjects: Transfiguration, ***Charms***, Potions, ***History of Magic***, Defence Against the Dark Arts, ***Astronomy*** and Herbology. ***Flying*** lessons (on broomsticks) were also compulsory. Flying was the only one of these that could be dropped upon entry into second year.

At the end of their second year at Hogwarts, students were required to choose a minimum of two additional subjects from the following list: ***Arithmancy***, ***Muggle Studies***, ***Divination***, ***Study of Ancient Runes*** and ***Care of Magical Creatures***. Students couldn't elect to drop any of the core subjects at this time, but they could choose to drop an elective if it became a burden.

During their fifth year, students had an appointment with their Head of House to discuss the career path they wanted to pursue. The professor would recommend the subjects they would need to take at the ***N.E.W.T.*** level required for their job of choice, taking into account their predicted ***O.W.L. grades*** based on their current performance. The teacher could recommend subjects based on the student's current grades if the student was unsure of what job they would like. These students made provisional choices for N.E.W.T.s at this time and their choices were confirmed or rejected depending on their achieved O.W.L grades or the demand.

During sixth year, students advanced to N.E.W.T.-level classes, however they were only allowed to take classes whose O.W.L. exams they scored high enough on. The professor would decide the O.W.L. grade needed to take their class at the N.E.W.T.-level. Course work during this year was much more advanced than it had been previously. The majority of students' time was spent studying and trying to cope with the vast amounts of homework they were being given. Students in the sixth year could also elect to take part in ***Apparition lessons*** for a fee of twelve Galleons.

The seventh year was the final year of magical education. At the end of the year, students took the exam for their N.E.W.T. subjects that had been chosen in sixth year and carried through to the seventh.

Very specialised subjects such as ***Alchemy*** were offered in the final two years, but would only be provided if there was sufficient demand. It is unknown whether the student would need any grades from another subject to take the subjects, or whether it was open to anyone to try. There may have been a N.E.W.T. exam for these subjects too.

Certain subjects could be abolished for certain reasons. Albus Dumbledore was originally planning to scrap ***Divination*** altogether due to its inaccuracy to most, but he kept the subject as a pretence to protect ***Sybill Trelawney*** from the Death Eaters. During the ***conquered Ministry's regime***, Defence Against the Dark Arts was cancelled and replaced with outright ***Dark Arts***, conforming with Lord Voldemort's reign. Upon the ***defeat of Voldemort***, the Dark Arts class was abolished and the regular Defence class was restored.

## Core classes

### Charms

 File:CharmsHPCard.jpg
Charms comprised very wide range of different spells concerned with giving a target (be it an object or an individual) new and unexpected properties and/or making the target perform certain actions, among other possible effects. Charms could be some of the most powerful and game-changing spells in existence. Successfully casting a charm required concentration, precise wand movements, and proper pronunciation of the spells incantation. Charms classes were described as notoriously noisy and chaotic, as the lessons were largely practical. Charms was considered a "soft option" by some when picking N.E.W.T.-level classes.

Charms classes took place in ***Classroom 2E*** along the ***Charms corridor*** on the third floor, near the Third-floor corridor. Professors known to have taught this subject include:

* Filius Flitwick (1970s-?)

### Defence Against the Dark Arts

Main article: Defence Against the Dark Arts

Defence Against the Dark Arts, commonly shortened to D.A.D.A., was the class that taught students how to protect themselves against the Dark Arts, and how to handle dark creatures.

This subject required students to participate in practical lessons in order to truly learn the subject; if taught only theory based lessons out of books, then it would only hinder them.

The subject had an extraordinarily high turnover of staff members — throughout Harry Potter's time at Hogwarts, no Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher remained at Hogwarts for more than one school year. Dumbledore suggested that Voldemort ***jinxed*** the position because his application for it was rejected. After the end of the Second Wizarding War, the jinx on the position was lifted with Voldemort's death.

Defence Against the Dark Arts classes took place in ***Classroom 3C*** on the third-floor. Professors known to have taught this subject include:

* Albus Dumbledore (at least ***1910s***–***1927***)
* Quirinus Quirrell (1991–1992)
* Gilderoy Lockhart (1992–1993)
* Severus Snape (***1996–1997***)

After he graduated, Harry Potter would occasionally come to the class to give lectures on the subject.

### Herbology

Main article: Herbology
 File:Herbology second year.png
Herbology was the study of magical plants and fungi. Students learned how to properly care for and utilise different plants, as well as about their magical properties and what they were used for. The further a student progressed through their education, the more difficult and dangerous the plants became. Students were also taught a few spells that were helpful for gardening, such as the ***Herbivicus Charm***.

Herbology classes took place in various ***greenhouses*** located behind the castle. Professors known to have taught this subject include:

* Pomona Sprout (pre. 1984-?)
* Neville Longbottom (pre 2017-?)

### History of Magic

History of Magic was the study of the history of the Wizarding world. The lessons in this class were only lectures about significant names, dates and events in wizarding history. Topics had included the ***Goblin Rebellions***, the ***Witch-hunts***, the ***Giant wars*** and the origin of the ***International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy***. The class was considered very boring due to Binns' droning voice.

### Potions

Main article: Potions (class)
***Potions*** was the exact art and subtle science of creating various liquid mixtures with different magical effects, many of which could not be achieved through spells. It required adding the correct ingredients into the ***cauldron*** and stirring the brew in the correct way, both of which had to be done at the right times and at the right temperatures. Students also studied the different ingredients used in potion making and their properties. Potions was considered a difficult class to achieve an O.W.L. in, as only twelve students from Harry Potter's year managed it. The O.W.L written exam was described as "difficult".

Potions classes took place in Hogwarts Dungeons. Professors known to have taught this subject include:

* Severus Snape (1981-1996)

### Transfiguration

Main article: Transfiguration (class)
 File:TransfigurationHPCard.jpg
Transfiguration was a very difficult theory-based subject that practiced the art of changing the form or appearance of an object, as well as changing it back. It was also possible to change inanimate objects into living creatures and vice versa, as was changing a living creature into another species. Conjuring things out of thin air, making things vanish into thin air, and making things ***switch places*** were also elements of transfiguration. Human Transfiguration was considered the most difficult branch of this subject. Transfiguration has been described as "some of the most dangerous magic you will be taught at Hogwarts".

Transfiguration classes took place in ***Classroom 1B*** on the ground-floor, around the ***Middle Courtyard***. Professors known to have taught this subject include:

* Albus Dumbledore (?-***1956***)
* Minerva McGonagall (?-***1998***)

## Electives

### Third years and up

#### Arithmancy

***Arithmancy*** was a branch of magic concerned with the magical properties of numbers. It was reportedly difficult, as it required memorising or working with many charts.

Professors known to have taught this subject include:

* ***Septima Vector*** (at least 1990s)

#### Care of Magical Creatures

 File:CoMCHPCard.jpg
Care of Magical Creatures, also known as Creature Care, and formerly called ***Beasts class***, was a class which instructed students about the proper identification, feeding, grooming, riding, breeding, and treatment of various magical beasts.

Care of Magical Creatures classes took place outside the castle. Professors known to have taught this subject include:

* Rubeus Hagrid (1993–?)

#### Divination

 File:B3C6M2 Trelawney's first Divination lesson in the trio's third year.jpg
***Divination*** was the art of predicting the future. Various methods were taught, including ***tea leaves***, ***fire-omens***, ***crystal balls***, palmistry, ***cartomancy***, ***astrology***, and ***dream interpretation***.

Divination was different from other magical subjects; it required the practitioner to possess a natural aptitude. One could not simply study hard and expect to get better at it, if a witch or wizard lacked any aptitude for divination, then they were doomed to fail no matter how hard they worked.

Divination was described by Professor McGonagall as "one of the most imprecise branches of magic". Supporters of the subject claimed that it was an inexact science that required innate gifts like the "***Inner Eye***". Those opposed claimed that the subject was irrelevant and fraudulent.

Divination classes took place in a ***classroom*** accessible through a circular trapdoor in the ***North Tower***. Professors known to have taught this subject include:

* ***Sybill Trelawney*** (***1979***-?)
* Firenze (***1995***-?)

#### Muggle Studies (core in 1997–1998 only)

Muggle Studies was a class that taught about how ***Muggles*** lived their lives, as well as various Muggle inventions and their use of electricity. It also included ***Muggle Art*** and ***Muggle Music***. However, the information came from a wizarding point of view.

Muggle Studies was considered by some to be a soft option, but others, such as Percy Weasley, thought it was important for magical people to have an understanding of the non-magical community.

In the ***1997–1998 school year***, when Voldemort and his Death Eaters took control of the ***British Ministry of Magic***, Muggle Studies was made into a mandatory core class and the curriculum was changed to described Muggles and Muggle-borns as subhuman and worthy of persecution. After Voldemort's final defeat, Muggle Studies returned to its previous arrangement.

Muggle Studies classes took place in a ***classroom*** on the first-floor, accessed through a ***showroom*** displaying various Muggle artefacts. Professors known to have taught this subject include:

* Quirinus Quirrell (?–1990)
* ***Arif Sikander*** (***1990–1991 school year***)
* ***Charity Burbage*** (1993–1997)

#### Study of Ancient Runes

Study of Ancient Runes was a theoretical subject that involved the study and translation of ancient ***runic scripts***.

Study of Ancient Runes classes took place in a ***Classroom 6A*** on the sixth-floor. Professors known to have taught this subject included:

* ***Bathsheda Babbling*** (at least 1990s)

### Sixth and seventh year

#### Alchemy

***Alchemy*** was a sort of composite subject between Transfiguration, Potions and ***Muggle Chemistry***, the ancient ***science*** of Alchemy focused on the study of the composition, structure and magical properties of natures four basic elements, (fire, earth, air, and water), as well as the transmutation of substances into other forms (such as base metals into gold). A less well known branch of the alchemy was ***Spagyric***, or "plant alchemy", which produced herbal medicines using alchemical procedures. Some witches and wizards considered Alchemy to be some of the most difficult magic known to wizardkind.

The subject was only offered to N.E.W.T. level students, and the class was only held if enough students wanted to study it.

Alchemy classes took place in a ***classroom*** in the Dungeons.

#### Apparition

 File:B6C18M1 Apparition lessons in the Great Hall.png
Apparition was the magical form of teleportation in the wizarding world that allowed a person to instantly travel from one location to another, though using this ability was notably unpleasant. The class was a twelve-week course staring after the Christmas holidays Lessons were optional, but only available to students who were seventeen, or who would turn seventeen during the school year. The course cost 12 ***Galleons*** to take.

In the wizarding world, performing Apparition required a licence and could only be legally performed by people over seventeen years of age. The reason for the restriction was that Apparition was dangerous if done improperly: insufficient concentration could have led to body parts being left behind in an unfortunate side-effect known as ***splinching***.

Although magical enchantments on the Hogwarts Castle and its grounds prevented Apparition and Disapparition there, these protections were temporarily relaxed within the Great Hall for short periods to permit students to practise Apparition. ***Wilkie Twycross***, a Ministry of Magic Apparition Instructor, offered lessons in Apparition to sixth-years.

## Other classes

### Dark Arts

Dark Arts taught students to use numerous forms of Dark Magic, including the Unforgivable Curses and possibly how to conjure ***Fiendfyre***. When the school had only just been founded in the late 900s, one of the schools founders, Salazar Slytherin, had wanted to teach the Dark Arts, but the inclusion of the subject was opposed by the other founders. It was possible that he initially constructed the Chamber of Secrets as a place to teach his students Dark Magic.

It only properly became a subject at Hogwarts (and a mandatory core class for all students) during the ***1997–1998 school year*** after Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters took over both the school and the ***British Ministry of Magic***. It was taught by ***Amycus Carrow***. It replaced Defence Against the Dark Arts that school year.

After Lord Voldemort and his forces were defeated, the subject was discontinued and returned to being Defence Against the Dark Arts.

### Flying

 File:Broom Casting HM.png
Flying, also known as Broom Flight Class, was the class that taught students how to fly using magic flying broomsticks. Students learned both how to handle a broom and progressively work on various techniques and manoeuvres performed while in flight, as well as receiving proper instructions on the subject of proper broom care and maintenance. This subject was the only one that required physicality.

Flying class was only mandatory to Hogwarts first years and optional for second years and above. Students who continued to take this class usually either had an interest in joining their House Quidditch teams or they just really enjoyed flying and may have chosen to continue with the subject to improve their skills.

Study of Ancient Runes classes took place in a ***Classroom 6A*** on the sixth-floor. Professors known to have taught this subject include:

* ***Rolanda Hooch*** (at least 1990s)

## Extra-curricular subjects

### Art

Art was a class where students painted, drew, and otherwise depicted artistic things.

### Ghoul Studies

It is assumed that students learned about ***ghouls*** in this class, and possibly other similar creatures.

### Magical Theory

A subject taught to at least first years. It was taught in ***Class 67*** on the fourth floor of Hogwarts Castle. It was taught by ***Eleazar Fig*** in the late ***19th century***. It presumably covered magic from a purely theoretical view, and ***Magical Theory*** by ***Adalbert Waffling*** might be a required textbook.

### Muggle Art

Muggle Art was a class where students painted, drew, and otherwise depicted artistic things.

### Music

Music was a class in which students were taught musical instruments and possibly sang in the ***Frog Choir***. In the early 1990s, it was taught by a ***male professor***.

### Xylomancy

Xylomancy was a class in which students learned about the 'often overlooked' way of divination which had something to do with twigs.

## Appearances

* *Harry-Potter and-the Sorcerer's S Stone* (film) (First Entire Appearance)
* *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* (film)
* *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film)
* *Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire* (film)
* *Harry Potter and The Order-Of-The Phoenix* (film)
* *Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince* (film)
* *Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (film) (Mentioned only)*
* *Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (film) (Possible Known-Physical Appearance)*

## Notes and references

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Hogwarts School Subjects" at *Wizarding World (website)*
2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 , Chapter B, page 8
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *Harry Potter and The Order-Of-The Phoenix* (film)
4. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film)
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film)
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 , Chapter B, page 9
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 , Chapter 14 (*About The Chamber*)
8. ↑ *Harry Potter and The Order-Of-The Phoenix* (film)
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 *Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince* (film)
10. ↑ *Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince* (film)
11. ↑ *Harry Potter and The Order-Of-The Phoenix* (film)
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 *Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (film)*
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 , Chapter B, page 10
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 *Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince* (film)
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 , Chapter B, page 5
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film)
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 *Harry Potter and The Order-Of-The Phoenix* (film)
18. ↑ *Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince* (film)
19. ↑ , Chapter 4 (*The Burrow*)
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 , Chapter 6 (*Flourish and Blotts*)
21. ↑ *Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince* (film)
22. ↑ Finished ‘Potter’? Rowling tells what happens next at Today (26 Jul 2007)
23. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire* (film)
24. ↑ *Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (film)*
25. ↑ , Chapter 9 (*Not expelled... today*)
26. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film)
27. ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Potions" at *Wizarding World (website)*
28. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film)
29. ↑ 29.00 29.01 29.02 29.03 29.04 29.05 29.06 29.07 29.08 29.09 29.10 29.11 *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film)
30. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film)
31. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film)
32. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire* (film)
33. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire* (film)
34. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire* (film)
35. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire* (film)
36. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire* (film)
37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 *Harry Potter and The Order-Of-The Phoenix* (film)
40. ↑ *Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (film)*
41. ↑ *Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince* (film)
42. ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Chamber of Secrets" at *Wizarding World (website)*
43. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* (film)
44. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban* (film)
45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 *Harry-Potter and-the Sorcerer's S Stone* (film)

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