An Known Headmaster of Harry Potter Franchise

> 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, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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; though at Hogwarts, this was with the possible exception of the Board of Governors, and, during the ***1995–1996 school year***, the "High Inquisitor".

## Headmaster / Headmistress

### Seat

* Headmaster's office, Hogwarts Castle, Scotland (Hogwarts)

### Appointer

* Board of Governors (Hogwarts)
* Minister for Magic (via ***special legislation***, Hogwarts)

## Behind the scenes

* In , 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 or if they must simply not abandon (in the sense of betraying, not simply leaving) their position.

### Translations

* Danish: *Rektor* (literal)
* Estonian: *Direktor*
* Faroese: *skúlastjóri*
* Greek, Modern: *Διευθυντής* ("director")
* Icelandic: *skólastjóri*
* Russian: Директор ("direktor") - Principal

## Appearances

* *Harry-Potter and-the Sorcerer's S Stone* (film) (First Physical 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 Deathly Hallows* (film)
* *Harry-Potter and The Deathly Hallows, An Part 001*
* *Harry-Potter and The Deathly Hallows, An Part 002*
* J. K. Rowling's official site
* *Pottermore*
* *Wizarding World (website)*
* ***Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup***
* *Harry Potter Trading Card Game*
* *Harry Potter for Kinect*
* *Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book*
* ***Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey***
* *Harry Potter: The Character Vault*
* *Harry Potter: The Creature Vault*
	+ *The Art of Harry Potter Mini Book of Graphic Design*
* *The Making-Of-Harry Potter*
* *Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery*
* *Harry Potter: Wizards Unite*
* *Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells*
* *Harry Potter: Magic Awakened*
* *Hogwarts Legacy*

## Notes and references

1. ↑ *Harry-Potter and The Order-Of-The Phoenix* (film), Chapter B, scene 26
3. ↑ 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.*.
4. ↑ 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.]*