Harry Potter: 10 Things That Only Book Fans Know About Hogwarts

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is an iconic piece of Harry Potter lore, but what do book fans know about it that film fans don't? Ever since the first installment into the Harry Potter book series was released into the wild and became the worldwide hit that captivated children and adults alike, most fans have fantasized about what it would be like to attend the iconic magical school Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And when the first film in the Harry Potter series was released, it brought Hogwarts to life so spectacularly that it was even better than what most fans imagined. However, not every element of the school made it into the films. What do book fans know about Hogwarts that film fans missed out on?

11. It Has A Silly School Motto

Throughout eight films, despite the fact that Hogwarts was the main setting for the series, one little tidbit about the school never made it on screen. Hogwarts actually has a school motto, and it's an unsurprisingly goofy one.

The motto is "Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus", a Latin phrase that translates to "never tickle a sleeping dragon". It's certainly good advice, although not particularly relevant to school children (unless they find themselves in a Triwizard tournament perhaps)

10. It Messes With Technology and is totally old fashioned

Most savvy viewers have picked up on the fact that despite taking place in a contemporary timeline, the technology of the muggle world seems to be entirely absent from Hogwarts. And that isn't a coincidence.

Yes, those in the wizarding world aren't inclined to use technology anyway, however when it comes to Hogwarts in particular, the number of spells cast on the location as well as the constant outpouring of magic from students and teachers makes modern technology malfunction and also, why are students required to write with quills and ink?! why not use pens or pencils? the mystery continues..

9. It Has Career Counseling Sessions

One fun concept from the books that was probably cut from the movies due to time constraints is the idea of career counseling sessions. Hogwarts is a magical school, but it bears a lot in common with muggle schools, including when it comes to helping students plan for their future.

Harry himself had his counseling session with Professor McGonagall, and he informed her that he'd like to become an Auror, which did eventually become his profession.

8. It Has A Unique Grading System

Like many schools, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry uses a letter grading system. But it's not the type of system that most students would be familiar with.

Instead of the traditional A's, B's, and C's, Hogwarts uses (in order from highest grades to lowest) O - Outstanding, E - Exceeds Expectations, A - Acceptable, P - Poor, D - Dreadful, and T - Troll.

7. The Movies Omitted It's Dullest Subject

Many of the most memorable professors and subjects got at least a few moments to shine in the big screen adaptation of the books, but one relatively significant subject was left out, History of Magic.

It's notorious for being the dullest subject in the school, and it owes much of it's dullness to it's professor, Cuthbert Binns. And unfortunately for future students, Professor Binns is already a ghost, so he'll be at his post for many years to come.

6. House Elves Are The Source Of Much Of The School's Magic

It's not entirely shocking that the Harry Potter films omitted this particular quirk of the story, as addressing the subject of House Elves is awkward and uncomfortable.

However, Hogwarts really couldn't function without the service (or slavery) of House Elves. The magical feasts in the films seem to come out of thin air, but actually, the House Elves are the ones making all the food. In fact, most of the maintenance for the castle is done by House Elves.

5. It has a school song and it's totally weird and funny

The Hogwarts school song does get a moment of recognition in the fourth film in the series (and can be seen in it's entirety in one of the deleted scenes welcoming the foreign students to Hogwarts), but the song "Hoggy Warty Hogwarts" is sung in the books.

The lyrics go: Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts, Teach us something please, Whether we be old and bald, Or young with scabby knees, Our heads could do with filling, With some interesting stuff, For now they're bare and full of air, Dead flies and bits of fluff, So teach us things worth knowing, Bring back what we've forgot, Just do your best, we'll do the rest, And learn until our brains all rot.

4. The Hogwarts Express Doesn't Actually Go To Hogwarts

This is yet another element of Hogwarts that is never directly addressed but does have some context clues within the films. Despite being called the Hogwarts Express, the iconic train to Hogwarts doesn't actually go to Hogwarts.

The train stops in Hogsmeade, and then the students are taken to the castle either via boat across the Black Lake or via carriages being pulled by thestrals.

3. The Triwizard Tournament Had Actually Been Canceled For Years Due To The Death Rate

This is one plot point that won't come as a surprise to many despite the fact that it wasn't mentioned in the movies, but the Triwizard Tournament had actually been canceled for having too high of a death toll.

Apparently it didn't occur to the event's organizers to just create less dangerous tasks, so it was canceled for over 200 years before being brought back and inadvertently getting Cedric Diggory killed.

2. The School Offers Education On Muggles

Although most fans who fantasize about going to a magical school would never want to waste time learning about muggles, Hogwarts does offer a few muggle educational courses in it's curriculum.

Muggle Studies is a core class starting in third year, and Muggle Art and Muggle music are also offered as extra-curricular courses of muggle study.

1. that's it folks!

got any interesting facts tat only book fans know?

feel free to express your views in the comments!

a proud potterhead.

-the golden trio