Hogwarts

Hogwarts is the name of a magical wizarding school and castle in the Harry Potter series of books and movies. The story of Harry Potter first begins when he, a normal orphan boy, is offered a space at "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry". Harry accepts his place at the school and learns for the first time about the wizarding world, which exists parallel to the "Muggle" world of non-magical folks in Great Britain. The aim of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is to educate and train young wizards, aged eleven through seventeen in the various arts of the magical world, including arithmancy, divination, potions, defense against the dark arts, herbology, care of magical creatures, charms, transfiguration, and more.

Hogwarts is a boarding school where the students reside for the entirety of the school year, with leave only for Christmas break and Summer recess. The students each live in one of four school "houses", which determine the dormitory each will live in, the school team they will root for, and is also somewhat a reflection of the students' personalities. The four houses in Harry Potter are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff.

The castle is the setting for most of the action in the Harry Potter stories, since the main nemesis, dark wizard Lord Voldemort, is always trying to invade the school to destroy Harry. The castle is protected by a number of magical spells and enchantments, and is protected by the powerful professors who work at Hogwarts, including the Head Master, Albus Dumbledore.

Aside from the notable wizards who roam the halls of the castle, and the magical classes that take place there, the school is also known for its ever-changing layout. Magical staircases tend to move and shift and rooms disappear and reappear. This morphing layout disorients many new students and visitors, and make great fodder for the cranky prankster resident poltergeist, named Peeves. He is one of many ghosts who reside in Hogwarts, most of them not being as meddlesome as Peeves. Some ghosts are even somewhat helpful, including Nearly Headless Nick, the ghost of the Gryffindor House.

In the fictional world of Harry Potter, Hogwarts was founded over 1,000 years ago by the following very powerful wizards: Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin, and Helga Hufflepuff. Known as the "Hogwarts Four", the founders strove to create a top learning institution for young wizards. Each founder created the school "houses" which divide the students. Each "house" was established with different ideals, characteristics, and talents in mind.

Godric Gryffindor - He was a strong and brave wizard who was very skilled at duelling, and fought for Muggle rights. The Sorting Hat belonged to him, as did the ruby-hilted sword that is used in the story. Students who are sorted into the Gryffindor House are brave and loyal. The House's colors are red and gold, and the mascot of the House is the lion.http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizards/founders.html

Rowena Ravenclaw - She is credited with developing the constantly morphing floor plan of Hogwarts, which includes moving staircases, changing passages, and secret rooms. Rowena's diadem, which bore the inscription, "Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure", was destroyed when it was discovered that Voldemort had hidden a horcrux in it. Students who are sorted into the Ravenclaw House are bright and clever. The House's colors are blue and bronze, and the mascot of the House is the eagle.http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizards/founders.html

Salazar Slytherin - He was well-known as a dark wizard who was a parselmouth and skilled Legilimens. A large gold locket necklace with an "S" for Slytherin is the artifact most commonly associated with the founder. Students who are sorted into the Slytherin House are dark, devious, and ambitious. The House's colors are green and silver, and the mascot of the House is the snake.http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizards/founders.html

Helga Hufflepuff - She was well-known for her excellent work with food charms, and her charming demeanor. She is also known for her efforts to promote House Elf rights, and is the reason that house elves reside and work at Hogwarts. Students who are sorted into the Hufflepuff House are stout and true. The House's colors are yellow and black, and the mascot of the House is the badger.http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizards/founders.html

This list begins with the latest and most current Head Master, according to Rowling's last Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", and works its way backward.

• Severus Snape
• Minerva McGonagall
• Albus Dumbledore
• Armando Dippet
• Phineas Nigellus

The following lyrics are the official school song of Hogwarts. While Prof. Albus Dumbledore was Head Master, he encouraged students to sing the song to whatever tune and at whatever speed they choose, resulting in a ghastly combination of tunes and noise when the whole school sings it together at the beginning of each school year.

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.http://www.mugglenet.com/search/index.php