Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"Draco dormiens numquam titillandus"

A letter is sent to the magical children in Britain during the summer of their eleventh year. If, for any reason, this letter does not reach its intended recipient, owls will continue to deliver letters until one reaches its intended recipient.

The letter also contains a list of supplies, including spell books and cauldrons. The prospective student is expected to buy all the necessary materials, normally from shops in Diagon Alley, a street in a wizarding neighborhood near Charing Cross in London.

Letters to Muggle-born wizards, who may not be aware of their powers or are unfamiliar with the concealed society of witches and wizards, are delivered by special messengers who can explain the wizarding world to them.

Term begins on 1 September. Students travel to King's Cross station in London to board the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9 3/4, arriving at Hogsmeade Station.

Students at Hogwarts are divided into four houses, each bearing the name of one of the school's original founders. Students are assigned to a house based on their particular academic and personal strengths and weaknesses. The houses are:

• GRYFFINDOR, characterised by valor and courage, founded by Godric Gryffindor headed by Minerva McGonagall
• HUFFLEPUFF, characterised by loyalty and fairness, founded by Helga Hufflepuff headed by Pomona Sprout
• RAVENCLAW, characterised by wit and intellect, founded by Rowena Ravenclaw headed by Filius Flitwick
• SLYTHERIN, characterised by ambition and cunning, founded by Salazar Slytherin headed by Severus Snape .

Hogwarts offers the following subjects for their students to chose from.

• Potions
• History of Magic
• Transfiguration
• Herbology
• Defence Against the Dark Arts
• Charms
• Astronomy
• Divination
• Care of Magical Creatures
• Ancient Runes
• Muggle Studies
• Arithmancy