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How Harry, Ron and Hermione pulled off the ultimate heist

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*__Oh, and watch where you step. This article contains spoilers from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.__*

To defeat [Voldemort](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lord-voldemort) and rid the wizarding world of his hatred, every single one of his [Horcruxes](/fact-file/objects/horcrux) had to be destroyed. If even one remained, then Voldemort would be able to cling to what little life he had. Unfortunately, one of those Horcruxes happened to be locked away in [Bellatrix Lestrange’s](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/bellatrix-lestrange) vault at [Gringotts](/fact-file/locations/gringotts). A bank famous for being pretty impossible to break into (ignoring that slight *blip* of [Quirrell’s](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/quirinus-quirrell) futile attempt to retrieve the [Philosopher’s Stone](/fact-file/objects/the-philosophers-stone)):


Enter, stranger, but take heed 
Of what awaits the sin of greed, 	
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn, 
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours, 
Thief, you have been warned, beware 
Of finding more than treasure there.

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

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With such a strong stance on thievery, successfully stealing from Gringotts would need a heist of epic proportions and that’s exactly what Harry, Ron and Hermione did…

## Of course they had to have an excellent plan
If you have watched any film with a heist or read a book about robbers or admire the tenacity of characters like Robin Hood, then you’ll know that no scheme can be successful without a detailed and well-thought-out plan – fail to prepare… prepare to fail! [Harry](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/harry-potter), [Ron](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ron-weasley) and [Hermione](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/hermione-granger) huddled in a tiny bedroom in [Bill](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/bill-weasley) and [Fleur’s](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/fleur-delacour) home of [Shell Cottage](/fact-file/locations/shell-cottage) for weeks to do just that. They formulated their plan to find and retrieve the Horcrux, poring over every detail and only emerging at mealtimes. They did have a bit of help though…

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## It’s important to have someone with insider knowledge
Enter [Griphook](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/griphook-fact-file) – who happened to be the [Goblin](/fact-file/creatures/goblin) that took Harry to his own vault the first time he visited the famous wizarding bank. Rescued from [Malfoy Manor](/fact-file/locations/malfoy-manor) and recovering in Bill and Fleur’s home, this former Gringotts employee was key to reaching the Lestrange’s vault which (rather inconveniently) was located on one of the bank’s deepest levels and also happened to be one of the best protected. 

A reluctant ally, that Harry had to do some careful negotiating with, without Griphook’s initial help, we highly doubt that the trio would have made it to the correct vault at all. Well, until he double-crossed them… it wouldn’t be a heist without a twist. 

To be fair to Griphook, he didn’t have much reason to trust witches and wizards and Harry was playing fast and loose with the truth about when he was going to give the Goblin the [sword of Gryffindor](/fact-file/objects/the-sword-of-gryffindor)… but his betrayal was rather an inconvenience.


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## Don’t forget the brilliant disguises 
When you’re trying to be sneaky you don’t want to actually *look* sneaky – especially if you’re the wizarding world’s most wanted as ‘Undesirable Number One’. It’s important to blend in. Magic makes that easier… and luckily Harry’s world was full of it! With Hermione dusting off her [Polyjuice Potion](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/polyjuice-potion) skills to masquerade as Bellatrix Lestrange, Harry hidden under his [Invisibility Cloak](/fact-file/objects/the-invisibility-cloak) and Ron’s appearance altered to be unrecognisable, they strengthened their chances of being able to get to the vault without raising an alarm. Their disguises were so well thought out, Hermione even had Bellatrix’s [wand](/fact-file/objects/wand) in her possession.

Of course, it didn’t go *entirely* to plan. Ok, it was a disaster – with the magical waterfall known as the ‘Thief’s Downfall’ removing any trace of camouflage. However, the disguise did get them past the Goblins in the marble entrance hall. It did allow them to get into the belly of the bank. Plus, it gave them a much-needed head start. 


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## Their talent certainly helped
Goblins, multiplying objects that burn and even a dragon – that was just some of what Harry, Ron and Hermione had to face in the bowels of Gringotts. A lesser witch or wizard would fail. These three, working as a team and using their collective talents, they could pull it off. The way they made a dramatic escape on the back of said dragon? Not only did they have the Horcrux and a mode of transportation to take them far away from the scene of the crime, but they also freed a majestic creature who had been treated horribly in the process – inspiring! 


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## They had to be prepared to push a few moral boundaries 
We will never condone the use of an [Unforgivable Curse](/fact-file/spells/the-unforgivable-curses), but we also can understand why Harry felt compelled to use the [Imperius Curse](/fact-file/spells/the-imperius-curse). Harry’s group was nearly rumbled from the start. Remember how we mentioned that they had their disguises planned to the last detail including Bellatrix’s wand? Yeah, that was a mistake. Both Bogrod (the Goblin at the desk) and Travers (the [Death Eater](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/death-eaters) they encountered in [Diagon Alley](/fact-file/locations/diagon-alley) and couldn’t shake) knew the real Bellatrix’s wand had been stolen. For Hermione to be holding it? She must be an imposter. Without Harry taking control of them? The mission would be over before it began. Possibly an example of the ends justifying the morally grey means?

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## There wasn’t another choice
We also wanted to flag that the trio didn’t have a choice. All Horcruxes had to be destroyed otherwise Voldemort could not be destroyed. Therefore, to save the entire wizarding world they had to rob the bank. Knowing that, we’re sure it only made them more determined to pull it off.

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## Finally, sometimes it’s just about luck
Luck? Everything went wrong! Technically… yes. However, Harry, Ron and Hermione still made it out of Gringotts with their lives, the Horcrux and were one step closer to ending Voldemort’s reign of terror for good. That’s what we call a successful heist. 

Harry Potter holds a sword aloft in a vault full of treasure

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

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and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

In defence of... Horace Slughorn

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[Horace Slughorn](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/horace-slughorn) was content to live the easy life – full of [Slug Club](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/the-slug-club) suppers and famous friends. Although, we don’t think he was *quite* as shallow as he seemed. With a name that stems from the Scottish Gaelic for ‘war cry’: sluagh-ghairm, which later gave rise to ‘slughorn’, a battle trumpet – this was potentially a character with a hidden fire. Or maybe he was sedentary and passive like the common land slug – let’s find out. 

## First, there was his childhood 
When we think about all the different pieces that make Horace Slughorn, his upbringing needs to be considered. The only child of [pure-blood](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/pure-blood) parents, Horace was taught the importance of socialising with the ‘*right*’ kind of people from infancy. His father was a high-ranking [Ministry](/fact-file/locations/the-ministry-of-magic) official with a strong belief in the ‘old boys’ network’. As you can probably imagine, even though they weren’t as vocal or fanatic as other families, they still believed that being part of the ‘Sacred Twenty-Eight’ made them superior.  

That background coupled with being Sorted into [Slytherin](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/slytherin), could have easily equalled a Slughorn that went down the full pure-blood extremist route – discriminating against [Muggle-borns](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/muggle-borns) and those whose pedigree wasn’t quite right. Slughorn didn’t do that. He subverted his parents’ expectations becoming friends with many of his talented Muggle-born peers. The key point there being *talented* – Slughorn was a snob. But it is important to remember that this was a snob who wasn’t tempted by the Dark side. 

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Professor Slughorn looks worried at the prospect of being asked about Tom Riddle

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## Yes, he was elitist but not in the way many wizards were  
Ok, we do need to talk about the Slug Club. It embodied the slippery, social-climbing side of Slughorn (a side that took up far too much of his personality). Ever since he was a child, he was drawn to anybody who had a talent, background or celebrity status that would make them stand out. He especially loved to befriend them and graciously receive any freebies they might deign to send his way thanks to their illustrious careers (crystallised pineapple anyone?). Slughorn never wanted power for himself – he just wanted to be able to capitalise on the power of the people around him. 

It's easy then to think that Slughorn was just using the members of his club, but we think Horace had a genuine affection for them. [Lily Potter](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lily-potter) was a prime example. A Muggle-born, with no impressive family ties, her skill as a witch was what caught Slughorn’s eye. Whenever he spoke about her, we got the sense that he was genuinely devastated by her death and the loss of her as a person – not just the loss of her talent. If you didn’t shed a single tear at the story of Francis the fish, you have a heart of stone. Slughorn might have been an avid collector, but he cared for those in his collection.  

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## He was a good person at heart 
Whichever way you slice it, Slughorn was not a malicious person. At worst? He was thoughtless. The way he overlooked people because they didn’t (in his eyes) make the Slug Club cut was pretty gross – [Ron](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ron-weasley) nearly died in front of him, and he still thought he was called Rupert. We’re not excusing that. But he didn’t hurt people deliberately. Unlike [Lucius Malfoy](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lucius-malfoy), [Bellatrix Lestrange](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/bellatrix-lestrange) or even [Severus Snape](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/severus-snape) – Slughorn wasn’t actively horrible to those around him. 

His passivity and ignorance were one of his biggest flaws, yet he was also kind. He was jovial, funny and his ability for spotting and nurturing future talent – with an obvious exception – could be considered a skill in itself.

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Professor Slughorn with a Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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and the Half-Blood Prince

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## He unwittingly helped Voldemort but tried to make it right (eventually) 
That obvious exception we mentioned? [Tom Riddle](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lord-voldemort). Blinded by his confidence and talent, Slughorn was easily manipulated by a young Voldemort – revealing vital information about [Horcruxes](/fact-file/objects/horcrux). A devastating mistake that haunted Slughorn but also one that he hid for too long. 

Slughorn was wrong here – giving [Harry](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/harry-potter) the doctored memory was a particularly low moment for the professor. His Slytherin knack for self-preservation was working overtime and at this moment, he was selfish. However, he could have cowered in the shadows for the rest of his life – but he didn’t. He looked beyond himself and did the right thing… eventually. That takes courage.

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## He was a better Head of Slytherin than Snape 
Who would you rather have as your Head of House? Someone surly and snarky who would insult you if you weren’t a member of their house? Or someone who was generally kind, if a little dismissive, but didn’t have a mean streak? Hopefully, your answer is that latter (or that would be worrying). Slughorn was a fair Head of Slytherin. He took care of the pupils in his charge, and he didn’t exclude others based on house or birth status. Even when the school was in the clutches of the odious Carrows, he tried to protect the pupils and *never* administered their cruel punishments. Could he have done more? Possibly. But keeping his post, while most likely terrified, and ensuring that he wasn’t replaced with a horrid follower of Voldemort *was* doing something. Plus, he’d never call you an ‘insufferable know-it-all’ which instantly makes him better than Snape in our eyes.

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‘My word,’ he puffed, pale and sweaty, his walrus moustache aquiver. ‘What a to-do! I’m not at all sure whether this is wise, Minerva. He is bound to find a way in, you know, and anyone who has tried to delay him will be in most grievous peril –’ 

‘I shall expect you and the Slytherins in the Great Hall in twenty minutes, also,’ said Professor McGonagall. ‘If you wish to leave with your students, we shall not stop you. But if any of you attempt to sabotage our resistance, or take up arms against us within this castle, then, Horace, we duel to kill.’ 

‘Minerva!’ he said, aghast. 

‘The time has come for Slytherin House to decide upon its loyalties,’ interrupted Professor McGonagall. ‘Go and wake your students, Horace.’ 

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

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Initially, it appeared that Slughorn was reluctant to take a final stand against Lord Voldemort – he led the Slytherins out of [Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts) seeming to have escaped the battle entirely. However, he did something unexpected. He came back. Not only that, he (and [Charlie Weasley](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/charlie-weasley)) mobilised the people of [Hogsmeade](/fact-file/locations/hogsmeade) and brought them as reinforcements during a pivotal point of the fight. And fight he did – being one of the final people to duel Voldemort alongside [Kingsley Shacklebolt](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/kingsley-shacklebolt), and [Minerva McGonagall](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/minerva-mcgonagall). When push came to shove, Slughorn was prepared to do the right thing. 

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## Slughorn helped to heal Slytherin’s reputation  
Let’s be real, Slytherin house has the worst reputation. Well, that’s what happens when you produce the most witches and wizards intent on taking over the wizarding world. However, Horace Slughorn was a huge part of healing that reputation. Once his [Battle of Hogwarts](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/the-battle-of-hogwarts) bravery became widely known, the stigma that had been attached to Slytherin for hundreds of years began to lift. Yes, he liked his creature comforts. Yes, he was rather snobbish. And yes, he made mistakes. But Horace Slughorn was human – perfectly imperfect but ultimately good. His portrait takes pride of place in the [Slytherin common room](/fact-file/locations/the-slytherin-common-room), inspiring future generations and showing what being a Slytherin truly means.

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The Hogwarts house of every grown-up in Harry Potter

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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and the Order of the Phoenix

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From Tom Riddle to Newt Scamander, we have tried to find all the Hogwarts houses for the grown-up characters (where it is known). A quick note, while there might appear to be some characters missing, like quite a few Death Eaters who you might think have Slytherin ties, their houses were never actually confirmed…

__Albus Dumbledore –__ The twinkly-eyed professor was a proud member of [Gryffindor](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/gryffindor) house. 

__Tom Riddle –__ The boy that grew up to become Voldemort and unleashed horror on the wizarding world, started his journey in [Slytherin](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/slytherin).

__Minerva McGonagall –__ We doubt you would be surprised to know that the Head of Gryffindor house was, in fact, a Gryffindor.

__Severus Snape –__ The Potions Master, double agent and thorn in Harry’s side, also happened to be Head of Slytherin making him Slytherin - *obviously*.

__Pomona Sprout –__ The no-nonsense but fair Herbology professor with the flyaway hair was a [Hufflepuff](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/hufflepuff) and head of that house. 

__Filius Flitwick –__ The cheerful Charms professor was a talented wizard and Ravenclaw. He also happened to be the Head of [Ravenclaw](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/ravenclaw) house.

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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and the Goblet of Fire

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__James Potter –__ One quarter of the [Marauders](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/marauders) and the father of Harry Potter, James was a proud member of Gryffindor and Seeker for their Quidditch team. 

__Lily Potter –__ She might have been one of Head of Slytherin, Horace Slughorn’s, favourite students, but Lily was in fact a Gryffindor.

__Sirius Black –__ Sirius was known for being a rebel and that extended to rebelling against his family’s long tradition of being sorted into Slytherin when he ended up as a Gryffindor

__Peter Pettigrew –__ Wormtail was a Hatstall. The [Sorting Hat](/fact-file/objects/the-sorting-hat) took over five minutes to decide which house he should go in, before eventually deciding on Gryffindor.

__Remus Lupin –__ Harry’s favourite Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher was also a member of Gryffindor. 

__Horace Slughorn –__ The jolly Potions professor and founder of the Slug Club was a Slytherin. He had even been Head of Slytherin.

__Rubeus Hagrid –__ Our favourite half-giant and [Care of Magical Creatures](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/care-of-magical-creatures) teacher was a member of Gryffindor house.


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Hagrid sat outside of his hut playing the flute. Fang is lying on the grass in front of him.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 

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and the Philosopher's Stone 

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__Gilderoy Lockhart –__ Author, memory stealer and terrible [Defence Against the Dark Arts](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/defence-against-the-dark-arts) teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart, was a member of Ravenclaw. 

__Phineas Nigellus Black –__ The least popular Headmaster of Hogwarts and Sirius Black’s ancestor was a Slytherin.

__Quirinus Quirrell –__ Don’t be fooled by Quirrell’s seemingly timid disposition. Behind that façade is a ready mind and one that belonged to Ravenclaw.

__Dolores Umbridge –__ A character that still makes us shudder, before she was terrorising Hogwarts with her Educational Decrees, she had been a Hogwarts student herself as part of Slytherin house. 

__Silvanus Kettleburn –__ As the former Care of Magical Creature teacher, Kettleburn left Hogwarts before he lost anymore limbs and was a Hufflepuff. 

__Sybill Trelawney –__ The divisive [Divination](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/divination) teacher was part of the house of wit and wisdom. Trelawney was a Ravenclaw. 

__Arthur Weasley –__ Ministry worker, father and fan of the rubber duck, Arthur Weasley was a Gryffindor – along with the rest of his family


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__Molly Weasley –__ The matriarch of the Weasley family, Molly was also a Gryffindor like the rest of the flame-haired bunch.

__Bill Weasley –__ Bill might have been one of the Weasley siblings, but this Cursebreaker was already a grown up when the books started and belonged in Gryffindor.

__Charlie Weasley –__ Another Weasley that was already an adult when the books began. Charlie also happened to be the Head of Gryffindor Quidditch team making him, you guessed it, a Gryffindor.

__Nymphadora Tonks –__ An Auror with a penchant for punky clothes and colourful hair was a Hufflepuff – unlike her Slytherin mother. 

__Garrick Ollivander –__ Everyone at Hogwarts got their wand from [Ollivanders](/fact-file/locations/ollivanders) but we’re curious, what house did this well-respected wandmaker belong to when he was at Hogwarts? The answer to that is Ravenclaw.

__Godric Gryffindor –__ One of the four founders of Hogwarts, Godric *Gryffindor* was obviously a Gryffindor – he created the house!

__Salazar Slytherin –__ The founder with the surname Slytherin, was in fact a Slytherin – possibly one of the slipperiest of Slytherins too. 

__Helga Huflepuff –__ Again, the name gives it away. Helga was one of the four founders and the house she created was Hufflepuff. 


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__Rowena Ravenclaw –__ Another Hogwarts founder and owner of the infamous diadem, Rowena Ravenclaw founded, well, Ravenclaw. 

__Nearly Headless Nick –__ Otherwise known as Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, the ghost of Gryffindor house and former member of Henry VII’s royal court was a Gryffindor.

__Fat Friar –__ The jolly ghost was welcoming to all students at Hogwarts, which seems rather fitting for the ghost of Hufflepuff. 

__Helena Ravenclaw –__ As the daughter of the founder of Ravenclaw, we would be surprised if Helena was in a different house to her mother. But seems she did follow in her mother’s footsteps as a Ravenclaw.

__The Bloody Baron –__ The intimidating ghost with a nasty backstory, was the ghost of Slytherin house.

__Moaning Myrtle –__ Ok, she might have still been a pupil when she was killed, but she had been haunting Hogwarts for a good 50 years before we met her – so we’ll count Myrtle in this list. When this gloomy ghost was alive, she was part of Ravenclaw house. 

__Xenophilius Lovegood –__ Luna Lovegood was one of our favourite Ravenclaws and her eccentric father and editor of [*The Quibbler*](/fact-file/objects/the-quibbler) belonged to that house too. 

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Luna and Xenophilius Lovegood doing an eccentric dance together at Bill and Fleur's wedding

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

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and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

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__Bellatrix Lestrange –__ Voldemort’s most loyal Death Eater and member of the [Black family](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/the-black-family) followed in their footsteps as a Slytherin.

__Andromeda Tonks –__ The sister of Bellatrix and Narcissa managed to break away from the Black family in her later years but was a Slytherin like her siblings.

__Narcissa Malfoy –__ Narcissa Malfoy’s love of Pure-Blood supremacy was only superseded by her love for her son, Draco. And like Malfoy, she was also a Slytherin.

__Lucius Malfoy –__ Death Eater, Ministry employee and father to Draco Malfoy, Lucius was a member of Slytherin like the rest of his family. 

__Regulus Black –__ The younger brother of Sirius and Death Eater who had doubts was a Slytherin like the majority of the Black family. 

__Newt Scamander –__ This Magizoologist with his briefcase full of fantastic creatures was a hero – and a Hufflepuff one at that.

__Leta Lestrange –__ Newt Scamander’s close friend was a bit of an enigma, but her Hogwarts house was no mystery. She was a Slytherin.

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Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

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The Crimes of Grindelwald

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What happened to all the main Harry Potter characters after Hogwarts? 

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The members of Dumbledore's Army standing together in the Room of Requirement

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*__WARNING: Obviously we’re looking into the beyond here, so a spoiler warning is now in effect.__* 

The devastating crescendo at the end of the [Battle of Hogwarts](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/the-battle-of-hogwarts) left many of our favourite Harry Potter characters forever-changed by the event. While we lost some of our favourites, some others went on to acquire impressive jobs, go on to have families, or carry on the legacies of some of the fallen. From students to teachers, here’s some key character futures that we came to learn about.  

## Harry became an Auror and worked at the Ministry  

In Harry’s fifth year at Hogwarts, all the students were given careers advice, where we [Harry](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/harry-potter) divulged to Professor McGonagall his ambition of becoming an [Auror](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/auror). Who can blame him? After living a life constantly under the eye of one of the Darkest wizards of all time, he basically had done his Auror training already. 

In his later years, Harry became the Head of the Auror Office at the [Ministry of Magic](/fact-file/locations/the-ministry-of-magic) – which – as we learnt about in *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child* – sounded great on paper, but did have a lot of paper...work.  


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## Ron took over Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes after Fred’s death  

[Fred Weasley’s](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/fred-weasley) death in the Battle of Hogwarts hit us all hard, but his legacy lived on. The twins’ joke shop, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, went on to be looked after by Fred’s younger brother, [Ron](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ron-weasley), who looked after the business with George.  

Like Harry, Ron did have a brief foray in the Auror profession, but after two years, decided running a joke shop was a tad more fun.

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## Hermione got the top job at the Ministry  

Never ever an under-achiever, [Hermione](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/hermione-granger) went above and beyond after [Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts) – eventually becoming the actual [Minister for Magic](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/minister-for-magic).  

While moving up the ranks at the Ministry, she continued her work championing [house-elf](/fact-file/creatures/house-elf) rights, while eradicating old, stuffy laws that were biased towards [pure-blood](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/pure-blood) witches and wizards. That’s our Hermione.

And of course, she lived happily ever after with Ron, with their two children, [Rose](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/rose-granger-weasley) and Hugo too. The future she deserved.

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## Ginny became Sports Editor for The Daily Prophet  

Always a dab-hand at [Quidditch](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/quidditch) during her Hogwarts years, [Ginny](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ginny-weasley) went on to have a soaring career in the sport, playing for the all-female team, the Holyhead Harpies. After that, she progressed into journalism – heading up the Sports section of The [*Daily Prophet*](/fact-file/objects/the-daily-prophet), while bringing up three children with Harry: [Albus](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/albus-potter), James and Lily. 

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Ginny is wearing Gryffindor Quidditch robes and flying on her broomstick.

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## Neville became a Hogwarts Professor!  

[Neville’s](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/neville-longbottom) future after Hogwarts is just so... Neville. After showing huge interest in [Herbology](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/herbology) during his student days, he went on to actually teach the subject. Let’s hope he had better control over his [Mimbulus mimbletonias](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/mimbulus-mimbletonia) with his students. 

He also found love – marrying [Hufflepuff](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/hufflepuff) student [Hannah Abbott](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/hannah-abbott-fact-file). And to make matters even more wholesome, they went on to live together, upstairs from [The Leaky Caudron](/fact-file/locations/the-leaky-cauldron) pub. 

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Neville Longbottom stands at the edge of the lake while holding up a plant

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## Draco married on, but lost his wife to a tragic illness  

After an extremely complicated childhood, [Draco Malfoy](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/draco-malfoy) emerged in *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child* reborn as a family man with long hair and a penchant for farmers’ markets. His son, [Scorpius](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/scorpius-malfoy), a lovable bookworm who ended up befriending Harry Potter’s son, Albus, made for a very different kind of Malfoy legacy. But alas, Draco’s adulthood was also marred by tragedy – losing his wife, Astoria Greengrass, to a fatal blood curse. 

We see these events play out in *Cursed Child*, with father and son trying to navigate their grief together, and seeing the softer side of Draco is a comfort. Although him and Harry were still partial to the odd sparring match. 


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## George married Angelina Johnson and had two children 

Bereft after the loss of his twin, [George Weasley](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/george-weasley) carried Fred’s torch for the rest of his life. While keeping their joke shop business alive and well with Ron, he also went on to marry his fellow Gryffindor Quidditch team member, [Angelina Johnson](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/angelina-johnson). Yes, the very same Angelina that dated Fred at Hogwarts.  

He also named one of his children after his late brother, meaning the Fred Weasley spirit floats on within the next generation of [Weasleys](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/the-weasleys).  


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Fred and George wearing suits and standing together in Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

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## Luna went on to marry Newt Scamander’s grandson 

Always one with nature, it feels perfectly serendipitous that our quirky [Ravenclaw](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/ravenclaw) [Luna](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/luna-lovegood) would go on to become a Magizoologist – and marry one. We all know [Newt Scamander](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/newt-scamander), our *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* hero. Well, Luna went on to marry his grandson, Rolf. The happy couple even went on to have twins: the appropriately idiosyncratically named Lorcan and Lysander. Whether or not Luna ever did meet a Blibbering Humdinger, however, we do not know.

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## Professor McGonagall became Hogwarts Headmistress 

After [Albus Dumbledore’s](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/albus-dumbledore) passing, and peace in the wizarding world was re-established, there was only one person who could look after Hogwarts. Of course! Of course, it had to be our formidable Head of Gryffindor House, [Minerva McGonagall](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/minerva-mcgonagall) – who served as Deputy Head under Dumbledore’s tenure. 

After leading the Battle of Hogwarts courageously, Minerva was still Headmistress of Hogwarts when Harry’s children started going to school. Ah, a whole new generation of Potters to tell off! Her work is truly never done. 

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## Some honourable mentions 

- Ron’s older brother, [Charlie](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/charlie-weasley), continued his work with dragons, and as of 2014, was unmarried, thanks to a gossipy *Daily Prophet* report. 

-  [Percy](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/percy-weasley) finally achieved his dreams of having a very important job at the Ministry of Magic, taking charge of the Department of Magical Transportation. He went on to have two children, Lucy and *Molly*. We’re sure [Mrs Weasley](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/molly-weasley) was delighted. 

- Despite a shocking attack by [werewolf](/fact-file/creatures/werewolf) [Fenrir Greyback](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/fenrir-greyback), [Bill Weasley](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/bill-weasley) lived to tell the tale and went on to have three children with his wife, [Fleur Delacour](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/fleur-delacour). One of them, Victoire Weasley, ended up having a teen romance with Harry’s godson, Teddy Lupin!  

- After many stressful years as Gryffindor’s Quidditch team captain, [Oliver Wood](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/oliver-wood) joined the British and Irish Quidditch league as a Reserve Keeper for Puddlemere United. Once a go-getter, always a go-getter. 

- After a doomed romance with [Cedric Diggory](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/cedric-diggory) and a fleeting one with Harry Potter, [Cho Chang](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/cho-chang) found love in the end with a [Muggle](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/muggles) suitor. Ooh, tell us more! 

- Harry’s [Aunt Petunia](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/petunia-dursley) had died by the time the events of *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child* came around, but we did learn that Harry had managed to create a cordial relationship with his cousin [Dudley](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/dudley-dursley) in their adulthood. 

*** 

__Which character future surprised you the most?__ 

Ranked: The expected and unexpected Triwizard Tournament tasks

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__*Oh, and watch where you step. This article contains spoilers from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.*__

## 8: All the dancing
Yes, there were magical mazes, dangerous dragons and aquatic adventures in the [Triwizard Tournament](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/triwizard-tournament), but they weren’t the only tasks that needed to be conquered that year. Enter the [Yule Ball](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/yule-ball) – keyword being *ball* aka having to reveal your dancing skills (or lack of) to a [Great Hall](/fact-file/locations/the-great-hall) full of people. We’re sure there were some nimble-footed students at each of the magical schools, but for most of the students (and their teenage awkwardness) it was probably a mortifying challenge. Poor [Harry](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/harry-potter), dancing was not his forte and he had to open the entire spectacle! While he thought he might die from embarrassment, the Yule Ball never really posed a threat to his life. Excruciating and a huge social test? Yes. Life threatening? Not really. This is why it is last place on our list.

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Ron dancing with Professor McGonagall from the Goblet of Fire 

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## 7: Figuring out the infuriatingly difficult golden egg clue
You would think after battling a crochety dragon that saw you as an annoying but tasty snack, a Triwizard champion might get the chance to rest, recuperate and fully prepare for the next task. Alas, like most things in the magical world, it wasn’t quite that simple. Yes, the first task was over but there was the golden egg concealing a clue that needed to be dealt with – one with an ear-piercing screech. For Harry, that proved to be both unexpected and unwelcome. To solve it, not only did he have to sneak around the castle at night, but he had to take the advice of the [handsome champion](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/cedric-diggory) who happened to be his romance rival – not ideal. Nevertheless, we have put this second to last because while it was tricky, and solving it only seemed to raise more questions, Harry did get to experience one of the [best baths Hogwarts had](/fact-file/locations/prefects-bathroom) to offer. Who doesn’t love a little pampering?

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## 6: Putting your name in the Goblet of Fire
With the pressure, expectation… and risk of catastrophic injury or death, the wizarding world thought it best that only the oldest school students should be allowed to take part in the Triwizard Tournament (sensible). This meant using some clever magic, cast by [Albus Dumbledore](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/albus-dumbledore) himself, to ensure no underage students could enter themselves into the competition. His Age Line appeared to work perfectly – as demonstrated by Fred and George’s glorious white beards. Then Harry’s name was called… the [Goblet of Fire](/fact-file/objects/the-goblet-of-fire) could be hoodwinked after all. It would take some seriously powerful magic to do such a thing. However, we think it deserves a place near the bottom of the list because if a wizard such as [Barty Crouch Jr.](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/barty-crouch-jr) could manipulate the competition, then there were plenty of others who could too. Yes, it was a challenge, but it was one that could be overcome. 

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## 5: The third task
Fifth place goes to the third task. You might be surprised to find this one quite so low on our list, but we do have our reasons. Firstly, this ranking only applies to the official task (what happened after was its own horrifying ordeal). There’s no doubt that the maze was the master of disorientation – overcoming a [Boggart](/fact-file/creatures/boggart), [Sphinx](/fact-file/creatures/sphinx) and competitors who weren’t themselves was no stroll in the park. The champions had to keep their wits sharp and their [wands](/fact-file/objects/wand) ready. Having said that, we think this was the least deadly of the three tasks. Experienced witches and wizards patrolled the maze perimeter, poised and ready to rescue any champion that found themselves in danger – they only needed to send up a shower of red sparks. The other Triwizard tasks felt like they had a little less of a safety net. 

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## 4: Successfully asking someone to the Yule Ball
We think a lot of teenagers would rather face one of [Hagrid’s](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/rubeus-hagrid) Blast-Ended Skrewts than ask their crush (to their *face*) if they would be their date to the Yule Ball. This unforeseen task felt positively Herculean. While [Fred](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/fred-weasley) asking [Angelina](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/angelina-johnson) to the ball was a masterclass in smooth, many struggled. [Ron’s](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ron-weasley) attempt at asking [Fleur Delacour](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/fleur-delacour) to the dance was positively harrowing – we’re not sure he ever quite recovered. And Harry’s garbled and mostly unintelligible attempt at asking [Cho Chang](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/cho-chang) gave us some serious second-hand embarrassment. Finding a date was a marathon, not a sprint, and tapped into every teenage insecurity and fear. Even when Harry and Ron successfully found dates... they didn’t end well. A perfect storm of humiliation, this has firmly earned its place in the middle of our list.

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Harry and Ron left out at the Yule Ball in Goblet of Fire 

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## 3: The first task 
Any task involving dragons deserves to be near the top of our ranking. After all, there is a reason they have been given the most dangerous [Ministry classification](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/ministry-of-magic-classifications) (we reckon it might have something to do with their teeth, claws and ability to barbecue someone on the spot in a raging inferno). The champions had to survive, demonstrate brilliant magical skill and do it in front of an audience… no pressure then. However, one thing about this task, was it allowed each champion to play to their strengths – Harry [Summoning](/fact-file/spells/the-summoning-charm) his Firebolt was inspired. Being able to approach this task in myriad ways, plus having staff close enough to rescue you if things got too dicey, suggests it wasn’t quite the toughest task of the Tournament. Thrilling, dangerous but it could be tailored to each competitor. 

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