Places within the World of Harry Potter

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The Dursley House

Outside of Number four Privet Drive, the lawn is green and tidy. Inside, it's even tidier. The once extravagant fireplace is now boarded up, and the once numerous fine china have been reduced in numbers. There is a cupboard under the stairs, where you might find a lonely, ugly, small sock. The kitchen is clean and spotless, and everything is put away neatly. Upstairs you will find four rooms, the smallest being bizarrely messy and inhabited by a snowy owl, a growing wizard, and the bodies of a few deceased mice. In one room, are many broken toys, and what looks like the bed of a severely obese teenager. In another room, are unknown items, though it would probably contain a bed and a bedside table. In the master bedroom sleep the master and mistress of the house, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley. Undoubtedly, the room is unbearably clean.

The Forbidden Forest

All Hogwarts students are never allowed access to the Forbidden Forest, though some rule-breaking ones always find their way in. The Forbidden Forest takes up a good part of the Hogwarts' grounds, and it's filled with all sorts of horribly shaped trees that are large in size. Among the numerous magical creatures in the forest are centaurs, giant spiders, and even werewolves! Occasionally, you might come across something that resembles an oversized troll, but it's only a runty giant. However, there are also gentle and pure creatures such as the unicorn. As tempted as you might be to go and see the wonderfully white unicorns, it's best to stay out of the Forbidden Forest.

The Slytherin Common Room

The Slytherin Common Room is underground, quite different from Gryffindor Tower. Lamps hang by chains from the rough ceiling, and add a greenish tinge to the room. Though the place is undoubtedly dark and rather gloomy, an elaborately carved mantelpiece hangs above a noisy but splendidly warm fire. And don't forget the stylish chairs that have oversized backs, to hide the Slytherin's cunning head.

The Dungeon (Snape's Classroom)

Almost every Hogwarts student dreads the dank, smelly classroom of Professor Severus Snape, but potions are required of every Hogwarts student below sixth year. So it is obviously very important to try and ignore the pickled animals floating in glass jars around you. It is very cold, and all around the classroom, in the various cabinets and jars are stored precious ingredients to make the most difficult potions, and various magical substances are also found here. The floor, which is made of stone, often falls victim to a cauldron spilling, and occasionally, a student can even escape the watchful eyes of the professor when this happens. Perhaps even long enough to make a quick dash to the cabinet to grab some shredded skin of boomslang.

Dumbedore's Office

The Headmaster's office is truly a safe and marvelous place to be. There you can find portraits of the former headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts, all probably snoozing away as soon as your muggle feet step inside the large, circular room. A number of amazing silver wizard instruments stand on long, narrow tables, and all work to perfection. Fawkes, the headmaster's pet Phoenix should be there staring at you curiously, and the Sorting Hat might even say, 'Hello!' If you really want to be daring, you might want to find the Pensieve in a drawer, but it would suit you well to stay put, and wait for the headmaster to return from his duties, and to sit in his high chair as the supreme learned one of Hogwarts.

Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom

Moaning Myrtle's bathroom is deserted, and gloomy. There is one large, cracked mirror above a row of chipped sinks. The floor is usually wet, due to the fact that Myrtle likes to flood her toilet, of which she rarely comes out of. There are stubby candles which burn faintly; probably the only source of light. The doors to the stalls are torn and flaky, and Myrtle's constant moping keeps almost everybody away from this haunted, depressing bathroom.

Hagrid's Hut

The jolly half-giant, gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures Teacher, lives in a small hut at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Inside is only one room, with a large bed in the corner. Game and fowl hang from the ceiling, and there is no stove, just an open fire. Undoubtedly, there are many cabinets that contain kettles, cooking pots and large tea mugs, some of which have held a rat in the past.

The Great Hall

The Great Hall of Hogwarts is where Hogwart's hungry students come to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many great feasts are also held here, like the Halloween feast, the Christmas feast, and the end of the year feast. For each feast, the decorations are changed, but remain extravagant. Still, the five long tables remain, for placed vertically, one placed horizontally. And don't forget, the ceiling depicts the weather outside.

The Hogwarts Quidditch Field

This is where every student at Hogwarts wants to be. Some are just happy to be sitting in the raised seats, but some dream of flying around on the field, playing the glorious game of Quidditch. On either edge of the field are three fifty feet high hoops.

The Defense Against the Dark Arts Room

Here, is Hogwarts most renowned class. The job, rumored to be jinxed, has head a new teacher every school year. The first year, when Professor Quirrel taught this class, you might have come out smelling strongly of garlic. When Gilderoy Lockhart took up the job, you would have learned about how he banished a banshee, or some equally heroic feat. The walls were covered with his pictures. When Professor Lupin taught, the classroom was filled with excitement, possibly about the fact that they were actually going to learn something, or because there was a terrifying monster at the front of the room. And 'Alastor Moody' also taught, and then, the room was filled with dark arts detectors. But, the room got the biggest makeover when Dolores Jane Umbdrige came to Hogwarts. The room was astonishingly pretty in pink.

Honeydukes

Under the magnificent sweet shop of the all wizarding city of Hogsmeade runs a secret passageway. When you go through it, you will be extremely relieved to find yourself at the trapdoor that leads into the cellar of Honeydukes. Eager as your stomach may be to consume all the delicious sweets inside Honeydukes, you need to be careful because a rather rotund man often comes up to get more crates of various candies. Or, you can be like a normal witch or wizard and come through the front door.

The Three Broomsticks

The Three Broomsticks is a magical saloon where almost any kind of drink is served. Students and Professors of Howgarts love to come in on chilly days for a wonderfully warm drink. It's usually quite crowded, and is generally not a good place to hold secret meetings (for students, that is). But the professors can get a nice private chat what with all the hubbub between students over chocolate frog cards.

The Leaky Cauldron

The Leaky Cauldron is a dark but cheery wizard pub and inn. Wizards can find refuge from curious muggle eyes in this comfy place. The Leaky Cauldron?s owner and innkeeper, known as 'Tom,' will be happy to assist you. In the back area, if a wizard takes out his or her wand, and taps the third brick from the left above the trash bin the wall turns into an archway that leads into Diagon Alley. So, the Leaky Cauldron is the haven for wizards and witches. Muggles can walk right by without even noticing.

Zonko?s Joke Shop

Here is where students go to fill their pockets with little toys to cause havoc. Dungbombs, Hiccup Sweets, Frog-spawn Soap, Nose biting teacups, and other hoodlum accessories are sold here. Fred and George Weasley, along with Lee Jordan, practically pick the store clean. Though I'm sure they aren't the first. The Marauders were the first of their kind.

The Gryffindor Common Room

Outside the haven of Gryffindor students is the portrait of the beloved Fat Lady. Give her the password and she will allow you entrance. Inside the Gryffindor Common Room are many comfy, cozy, squishy and squashy armchairs. Scattered are some tables that hold the spell books of tired and stressed students. Two staircases go separate ways, one to the girls' dormitory, and one to the boys'. But they all unite every once in a while for a good party hosted with snacks from Fred and George Weasley.

The Hut on the Rock

In a freezing cold sea, there lies a rather small rock (in comparison to the sea). On the rock, there is a dilapidated hut. Inside the hut, there are two rooms, and always, the incredibly wet smell of seaweed. The hut isn't very warm, although there is a fireplace, albeit of not much use since there is no wood and it's already wet. Just like the sea.

King's Cross Station- Platform 9 3/4

Many young wizards, such as the famous Harry Potter, eagerly await the trip to Hogwarts from Platform 9 3/4. In order to do that though, they must go to King's Cross Station in London, by way of muggle transportation since it is a muggle train station. Between Platforms 9 and 10, there is a barrier. To any muggle this wall seems perfectly solid. But to Hogwarts students; however, it is the gateway to getting away from home and getting to Hogwarts. Through the barrier one goes, and then they find themselves among a horde of students, all saying goodbye to parents. Such is the bitter sweetness of platform 9 3/4.

The Burrow

Home to the wonderful red-headed Weasleys, the burrow apparently "isn't very much" to wizard standards. But to muggles it's fascinating and filled with magical creatures and accessories. It is several stories high, and rather cramped, but that makes it all the more cozy. Outside are chickens and gnomes, and various remnants of magical equipment and clothing. The kitchen is where you will most often find Mrs. Weasley, cooking for the many members of her family. There is a ghoul in the attic, and creaking stairs, and loud noises come from Fred and George's room. Here, Harry feels at home, and so do Ron, Fred, George, Percy, Ginny, Bill, Charlie, Arthur and Molly Weasley.

Flourish and Blott's Wizard Bookshop

In Diagon Alley lies Flourish and Blott's, the wizard bookshop. They carry every kind of wizard book, autobiographies, and history books, spell books, etc. Hogwarts students come here to buy their books before the start of term. Often, famous authors can be found here amidst the endless number of fans vying for their autograph.

Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions

Another shop in Diagon Alley, Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions makes good business come start of Hogwarts term. Sometime Madam Malkin herself will assist you. In any case, she and her employees make beautiful robes for all occasions, and for nice prices too.

The Great Hall

The Great Hall of Hogwarts is where all the meals, parties, and feasts are held. Normally, there are four long tables laid vertically, for the four houses of Hogwarts. A staff table lies horizontally at the head of the hall. Almost any kind of food is served, and the food is never terrible tasting, for it is made by excellent and obedient house elves. The food appears magically, and the candles hang in mid-air. The ceiling is enchanted to look like the sky outside and it is often filled with the loud hubbub of students stuffing themselves silly.

The Shrieking Shack

The Shrieking Shack scares the creeps out of little children who hear about it. It is the most haunted location in Britain, and adolescents enjoy teasing each other about the violent spirits who allegedly reside there. But, the Shrieking Shack no longer shrieks or shakes with horrifying noises. In fact, it has remained silent for years. Under the Whomping Willow, there is a secret passage that leads to the inside of the Shrieking Shack. The interior of this foreboding little shack is perhaps like any other house inhabited by a werewolf. The curtains are torn, it's awfully dust, and the bed is a mother's worst nightmare. Back in the day, a werewolf (young Remus Lupin) used to come in there and destruct the place after he transformed from a person to a werewolf. After that, three other rowdy boys would come in after him and they would have the time of their life. They were known as the Marauders: Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs.

The Hogwarts Express

The brilliant red train is one of the many treasured ways of transportation for Harry Potter. He can fly on his broomstick, travel by Floo Powder, get hurled by a portkey or nearly fall out of a flying Ford Anglia. In any which way, young Harry enjoys traveling on the steam engine the most. Mainly Hogwarts students ride it, as the only three adults ever to be reported on board are the food lady, the Hogwarts Express conductor and former Professor Remus J. Lupin. There have also been reports of missing toads, biting rats, and scary dementors on the wonderfully huge train.

Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor

In Diagon Alley, you can find this ice cream parlor. Any kind of ice cream is sold here, ranging from sundaes to double-scoops. All are sold by the magical and knowledgeable Florean Fortescue.

Ollivander's Wand Shop

Every wizard or witch needs a wand. And no one sells finer wands in Diagon Alley then Ollivanders, in business since 382 B.C. The place is dusty and quiet, but that shouldn't ruin its reputation. Ollivander's has sold wands to famous and powerful wizards, such as Lily and James Potter, Harry Potter and even He-who-must-not-be-named. The wands comes in a narrow box, and there are seemingly thousands of wands, piled high to the ceiling. A very lovely selection of wands indeed, but you must remember: The wand chooses the wizard.

Professor McGonagoll's office/classroom

Known to be one of Hogwarts' strictest teachers, Professor McGonagoll is not someone to cross. She can change her furniture into farm animals. And if that doesn't shock you, you should see what she gives to students when they are in trouble. You shouldn't be late to her class, or else she might turn you into a pocket watch. So I suggest you take a seat in one of the many tables and pay rapt attention to her teachings of Transfiguration, sometimes shown on the drawing board.