Hogwart's Classes

Herbology

The study of magical plants (such as mandrakes or bubotubers), and how to take care of, utilise and/or combat them. Herbology is set in greenhouses on the grounds. First years only work in Greenhouse One, as the other greenhouses contain more dangerous plants. Classes start using Greenhouse Three in their second year. Herbology is taught from the first year to the fifth, with the option of an N.E.W.T. course in the sixth and seventh years. The subject is closely related to Potions, due to the nature of the plants, who seem to exist for the purpose of extracting useful ingredients.

D.A.D.A

Defence Against the Dark Arts, also known as D.A.D.A., is a class taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that focuses on defensive techniques to block spells, charms, curses, hexes, and jinxes cast by other wizards and witches, counteract the Dark Arts, and to protect from dark magical beasts and creatures such as the Boggart. Defence Against the Dark Arts is taught to Hogwarts students from the first year to the fifth, with the option of N.E.W.T. classes in the sixth and Seventh years for students who qualify.

Potions

The art of creating potions with magical effects. The process is delicate and instructions must be followed exactly in order to achieve the desired result. Potions is taught from the first year to the fifth, with the option of an N.E.W.T. course in the sixth and seventh years.

It is a final course advancement for the N.E.W.T. level.

Transfiguration Class

The art of metamorphosis, Transfiguration is the changing of the form and appearance of an object, the conjuring and creation of objects, and the vanishing of objects. This is generally achieved through concentration, the precise waving of the wand and speaking the appropriate incantation. One of the trickier subjects, it requires great concentration and effort. The art of reversing Transfiguration is called Untransfiguration. Transfiguration is taught from the first year to the fifth, with the option of a N.E.W.T. course in the sixth and seventh years.

Charms

The manipulation of objects and creation of phenomena by means of the precise waving of the wand and the speaking of appropriate incantations. This class is one of the most disruptive, because most charms have an effect that can cause a distraction when done correctly, and an even larger distraction when misfired or used incorrectly. Charms is taught from the first year to the fifth, with the option of N.E.W.T. courses in the sixth and seventh years.

History of Magic

The study of magical history. History of Magic is taught from the first year to the fifth, with the option of an N.E.W.T. course in the sixth and seventh years.

The current History of Magic teacher, Cuthbert Binns, is not very effective. He is the only ghost teacher, extremely set in his ways: he was very old at the time of his death. According to Hogwarts folklore, he has failed to notice that he is dead: he simply got up from his chair in the staff-room one morning and left his body behind.

Binns' lessons consist of him reciting ('droning') and dictating notes to his students: he does not seem to mind (or notice) that the class rarely pays attention (with the exception of Hermione Granger who alone "seemed able to resist the soporific power of Binn's voice").

Although titled 'History of Magic', it actually appears to be a more general 'History of Wizards and the Magical World' (in which Goblin rebellions appear most memorable). Thus, it is reasonably similar to the study of History in the Muggle World, albeit with different subject matter.

Astronomy

Astronomy is the only field of study at Hogwarts which has a direct equivalent in the Muggle world. Known student activities include learning the names of stars, constellations and planets, as well as their location and movements, and descibing the environments of planets and moons.

Astronomy classes take place in the Astronomy Tower, the tallest tower in Hogwarts, every Wednesday and include sky observation sessions with telescopes (each student has to buy one of his/her own). Astronomy is a compulsory subject taught from the first year to the fifth, with the option of an N.E.W.T. course in the sixth and seventh years.

Flying

In addition to these, first year students take flying lessons.

Flying is the class that teaches the use of broomsticks made for the use of flying and is taught only to Hogwarts first years. The subject is the only one that requires physicality.



In their third year, students must choose at least two additional subjects to take. These can include:

Muggle Studies

The study of Muggles, non-magical people, which involves writing essays such as "Why Muggles Need Electricity." Muggle Studies is considered a soft option, but Percy Weasley thinks it is important for a wizard to have an understanding of the non-magical community, especially if he works closely with them. An optional subject, taught from the third year to the seventh.

Care of Magical Creatures

Learning about and how to care of magical beasts. Classes are held outside the castle. An optional subject, taught from the third year to the seventh.

Class topics have included Hippogriffs, Nifflers, Flobberworms, Thestrals, Bowtruckles, salamanders, unicorns, and Blast-Ended Skrewts.

Divination

Divination is the art of predicting the future. Various methods are involved, including crystal balls, palmistry, tea leaves, cartomancy (which encompasses the reading of playing cards and the Tarot) and the interpretation of dreams.

Ancient Runes

A mostly theoretical subject that studies the ancient runic scripts of magic.

Arithmancy

A branch of magic that is concerned with the magical properties of numbers. Arithmancy is the use of names and numbers to tell about a person's character. Arithmancy is also known as Numerology. The only information given is that the subject is quite hard. It is an optional subject, taught from the third year to the seventh.

Apparition

Apparition is the magical form of teleportation in the Harry Potter series. Lessons are optional to those in the sixth and seventh years. Performing Apparition requires a licence and may only be legally performed by people over seventeen years of age. The described reason for the restriction is that Apparition is dangerous if done improperly: body parts can be left behind in an unfortunate side-effect known as "splinching."


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