By Scott Weinberg
Animagus -- Someone who can turn into an animal at will, through magic. Whether or not you directly choose the animal or it's based on personality is not known.
Azkaban -- The prison for wizarding criminals. It is a dark, dreary place guarded by the dark, dreary Dementors on a dark, dreary island. Not a very good place. Sirius Black was the first wizard to escape, and that was after 13 years of imprisonment for ratting out Harry's parents to He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.
Chocolate Frog -- A treat that has a good hop or two in it before it rolls over and lets itself be eaten. Collectible cards of famous wizards are included in these chocolate goodies.
Dementor -- A shrouded creature of naught but fear. These nasty fellows suck out all the happiness around them and replace it with a person's worst fears. Their kiss can steal a person's soul, and they guard the Wizard's Prison, Azkaban.
"Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus" -- The motto of Hogwarts Academy; it means "Never tickle a sleeping dragon."
Floo Powder -- Powder thrown into a fireplace. It causes the fire to turn green, allowing the user to step into it and say the name of the place where they wish to go. It transports them through the Floo Network to the fireplace nearest their destination.
Gryffindor -- One of the four student houses of Hogwarts; its tenants are strong in valor and most importantly, this is the house that Harry, Ron, and Hermione belong to.
Half-blood -- A magic-user whose parents consist of one witch or wizard and one Muggle.
House-Elf -- A servile little magic-user, a house elf acts as butler and courier in some wizarding households and can only be set free when its master gives it an article of clothing.
Howler -- A nasty piece of red mail that screams the message rather loudly before cutting itself up, never to be heard again. If it isn't opened, it will fume and open itself. Ron receives one in "Chamber of Secrets."
Hufflepuff -- One of the four student houses of Hogwarts; its tenants are strong in loyalty and fairness.
Ministry of Magic -- The wizard's government, which includes a Prime Minister and Aurors -- wizards and witches with exceptional skill who protect all that is good in the world. SWAT with magic, if you will.
Mudblood -- A derogatory term for a magic-user born to a pair of Muggles.
Muggle -- A "normal" person; one without magical powers or the ability to acknowledge and/or appreciate the world of magic.
Quidditch -- An elaborately entertaining, daringly dangerous (and somewhat confusing) game that's played on an oval field, while riding a magic broom, with three different types of balls. Each team of seven is broken up into a Seeker, a Keeper, three Chasers, and a pair of Beaters. The goal is to get the Quaffle into one of your opponents' three standing hoops, while avoiding the Bludgers and keeping an eye on the Golden Snitch, which earns big bonus points should someone snatch it up.
Patronus -- A helper or protector summoned by the spell Expecto Patronum. It takes the form of an animal, wards off Dementors, and can be used to relay messages. Harry's is a stag.
Ravenclaw -- One of the four student houses of Hogwarts; its tenants are strong in wit and intellect.
Slytherin -- One of the four student houses of Hogwarts; its tenants are strong in ambition, and Harry's nemesis Draco Malfoy belongs there, naturally.
Sorting Hat -- A magical singing hat that decides which house is the right one for all incoming Hogwarts students.
Time-Turner -- A magical device that allows its user to skip backwards in time. Professor McGonagall gave one to Hermione so she could take extra classes, and the tool came in real handy at the end of Year Three.
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