Only a Hogwarts Student Can Ace This "Harry Potter" Brainteaser Quiz

Brittany Rowland

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures, Heyday Films and 1492 Pictures

About This Quiz

This seven-book fantasy series captivated millions of readers with its thrilling tale of a boy wizard fighting an evil dark lord. Yes, it's "Harry Potter!" Over ten years, J. K. Rowling published seven books detailing the adolescence of the title character, a boy who discovers at age 11 that he's a wizard. Since then, the series has inspired a hit movie franchise, a spin-off franchise and a magical theme park. Oh, and it inspired countless kids to read when many would otherwise be playing video games or texting. Yes, it's that magical!

Pottermania is a unique fandom. Many of the readers were children when the first book came out, and they "aged" along with Harry as each subsequent book was released. Thus, they feel as if they grew up with Harry and his friends during their seven years at Hogwarts and the wizarding world. Understandably, many fans were emotional at the release of "Deathly Hallows," the final book. No one knew whether Harry would even survive the series, or if defeating Voldemort would require his sacrifice. 

To untangle these brainteasers, you'll need the courage of Gryffindor, the patience of Hufflepuff, the intelligence of Ravenclaw and the ambition of Slytherin. Are you ready?


If you miss the Hogwarts Express, you'll have to travel far. But don't, as Harry and Ron did, steal this flying car!

In their second year, Harry and Ron miss the train that takes them to Hogwarts. Not thinking clearly (because they're 12), they decide to take the Weasleys' flying Ford Anglia! Yeah, that goes well ...

After baby Harry survived Voldemort's Killing Curse, he became known as what in the Wizarding World?

Lily Potter's sacrifice saves Harry from death; Voldemort's Killing Curse rebounds and nearly destroys him, but Harry survives with only a lightning-bolt scar on his head. Hence, his moniker.

If you're ever stranded, there's no need to make a fuss. You can always count on this wizard who works on the Knight Bus.

Stanley Shunpike is a young wizard who works on the Knight Bus, a magic bus for stranded witches and wizards. He picks up Harry from Privet Drive and tells him about Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban.

Harry and his friends go to the Quidditch World Cup to see Ireland compete against which country?

Bulgaria and Ireland compete against each other in the 1994 Quidditch World Cup. Although Bulgaria's Seeker, Viktor Krum, catches the Snitch to end the game, Ireland wins with more points.

He's Harry's godfather, a man accused of a terrible crime. The truth of his innocence comes out after he's served his time. Who is he?

James and Lily Potter choose James' best friend, Sirius, to be Harry's godfather when he's a baby. Years later, Harry reunites with Sirius and learns that his godfather isn't a murderer who betrayed his parents.

Ask any witch or wizard what the oldest pub in London is, and they'll give you this correct answer.

Located on Charing Cross Road, the Leaky Cauldron is London's oldest pub — it just happens to be a wizarding pub. Wizards and witches use the Leaky Cauldron to enter Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley.

This alchemist created the Philosopher's Stone, which was quite a chore. With the Elixir of Life, he had a long life and was friends with Dumbledore. Who is he?

Nicholas Flamel created the Philosopher's Stone, a magical device that produces an elixir of immortality. As such, Flamel, who was born in 1327, lived to a ripe age of 665 before the stone was destroyed!

To enter the Gryffindor Tower, students need to provide a password to which portrait?

As every Hogwarts student knows, portraits can move and talk. The portrait of the Fat Lady hangs over the entrance to the Gryffindor living quarters, and students must provide the password to enter.

Detention with Hagrid is unique for sure, as unique as this snowy white creature. The trio must search the forest for it, with a horn as one of its features. What is it?

As Harry learns in his first year, it's unwise to drink a unicorn's blood because it curses the drinker to a half life. Harry sees a mysterious figure doing just that and later learns it's Voldemort.

Which of these is not one of Albus Dumbledore's middle names?

The Hogwarts headmaster's full name is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore ⁠— quite a mouthful for any wizard! He was named after his father, Percival Dumbledore, who died in Azkaban Prison.

With his three best chums, James Potter's life was never the same. Because of his stag Animagus, the Marauders gave him this nickname.

James Potter and his three friends ⁠— Remus, Sirius and Peter ⁠— called themselves the Marauders at school. Because he could transform into a stag, James earned the nickname Prongs.

Hermione founds S.P.E.W. to protest the treatment of which magical creatures?

In her fourth year, Hermione Granger starts the Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare, or S.P.E.W., to fight the injustices faced by house-elves. Unfortunately, she has few followers.

Though wizard-born, magical powers they lack. They can't help it, though, so give them some slack!

Though they're born to magic parents, Squibs have no magical abilities. Most Squibs, like Argus Filch, are dismayed by their lack of powers and feel ostracized by the magical community.

This residence owned by the Blacks becomes the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. Can you name it?

Though still in hiding after escaping Azkaban, Sirius Black offers the Order of the Phoenix the use of his family home, 12 Grimmauld Place. The house is enchanted so enemies can't find it.

When Voldemort strikes Harry with the Killing Curse, the teen temporarily enters a Limbo state, which resembles which location?

In the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry Potter temporarily enters Limbo, where he talks with the late Dumbledore. Harry chooses not to "cross over" and returns to the living, now able to destroy Voldemort.

Which wizarding village does Harry desperately want to visit in his third year?

Hogsmeade is an all-wizarding village near Hogwarts School. Students are allowed to visit, as long as they have their guardians' permission. Since Harry doesn't, he sneaks in using the Marauder's Map.

Hogwarts students who get boo-boos shouldn't curse. They can always visit this competent nurse.

Poppy Pomfrey serves as the school nurse at Hogwarts, taking care of students with all sorts of magical maladies. For example, when Harry loses his arm bones in a spell mishap, she regrows them with Skele-Gro.

Because of a prophecy, Voldemort believes only Harry can defeat him. But the prophecy can also refer to which other student?

Sybill Trelawney's prophecy can refer to either Harry Potter or Neville Longbottom, as they're both born within hours of each other to Voldemort's enemies. However, Voldemort chooses to attack Harry.

Hagrid was playing cards at a pub, drinking beer by the flagon, when he won, to his delight, an egg containing this dragon.

Hagrid acquires a dragon egg over a game of cards, even though it's illegal for him to own one. He names the newly hatched dragon Norbert and only reluctantly agrees to give it to Charlie Weasley.

Hogwarts has four founders. What's the first name of the Ravenclaw founder?

Rowena Ravenclaw founded Hogwarts School and selected students for the Ravenclaw House based on their smarts and wisdom. She had a falling out with her daughter, Helena, after Helena stole her diadem.

Can you name the ghost of Slytherin House?

The Bloody Baron still haunts Hogwarts, centuries after he murdered Helena Ravenclaw, Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter. Filled with remorse over his actions, he then killed himself. Helena is also a ghost, the Grey Lady.

How is Nymphadora Tonks related to Draco Malfoy?

Nymphadora Tonks has a witch mother, Andromeda Black, and Muggle father, Ted Tonks. Andromeda was removed from the Black family tree for marrying a Muggle, but Tonks and Draco are indeed cousins.

He was a Death Eater who turned against his evil lord. He tried to destroy a Horcrux, but death was his reward. Who is he?

Regulus Black, Sirius' brother, joined the Death Eaters at 16 but soon regretted this choice. When he realized Voldemort was making Horcruxes, he switched out Slytherin's locket with a fake.

One of the Hogwarts professors hides the fact that he's a werewolf. Who is he?

Remus Lupin, a former Hogwarts student himself, returns to the school as a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor in Harry's third year. However, after his secret werewolf status comes out, he resigns.

Watch out, Dementors! Hermione's Patronus takes the form of which animal?

Witches and wizards use the Patronus Charm to protect themselves from Dementors. Each person's Patronus takes a specific form, and Hermione's happens to take the shape of an otter.

Harry helps the Weasley kids remove what creatures from their garden?

As Harry learns from his visit with the Weasleys, wizarding homes must frequently "de-gnome" their gardens. They grab the gnomes, swing them in circles and release them into the air.

If you're short on Galleons, Sickles and Knuts, we must be frank: Get yourself quickly to this wizarding bank!

Gringotts Wizarding Bank is an imposing building in the Wizarding World where witches and wizards conduct their financial business. It's heavily guarded by spells and operated by goblins.

Ron and Hermione have so many spats, it's hard to keep a tally. But one is caused by this pet cat that Hermione buys at Diagon Alley.

Hermione buys a pet cat named Crookshanks in her third year, which immediately creates tension between her and Ron. He fears that Crookshanks is out to get his pet rat, Scabbers. Well, that's true ...

When the Dursleys take Dudley to the zoo for his 11th birthday, Dudley takes along which friend?

Piers Polkiss is one of Dudley's best friends and part of his gang of bullies. Piers goes along with the Dursleys to the zoo, where he sees Harry talking to a snake just before the glass disappears.

Which of the following is not one of Voldemort's Horcruxes?

In an effort to make himself immortal, Voldemort divided his soul up into multiple Horcruxes. Harry and his friends had to destroy these Horcruxes before Voldemort could be killed.

When a person looks into the Mirror of Erised, what do they see?

The Mirror of Erised is a magic mirror that shows the viewer what they most desire. "Erised" is actually "desire" spelled backward. For example, Harry, an orphan, sees his family in the mirror.

How is Harry related to the Dursleys?

Harry's mother, Lily Potter, was Petunia's younger sister. Petunia was supremely jealous when Lily discovered she had magical powers, which is one reason why she always treated Harry poorly.

Which of Harry's friends dies in the escape from Malfoy Manor?

The Death Eaters capture Harry and his friends and take them to Malfoy Manor to turn over to Voldemort. Dobby Apparates into the dungeon to save them, but he is killed in the process.

At the Battle of Hogwarts, this Slytherin wants to give Harry to Voldemort. Luckily for him, his friends rise to his support. Who is the Slytherin?

Voldemort promises to leave Hogwarts unharmed if Harry Potter surrenders. When Pansy yells that they should turn Harry over, all the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws rise to defend him.

When Hermione tries to transform into Millicent Bustrode, she becomes what instead?

The trio collects hairs from Crabbe, Goyle and Bulstrode to transform themselves using Polyjuice Potion. However, Hermione unwittingly grabs cat hair from Millicent's robe, and that's what she turns into ...

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