Lesson One

In the second wizarding war, no battle was bigger or more important than the Battle for Hogwarts. It would be the deciding battle of the entire war and would change wizarding history forever.

Hogwarts was built around the 9th or 10th century. It was created to be the best magical school so that the founders, Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Raveclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, and Salazar Slytherin, could pass on their magical knowledge to future generations. Many famous witches and wizards were educated at Hogwarts such as Gwenog Jones, Oliver wood, Rubeus Hagrid, Cedric Diggory, Albus Dumbledore, Lord Voldemort, and of course Harry Potter. The castle grounds include the Forbidden Forest, a quidditch pitch, and nearby Hogsmeade, which would all play a role in the battle. Before we can get to the battle itself, we must first look back at the events leading up to it. We will be going back to another time when Death Eater's crossed the castle's threshold. On June 30, 1997, thanks to the hard work of Draco Malfoy, Death Eaters were able infiltrate the castle and a smaller fight ensued. It was this day that the anti-Voldemort movement suffered its most detrimental loss with the death of Albus Dumbledore at the hands of Severus Snape. However, before his death Dumbledore was able to give Harry Potter the clues he would need to defeat Lord Voldemort: horcruxes. After securing the safety of their families, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger set out on the hunt for horcruxes for many months. After destroying one of the horcruxes and stealing another one from Gringotts, the trio eventually realized that the one of the final horcruxes they needed would be located at Hogwarts. Sadly, though, Lord Voldemort realized what they were doing and knew they would be heading for Hogwarts. It was due to this that they all ended up at Hogwarts on May 2, 1998 for the Battle of Hogwarts. The Battle of Hogwarts involved members of all four houses, graduates of the school, professors, house elves, giants, centaurs, thestrals, dementors, acromantulas, werewolves, a poltergeist, and even bewitched statues. Hundreds of people and creatures fought in the battle. Even the portraits in the castle got involved with cheering on those fighting. However, not all of them would live to see the end of the battle. There were over 50 casualties from both sides once the battle ended. The most famous casualty being that of Lord Voldemort, of course, who was defeated by Harry Potter at the end of the battle. This would be the most decisive moment of the battle. Without Lord Voldemort leading them, the Death Eaters had lost hope and the battle was over. It is important to remember the Battle of Hogwarts for many reasons. It is important to honor the dead and remember the sacrifice they made for the wizarding world. It is important to remember those who fought and survived and just what they did for future generations of witches and wizards. It is also important to remember Hogwarts and the role the school played in helping to defeat Lord Voldemort. As one of the most iconic places in the wizarding world, it served as the perfect location and backdrop for the final showdown in the ultimate wizarding war.