Time for some more Harry Potter awesomeness!
So, I’ve spoken about Pottermore before on this blog. And even though it’s undergone a big change from before and I still miss the book per chapter game!, I must say that it is being used more and more, and in a better way. They have also recently started a book club, where they go chapter by chapter through all the books, discuss them in detail, and often Rowling releases new information on Pottermore coinciding with the book club chapters.
You already know where I’m going with this, right? Yes, Rowling recently revealed a whole lot more about the wizarding schools of the world while they were discussing The Goblet of Fire. She says, and I quote: With so many magical schools all over the world, let’s take a look at where we could best receive our (totally fictional) magical education.
We all know Hogwarts of course, and we’ve encountered Durmstrang (northern Europe) and Beauxbatons (France) in the fourth book, and recently in Fantastic Beasts, we found out about the American school of Ilvermorny. But of course, there are many more wizarding schools, and Rowling has just named all of them. So without further ado, which school of witchcraft and wizardry do you want to go to?
x. Beauxbatons Academy of Magic
The Beauxbatons Academy of Magic is most-likely located somewhere in France, near the Pyrenees. The beautiful château welcomes a multitude of students from different nationalities: French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Luxembourgian and Belgian. So if you like your magic served with a dash of savoir-faire, this is the school for you! Nicholas Flamel not only attended the academy, but it’s also where he met his wife Perenelle Flamel.
Pros:
- The castle is stunning with a magical fountain believed to have healing and beautifying properties, named after the famous Flamel couple.
Cons:
- No known cons, except that the pampered ways of the Beauxbatons lifestyle may leave you guilty of complaining about other schools and general showboating, right Fleur?
x. Castelobruxo
Brazil boasts its own wizarding school, hidden deep within the rainforest. This South American school excels in nature-based subjects like Herbology and Magizoology. Students with green thumbs and animal loves thrive in this magical school. Another plus for Castelobruxo is that it has a popular student exchange programme with the European schools. So if you like to travel? Choose Castelobruxo!
Pros:
- Castelobruxo has a lot of famous ex-students like Libatius Borage (author of Advanced Potion Making) and João Coelho (captain of the world-renowned Quidditch team at the Tarapoto Tree-Skimmers).
Cons:
- The school’s grounds are protected by furry spirit-beings or Caipora. They are mischievous though, so beware of them!
x. Durmstrang Institute
The Durmstrang Institute is believed to be situated somewhere in Northern Europe, but one can never be sure since it’s protected by memory charms that erase any recollection of its whereabouts to visitors. This school is quite infamous, as it is the school that Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was expelled from! Then again, it’s also Viktor Krum‘s home, the Triwizard champion and world-famous Quidditch player.
Pros:
- Durmstrang is more known for the physical side of wizardry such as duelling and martial magic than the academic side.
- It also has a very cool flying ship to transport students.
Cons:
- The school has a bad reputation and not just because of Grindelwald. Ex-headmaster and ex-Death Eater Igor Karkaroff doesn’t do the school’s reputation any favours either.
- The school’s located in a rather cold climate, judging by the fact that Durmstrang students are often shrouded in furs.
x. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Nobody knows exactly where Hogwarts is located, thanks to all the magical protections put in place, but we do know it’s somewhere in the Highlands of Scotland. The school has a long, detailed history and is filled with secret passages, eccentric professors, wisecracking ghosts, lovely house-elves, talking portraits and much more.
Pros:
- It’s one of the most well-protected wizarding schools
- Hogwarts prides itself on honour, diversity and ancient traditions
- A huge number of successful and talented wizards went there, including Albus Dumbledore
Cons:
- Not only good wizards graduated from Hogwarts, Lord Voldemort was also a student there.
- There is a lot of danger at Hogwarts like a tree that will beat you up and a dark forest filled with dangerous beasts and mysteries.
x. Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The American school for witches and wizards is, of course, Ilvermorny, located on Mount Greylock in Massachusetts. It’s kind of like an Americanized version of the Hogwarts for students from all across North America. The castle started out as a granite stone house that kept on expanding as the school grew. It was founded in 1627 and started with two teachers and two students.
Pros:
- The school has a lot of history and proves that anyone can make it if they believe in themselves (just like their founder did)
- The school has four houses, represented by magical beasts:Horned Serpent, Wampus, Thunderbird, Pukwudgie.
- Not a fan of blue? Then this school’s not for you as everyone is dressed in blue school robes.
x. Mahoutokoro
This is the Japanese school for wizards and witches, located on top of the volcanic island of Minami Iwo Jima. The Mahoutokoro School of Magic is a big and beautiful jade palace, without bedrooms or dorms. Which is quite normal since it’s not a boarding school like Hogwarts. Students go there every day on a flock of giant storm petrels. But beware, there is a Muggle airbase nearby, so be careful of that.
Pros:
- A very passionate Quidditch culture
- Enchanted robes for students that grow as they get older and change colour as they gain experience and become better witches and wizards. The best students’ robes turn gold!
Cons:
- Students that use Dark Magic are instantly betrayed by their robes, which turn white, resulting in instant expulsion and a trial.
x. Uagadou
The biggest of all wizarding schools is located in Uganda, by the Mountains of the Moon. Their students are known to be academic all-rounders, their top subjects being Astronomy, Alchemy and Transfiguration. And how do you find out you’ve gotten into Uagadou? Dream Messengers will appear to you in your sleep and leave an inscribed stone in your hand.
Pros:
- Since Transfiguration is one of the strongest subjects, many of their young students are already adept Animagi.
Cons:
- Wands are rarely used by African witches and wizards, so the school encourages spells to be cast with hand gestures.
So, off you go! Choose your school and start learning to become better witches and wizards!
Happy reading,
Loes M.