The Headless Hunt is an organisation of ghosts whose heads have been completely severed from their bodies. The organisation is headed by Sir Patrick Delaney-Podmore.
Activities
The Headless Hunt participate in head-intensive events such as Horseback Head-Juggling, Headless Bowling, and Head Polo. The Gryffindor ghost, Nearly Headless Nick is annually denied admission to the Headless Hunt despite only a half inch of skin holding his head to his neck.
Headless Huntsmen.
- "We can only accept huntsmen whose heads have parted company with their bodies. You will appreciate that it would be impossible otherwise for members to participate in hunt activities such as Horseback Head-Juggling and Head Polo. It is with the greatest regret, therefore, that I must inform you that you do not fulfil our requirements. With very best wishes,"
- — Sir Patrick Delaney-Podmore[src]
The Battle of Hogwarts
The Headless Hunt also made an appearance in 1998 when they flew by Harry Potter just as he escaped the Room of Requirement with Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem during the Battle of Hogwarts. How they assisted is not known as ghosts cannot affect the solid world, however when Nearly Headless Nick attempted to grasp Harry's hands, Harry felt as though his hands were put in icy cold water. They may have startled or scared the enemies, but it is possible they might have acted as messengers between the various sections of the castle, alerting the defenders of a breach in security, or guiding combatants to and from sites of conflict.
Behind the scenes
- In the PC-video game apation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, a portrait of the Headless Hunt can be seen during the Skurge-challenge, as well as a crest bearing the words "Acephalus Equitatus" — "Headless Hunt" in Latin.