History of Magic
From Harry Potter Wiki
| History of Magic | |
|---|---|
| Class information | |
| Professor | |
| Required textbooks |
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot |
| First appearance | |
| Latest appearance |
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (mentioned) |
- "One hour of answering questions about batty old wizards who’d invented self-stirring cauldrons."
- —The History of Magic exam[src]
History of Magic is a required class for all students attending Hogwarts. The class is a study of magical history. History of Magic is taught from the first year to the fifth, with the option of an N.E.W.T. course in the sixth and seventh years.
The lesson plan usually consists of lectures on the 'History of Wizards and the Magical World' (in which goblin rebellions appear most memorable). This class is similar to the study of History in the Muggle World, as particular emphasis is placed upon remembering dates, names and events.
The class is currently taught by the ghost of Professor Cuthbert Binns. According to Hogwarts folklore, Professor Binns has failed to notice that he is dead: He simply got up from his chair in the staff-room one morning and left his body behind.
As Professor Binns was very old at the time of his death, he is very set in his ways and students find him difficult to relate to. Binns' lessons consist of him reciting ('droning') lectures to his students. He does not seem to mind (or notice) that the class rarely pays attention or even sleeps through his class (with the exception of Hermione Granger, who alone "seemed able to resist the soporific power of Binn's voice"). Ron Weasley and Harry Potter both find History of Magic terribly boring, and only manage to pass the class by borrowing Hermione's notes.
