Hungarian Horntail

Hungarian Horntail
Species information
Eye colour	Yellow
Skin colour	Black
Hair colour	None
Related to	See Dragon
Native to	Hungary
Length of average adult	50ft
Ministry of Magic Classification	XXXXX
Status	Beast

"I don't envy the one who gets the Horntail. Vicious thing. Its back end's as dangerous as its front."

— Charlie Weasley about the first challenge of the Triwizard Tournament

The Hungarian Horntail is a dragon native to Hungary and is considered to be the most dangerous dragon breed.

History

The 1994 Triwizard Tournament

"Oh, don't worry about 'em, Harry, they're seriously misunderstood creatures — [Horntail breathes fires a bit too close to Harry and Hagrid's position] ...Although, I have to admit that Horntail is a right nasty piece of work."

— Hagrid about the Hungarian Horntail

A Horntail used in the first task

A Hungarian Horntail was to be faced during the First Task of the 1994 Triwizard Tournament, in an effort to retrieve a Golden egg. Harry Potter had to face it after selecting, at random, a tiny model depicting the Horntail from a bag. He Summoned his Firebolt broomstick to him and used it to maneuver around the dragon to retrieve the egg. It is stated that Ron Weasley's brother Charlie helped transport the dragon from Romania.

Description and traits

It has black scales, and is lizard-like in appearance. It also has yellow eyes, bronze horns and similarly coloured spikes that protrude from its long tail. The dragon's roar is a yowling, screeching scream, and its flame can reach to about fifty feet. While having a very far reaching flame the Horntail's breath can reach extremely high temperatures as it made a stone turn red hot in seconds. Its eggs are cement-coloured and particularly hard-shelled. The Horntail's foods of choice include cattle, sheep, goats, and whenever possible, humans.

A Hungarian Horntail climbs the Grand Staircase Tower

Horntails are also known for being one of the most vicious breeds of dragon; even Rubeus Hagrid commented on their ferocity. Along with their viciousness, Horntails are shown being extremely fast in flight while able to keep up with a Firebolt broomstick, a broom capable of going from 0 to 150 miles per hour in 10 seconds. Horntails are also seen able to keep up with Harry Potter's flying skills; a very impressive feat considering Harry's talent as a seeker.

Behind the scenes

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the Horntail broke free of its chain and attacked Harry. The two of them fought in an exciting chase that spanned all around the castle grounds, almost causing Harry to fall to his death at one point when he was trying to reach his Firebolt, but when the chase continued, Harry flew through the Viaduct, which the Horntail crashed into causing it to fall into the chasm below, presumably to its death.
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, its manner to breath fire by shooting a pair of chemical liquids that cause a fire blast on contact is possibly based on the same fire-breathing manner used by dragons in the movie "Reign of Fire(2002)".[1]
• When faced with the agony of trying to ask someone to the Yule Ball, Harry said that he would have preferred facing the Horntail again.
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the Hungarian Horntail model that was given to Harry from Barty Crouch Sr. is seen in the Roast chestnuts sale, located in Diagon Alley. It is possible that Harry gave his dragon to Fred and George who put it there.
• The Horntail is featured in the video game version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and lives in The Dark Caves, a wizarding world forestal area with a giant cave.
• In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, Hermione falls into the arena with Harry and they both have to battle it. It not only breaks free like in the movie, but it also chases them into the castle.
• In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 in Year 2, there is a moving picture of a wizard being chased by a Horntail in front of Hogwarts. If one gives the wizard a sword he will kill the Horntail and give the player a key.

  

  The plush and model of the Hungarian Horntail at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

• The horntail's appearance in the movie is based off of the dragons in the movie, "Reign of Fire"(2002). The appearance of the Horntail in movie adaptations is more akin to that of a traditional Wyvern; as it has no forelegs, a true classical dragon having forelegs, hindlegs and wings like described in the books.
• The Hungarian Horntail is part of the Dragon Challenge Roller Coaster in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter along with the Chinese Fireball.
• The Hungarian Horntail appears in the attraction at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Riders encounter the dragon when Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley fly Muggles to the Quidditch Pitch. Riders enter a real set of the Wooden Bridge where they encounter a animatronic Hungarian Horntail, which breathes false fire at them.

Appearances

A Hungarian Horntail in LEGO form.

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) (Appears on a Famous Wizard Card)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (First appearance)

  

  Hungarian Horntail from Pottermore

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film) (Model only)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
• Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book
• LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World
• LEGO Harry Potter: Characters of the Magical World
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Dragon Challenge
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
• Harry Potter for Kinect (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter LEGO Sets