The Thestral Paddock[3] was the name given to the portion of the Forbidden Forest where the Hogwarts Thestral herd was kept. The paddock was heavily wooded, even in comparison to the rest of the forest, to the point where it looked like twilight even in the middle of the day. Luna Lovegood often visited this paddock to feed the Thestrals, whom she seemed to have a fondness for.[1]
History[]
During a Care of Magical Creatures lesson in November of 1995, Rubeus Hagrid took his fifth year class to this paddock to teach them about Thestrals. Like many of his lessons, this did not go well; he was observed by Dolores Umbridge, who used the occasion to belittle him and gather evidence that would be later used to put him on probation.[2]
Later that school year, a large number of Thestrals were attracted by the scent of Grawp's blood from their paddock to where Harry Potter and other members of Dumbledore's Army waited in the Forbidden Forest. The group would use these Thestrals to travel to the British Ministry of Magic.[4]
Behind the scenes[]
- In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, it was Luna who introduced the Thestral Paddock to Harry, not Hagrid.[1]
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (First identified as Thestral Paddock)
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
- Pottermore
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 21 (The Eye of the Snake)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 33 (Fight and Flight)