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The world of Harry Potter introduces us to many weird and wonderful locations, places that captivated my heart as an 8-year-old and never left me. Obviously, Hogwarts is the most special of all, being the place where Harry and the others learn magic and embark on exciting adventures. However, Hogsmeade absolutely has its moments.
Alongside Diagon Alley, The Burrow, and 12 Grimmauld Place, Hogsmeade is the location where most of the other action takes place throughout the seasons. It has plenty of appearances in both the books and the movies, and the series just wouldn’t be complete without it.
Who wouldn’t want to walk down those magical streets, taking in the many varied and exciting shops that line the paths? It’s one of my favorite fictional places, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it! Onwards, my fellow witches and wizards!
Hogsmeade at a Glance
Hogsmeade is a magical community in Scotland, on the outskirts of Hogwarts. It is home to many witches and wizards, as well as several shops and buildings.
Some of the most notable locations within it are Honeydukes, The Three Broomsticks, and the Shrieking Shack. Students can visit there from 3rd year onwards, provided that they have a signed permission slip from their parent or guardian.
Where is Hogsmeade and Who Can Visit There?
Hogsmeade is a quaint magical village on the outskirts of Hogwarts. Students normally take a carriage there, but the distance could feasibly be walked (as Harry does multiple times using his invisibility cloak). It’s not visible from Hogwarts, but it’s not too far away either.
Just like Hogwarts, it’s found in the Scottish Highlands, so the weather can get pretty chilly. During the winter months, the village is often covered in snow. It’s an iconic look, and when you think of Hogsmeade, you probably think of the snow. Even the LEGO version of it has white plates covering the rooves of the shops.
It’s accessible to most of the wizarding world as it’s not guarded in the same way that Hogwarts is. Witches and wizards are free to apparate in and out of Hogsmeade as they please. There are also plenty of people who live in or nearby Hogsmeade, after all, somebody needs to run all the shops.
Hogwarts students are allowed to visit Hogsmeade from their 3rd year onwards. However, they need a signed permission slip from their parent or guardian. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Dursleys fail to sign Harry’s permission slip, meaning he’s not allowed to attend the trips even though he’s of age. However, Fred and George give him the Marauder’s Map, which allows him to sneak into the village undetected.
Important Locations in Hogsmeade
Hogsmeade may be a small village, but it has plenty of attractions within it. Although there are multiple shops and locations briefly mentioned, I’m only including the most important locations here in this list. These are the ones that appear several times and have a significant impact on the series. Let’s take a look!
Honeydukes
If I could visit one place in the whole of the wizarding world, it would probably be Honeydukes. I have a major sweet tooth, and having access to so many unique and wonderful candies would be a dream come true for me.
I remember licking my lips in anticipation when I first read the Honeydukes scenes in the books, and my eyes widened in envy when I saw the store on screen in the movies.
I was actually lucky enough to go to Universal Studios in Florida back in 2019. They have a whole area dedicated to Hogsmeade, and one of the shops there is Honeydukes. I remember stepping through those doors like I was in a dream; the joy was overwhelming. I gorged myself on delicious treats like Exploding Bon Bons, Chocolate Frogs, and some incredibly yummy butterbeer fudge.
In the series, Honeydukes is an understandable favorite of the students. It’s usually packed whenever there’s a Hogsmeade visit, as the kids try and buy enough sweets to last them until the next visit. It’s run by Ambrosius Flume and his wife, and it’s been in operation since 1641.
As well as selling chocolates and candy, Honeydukes holds an intriguing secret that I don’t think the owners are even aware of. You see, unbeknownst to the oblivious shoppers, there’s a secret trapdoor in the basement of the shop.
This trapdoor opens onto a path that leads all the way to and from Hogwarts! Harry, disguised by his invisibility cloak, uses this path to sneak into Hogsmeade since he doesn’t have a signed permission slip.
The Three Broomsticks
This is your typical family-friendly pub. Run by the brash but friendly Madam Rosmerta, it’s a firm favorite of Hogsmeade locals. Beloved by students and adults alike, it’s usually brimming with activity. It’s an absolute staple of the Hogsmeade landscape and it’s one of the most memorable locations in the series.
Its most popular beverage is undoubtedly butterbeer. This sweet, non-alcoholic drink has the appearance of beer, but it won’t get you drunk, and it has a very different taste. The bubbling light-brown liquid is finished with a creamy froth on top. Overall, it’s a visually appealing drink that everyone in the series seems to love.
If you read the books/ watched the movies and wanted to taste it for yourself, you’re actually in luck. Tourist attractions like the Warner Bros Studio Tour and Universal Studios will sell butterbeer that visitors can drink. You can also make some for yourself at home using cream soda and butterscotch/ caramel syrup.
The Three Broomsticks is also where Harry gives Rita Skeeter an interview for The Quibbler, overseen by Hermione. It was seen as a neutral location since so many people go there. It features in several moments throughout the series and can be found in most of the books.
The Shrieking Shack
Famously the ‘Most haunted building in Britain’, the Shrieking Shack actually held a fascinating secret. It was erected when Remus Lupin first attended Hogwarts, especially commissioned by Albus Dumbledore. Lupin was a werewolf and needed a safe place to transform each month where he wouldn’t be in danger of hurting any students.
The Shrieking Shack had no windows or doors, only a tunnel that led back to Hogwarts. The tunnel was guarded by the Whomping Willow, so there was no risk of students getting close enough to find the tunnel and stumbling in by accident. Madam Pomfrey would accompany Lupin to the tunnel each month so that he could stay at Hogwarts. It was an exceptionally kind and generous effort for Dumbledore to arrange.
Hogsmeade locals would hear howls and screams from inside the shack and came to the conclusion that it must be haunted. Dumbledore perpetuated these rumors as he wanted to avoid Lupin being discovered. Obviously, the noises stopped after Lupin left Hogwarts, but Hogsmeade locals still kept a safe distance from the building.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Shrieking Shack plays a strong role in the final act. Sirius, whilst in his animagus form as a dog, tries to attack Scabbers, who’s really Peter Pettigrew. He ends up dragging Ron inside the Whomping Willow, where Harry and Hermione quickly follow.
They’re nearly caught by Snape, but Harry incapacitates him. Inside, they discover the truth about the Marauders and capture Peter Pettigrew. Unfortunately, Lupin transforms into a werewolf when they’re outside, and Pettigrew escapes in the furor.
The Hog’s Head
Hogsmeade’s other pub, this one attracts a decidedly different clientele to The Three Broomsticks. It’s got a dank, musty vibe, and is much less welcoming. It’s implied that the cleanliness leaves a lot to be desired and overall it’s got a dark and foreboding presence.
As a result, it’s far less popular and is often sparsely packed. Despite this (or perhaps because of this), certain witches and wizards prefer The Hog’s Head and go there regularly. One of its loyal customers is Hagrid, although he also frequents The Three Broomsticks.
It’s most known for serving Firewhisky, an alcoholic drink that fills the drinker with a burning courage. In the wizarding world, the legal age for drinking is 17, the same as the legal age for performing magic outside of Hogwarts. However, The Hog’s Head had a reputation for serving underage customers, so students would sometimes try their luck.
The Hog’s Head was also the location of the first Dumbledore’s Army meeting, but I’ll talk more about that in the ‘Memorable Scenes in Hogsmeade’ section of this guide.
Other Noteworthy Hogsmeade Locations
Although there are a few other shops and buildings mentioned casually in the series or in spin-offs such as the video games, very few actually feature in the books or movies. Below are the other Hogsmeade locations that actually have any relevance to the series.
- Zonko’s Joke Shop – A favorite haunt of the Weasley twins, it was their inspiration for starting Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. It sold all manner of joke products that could be used in a variety of pranks and naturally, it was very popular with students.
- Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Shop – A quaint little café slightly away from the hustle and bustle of the main Hogsmeade shops. It had a cutesy atmosphere and was intended to appeal to couples. Harry went here on an unsuccessful date with Cho Chang where they ended up getting in an argument over Harry’s lack of romantic gestures and his friendship with Hermione Granger.
- Hogsmeade Post Office – Pointless to students since Hogwarts has an owlery, the post office is there for the residents of Hogsmeade to send and receive their mail. It provided a range of owls which were coded based on how fast they could fly.
- Dervish and Banges – A peculiar shop that sold magical curiosities such as Sneakoscopes. It also offered repair services for wizarding equipment. When Sirius Black went into hiding, he chose a cave that could be accessed by a path behind Dervish and Banges.
- Ollivanders – The Hogsmeade branch provided the same services as the shop in Diagon Alley and simply served as a second location. It had the same high-quality products that you’d expect from an Ollivanders store and was a more convenient location for witches and wizards in the north of Britain.
Memorable Scenes in Hogsmeade
Hogsmeade plays a pivotal role in the Harry Potter series. Although Hogwarts is obviously the main setting, several noteworthy scenes occur in Hogsmeade. Some drive the plot forwards, others reveal more about the characters. Some are just plain fun to read/ watch. I’ve chosen a selection of the most memorable scenes from the books and the movies.
Harry Overhears a Conversation About Sirius Black
Found in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 10: The Marauder’s Map. He overhears that Sirius Black is responsible for the death of his parents.
This is one of the defining moments of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It’s also an excellent example of the movie capturing the essence of the book. I’m really glad the film included this scene as it’s so important to Harry’s character development.
Up until this point, Harry only knows what he’s been told about his parents’ death – That Voldemort came to their house and killed them. But he has no idea of the events that led up to it. The only hint the audience has is when Mr. Weasley makes Harry promise not to go looking for Sirius Black, regardless of what Harry hears.
One day, when Harry’s under the invisibility cloak in Hogsmeade, he sees Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, talking to Madam Rosmerta outside The Three Broomsticks. He hears Sirius Black’s name, as well as his own, and goes inside to investigate.
Inside, he overhears a conversation all about Sirius Black and his friendship with the Potters. The conversation is technically false as it’s based on Peter Pettigrew faking his death to cover his tracks, but everyone in the room believes it’s the truth. Harry hears how Sirius Black had been entrusted with the location of the Potters, and that he’d given that information to Voldemort.
Harry is heartbroken and runs away, outraged at the apparent betrayal. This scene sets him on a war path where he actively wants an altercation with Sirius Black so he can get revenge for his parents’ death.
Harry Pranks Malfoy
Found in the movie version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Harry hides under the invisibility cloak to pelt Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle with snowballs.
This is such a fun scene, and I’ll be referring to the movie version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban for this one. It’s very satisfying for the audience to watch this one since Draco Malfoy has been such a bully to Harry and the others. It feels good to see him get his comeuppance (although not as good as later on in the movie when Hermione punches him)!
Harry doesn’t have a signed permission slip, so he’s not allowed to go to Hogsmeade with the other students. Thankfully, Fred and George take pity on him and give him their most prized possession, the Marauder’s Map. It allows Harry to see the movements of everyone in Hogwarts, as well as the location of secret passageways. Harry uses a passageway concealed in the One-Eyed Witch statue to sneak into Hogsmeade under his invisibility cloak.
The prank scene happens the first time that Harry goes to Hogsmeade, so Ron and Hermione don’t know that he’s coming. The two of them are looking over at the Shrieking Shack when Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle come over to harass them. But just as Malfoy starts mouthing off about Hermione’s blood lineage, a snowball flies toward him and hits him square in the neck.
Soon after, a barrage of snowballs starts chasing Malfoy and his goons, seemingly thrown by a non-existent assailant. Malfoy freaks out and can’t run away fast enough, tripping over himself in his haste to get away. It’s hilarious watching the three of them desperately trying to escape whilst Ron and Hermione laugh in the background.
This scene is a much-needed light-hearted moment that adds some whimsy and joy to Harry’s relationship with Ron and Hermione. It shows that despite all the serious stuff they have to deal with, they can still let loose and have childish fun.
The First Dumbledore’s Army Meeting
Found in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 16: In The Hog’s Head. Harry meets with other students to arrange a club for practicing Defence Against the Dark Arts, which is later named Dumbledore’s Army.
One of the prevailing issues in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is their inability to properly practice Defence Against the Dark Arts. Their professor, Dolores Umbridge from the Ministry of Magic, is stalwart in her insistence that Voldemort has not returned. As such, she decides there’s no reason to learn about practical applications of the subjects, and sticks to teaching them theory only.
All the students are miffed about their inability to use magic in the classroom. I can understand that, imagine going to a magical school like Hogwarts and only being allowed to read instead of using your wand. But it goes deeper than that. Harry watched Voldemort return and is just waiting for an attack he assumes to be imminent. He’s worried, as are several other students.
He wants to be able to protect himself, and for others to be able to protect themselves as well. Ron and Hermione agree with him and encourage him to take matters into his own hands. He’s reluctant at first as he doesn’t see himself as fit to be a teacher, but he gets so much support when others tell of his heroic deeds.
A meeting is arranged in the Hog’s Head Inn in Hogsmeade. They choose the location as it’s less popular than The Three Broomsticks, but that proves to be an unwise decision, as they get overheard and news of the meeting gets out. They’ve given word to some trustworthy students who have in turn shared it with their friends, and a decent-sized group gathers at the inn.
In the meeting, they discuss the logistics of how the group would work, and what they’re hoping to get out of it. I love this scene because it shows us Harry’s leadership qualities. Part of what makes him such a great protagonist is his willingness to take action, and that’s exactly what he does here. By the end of the meeting, 25 people have put their names down to be part of the group.
The Trio Finds Out the Truth About Sirius Black
Found in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapters 17 & 18: Cat, Rat and Dog, & Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. Harry finds out that it was really Peter Pettigrew who betrayed his parents.
The climax of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is an excellent one. It’s one of my favorite twists in the series as it seems to come out of nowhere. The audience has spent the whole book/ movie feeling angry toward Sirius Black in solidarity with Harry. So we’re just as shocked as he is when we find out that everything we thought we knew about Sirius is a lie.
After the trio watches Buckbeak’s execution from afar, a giant black dog comes out of nowhere and bites Ron in the leg, dragging him under the Whomping Willow. Harry and Hermione follow (with difficulty!) and find that the tree is concealing a secret passageway. They follow the route along and realize they’ve found themselves inside the Shrieking Shack.
Once they get inside, they see Ron, who’s clearly in pain over his mauled leg. He tries to warn them, but it’s too late, and Sirius Black closes the door on them. Harry is overtaken by rage to be confronted with the man who he thinks betrayed his parents. He starts to attack Sirius, but before he can do any damage, Lupin comes through the door and disarms him.
The trio are shocked, thinking that Lupin has been secretly helping Sirius all this time. Hermione calls him out, accusing him of being a traitor and a werewolf. Lupin admits to being a werewolf, but denies being a traitor, and claims that Sirius wasn’t the one who betrayed Harry’s parents. Instead, he tells them it was Peter Pettigrew, the man who had been assumed dead.
It’s revealed that Ron’s pet rat Scabbers is actually Peter Pettigrew in animagus form. Lupin and Sirius transfigure him back into a human, much to Ron’s dismay. During the interrogation, Pettigrew confesses to sharing the Potters’ location with Voldemort. Harry finally finds out who’s to blame for their death, and forgives Sirius.
Harry Meets Aberforth Dumbledore
Found in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow, Chapter 28: The Missing Mirror. The trio are saved by Aberforth Dumbledore and learn about his backstory with Albus Dumbledore.
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the trio are on the run from Death Eaters and the Ministry, desperately trying to locate and destroy all of Voldemort’s horcruxes. They realize they need to explore Hogwarts to get more information and try to sneak in via Hogsmeade. Unfortunately, they trigger an alarm and assume that they’re doomed.
However, the barman of the Hog’s Head saves them and is revealed to be Aberforth Dumbledore, Albus Dumbledore’s estranged brother. He’s been helping them from afar all along, even sending Dobby to help them. Annoyingly, one of the key parts of this reveal isn’t included in the movie, so allow me to give you some background information.
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Sirius gives Harry a magic two-way mirror as a gift, so that they can talk to each other. But Harry forgets and never uses it, only finding it again after Sirius is already dead. But in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry takes the mirror with him and frequently sees a pair of eyes watching him. It’s revealed that Aberforth was the new owner of Sirius’s part of the mirror, and had been keeping an eye on Harry through it. Harry recognizes the eyes when he meets him in person.
Aberforth is very pessimistic about their chances of defeating Voldemort, claiming that Albus can’t be trusted. He reveals the tragic background story of his family, and how Dumbledore’s dynamic (it’s unclear whether it was a friendship, alliance, or relationship) with Grindelwald led to his sister Ariana being killed.
Harry shares how Albus never got over the death of his sister and repeated what Dumbledore had said in his weakened state after drinking the torturous potion in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This is when Dumbledore saw a memory of Grindelwald trying to hurt them. Eventually, Aberforth begrudgingly agrees to help them and shows them a passageway into the castle.
FAQs
Answer: Yes, there’s a replica of the village in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a theme park attraction that can be found in California or Florida. Both are part of Universal Studios.
Answer: In the books they just walk there, accompanied by Argus Filch. In the movies, however, they’re taken there in carriages.
Answer: The village of Hogsmeade was first founded in 993 AD by a wizard called Hengist of Woodcroft. He created it to be a safe haven for witches and wizards, and it certainly became that. Hengist of Woodcroft also had a chocolate frog card created to share his legacy.
Conclusion
As you can see, Hogsmeade is a vibrant and thriving wizarding community that offers a lot of variety to visitors. Its proximity to Hogwarts makes it a perfect day trip location for students and its popularity reflects that every month. There are so many stores for the students to enjoy, especially the sweet shop, Honeydukes.
Hopefully, this guide has made you aware of everything that Hogsmeade has to offer, as well as its relevance to the series. There are so many fascinating scenes that occur here. Some of my favorite moments happen in Hogsmeade and it was a joy to share them with you all.
If you’re not done learning more about the wizarding world, check out some of our other articles! If you’re curious about other schools, we have a compelling Durmstrang guide for you to read. Or if you’d prefer to learn about places closer to home, here’s a guide to Malfoy Manor!