The Boy Who Lived has finally made it over the hill. Harry Potter was (fictionally) born on July 31, 1980, which means today he has hit the big 4-0. Time for birthday trivia!
Ron Weasley is heading back from Diagon Alley to Harry and Ginny’s place with a bunch of black balloons and graveyard party favors as we speak, I’m sure.
In honor of this auspicious day and my love for all things Potter, here’s a quiz about everyone’s favorite boy wizard — and gifts and birthdays — as he becomes officially middle aged.
Questions
- After many attempts by the Dursleys to avoid the magically delivered letters for Harry, Hagrid arrives on Harry’s 11th birthday bearing his Hogwarts acceptance letter, which is addressed to him at what remote location?
- During his first year at Hogwarts, Harry receives an invisibility cloak for Christmas from an anonymous source (who we later learn was Dumbledore). The card attached reads “Your father left this in my possession when he died. It is time it was returned to you.” What three word phrase completes the inscription on the card?
- Harry finds a letter written by his mother just after his first birthday to Sirius, in which she thanks Harry’s godfather for sending her son what present that he absolutely adores?
- RIP Hedwig, who was Harry’s companion at Hogwarts and the Dursleys’ for six years before tragically getting blasted by a Death Eater in the Battle of the Seven Potters. Who gave Hedwig to Harry as a birthday present?
- Lonely without his friends and miserable over the summer in the Muggle world, what magical creature and very important character does Harry meet on his 12th birthday?
- Hermione turns out be a pretty good gift-giver: What quidditch-related gift does she send to Harry for his 13th birthday?
- The Order of the Phoenix removed Harry from the house on Privet Drive at few days before his 17th birthday because the protection offered to him by his Aunt Petunia was set to expire when he came of age. What other charm is lifted from witches and wizards when they turn 17?
- In his sixth year, what Gryffindor girl gifts Harry a box of Chocolate Cauldrons spiked with love potion, though Ron ends up eating them by accident and becomes obsessed with her?
- Harry and Ron have a falling out with Hermione during their third year because she gets what present that Harry receives confiscated temporarily by Professor McGonagall?
- Starting with his first year at Hogwarts, Harry always receives what Christmas gift from Mrs. Weasley, an indication of her maternal feelings toward him?
Answers up after the scene where Harry rides Buckbeak for the first time in “Prisoner of Azkaban,” which is how everyone should feel on their birthday, even their 40th.
Answers
- Hut-on-the-Rock
- “Use it well.”
- A toy broomstick
- Hagrid
- Dobby
- Broomstick servicing kit
- The Trace
- Romilda Vane
- His Firebolt
- A “Weasley jumper” (or sweater) with his initial on it
Love Harry Potter? Download our full Harry Potter specialty quiz for seven rounds of magical goodness!