======The House Point System======
=====Introduction=====
The **House Point** system is the traditional method of reward and punishment used at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. It is designed to foster a sense of competition, camaraderie, and discipline among the students of the four [[Hogwarts Houses|Houses]]: [[Gryffindor]], [[Hufflepuff]], [[Ravenclaw]], and [[Slytherin]]. Points are awarded for academic achievement, commendable acts, and good behavior, and are deducted for rule infractions. The cumulative total of these points determines the winner of the [[House Cup]] at the end of each school year. The system serves as a significant backdrop to student life and is often a source of great pride, rivalry, and, at times, injustice.
=====System Information=====
  * **Type:** Academic and Disciplinary Scoring System
  * **Administrators:** [[Headmaster]], [[Heads of House]], [[Professors]], [[Prefects]], and, under specific circumstances, other appointed student bodies like the [[Inquisitorial Squad]].
  * **Origin:** While not explicitly stated, the system was likely established by the [[Founders of Hogwarts]] as a way to encourage positive conduct and inter-house competition.
=====Description and Physical Representation=====
The official and public tally of House Points is magically kept in the [[Entrance Hall]] of [[Hogwarts]]. The points for each house are represented by enormous, enchanted [[House Point Hourglasses]]. Each hourglass corresponds to one of the four houses and is filled with precious gems of its respective house colour:
  * **Gryffindor:** [[Rubies]]
  * **Hufflepuff:** [[Topazes]]
  * **Ravenclaw:** [[Sapphires]]
  * **Slytherin:** [[Emeralds]]
When a student earns points for their house, a corresponding number of gems fall from the top bulb of the hourglass to the bottom. Conversely, when points are lost, gems magically return to the top bulb. These hourglasses provide a constant, visible measure of each house's standing in the competition for the [[House Cup]].
=====Functionality and Purpose=====
The primary function of the House Point system is to maintain order and incentivize excellence among the student body.
  * **Awarding Points:** Points are typically awarded by [[Professors]] for a variety of reasons, including:
    *   Answering difficult questions correctly in class.
    *   Exceptional performance in schoolwork or magical practice.
    *   Acts of bravery, chivalry, or kindness.
    *   Reporting rule-breaking or helping faculty members.
  * **Deducting Points:** Points can be deducted by [[Professors]] and [[Prefects]] for various infractions, such as:
    *   Being out of bed after curfew.
    *   Entering forbidden areas of the castle.
    *   Disrespecting a faculty member.
    *   Fighting or jinxing other students.
    *   Cheating or failing to complete assignments.
The ultimate goal of accumulating points is to win the [[House Cup]], an honour bestowed upon the house with the highest point total at the end-of-year feast. The winning house has its colours displayed in the [[Great Hall]] for the following year, a matter of considerable prestige.
=====Notable Events and Role in the Story=====
The House Point system is a recurring plot device that reflects the prevailing moral and political climate at [[Hogwarts]].
  * **The First Year:** The system is central to the climax of [[Harry Potter]]'s first year. After [[Slytherin]] is announced as the winner of the [[House Cup]], [[Albus Dumbledore]] awards last-minute points to [[Harry Potter]] (60), [[Ron Weasley]] (50), [[Hermione Granger]] (50), and [[Neville Longbottom]] (10). This secures a dramatic, one-point victory for [[Gryffindor]] and establishes a key theme: that different forms of courage are worthy of reward.
  * **The Second Year:** Following their ordeal in the [[Chamber of Secrets]], [[Harry Potter]] and [[Ron Weasley]] are each awarded 200 "Special Services to the School" points by [[Dumbledore]], once again clinching the [[House Cup]] for [[Gryffindor]].
  * **The Fifth Year: Corruption of the System:** Under the authority of the [[Ministry of Magic]], [[Dolores Umbridge]] fundamentally corrupts the system. She grants herself, and later her hand-picked [[Inquisitorial Squad]] (composed mostly of [[Slytherin]] students), the power to deduct points. This power is heavily abused to punish members of [[Dumbledore's Army]] and unfairly favour [[Slytherin]], demonstrating how a system of order can be weaponized for political control. After [[Umbridge]] is removed, [[Dumbledore]] awards numerous points to the students who fought at the [[Ministry of Magic]], restoring balance.
  * **The Seventh Year: A Tool of Oppression:** During the tenure of [[Headmaster]] [[Severus Snape]] and the Carrow siblings, the House Point system becomes a tool of the [[Death Eater]] regime. It is used to punish any student who defies their authority, with the [[House Point Hourglasses]] for [[Gryffindor]] noted as being completely empty before the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone//, the [[House Point Hourglasses]] are depicted as tall, cylindrical tubes containing floating gems rather than traditional hourglasses.
  * While the UK first edition of //Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone// states that the [[Hufflepuff]] hourglass contains [[topazes]], later editions of the book and information from the Pottermore/Wizarding World website list them as [[diamonds]]. (Pottermore)
  * In several //Harry Potter// video games, collecting House Point items is a key gameplay mechanic, often represented by small, glowing hourglasses or gems scattered throughout [[Hogwarts]] castle. (video game)