======Passwords======
=====Definition and Use=====
In the wizarding world, a **password** is a secret word or phrase used to gain access to a location that is magically guarded or concealed. This security measure is most prominently featured at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], where it is used to protect the entrances to three of the four [[House]] common rooms and the [[Headmaster's office]].
Typically, a password must be spoken aloud to a magical guardian, such as an enchanted [[portrait]] or a stone [[gargoyle]]. If the correct password is provided, the guardian will permit entry by moving aside to reveal the hidden entrance. The use of passwords serves not only as a security measure against intruders but also as a means of ensuring privacy for the area's inhabitants. Passwords for [[Hogwarts]] common rooms are changed regularly to maintain security.
This method contrasts with the access requirements for other [[Hogwarts]] locations. For instance, the [[Ravenclaw Tower]] entrance requires answering a philosophical riddle posed by a bronze eagle knocker, while the [[Hufflepuff]] common room is accessed by tapping a specific barrel in the rhythm of '[[Helga Hufflepuff]]'.
=====Known Passwords in the Harry Potter Series=====
====Gryffindor Tower====
The entrance to the [[Gryffindor]] common room is guarded by the [[portrait]] of the [[Fat Lady]], who requires the correct password before swinging open. She was briefly replaced by [[Sir Cadogan]] after being attacked by [[Sirius Black]].
  * **//Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone//**
    - **Caput Draconis:** Latin for "dragon's head."
    - **Pig Snout**
  * **//Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets//**
    - **Wattlebird**
  * **//Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban//**
    - **Fortuna Major:** Latin for "greater fortune."
    - **Oddsbodikins:** A password used by the temporary guardian, [[Sir Cadogan]], who changed passwords with frustrating frequency.
  * **//Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//**
    - **Balderdash**
    - **Fairy lights**
  * **//Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix//**
    - **Mimbulus mimbletonia**
  * **//Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince//**
    - **Dilligrout**
    - **Baubles**
    - **Abstinence**
    - **Quid Agis?:** Latin for "How are you?"
    - **Tapeworm**
====Slytherin Common Room====
The entrance to the [[Slytherin]] dungeon is a bare, damp stretch of stone wall. Speaking the password causes a concealed stone door to slide open.
  * **//Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets//**
    - **Pure-blood:** This password reflects the house's prejudice regarding blood status. [[Harry Potter]] and [[Ron Weasley]] used it to gain entry while disguised as [[Slytherin]] students using [[Polyjuice Potion]].
====Headmaster's Office====
The entrance to the [[Headmaster's office]] is protected by a large and imposing stone [[gargoyle]] that springs to life and moves aside when given the correct password. [[Albus Dumbledore]]'s passwords were traditionally the names of his favourite Muggle sweets.
  * **//Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone//**
    - **Sherbet Lemon:** Referred to as "Lemon Drop" in some editions.
  * **//Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//**
    - **Cockroach Cluster:** Guessed correctly by [[Harry Potter]].
  * **//Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix//**
    - **Fizzing Whizbee:** Given to Harry by [[Professor McGonagall]].
  * **//Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince//**
    - **Toffee Eclairs**
    - **Dumbledore:** Used by Harry after [[Dumbledore]]'s death to gain access to the office while [[Professor Snape]] was Headmaster. The gargoyle accepted the name itself as the password.
====Prefects' Bathroom====
Located on the fifth floor of [[Hogwarts Castle]], the entrance to the [[Prefects']]' bathroom is a white marble door that requires a password.
  * **//Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//**
    - **Pine fresh:** Given to Harry by [[Cedric Diggory]] as a clue for the second task of the [[Triwizard Tournament]].
=====Security and Culture=====
The password system at [[Hogwarts]] is a core part of student life. New passwords are given out by [[Prefects]] or the [[Head Boy]] and [[Head Girl]] and are expected to be memorized by all students of a given [[House]].
The system's main vulnerability is human error. [[Neville Longbottom]] was notoriously forgetful and often had to wait for other students to let him into [[Gryffindor Tower]]. In his third year, he wrote the passwords down on a list, which was subsequently stolen by [[Crookshanks]] and given to [[Sirius Black]]. This security breach allowed Sirius to enter the [[Gryffindor]] common room and attack [[Ron Weasley]]'s bed, demonstrating the critical importance of keeping passwords secret. Following this incident, the [[Fat Lady]] was reinstated as guardian with additional security trolls.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets//, [[Ron Weasley]] correctly guesses the [[Slytherin]] password is "**Pure-blood**" based on their known prejudices, whereas in the novel, he and Harry overhear [[Draco Malfoy]] say it. (film)
  * Detailed descriptions of the non-password entrances to the [[Hufflepuff]] and [[Ravenclaw]] common rooms were revealed on the Pottermore website. (Pottermore)