A quiver is a container designed to hold arrows. While never explicitly described in the novels, it is an essential piece of equipment for any archer. Traditionally crafted from materials like leather or wood, a quiver is typically worn on the user's back or hip, allowing for rapid access to arrows for a bow. The quivers utilized by the Centaurs of the Forbidden Forest are presumably made by the centaurs themselves, reflecting their self-sufficient culture and their skill in working with natural resources. In the film adaptations, centaurs are shown wearing simple, functional quivers on their backs (film).
The quiver itself has no known magical properties. Its purpose is the practical, non-magical function of carrying arrows. It is a vital component of a centaur's combat and hunting gear, enabling them to be proficient and formidable archers. The arrows contained within are used for defense against threats, hunting for sustenance, and in warfare against enemies such as Giants and Death Eaters.
The history of the quiver is directly tied to the history of archery within the centaur community. As a race known for their skills in combat and their distrust of wizards, Centaurs have long relied on the bow and arrow as their primary weapon. The quiver has served as a standard piece of their equipment for centuries. During the Second Wizarding War, the importance of this item was demonstrated during the Battle of Hogwarts. The centaur herd charged into the battle, firing a continuous volley of arrows at Lord Voldemort's army. Their ability to sustain this attack implies they were all well-equipped with quivers full of ammunition.
Although the quiver as a physical object is rarely mentioned by name, its presence is strongly implied whenever Centaurs are described as being armed for battle. When the centaur herd confronted Dolores Umbridge in the Forbidden Forest, they were described as having their bows raised with arrows notched, necessitating quivers to hold their remaining ammunition. Their crucial intervention in the Battle of Hogwarts further underscores the role of their archery equipment. The term is also used in a metaphorical sense in an issue of The Quibbler read by Harry Potter. The magazine speculates that Cornelius Fudge might have “a quiver-full of goblin gold stashed away,” a pun on the phrase “cauldron-full” to suggest he had been bribed by the Goblins.