Suits of Armor

• Type: Enchanted Objects, Castle Guardians
• Owners: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
• Maker: Unknown, but likely enchanted by powerful wizards such as the Founders of Hogwarts or subsequent Headmasters.

The suits of armor are a prominent feature within the corridors and halls of Hogwarts Castle. They are full sets of medieval plate armor, typically standing empty on plinths. Throughout the school year, they are known to be decorated for festive occasions, such as being enchanted to sing Christmas carols, albeit badly (“…o come, all ye faithful…”). They are a frequent part of the background of school life. Peeves the Poltergeist has a habit of causing mischief with them, such as dropping walking sticks inside them to create a racket or trapping Mrs Norris within a suit. Students also interact with them; Harry Potter once hid inside a suit of armor near the Hogwarts kitchens to avoid Argus Filch.

The suits of armor at Hogwarts are imbued with powerful enchantments that allow them to become animate. In their day-to-day state, they can move, switch places, and sometimes appear clumsy or confused. For instance, a suit of armor once had to be shown the way to the Great Hall by a prefect. Their primary and most significant magical purpose is to serve as the castle's last line of defense. When activated by a powerful spell like Piertotum Locomotor, they function as an enchanted army, defending Hogwarts from attackers. During the Battle of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall activated them, and they were seen battling Death Eaters and giants to protect the students and the school. Known instances of their animation or interaction include:

• Peeves jamming them with various objects.
• Singing Christmas carols.
• One being challenged to a duel by the portrait of Sir Cadogan.
• Fred and George Weasley transfiguring a suit of armor into a pile of cockroaches to create a diversion.
• Professor McGonagall ordering them to patrol the corridors after the attack on Katie Bell.

The enchantments on the suits of armor are part of the ancient magic that protects Hogwarts Castle. While their specific origin is not stated, they have been a feature of the castle for a very long time. Throughout the series, they are involved in numerous minor events:

1. 1992: Harry Potter hides in a suit of armor to avoid being caught by Argus Filch and Severus Snape after dripping mud in the corridor.
2. 1993: The portrait of Sir Cadogan is seen challenging a suit of armor to a duel.
3. 1994: Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger hide behind a suit of armor near the kitchens to eavesdrop on a conversation between Igor Karkaroff and Severus Snape. The suits are also decorated for the Yule Ball.
4. 1996: Fred and George Weasley create a Portable Swamp and transfigure a suit of armor to distract Dolores Umbridge. Later, Peeves traps Mrs Norris inside one, leading to Harry Potter's detention with Umbridge.
5. 1998: During the Battle of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall uses the Piertotum Locomotor spell to animate all the statues and suits of armor, ordering them to protect the castle. They become a vital part of the Hogwarts defenses, fighting against Lord Voldemort's army.

For most of the series, the suits of armor serve as an integral part of the magical atmosphere of Hogwarts, illustrating that the castle itself is alive with magic. They are used for comic relief, as hiding spots, and as evidence of the ambient magic that permeates the school. Their role culminates dramatically in the Battle of Hogwarts. Their transformation from passive, decorative objects into an active, loyal army symbolizes the castle itself rising to defend its inhabitants. This moment underscores the theme of Hogwarts being more than just a school; it is a home and a fortress of good, willing to fight back against evil.

• In the film adaptations, the suits of armor are frequently shown moving subtly in the background, adding to the magical ambiance of the castle (film).
• The scene of Minerva McGonagall animating the statues and armor in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is a visually dramatic moment, depicting them as a formidable stone army marching to war, which was a powerful expansion of their role described in the novel (film).