Cherubs

• Type: Magical Messenger Service
• Owners: N/A (This refers to a temporary service rather than a possessable object; see History)
• Maker: N/A (The 'cherubs' are dwarfs hired to perform this role)

The so-called “cherubs” are in fact dwarfs hired and dressed for a specific occasion. In their only known appearance, they were described as a dozen “surly-looking” or “grim-faced” dwarfs. For their role as Valentine's Day messengers, they were outfitted to resemble a Muggle interpretation of Cupid. Each dwarf wore golden wings and carried a small, golden harp. Their demeanor was noted to be unpleasant and contrasted sharply with their festive appearance.

The primary function of the cherubs is to deliver Valentines. They are not a natural magical creature, but rather dwarfs performing a hired service. Their methods are notably aggressive and direct.

• Persistence: They are extremely persistent in their duty, pursuing their assigned target relentlessly throughout the day until the delivery is made.
• Physicality: To ensure delivery, a cherub will physically restrain the recipient. This was demonstrated when one tackled Harry Potter in a corridor, pinning him by the ankles to prevent his escape.
• Singing Valentines: In addition to delivering physical cards, they are capable of performing “singing valentines,” loudly reciting a verse for the recipient in a public setting.

The only recorded use of these cherub messengers at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry occurred on Valentine's Day in 1993. The service was arranged by Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at the time, who presented them to the school during breakfast in the Great Hall. He claimed they were “card-carrying Cupids” and that their purpose was to improve school morale amidst the tension surrounding the re-opening of the Chamber of Secrets. The cherubs roamed the castle for the entire day, causing significant disruption as they delivered messages. Their aggressive tactics made them a general nuisance to students and staff alike; Professor Flitwick, for example, was squashed against a wall by one. Professor McGonagall also showed clear disapproval of their presence.

Despite their seemingly frivolous nature, the cherubs played a pivotal, albeit indirect, role in the events of Harry's second year. A cherub, hired by Ginny Weasley, cornered Harry Potter to deliver a loud and embarrassing singing valentine. In the struggle, the cherub tackled Harry, causing his school bag to rip and spill its contents. Among the scattered spellbooks and his wand, Tom Riddle's Diary fell to the floor and landed in a puddle of spilled red ink. This accident, which publicly revealed the diary to onlookers like Draco Malfoy, was crucial. The spilled ink appeared to be absorbed by the diary's pages without leaving a trace, which later prompted Harry to test the book's properties by writing in it. This act initiated his first communication with the memory of Tom Riddle, driving the central mystery of the Chamber of Secrets plot forward.

• The entire subplot involving Gilderoy Lockhart's Valentine's Day cherubs was omitted from the film adaptation, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. (film)
• The term “cherub” traditionally refers to a type of angelic being, often depicted in art as a chubby, winged infant (a putto), which is likely the source for Lockhart's choice of costume for the dwarfs. This contrasts humorously with the surly and brutish nature of the actual messengers in the novel.