Temporary Residences During the Horcrux Hunt
Location Information
- Type: Nomadic Campsites, Hideouts, Safe Houses
- Location: Various undisclosed locations across Great Britain, including forests, riverbanks, and moors.
- Owner/Residents: Primarily Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. Other temporary residents or occupants of similar hideouts included Dean Thomas, Ted Tonks, Dirk Cresswell, Gornuk, and Griphook. Later, Shell Cottage served as a key safe house.
- Key Features: Magical concealment via protective enchantments, constant relocation, an Undetectable Extension Charm on the primary tent.
Description and History
The temporary residences were a series of constantly changing campsites and safe houses used by Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger during their hunt for Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes in 1997-1998. After fleeing the attack by Death Eaters at the wedding of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour, the trio could not return to The Burrow or establish a permanent base, forcing them into a life on the run. Their primary shelter was a magical tent, formerly owned by a Ministry of Magic wizard named Perkins, which was lent to them by Arthur Weasley. While appearing as a small, shabby canvas tent from the outside, its interior was magically expanded to the size of a small flat, complete with a kitchen, a bathroom, and bunk beds. This Undetectable Extension Charm made their nomadic existence bearable. Each time they set up camp, Hermione Granger would cast a complex web of protective enchantments around the perimeter. These spells included Protego Totalum, Salvio Hexia, the Muggle-Repelling Charm, and the Muffliato Charm to prevent their conversations from being overheard. They were forced to move camp frequently to avoid detection by Voldemort's forces and the compromised Ministry of Magic. The constant isolation, scarcity of food, and the negative influence of the locket Horcrux placed immense strain on the trio's friendship.
Role in the Story
These transient locations form the primary setting for a significant portion of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. They represent the trio's complete isolation from the wizarding world and the immense burden of their mission. Key events that occurred while living in these temporary residences include:
- Overhearing information about the Sword of Gryffindor from Phineas Nigellus Black's portrait.
- Listening to the clandestine radio program Potterwatch for news of the resistance.
- The major argument between Harry and Ron, fueled by the locket, which resulted in Ron's temporary departure.
- Harry and Hermione's visit to Godric's Hollow, where they were attacked by Nagini.
- Harry's discovery of the Sword of Gryffindor in a frozen pond in the Forest of Dean, guided by Severus Snape's Patronus.
- Ron's return, his rescue of Harry, and his destruction of the locket Horcrux with the sword.
- The trio's visit to the home of Xenophilius Lovegood, where they learned about the Deathly Hallows.
- Their eventual capture by a group of Snatchers led by Fenrir Greyback, which occurred after Harry accidentally spoke Voldemort's name, a word that had been made a Taboo to track members of the Order of the Phoenix.
This period of wandering and hardship was crucial for the trio's character development, forcing them to rely solely on each other's skills and resilience before the final confrontation at the Battle of Hogwarts.
Known Areas and Protective Measures
- The Enchanted Tent: The central living space. It contained three bunk beds, a small kitchen table, chairs, and an attached bathroom. Despite its magical comforts, it became a symbol of their confinement and the rising tensions between them.
- 12 Grimmauld Place: The trio's first hideout after the wedding. They were forced to abandon it after inadvertently leading the Death Eater Yaxley there during their infiltration of the Ministry of Magic.
- Protective Enchantments: A suite of defensive spells was essential for their survival. These included Protego Totalum (for general protection), Salvio Hexia (to deflect hexes), Repello Muggletum (to keep Muggles away), and Muffliato (to muffle sound).
- Shell Cottage: The home of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour. After their escape from Malfoy Manor, this location served as a true safe house, protected by the Fidelius Charm. It was a place of recovery and planning before the final stages of their mission.
Behind the Scenes
In the film adaptation, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, the long period of camping is depicted with scenes emphasizing the bleakness and emotional toll of the journey. A notable scene, not present in the book, shows Harry and Hermione sharing a brief, consoling dance inside the tent to a song by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, highlighting their shared loneliness after Ron's departure (film). The filmmakers used various scenic locations across the UK to convey the sense of vast, isolating wilderness.