The End-of-Term Feast

• Type: Annual School Tradition / Feast
• Location: Great Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
• Owner/Residents: Presided over by the Headmaster or Headmistress; attended by Hogwarts staff and students.
• Key Features: Announcement of the House Cup winner, celebratory house decorations, special menu from the house-elves, end-of-year speeches.

The End-of-Term Feast, also known as the leaving feast, is a long-standing tradition at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is held in the Great Hall on the final evening of the school year, just before the Hogwarts Express departs for London the following morning. The feast serves as a formal conclusion to the academic year, celebrating the students' achievements and, most significantly, announcing the winner of the annual House Cup. The Great Hall is specially decorated for the occasion. Initially, the banners and decorations display the colours of the house that has, up to that point, earned the most house points. This is a moment of great anticipation, as final, often significant, points can be awarded by the Headmaster during the feast itself, potentially changing the outcome at the last second. The food served is particularly festive, prepared by the house-elves in the kitchens below. The atmosphere is typically one of excitement and relief, though on several occasions during Harry Potter's time at school, the feast was marked by solemnity and mourning.

The End-of-Term Feast is a significant event in nearly every school year documented in the series, often serving as a backdrop for major revelations and plot developments.

1. First Year: The feast initially features Slytherin green and silver banners, as they are in the lead for the House Cup. However, Albus Dumbledore awards last-minute points to Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom, leading to a dramatic victory for Gryffindor. The banners magically change from green and silver to scarlet and gold.
2. Second Year: Following the resolution of the Chamber of Secrets crisis, the feast is a joyous occasion. Hagrid returns from Azkaban, all end-of-year exams are cancelled as a school treat, and Gryffindor wins the House Cup for the second year in a row.
3. Third Year: The mood is exceptionally cheerful as Gryffindor has won not only the House Cup for the third consecutive time but also the Quidditch Cup. The only somber note is the departure of Professor Remus Lupin.
4. Fourth Year: The feast is a somber and mournful event. In the wake of Cedric Diggory's murder and the return of Lord Voldemort, the Great Hall is decorated with black drapes. Instead of a celebratory speech, Dumbledore delivers a eulogy for Cedric and warns the student body about the dark times ahead, urging them to remain united.
5. Fifth Year: Harry Potter does not attend the End-of-Term Feast. He leaves Hogwarts early after the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and his subsequent conversation with Dumbledore about the Prophecy.
6. Sixth Year: The traditional feast is cancelled. Following the death of Albus Dumbledore during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower, the end of term is marked by his funeral on the grounds instead of a feast in the Great Hall.
7. Seventh Year: With Hogwarts under the control of Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters, the traditional school year and its customs, including the feast, do not occur. A victory gathering is held in the Great Hall after the Battle of Hogwarts, but it serves as a moment of both mourning for the fallen and celebration of Voldemort's defeat.

While not a physical location with “areas,” the feast is defined by its key traditional components and events:

• The Decorations: The primary decorations are the large banners representing the four houses. They are initially enchanted to show the colours of the house currently leading in points for the House Cup but can be magically altered if a different house wins at the last moment.
• The Headmaster's Speech: The Headmaster traditionally addresses the students to mark the end of the year. These speeches range from celebratory remarks by Dumbledore to his grave warning about Voldemort's return.
• The Awarding of the House Cup: This is the central event of the feast. The Head of House of the winning house is typically congratulated, and the students of that house celebrate their victory. The House Point Hourglasses in the Entrance Hall reflect the final standings.
• The Food and Drink: A lavish spread is provided by the house-elves, featuring a wide variety of magical and non-magical dishes and drinks, such as Pumpkin Juice.

In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the scene where Dumbledore awards the last-minute points to Gryffindor is visually similar to the book's description, with the banners in the Great Hall magically changing from green and silver to scarlet and gold. (film)