Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ======The House Cup====== =====Object Information===== * **Type:** Annual [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] Competition and Award * **Owners:** Not owned, but awarded annually to the [[Hogwarts House]] with the most points. * **Maker:** Presumed to have been established by the [[Hogwarts Founders]]. =====Description and Appearance===== The [[House Cup]] is an annual award presented at the end of the [[school year]] to the [[Hogwarts House]] that has accumulated the highest number of [[House Points]]. The competition fosters a sense of community and rivalry among the four houses: [[Gryffindor]], [[Hufflepuff]], [[Ravenclaw]], and [[Slytherin]]. The official score is tracked publicly in the [[Entrance Hall]] by four giant, enchanted [[hourglasses]], one for each [[House]]. Instead of sand, these hourglasses are filled with precious gems corresponding to each house's colours: * **[[Gryffindor]]:** Rubies * **[[Hufflepuff]]:** Diamonds * **[[Ravenclaw]]:** Sapphires * **[[Slytherin]]:** Emeralds Whenever a student earns or loses points, the jewels in their respective hourglass magically fall to the bottom bulb or rise to the top bulb, providing a constant visual representation of the standings. The prize for winning the [[House Cup]] is primarily one of honour. During the End-of-Term Feast, the [[Great Hall]] is decorated with the colours and emblems of the winning [[House]]. While a physical trophy is implied by the name, its specific appearance is not described in the novels. =====Magical Properties and Usage===== The competition is based on a system of [[House Points]], which are awarded or deducted based on students' actions throughout the [[school year]]. - **Earning Points:** Students earn points for their [[House]] for a variety of positive actions, including: * Correctly answering difficult questions in class. * Demonstrating exceptional magical skill. * Performing acts of bravery or chivalry. * Winning the [[Quidditch Cup]] for their [[House]]. * General good behaviour and helpfulness. - **Losing Points:** Points are deducted for infractions of school rules, such as: * Being out of bed after hours. * Entering forbidden areas of the castle or grounds. * Disobeying a [[professor]] or [[Prefect]]. * Using magic improperly in the corridors. Points can be awarded or taken away by members of the [[Hogwarts Staff]], the [[Headmaster]], the [[Head Boy]], the [[Head Girl]], and [[Prefects]]. The final point totals are announced by the [[Headmaster]] during the End-of-Term Feast, where the winner is declared. =====History===== Before [[Harry Potter]]'s first year, [[Slytherin]] had won the [[House Cup]] for seven consecutive years. The competition results during Harry's time at [[Hogwarts]] were as follows: * **1991-1992 [[School Year]]:** [[Slytherin]] was in the lead and expected to win. However, at the feast, [[Albus Dumbledore]] awarded last-minute points to [[Harry Potter]] (60), [[Ron Weasley]] (50), [[Hermione Granger]] (50), and [[Neville Longbottom]] (10) for their bravery in stopping [[Professor Quirrell]] from stealing the [[Philosopher's Stone]]. These points secured a dramatic victory for [[Gryffindor]]. * **1992-1993 [[School Year]]:** The competition was suspended, and final exams were cancelled due to the events surrounding the opening of the [[Chamber of Secrets]]. However, [[Dumbledore]] awarded 400 points to [[Gryffindor]] for Harry and Ron's defeat of the [[Basilisk]], noting they would have won the cup. * **1993-1994 [[School Year]]:** [[Gryffindor]] won the [[House Cup]] for a third consecutive year. Their victory was greatly helped by also winning the [[Quidditch Cup]] for the first time in many years. * **1994-1995 [[School Year]]:** The winner is not stated. The competition was largely overshadowed by the [[Triwizard Tournament]] and the tragic death of [[Cedric Diggory]]. * **1995-1996 [[School Year]]:** The winner is not mentioned. The points system was heavily manipulated by [[Dolores Umbridge]] and her [[Inquisitorial Squad]], who unjustly took points from [[Gryffindor]] and [[Hufflepuff]] while excessively rewarding [[Slytherin]]. * **1996-1997 [[School Year]]:** [[Gryffindor]] won the [[House Cup]]. Before leaving [[Hogwarts]] with [[Dumbledore]], [[Harry]] observed that the ruby-filled hourglass was significantly fuller than the others. * **1997-1998 [[School Year]]:** The [[House Cup]] competition was effectively dismantled as [[Hogwarts]] fell under the control of [[Lord Voldemort]], with [[Death Eaters]] serving as professors and [[Severus Snape]] as [[Headmaster]]. =====Role in the Story===== The [[House Cup]] is a fundamental part of the [[Hogwarts]] experience and serves several key narrative functions in the series. * **Establishing Rivalry:** It is the primary engine for the inter-house rivalry that defines much of school life, particularly the ongoing competition between [[Gryffindor]] and [[Slytherin]]. * **Plot Device:** The competition is central to the climax of //[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]//. [[Dumbledore]]'s public rewarding of points for moral courage over rule-following establishes a core theme of the series and validates the trio's secret heroism. * **Atmospheric Barometer:** The state of the [[House Cup]] competition often serves as an indicator of the overall stability of the school. Its disruption or suspension in years two, four, five, and seven signals that a more significant crisis has eclipsed the normal routines of school life. =====Behind the Scenes===== * In the film adaptation of //[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]//, the [[Great Hall]] is initially decorated with green and silver [[Slytherin]] banners. When [[Dumbledore]] announces the final point changes, the banners magically flutter and transform into the scarlet and gold of [[Gryffindor]], a visual flourish not detailed in the book. (film) * The Pottermore website (now Wizarding World) featured a long-running interactive [[House Cup]] competition where users, sorted into one of the four houses, could earn points for their house through participation in site activities. (Pottermore)
