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| hufflepuff_039:s_cup [2025/08/02 10:36] – created xiaoer | hufflepuff_039:s_cup [2025/08/10 03:13] (current) – xiaoer |
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| ======Hufflepuff's Cup====== | ======Hufflepuff's Cup====== |
| =====Object Information===== | =====Object Information===== |
| * **Type:** [[Horcrux]], [[Founder's Relic]] | * **Type:** [[Horcrux]], Founder's Heirloom |
| * **Owners:** [[Helga Hufflepuff]], [[Hepzibah Smith]], [[Tom Riddle]] (later [[Lord Voldemort]]), [[Bellatrix Lestrange]] (on behalf of Voldemort) | * **Owners:** [[Helga Hufflepuff]], [[Hepzibah Smith]], [[Lord Voldemort]], [[Bellatrix Lestrange]], [[Harry Potter]], [[Ron Weasley]], [[Hermione Granger]] |
| * **Maker:** [[Helga Hufflepuff]] | * **Maker:** [[Helga Hufflepuff]] |
| =====Description and Appearance===== | =====Description and Appearance===== |
| Hufflepuff's Cup is a small, magical golden cup. It is described as having two finely-wrought handles and is engraved with a badger, the symbol of [[Hufflepuff House]]. When first seen by [[Harry Potter]] in a [[Pensieve]] memory, it is being presented by [[Hepzibah Smith]], who considered it a priceless family heirloom. At that time, it was an unassuming but finely crafted artifact. By the time Harry encounters it in the [[Lestrange Vault]], it has been transformed into a [[Horcrux]], and while its appearance remains the same, it radiates a powerful [[Dark Magic]]. | Hufflepuff's Cup is described as a small, magical golden cup with two finely-wrought handles. Its most prominent feature is an engraving of a badger, the emblem of [[Hufflepuff]] House. When [[Harry Potter]] first saw it in a memory, it was described as gleaming brightly. As a [[Horcrux]], it did not exhibit any outward signs of the dark magic it contained. |
| =====Magical Properties and Usage===== | =====Magical Properties and Usage===== |
| As a [[Horcrux]], the cup contained a fragment of [[Lord Voldemort]]'s [[soul]]. This enchantment made it incredibly resilient and immune to destruction by conventional magical means. To destroy it, one had to use a substance or spell of immense destructive power, such as [[Basilisk]] venom or [[Fiendfyre]]. | The cup's original magical properties are not explicitly detailed in the novels. Its owner, [[Hepzibah Smith]], boasted that it possessed "all sorts of powers," though this claim was never substantiated and may have been an expression of her pride in owning a Founder's heirloom. |
| Its original magical properties, bestowed by [[Helga Hufflepuff]], are unknown. [[Hepzibah Smith]] claimed that the cup possessed "all sorts of powers," though she admitted she had never been able to make them work. | The cup's primary and most significant magical property was its status as one of [[Lord Voldemort]]'s [[Horcrux]]es. By performing a murder and using the appropriate dark spell, Voldemort encased a fragment of his soul within the cup, granting him a form of immortality. This enchantment also rendered the cup extremely durable, making it immune to most forms of magical or physical damage. It could only be destroyed by substances or magic powerful enough to overcome [[Horcrux]] enchantments, such as [[Basilisk]] venom or [[Fiendfyre]]. |
| In the [[Lestrange Vault]] at [[Gringotts]], the cup was protected by several powerful dark enchantments: | In the [[Lestrange Vault]] at [[Gringotts]], the cup was protected by powerful curses, including the [[Gemino Curse]] and the [[Flagrante Curse]], which caused any object touched by a thief to multiply rapidly and burn red-hot. |
| * **[[Gemino Curse]]:** Caused any object touched to multiply endlessly, creating worthless, hot copies that threatened to crush intruders. | |
| * **[[Flagrante Curse]]:** Caused the objects to glow red-hot and burn anyone who touched them. | |
| These curses were designed to make retrieving the cup nearly impossible without the aid of a [[Goblin]] or the [[Sword of Gryffindor]]. | |
| =====History===== | =====History===== |
| - **Creation and Inheritance:** The cup was originally created by [[Helga Hufflepuff]], one of the four founders of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. It was passed down through her lineage for centuries. | The cup was the property of [[Helga Hufflepuff]], one of the four founders of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. It was passed down through her lineage for centuries, eventually coming into the possession of [[Hepzibah Smith]], a wealthy, elderly witch who was a distant descendant of Hufflepuff. |
| - **Ownership by Hepzibah Smith:** By the mid-20th century, the cup was in the possession of [[Hepzibah Smith]], a wealthy, elderly witch and a distant descendant of the [[Hufflepuff]] line. She treasured it alongside another Founder's relic, [[Slytherin's Locket]]. | In the mid-20th century, [[Tom Riddle]], then working for the dark arts shop [[Borgin and Burkes]], learned of the cup's existence. He visited Hepzibah under the guise of his charming demeanor and she, proud of her collection, showed him both Hufflepuff's Cup and [[Slytherin's Locket]]. Two days later, Riddle murdered Hepzibah, magically altered the memory of her [[House-Elf]], [[Hokey]], to make her confess to accidentally poisoning her mistress, and stole both heirlooms. |
| - **Theft by Tom Riddle:** A young [[Tom Riddle]], then working at [[Borgin and Burkes]], learned of the cup during a visit to Hepzibah. He charmed her into showing him her treasures. Two days later, he murdered her, magically altered the memory of her [[house-elf]], [[Hokey]], to make her confess to the crime, and stole both the cup and the locket. | Riddle used the murder of [[Hepzibah Smith]] to transform the cup into his third [[Horcrux]]. Believing it would be safest in a location of great security, he later entrusted the cup to one of his most loyal followers, [[Bellatrix Lestrange]]. She stored it deep within her family vault at [[Gringotts Wizarding Bank]] in [[Diagon Alley]]. |
| - **Transformation into a Horcrux:** [[Lord Voldemort]] used the murder of [[Hepzibah Smith]] to split his [[soul]] and transform the cup into his third [[Horcrux]]. | |
| - **Storage in Gringotts:** Believing it to be the ultimate mark of security, Voldemort entrusted the cup to his most fanatically loyal [[Death Eater]], [[Bellatrix Lestrange]]. She placed it for safekeeping deep within her family vault at [[Gringotts Wizarding Bank]], protected by numerous enchantments and a dragon. | |
| - **Destruction:** In 1998, [[Harry Potter]], [[Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]] learned of the cup's location after Bellatrix's terrified reaction to the [[Sword of Gryffindor]] at [[Malfoy Manor]]. With the help of the [[Goblin]] [[Griphook]], they broke into the [[Lestrange Vault]] and successfully retrieved the cup. During the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], [[Ron Weasley]] had the idea to use [[Basilisk]] fangs from the [[Chamber of Secrets]] to destroy the remaining Horcruxes. [[Hermione Granger]] took a fang and stabbed the cup, destroying the fragment of Voldemort's soul within it. | |
| =====Role in the Story===== | =====Role in the Story===== |
| Hufflepuff's Cup is one of the seven [[Horcruxes]] that [[Harry Potter]] must destroy to defeat [[Lord Voldemort]]. The quest for the cup drives a significant portion of the plot in //Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows//, leading to the high-stakes [[Gringotts]] break-in. This event is a critical test of the trio's courage and planning, but also results in the loss of the [[Sword of Gryffindor]] and their public exposure. | The cup is first introduced in //Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince//, when [[Albus Dumbledore]] shows Harry the memory of [[Hokey]] the [[House-Elf]] in the [[Pensieve]]. From this, they deduce that the cup was stolen by [[Lord Voldemort]] and was a likely candidate for a [[Horcrux]]. |
| The destruction of the cup is a pivotal moment during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]. It not only brings the heroes one step closer to defeating Voldemort but also marks a significant milestone in the relationship between [[Ron Weasley]] and [[Hermione Granger]], who share their first kiss immediately after the [[Horcrux]] is destroyed. | In //Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows//, Harry realizes the cup must be hidden in the [[Lestrange Vault]] after observing Bellatrix's terrified reaction to the possibility that the [[Sword of Gryffindor]] had been taken from her vault. With the reluctant help of the [[Goblin]] [[Griphook]], Harry, [[Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]] (disguised as Bellatrix via [[Polyjuice Potion]]) successfully break into [[Gringotts]]. They retrieve the cup after navigating the vault's treacherous curses and escape from the bank on the back of a blind [[Ukrainian Ironbelly]] dragon. |
| | The cup is destroyed during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]. Knowing that a [[Basilisk]] fang is imbued with venom powerful enough to destroy [[Horcrux]]es, Ron and Hermione enter the [[Chamber of Secrets]]. There, Hermione uses a fang from the [[Basilisk]]'s skeleton to stab the cup. The piece of Voldemort's soul within is destroyed, bringing the trio one step closer to defeating him. This shared act of bravery leads directly to Ron and Hermione's first kiss. |
| =====Behind the Scenes===== | =====Behind the Scenes===== |
| In the film adaptation, //Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2//, the effects of the [[Gemino Curse]] in the [[Lestrange Vault]] are shown as a tidal wave of multiplying treasure that threatens to bury and suffocate Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The destruction of the cup releases a ghostly, black cloud-like manifestation of Voldemort's soul, similar to the diary and locket, which lunges at Ron and Hermione before dissipating. (film) | * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2//, the destruction of the cup is visually depicted with a black, ghostly manifestation of [[Lord Voldemort]] screaming as it emerges from the cup before dissolving. This is a cinematic addition not present in the book. (film) |
| | * The film also enhances the effect of the [[Gemino Curse]] and [[Flagrante Curse]] in the [[Lestrange Vault]], showing the treasure multiplying into a massive, suffocating tide of burning-hot objects, a more dramatic representation than the book's description. (film) |
