Sword of Gryffindor

• Type: Goblin-made weapon, Magical Artefact, Horcrux-destroyer
• Owners: Godric Gryffindor, Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom (briefly)
• Maker: Ragnuk the First

The Sword of Gryffindor is a beautiful, magnificent sword forged from pure goblin-made silver. It is described as being brilliantly gleaming and is adorned with large, egg-sized, circular rubies set into the hilt. The name of its original owner, Godric Gryffindor, is engraved just below the hilt. As a product of master goblin craftsmanship, it is impervious to dirt and rust, and never requires cleaning.

The sword possesses several significant magical properties that make it one of the most powerful magical objects in the wizarding world.

• Goblin Craftsmanship: Being goblin-forged, the sword is enchanted in such a way that it is indestructible. It repels dirt and imbibes only that which makes it stronger.
• Imbibing Strength: The sword's most crucial magical property is its ability to absorb substances that will enhance its power. After Harry Potter used it to kill the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, it became imbued with Basilisk venom, a potent magical substance capable of destroying Horcruxes. This property is not unique to Basilisk venom; it would absorb the power of anything that could strengthen it.
• Appearing to True Gryffindors: The sword has a unique connection to Gryffindor House and will present itself to any “true Gryffindor” who demonstrates courage and is in great need of it. It typically appears from within the Sorting Hat, which also belonged to Godric Gryffindor. It does not respond to calls from those who are not worthy, regardless of their ownership claims.

The sword was forged in the 10th century by the celebrated goblin king Ragnuk the First, the finest of goblin silversmiths, as a commission for Godric Gryffindor. After its creation, Ragnuk grew to covet the sword and attempted to repossess it, sending his minions to retrieve it. Gryffindor defended himself with his wand and sent the goblins back with a threat that if Ragnuk ever tried to steal from him again, he would unsheathe the sword against them all. This event became the basis for a false goblin legend that Gryffindor had stolen the sword, a story that fueled centuries of mistrust between wizards and goblins. The dispute stems from a core cultural difference: wizards believe an object belongs to the buyer once purchased, while goblins believe an object's true owner is always its maker, with the “buyer” merely renting it for their lifetime. For centuries, the sword was kept safely in a glass case in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The Sword of Gryffindor plays a pivotal role in Harry Potter's fight against Lord Voldemort.

• In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry draws the sword from the Sorting Hat while in the Chamber of Secrets. He uses it to slay the Basilisk, and its venom subsequently imbues the blade.
• Albus Dumbledore later uses the venom-infused sword to destroy Marvolo Gaunt's Ring, one of Voldemort's Horcruxes.
• In his will, Dumbledore bequeaths the sword to Harry, but the Ministry of Magic, led by Rufus Scrimgeour, blocks the inheritance, arguing it is a historical artefact that was never Dumbledore's to give away.
• To protect the real sword, Severus Snape, acting as Hogwarts Headmaster, places a convincing copy in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringotts Wizarding Bank, while hiding the true one.
• Under instructions from Dumbledore's portrait, Snape delivers the real sword to Harry by placing it at the bottom of a frozen pond in the Forest of Dean, leading him to it with his doe Patronus. Ron Weasley retrieves it and uses it to destroy Salazar Slytherin's Locket.
• The goblin Griphook demands the sword as payment for helping the trio break into Gringotts. He takes the sword but it disappears from his grasp during their chaotic escape after he proclaims it belongs to the goblins.
• During the Battle of Hogwarts, the sword reappears from the Sorting Hat for Neville Longbottom, who uses it to decapitate Nagini, destroying the final Horcrux and rendering Voldemort mortal.

• J.K. Rowling has stated that the sword's ability to present itself to a worthy Gryffindor is reminiscent of the legend of the Sword in the Stone, where a weapon of great power can only be wielded by the rightful and worthy individual.
• The conflict over the sword's ownership is used to explore complex themes of cultural property and historical grievances between the wizards and goblins.
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1, the destruction of the locket Horcrux is depicted more dramatically, showing the Horcrux projecting images of Harry and Hermione Granger kissing to torment Ron. (film)