Pincushion

A pincushion is a small, stuffed cushion, typically used in sewing, to store pins or needles with their heads protruding to keep them organised and accessible.

The only mention of a pincushion in the original seven novels occurs in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. During a discussion about post-Hogwarts career options, Fred Weasley and George Weasley tease their younger brother, Ron Weasley, about his lack of clear ambition. After Fred suggests Ron could be a “pot-scraper,” George jokingly adds that he could be a “pincushion-stuffer.” Both are presented as examples of mundane and undesirable professions in the Wizarding World.

In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, a pincushion appears as the result of a magical mistake. During a Transfiguration lesson, Neville Longbottom attempts to transfigure a guinea fowl but instead turns it into a pincushion. Harry Potter internally muses that it was a start, as the resulting pincushion still had feathers. This scene does not occur in the original novel and is an invention for the film. (film)