Skull Hookah

• Type: Magical Device
• Owners: Alastor Moody
• Maker: Unknown

The Skull Hookah is a curious magical object described as a skull-shaped hookah pipe. Its most distinctive feature is its ability to exhale smoke in the form of “tiny, perfect smoke skulls.” The object was seen in Alastor Moody's Defence Against the Dark Arts office at Hogwarts and appears to function automatically, as it was observed to be “still breathing” the smoke skulls on its own.

The primary function of the Skull Hookah appears to be ornamental, serving as an atmospheric smoking device. Its magical property lies entirely in the transfiguration of its exhaled smoke into well-defined, skull-shaped puffs. Unlike other objects in Alastor Moody's collection, such as his Foe-Glass or Sneakoscope, the hookah does not seem to possess any defensive, detection, or offensive capabilities. It is likely a personal possession that reflects its owner's grim profession as an Auror and his deep familiarity with imagery associated with the Dark Arts.

The origins and history of the Skull Hookah are unknown. It was first and only seen in 1994, located within the Hogwarts office of Professor Alastor Moody. Throughout that school year, Moody was being held captive while the Death Eater Barty Crouch Jr. used Polyjuice Potion to impersonate him. The hookah was present during the dramatic confrontation at the end of the school year when Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, and Severus Snape stormed the office to subdue Barty Crouch Jr.. While Moody's other magical instruments were destroyed or damaged in the struggle, the Skull Hookah was noted by Harry Potter as the only object to remain whole and functioning, continuing to breathe smoke skulls into the air. Its fate following the events of that night is unrecorded.

The Skull Hookah is a minor object that serves a purely atmospheric role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Its presence, along with the other strange and paranoid devices in Moody's office, helps to build the character of the eccentric and battle-hardened Auror. The imagery of the smoke skulls contributes to the dark and dangerous mood surrounding the professor, foreshadowing the grim events of the Triwizard Tournament and the return of Lord Voldemort.

The Skull Hookah is a detail exclusive to the novel Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It does not appear in the film adaptation. Its origins and creation are not expanded upon in any supplementary materials.