Welsh

• Type: Country / Region
• Location: Great Britain, west of England
• Owner/Residents: Notable residents include Gwenog Jones and the Holyhead Harpies Quidditch team.
• Key Features: Mountainous terrain, home to a dragon reservation (Pottermore), home to the Quidditch town of Holyhead.

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain. In the wizarding world, Wales is primarily known for its rugged, mountainous landscape which provides an ideal habitat for native magical creatures, most notably the Welsh Green Dragon. The country has a significant presence in wizarding culture through its contributions to the sport of Quidditch. It is home to the world-renowned Holyhead Harpies, an all-female Quidditch team, and has produced famous players like their captain, Gwenog Jones. The Welsh connection to the magical world is deeply rooted in its folklore, creatures, and sporting traditions.

Wales and its associated elements play a supporting role in the series, primarily serving to expand the scope and culture of the wizarding world beyond Hogwarts and London. Its most direct impact on the plot occurs during the Tri-Wizard Tournament in 1994. A nesting mother Welsh Green Dragon, native to Wales, was one of the four dragons selected for the First Task, posing a significant magical challenge for the Beauxbatons champion, Fleur Delacour. Furthermore, the reputation of Welsh Quidditch is used to add depth to the character of Horace Slughorn. In his efforts to impress Harry Potter, Slughorn boasts of his close relationship with Gwenog Jones, the famous captain of the Holyhead Harpies, illustrating his habit of collecting connections with prominent and talented individuals.

• Welsh Green Dragon
  • A breed of dragon native to Wales, noted for its distinctive and surprisingly melodious roar. The Welsh Green has smooth, green scales that blend in with the lush grass of its homeland, and it breathes fire in narrow jets. It is considered one of the less aggressive dragon breeds, typically preying on sheep and avoiding human contact unless provoked. Its eggs are earthy brown and flecked with green. The Welsh Green that Fleur Delacour faced during the First Task was described as nesting on the highest peak.
• Holyhead Harpies
  • A celebrated professional Quidditch team based in Holyhead, Wales. Founded in 1203, they are the second-oldest team in the British and Irish Quidditch League (Quidditch Through the Ages). The Harpies are unique as they are the only professional Quidditch team in the world composed entirely of witches. Their team robes are dark green, emblazoned with a golden talon over the chest.
• Gwenog Jones
  • A famous witch from Wales who served as the Captain and Beater for the Holyhead Harpies. An exceptionally talented player, she was admired by Horace Slughorn and was a member of his Slug Club. After Hogwarts, Ginny Weasley went on to play for the Holyhead Harpies as a Chaser (J.K. Rowling interview).

• The wizarding fairy tale “Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump” from The Tales of Beedle the Bard is set in Wales (The Tales of Beedle the Bard).
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the Welsh Green Dragon is depicted as a horned, swift dragon that actively chases Fleur Delacour around the battlements of Hogwarts (film).
• Holyhead is a real town and major port located on the island of Anglesey in Wales.
• According to a J.K. Rowling interview and later confirmed on Pottermore, Ginny Weasley retired from her professional Quidditch career with the Harpies to raise her family with Harry Potter. She later became the senior Quidditch correspondent for the Daily Prophet (J.K. Rowling interview, Pottermore).