The Harry Potter universe is jam-packed with magical objects – it comes with the territory when most of the world’s inhabitants are witches and wizards. And they aren’t just confined to the Wizarding World, either. Some of the best magical objects are on display at the Making of Harry Potter exhibits in London. They’re objects for sneaking around Hogwarts, turning back time or teleportation the wizarding way. Here are our favourite magical objects to grace the Harry Potter series.
The Marauder’s Map
The Marauder’s Map is every mischievous wizard’s best friend. It’s a complete map of Hogwarts and the grounds, as well as every witch, wizard, magical creature and ghost there. Harry uses it to scour the hallways at night when he should be in bed, and to strategically avoid Argus Filch as he makes his evening rounds.
Harry’s invisibility cloak
Another of the staples in Harry’s magical tool kit, the invisibility cloak does exactly what it says – when worn, it makes the wearer invisible. It’s a crucial part of wizarding wardrobes worldwide, but Harry’s invisibility cloak isn’t just any average magical object. It was created by Death himself as a gift for Ignotus Peverell – as told in The Tale of the Three Brothers – then passed down to James Potter and eventually his son.
The Sorting Hat
Every wizard must encounter the Sorting Hat when arriving for their first year at Hogwarts, as it sorts them into one of the four Hogwarts houses. Generally it senses where the students should go, but it also takes into consideration where the wearer wants to be. When the Sorting Hat wasn’t sure whether to send Harry to Gryffindor or Slytherin, it decided on the former based on Harry’s request.
The Weasley family clock
As far as family heirlooms go, the Weasley family clock is priceless. It’s not very useful for telling time, but if you need to know where any of the Weasleys are, it’s got you covered. The settings range from actual places like ‘home’ and ‘school’, to ‘mortal peril’ and more directive places, like ‘you’re late’ and ‘time to feed the chickens’.
Time-turners
Time-turners are incredibly rare, though Hermione somehow manages to get her hands on one in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to manipulate time so that she can attend more classes. Time-turners are incredibly dangerous, as they allow you to time travel and possibly shift history, which makes its appearance all the more interesting in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
The Vanishing Cabinet
Step through the Vanishing Cabinet in Hogwarts’ Room of Requirements and you’ll be transported to the creepy shop Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley. One Vanishing Cabinet won’t do you much good though – you’ll need two to get anywhere. The same goes for working Vanishing Cabinets. If one is broken, the passer will forever be trapped in magical limbo.
Portkeys
Portkeys are enchanted objects that transport you to specific locations when you touch them. They’re used throughout the Harry Potter series in the form of objects like an old boot, a hairbrush and, most famously, the Goblet of Fire. The more average the better, as they won’t be as noticeable to Muggles.
And that’s only the beginning. In a world like Harry Potter’s, just about everything is magical.