Spoiler warning! There are some mild spoilers ahead – turn back now if you’re not familiar with the books…
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Dumbledore was the Headmaster of Hogwarts and a beloved role model in the wizarding world.
With twinkly blue eyes, half-moon spectacles and a level of intelligence that is difficult to comprehend, Dumbledore was admired by his peers and students alike. Despite all of this legacy, however, Dumbledore was a gentle soul, guiding Harry through his years at Hogwarts and always on hand to offer sage wisdom.
He was also joyfully eccentric for such a powerful figure. Just see his speech at Harry’s first Hogwarts feast: ‘Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!’
Professor Minerva McGonagall
The tight-bunned Head of Gryffindor and talented Transfiguration teacher was Dumbledore’s right-hand woman, with a strict but fair teaching style, a deep love of Quidditch and a biscuit on-hand whenever the need should arise.
She ultimately went on to become Headmistress – hopefully with a bigger biscuit box too.
Professor Pomona Sprout
You could describe the Head of Hufflepuff and Herbology professor as down-to-earth. Or you could say her no-nonsense attitude meant she kept herself firmly grounded.
Either way, Professor Sprout’s wonderful, outdoorsy job looking after the magical flora and fungi of Hogwarts had us... green with envy.
Professor Filius Flitwick
Professor of Charms and Head of Ravenclaw, Filius Flitwick exemplified the Ravenclaw traits of wit and wisdom.
He was one of the more friendly and encouraging Hogwarts teachers and liked to get involved with wider school activities – like helping to decorate Hogwarts for Christmas!
Professor Severus Snape
One of the most severe teachers at Hogwarts, Severus Snape (and indeed he was named this for a reason) was firstly the Potions professor, then Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and briefly Headmaster.
Whilst he was... civil to those in his own house, his tolerance rarely extended beyond that. Nonetheless, Snape was an exceptionally talented wizard, knowing how to brew extremely tricky potions, such as the truth potion, Veritaserum, and had the impressive skill of Occlumency, which you can learn more about here.
Professor Horace Slughorn
The former Head of Slytherin and Potions professor in Harry’s sixth year was a rather jovial fellow. But he was also shrewd and liked to ‘collect’ students that he believed had the potential to become influential or interesting. As such, he founded the ‘Slug Club’, a society within Hogwarts with very exclusive invitations, revealing a more vainglorious side to his otherwise affable demeanour. Nonetheless, Slughorn introduced us to many useful things, such as the rare, good luck potion, Felix Felicis.
Professor Quirinus Quirrell
Harry’s first Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher with a Dark secret. Quirrell was a timid, yet gifted, Ravenclaw who found himself tempted to join forces with a rather unscrupulous character. His most iconic line is probably ‘Troll – in the dungeons – thought you ought to know.’
Professor Gilderoy Lockhart
Gilderoy Lockhart loved one thing above all else… Gilderoy Lockhart.
Blond haired, immaculately dressed, with an army of adoring fans and a long bibliography, Lockhart took the post as Harry’s Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in his second year after huge success as an author. However, it soon transpired that he was a little under-qualified for this job, and indeed might’ve used a bit too much creative license in his many books about his ‘adventures’.
Professor Remus Lupin
Harry’s best Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher by a very, very long way. Remus Lupin was kind, intelligent and had a soft spot for the underdog (being one himself).
A jack of all trades when it came to this lesson, Lupin had a particularly adept knowledge of Dark magical creatures. He even taught Harry the famously difficult Patronus Charm in his spare time, a defensive spell that can ward off the fearsome creatures, Dementors.
Professor Alastor (Mad-Eye) Moody
A rather unique professor. Alastor Moody was an Auror at the Ministry of Magic before being asked to join the Hogwarts staff as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in Harry’s fourth year. However, it eventually became clear that ‘Moody’ was not who he initially seemed to be...
Professor Dolores Umbridge
Eurgh, Dolores Umbridge, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in Harry’s fifth year. She came from the Ministry of Magic with her bigoted views, denial of a certain Dark wizard’s return and a penchant for cruel and unusual punishments.
She also loved pink and cats, but it did little to soften her heinous personality.
Professor Rubeus Hagrid
Hagrid was so much more than a Hogwarts staff member. Not only was he Harry’s first friend in the wizarding world but he also became his Care of Magical Creatures teacher from his third year onwards.
Though his teaching style was rather unorthodox and sometimes just plain risky, his heart was always in the right place – and had a deeper understanding of magical creatures (even the less-cute ones) than most. During his post, Hagrid introduced his class to Hippogriffs, Blast-Ended Skrewts and the particularly adorable, gold-hunting Nifflers.
Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank
The straightforward Care of Magical Creatures teacher that stepped in when Hagrid was unavailable. Her teaching style was more traditional and included a lesson on unicorns. But could you say she was as fun as our favourite half-giant?
Professor Silvanus Kettleburn
We didn’t meet Professor Kettleburn in the books or films, but apparently, he was just as fearless as our Hagrid, stationed as the Care of Magical Creatures teacher before him. Eventually, he gracefully left his post to ‘spend time with his remaining limbs’ after many run-ins with the dangerous beasts he specialised in, such as Grindylows and Fire Crabs.
You can learn more about this little-known professor here.
Professor Sybill Trelawney
Sybill Trelawney was the otherworldly Divination teacher with a questionable talent as a Seer, often overshadowed by her famous relative Cassandra, who was known to be a great talent in the field. Sybill’s classroom was filled with squashy pouffes, teacups and an overwhelming scent of incense.
Not every student was convinced by her teaching ability (aka Hermione Granger), which wasn’t helped by her insistence that Harry was doomed to die a dreadful death.
Firenze
This was a very unusual member of the Hogwarts staff. First things first, he was a centaur. These mysterious creatures avoided interacting with humans on the whole. However, Firenze was always warmer towards his two-legged friends and that contributed to him being kicked out of his herd. Luckily, Albus Dumbledore offered him a job as a new Divination teacher and even gave him a classroom reminiscent of his forest home.
Professor Cuthbert Binns
One of the oldest members of the Hogwarts staff who taught the dreadfully dull History of Magic lessons. Perhaps they might have been more interesting if they were taught by a teacher who was full of life? Oh, yeah, Professor Binns was a ghost! Did we forget to mention that?
Professor Bathsheda Babbling
We never met Bathsheda but J.K. Rowling confirmed that she was the Ancient Runes teacher – a subject that Hermione Granger was a student of. We wonder if she was as talkative as her name suggests.
Professor Alecto Carrow
The odious Alecto was the Muggle Studies teacher during Voldemort’s reign. During that time, Muggle Studies became compulsory for all Hogwarts students and their heads were filled with lies about the Muggle world.
Professor Amycus Carrow
Alecto’s brother Amycus was just as awful as his sister and was installed at Hogwarts at the same time as her. He taught Dark Arts (previously known as Defence Against the Dark Arts) and his hideous nature spilled over into his teaching. For example, he ordered students to practise the Cruciatus Curse on those who had earned a detention.
Professor Aurora Sinistra
Professor Sinistra was the Astronomy teacher. In her lessons, students would observe the night sky through telescopes in the Astronomy Tower and note down the stars they could see and the movement of the planets.
Professor Charity Burbage
Charity Burbage was the Muggle Studies teacher (yet another subject Hermione took, despite being Muggle-born herself) specialising in the practises and traditions of the non-magical community.
Professor Septima Vector
Oh look, another of Hermione’s teachers. Septima Vector taught Arithmancy, though we know little of what went on in that subject. What we do know is that it was rather difficult and involved predicting the future with numbers. It was also a subject you had to take if you wanted to be a curse-breaker at Gringotts’s bank.
Madam Rolanda Hooch
Last but by no means least, we have Madam Hooch. She was responsible for flying lessons at Hogwarts and also refereed the Hogwarts Quidditch matches. Interestingly, her eyes were bright yellow – like a hawk… and as a Quidditch ref we bet hawk-like eyesight can come in handy.
Who is your favourite Hogwarts professor? Now that you’ve learnt all about them, perhaps you could try a quick quiz to see how well you were paying attention.
Illustrations courtesy of Pottermore Publishing
