Hogwarts Professors by First Lines Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "Fancy seeing you here" is the phrase that introduces us to a very beloved character of the Harry Potter series. This one-time teacher and headmaster of Hogwarts, who first appears in "The Philosopher's Stone", is extremely knowledgeable and wise, and is there for Harry almost every time he needs support. Who is this?

Answer: Albus Dumbledore

Dumbledore appears as a jolly and wise headmaster, offering witty and humorous remarks at the sorting ceremonies and assemblies, and supporting the students, but he harbors some sad secrets. His death devastates Harry especially, who names his second son Albus Severus after Dumbledore in tribute.

Kingsley Shacklebolt is never a professor but he has been an Auror, a secretary for the Muggle Prime Minister, and later the Minister of Magic.

2. When we meet this teacher in "The Philosopher's Stone", they are the potions master. Horribly nasty to Harry even from his early days at Hogwarts, their first words to him are "Ah, yes. Harry Potter. Our new - celebrity", delivered in their usual cold, cruel tone. Who is this professor, whose loyalty is questioned throughout the series?

Answer: Snape

From the very first book, Snape's moral compass is put into consideration, when Harry is certain that Snape, despite being a teacher at Hogwarts, has dealings with Lord Voldemort that will put the school's safety in jeopardy. Harry believes he is wrong about Snape in the aftermath of the attempted theft of the Philosopher's Stone, but it transpires later that his suspicions about an allyship with Voldemort are actually correct! Snape is murdered by Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts, earning Harry's admiration which leads to his son, Albus, being given the middle name Severus in memory of Harry's mother's friend.

3. "Borrowed it, Professor Dumbledore, sir." These words, concerning an enchanted motorbike, are spoken in "The Philosopher's Stone" by the person who later becomes a professor of Care of Magical Creatures, perfectly suited to their kind and friendly nature. Who is this character?

Answer: Rubeus Hagrid

Although Hagrid was expelled from Hogwarts, he was hired as the gamekeeper by Dumbledore. Hagrid is a loving half-giant who always looks out for Harry and his friends. His love of animals is shown throughout the series by his odd pets, including an Acromantula spider named Aragog, and the strange creatures he uses for demonstrations in his Care of Magical Creatures classes.

4. This professor is a dab hand at disguises and transfigurations. Their first speech, in "The Philosopher's Stone", -- "How did you know it was me?" -- shows that their spells can't fool Dumbledore, though! Who is this Head of Gryffindor House?

Answer: Minerva McGonagall

Professor McGonagall teaches Transfiguration, and later becomes Headmistress after the tumultous Battle of Hogwarts. In her first scene in the series, it is her disguise as a cat, one she often employs to trick people, that Dumbledore was able to see through. She is stern, but caring.

Cornelius Fudge and Arthur Weasley are not professors, but Ministry of Magic employees. Tom Riddle applies for a job as a Hogwarts professor, but Dumbledore refuses to hire him, which is just as well because Riddle is actually Lord Voldemort! It wouldn't be good having the Dark Lord for a teacher!

5. This diminutive Charms professor is a clever person who is Head of Ravenclaw House. "Not arguing, I hope, boys?" is said to Harry, Ron, and Draco, who are indeed arguing over Harry being given a broomstick and a special exception to be able to play on the Quidditch team in "The Philosopher's Stone". Who is this?

Answer: Filius Flitwick

Professor Flitwick is brave; he tries to stand up to the horrid Professor Umbridge and later the Carrows, and he fights valiantly in the Battle of Hogwarts. He is the choir conductor at the school. He enjoys teaching and is very fair and kind to his students.

Alicia Spinnet is not a professor, but a student and Quidditch player. Rowena Ravenclaw was one of the founders of Hogwarts, and of course the founder of Ravenclaw House which bears her name.

6. This professor is very jumpy and nervous, and has a speech impediment, shown by their first words, in "The Philosopher's Stone": "P-P-Potter, c-can't t-tell you how p-pleased I am to meet you." Who is this teacher, who soon shows Harry that they have a dark side?

Answer: Quirinus Quirrell

Professor Quirrell's secret is discovered by Harry at the end of the first book: he is the one who has been trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone! He also has Lord Voldemort on the back of his head! His stammer disappears when he confronts Harry, as do his nerves. Quirrell does not survive the showdown between himself and Harry.

7. "It can't be Harry Potter?" asks this teacher. Obsessed with fame and glory, the professor relishes Harry's presence at their book signing as an opportunity to have a photo on the front page of the newspaper! Popular with the girls, unpopular with the boys, they end up in an unenviable position after a showdown underneath the school in "The Chamber of Secrets"! Who is this?

Answer: Gilderoy Lockhart

Although the name Gilderoy actually derives from the Irish for "son of the red-head", in appearance it seems like it could be a play on "golden king", something Lockhart, with his golden hair, definitely aims to be! Utterly pompous and self-indulgent, Lockhart's books of bravery are nothing but lies and glory stolen from other wizards to make himself look good. Hermione is initially bewitched (!) by him, but soon is repulsed by him. He uses Ron's broken wand to try to erase Ron's and Harry's memories so that he can take the credit for killing the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, but it backfires and he loses his own memory!

None of the other options are actually professors: Xenophilius Lovegood is the editor of The Quibbler, Argus Filch is the caretaker of Hogwarts, and Lucius Malfoy works at the Ministry of Magic.

8. In "The Philosopher's Stone", we meet the History of Magic teacher who is so accustomed to droning on throughout his classes without student intervention that he is flabbergasted when Hermione asks a question. He can't even remember her name! ("Miss - er?") Who is this ghost professor?

Answer: Binns

Professor Binns' classes are so boring for the students that they find it difficult to stay awake! The question Hermione asks is not even strictly on topic - she asks him about the Chamber of Secrets and what dangers lurk within it. He is hesitant at first to discuss it, having a lack of interest in what he calls "myths and legends" but he soon discovers, as does the rest of the school, that the Chamber of Secrets and its monster are very real!

9. A very eccentric character is introduced with these words: "Welcome. How nice to see you in the physical world at last." Their subject, first shown in "The Prisoner of Azkaban", deals with the mystical and the astrological, and their odd personality fits the class perfectly! What is their name?

Answer: Sybill Trelawney

Divination, Professor Trelawney's subject, is not taken very seriously among the students. Many of the teachers seem not to be overly fond of her either! Dolores Umbridge sacks Trelawney in her position as Grand High Inquisitor, although Dumbledore allows her to be reinstated. Although Trelawney is a Seer, her predictions are dismissed, but she proves more than once to be a truly gifted Seer.

Petunia Evans is Harry's aunt. Pansy Parkinson is a Slytherin student.

10. A teacher who becomes a very close friend to Harry only lasts a year in their job. They have a secret that another professor vindictively relishes spreading. Who is this professor, whose first word is "Quiet!", startling Harry on the Hogwarts Express in "The Prisoner of Azkaban"?

Answer: Remus Lupin

Professor Lupin is a werewolf, and after almost attacking Harry, Ron, and Hermione, he resigns from his post as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He was best friends with Harry's father James and Sirius Black at school. Lupin marries Nymphadora Tonks and they have a son, Teddy, but both parents sadly die in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Peter Pettigrew was also friends with James, Sirius, and Remus, and is Voldemort's right-hand man.

Source: Author AlexxSchneider

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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Hogwarts Professors by First Lines Quiz

Following my quiz on Hogwarts students, here is the second incarnation, this time starring the professors! Which teacher said each quote, their first in the series? (Direct speech only; first in terms of order written, not time period.)

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