The House of Gryffindor is located on the seventh floor of the Hogwarts castle, the entrance to which is slyly hidden behind a painting of a fat woman in a pink silk dress. Though she is not one to refuse entry if told the right password, the Gryffindor students had better be careful if disturbing her precious sleep.
Behind this painting is the Gryffindor commons room, which remains busy and full of students during most of the daylight hours. It has a common bulletin board, where one can find all kinds of news: from the news about the latest rules and regulations of the school, to the news about the next date of the Hogwarts trip, to advertisements for second-hand books. There is also a fire place, through which one can connect with the outside world, using the "floo network". Besides these, there are several tables and chairs, where the Gryffindor students congregate for study and chatting amongst friends.
This common room of the House of Gryffindor leads to two staircases, one leading to the boys' dormitory and the other leading to the girls' dormitory. The girls' staircase has been enchanted, so that no boy enters the place. However, as the girls are considered more trustworthy, no such enchantment guards the boys' staircase.
The head of Gryffindor house during Harry Potter's schooling is the stern but trustworthy teacher, Professor Minerva McGonagall. The house ghost is Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, better known as "Nearly Headless Nick" because of his partially beheaded neck.
The House of Gryffindor also has been the place where many of the most famous and successful wizards and witches have belonged. For instance, this house was the one to which the very head of the Hogwarts School, Sir Albus Dumbledore, once belonged.
Other well-known figures from Harry Potter's world who have belonged to this house include Harry Potter's parents (James Potter and Lily Evans), and his godfather, Sirius Black. Gryffindor had also housed all the members of the Weasley family (the "Redheads"), without exception.
The House of Gryffindor, like any other aspect of the Hogwarts castle, closely guards its secrets, and much remains hidden that may yet be unfolded. Full of great mysteries of the past and great aspirations for the future, this house is where courage and loyalty are treasured above all.
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Amy Koelle is a self-confessed Harry Potter enthusiast (some would say "addict"), and is the principal content creator for HarryGear.com. She also publishes a monthly Harry Potter newsletter, available at: ==> www.harrygear.com
