A History of Magic

From UnknowableWiki

A History of Magic is a book written by Bathilda Bagshot and published in 1947 by Little Red Books (FBi). Bagshot is a widely acclaimed expert, and her book is considered a standard work that has been reprinted several times (FBi, DH8, DH10). It is requested by Professor Binns for his History of Magic course and probably has been the textbook for generations of Hogwarts students; Harry Potter finds a page from an old edition in Sirius Black's room in number twelve, Grimmauld Place (PS5, DH10).

The book covers events in wizarding history until the end of the 19th century (DH16). It is often cited as a source for events regarding the persecution of witches and wizards by Muggles that ultimately led to the wizarding world's decision to go into hiding (FBi, PA1, DH16).

Harry Potter buys a large, leather-bound copy of A History of Magic at Flourish and Blotts on July 31, 1991 (PS5). He reads in it before first going to Hogwarts, but rarely opens it afterwards (PS6, DH16). In the summer of 1993, he secretly studies the book at night with the help of a torch to write an essay about witch burnings in the 14th century (PA3).

A History of Magic is one of the books Hermione Granger packs into her handbag when the Trio goes to hunt Voldemort's Horcruxes. When Harry admits that he did not know Godric's Hollow was named after Godric Gryffindor, she reads an extract from the book to him (DH16). After their trip to Godric's Hollow, Hermione reads A History of Magic at night while Harry struggles with the loss of his wand and the news about Albus Dumbledore's friendship with Gellert Grindelwald (DH18, DH19).