A History of Magic

A History of Magic
Author	Bathilda Bagshot
Published	1947
Book information
First appearance	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Last appearance	Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

A History of Magic is written by Bathilda Bagshot, a well-known historian. It is about wizarding events that happened up until the late nineteenth century. The book is much-needed for the subject of History of Magic at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Overview

The book was originally published in 1947. Events included are:

• Wizards' Council meeting in the fourteenth century involving magical creatures who reached Burdock Muldoon's definition of a "being".
• The full account of the persecution of witches and wizards by non-magic people in medieval times, including the witch burnings.
• The signing of the International Statute of Secrecy and how it was carried out.
• Information about a woman or animal named Hedwig.

History

In July 1991, Harry Potter purchased the book at Flourish and Blotts because it was part of the set books he needed for school. He found the name Hedwig mentioned in the book. He loved the name and called the new pet owl he had adopted after her.

In July 1993, Hogwarts students due to begin their third-year had to write an essay during the summer holidays about witch-burnings in the fourteenth century. Harry used the book to research the topic.

In 1997, Hermione Granger took the book with her to help her, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley hunt down Horcruxes. They used it whenever they needed answers, and found out a lot about events in history. Harry didn't know that Godric's Hollow was named after Godric Gryffindor, so she read an extract from the book to him. Hermione read A History of Magic one night.