Is it just me, or is there something intriguing about the Hog’s Head? If it is just me, then allow me to present a few reasons why I think the pub merits further investigation. For those of you who have not given it much thought, read on as I present a few reasons why you should.

The bar “comprised one small, dingy, and very dirty room that smelled strongly of something that might have been goats” (OotP, pg. 335). It is not as hospitable or welcoming as the Three Broomsticks. “Yeh get a lot o' funny folk in the Hog’s Head” and “The Hog’s Head inn...has long attracted, shall we say, a more interesting clientele than the Three Broomsticks” (OotP, pg. 843). It appears to be a good place not to be seen. "Keeping your face hidden was something of a fashion in the Hog’s Head" (OotP, pg. 335) and “he wouldn't take his cloak off. That's not unusual down the Hog’s Head - that's the pub in the village...I never saw his face, he kept his hood up" (PS/SS, Chapter 16).

This sounds like a place where the unusual is usual and interesting (read dodgy) things are happening all the time. For the purpose of the Harry Potter saga, the Hog’s Head is where a lot of information is exchanged and learned, both by the characters and by the readers.

The Hog’s Head is established and historically significant. Sites of Historical Sorcery mentions “the inn” was the headquarters of the 1612 goblin rebellion (PoA, pg. 77). It has clearly been around for centuries, as has Hogwarts. One of the seven tunnels from Hogwarts may lead to the Hog’s Head Inn, but that is pure speculation and a digression.

Aberforth Dumbledore is the barman there (JKR, EBF, 8/04). Mad Eye Moody described Aberforth as a “strange bloke” (OotP, pg. 174), and he was/is a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Aberforth is a mysterious fellow, and he seems to instantly identify Harry, resting his eyes “for a fraction of a second on his scar” (OotP, pg. 337). Since he was in the original Order, perhaps he knew James and/or Lily and recognized Harry. Nevertheless, he says nothing to him. We do know Aberforth has been the bartender there for at least 20 years. Mundungus "Dung" Fletcher was banned from the Hog’s Head 20 years ago (Ootp, pg. 370), and Sirius tells us “that barman’s got a long memory” (OotP, pg. 370). Since Dung has to disguise himself to go into the Hog’s Head, it follows that the present barman is the same barman from 20 years ago. Also, Aberforth has been bartending at the Hog’s Head for a large portion (maybe all) of Albus Dumbledore’s tenure as Headmaster.

It is interesting to note that we do not know why Dung was banned from the Hog’s Head. It may have had something to do with “business opportunities,” but illegal transactions have occurred at the Hog’s Head. More on that to follow.

Trelawney's prophecy is heard at the Hog’s Head Inn. Dumbledore heard the revelation “on a cold, wet night 16 years ago, in a room above the bar at the Hog’s Head Inn” (OotP, pg. 840). There are plenty of editorials on the importance of the prophecy, but the location where it was heard may also be a critical part and have important implications for the overall story.

We know there was a male eavesdropper there who ultimately reported what he heard of the prophecy to Voldemort. “He only heard the first part” (pg. 843), so we know at least one of Voldemort’s supporters was a patron of the Hog’s Head. We don’t know who he was, what his intentions were, or even if he was/is an open supporter of Voldemort. We don’t know who threw him out. Perhaps it was Aberforth, since he was the barkeep at the time.

What is also not clear is if the eavesdropper was thrown out because he was spying or because he was a Voldemort supporter, or both. We seem to have more questions than answers when it comes to the Hog’s Head. What is known is that the prophecy about Harry Potter and Voldemort was revealed at the Hog’s Head.

It is implied Flitwick has been to the Hog’s Head before. Since he advised Hermione to bring their own glasses to drink from, chances are he is speaking from his own personal experience. He may have been there on Order business, or just visiting -- this is pure speculation, but worth mentioning.

Hagrid gets the (illegal) dragon egg at the Hog’s Head. This has several consequences. First, Voldemort learns the information needed to get past Fluffy. Second, Hagrid becomes the proud owner of an illegal dragon. It is interesting that this illegal activity does not result in anyone being banned from the place. It may not have been noticed, or may have been noticed and overlooked. Nevertheless, the Hog’s Head was the place where Voldemort knew he could learn the last secret to get to the Stone.

Most recently, the first meeting of the DA took place at the Hog’s Head. This was Hermione’s decision, as she thought they should keep a low profile and not be seen congregating at the Three Broomsticks. The DA is very important to the character development and story line of the series. We learn that there can be inter-house unity (even with Z. Smith), that the students are becoming independent individuals, and that Harry is starting to really believe in himself and his abilities. It is the birthplace of the Umbridge rebellion. Score 2 points for the Hog’s Head.

So, to sum up:

- The Hog’s Head is an old establishment in Hogsmeade. It MIGHT be connected by one of the tunnels to Hogwarts (by the way, what is up with all the Hog references?).

- Dumbledore’s brother, Aberforth, is the bartender at the Hog’s Head. He’s been the barman for at least 20 years.

- Mundungus Fletcher is banned from the inn for reasons unknown to us.

- The prophecy about Harry and Voldemort was revealed to Albus Dumbledore at the Hog’s Head.

- Hagrid wins a dragon egg at the Hog’s Head while unknowingly and inadvertently passing useful info to Voldemort.

- The first DA meeting takes place at the Hog’s Head.

The Hog’s Head is a place where interesting people and interesting information is exchanged. It is old, and it keeps coming up in the series as the backdrop for scenes in which we learn crucial plot information (prophecy), and perhaps information that will be crucial to the rest of the series (what Aberforth did for the Order, who the eavesdropper was, and what did Dung do that was so bad as to get himself banned?).

One could argue that we learn important information at the Three Broomsticks, such as the reason why Sirius was “after” Harry, but it turned out to be false. Everything we have learned at the Hog’s Head is true.

I, for one, will be on the lookout for all things Hog’s Head-related, because it really does seem to be where it’s at. Just remember to bring your own glass.

2/22/05

Posted by: Sara

---

MuggleNet is an unofficial Harry Potter fan site. Please email us if you have any questions or concerns. MuggleNet's original layouts were designed and created by Navy. All subsequent layouts by Dylan Spartz.

© 1999-2010 MuggleNet.com. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | COPPA Policy | Feedback | Credits
Random Addresses

1,364 muggles currently online