Encyclopedia-G

GalleonGold

Wizarding money. There is currently no exchange rate for Galleons to the pound, dollar or euro.

Gaunt, Marvolo

Lord Voldemort’s grandfather

Gaunt, Merope

Lord Voldemort’s mother

Gaunt, Morfin

Lord Voldemort’s uncle

Gambol and Japes

Wizarding joke shop on Diagon Alley.

Ghoul

Ghostly creature that lives in the attic and bangs on pipes. The Weasleys have one living in their attic.

Giant

Huge humanoid. Giants can grow to a height of 20 feet. They have a history of violence and warring among themselves. Many giants allied themselves with Voldemort and massacred Muggles during the first war. Others withdrew to remote mountain ranges. Their numbers are in decline and in Britain they are believed to be extinct.

Gillyweed

Water plant. If you eat it, you temporarily grow gills and fins.

Gnomes

Very small creatures with leathery skin and large, bald heads like knobbly potatoes. They have horny feet and razor-sharp teeth. They live in holes in gardens and aren't very bright. To de-gnome a garden, grab the gnome by the ankles, swing it round your head and throw!

Goblet of Fire

Wooden cup full of flames, used as an impartial selector for the contenders in the Triwizard Tournament.

Goblins

Small creatures with swarthy faces, pointed beards and very long hands and feet. Goblins staff Gringotts Bank.

Gobstones

The wizarding version of marbles. The pieces squirt a stinky substance into other players' faces when they lose a point.

Godric's Hollow

Village where Harry's parents, Lily and James Potter, lived, at the time of their deaths.

Golden Snitch

Small, golden ball with silver wings used in Quidditch. Must be caught by a Seeker to end the match.

Goshawk, Miranda

Author of The Standard Book of Spells.

Goyle, Gregory

One of Draco Malfoy's stupid henchmen. Thickset and looks mean. Has short, bristly hair and long, gorilla-like arms. Also in Slytherin house.

Granger, Hermione

Smart know-it-all at Hogwarts in Gryffindor house. She has bushy, brown hair, large front teeth and a loud, rather bossy voice. Hermione works very hard and always gets the best marks in her exams. Harry's next best friend after Ron Weasley. Her parents are Muggle dentists.

Grawp

Hagrid’s half-brother – a full giant.

Great Hall, the

The main hall in Hogwarts where Sorting takes place and where meals are served and meetings take place. The ceiling is bewitched to look like the sky outside.

Gregory the Smarmy

Statue at Hogwarts.

Grey Lady, the

Resident ghost of Ravenclaw Tower.

Greyback, Fenrir

A dangerous werewolf who tries to bite and contaminate as many people as possible.

Grim

A giant black dog taken to be a death omen.

Grindylow

Water demon. Sickly green with sharp horns and very long fingers.

Gringotts

The wizard bank in London, with vaults far below the streets, run by goblins.

Griphook

Goblin at Gringotts Bank.

Grubbly-Plank, Professor

Substitute teacher who took over Care of Magical Creatures when Hagrid was indisposed. An elderly witch with cropped grey hair and a prominent chin.

Grunnings

Firm where Harry's uncle Vernon Dursley is a director. Grunnings makes drills.

Grunnion, Alberic

Name of a wizard depicted on a wizard trading card.

Gryffindor House

One of the four houses in Hogwarts. Harry, Hermione Granger and the Weasleys are all in Gryffindor house. It was founded by Godric Gryffindor and the Gryffindor symbol is a lion. The resident ghost is Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, also known as Nearly Headless Nick. Professor McGonagall is head of Gryffindor House and Professor Dumbledore was in Gryffindor in his youth.

Gryffindor, Godric

One of the four founders of Hogwarts. Gryffindor House was named after him.