The Forbidden Forest
The Forbidden Forest lies east of Hogwarts castle. The forest has thick groves of trees that block out the light. Beech, oak, pine, sycamore, and yew trees are found in the forest, along with underbrush such as knotgrass and thorns [PS/SS13, 15; COS15; OOTP21, 28, 30]. There are brooks, clearings, and wide paths to follow, but dense vegetation grows on both sides of the paths.
The forest is forbidden to all Hogwarts students, except for detentions with Hagrid or the occasional Care of Magical Creatures lesson [PS/SS7, 15; OOTP11, 21]. However, Fred and George Weasley like to explore places that students aren't supposed to go; Hagrid said he's spent half his life chasing the twins out of the Forbidden Forest [PS/SS8].
Hagrid's hut is on the edge of the forest. He is very knowledgeable about the forest and the creatures that live within it. Until Aragog died, Hagrid could go anywhere in the forest, but now he has to avoid the acromantula's webs [HBP22].
Harry has entered the Forbidden Forest eight times:
· Wanting to follow Snape, Harry flew on his broom into the forest, landed in a tree, and listened to Snape speaking with Quirrell [PS/SS13].
· To serve a detention, Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Malfoy entered the forest and looked for who or what was killing unicorns [PS/SS15].
· Harry and Ron followed the spiders into the forest, encountered Aragog (an Acromatula), and nearly lost their lives [COS15].
· Harry and Krum walked a little way into the forest when they encountered Barty Crouch Sr., and Harry ran for help. When he returned with Dumbledore, Crouch was gone, and Krum lay unconscious among the trees [GOF28].
· Harry and his Care of Magical Creatures classmates went with Hagrid into the forest to study thestrals [OOTP21].
· Hagrid took Harry and Hermione into the forest to meet his half-brother, the giant Grawp [OOTP30].
· Hermione, Harry, and Umbridge went into the forest. Umbridge was abducted by the centaurs, but Grawp distracted the centaurs' attention away from Harry and Hermione; Ginny, Luna, Neville, and Ron soon arrived, and all six mounted thestrals to go after Sirius [OOTP31].
· Harry entered the forest on 2nd May, 1998, to face Voldemort.
Many dangerous creatures live in the forest, some of whom eat humans. The following creatures are known to live in the Forbidden Forest:
Acromantulas - A huge spider that has 8 eyes, is covered in thick black hair, can grow up to 15 feet in size, and is capable of intelligent speech but will try to eat any human who comes near it. Hagrid had a pet acromantula named Aragog, which lived in the Forbidden Forest with his wife Mosag and their large family. The acromantulas are among the most dangerous creatures in the forest. Aragog is now dead [FB, COS15; HBP6, 22].
Centaurs - Centaurs are very intelligent and have their own culture. They avoid contact with witches and wizards, and they are experts in divining the future. Hagrid had a respectful relationship with them until he brought Grawp into the forest. When the centaur Firenze accepted a job offer from Dumbledore, the centaurs tried to kill Firenze. The centaurs captured Professor Umbridge after she insulted them. The centaurs came to Dumbledore's funeral to pay their respects [PS/SS15; OOTP30, 33; HBP30].
Ford Anglia - This is a small, old, rusty, turquoise car that Mr. Weasley had bewitched to fly; Harry and Ron flew it to Hogwarts, and it hit the Whomping Willow. It is now running wild in the Forbidden Forest. The Ford Anglia seems to have its own personality, and it saved Harry and Ron from the acromantulas [COS3, 15].
Giant - Hagrid brought his half-brother, Grawp, to live in the Forbidden Forest. Grawp is a pure-blood giant but only 16 feet tall. The centaurs, in particular, resented his presence in the forest [OOTP30, 33]. Dumbledore sent Grawp to live in nearby mountains, where he was much happier [HBP8, 12, 30].
Thestrals - Thestrals are rare black winged horses that have the power of invisibility and an incredible sense of direction. Hagrid first brought a pair of thestrals to the Forbidden Forest and domesticated them. A herd of about a hundred thestrals now lives in the forest, and Hagrid has them well-trained. Hagrid introduced thestrals to the Care of Magical Creatures class in Harry's fifth year. Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Neville, and Ron flew on thestrals to London. Thestrals pull the carriages from the station to Hogwarts [FB; OOTP10, 17, 21, 34; HBP8].
Three-headed dog - Hagrid had a vicious three-headed dog, which he named Fluffy. When Fluffy was no longer needed to guard the trapdoor on the third floor, he was released into the Forbidden Forest [PS/SS9, 16; JKR interview].
Unicorns - Unicorns are beautiful, pure white, horned horses when fully grown (seven years old). The foals are born golden, then turn silver when they're about two years old. Their horns, blood, and hair all have magical properties. They are so fast that they are very difficult to capture. They are not unduly aggressive, but should be treated with great respect [FB, PS/SS15].
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