Ravenclaw House Quiz!

1. What is the literal translation of "Albus Dumbledore"?

Albus Dumbledore literally translates to “white bumblebee”. The name "Dumbledore" is an old Devon word for "bumblebee". JKR chose this name because she imagines Dumbledore wandering around the castle humming to himself, thus sounding like a bumblebee.

2. "Occlumency" is not, in reality, a word. However, it seems to be derived from a familiar real word that means "to block". What is that word?

Occlumency is derived from the word “occlude”, which means “to block”.

3. Remus Lupin, the werewolf, has a name that is a double reminder of his traits. From what languages are his two names derived?

Remus is latin (a son of Mars slain by his twin brother Romulus, in Roman mythology). Lupin is also latin (translated as “wolf”).

4. Percy Weasley's owl takes its name, quite appropriately, from the Greek messenger god. Who is this god?

Percy Weasley’s owl is named Hermes who, in Greek mythology, is the Greek God of boundaries, roads, commerce, science, invention, eloquence, luck, cunning, medicine, and healing.

5. Many of the creatures studied in the Care of Magical Creatures class or encountered by Hogwarts students are based on mythological animals while many others were made up. Name a mythological animal which is studied and/or encourntered by Hogwarts students.

The sphinx is a mythical creature encountered by Hogwarts students. Specifically, the Sphinx is used by wizards to guard doorways and treasure, and can become aggressive when whatever it is guarding is threatened. In the third task of the Triwizard Tournament, the maze's center was protected by a Sphinx with a riddle to answer.

6. Harry is tried for the "crime" of using magic outside Hogwarts by the Wizengamot. From what culture is the name "Wizengamot" derived?

Wizengamot is derived from Anglo-Saxon culture. The Witenagemon was the Anglo-Saxon council of wise men that advised the king. It was composed of men from religious as well as secular organizations.

7. The hospital in OotP is called St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Who was the real St. Mungo?

St Mungo is the commonly used name of Saint Kentigern or Cyndeyrn Garthwys, the late 6th century apostle of the Brythonic Kingdom of Strathclyde in modern Scotland, and patron saint and founder of the city of Glasgow.

8. Dobby the house-elf gets his name from another kind of creature. In English folklore, what is a dobby?

In English folklore, a dobby was a house-elf similar to a brownie (a spirit popular in Scottish folk-lore). Dobbies were thin and shaggy, very kind to servants and children, and did many a small service in the household when people were too busy.

9. Mundungus Fletcher is a disreputable little wizard with a penchant for trading in stolen goods. What exactly does mundungus mean?

Mundungus is defined as a tobacco with an offensive odor.

10. Harry's arch-nemesis throughout OotP is Professor Umbridge. Why is her name appropriate for her?

The root of “Dolores” (i.e. Dolor) is the Latin for pain, sadness, grief, resentment. Umbridge is the homonym for the English word 'umbrage' meaning to take offense, and from the Latin "umbra" meaning shade, shadow, ghost.