======Magically Expanded Tents======
=====Object Information=====
  * **Type:** Magical Device, Shelter, Accommodation
  * **Owners:** Various wizards and witches, including the [[Weasley]] family, [[Ministry of Magic]] employees like [[Perkins]], and later [[Harry Potter]], [[Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]].
  * **Maker:** Unspecified; likely produced by various magical manufacturers.
=====Description and Appearance=====
From the exterior, magically expanded tents are typically designed to look like ordinary, and often unremarkable, [[Muggle]] tents. This mundane appearance serves as a form of camouflage to avoid violating the [[International Statute of Secrecy]]. For example, the [[Weasley]] family's tent at the [[Quidditch World Cup]] was described as shabby and made of patched canvas. The tent formerly belonging to [[Perkins]] of the [[Ministry of Magic]], which [[Harry Potter]]'s trio later used, was a small, dark green tent that looked out of place and unimpressive from the outside.
The interior, however, is magically and deceptively vast. Through the use of an [[Undetectable Extension Charm]], the inside of a tent can be transformed into a comfortable and spacious living area. The Weasleys' tent was likened to an old-fashioned, three-room flat, complete with a kitchen, a sitting room with armchairs, and a bathroom. Perkins's tent, while smaller, still contained bunk beds, an armchair, a small kitchen table with chairs, and a bathroom with a toilet and sink.
=====Magical Properties and Usage=====
The primary magical feature of a wizarding [[tent]] is the [[Undetectable Extension Charm]], which creates a much larger internal space than the external dimensions would allow. This core enchantment enables several key properties:
  * **Spacious Accommodation:** The interior can be enchanted to include multiple rooms and amenities such as furniture, running water, and cooking facilities, making them suitable for long-term habitation.
  * **Portability:** Despite their cavernous interiors, the tents can be magically packed down into a small, lightweight form that is easy to carry, often fitting into a small bag. [[Hermione Granger]] famously stored Perkins's tent inside her own magically extended [[Beaded Bag]].
  * **Mundane Disguise:** Their ordinary exterior is a crucial feature for wizards moving through the [[Muggle]] world, allowing them to camp without attracting unwanted attention.
  * **Base for Protective Enchantments:** While not inherently self-protecting, the tents provide a physical shelter that can be reinforced with a variety of [[Protective Enchantments]]. During their search for [[Lord Voldemort]]'s [[Horcrux|Horcruxes]], Hermione consistently cast a protective perimeter around their tent each night. These spells included `[[Salvio Hexia]]`, `[[Protego Totalum]]`, `[[Repello Muggletum]]`, and the `[[Muffliato Charm]]`.
=====History=====
Magically expanded tents are shown to be a relatively common possession in the wizarding world, particularly for events that require temporary lodging, such as the [[Quidditch World Cup]]. The campsite at the 1994 World Cup was filled with hundreds of such tents, ranging from simple structures to elaborate, multi-story dwellings disguised as castles or manor houses.
A specific tent plays a significant role in the Second Wizarding War. This tent, which originally belonged to Ministry official [[Perkins]], was borrowed by [[Arthur Weasley]] for the World Cup. He later lent it to [[Harry Potter]]. [[Hermione Granger]] brought this tent with them when she, Harry, and [[Ron Weasley]] went on the run to hunt for [[Horcrux|Horcruxes]] in 1997. For nearly a year, this tent served as their only home and mobile base of operations as they traveled across Britain.
=====Role in the Story=====
  * **//Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//:** The tents at the [[Quidditch World Cup]] are a key element of world-building. They introduce Harry, and the reader, to the widespread and practical application of magic in the everyday lives of wizards. The contrast between the tents' drab exteriors and lavish interiors highlights the secrecy and wonder of the wizarding world.
  * **//Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows//:** The tent belonging to [[Perkins]] is central to the plot. It becomes the primary setting for a significant portion of the book, acting as the trio's shelter, sanctuary, and prison. The confined space of the tent amplifies the group's growing tensions, leading to Ron's temporary departure. It is also the location of poignant moments, such as Harry and Hermione's dance, and the site of their strategic planning. The tent symbolizes their isolation from the wizarding world and their complete reliance on one another during their dangerous quest.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//, the Weasleys' tent interior is depicted as exceptionally large and ornately decorated, more luxurious than the "old-fashioned flat" description in the novel, emphasizing the magical reveal for cinematic effect (film). The tent used by the trio in //Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1// is visually similar to its book description, and the protective spells Hermione casts are shown as a shimmering, dome-like barrier around the campsite (film).