======Topazes======
=====Object Information=====
  * **Type:** [[Gemstone]], [[House Point]] Counter
  * **Owners:** [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]
  * **Maker:** Unknown
=====Description and Appearance=====
Topazes are yellow gemstones used within [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. They are small, polished jewels that fill the giant hourglass dedicated to [[Hufflepuff]] house, which stands in a niche in the wall of the [[Great Hall]].
These topazes, along with [[Ruby|rubies]] for [[Gryffindor]], [[Sapphire|sapphires]] for [[Ravenclaw]], and [[Emerald|emeralds]] for [[Slytherin]], serve as the visual markers for the [[House Point]] system. The [[Hufflepuff]] hourglass contains a vast quantity of these stones, each representing a single point.
=====Magical Properties and Usage=====
The primary function of the topazes is to magically represent the accumulated [[House Points]] for [[Hufflepuff]]. The jewels are enchanted to move in response to the awarding or deduction of points.
  * When a member of [[Hufflepuff]] house earns points, an equivalent number of topazes magically and silently rise from the bottom bulb of the hourglass to the top chamber.
  * Conversely, when points are deducted from [[Hufflepuff]], topazes fall from the top bulb back into the bottom.
This magical process provides a constant, public tally of the standings in the competition for the [[House Cup]]. The topazes, therefore, act as an integral component of the enchanted scoring system within the [[House Point Hourglasses]].
=====History=====
The specific origin of the topazes used in the [[Hufflepuff]] hourglass is not recorded. Their history is intrinsically linked to the creation of the [[House Point Hourglasses]] themselves, which are presumed to be ancient magical artifacts, likely dating back to near the founding of [[Hogwarts]]. They have served as the method for tracking [[Hufflepuff]]'s points for generations of students.
=====Role in the Story=====
The topazes, as part of the [[Hufflepuff]] hourglass, are a recurring feature of the [[Great Hall]] setting. They symbolize the current standing, morale, and successes or failures of [[Hufflepuff]] house.
In //Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix//, the low level of topazes in the [[Hufflepuff]] hourglass is explicitly noted by [[Harry Potter]]. He observes that the topazes and [[Gryffindor]]'s [[Ruby|rubies]] are severely outnumbered by the jewels of the other houses. This visual detail reinforces the oppressive and biased atmosphere at [[Hogwarts]] under the control of High Inquisitor [[Dolores Umbridge]], who frequently and unfairly penalized students from houses other than her own. The state of the topazes serves as a barometer for the school's overall fairness and morale at that time.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
The choice of topaz for [[Hufflepuff]] corresponds with the house's signature color, yellow. In real-world gemology and folklore, the topaz is often associated with friendship, loyalty, and gentleness, traits that align perfectly with the core values promoted by [[Hufflepuff]] house.