A cottage is a common type of dwelling in both the Muggle and wizarding worlds, representing a small, often cozy, house. In the context of the Harry Potter saga, several cottages serve as pivotal locations, ranging from idyllic safe havens to the ruins of a great tragedy. They are often imbued with powerful magic and deep personal history, making them far more than simple residences. The most significant of these are detailed below.
Located in the semi-magical village of Godric's Hollow, this was the home of James Potter and Lily Potter after they went into hiding from Lord Voldemort. The cottage was protected by the Fidelius Charm, with Peter Pettigrew serving as their Secret-Keeper. On 31 October 1981, Pettigrew betrayed the Potters, leading Voldemort directly to their home. Voldemort murdered James and Lily, but his Killing Curse rebounded when he tried to kill the infant Harry Potter, leaving Harry with his lightning-bolt scar and destroying much of the upper floor of the cottage. After the attack, the cottage was left in its ruined state as a monument to the Potters and a reminder of Voldemort's first defeat. A magical plaque, invisible to Muggles, was erected at the site, which could be read by witches and wizards. Harry Potter and Hermione Granger visited the cottage on Christmas Eve, 1997.
A beautiful, secluded dwelling located on a cliff overlooking the sea outside the village of Tinworth in Cornwall. It became the home of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour after their marriage. The cottage's name is derived from the seashells embedded in its walls, and it features a small, well-tended garden. Shell Cottage was protected by a Fidelius Charm with Bill as the Secret-Keeper, making it a crucial safe house for the Order of the Phoenix during the Second Wizarding War. After escaping from Malfoy Manor in 1998, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna Lovegood, Dean Thomas, Mr. Ollivander, and the goblin Griphook took refuge there. The elf Dobby was buried in the garden after being fatally wounded by Bellatrix Lestrange.
A small wooden cottage, often referred to as a hut, situated on the grounds of Hogwarts Castle at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. It served as the home of Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds. The hut consisted of a single room, furnished with a large fireplace, a table, and chairs, and was often cluttered with Hagrid's belongings and various magical creatures. It was a place of comfort and refuge for Harry, Ron, and Hermione throughout their Hogwarts years. The hut was burned down by Bellatrix Lestrange in 1997 following the death of Albus Dumbledore, but was later rebuilt.
A dilapidated and squalid cottage located in a copse of trees near the village of Little Hangleton. It was the ancestral home of the House of Gaunt, the last known descendants of Salazar Slytherin. The house was in a state of extreme disrepair, reflecting the poverty and decay of the family. It was here that Bob Ogden, a Ministry of Magic official, encountered Marvolo Gaunt and his children, Morfin Gaunt and Merope Gaunt. Years later, Lord Voldemort returned to the shack to kill his uncle Morfin and to hide one of his Horcruxes, Marvolo Gaunt's Ring, in the floorboards. Albus Dumbledore later retrieved the ring from the ruins of the cottage.
Cottages in the series serve as powerful symbols of home, safety, and history.