Hogwarts Professors

A Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a witch or wizard responsible for the magical education of students. Appointed by the Headmaster or Headmistress, they hold significant authority within the castle, second only to the Head of the school. The position is highly respected in the wizarding world. In addition to teaching, many professors also serve as the Head of House for one of the four Hogwarts Houses, acting as a mentor and guardian for the students in that house. The Ministry of Magic has, on rare occasions, interfered with appointments, most notably with the installation of Dolores Umbridge as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.

The primary duties of a Hogwarts professor extend beyond the classroom. Their responsibilities include:

• Creating lesson plans and instructing students in their specific magical discipline.
• Assigning and grading essays, homework, and end-of-year examinations.
• Supervising students for their Ordinary Wizarding Level (O.W.L.) and Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test (N.E.W.T.) exams.
• Patrolling the castle's corridors at night to maintain order.
• Awarding and deducting House Points based on student behaviour.
• Assigning and overseeing detentions.
• Acting as Head of House, which involves providing guidance, discipline, and support to students.
• Defending the school and its students from external threats, as demonstrated during the Battle of Hogwarts.

This list details the professors who taught at Hogwarts during Harry Potter's time at the school.

• Arithmancy
  • Professor Septima Vector
• Astronomy
  • Professor Aurora Sinistra
• Care of Magical Creatures
  • Professor Silvanus Kettleburn (retired in 1993)
  • Professor Rubeus Hagrid (1993–1998)
  • Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank (Substitute teacher)
• Charms
  • Professor Filius Flitwick (Head of Ravenclaw House)
• Defence Against the Dark Arts
  • This post was known to be jinxed, with no teacher lasting more than one year.
  • Professor Quirinus Quirrell (1991–1992)
  • Professor Gilderoy Lockhart (1992–1993)
  • Professor Remus Lupin (1993–1994)
  • Professor Alastor Moody (1994–1995); was impersonated for the entire school year by Barty Crouch Jr. using Polyjuice Potion.
  • Professor Dolores Umbridge (1995–1996); appointed by the Ministry of Magic as Hogwarts High Inquisitor.
  • Professor Severus Snape (1996–1997)
  • Professor Amycus Carrow (1997–1998); taught the subject as the Dark Arts.
• Divination
  • Professor Sybill Trelawney (1980–1998)
  • Firenze the Centaur (1996–1998); co-taught alongside Professor Trelawney.
• Flying
  • Madam Rolanda Hooch (Also served as the referee for Hogwarts Quidditch matches)
• Herbology
  • Professor Pomona Sprout (Head of Hufflepuff House)
• History of Magic
  • Professor Cuthbert Binns (A ghost who continued teaching after his death)
• Muggle Studies
  • Professor Charity Burbage (until her murder in 1997)
  • Professor Alecto Carrow (1997–1998); taught the subject from a pro-pure-blood, anti-Muggle perspective under Voldemort's regime.
• Potions
  • Professor Severus Snape (until 1996; Head of Slytherin House)
  • Professor Horace Slughorn (1996–1997; returned from retirement. Also briefly served as Head of Slytherin House)
• Transfiguration
  • Professor Minerva McGonagall (Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House)

While not holding the title of Professor, these individuals were crucial to the school's operation.

• Headmasters: Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape (appointed 1997)
• Caretaker: Argus Filch
• Groundskeeper and Keeper of Keys and Grounds: Rubeus Hagrid
• Healer/Matron: Madam Poppy Pomfrey
• Librarian: Madam Irma Pince

These are professors who taught at Hogwarts prior to or outside of the main series timeline.

• Albus Dumbledore: Taught Transfiguration before becoming Headmaster.
• Horace Slughorn: Served as Potions Master for many decades before his initial retirement.
• Galatea Merrythought: Taught Defence Against the Dark Arts for fifty years, retiring shortly before Tom Riddle first applied for the position.
• Herbert Beery: Former Herbology Master and Head of Hufflepuff House. (Pottermore)
• Silvanus Kettleburn: Taught Care of Magical Creatures before Rubeus Hagrid.

• J.K. Rowling confirmed that the Defence Against the Dark Arts teaching post was jinxed by Lord Voldemort after Albus Dumbledore denied him the position twice. The jinx ensured that no professor would last in the role for more than a single school year. The curse was broken upon Voldemort's death. (J.K. Rowling interview, Pottermore)
• In the film adaptations, the role of several professors is reduced or entirely cut. Professor Cuthbert Binns, the ghost who teaches History of Magic, does not appear in any of the films. Professor Aurora Sinistra and Professor Septima Vector are also unseen characters in the movies. (film)