Sword of Gryffindor

• Type: Goblin-Made Weapon, Horcrux Destroyer
• Owners: Godric Gryffindor, Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter
• Maker: Ragnuk the First, King of the Goblins

The Sword of Gryffindor is a magnificent, silver sword crafted by goblins. The hilt is set with large, egg-sized rubies, and the name Godric Gryffindor is engraved just beneath it. As a product of master goblin craftsmanship, it is impervious to dirt and rust, never requiring cleaning and always maintaining a brilliant shine.

The sword possesses several powerful and unique magical properties that make it one of the most significant artifacts in the wizarding world.

• Goblin-Made Silver: Like all goblin-made metalwork, the sword imbibes only that which makes it stronger. This inherent quality allowed it to absorb Basilisk venom, a substance of immense magical power and destructiveness.
• Appearing to True Gryffindors: The sword has a unique connection to the Sorting Hat. It will present itself from within the hat to any worthy member of Gryffindor house who shows true courage and is in great need.
• Horcrux Destruction: After Harry Potter used it to kill the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, the blade became imbued with Basilisk venom. Since the venom is one of the few substances capable of destroying a Horcrux, the sword gained this ability as well. It was used to destroy three of Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes: Marvolo Gaunt's Ring, Salazar Slytherin's Locket, and Nagini.
• Exceptional Durability: Being goblin-made, the sword is extraordinarily strong and resilient, able to withstand forces that would destroy lesser objects.

The sword was commissioned by Godric Gryffindor from Ragnuk the First, the finest of the goblin silversmiths. According to the goblin Griphook, after completing the sword, Ragnuk the First coveted it so much that he pretended Gryffindor had stolen it and sent minions to take it back. Gryffindor defeated them with his wand and sent them back with a warning, establishing the wizarding version of the story: that Gryffindor had paid for the sword fairly and the goblin king had tried to steal it from him. This event became a cornerstone of the long-standing mistrust between wizards and goblins. For centuries, the sword's location was unknown, until it presented itself to Harry Potter from the Sorting Hat during his confrontation with the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets. After Harry killed the serpent, the sword was returned to the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts, where Albus Dumbledore kept it in a glass case. Dumbledore later used the sword to destroy Marvolo Gaunt's Ring, a Horcrux. In his will, Dumbledore bequeathed the sword to Harry. However, the Ministry of Magic, under Rufus Scrimgeour, contested this, arguing it was a historical artifact and not Dumbledore's to give away. In reality, Dumbledore had hidden the true sword and arranged for a copy to be placed first in the Hogwarts display case and later in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringotts. Following Dumbledore's posthumous instructions, Severus Snape delivered the real sword to Harry. He used his doe Patronus to lead Harry to a frozen forest pool where he had hidden it. Ron Weasley retrieved the sword from the icy water and used it to destroy Salazar Slytherin's Locket. The trio later lost the sword to Griphook as payment for his help in breaking into Gringotts. The goblin absconded with it during the ensuing chaos. The sword's final heroic act came during the Battle of Hogwarts. When all seemed lost, it once again appeared from the Sorting Hat, this time for Neville Longbottom, who used it to decapitate Nagini, destroying the final Horcrux and making Lord Voldemort mortal.

The Sword of Gryffindor is a pivotal object in the series, serving as both a powerful symbol and a crucial plot device. It represents the ultimate qualities of Gryffindor house—courage, chivalry, and determination in the face of evil. Its ability to present itself to a “true Gryffindor” affirms the worthiness of both Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom at critical moments. More practically, it becomes one of the primary weapons in the fight against Lord Voldemort. After being imbued with Basilisk venom, it is one of the very few tools available to destroy Horcruxes, making it indispensable to the trio's quest. The sword's controversial history also serves to highlight the deep-seated prejudice and conflict between the wizarding and goblin communities.

J.K. Rowling has stated that the sword's ability to appear from the Sorting Hat is her version of the legend of Excalibur, the mythical sword that could only be pulled from the stone by the true king, Arthur. In the same way, the Sword of Gryffindor can only be summoned by a true and worthy Gryffindor. (J.K. Rowling interview)