Magical Objects - Legendary magical artifacts

Goblet of Fire

The Goblet of Fire is a goblet made of wood and is used at the beginning of every Triwizard Tournament. It is used solely to choose the participating school champions, serving as an "impartial judge".[HP4] Slips of paper with the names of potential candidates are placed in the Goblet and, at the designated time, a representative from each school is chosen when the slip of paper containing their name spouts forth from the Goblet in a fountain of magical fire. The fake Moody stated once that the Goblet of Fire was "a very powerful magical object" and it is very difficult to be hoodwinked, unless someone uses an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm.

During its use in Goblet of Fire, it is placed in the entrance hall and surrounded by an "age line" (a charm placed by Dumbledore). An ageing potion cannot fool the Goblet, however, as was proven by Fred and George Weasley, who entered their names and had themselves thrown from the Goblet's presence. When not in use, the goblet is kept in a jeweled "casket".

Gryffindor's Sword

Gryffindor's Sword is a goblin-made sword adorned with large rubies on the pommel. It was once owned by Godric Gryffindor, one of the medieval founders of Hogwarts. In Chamber of Secrets, Harry draws the Sword out of the Sorting Hat to kill a basilisk. The sword also plays a role in Deathly Hallows, where it is revealed to have been imbued with basilisk venom, and is used to destroy three of Voldemort's Horcruxes. On several occasions, it is shown that only one who is truly a member of the Gryffindor House - one who shows courage in the face of danger - can use the Sword.

Because the Sword was goblin-forged, it is indestructible and according to Griphook the goblin, the Sword was originally forged for the goblin Ragnuk the First and "stolen" (purchased) by Gryffindor. The Sword was stolen (or retrieved, as goblins would say) by Griphook when the Sword fell from Harry's grasp during the raid on Bellatrix Lestrange's vault in book seven. However, it again returned to human hands later in the book, when Neville pulled it out of the Sorting Hat and used it to decapitate Nagini, Voldemort's snake. In both incidents when it was drawn from the hat, it was used to kill a snake, the symbol of Slytherin. This shows that apparently, no matter where the sword happened to be at the time, it would reappear in the hat when a true member of Gryffindor house is in need of it.

Rowling has confirmed in her webchat that Gryffindor did not steal the sword from Ragnuk and that this belief is merely part of Griphook's goblin mistrust and prejudice against wizards.

The Philosopher's Stone

Based upon the ancient alchemical idea of the Philosopher's Stone, the Philosopher's Stone (renamed the Sorcerer's Stone in the American version) is a stone, invented by Nicolas Flamel. The stone is legendary in that it changes all metals to gold, and can be used to brew an elixir that can make the drinker immortal. The Philosopher's Stone is seen only in Philosopher's Stone, and is the object that Voldemort is pursuing to return himself to power. It was destroyed at the end of the book by Dumbledore with Flamel's agreement.

Sorting Hat

The Sorting Hat is a sentient artifact used at Hogwarts, which magically determines to which of the four schoolhouses - Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin - each new student is to be assigned. During the opening banquet at the beginning of the school year, the hat is placed on every First-Year student’s head. The hat will announce its choice aloud, and the student joins the selected house. Judging from Harry's own account of his Sorting, and a brief comment made by Hermione, the hat speaks to the student while they're being Sorted and is willing to take the student's preferences into account when it makes its decision. The Sorting Hat originally belonged to Godric Gryffindor, one of the four founders of Hogwarts. Due to its age, it appears "patched and frayed and extremely dirty."

Before sorting the students each year, the hat recites a new introductory song. These songs occasionally warn of danger to come, as in Order of the Phoenix. The Sorting Hat's songs vary in length and content, but always include a brief description of each house. It is suggested by Ron that the hat probably spends each school year thinking up the song it will sing at the next start-of-term banquet.

The Sorting Hat has shown the ability to conjure the sword of Gryffindor from under its brim on two instances; in Chamber of Secrets, it provides the sword to Harry Potter, and in Deathly Hallows, it delivers the sword to Neville. Dumbledore makes it clear in Chamber of Secrets that only a true Gryffindor can summon the sword in this fashion. The sword and hat together make up the two known relics of Godric Gryffindor.

The Sorting Hat had a difficult time placing Harry, almost placing him into Slytherin house before he requested specifically and emphatically not to be. The Hat instead placed him into Gryffindor, after both his parents. Rowling has stated that the reason for the hat's indecision as to which house to place him into was because it sensed the part of Voldemort's soul within Harry.

In Deathly Hallows the Sorting Hat is set on fire by Voldemort, although it appears the hat was not destroyed, as Neville was able to draw the Sword of Gryffindor from it immediately after. In the epilogue at the end of Deathly Hallows, the Hat's survival is confirmed, as Harry tells his youngest son that, if he really did not want to be Sorted into Slytherin the Hat would take his preference into consideration.

In the first two Harry Potter movies, the hat is voiced by actor Leslie Phillips.