Recapping the Battle of Hogwarts: 20 Years Later

by · May 2, 2018

May 2, 2018, marks the 20th anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. This day marks 20 years since the conclusion of the final chapter in young Harry Potter’s story, his harrowing, heart-stopping, and ultimately triumphant fight against the forces of evil. Here’s how it all went down.

All times are in BST (British Standard Time). The events leading up to the invasion of Hogwarts take place on the night of May 1, while the events of the battle itself take place during the early hours of May 2.

 

8:00 p.m. – Escape from Gringotts

 

 

 

8:52 p.m. – The Trio on the Back of the Dragon

 

 

 

9:45 p.m. – A Leap of Faith

 

 

10:10 p.m. – Hogsmeade

 

 

Harry, Ron, and Hermione narrowly escape the clutches of the Death Eaters thanks to a timely Patronus Charm from Aberforth Dumbledore.

 

10:15 p.m. – The True Story Revealed

 

 

Harry, Ron, and Hermione learn the true story of Ariana Dumbledore and the terrible price Albus paid for love and the greater good.

 

10:30 p.m. – Home at Last

 

 

The rebellious students of Hogwarts are overjoyed to see Harry, Ron, and Hermione, whose example inspired many of them to fight for their fellow students and their school. Soon, old friends and allies reunite and prepare to fight one last time.

 

10:40 p.m. – Wit Beyond Measure

 

 

Luna and Harry travel to Ravenclaw Tower, only to fall into Lord Voldemort’s trap. Soon, Voldemort’s forces will descend upon Hogwarts with a vengeance.

 

10:42 p.m. – The Unforgivable

 

 

A surge of fierce love for his mentor, Minerva McGonagall, gives Harry enough strength to cast the Cruciatus Curse on Amycus Carrow.

 

10:50 p.m. – Ron’s Brilliant Idea

 

 

Ron and Hermione enter the Chamber of Secrets to retrieve Basilisk fangs. This stroke of brilliance from Ron enables Hermione to destroy Hufflepuff’s cup.

 

10:55 p.m. – Fight and Flight

 

 

Severus Snape encounters Minerva McGonagall as she rallies her colleagues and prepares for the battle. He flees the school for his master’s side as students and fighters gather in the Great Hall.

 

11:00 p.m. – Voldemort Arrives

 

 

11:10 a.m. – Kingsley’s Plan

 

 

 

11:40 p.m. – The Gray Lady’s Tale

 

 

 

11:55 p.m. – Hagrid Arrives

 

 

 

12:00 a.m. – The Battle Commences

 

 

12:05 a.m. – Hogwarts Is Threatened

 

 

 

12:15 a.m. – Ron and Hermione

 

 

 

12:15 a.m. – Hufflepuff’s Cup Is Destroyed

 

12:22 a.m. – The Kiss

 

12:25 a.m. – The Room of Hidden Things

 

 

 

12:55 a.m. – The Diadem Is Destroyed

 

 

1:00 a.m. – Leaving the Room of Requirement

 

 

1:10 a.m. – The World Had Ended

 

 

An explosion tears Harry’s world apart.

 

1:15 a.m. – Harry Looks Inside Voldemort’s Mind

 

 

 

1:20 a.m. – Heading to the Shrieking Shack

 

 

 

1:45 a.m. – Giants in Battle

 

 

 

2:00 a.m. – Expecto Patronum

 

 

A grieving, hopeless Harry is saved by Luna, Ernie, and Seamus.

 

2:15 a.m. – Harry, Ron, and Hermione Reach the Shrieking Shack

 

 

2:20 a.m. – Snape’s Demise

 

 

Harry, Ron, and Hermione reach the Whomping Willow and crawl through the tunnel to the Shrieking Shack just in time to witness the gruesome death of Severus Snape.

 

2:25 a.m. – Ceasefire

 

 

Voldemort is sure that Harry will not refuse his offer after seeing the devastation his army has wrought on the castle.

 

2:40 a.m. – The Pensieve

 

 

Harry cannot bring himself to look upon the dead any longer than he has to. Instead, he escapes into the memories of Severus Snape.

 

2:50 a.m. – At the Close

 

 

Knowing he must die, Harry walks alone to the Forbidden Forest, past his friends and family, to meet his ultimate fate with the aid of the Resurrection Stone.

 

3:30 a.m. – Harry Arrives at Voldemort’s Camp

 

 

3:35 a.m. – The Ultimate Sacrifice

 

 

 

Harry arrives at Voldemort’s camp at the stroke of midnight. Minutes later, Voldemort kills him in triumph, and Harry is sent to King’s Cross station and beyond.

 

3:50 a.m. – The Flaw in the Plan

 

 

 

4:30 a.m. – The Bravery of Neville Longbottom

 

 

4:45 a.m. – The Final Horcrux Is Destroyed

 

 

 

4:50 a.m. – The Battle Continues

 

 

5:20 a.m. – The Final Battle

 

 

 

5:30 a.m. – Victory

 

 

 

Today, we remember the sacrifices of those brave men, women, and children who fought to bring Voldemort down. We remember those who gave their lives so that future generations could know a wizarding world free of tyranny. Most of all, we remember the steely courage of Harry Potter, master of death, the hero who stood between Tom Riddle and the rest of the wizarding world, and the young man who triumphed over evil.

Harry Potter, today we raise our wands to you.