The Forbidden Forest is one of the most mysterious and magical parts of the Hogwarts grounds. It was a frequent haunt of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger during their school years despite the dangerous and dark creatures living in there, and was almost the final resting place of the Boy Who Lived.
The dark forest was featured prominently in the films but there are still many hidden details from the Harry Potter canon some fans might not have seen. The forest is older than the Hogwarts castles and has its secrets lurking within. Here are ten hidden details about the Forbidden Forest from Harry Potter you might not have noticed.
There Are Trolls Living In There
A troll was released inside the Hogwarts castle during the first film by Professor Quirrell and was subdued by the team of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. It is a possibility that Quirrell retrieved the troll from the forest as other trolls are confirmed to live in there.
Forest Trolls look similar but have pale-green skin covered in green and brown hair. They are known to be just as dangerous, attacking anyone who comes into contact with them.
It's Not Very Forbidden
A big deal is made about the dangers lurking within the Forbidden Forest when Harry Potter arrives at Hogwarts, and for a good reason. The forest is home to all manners of dark and deadly creatures and many students prefer to steer clear.
However, in Prisoner of Azkaban, we learn that many Care of Magical Creatures lessons takes place within the forest, albeit in its edges. Still, given the dangerous creatures that live in the forest, it would make more sense to stay away from it altogether.
Bubotubers And Black Flowers Grow There
The Forbidden Forest is home to all manners of magical shrubbery and wildlife, including black flowers and Bubotubers. The forest floor is also overgrown with knotgrass, making it even more of a difficult trek to wade through.
Bubotubers are magical plants that resemble slugs and secrete foul-smelling, toxic puss. In the books, Hermione receives an envelope full of Bubotuber puss in the post after Rita Skeeter publishes malicious lies about her and Harry's friendship and her relationship with Quidditch player Viktor Krum in Witch Weekly and The Daily Prophet.
It's Not Part Of The Hogwarts Grounds
There are small sections on the edges of the forest that belong to Hogwarts, but, generally, the Forbidden Forest is a separate entity. It is ancient and was there before the school was constructed, which fuels the centaurs' dislike of humans.
The Forbidden Forest often feels like a sentient entity in the books and an incredibly dangerous place. Given how old it is, the true extent of the dark creatures living in there is limitless.
Students Have Disappeared In There
There is a reason why Albus Dumbledore cautions the students of Hogwarts to avoid the Forbidden Forest. Students have gone missing in the past, venturing into the forest only to disappear and never be heard from again.
This underlines the risk that Harry, Ron, and Hermione took when they frequently ventured into the forest during their school years. Admittedly, they did have the advantage of often having the Invisibility Cloak.
There Is A Cursed Vault In There
According to the Harry Potter canon, there are five cursed vaults hidden in and around Hogwarts. It makes sense that one of them would be in the Forbidden Forest, the home of all dark creatures in the vicinity.
During the late 1970s, a sleepwalking curse was cast upon the students of Hogwarts after the Forest Vault was disturbed. Many people were injured and some were killed until a student finally broke the curse.
There Are Werewolves
Draco Malfoy claims that there are werewolves in the Forbidden Forest and he isn't wrong. The Harry Potter canon explains that there, in fact, more werewolves living in the dark forest, although they aren't as dangerous as most think.
The wolves who dwell in the forest are the offspring of two werewolves who mated in wolf form. They retain the intelligence of humans and the majesty of wolves with none of the bloodlust and live in the forests with Dumbledore's consent.
Fluffy Lives There
Fans will recognize Fluffy as the colossal three-headed dog that guarded the Stone in the first film. He was another of Hagrid's beloved monstrous pets and had been with the Gameskeeper of Hogwarts since he was a puppy.
After the events of the first film and book, Fluffy was released into the Forbidden Forest. It makes sense for the giant canine to spend his days in the dark forest with the other creatures of the grounds.
Other Giants Are Rumored To Live There
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, fans are introduced to Rubeus Hagrid's giant half-brother, Grawp. Hagrid rescues Grawp after an unsuccessful trip to sway a tribe of giants to Dumbledore's side, bringing his brother back to the forest to care for.
It is rumored, however, that other giants are living in the forest beside Grawp. Given the sheer size and extensive and mysterious history, it is certainly a viable possibility.
It Is J.K Rowling's Favourite Part Of The Grounds
In the documentary J.K Rowling: A Year In The Life, which was included as a special feature on the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Blu-ray and DVD, the author revealed that the Forbidden Forest is her favorite part of the castle grounds. This explains why Harry and his friends spend so much time there despite the danger.
The Forbidden Forest is one of the most fleshed-out parts of the Hogwarts grounds. Rowling took great care to create a vivid picture of the forest, evidencing her preference for the dark woods.