10 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Hogwarts

Everyone wanted to be a part of Hogwarts, waiting patiently on their 11th birthday to hear the mail that they had been picked to leave. Not only must you be of magic blood to be considered for the school itself, but your name must be on the book of admittance also.

The book of admittance is said to carry the names of every witch and wizard coming to the school of witchcraft and wizardry. Written magically by the quill of acceptance, the book cannot be touched by any mortal's hands, and does not write the name down until a magical ability has been displayed by the child to ensure squibs (non magic children with magic parents) or muggles (non magic folk) are not wrongly admitted. It is made out of dragon hide, and has only been touched by the four founders of the school when it first began.

Every year, Professor McGonagall enters the sealed off room in which the book sits to check and write out acceptance letters for the first years. Harry Potter's name has been said to have been in the book since his birth.