- "It's a dragon fighting ring! This is Horntail Hall! No wonder the poachers were in Hogsmeade so much. Likely taking bets and spreading the word, given how crowded it is here. How could they possibly enjoy this? The centaurs have every right to be disgusted with wizardkind."
- — Poppy Sweeting upon entering the Dragon Prison[src]
The Dragon Prison was a shadowy, illicit dungeon where numerous dragons were captured and imprisoned for poaching, illegal activities, and entertainment during the late 19th century. It was concealed within a tent hidden deep in the mountains of the Scottish Highlands and was associated with Ranrok, the rebellious goblin, his loyalists, and Victor Rookwood's followers.[1]
Description
Within the Dragon Prison stood a dragon fighting ring, or a gladiator-style arena, where dragons were forced to battle one another for the amusement of Dark wizards and witches. In 1890, several wizards attended the arena to place bets and witness a fierce duel between pairs of dragons (the existence of the Dragon Prison had become known to these Dark wizards through covert rumours circulating in Hogsmeade), one of which was a Hungarian Horntail. Tragically, many dragons perished as a result of these brutal activities, with at least two dragon skulls discovered behind a curtain leading to the arena.[1][2]
For those dragons not yet forced to fight, they were restrained with chains and locked into a Dragon Yoke made of wood and metal clasps, ensuring they could not flee. A muzzle formed part of the yoke, clamping the captured dragons' mouths shut, preventing them from breathing fire or attacking those working at the site. To release a dragon from its restraints, a pin at the base of the yoke had to be summoned. When a dragon was brought from the prison to the arena, industrial carts were used to transport them.[1][2]
History
- Poppy: "They must've only just captured her. She's putting up quite the fight."
- Student: "Not a fair one, though. Not with her chained up like that."
- Poppy: "Let's even her odds, shall we?"
- — Poppy Sweeting and her friend before the escape of a captured dragon[src]
During the 1890–1891 school year, Poppy Sweeting and her fellow fifth-year Hogwarts student stumbled upon the Dragon Prison. Unable to resist, they ventured into the tent, determined to rescue the dragons — especially Poppy, whose deep affection for creatures of all kinds drove her to act on their behalf. Overwhelmed by the plight of the dragons, they witnessed a brutal fight between two dragons in the arena, which only strengthened their resolve to free them.[1][3]
In their efforts, they managed to steal a Hebridean Black's egg from the Poachers, battling both wizards and goblins along the way. Using the Summoning Charm, they unlocked the pin of a yoke, freeing a tortured female Hebridean Black, who turned out to be the mother of the egg they had recovered. Once liberated, the dragon broke free from her muzzle, seizing one of the Poacher Executioners in her jaws and devouring him alive. She then unleashed her fury, incinerating the remaining Dark wizards in the prison with a torrent of flames.[1]
As the dragon turned her gaze towards Poppy and her friend, it became clear she was seeking her freedom. The student quickly realised her intent to escape into the wild, and set the tent roof ablaze, creating an opening through which she flew away from the Dragon Prison.[1]
Appearances
- Hogwarts Legacy (First appearance)
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Hogwarts Legacy, Main Quest "Fire and Vice"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 ArtStation
- ↑ Hogwarts Legacy (see this video)