The Founding Words - Charters, Codes, and Magical Law
By Harry Potter
Every spell begins with intention. And the same goes for a school.
Before the first student walks through enchanted gates, before the library breathes its first whisper, and long before the dining hall fills with floating candles and laughter—there must be purpose. That purpose lives in your charter.
A school charter isn't just parchment and signatures—it's a living promise. It defines what your school stands for, what it will protect, and what it will inspire.
Writing Your Charter – The Heart of the School
Your charter should begin with a Founding Statement, a declaration of your school's identity.
Ask yourself:
What kind of witches and wizards will this school shape?
What values guide your teaching? (Wisdom? Creativity? Balance? Unity?)
What is your school's role in the larger magical world?
For example:
"Let this be a place where magic is not feared but embraced; where curiosity is a compass, and kindness, a spell that never fades. May those who pass through these halls carry knowledge with humility, and power with care."
Next, include sections like:
Magical Education Philosophy – Your approach to learning (structured, freeform, experimental, etc.)
Diversity and Magical Equity – Commitment to supporting all magical backgrounds, bloodlines, cultures, and paths.
Ethical Spellwork – Guidelines for using magic responsibly.
Student Rights and Safety – Protection from harm, access to healing, and the right to be heard.
Respect for Magical Beings – A pledge to honor magical creatures and beings as part of your world, not beneath it.
Magical Law – Rules That Endure
Alongside your charter, create a Codex of Magical Conduct—the laws and boundaries that keep your school in balance. Think of these not as rigid chains, but as anchors in stormy magical seas.
Core topics might include:
Prohibited Magic – Like Unforgivable Curses, mind tampering, or necromancy.
Spellcraft Boundaries – Rules for experimental magic, safety protocols, and oversight.
Respect for Magical Items and Spaces – No summoning library books from across the school. No stealing quills from portraits.
Magical Mischief Limits – Yes to fun, no to chaos. (Unless it's during the sanctioned "Chaos Festival," in which case, carry on.)
Accountability – A clear process for when things go wrong: investigations, restorative justice, magical remedies.
Include a Council of Oversight—staff and students who help guide and update school law as times change. Magic evolves, and so should your rules.
Binding the Charter
Many schools choose to magically bind their charter at a founding ceremony. Some use:
Phoenix Feather Ink – To symbolize rebirth and resilience.
Enchanted Seals – That glow when a rule is broken.
Founders' Wands – United in a spell that weaves the charter into the very stones of the school.
Once sealed, the charter becomes part of the school's essence. Some schools say that if you listen closely to the walls, they'll whisper the founding words when you need them most.
Final Thoughts
Rules don't have to stifle magic—they can give it direction. A strong charter helps your school stand tall, not just as a place of learning, but as a force for good in the wizarding world.