Subjects

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Note:
(compulsary) means that a subject is compulsary for all years
(optional) means that it is one of the two extra subjects that 3rd years have to to choose and take for the rest of their schooling

Subjects arranged in alphabetical order:

Arithmancy: (optional)
A rather complicated subject involving (I suspect), some mathematical principles since Hermione's Arithmancy work was, as Harry describes it: 'a complicated-looking number chart'. I think JK may have based it on a mixture of arithmetic (the science of mathematics or numbers) and geomancy (developed from an ancient Chinese science of calculating the points of absolute balance of all forces on the earth). Arithmancy is Hermione's favourate subject. It is taught by a witch called Professor Vector.

In an interview, JK was asked about Arithmancy:

Stephen Fry:
Can you explain in words of less than two syllables what Arithmancy is?

JK Rowling:
Well your guess is as good as mine Stephen… Well, really it's predicting the future using numbers, but I've also decided there's a bit of numerology in there as well.

Astronomy: (compulsary)
The study of the stars and sometimes how they relate to the magical world. Astronomy classes take place at night on top of the tallest tower in Hogwarts. Professor Sinistra teaches astronomy.

Care of Magical Creatures: (optional)
In Care of Magical Creatures classes, students learn about many different and fascinating (or not in the case of Flobberworms!) and how to take care of them and treat them. Hagrid teaches Care of Magical Creatures and this results in some rather dangerous creatures (like blast-ended skrewts) being brought to class which takes place in the Hogwarts grounds near Hagrid's hut.

Charms: (compulsary)
In Charms, students study and practise charms, spells and hexes some of which are very easy and some extremely complex. It takes alot of practise and technique to perform a spell (you can't just pull out your wand, say a few words and expect it to work), aswell as magic words that you have to remember. The spells students learn in charms are mostly ones that will help them to function more easily int he magical world when they're older (i.e. for example instead of fetching a book from the end of the house, they would just summon it with a summoning charm). The levitating spell, "Wingardium Leviosa" is an example of a spell learned in Charms. Professor Filius Flitwick teaches this subject.

Defence Against the Dark Arts: (compulsary)
Defence Against the Dark Arts (abreviated D.A.D.A) is a very interesting subjects. Students learn about dark creatures, curses and wizards and how to defend themselves if they are faced with dark magic of some kind. Teachers have changed every year so far for Harry. First with Quirrel then Lockart, Lupin and lastly Barty Crouch jr. pretending to be Mad Eye Moody (by using polijuice potion). With the such frequent swaping of D.A.D.A teachers, you'd think the job was cursed ...

Divination: (optional)
In Divination, students study the art of fortune-telling using tea-leaves, crystal balls, palm-reading etc. Professor Sybill Trelawney teaches Divination in a stifflingly warm room that looks like a cross between an attic and an old-fashioned teashop at the top of the North Tower. It is thick with a smell perfume & inscence and full of pouffes, round tables and chintz armchairs. Divinations is considred very 'wooly' and many people suspect that Professor Trelawney (who is known for her ominous predictions which hardly ver come true) is a complete fraud.

Flying Lessons: (compulsary for 1st years)
Only 1st years take this subject because Hogwarts feels that they need to get accustomed to or brush up on their flying and Quidditch skills when they arrive at the school. Flying is a non-examinable subject. Flying lessons are given by Quidditch expert Madame Xiomara Hooch.

Herbology: (compulsary)
Students study herbology in the Greenhouses, a little way accross the Hogwarts grounds with Professor Sprout. At herbology, they learn about many interesting species of magical plant life through mostly practical work with the plants as Professor Sprout explains the specimen.

History of Magic: (compulsary)
History of Magic is probably considered the most boring class of all by Hogwarts students. Not neccessarily because they find the history of witches, wizards and magic general boring but because the teacher Professor Binns is unbelievably dull. He is the only teacher on the staff who is a ghost - one day when he was teaching, he took a nap in the staff room and was so old that he died right there but he just got up out of his body and carried on teaching. Students complain how Professor Binns can make even the most breathtaking and vicious of goblin rebellions sound like the most boring thing in the world with his droning mono-tone voice. Due to this, most students use History of Magica to catch up on some sleep.

Muggle Studies: (optional)
Students who take muggle studies are almost always of wizarding parentage. It would be pointless for muggleborns since students study the habits, life-styles and history of muggles so that they can have a better understanding of them. The teacher is unknown.

Potions (compulsary)
Potions is most of the Gryffindors worst class, for one specific reason: It is taught be Professor Severus Snape, head of Slytherin house who is extremely biased towards Slytherins and especially hates Gryffindors (especially Harry who loathes Snape too). Despite this, potions is actually quite and interesting and very important subject. Students learn how to brew and mix up potions of all different types in front of their gently simmering cauldrons - most are pretty complex. As Snape says: "I can teach you how to brew glory, bottle fame and even put a stopper in death - if you're not as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

- Remedial Potions: (optional)
Special classes where students brush up on their potions skills if they are struggling with the subject particularly.

Study of Ancient Runes (optional)
In this subject, students learn to read, write and understand Ancient Runes - like an ancient language written with many different symbols. It involves alot of complicated translations. The teacher is unknown.

Transfiguration (compulsary)
Tranfiguration involves alot of patience and hard work as it is quite a complex and difficult subject. Students learn how to transfigure (change something into something else) various objects starting simple with for example turning matchsticks into pins and over time move onto move complex thing like turning desks into pigs. Transfiguration is taught by the strict but clever head of Gryffindor house, Professor Minerva McGonagall. McGonagall is also an animagus (she can transform into a cat) - Animagi is based on the principles of transfiguration.