A large body of water, freshwater and landlocked, located to the south of Hogwarts Castle. It is about half a mile in diameter and the castle's plumbing network drains into it.
Every school year at Hogwarts, after the Hogwarts Express arrives at Hogsmeade Station, Professors have the honor to calls the first years to follow him to the lake shore and the magic boats. Whereupon the professor chosen occupies one boat and each other boat carries up to four students. The boats then self-propels across the lake to a dock under Hogwarts Castle as per tradition.
