For hardcore HP fans out there: I have a mission for you :)

First of all, there's no reason I can think of in the Harry Potter series for Rowling to use the word cult, except, potentially, about the Death Eaters, but even so. "Cult" seems like a Muggle concern more than anything else.

Secondly, your definition is accurate, but neglects to take into account all the negative connotations of the word. Also, cults tend to have charismatic leaders, forbid socializing with those outside the cult, and involve financial scams and, sometimes, suicide pacts. But those are real cults, like the Manson Family or the Heaven's Gate cult. The word "cult" is often thrown around as an insult to small social groups, generally fans of a popular topic. Harry Potter, Twilight, Lost, One Tree Hill - but fans of these things are NOT cults by a long shot. The term is just used as a hyperbolic insult.

I am 99.9% sure that in the whole Harry Potter series there is not the word 'Cult'... Sorry I can't be more helpful though! I will go look to be sure :P

Well, (no offense) but are you a boy? cuz its usually boys who make such stupid and spontaneous bets, and the like. well im pretty sure IT IS in the series, but im not sure what book or page. i think its used when describing the deatheaters. ex. deatheaters are a cult of muggle hating terrorists who work for Lord Voldamort...."

I'm not sure really, but I'm almost certain that no, the word cult is never used, the death eaters might be considered as a cult, but I don't remember no one actually saying the word cult

I am almost absolutely sure that the word cult isn't mentioned in the Harry Potter series. In fact, I didn't know what a cult was until recently when someone called the Twilight fans a cult X)

When he says cult i think he means series.
usually i think of a cult as spiritual or governmetal .
besides harry potter and other fan series are fantasy,right their just the same as video games
only you watch things instead of play.

sincerely
Andrea

I don't think so, I mean, I always thought Twilight fans were a cult, not HP fans.

I've read every book and since I've never heard of the word cult I am about 99.9% sure it's not there. By the way, what happens if the word cult isn't there. Does your friend have to do something?

98 percent sure the word cult isnt in the HP series. 2 percent sure your being pariniod.

I think that we are not a cult. we are just fans that like Harry potter. We read the books beacuse we find them interesting. I (in my opinion) am not part of a cult. Beacuse if I were i would have my profile full of pics. and other stuff. But i dont. If some poeple do Well that their profile. let them do what ever they want with it. Im soory for my words but in my opinion i think its the truth

i am 100 percent sure that the word cult is not in the harry potter series. it was one of those words that all the overly zealous pta moms were searching for. its just not there anywhere. rowling avoided it like the plague methinks.