The Quad[1] (also known as the Paved Courtyard) is a courtyard located on the Hogwarts Castle exterior area. It is connected to the Viaduct and the Boathouse. Four towers are located at either corner of this courtyard: The Grand Staircase Tower, Gryffindor Tower, North Tower and Stone Bridge Tower; and the Hospital Tower and Suspension Bridge Towers are located in the middle of two different sides. Gobstones players usually come into this courtyard to play "Snake Pit" and it is home to a Talking Gargoyle. This courtyard is also home to the Slytherin Duelling Club. The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh floor Corridors pass right next to this courtyard. A balcony is known to circulate this courtyard.
In first three films, the courtyard is a grassy cloister similar to the Middle Courtyard, but with walkway paved in a cross patern similar to the Viaduct Courtyard,with a fountain in the center.It is clearly shown only once in the second film, and possibly, first film.
The courtyard is never shown in the Order of the Phoenix or the Half-Blood Princefilm adaptations, but it is seen partially in the Goblet of Fire. It can also be seen in the Hogwarts Castle replica. In the replica, neither the cloister nor the grassy area are seen. Furthermore, the courtyard has two main entrances now (one leading to the Viaduct and the other leading to a new path to the Boathouse) and the Hospital Tower is added from the third film adaptation. It is assumed that the new courtyard remains the same in the subsequent film adaptations. In the final one, the courtyard can be seen as it was in the replica.