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- Bathilda Bagshot was a respected witch, historian, professor, and author, known for her book "A History of Magic."
- She played a crucial role in Albus Dumbledore's life as she was related to Gellert Grindelwald, Dumbledore's former friend and lover.
- After her death, her interview with Rita Skeeter and her possession by Nagini revealed significant information about Dumbledore and Grindelwald, causing tension in the wizarding world.
There are many famous public figures in the Harry Potter saga. Bathilda Bagshot is quite a well-known name within the wizarding world. She was a respected witch, historian, professor, and author. Perhaps her name rings a bell when thinking about A History of Magic, one of Hermione’s favorite textbooks during her years at Hogwarts. Despite being a minor character, she is remembered by many fans for starring in one of the most terrifying scenes in the series, but she holds more meaning to the story than just her work and her brief encounter with Harry.
Bathilda Bagshot played a crucial role in Albus Dumbledore’s life, since she was related to the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, Dumbledore’s former close friend and lover. By the time of the Harry Potter series, however, Bagshot was an elderly lady who had long since retired. But while her name isn’t heard much throughout the course of the story, she had quite an eventful life and made many contributions to the wizarding world.
Bathilda Bagshot’s Early Life
Born sometime before 1873, not much is known about Bathilda Bagshot’s childhood, besides her having a passion for history from a very young age. When she was an adult, she lived in Godric’s Hollow, where Kendra Dumbledore moved to with her children, Albus, Aberforth, and Ariana, after her husband was sent to Azkaban for attacking a group of Muggle boys who had hurt their daughter. Bagshot developed a friendship with Kendra and the rest of the Dumbledore family, often exchanging letters with Albus when he was a student at Hogwarts.
In 1899, Bagshot’s nephew, Gellert Grindelwald, then a young and gifted wizard, moved to Godric’s Hollow with her. Albus, who had just graduated from Hogwarts and was taking care of his sister after their mother’s death, quickly developed a strong bond with him. Bagshot witnessed the fallout of Albus and Aberforth’s relationship after a three-way duel between the brothers and Gellert resulted in their sister Ariana’s death.
Quick facts about Bathilda Bagshot:
- She is first mentioned in Philosopher's Stone, but she doesn't appear as a character until Deathly Hallows.
- She is portrayed by Hazel Douglas in Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
- She is considered an authority in wizarding history and published over ten books on the subject.
- She was the most celebrated magical historian of the 20th century.
- She was skilled in the art of divination and wrote two books on the subject.
- She was the great-aunt of Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.
- She developed a friendship with Lily Potter, and she joined her and James for tea on Harry’s first birthday.
- She likely became senile as she got older and died at the age of at least 124.
Bathilda Bagshot’s Notable Works
Throughout the years, Bagshot published multiple written works that made her quite an influential figure in the wizarding world. In 1947, her most famous title, A History of Magic, was published. The book covers various events and people that changed the wizarding world up to the 19th century. It was a required textbook for all Hogwarts students for the History of Magic class, taught by Professor Cuthbert Binns. Around that time, Bagshot published several other works about magical history and was deemed one of the most influential magical historians to date.
Bathilda Bagshot embarked on the journey of magical knowledge decades ago. She has always been fascinated by the mysteries and curiosities of the wizarding world. A History of Magic examines significant moments and facts from the beginning of time to the 19th century making this book an essential piece of wizarding literature.
Another one of Bagshot’s most notable works was Hogwarts: A History, which, as its title suggests, offers information about the wizarding school and its history. It was published sometime before 1991. It is Hermione’s favorite book, and she quotes it several times throughout Philosopher’s Stone. When the Chamber of Secrets was opened during Harry’s second year, the book regained popularity and every copy was checked out of the library.
Most famous works by Bathilda Bagshot:
- A History of Magic
- Hogwarts: A History
- The Decline of Pagan Magic
- The Oracle of Palombo
- Omens, Oracles & the Goat
What Became of Bathilda Bagshot?
After the death of Albus Dumbledore in 1997, Bagshot was interviewed by sensationalist journalist Rita Skeeter, who took advantage of Bagshot’s senile state and used Veritaseum to get information about Dumbledore and Grindelwald. Skeeter twisted the information and published the controversial biography The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. Among the information Skeeter gathered was an old letter she stole from Bathilda’s things, in which Dumbledore talks to Grindelwald about their goal of obtaining the Deathly Hallows and starting a revolution. This caused tension within the wizarding world and affected many of Dumbledore’s supporters. Bathilda received a signed copy of the book with a cheerful thank you note from Skeeter, which Hermione later obtained and learned essential information from.
Dear Batty, Thanks for your help. Here’s a copy of the book, hope you like it. You said everything, even if you don’t remember it. Rita
Not long after her interview with Rita Skeeter, Harry and Hermione visit Godric’s Hollow and encounter what appears to be Bathilda, who leads them to her home. They, however, fail to see the warning signs, such as the old woman’s strange behavior and a rotten odor inside her house. When they let their guard down, Nagini bursts out of Bathilda’s body to attack Harry. This turns out to be a trap set by Voldemort, who knew Harry would eventually find his way to Godric’s Hollow. Bathilda is revealed to be dead, and Nagini had possessed her corpse, silently luring Harry and Hermione into her home, and speaking to Harry in Parseltongue when they were alone. This scene remains one of the most confusing yet terrifying in the Harry Potter series.
Finally, we regret to inform our listeners that the remains of Bathilda Bagshot have been discovered in Godric's Hollow. The evidence is that she died several months ago. The Order of the Phoenix informs us that her body showed unmistakable signs of injuries inflicted by Dark Magic.
Potterwatch, a radio show hosted by Lee Jordan, confirmed Bathilda Bagshot’s death at the age of at least 124, making her one of the oldest wizards who ever lived. Her body was discovered in Godric’s Hollow several months after Nagini’s encounter with Harry and Hermione. Her cause of death is determined to have been Dark Magic, and it is presumed that she was murdered by either Voldemort or Nagini.
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Harry Potter
When Harry Potter learns that he is a wizard, he enters a world beyond belief. Aside from continuing his studies at Hogwarts with best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry must also face Voldemort and his dark wizarding forces. The Harry Potter franchise is a worldwide phenomenon, spanning seven books, eight movies, three spinoff movies, a stage play, and numerous video games.
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- J.K. Rowling
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