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Augusta: "Have you seen my grandson?"
Harry Potter: "He's fighting."
Augusta: "Naturally. Excuse me, I must go and assist him."
— Augusta's willingness to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts[src]

Augusta Longbottom (b. pre 1947) was a pure-blood witch and member of the Longbottom family through marriage. She was the mother of famous Auror Frank Longbottom, mother-in-law to Auror Alice Longbottom, and grandmother to Neville Longbottom. Through Neville's marriage, she has a granddaughter-in-law, Hannah Longbottom.

Biography[]

Hogwarts years[]

"Take Charms and I shall drop Augusta a line reminding her that just because she failed her Charms O.W.L., the subject is not necessarily worthless."
Minerva McGonagall on Augusta's school days[src]
Family Longbottom

Augusta with her grandson and his pet toad

Little is known about Augusta's early life except that she may have had at least one sibling.[10] During her school years, she failed her Charms O.W.L., causing her to later label it a "soft option."[7] It's likely that Augusta went to school with Minerva McGonagall and attended under Headmaster Dippet. She also wanted her grandson to take Transfiguration at N.E.W.T. level,[7] possibly meaning that while in school, she did well in that subject.

Marriage[]

At some point, Augusta married Mr Longbottom, a wizard.[3] They had at least one child, a son, Frank.[3]

In 1947, Neville's "granddad" (most likely her husband) put a fanged gerbil in Augusta's handbag as a prank, causing her to always keep a mousetrap inside it from that point onward.[1] At some point Mr Longbottom died and his grandson was witness to it.

Raising her grandson[]

Neville Longbottom: "Gran, I've lost my toad again."
Augusta Longbottom: "Oh, Neville."
— Neville and Augusta at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters in 1991[src]
AugustaAndNeville1991

Augusta takes her grandson to Platform 9¾ to start his magical education

During the First Wizarding War, Augusta's son Frank was both an Auror and a member of the Order of the Phoenix, as was his wife Alice. The highly respected couple survived the war, but shortly after Lord Voldemort's defeat in 1981, they were attacked by Death Eaters who tortured them into insanity with the Cruciatus Curse.[11] The couple had to be institutionalised, and their infant son Neville was placed into Augusta's care.

Augusta was clearly strict with her grandson, who she initially feared was a Squib. Even after Neville proved to be a wizard, his grandmother was stern and demanding of him, sending him Howlers when his behaviour displeased her and pressuring him to uphold the "family honour". She often took Neville to visit his incapacitated parents at St Mungo's, stating that he should be proud of their sacrifice.[6]

Second Wizarding War[]

"Thing was they bit off a bit more than they can chew with Gran. Little old witch living alone, they probably thought they didn't need to send anyone particularly powerful. Anyway, Dawlish is still in St Mungo's and Gran's on the run."
Neville Longbottom on Augusta evading capture[src]
StMungos PM B5C23M1 ChristmasAtStMungos Moment

Augusta visiting her son and her daughter-in-law at St Mungo's Hospital on Christmas

In 1995, Augusta supported Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore when they claimed that Lord Voldemort had returned to power, as did Neville. Her support even led her to stop subscribing to the Daily Prophet, due to the newspaper's vicious smear campaign against Harry and Dumbledore.[8] When she found out that Neville had not told anyone of his parents' condition, whilst visiting St Mungos with him at Christmas, she was furious at him for thinking he was ashamed and told Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Ginny Weasley about it.[6] Her sternness soon turned to pride, as she finally became proud of Neville after his involvement in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.[12]

Augusta Neville

Augusta escorting her grandson to the Hogwarts Express

In 1997, after Death Eaters had taken control of the Ministry of Magic, Neville was one of the leaders of the student rebellion against Alecto and Amycus Carrow at Hogwarts. In an attempt to force Neville to be more cooperative, Auror John Dawlish was ordered to capture Augusta and take her hostage to ensure Neville's behaviour. Augusta, however, put up a fight, which Dawlish wasn't expecting; according to Neville, she put Dawlish in St Mungo's. After this, Augusta went on the run.[13]

B7C36M2 Voldemort vanquished

Augusta witnesses Harry Potter's final defeat of Lord Voldemort and the end of the Second Wizarding War

She later re-emerged at the Battle of Hogwarts to assist Neville when he called everyone to arms against the Death Eater army. She was the last to come through the secret passageway between the Hog's Head and the Room of Requirement, so she sealed it to prevent any Death Eaters from breaching the school, as Aberforth Dumbledore was no longer protecting it. Augusta expressed great pride in her grandson for following in his parents' footsteps.[9] Augusta fought during the battle and survived.[14]

Little is known of Augusta's life after the war. Her grandson Neville eventually married Hannah Abbott[15] and took up a position as Professor of Herbology at Hogwarts.[16]

Physical description[]

Augusta Longbottom was described as a formidable looking witch. She was tall, thin and bony. She commonly wore a hat with a stuffed vulture on it and carried a bright red handbag.[6][17]

Personality and traits[]

"That Harry Potter's got more backbone than the whole Ministry of Magic put together!"
— Augusta's views on the Ministry[src]

Augusta Longbottom was a severe woman who frequently claimed that her grandson, Neville, lacked the talents that his parents had possessed. She was angry when she realised Neville had never told anyone about why he lived with her, thinking that he was ashamed of his parents. Nevertheless, Augusta grew proud of her grandson after discovering how dedicated he was to defeating Lord Voldemort. She was civil towards Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger when she met them in St Mungo's.[6] She also showed a love for her son and daughter-in-law, even after they were driven insane, treating Alice with gentle kindness when she gave her son a sweet wrapper.

She might be somewhat biased towards what she is proud of, as she found her grandson's initial lack of talent as a failure of inheriting his father's prestige, and looked down on the idea of Neville studying charms class, simply because she failed her O.W.L. in this subject herself, and instead favoured transfiguration, most likely due to her own skill and success in it.[7]

She seemed to have a very strong judgement of morality, as she chose to believe Harry and Albus Dumbledore's honest claims that Lord Voldemort had returned over the Ministry's incredibly biased and dishonest denial. She even ceased her subscription of the Daily Prophet in angry protest for backing the Ministry's campaign to antagonise the truth.[8]

Despite her elderly age (as Neville described her as a "little old witch, living alone"), she showed tremendous loyalty, bravery and logical thinking, as she easily and swiftly defeated the much younger Auror John Dawlish who was holding her hostage and fled,[13] and participated in the Battle of Hogwarts without fear nor hesitancy.[9]

Magical abilities and skills[]

"I really saw Mrs Longbottom as a powerful witch."
J. K. Rowling[src]

Augusta Longbottom was considered a highly talented and powerful witch. Much of her skill lay in martial magic; she was a highly formidable duellist, capable of overpowering Death Eaters and the Auror John Dawlish, who were much younger than her.[13][9] Augusta's age did not interfere with her magical abilities, in a similar fashion with Minerva McGonagall, and both witches survived the Battle of Hogwarts when much younger witches and wizards perished. Despite the fact that she failed her Charms O.W.L, Augusta must have been proficient enough in the various protective enchantments needed to survive whilst she was on the run. It is also probable that she was good with Transfiguration, as she was very insistent with her grandson taking the subject at N.E.W.T.-level.[7]

  • Duelling: Despite her old age, Augusta Longbottom was an incredibly skilled duellist who the Death Eaters severely underestimated, as she easily defeated and injured John Dawlish, a highly trained and skilled Auror, badly enough to result in him to be sent to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries,[13] although Dawlish had not been fighting at full potency from having become "punch drunk" from being the favourite punching bag of the Order of the Phoenix. She also bravely participated in and survived the Battle of Hogwarts,[9][14] likely defeating many Death Eaters in the process, showing her proficiency with martial magic.

Relationships[]

Neville Longbottom[]

"It's high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she's got, rather than the one she thinks she ought to have — particularly after what happened at the Ministry."
Minerva McGonagall regarding Augusta's treatment of her grandson[src]
Neville Longbottom Promo OOTP

Neville Longbottom, her only grandchild

Augusta was the guardian of Neville and raised him from a young age. During the early years of Neville's life, Augusta often thought that Neville was a Squib and was afraid he would not get into Hogwarts. She was extremely proud when he did but it was apparent that Augusta placed high expectations on Neville and was yet to be certain that he had substantial power.

Augusta often reprimanded her grandson and sent Neville a Howler on at least two occasions.[18][19] She pushed Neville to be like his parents by doing well in school, especially in Transfiguration (a class Neville hated).[7] However, Neville loved Augusta and she cared a great deal for him, however stern she could be.

In later years, she became proud of Neville as she realised how excellent a wizard and moral person he was. She was shown commenting in the Daily Prophet about his powers and during the Battle of Hogwarts, she was proud to fight alongside him.[9] After the end of the Second Wizarding War Neville married Hannah Abbott though it is unknown whether they had any children. Neville also replaced Professor Sprout as the Herbology professor at Hogwarts, which would have truly made his grandmother proud.[16]

Frank and Alice Longbottom[]

"Well, your grandmother is used to losing family members to our cause.... Your death will not come as a great shock...."
Lucius Malfoy regarding what happened to Frank and Alice[src]
Longbottom family portrait

Frank and Alice Longbottom holding infant Neville

It is unknown what her relationship with Frank and Alice was before they were tortured, but it must have been fairly close as Augusta was chosen to raise their infant son after they were no longer able to. After the attack, Mrs Longbottom seemed to love her son and daughter-in-law, often taking Neville to visit them at St Mungo's and was most likely devastated when they were driven mad.

However, at times, she seemed to tire of providing for them, as she sounded weary when speaking to Alice and advised Neville to throw away a gum wrapper Alice gave him. However, it is assumed that she still cared for them as she obviously respected them and said numerous times that she wanted Neville to be more like them.[6]

Griselda Marchbanks[]

Augusta and Madam Marchbanks were described as close friends by Neville Longbottom. Griselda had come for dinner at Mrs Longbottom's many times.[20]

Harry Potter[]

"Ah, yes. Yes, yes, I know who you are, of course. Neville speaks most highly of you."
— Augusta meeting Harry Potter in St Mungos[src]
Harry Potter

Harry Potter, whom she respected and believed

Augusta Longbottom was shown to highly respect Harry Potter and demonstrated this by her support for his and Albus Dumbledore's honest claims that Lord Voldemort had indeed returned. She was truly disgusted by then Ministry of Magic's blatantly dishonest slandering of both him and Dumbledore, with her even cancelling her Daily Prophet subscription over her anger at their publishing of Ministry propaganda.[8] She also showed her admiration for Harry, declaring, according to Neville, that Harry had more bravery than "the whole Ministry of Magic put together".[12]

She also treated Harry very courteously when he, Ron and Hermione were visiting St Mungo's.[6] Furthermore, she demonstrated her loyalty towards Harry and his cause by courageously deciding to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts to defeat Lord Voldemort and his army.

Albus Dumbledore[]

"My gran says that's rubbish. She says it's the Daily Prophet that's going downhill, not Dumbledore. She's cancelled our subscription. We believe Harry. My gran's always said You-Know-Who would come back one day. She says if Dumbledore says he's back, he's back."
— Augusta's belief in Dumbledore and Harry Potter[src]
Albus Dumbledore (HBP promo) 3

Albus Dumbledore, whom she was supportive of

Augusta Longbottom naturally respected Albus Dumbledore, considering that she allowed both her son and daughter-in-law to join the Order of the Phoenix that Dumbledore led out of obvious trust of Dumbledore's leadership and despite Alice and Frank becoming insane for their reputation as members of the Order, Augusta remained as respectful and loyal to Dumbledore as ever, showing she never blamed him for having failed to protect them.

Augusta was utterly disgusted by then Ministry of Magic's blatantly dishonest slandering of Dumbledore and quickly cancelled her Daily Prophet subscription over her anger at them publishing Ministry propaganda. Augusta likely was devastated when Albus died and attended his funeral and would prove her loyalty to the great wizard by courageously fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Etymology[]

Augusta is a Latin name and the feminine form of Augustus, meaning "great" or "venerable," derived from the Latin verb augere, "to increase."[21] Augustus was the name given to the first emperor of Rome, and subsequently Augusta was sometimes used as a title for empresses of the Roman and Byzantine empires.

Behind the scenes[]

Ninette Finch as Augusta Longbottom DHF1 (2)

Ninette Finch as Augusta Longbottom

Appearances[]

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 15 images related to Augusta Longbottom.

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 The Queen's Handbag
  2. World Exclusive Interview with J K Rowling
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 The Longbottom family tree from Pottermore
  4. "World Exclusive Interview with J K Rowling," South West News Service, 8 July 2000 - "Hogwarts just serves Britain and Ireland."
  5. 5.0 5.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 6 (The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters)
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 23 (Christmas on the Closed Ward)
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 9 (The Half-Blood Prince)
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 11 (The Sorting Hat's New Song)
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 31 (The Battle of Hogwarts)
  10. Writing by J. K. Rowling: "The Quill of Acceptance and The Book of Admittance" at Wizarding World on Pottermore states that Neville had "disappointed great aunts and uncles." Algie and Enid are Neville's only known great-aunt and great-uncle. Thus, Neville must have had at least one other great-aunt and one other great-uncle in addition to them, who could potentially be siblings of Augusta.
  11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 30 (The Pensieve)
  12. 12.0 12.1 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 7 (The Slug Club)
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 29 (The Lost Diadem)
  14. 14.0 14.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
  15. Pottermore
  16. 16.0 16.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Epilogue (Nineteen Years Later)
  17. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 7 (The Boggart in the Wardrobe)
  18. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 5 (The Whomping Willow)
  19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 14 (Snape's Grudge)
  20. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 31 (O.W.L.s)
  21. Behind the Name: Augusta
  22. http://www.sainou.com/leila-hoffman/
  23. http://www.snitchseeker.com/harry-potter-news/nevilles-grandmother-augusta-longbottom-cast-deathly-hallows-73518/ Finch in DH
  24. Never-seen-before photos of Ninette Finch as Augusta Longbottom
Order of the Phoenix
Fawkes WB F2 FawkesIllustration V2 Illust
Founder:
Albus Dumbledore
Leaders:
Albus Dumbledore | Alastor Moody | Kingsley Shacklebolt
Original Order of of the Phoenix:
Aberforth Dumbledore | Alastor Moody | Alice Longbottom | Arabella Figg | Benjy Fenwick | Caradoc Dearborn | Dedalus Diggle | Dorcas Meadowes | Edgar Bones | Elphias Doge | Emmeline Vance | Fabian Prewett | Frank Longbottom | Gideon Prewett | James Potter | Lily Potter | Marlene McKinnon | Mundungus Fletcher | Peter Pettigrew (defected) | Remus Lupin | Rubeus Hagrid | Severus Snape | Sirius Black | Sturgis Podmore
Reconstituted Order of the Phoenix:
Aberforth Dumbledore | Alastor Moody | Arabella Figg | Arthur Weasley | Bill Weasley | Charlie Weasley | Dedalus Diggle | Elphias Doge | Emmeline Vance | Fleur Delacour | Fred Weasley | George Weasley | Harry Potter | Hermione Granger | Hestia Jones | Kingsley Shacklebolt | Minerva McGonagall | Molly Weasley | Mundungus Fletcher | Nymphadora Tonks | Remus Lupin | Ron Weasley | Rubeus Hagrid | Severus Snape | Sirius Black | Sturgis Podmore
Order of the Phoenix allies:
Andromeda Tonks | Augusta Longbottom | Buckbeak | Dobby | Fawkes | Filius Flitwick | Firenze | Garrick Ollivander | Ginny Weasley | Grawp | Helena Ravenclaw | Horace Slughorn | Karkus | Karkus's wife | Kreacher | Lee Jordan | Luna Lovegood | McKinnon family | Mr Westenberg | Mrs Westenberg | Muriel | Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington | Neville Longbottom | Oliver Wood | Olympe Maxime | Rita Skeeter | Patrick Delaney-Podmore | Peeves | Percy Weasley | Pomona Sprout | Poppy Pomfrey | Sybill Trelawney | Ted Tonks | The Fallen Fifty | Westenberg family | Winky | Xenophilius Lovegood
Other affiliations:
Dumbledore's Army | Forbidden Forest Centaur colony | Headless Hunt | Hogwarts Hippogriff herd | Hogwarts house-elves | Hogwarts Ghosts | Hogwarts Staff |
Hogwarts students | Hogwarts Thestral herd | British Ministry of Magic | Giant colony (Karkus's control)
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