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{{FA}}
 
{{FA}}
 
{{Wizard individual infobox
 
{{Wizard individual infobox
|image=[[File:Bagshot_profile.jpg|250px]]
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|image=[[File:Bagshot profile.jpg|250px]]
 
|name=Bathilda Bagshot
 
|name=Bathilda Bagshot
 
|hideb=
 
|hideb=
 
|born=Years before [[1880s|1881]]<ref name="DH11">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 11 (''The Bribe'')</ref>
 
|born=Years before [[1880s|1881]]<ref name="DH11">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 11 (''The Bribe'')</ref>
|died=Sometime before [[24 December]], [[1997]]<br />[[Godric's Hollow]]<ref name="DH17">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 17 (''Bathilda's Secret'')</ref>
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|died=Sometime before [[24 December]], [[1997]] (aged at least 116)<br />[[Godric's Hollow]]<ref name="DH17">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 17 (''Bathilda's Secret'')</ref>
  +
|blood=
|blood=[[Pure-blood]] or [[Half-blood]] (possibly)<ref>As Bathilda was not imprisoned in Azkaban by the Muggle-born Registration Commission in 1997, it is possible that she was not Muggle-born. She is also related to at least one other wizard.</ref>
 
 
|marital=
 
|marital=
 
|alias="Batty" Bagshot<ref name="DH18">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 18 (''The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore'')</ref>
 
|alias="Batty" Bagshot<ref name="DH18">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 18 (''The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore'')</ref>
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{{Dialogue a-b-c|Harry Potter|Bathilda Bagshot? The author of ''A History of Magic''?|Elphias Doge|Yes. A most gifted magical historian and an old friend of Albus's.|Muriel|Quite gaga these days, I've heard.|[[Harry Potter]], [[Elphias Doge]], and [[Muriel]] in [[1997]]|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
{{Dialogue a-b-c|Harry Potter|Bathilda Bagshot? The author of ''A History of Magic''?|Elphias Doge|Yes. A most gifted magical historian and an old friend of Albus's.|Muriel|Quite gaga these days, I've heard.|[[Harry Potter]], [[Elphias Doge]], and [[Muriel]] in [[1997]]|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
   
'''Professor Bathilda Bagshot''' (fl. [[1880s|1881]]&ndash;[[1997]]) was a magical historian and the author of ''[[A History of Magic]]'' and approximately ten [[Bathilda Bagshot's books|other books]]. ''A History of Magic'' is used in the [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] [[History of Magic|class]] of the same name, taught by [[Cuthbert Binns|Professor Binns]]. She lived in [[Godric's Hollow]], and was murdered around [[December]], [[1997]], after which her corpse was animated by [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] to contain his snake [[Nagini]].
+
'''Professor Bathilda Bagshot''' (died [[1997]]) was a magical historian and the author of ''[[A History of Magic]]'' and approximately ten [[Bathilda Bagshot's books|other books]]. ''A History of Magic'' is used in the [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] [[History of Magic|class]] of the same name, taught by [[Cuthbert Binns|Professor Binns]]. She lived in [[Godric's Hollow]], and was murdered around [[December]], [[1997]], after which her corpse was animated by [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] to contain his snake [[Nagini]].
   
Bathilda was also the great-aunt of [[Gellert Grindelwald]], the infamous dark wizard who was defeated by [[Albus Dumbledore]].
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Bathilda was also the great-aunt of [[Gellert Grindelwald]], the infamous dark wizard who was defeated by [[Albus Dumbledore]]. 
   
 
==Biography==
 
==Biography==
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{{Quote| ''[Kendra Dumbledore]'' slammed the door in my face when I went around to welcome her with a batch of homemade Cauldron Cakes. The first year they were there I only ever saw the two boys. Wouldn't have known there was a daughter if I hadn't been picking Plangentines by moonlight the winter after they moved in, and saw Kendra leading Ariana out into the back garden. Walked her round the lawn once, keeping a firm grip on her, then took her back inside. Didn't know what to make of it.|Bathilda Bagshot relays her reminiscences about the [[Dumbledore family|Dumbledores]] to [[Rita Skeeter]].|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
{{Quote| ''[Kendra Dumbledore]'' slammed the door in my face when I went around to welcome her with a batch of homemade Cauldron Cakes. The first year they were there I only ever saw the two boys. Wouldn't have known there was a daughter if I hadn't been picking Plangentines by moonlight the winter after they moved in, and saw Kendra leading Ariana out into the back garden. Walked her round the lawn once, keeping a firm grip on her, then took her back inside. Didn't know what to make of it.|Bathilda Bagshot relays her reminiscences about the [[Dumbledore family|Dumbledores]] to [[Rita Skeeter]].|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
   
[[File:BathildaBagshot1947.jpg|thumb|left|175px|Professor Bagshot in [[1940s|1947]], at the time of publishing of ''[[A History of Magic]]''.]]
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[[File:BathildaBagshot1947.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Professor Bagshot in [[1940s|1947]], at the time of publishing of ''[[A History of Magic]]''.]]
 
In the [[1890s]], Bagshot already lived as an adult in her [[Bathilda Bagshot's home|house]] in [[Godric's Hollow]], when [[Kendra Dumbledore]] moved there from [[Mould-on-the-Wold]] along with her young children [[Albus Dumbledore|Albus]], [[Aberforth Dumbledore|Aberforth]] and [[Ariana Dumbledore|Ariana]], after her husband [[Percival Dumbledore|Percival]]'s well-publicised arrest and imprisonment in [[Azkaban]]. Bathilda tried to befriend Kendra after they arrived, but she was rebuffed.<ref name="DH11"/>
 
In the [[1890s]], Bagshot already lived as an adult in her [[Bathilda Bagshot's home|house]] in [[Godric's Hollow]], when [[Kendra Dumbledore]] moved there from [[Mould-on-the-Wold]] along with her young children [[Albus Dumbledore|Albus]], [[Aberforth Dumbledore|Aberforth]] and [[Ariana Dumbledore|Ariana]], after her husband [[Percival Dumbledore|Percival]]'s well-publicised arrest and imprisonment in [[Azkaban]]. Bathilda tried to befriend Kendra after they arrived, but she was rebuffed.<ref name="DH11"/>
   
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The summer after [[Albus Dumbledore]] graduated from Hogwarts, an orphan and head of the family, Bathilda's great-nephew, [[Gellert Grindelwald]], came to live with her and she made a point of introducing Grindelwald to Albus. The two talented young men became friends.<ref name="DH18"/> It is unknown how much or what Bathilda knew of her nephew's actions concerning [[Aberforth Dumbledore|Aberforth]] and [[Ariana Dumbledore]], but she witnessed the fist-fight that broke out between the Dumbledore brothers at Ariana's funeral.<ref name="DH8">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 8 (''The Wedding'')</ref>
 
The summer after [[Albus Dumbledore]] graduated from Hogwarts, an orphan and head of the family, Bathilda's great-nephew, [[Gellert Grindelwald]], came to live with her and she made a point of introducing Grindelwald to Albus. The two talented young men became friends.<ref name="DH18"/> It is unknown how much or what Bathilda knew of her nephew's actions concerning [[Aberforth Dumbledore|Aberforth]] and [[Ariana Dumbledore]], but she witnessed the fist-fight that broke out between the Dumbledore brothers at Ariana's funeral.<ref name="DH8">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 8 (''The Wedding'')</ref>
   
[[File:Histery.png|175px|right|thumb|''[[A History of Magic]]'', Professor Bagshot's ''magnum opus''.]]
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[[File:Histery.png|150px|right|thumb|''[[A History of Magic]]'', Professor Bagshot's ''magnum opus''.]]
 
 
In [[1940s|1947]], Bathilda's work on wizarding history was published under the title ''[[A History of Magic]]'' by [[Little Red Books]].<ref name="FB">''[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (real)|Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]''</ref> It was presumably around this time she authored her [[Bathilda Bagshot's books|other works on magical history]].<ref name="DHpt1 DVD2">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'' - Disc 2 (''Godric's Hollow'')</ref> She was deemed the most celebrated magical historian of the [[20th century|twentieth century]].<ref name="DHpt1 7">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'' - Chapter 7 (''The Wedding'')</ref>
 
In [[1940s|1947]], Bathilda's work on wizarding history was published under the title ''[[A History of Magic]]'' by [[Little Red Books]].<ref name="FB">''[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (real)|Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]''</ref> It was presumably around this time she authored her [[Bathilda Bagshot's books|other works on magical history]].<ref name="DHpt1 DVD2">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'' - Disc 2 (''Godric's Hollow'')</ref> She was deemed the most celebrated magical historian of the [[20th century|twentieth century]].<ref name="DHpt1 7">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'' - Chapter 7 (''The Wedding'')</ref>
   
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{{Quote|We had a very quiet birthday tea, just us and old Bathilda, who has always been sweet to us, and who dotes on Harry. ''[…]'' Bathilda drops in most days, she's a fascinating old thing with the most amazing stories about Dumbledore, I'm not sure he'd be pleased if he knew! I don't know how much to believe, actually, because it seems incredible that Dumbledore could ever have been friends with Gellert Grindelwald. I think her mind's going, personally!|Excerpt from a [[Lily Evans's letter|letter]] from [[Lily Evans]] to [[Sirius Black]], on Bathilda Bagshot and [[Harry Potter's first birthday|her son's first birthday]].|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
{{Quote|We had a very quiet birthday tea, just us and old Bathilda, who has always been sweet to us, and who dotes on Harry. ''[…]'' Bathilda drops in most days, she's a fascinating old thing with the most amazing stories about Dumbledore, I'm not sure he'd be pleased if he knew! I don't know how much to believe, actually, because it seems incredible that Dumbledore could ever have been friends with Gellert Grindelwald. I think her mind's going, personally!|Excerpt from a [[Lily Evans's letter|letter]] from [[Lily Evans]] to [[Sirius Black]], on Bathilda Bagshot and [[Harry Potter's first birthday|her son's first birthday]].|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
   
[[File:BathildaWithAcademics.png|thumb|left|220px|Bathilda Bagshot with other academics at [[Hogwarts Castle]].]]
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[[File:BathildaWithAcademics.png|thumb|left|200px|Bathilda Bagshot with other academics at [[Hogwarts Castle]].]]
In her later years, Bathilda was on close terms with [[Lily Evans|Lily Potter]] and even spoke to the younger woman on the closeness between Grindelwald and Dumbledore, though Lily remained somewhat sceptical, given Bathilda's advancing age and possible senility. Bathilda was also the only one to join the [[Potter family|Potters]] during [[Harry Potter's first birthday|Harry Potter's birthday tea]] when he turned one year old.<ref name="DH10"/> [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]]'s great aunt [[Muriel]] called her "gaga" during [[Wedding of William Weasley and Fleur Delacour|Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's wedding]].<ref name="DH8"/>
+
In her older years, Bathilda was on close terms with [[Lily Evans|Lily Potter]] and even spoke to the younger woman on the closeness between Grindelwald and Dumbledore, though Lily remained somewhat sceptical, given Bathilda's advancing age and possible senility. Bathilda was also the only one to join the [[Potter family|Potters]] during [[Harry Potter's first birthday|Harry Potter's birthday tea]] when he turned one year old.<ref name="DH10"/> [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]]'s great aunt [[Muriel]] called her "gaga" during [[Wedding of William Weasley and Fleur Delacour|Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's wedding]].<ref name="DH8"/>
   
 
Also sometime in her later life, Professor Bagshot provided a quote for the critical acclaim for ''[[Quidditch Through the Ages]]'' by [[Kennilworthy Whisp]], when she wrote "''Kennilworthy Whisp's painstaking research has uncovered a veritable treasure trove of hitherto unknown facts about the sport of warlocks. A fascinating read.''" as a review.<ref name="QA">''[[Quidditch Through the Ages (real)|Quidditch Through the Ages]]'' - ''Praise for ''Quidditch Through the Ages''''</ref>
 
Also sometime in her later life, Professor Bagshot provided a quote for the critical acclaim for ''[[Quidditch Through the Ages]]'' by [[Kennilworthy Whisp]], when she wrote "''Kennilworthy Whisp's painstaking research has uncovered a veritable treasure trove of hitherto unknown facts about the sport of warlocks. A fascinating read.''" as a review.<ref name="QA">''[[Quidditch Through the Ages (real)|Quidditch Through the Ages]]'' - ''Praise for ''Quidditch Through the Ages''''</ref>
   
 
====Interview====
 
====Interview====
{{Quote|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.|[[Rita Skeeter]]'s note to Bathilda.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}[[File:Rita_Skeeters_Note_for_Bathilda_Bagshot.png|thumb|300px|right|Rita Skeeter's note for Bathilda Bagshot.]]
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{{Quote|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.|[[Rita Skeeter]]'s note to Bathilda.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}[[File:Rita Skeeters Note for Bathilda Bagshot.png|thumb|250px|right|Rita Skeeter's note for Bathilda Bagshot.]]
   
 
In [[1997]], after the death of [[Albus Dumbledore]], Bathilda was interviewed by [[Rita Skeeter]] through [[Veritaserum]], who used the material for her only semi-true biography ''[[The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore]]''.<ref name="DH18"/> It is implied that Skeeter took advantage of Bathilda's poor mental state to twist her material to be more sensationalist.
 
In [[1997]], after the death of [[Albus Dumbledore]], Bathilda was interviewed by [[Rita Skeeter]] through [[Veritaserum]], who used the material for her only semi-true biography ''[[The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore]]''.<ref name="DH18"/> It is implied that Skeeter took advantage of Bathilda's poor mental state to twist her material to be more sensationalist.
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===Death and Post Mortem===
 
===Death and Post Mortem===
 
{{Quote|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.|[[Lee Jordan]] (code name "River"), during a [[Potterwatch]] broadcast in [[March]], [[1998]].|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
{{Quote|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.|[[Lee Jordan]] (code name "River"), during a [[Potterwatch]] broadcast in [[March]], [[1998]].|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
[[File:Harrybathilda.jpg|thumb|left|300px|[[Nagini]] as Bathilda Bagshot speaking to [[Harry Potter|Harry]] in [[Parseltongue]].]]
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[[File:Harrybathilda.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Nagini]] as Bathilda Bagshot speaking to [[Harry Potter|Harry]] in [[Parseltongue]].]]
  +
 
Sometime afterwards, Bathilda was murdered through the [[Dark Arts]]<ref name="DH22">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 22 (''The Deathly Hallows'')</ref> and her body was animated by [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] using his snake, [[Nagini]]. He left Nagini there as a trap, thinking that [[Harry Potter]] may visit Godric's Hollow to see his parents' grave and their home. On the following Christmas Eve, [[Hermione Granger]] and Harry did so, thinking that perhaps Dumbledore had left [[Godric Gryffindor's Sword]] there for them to be able to destroy the horcruxes they were hunting. The pair met the possessed woman and were almost captured when "Bathilda" lured them into her home. After determining Harry's identity, Nagini leapt from Bathilda's body to [[Attack at Godric's Hollow (1997)|attack him]], leaving the old woman for good. The plan, however, failed and Harry and Hermione escaped.<ref name="DH17"/>
 
Sometime afterwards, Bathilda was murdered through the [[Dark Arts]]<ref name="DH22">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 22 (''The Deathly Hallows'')</ref> and her body was animated by [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] using his snake, [[Nagini]]. He left Nagini there as a trap, thinking that [[Harry Potter]] may visit Godric's Hollow to see his parents' grave and their home. On the following Christmas Eve, [[Hermione Granger]] and Harry did so, thinking that perhaps Dumbledore had left [[Godric Gryffindor's Sword]] there for them to be able to destroy the horcruxes they were hunting. The pair met the possessed woman and were almost captured when "Bathilda" lured them into her home. After determining Harry's identity, Nagini leapt from Bathilda's body to [[Attack at Godric's Hollow (1997)|attack him]], leaving the old woman for good. The plan, however, failed and Harry and Hermione escaped.<ref name="DH17"/>
   
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==Physical appearance==
 
==Physical appearance==
[[File:Bathilda's_blood.png|thumb|right|330px|Hermione discovers blood on the wall of Bathilda's house.]]
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[[File:Bathilda's blood.png|thumb|250px|Hermione discovers blood on the roof of Bathilda's house.]]
 
{{Quote|She smelled bad, or perhaps it was her house: [[Harry Potter|Harry]] wrinkled his nose as they sidled past her and pulled off the Cloak. Now that he was beside her, [Harry] realised how tiny she was; bowed down with age, she came barely level with his chest. She closed the door behind them, her knuckles blue and mottled against the peeling paint ''[...]'' Her eyes were thick with cataracts and sunken into folds of transparent skin, and her whole face was dotted with broken veins and liver spots ''[...]'' The odour of old age, of dust, of unwashed clothes and stale food intensified as she unwound a moth-eaten black shawl, revealing a head of scant white hair through which the scalp showed clearly.|Description.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
{{Quote|She smelled bad, or perhaps it was her house: [[Harry Potter|Harry]] wrinkled his nose as they sidled past her and pulled off the Cloak. Now that he was beside her, [Harry] realised how tiny she was; bowed down with age, she came barely level with his chest. She closed the door behind them, her knuckles blue and mottled against the peeling paint ''[...]'' Her eyes were thick with cataracts and sunken into folds of transparent skin, and her whole face was dotted with broken veins and liver spots ''[...]'' The odour of old age, of dust, of unwashed clothes and stale food intensified as she unwound a moth-eaten black shawl, revealing a head of scant white hair through which the scalp showed clearly.|Description.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
  +
 
Professor Bagshot was a tiny woman (her head at the level of seventeen-year-old [[Harry Potter]]'s chest). At the time that Harry Potter met her, she was stooped, her eyes were thick with cataracts, and her hair was scant and white, with her scalp clearly visible. Her face had some liver spots and broken veins.<ref name="DH17"/>
 
Professor Bagshot was a tiny woman (her head at the level of seventeen-year-old [[Harry Potter]]'s chest). At the time that Harry Potter met her, she was stooped, her eyes were thick with cataracts, and her hair was scant and white, with her scalp clearly visible. Her face had some liver spots and broken veins.<ref name="DH17"/>
   
 
==Personality and traits==
 
==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|Unfortunately, the brilliance that Bathilda exhibited earlier in her life has now dimmed. "''The fire's lit, but the cauldron's empty,''" as [[Ivor Dillonsby]] put it to me, or, in [[Enid Smeek]]'s slightly earthier phrase, "''She's nutty as squirrel poo.''"|[[Rita Skeeter]], ''[[The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore]]''.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
+
{{Quote|Unfortunately, the brilliance that Bathilda exhibited earlier in her life has now dimmed. "The fire's lit, but the cauldron's empty," as [[Ivor Dillonsby]] put it to me, or, in [[Enid Smeek]]'s slightly earthier phrase, "She's nutty as squirrel poo.|[[Rita Skeeter]], ''[[The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore]]''.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
  +
Little is known of Bathilda's personality. One can presume she was friendly and amiable, having tried to befriend [[Kendra Dumbledore]] in the [[1890s]] with a batch of homemade [[Cauldron Cakes]],<ref name="DH11"/> regarded [[Albus Dumbledore]] as something like a protégé,<ref name="DH18"/> and was friendly with [[Lily Evans|Lily Potter]] in the early [[1980s]].<ref name="DH10"/> She was a brilliant witch and historian in her youth, but during her later years she had quite possibly becoming senile.<ref name="DH18"/>
+
Little is known of Bathilda's personality. One can presume she was friendly and amiable, having tried to befriend [[Kendra Dumbledore]] in the [[1890s]] with a batch of homemade [[Cauldron Cakes]],<ref name="DH11"/> regarded [[Albus Dumbledore]] as something like a protégé,<ref name="DH18"/> and was friendly with [[Lily Evans|Lily Potter]] in the early [[1980s]].<ref name="DH10"/> She was a brilliant witch and historian in her youth, but during her later years she was quite possibly becoming senile.<ref name="DH18"/>
   
 
==Magical abilities and skills==
 
==Magical abilities and skills==
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*''Bathilda'' is an alternate spelling of the name of [[Wikipedia:Balthild|Saint Balthild]], a seventh-century Anglo-Saxon noble and wife of King Clovis II of Burgundy who dedicated her later life to helping the ill and the poor. The name is derived from the Old English ''Bealdhild'', meaning "bold battle".
 
*''Bathilda'' is an alternate spelling of the name of [[Wikipedia:Balthild|Saint Balthild]], a seventh-century Anglo-Saxon noble and wife of King Clovis II of Burgundy who dedicated her later life to helping the ill and the poor. The name is derived from the Old English ''Bealdhild'', meaning "bold battle".
 
*Bathilda is a German name that means "heroine".
 
*Bathilda is a German name that means "heroine".
*Bagshot is the name of a town in Surrey, England. The name is thought to be derived from a tribe (bacca) and the Anglo-saxon word for "The place of" (sheatte) meaning "the place of Bacca's tribe" though Bag could also mean badger, "the place of the [[Badger]]", creating a reference to [[Hufflepuff]].
+
*Bagshot is the name of a town in Surrey, England. The name is thought to be derived from a tribe (bacca) and the Anglo-Saxon word for "The place of" (sheatte) meaning "the place of Bacca's tribe" though Bag could also mean badger, "the place of the [[Badger]]", creating a reference to [[Hufflepuff]].
 
*Bathilda's last name, Bagshot, may also be a reference to ''[[wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]'', in which the characters Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, and Hamfast and Samwise Gamgee lived on Bagshot Row.
 
*Bathilda's last name, Bagshot, may also be a reference to ''[[wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]'', in which the characters Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, and Hamfast and Samwise Gamgee lived on Bagshot Row.
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
*[[Hazel Douglas]] portrayed Bathilda Bagshot in ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]''.[[File:Hazel_Douglas_as_Bathilda.jpg|thumb|Hazel Douglas in an on-set interview.]]
+
[[File:Hazel Douglas as Bathilda.jpg|thumb|200px|Hazel Douglas in an on-set interview.]]
 
[[File:Bathilda lego.png|thumb|150px|Bathilda as a [[LEGO Harry Potter|LEGO]] minfigure.]]
  +
*[[Hazel Douglas]] portrayed Bathilda Bagshot in ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]''.
 
*It is possible that Bathilda's body was animated as an [[Inferius]], and thus controlled by Voldemort's will. As Inferi are never shown to speak, this would account for why Nagini had to speak for her instead, but this is not necessarily the case because it was stated in the book that [[Nagini]] came out of her.
 
*It is possible that Bathilda's body was animated as an [[Inferius]], and thus controlled by Voldemort's will. As Inferi are never shown to speak, this would account for why Nagini had to speak for her instead, but this is not necessarily the case because it was stated in the book that [[Nagini]] came out of her.
 
*Bathilda was incredibly old when she died, as she was a ''great'' aunt of Grindelwald in the [[1890s]], although her precise date of birth is not mentioned.
 
*Bathilda was incredibly old when she died, as she was a ''great'' aunt of Grindelwald in the [[1890s]], although her precise date of birth is not mentioned.
 
*A picture by concept artist Peter Mckinstry shows [[:File:BathildaWithAcademics.png|a photograph of Bathilda Bagshot and other academics sitting in a classroom at Hogwarts Castle]]. This seems to be a reference to the famous [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Solvay_conference_1927.jpg picture of the 1927 Solvay Conference on Quantum Mechanics], as both the clothes and the overall alignment of individuals are similar. In the picture, Bathilda seems to take the place of [[Wikipedia:Marie Curie|Marie Curie]]: in both pictures they are the only featured women, and they are both in a similar position and in a similar pose.
 
*A picture by concept artist Peter Mckinstry shows [[:File:BathildaWithAcademics.png|a photograph of Bathilda Bagshot and other academics sitting in a classroom at Hogwarts Castle]]. This seems to be a reference to the famous [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Solvay_conference_1927.jpg picture of the 1927 Solvay Conference on Quantum Mechanics], as both the clothes and the overall alignment of individuals are similar. In the picture, Bathilda seems to take the place of [[Wikipedia:Marie Curie|Marie Curie]]: in both pictures they are the only featured women, and they are both in a similar position and in a similar pose.
 
*In a ''[[The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore]]'' prop for [[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1|the first part of the film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'', Bathilda Bagshot's name is poorly transcribed as "Batholith".<ref>See [http://www.mugglenet.com/viewer/?image_location=/movie7/books/page_lifeandlies.jpg this image].</ref>
 
*In a ''[[The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore]]'' prop for [[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1|the first part of the film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'', Bathilda Bagshot's name is poorly transcribed as "Batholith".<ref>See [http://www.mugglenet.com/viewer/?image_location=/movie7/books/page_lifeandlies.jpg this image].</ref>
  +
*Her name may have been inspired by {{wplink|Walter Bagehot}}, who, in [[1860s|1867]], wrote the book that is considered the most important text on the British system of government.  His work ''{{wplink|The English Constitution}}'' had nearly the same status in British public schools as ''A History of Magic'' did at Hogwarts.
   
 
==Appearances==
 
==Appearances==
[[File:Bathilda lego.png|thumb|150px|Bathilda as a [[LEGO Harry Potter|LEGO]] minfigure.]]
 
 
{{Imagecat|Images of Bathilda Bagshot}}
 
{{Imagecat|Images of Bathilda Bagshot}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' {{1st Mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' {{1st Mention}}
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[[Category:Wizards|Bagshot, Bathilda]]
 
[[Category:Wizards|Bagshot, Bathilda]]
 
[[Category:Articles related to Horcruxes]]
 
[[Category:Articles related to Horcruxes]]
  +
[[Category:Attack on Godric's Hollow (1997) participants]]
  +
[[Category:Godric's Hollow residents]]

Revision as of 00:07, 20 February 2014

Harry Potter: "Bathilda Bagshot? The author of A History of Magic?"
Elphias Doge: "Yes. A most gifted magical historian and an old friend of Albus's."
Muriel: "Quite gaga these days, I've heard."
Harry Potter, Elphias Doge, and Muriel in 1997[src]

Professor Bathilda Bagshot (died 1997) was a magical historian and the author of A History of Magic and approximately ten other books. A History of Magic is used in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry class of the same name, taught by Professor Binns. She lived in Godric's Hollow, and was murdered around December, 1997, after which her corpse was animated by Lord Voldemort to contain his snake Nagini.

Bathilda was also the great-aunt of Gellert Grindelwald, the infamous dark wizard who was defeated by Albus Dumbledore

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What is the significance of Bathilda Bagshot in the Harry Potter series? toggle section
Bathilda Bagshot is a significant character. She is a renowned magical historian known for her work on Divination practices and her book 'A History of Magic', which is considered a fundamental text in the wizarding world. In the final book. 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', she is revealed to be a corpse under the control of Nagini, Voldemort's snake. Her character adds depth to the series' lore and contributes to the suspense and mystery in the Deathly Hallows.
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How did Bathilda Bagshot die in the Harry Potter series? toggle section
Bathilda met a tragic end. She was murdered through use of the Dark Arts by Voldemort. After her death, her body was animated by Voldemort who used his snake, Nagini, to inhabit her corpse. This was done as a trap for Harry Potter, who Voldemort reasoned would visit Bathilda's cottage. When Harry and Hermione Granger arrived, they were lured into the house by the disguised Nagini. Bathilda, or rather Nagini in disguise, could only communicate in Parseltongue and through gestures. After verifying Harry's identity, Nagini attacked him, but Hermione was able to save Harry in time.
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Bathilda Bagshot in the Harry Potter films was portrayed by the English actress Hazel Douglas.
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What is Bathilda Bagshot's connection to Godric's Hollow? toggle section
Bathilda Bagshot, the renowned magical historian, had a deep connection with Godric's Hollow. She lived there for a significant part of her life. Bathilda was friendly with the Potters and the Dumbledores, both families also being residents of Godric's Hollow. In a twist of fate, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger visited Godric's Hollow in 1997 to find Bathilda, hoping she had the Sword of Gryffindor they needed to destroy Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes. However, they discovered that Bathilda had been dead for a while, and Voldemort's snake Nagini had been placed inside her by Voldemort himself.
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Biography

Early life

Professor Bagshot was born somewhere in the British Isles to the wizarding Bagshot family sometime in the early or mid nineteenth century. It is likely she attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in her youth, most likely earning an O.W.L. and/or N.E.W.T. in History of Magic, her area of expertise later in her life.[5]

The Dumbledores

" [Kendra Dumbledore] slammed the door in my face when I went around to welcome her with a batch of homemade Cauldron Cakes. The first year they were there I only ever saw the two boys. Wouldn't have known there was a daughter if I hadn't been picking Plangentines by moonlight the winter after they moved in, and saw Kendra leading Ariana out into the back garden. Walked her round the lawn once, keeping a firm grip on her, then took her back inside. Didn't know what to make of it."
— Bathilda Bagshot relays her reminiscences about the Dumbledores to Rita Skeeter.[src]
BathildaBagshot1947

Professor Bagshot in 1947, at the time of publishing of A History of Magic.

In the 1890s, Bagshot already lived as an adult in her house in Godric's Hollow, when Kendra Dumbledore moved there from Mould-on-the-Wold along with her young children Albus, Aberforth and Ariana, after her husband Percival's well-publicised arrest and imprisonment in Azkaban. Bathilda tried to befriend Kendra after they arrived, but she was rebuffed.[1]

Some years later, Bathilda sent an owl to Albus Dumbledore, then a Hogwarts student, having been favourably impressed by his paper on trans-species Transfiguration for the scholarly journal Transfiguration Today. This initial contract led to acquaintance with the rest of the Dumbledore family. At the time of Kendra's death, Bathilda was the only person in Godric's Hollow who was on speaking terms with her.[3]

The summer after Albus Dumbledore graduated from Hogwarts, an orphan and head of the family, Bathilda's great-nephew, Gellert Grindelwald, came to live with her and she made a point of introducing Grindelwald to Albus. The two talented young men became friends.[3] It is unknown how much or what Bathilda knew of her nephew's actions concerning Aberforth and Ariana Dumbledore, but she witnessed the fist-fight that broke out between the Dumbledore brothers at Ariana's funeral.[8]

Histery

A History of Magic, Professor Bagshot's magnum opus.

In 1947, Bathilda's work on wizarding history was published under the title A History of Magic by Little Red Books.[9] It was presumably around this time she authored her other works on magical history.[10] She was deemed the most celebrated magical historian of the twentieth century.[11]

Bathilda may have been a teacher at some point, possibly at Hogwarts, as Hermione Granger refers to her as "Professor Bagshot" when referencing her work.[4]

Later years

"We had a very quiet birthday tea, just us and old Bathilda, who has always been sweet to us, and who dotes on Harry. […] Bathilda drops in most days, she's a fascinating old thing with the most amazing stories about Dumbledore, I'm not sure he'd be pleased if he knew! I don't know how much to believe, actually, because it seems incredible that Dumbledore could ever have been friends with Gellert Grindelwald. I think her mind's going, personally!"
— Excerpt from a letter from Lily Evans to Sirius Black, on Bathilda Bagshot and her son's first birthday.[src]
BathildaWithAcademics

Bathilda Bagshot with other academics at Hogwarts Castle.

In her older years, Bathilda was on close terms with Lily Potter and even spoke to the younger woman on the closeness between Grindelwald and Dumbledore, though Lily remained somewhat sceptical, given Bathilda's advancing age and possible senility. Bathilda was also the only one to join the Potters during Harry Potter's birthday tea when he turned one year old.[7] Ron Weasley's great aunt Muriel called her "gaga" during Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's wedding.[8]

Also sometime in her later life, Professor Bagshot provided a quote for the critical acclaim for Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp, when she wrote "Kennilworthy Whisp's painstaking research has uncovered a veritable treasure trove of hitherto unknown facts about the sport of warlocks. A fascinating read." as a review.[12]

Interview

"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."
Rita Skeeter's note to Bathilda.[src]
Rita Skeeters Note for Bathilda Bagshot

Rita Skeeter's note for Bathilda Bagshot.

In 1997, after the death of Albus Dumbledore, Bathilda was interviewed by Rita Skeeter through Veritaserum, who used the material for her only semi-true biography The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore.[3] It is implied that Skeeter took advantage of Bathilda's poor mental state to twist her material to be more sensationalist.

Death and Post Mortem

"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."
Lee Jordan (code name "River"), during a Potterwatch broadcast in March, 1998.[src]
File:Harrybathilda.jpg

Nagini as Bathilda Bagshot speaking to Harry in Parseltongue.

Sometime afterwards, Bathilda was murdered through the Dark Arts[13] and her body was animated by Lord Voldemort using his snake, Nagini. He left Nagini there as a trap, thinking that Harry Potter may visit Godric's Hollow to see his parents' grave and their home. On the following Christmas Eve, Hermione Granger and Harry did so, thinking that perhaps Dumbledore had left Godric Gryffindor's Sword there for them to be able to destroy the horcruxes they were hunting. The pair met the possessed woman and were almost captured when "Bathilda" lured them into her home. After determining Harry's identity, Nagini leapt from Bathilda's body to attack him, leaving the old woman for good. The plan, however, failed and Harry and Hermione escaped.[2]

Bathilda's body was later found, and her death by Dark magic was reported by Potterwatch.[13]

Published works

Physical appearance

Bathilda's blood

Hermione discovers blood on the roof of Bathilda's house.

"She smelled bad, or perhaps it was her house: Harry wrinkled his nose as they sidled past her and pulled off the Cloak. Now that he was beside her, [Harry] realised how tiny she was; bowed down with age, she came barely level with his chest. She closed the door behind them, her knuckles blue and mottled against the peeling paint [...] Her eyes were thick with cataracts and sunken into folds of transparent skin, and her whole face was dotted with broken veins and liver spots [...] The odour of old age, of dust, of unwashed clothes and stale food intensified as she unwound a moth-eaten black shawl, revealing a head of scant white hair through which the scalp showed clearly."
— Description.[src]

Professor Bagshot was a tiny woman (her head at the level of seventeen-year-old Harry Potter's chest). At the time that Harry Potter met her, she was stooped, her eyes were thick with cataracts, and her hair was scant and white, with her scalp clearly visible. Her face had some liver spots and broken veins.[2]

Personality and traits

"Unfortunately, the brilliance that Bathilda exhibited earlier in her life has now dimmed. "The fire's lit, but the cauldron's empty," as Ivor Dillonsby put it to me, or, in Enid Smeek's slightly earthier phrase, "She's nutty as squirrel poo."
Rita Skeeter, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore.[src]

Little is known of Bathilda's personality. One can presume she was friendly and amiable, having tried to befriend Kendra Dumbledore in the 1890s with a batch of homemade Cauldron Cakes,[1] regarded Albus Dumbledore as something like a protégé,[3] and was friendly with Lily Potter in the early 1980s.[7] She was a brilliant witch and historian in her youth, but during her later years she was quite possibly becoming senile.[3]

Magical abilities and skills

Etymology

  • Bathilda is an alternate spelling of the name of Saint Balthild, a seventh-century Anglo-Saxon noble and wife of King Clovis II of Burgundy who dedicated her later life to helping the ill and the poor. The name is derived from the Old English Bealdhild, meaning "bold battle".
  • Bathilda is a German name that means "heroine".
  • Bagshot is the name of a town in Surrey, England. The name is thought to be derived from a tribe (bacca) and the Anglo-Saxon word for "The place of" (sheatte) meaning "the place of Bacca's tribe" though Bag could also mean badger, "the place of the Badger", creating a reference to Hufflepuff.
  • Bathilda's last name, Bagshot, may also be a reference to The Lord of the Rings, in which the characters Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, and Hamfast and Samwise Gamgee lived on Bagshot Row.

Behind the scenes

Hazel Douglas as Bathilda

Hazel Douglas in an on-set interview.

Bathilda lego

Bathilda as a LEGO minfigure.

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 18 images related to Bathilda Bagshot.

Notes and references

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 11 (The Bribe)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 17 (Bathilda's Secret)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 18 (The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore)
  4. 4.0 4.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 16 (Godric's Hollow)
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)
  6. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 10 (Kreacher's Tale)
  8. 8.0 8.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 8 (The Wedding)
  9. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
  10. 10.0 10.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 - Disc 2 (Godric's Hollow)
  11. 11.0 11.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 - Chapter 7 (The Wedding)
  12. Quidditch Through the Ages - Praise for Quidditch Through the Ages'
  13. 13.0 13.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 22 (The Deathly Hallows)
  14. See this image.