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"I'm — I'm Colin Creevey. I'm in Gryffindor, too. D'you think — would it be all right if — can I have a picture?... So I can prove I've met you. I know all about you. Everyone's told me. About how you survived when You-Know-Who tried to kill you, and how he disappeared and everything and how you've still got a lightning scar on your forehead... It's amazing here, isn't it? I never knew all the odd stuff I could do was magic till I got the letter from Hogwarts."
— Colin introducing himself to Harry Potter[src]

Colin Creevey (19812 May 1998) was a Muggle-born wizard, son of Mr Creevey and Mrs Creevey, and older brother of Dennis. He was a big fan of the famous Harry Potter, who was a year ahead of him in school.

During his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he was sorted into Gryffindor House. He was known for taking several pictures of Harry and other students. During his fourth year, he and Dennis became members of Dumbledore's Army, an organisation taught and led by Harry Potter.

Colin was expelled from Hogwarts in his sixth year, due to Voldemort's policy of not allowing Muggle-borns to attend the school. On 2 May 1998, he snuck into the Room of Requirement with the rest of Dumbledore's Army and fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, during which he was murdered by the Death Eaters.

Biography[]

Early life (1981–1992)[]

Colin Creevey grew up in an ordinary Muggle family. He was the son of a milkman and was amazed to find out he was a wizard who could attend Hogwarts. Colin was continually awestruck at everything to do with the wizarding world. Colin had a younger brother named Dennis, who was also a wizard, an unusual thing to occur for two magical offspring to come from Muggle parents.

Hogwarts years (1992–1997)[]

First year[]

Colin: "What happened, Harry? What happened? Is he ill? But you can cure him, can't you? Oooh, can you hold him still, Harry?"
Harry Potter: "Get out of the way, Colin!"
— Colin requesting Ron be poised for a picture after vomiting slugs[src]
Colin camera

Colin Creevey with his camera taking pictures of Harry Potter

Colin started attending Hogwarts in 1992. He was sorted into Gryffindor. He was very frequently seen in Hogwarts with a camera, worshipping the ground that Harry Potter walked on. At one point he asked for an autographed photo of Harry, prompting Draco Malfoy to tell everyone Harry was giving out signed photos. Colin responded by accusing Malfoy of being jealous. He was also amazed that he could take moving pictures.[8]

He got his photo with the celebrity Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Gilderoy Lockhart.[8] However, the photographic Harry had refused to appear on the photo, but Lockhart just about managed to drag him into view.[8][9] When he went to Harry to have the photo signed, Harry was in a rush to get to Quidditch practice, which prompted Colin to say he would go with him, as he had never watched a game before. Harry tried to stop him by claiming it was "boring" but Colin went along nevertheless.[9]

Colin bludger

Colin attempting to take pictures during a Quidditch match and almost gettng hit by a Bludger

As they walked to the pitch, Colin kept asking Harry questions about Quidditch. He asked Harry about flying, whether the Nimbus 2000 was Harry's broomstick, whether it was the best broom there was (in reality at the time it was the Nimbus 2001, but would later be replaced by the Firebolt) and finally, the rules of Quidditch which Harry resigned to explaining. Colin kept asking more questions the whole way, until Harry managed to shake him off at the changing rooms.[9]

Colin sat in the stands taking pictures of the training session, asking Harry at one point to look at him while he took a photo. When Colin saw Ron protecting Hermione from Malfoy and self curse himself, he went up to them and upon seeing the state of Ron's condition, he eagerly and inappropriately asked Harry to turn him around.[9]

Dumbledore visiting Colin in the Hospital Wing

Professors surrounding a petrified Colin in the Hospital Wing

After Mrs Norris was petrified, Colin tried to tell Harry what one of the boys in his class had been saying, but he got lost in the crowd before he could say what it was. Presumably, it was that Harry was the Heir of Slytherin,[10] as Harry heard it many times before during the school year.

Colin later attended the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin, where he clicked his camera non-stop. He inappropriately took photos of Harry, while he was lying injured in the mud even though Harry told him not to. When Colin saw Harry lose the bones in his broken arm thanks to Lockhart, he began taking even more pictures excitedly.[11]

Petrification

Colin and the other petrified students being visited by Harry Potter and Ron Weasley

Colin decided to sneak up to the Hospital Wing to give Harry grapes, but was petrified by Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk. Fortunately, he only looked at the snake's eye through the lens of his camera, which saved his life, although the film of his camera was destroyed. His body (along with Penelope Clearwater's) was seen in the Hospital Wing when Harry and Ron were visiting Hermione.[11] He was later revived by a Mandrake Draught.[12]

Second year[]

Colin: "Aren't you going to Hogsmeade, Harry? Why not? Hey — you can come and sit with us, if you like, Harry!"
Harry Potter: "Er — no, thanks, Colin. I — I've got to go to the library, got to get some work done."
— Colin enthusiastically invites Harry to join him and his friends[src]
Gryffindors in the Great Hall COSF

Colin Creevey at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall

Colin's second year of education at Hogwarts was a quieter one than his first. Colin was probably shaken and was likely to be keeping his head down to avoid any trouble after the incident in his first year with the Basilisk.

Colin was among the students that stayed behind at the castle as he was too young whilst the other students visited Hogsmeade. He stayed behind along with Harry Potter, who had not had his permission slip for Hogsmeade signed. In an effort to avoid Colin, Harry lied and said he needed to return a book to the library.[13]

Third year[]

"Harry, guess what? Guess what, Harry? My brother's starting! My brother Dennis!... He's really excited! I just hope he's in Gryffindor! Keep your fingers crossed, eh, Harry?"
— Colin telling Harry that his brother is starting Hogwarts[src]

During the Sorting ceremony of 1994, Colin, in an overly excited manner, told Harry Potter to cross his fingers because Colin wanted his younger brother, Dennis, to be sorted into the Gryffindor House along with him. Dennis looked at Colin as he walked up to the chair, gave him two thumbs up and whispered that he had fallen from the boat on the way across the lake. When Dennis told him something pulled him from the lake, Colin responded that it was probably the giant squid. Colin was delighted when Dennis was sorted into the same house.[6]

Before the Wand weighing ceremony, Colin was sent to collect Harry from his Potions class with Professor Snape. Snape was annoyed with Colin interrupting his class, but he begrudgingly let Harry leave and take his belongings with him after Colin informed him Harry's attendance was compulsory for all Triwizard champions. Before the ceremony, Colin wished Harry good luck and told him that photographs would be taken of him for the Daily Prophet.[14]

Before the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament, he and his younger brother Dennis got hold of a stack of "Support Cedric Diggory!" badges and attempted to bewitch them to say "Support Harry Potter!" instead, all they managed to do was get them stuck on "POTTER STINKS", and later "POTTER REALLY STINKS". He was likely manipulated by Rita Skeeter to give info on Harry's love life, as he is quoted saying that Harry was hardly ever seen out of the company of Hermione, a quote with which Colin may have unintentionally started Rita's theory that Hermione was Harry's "girlfriend".[15]

At the end of the year, Cedric Diggory was murdered on Lord Voldemort's orders by Peter Pettigrew and it was announced that Tom Riddle had returned. This would have caused significant anxiety for Colin and his brother Dennis, as Voldemort loathed muggle-borns and with rumours of his rise to power upcoming would have almost certainly scared him.

Fourth year[]

"Is it OK if I bring my camera? No, probably not we don't want photos of the secret meetings. I won't bring it then, great, no problem! Thanks again Harry I'll see you later, bye!"
— Colin to Harry Potter regarding the D.A. meetings[src]
ColinCreev

Colin Creevey and Harry Potter in the Room of Requirement after a D.A. meeting

Colin's fourth year would be a year of rebellion amongst the students. The previous school year ended with the start of the Second Wizarding War after Lord Voldemort returned and murdered Cedric Diggory. However Harry Potter's claims that Voldemort had returned were slated as 'lies' and it wasn't officially announced to be true. Due to the events that took place in Colin's third year, in 1995, Dolores Umbridge was appointed as the eyes of the Ministry to watch over Hogwarts. However, Umbridge was far from what the students had in mind as 'watching over' them, she was a cruel and incompetent teacher who refused to teach practical defensive spells to any students.

Dumbledore's Army in circle

One of the D.A. meeting, an organisation Colin was part of

With students not being taught Defence Against the Dark Arts in a practical manner, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter founded an alliance called Dumbledore's Army, which would help students to learn how to defend themselves. Colin and his brother both attended the first meeting of the D.A. at the Hog's Head Inn in Hogsmeade, and both expressed shock in learning what Harry had done during his school years, especially defeating the Basilisk that petrified Colin.[16] Colin and his brother Dennis both joined this alliance and were taught defensive magic by Harry; during their meetings he and his brother were regarded as being erratic, causing several books to fly off bookshelves during practice. After three meetings, he managed to master the Impediment Jinx[17] and the Full Body-Bind Curse.[18]

Fifth year[]

Not a lot is known about what happened to Colin during his fifth year. Colin and his brother Dennis applauded Harry Potter after the Gryffindor Quidditch team had won the first match of the season, with them wanting a detailed blow by blow analysis.[19]

B6C30M1 funeral of Albus Dumbledore

The funeral of Albus Dumbledore that Colin most likely attended

When Death Eaters entered Hogwarts and the Battle of the Astronomy Tower struck, Hermione Granger called all D.A. members via their coins for reinforcements and Colin was not one of the few members to actually show for battle. Whether he intentionally stayed out of battle or if it was because he no longer carried his coin is unknown. It is likely that Colin stayed for the funeral of Albus Dumbledore, showing his respects to the late headmaster as there was no mention of Colin attempting to take photographs during the procession like he normally would in a situation of some sort.

Pulled out of education (1997–1998)[]

In 1997, Hogwarts was taken over by Severus Snape and Death Eaters. Due to Voldemort's policy of not allowing Muggle-borns to attend the school, Colin and his brother Dennis were unable to attend Hogwarts for their sixth year and fourth year of education respectively. It is also likely that the Creeveys went into hiding as there was a Muggle-Born Registration Commission running where any Muggle-born wizards or witches were to be put on trial regarding how they came to possess a wand.

Battle of Hogwarts and death[]

"Then Neville nearly walked into him. He was one half of a pair that was carrying a body in from the grounds. Harry glanced down, and felt another dull blow to his stomach: Colin Creevey, though underage, must have sneaked back just as Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle had done. He was tiny in death."
Oliver Wood carrying Colin's dead body into the Great Hall[src]
Hogwarts Post-Battle

The Battle of Hogwarts, where Colin was killed

Even though his blood status prevented him from being taught at Hogwarts, Colin returned when he was called, along with other members of Dumbledore's Army. Minerva McGonagall dismissed many students from the castle for being underage, however Colin must have returned and participated in the Battle of Hogwarts.[20]

He fought during the first half of the battle and likely went outside the castle, as his body was recovered outside the Great Hall by Neville Longbottom and Oliver Wood. He was placed in the Great Hall alongside the others that had fallen in the battle.[20] Colin's sacrifice was not in vain, as the other defenders of Hogwarts defeated all Death Eaters present. Lord Voldemort also met his death at the hands of Harry Potter once and for all, thus ending the Second Wizarding War.

Physical description[]

Colin was described as being much shorter than Harry Potter, with mousy brown hair.[21][8]

Personality and traits[]

"Oh, wow! Wait for me! I've never watched a Quidditch game before!"
— Colin's excitement for all things magical[src]
Colin-0

A very cheerful young Colin with his camera

Colin was a person who was very easily excited. When he first came into Hogwarts, he was excited about everything. He was also a fan of some wizarding "celebrities", such as Harry Potter and Gilderoy Lockhart. It is possible he had a bit of hero worship for Harry, as he was constantly in awe of anything Harry said or did in their first year together.[8] The night he was attacked by the basilisk he was presumed to be trying to sneak into the hospital wing to visit Harry.[11]

During the Triwizard Tournament he and his brother tried to bewitch a number of "Potter Stinks" badges to support Harry, which backfired as they only made the badges say "Potter Really Stinks".[15] This hero worship may have reached its peak when he returned to Hogwarts despite not being a student anymore to help defend it against the forces of Lord Voldemort.[20]

He always took pictures in his first year, which could lead to him being often annoying. This was partly due to him taking pictures at inopportune moments, such as when Ron was belching slugs,[9] and Harry lost the bones in his arm.[11] It was due to this behaviour that some assumed he had been chosen for an attack by the monster in the Chamber of Secrets.

Colin was also brave, as he fought at the Battle of Hogwarts against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters, even though he was outright not allowed by Professor McGonagall, which he defied by sneaking back in, and was killed during the battle.[20]

Magical abilities and skills[]

"... how Colin Creevey had mastered the Impediment Jinx after three meetings’ hard effort..."
Harry Potter's pride in Colin's defensive spell casting skills[src]
  • Defence Against the Dark Arts: Colin had at least some skill in Defence Against the Dark Arts, as he learned how to cast various defensive and offensive spells as a committed member of Dumbledore's Army. He mastered both the Impediment Jinx[17] and the Full Body-Bind Curse[18] while in the D.A., but had trouble disarming.[17]
  • Duelling: Colin had some skill in duelling and in martial magic, as he fought bravely against the Death Eaters in the Battle of Hogwarts, but he was not strong enough to survive, as he was killed in battle.[20]
  • Charms: Colin was skilled with charms to an extent, as he could successfully cast simple charms, such as the Levitation Charm, Fire-Making Spell and Summoning Charm.[18]
  • Photography: Colin was a highly skilful photographer. Despite coming from a Muggle family, he quickly adapted to the wizarding method of producing photographs, with him successfully creating moving photographs in his first year.[8]

Possessions[]

  • Wand: Colin owned a wand, which was of an unknown length, wand wood and core material. Like most British wizards, he most likely bought his wand at Ollivanders in Diagon Alley, London, before beginning the first year of his magical education at Hogwarts in 1992.
  • Camera: He used this camera during his first year at Hogwarts. He often loved to take pictures of Harry Potter using his camera, along with images of other important people or happenings.[8][9]
  • Photo album: Colin owned an album which contained all of his photographs that he took using his camera, so he could look at them all in one book.[22]

Relationships[]

Family[]

Colin most likely had a good relationship with his family. His father was a milkman. Colin stated that his parents were very excited that their son was a wizard, and Colin wanted to take some photos of Hogwarts, in order to show to his father.[8] Colin was also very close with his brother, Dennis, and was also excited when Dennis came to Hogwarts, too, and was sorted into Gryffindor house.[6] When Colin was killed during the Battle of Hogwarts, his family was likely devastated.

Harry Potter[]

"I heard someone saying your name on the stairs, Harry! Look what I’ve got here! I’ve had it developed, I wanted to show you — Will you sign it?"
— Colin's fascination with Harry Potter[src]
Harry Potter movies hbp promostills 6

Harry Potter, his favourite celebrity

Colin was a big fan of Harry Potter, a very famous student. Colin thought Harry was a kind of celebrity, but Harry disliked being considered famous.[8] Harry found Colin extremely annoying, as when he attempted to take a photo of Ron Weasley, who was throwing up slugs.[9] Although he and Harry were not so close, Colin thought that he was Harry's best friend.

During his first year at Hogwarts, he took many pictures of Harry. During his third year, he and Dennis attempted to make "Support Harry Potter" badges for the Triwizard Tournament.[15] In his fourth year, he and his brother fully believed that Harry did not lie about Voldemort's return. The Creeveys even became members of Dumbledore's Army (an organisation founded by Harry).[16][17] When he died for Harry's cause, Harry's initial annoyance did not prevent him from being outright saddened when he saw Colin's dead body outside Hogwarts,[20] showing Harry had grew to care quite a lot for the younger student, likely as despite his attempts to shrug him off, Colin still was fully dedicated to him while others who he had gotten along better with did not and joined the D.A, which Harry most likely appreciated.

Dumbledore's Army[]

Dumbledore's Army

Dumbledore's Army, his friends and allies

Colin became a member of Dumbledore's Army during his fourth year. It was an organisation founded and led by Harry Potter, in order to teach the students Defence Against the Dark Arts and oppose Dolores Umbridge.[16][17] Colin had a good relationship with the most of them, including Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Ginny Weasley, who was also in his year.

Other members of the army were Fred and George Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Lee Jordan, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet from Gryffindor, Ernie Macmillan, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbott, Justin Finch-Fletchley and Zacharias Smith from Hufflepuff, and Terry Boot, Anthony Goldstein, Michael Corner, Luna Lovegood, Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe from Ravenclaw. All of them (except Zacharias and Marietta) fought at the Battle of Hogwarts. Colin's death during the battle was yet another loss that day that Harry felt keenly. Neville helped Oliver Wood carry Colin's body inside the Great Hall.[20]

Etymology[]

  • Colin is an anglicised form of the Gaelic name Cailean or Coileain, meaning "whelp," "pup" or "young cub".[23] It can also be derived from the name Nicholas, meaning "victorious people."
  • Creevey is an English surname of Celtic origin, and is a contraction of MacCreevey, meaning "son of Reevey."[24]
  • It could also be a surname of Irish origin with variant spellings Creevy and Creavagh, is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic "O'Craoibhe" meaning "descendant of Craobhach", a byname meaning "curly (-headed)" or "prolific" (from "craobh" meaning "branch, bough").[25]

Behind the scenes[]

ColinCreeveyRavenclawRobes

Colin Creevey incorrectly in Ravenclaw robes in the PS1 version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Appearances[]

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 55 images related to Colin Creevey.

Notes and references[]

  1. Based on the fact that he started attending Hogwarts in 1992 and wasn't of age yet during the Battle of Hogwarts on 2nd May 1998.
  2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 10 (The Rogue Bludger) - "It was Colin Creevey. His eyes were wide and his hands were stuck up in front of him, holding his camera." The Basilisk only attacked muggle-borns.
  3. "World Exclusive Interview with J K Rowling," South West News Service, 8 July 2000 - "Hogwarts just serves Britain and Ireland."
  4. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 7 (Mudbloods And Murmurs) - "Looking up, he saw the very small, mousy-haired boy he’d seen trying on the Sorting Hat last night staring at Harry as though transfixed."
  5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 7 (Mudbloods And Murmurs) - "He was clutching what looked like an ordinary Muggle camera, and the moment Harry looked at him, he went bright red."
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 12 (The Triwizard Tournament)
  7. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 6 (Gilderoy Lockhart)
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 7 (Mudbloods And Murmurs)
  10. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 9 (The Writing on the Wall)
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 10 (The Rogue Bludger)
  12. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 18 (Dobby's Reward)
  13. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 8 (Flight of the Fat Lady)
  14. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 18 (The Weighing of the Wands)
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 19 (The Hungarian Horntail)
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 16 (In The Hog's Head)
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 18 (Dumbledore's Army)
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
  19. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 14 (Felix Felicis)
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 32 (The Elder Wand)
  21. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 5 (The Whomping Willow)
  22. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
  23. http://www.behindthename.com/name/colin-1
  24. http://www.searchforancestors.com/surnames/origin/c/creevy.php
  25. http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Creevy#ixzz3Ng32Pjd0
  26. http://www.snitchseeker.com/harry-potter-news/video-harry-potter-actors-in-supercon-panel-discussion-update-3-a-56744/
Dumbledore's Army
Founders
Harry Potter · Hermione Granger · Ronald Weasley
Leaders
Harry Potter · Neville Longbottom · Luna Lovegood · Ginny Weasley
Members
Gryffindor ClearBG2 Gryffindor Katie Bell · Lavender Brown · Colin Creevey · Dennis Creevey · Seamus Finnigan · Angelina Johnson · Lee Jordan · Cormac McLaggen · Parvati Patil · Alicia Spinnet · Dean Thomas · Romilda Vane · Fred Weasley · George Weasley · Nigel Wolpert · Unidentified female · Unidentified female (II)
Dumbledore army
Ravenclaw ClearBG2 Ravenclaw Terry Boot · Cho Chang · Michael Corner · Marietta Edgecombe · Anthony Goldstein · Padma Patil · Maisy Reynolds · Unidentified male · Unidentified male (II) · Unidentified female
Hufflepuff ClearBG2 Hufflepuff Hannah Abbott · Susan Bones · Justin Finch-Fletchley · Ernie Macmillan · Zacharias Smith · Leanne · Unidentified female
Unknown House Luca Caruso · Alice Tolipan
Allies and other affiliations
Order of the Phoenix · Hogwarts staff · Augusta Longbottom · Andromeda Tonks · Ted Tonks · Percy Weasley · Oliver Wood · Grawp · Dobby · Winky · Hogwarts house-elves · Forbidden Forest Centaur colony · Hogwarts Hippogriff herd · Hogwarts Ghosts · Hogwarts students · Hogwarts Thestral herd
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