Madam Professor Griselda Marchbanks, CDMG, APMO, fdBB, was a witch, who served as Governor of the Wizarding Examinations Authority that ran the O.W.L., N.E.W.T. and W.O.M.B.A.T. examinations from the late 19th century to, at least, the early 21st century. Before resigning in 1995, Madam Marchbanks was one of the Wizengamot elders.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Early life 1.2 Professional life 1.2.1 Working for the Ministry of Magic 1.2.2 1995–1996 school year 1.2.3 After the war 2 Behind the scenes 3 Etymology 4 Appearances 5 Notes and references

BiographyEdit

Early lifeEdit

Griselda Marchbanks was born no later than the 1870s.^[3] She presumably attended Hogwarts School in her youth.

Professional lifeEdit

Working for the Ministry of MagicEdit

By the late 1890s, Professor Marchbanks was already working for the Wizarding Examinations Authority in the capacity of examiner.^[3] She personally tested Albus Dumbledore in both his Transfiguration and Charms practical Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests. She held Dumbledore in great esteem from then on as he did magic she had never seen the likes of before.^[3] At some point in her life, Marchbanks was made a member of the Wizengamot.^[2]

1995–1996 school yearEdit

In the 1995–1996 school year, Dolores Umbridge was appointed High Inquisitor of Hogwarts School by then-Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge.^[2] Professor Marchbanks, along with Tiberius Ogden, resigned from the Wizengamot in protest of Umbridge's appointment. Subsequently, Marchbanks was accused of having ties to "subversive goblin groups" by the Daily Prophet.^[2]

Later that school year, Umbridge became Headmistress of Hogwarts.^[4] When Marchbanks arrived at the Castle with her colleagues from the W.E.A. to administer the Ordinary Wizarding Level Examinations, she showed no signs of respect for Umbridge, expressing scorn at the belief that the Ministry could catch Albus Dumbledore.^[3] She examined a variety of students in Harry Potter's year, including Draco Malfoy in his Charms practical, Harry Potter in his Divination practical and all the fifth-years in the Potions and Astronomy practicals.^[3] It is not known whether if she was reinstated in the Wizengamot after the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and subsequent sacking of Umbridge or not.

After the warEdit

After the end of the Second Wizarding War, Marchbanks continued to work in the W.E.A. in her post of Governor.^[1]

Behind the scenesEdit

• Professor Marchbanks is ancient in age, as she examined Albus Dumbledore during his N.E.W.T.s in 1899. J. K. Rowling's W.O.M.B.A.T. claimed she was still working placing her approximate age today at least in her 130s, and possibly even older.
• Along with the other O.W.L. examiners, Professor Marchbanks was omitted from the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. However, Dolores Umbridge is seen supervising the Charms theory exam.
• In an early draft of the fifth film, Professor Marchbanks is male.

EtymologyEdit

The name "Griselda" is possibly derived from the Germanic elements gris "grey" and hild "battle". It is not attested as a Germanic name. This was the name of a patient wife in medieval tales by Boccaccio and Chaucer.

AppearancesEdit

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (First appearance)
• J.K. Rowling's Official Site (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Mentioned on the Daily Prophet)
• Harry Potter Limited Edition (Mentioned on the Daily Prophet)

Notes and referencesEdit

Level 10 employees
Wizengamot members
Amelia Bones · Elphias Doge · Albus Dumbledore · Cornelius Fudge · Griselda Marchbanks · Tiberius Ogden · Dolores Umbridge · Two elderly witches · Dumpy, heavily-moustached wizard · Frizzy-haired witch · Fifty unidentified members
Council of Magical Law members
Albus Dumbledore · Alastor Moody · Bartemius Crouch Sr. · Female juror · Male member · Clerk
Muggle-Born Registration Commission members
Dolores Umbridge · Yaxley

Ministry of Magic Departments
Unknown Levels
Committee on Experimental Charms · Magical Maintenance Department · Ministry of Magic Public Information Services · Department of Magical Education · Very Important Members of Section M.I. Trx. · Wizarding Examinations Authority · Research Committee · Exploding Bonbons Disposal Unit
Committee on Experimental Charms Personnel
Balfour Blane · Gilbert Wimple
Magical Maintenance Department Personnel
Reginald Cattermole · Lift attendant · Man
Research Committee Personnel
Phoebus Penrose (Head)
Wizarding Examinations Authority Personnel
Griselda Marchbanks · Professor Tofty · Unidentified plump little witch examiner · Unidentified examiner with a wart on his nose