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"She was a quite extraordinary witch, you know, but she did like to experiment and one of her spells went rather badly wrong one day. Yes, it was rather horrible."
Luna Lovegood explaining her mother's tragic death[src]

Pandora[6] Lovegood (died c. 1990)[2] was a British witch who was married to Xenophilius Lovegood, the editor of The Quibbler, and with him had one child, Luna Lovegood.[3] Pandora died in either 1990 or 1991 when her own spell backfired, when Luna was nine.[6]

Harry saw a photo of Luna and Pandora while visiting the Lovegoods' house. In this picture Luna looked more well-groomed than Harry had ever seen her. This suggested that Pandora was not as absent-minded as Xenophilius, or that Luna's mother was more demanding about her personal appearance. If this is true it opposed Luna's father, who was generally known as a scruffy, unkempt man.[7]

Biography[]

"Yes, it was rather horrible. I still feel very sad about it sometimes. But I’ve still got Dad. And anyway, it’s not as though I’ll never see Mum again, is it?"
— Luna's perspective on her mother's death, showing her belief in the Afterlife[src]

According to her daughter, Pandora was an extraordinary witch who liked to experiment with spells. One day in 1990 or 1991, one of these experiments went wrong, killing her in a "horrible" manner in front of Luna, who was subsequently able to see Thestrals because of it. Luna told Harry Potter that she continued to feel sad about her mother's death from time to time but believed that she would see her again after death.[3]

Luna apparently had a large photograph beside her bed at home depicting her and her mother hugging. Pandora was described in the photo as looking very much like her daughter.[7] Many years later, Pandora Lovegood would posthumously become the maternal grandmother to Lorcan and Lysander, the sons of Luna and Rolf Scamander.[8]

Physical appearance[]

Pandora closely resembled her daughter in appearance.[4]

Magical abilities and skills[]

Pandora Lovegood was described as being an extraordinary witch by her daughter Luna, implying she was proficient in magic.[3]

Etymology[]

Pandora is of the Ancient Greek and derived from πᾶν (= pān) => i.e. "all" and δῶρον (= dōron) => "gift", thus "the all-endowed", "the all-gifted" or "the all-giving". Pandora is said to be the first woman created by the gods in Greek mythology. She was given a box by them, and was told never to open it. Pandora, known for her intense curiosity, opened the box releasing things such as misery, sadness, etc. into the world, hence the phrase "do not open Pandora's box". This could relate to her experimenting with spells, thus her curiosity, and her death, the consequence.

Lovegood is a real surname and a compound word (Love and Good). This could be translated to "loving the good" or "chivalry".

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

  1. Luna Lovegood was born on 13 February, 1981, placing her conception around May of the year before. Thus, Pandora had to be born no later than 1968 (to be old enough) to be able to become pregnant in 1980.
  2. 2.0 2.1 In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 38 (The Second War Begins), Luna says she was nine when her mother died, meaning Pandora died between Luna's 9th and 10th birthday. J. K. Rowling later confirmed that Luna's birthday was 13 February.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 38 (The Second War Begins)
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 21 (The Tale of the Three Brothers) states that Pandora looks "very much like" her daughter, meaning they look alike.
  5. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 4 (Horace Slughorn), Horace Slughorn states that family members are often sorted into the same House. This may indicate that Pandora was in Ravenclaw. But there are exceptions.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Illness and Disability" at Wizarding World
  7. 7.0 7.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 21 (The Tale of the Three Brothers)
  8. Pottermore - DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY REUNITES AT QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP FINAL (Archived)
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