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"Landlady of the Three Broomsticks, famed for her good looks and mulled mead."
— Description[src]

Madam Rosmerta (fl. 1970s–2010s) was a British witch who was the landlady of the Three Broomsticks pub in the village of Hogsmeade.[2] Rosmerta was put under the Imperius Curse, cast by Draco Malfoy in 1997.

After being placed under the curse, she helped Malfoy against her will to smuggle cursed items into Hogwarts Castle.[7][8] It is likely she later redeemed herself by fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Rosmerta attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.[6]

Bartender at the Three Broomsticks[]

"Naturally. Never saw one without the other, did you? The number of times I had them in here — ooh, they used to make me laugh. Quite the double act, Sirius Black and James Potter!"
— Rosmerta mentions that she was a barmaid [src]

Rosmerta was older than the Marauders, as she was the barmaid whilst they were all still at school. Rosmerta lived in and was the barmaid of the Three Broomsticks during the First Wizarding War; she was a listener of gossip and believed the rumours that Sirius Black had turned his friends, the Potter family, over to Lord Voldemort to be true when news broke out they had been murdered and that the war was over.[2] It remains unknown how she reacted when the true story was told to her (that it was Peter Pettigrew who betrayed the Potters), or, indeed, if she ever found out.

1986–1987 school year[]

Rosmerta Meeting Jacobs Sibling

Madam Rosmerta meeting Jacob's sibling for the first time

She continued to tend bar during the 1980s. During 1986, Rosmerta was introduced to Jacob's sibling by Rubeus Hagrid in the Three Broomsticks during the student's first outing to Hogsmeade. They requested for information regarding their brother and his search for the Cursed Vaults from Rosmerta, in which they learnt from her recount that Jacob had Transfigured a secret notebook of his into a Black Quill, the whereabouts of which were unknown then. Jacob's sibling beseeched Rosmerta to find it for them, promising to do anything for her in return, an offer she promptly accepted.[9]

While Rosmerta was preoccupied in searching for the Black Quill in the pub's back room, Jacob's sibling proceeded to help her out by serving her customers their orders, an activity they found moderatly easy, with the exception of them having nearly dropped a mug of Butterbeer that was Tranfigured into a mongoose by the timely intervention of a helpful wizard.

Acknowledging that her search for the desired quill would take longer, Rosmerta requested that Jacob's sibling help her concoct an extra-sweet brew of Butterbeer by fetching its various ingredients from the Hogwarts Castle for her. By the time they had managed to fulfil her request and returned back to the Three Broomsticks, Rosmerta had managed to successfully retrieve the Black Quill, which she then gave to Jacob's sibling.[9]

Later during the year, she retrieved some vintage Butterbeer 1707 for Bilton Bilmes upon Jacob's sibling's request from the back rooms of the inn, while they managed the customers for her.[10]

1987–1988 school year[]

Rosmerta was interrogated by Patricia Rakepick regarding the possible whereabouts of Jacob's notebook and map. She claimed to know nothing and threatened to inform some of her best customers from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement regarding Rakepick's behaviour, which made the Curse-Breaker back down quickly. Rosmerta than sarcastically gave her farewell and told her not to return to her establishment again.[3]

1989–1990 school year[]

"Madam Rosmerta only lets me use plastic glasses after breaking her fifteenth glass mug."
Nymphadora Tonks[src]

Towards the end of this school year, Rosmerta was present at a party held at the inn by various Hogwarts staff and students, which the Weird Sisters also performed at.[11]

1990–1991 school year[]

During this school year, Rosmerta gave Jacob's sibling and Nymphadora Tonks the permission to use her fireplace in the inn to access the British Ministry of Magic via the Floo Network.[12]

Much later, she served Jacob's sibling and their father Peregrine when the two came to the Three Broomsticks for a personal dinner. However, she ended up dropping the two mugs of Butterbeer Peregrine ordered when he told her to stop listening in on their private conversation.[13]

1993–1994 school year[]

Rosmerta, Fudge and McGonagall

Rosmerta, Cornelius Fudge, and Minerva McGonagall meeting outside her pub

In 1993, Madam Rosmerta was angered when Dementors were in Hogsmeade to catch Sirius Black because their presence was scaring away many of her customers, not least when they searched her pub twice. She hosted an informal meeting between Minerva McGonagall, Cornelius Fudge, Filius Flitwick, and Rubeus Hagrid discussing Sirius Black and his friends. They discussed how Sirius Black had been named Harry Potter's godfather before the Potters' demise.[2]

1996–1997 school year[]

"There's one thing you should know before the Ministry gets here, though. Madam Rosmerta's under the Imperius Curse, she was helping Malfoy and the Death Eaters, that's how the necklace and the poisoned mead —"
— Harry regarding Rosmerta being under the Imperius Curse[src]
Prisoner-of-azkaban-rosmerta

Rosmerta talking with Fudge and McGonagall

In 1997, it emerged that Rosmerta had become an unwilling agent of the Death Eaters. In order to fulfil his mission to assassinate Albus Dumbledore, Draco Malfoy had managed to place Rosmerta under the Imperius Curse. He used her to pass on a cursed Opal Necklace to Hogwarts student Katie Bell, who accidentally touched the necklace and was subjected to the very harmful curse intended for the Headmaster.[7]

Rosmerta also poisoned mead that was intended to be given to Dumbledore through Horace Slughorn in the guise as a Christmas present, but it was unintentionally drunk by Ron Weasley, who was saved by Harry Potter; Harry had shoved a Bezoar down Ron's throat to save his life.[14] Malfoy communicated with Rosmerta through fake galleons, copying the idea from 'the Mudblood Granger' and Dumbledore's Army.[8]

Argus Filch did not suspect anything provided by Rosmerta, hence allowing the poisoned mead to sneak past security.[8]

After Harry and Dumbledore had been to the cave to retrieve a locket, they believed to be one of Voldemort's Horcruxes, they apparated to Hogsmeade, where Madam Rosmerta alerted them to the presence of the Dark Mark above the school and gave them brooms on which they could travel rapidly back to Hogwarts, where Draco's plan could be brought to completion.[8] Harry Potter eventually cleared her name, as he feared that that an investigation into Albus Dumbledore's death might link to her.[15]

1998[]

"They heard uproar from the distant boundary of the school as what sounded like hundreds of people came swarming over the out-of-sight walls and pelted toward the castle, uttering loud war cries."
— Reinforcements arriving during the Battle of Hogwarts[src]

It is unknown if Rosmerta was part of the reinforcements from Hogsmeade during the Battle of Hogwarts or if she participated in the war. This battle resulted in the end of the Second Wizarding War.

2010s[]

Hogsmeade problems[]
Rosmerta - MA

Rosmerta in the 2010s

One winter in December, Rosmerta caught Renka trying to put up anti-werewolf posters in her pub. She shouted at Renka to take it down, calling it "filth". Renka argued back that werewolves were a danger to their village. Rosmerta remarked that Renka appeared to want a Ministry official on every corner, which Renka agreed with. Aberforth Dumbledore arrived to help Rosmerta, telling Renka that the Ministry had better things to worry about. When Renka stormed out, Rosmerta offered everyone in the Three Broomsticks drinks on the house.[16]

Later on, Rosmerta spoke to a student on their first visit to the Three Broomsticks. She suggested they try one of their house specialities, Butterbeer or pumpkin fizz. When the student and their friend, Daniel Page dealt with a sudden spider infestation, Rosmerta was grateful and offered them a free drink on the house. She supposed the spiders was another case of Hagrid letting his pets loose.[17]

One day, Rosmerta was approached by the student while she stood outside her pub. She asked them if they would like a Butterbeer, to which they replied that they wanted to try everything Hogsmeade had to offer. Rosmerta was glad to hear it but advised the student to stay clear of local politics, pointing out the "werewolf" problem in the village. The student didn't think werewolves were the cause of the problem, but Rosmerta advised them to be cautious with sharing their opinion with the locals, as they wouldn't necessarily agree.[18] Shortly after, a thief tried to break into her pub along with targeting several other local businesses. Rosmerta told the student it was the second time it had happened to her. She repaired the damage outside her pub with Mending Charms. Knowing that Aberforth had told them not to get involved in the problem, she questioned why they were asking her about it and told them she wouldn't tell him if they stopped.[19]

Rosmerta had a Christmas tree outside her pub that she decorated with shiny silver and gold baubles. The baubles kept getting stolen every year. The student overheard her talking to Aberforth about it who told her it looked okay even if it was sparse. She wanted her baubles back and the student offered to find them. They tracked down the baubles to a cave where they discovered Nifflers had stolen them for their own tree. They returned them to Rosmerta who decided to let the creatures keep a few of her baubles.[20]

On another day, Rosmerta became concerned after seeing the student barely touching their Butterbeer and asked what was troubling them. The student sadly explained that they had got into a fight with their friend, Robyn Thistlethwaite, over something stupid and that Robyn had been continuously avoiding them despite their attempts to make up, claiming that they had no idea how to get through to her. Rosmerta reassured the student, telling them to keep reaching out to Robyn and to show her how much their friendship meant to them and stating that she was sure to come around eventually. The student thanked Rosmerta for her advice and complimented her for always looking out for her patrons, to which Rosmerta responded that she just did what she could for those who needed it.[21]

The Calamity[]

During the Calamity, Rosmerta instructed a panel of Magizoologists on a basic Revive Charm, which they later worked with Poppy Pomfrey to refine. Rosmerta also greeted a Calamity Investigator working for the Statute of Secrecy Task Force along with a slew of ecstatic pub owners when they arrived at the Three Broomsticks Inn, as their efforts to enhance wizarding inns had resulted in a sharp uptick in business.[22]

Physical description[]

Madamrosmerta

Madam Rosmerta as a middle-aged women

Hermione Granger: "Ron, what are you looking at?"
Ron Weasley: "Nothing"
Hermione Granger: "I expect 'nothing's' in the back getting more firewhisky"
— Ron trying to catch Madam Rosmerta's eye[src]

Rosmerta was an attractive woman with long wavy blonde hair and green eyes, described as "a curvy sort of woman with a pretty face". On one occasion, she was seen wearing glittery open-toed high-heels. Several Hogwarts pupils, including Ron Weasley, have fancied her.[2][7]

Magical abilities and skills[]

Etymology[]

Rosmerta was the Romano-Celtic goddess of fertility and abundance, known as the "Great Provider". In Latin, it means "good purveyor" or "great provider".

Behind the scenes[]

Rosmerta PAS

Rosmerta as seen in Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells

  • Madam Rosmerta was portrayed by British actress Julie Christie in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. She only appears twice in the film; once at the Three Broomsticks and again, on close observation, when Harry and Hermione go back in time. Her role was reduced to this film alone as she did not appear in any of the subsequent film adaptations of the novels.

Appearances[]

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 33 images related to Rosmerta.
Madam Rosmerta

Madam Rosmerta in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4

Notes and references[]

  1. Rosmerta was at least working at the Three Broomsticks during the Marauders' time at Hogwarts; however, it is not known when she started working there. The most that can be said with certainty is that she is older than they are.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 10 (The Marauder's Map)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 4, Chapter 12 (Working with Snape)
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
  5. 5.0 5.1 LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
  6. 6.0 6.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Side Quest "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, HOGWARTS"
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 12 (Silver and Opals)
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 27 (The Lightning-Struck Tower)
  9. 9.0 9.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Chapter 3 (Three Broomsticks)
  10. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Chapter 6 (The Letter from No One)
  11. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 44 (The Perfect Party)
  12. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 4 (A New Assignment)
  13. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 43 (Father Knows Best)
  14. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 18 (Birthday Surprises)
  15. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 29 (The Phoenix Lament)
  16. Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Where's Wolf, Chapter I: Hogsmeade Here I Come!
  17. Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Time-Limited Task "Go to Three Broomsticks"
  18. Harry Potter: Magic Awakened - in free play
  19. Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Where's Wolf, Chapter II: A Wolf in Witch's Robes
  20. Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, "Bye Bye Baubles"
  21. Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, "Butterbeer Banters"
  22. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
Hogsmeade
Hogsmeade WW logo
Scotland, Great Britain
Founder: Hengist of Woodcroft
Shops and other businesses
Baby Witch · Batworthy Junk · Bewildering Blooms · Bingle & Blatch · Brews and Stews Café · Brood and Peck · Ceridwen's Cauldrons · Dervish and Banges · Dogweed and Deathcap · Dominic Maestro's Music Shop · Fickle Fabrics · Flutes and Lutes · Gladrags Wizardwear · The Haunted Hogsmeade Shop · Hayden family shop · Hog's Head Inn · Hogsmeade Post Office · Honeydukes · J. Pippin's Potions · Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop · Madam Snelling's Tress Emporium · The Magic Neep · McBloom & McMuck · McHavelock's Wizarding Headgear · The Old Fool · Ollivanders · Pedrus Pridgeon · Pets & Familiars · Renka Rabblehauser's shop · Rosa Lee Teabag · Scribbulus Writing Implements · Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop · Spintwitches Sporting Needs · Steepley and Sons · Three Broomsticks Inn · Tomes and Scrolls · Vladimir Plot Plumbing Supplies · Wizarding hairdressing salon · Zonko's Joke Shop
Other locations
Cave near Hogsmeade · Elphinstone Urquart and Minerva McGonagall's Hogsmeade cottage · High Street · Hogsmeade Graveyard · Hogsmeade Station · Merge Publications · Office 323 · River by Hogsmeade · Rivers Edge · Road to Hogsmeade · Road to Hogwarts · Shrieking Shack · Silvanus Kettleburn's house · Spire Alley · Wizarding Wireless Network Headquarters
Known residents and shop employees
Alice · Garnuff · Gwendoline Babcocke · Gwendoline Babcocke's mother · Archibald Bennett · Bilton Bilmes · Thomas Brown · Otto Dibble · Aberforth Dumbledore · Andre Egwu · Employee of the Hogsmeade Post Office · Fastidio · Mopsy Fleabert · Ambrosius Flume · Mrs Flume · Greebly · Beatrice Green · Corey Hayden's parents · Augustus Hill · Hogsmeade street sweeper · Hogsmeade town crier · Horace · Hrithvi · Betty Huxley · Richard Jackdaw · Silvanus Kettleburn · Lucy Lanyon · Dominic Maestro · Soleil le Marveillus · Cassandra Mason · Cassandra Mason's tenants · Minerva McGonagall · McHavelock · Agnes Nutt · Penny (house-elf) · Agabus Philbert · Dulcibella Philbert · Gabbey · J. Pippin · Parry Pippin · Vladimir Plot · Puddifoot · Renka Rabblehauser · Olivia Redding · Patrick Redding · Rosmerta · Sirona Ryan · Scrivenshaft · Calliope Snelling · Perdita Strix · Timothy Teasdale · Yubert Thorne · Thaddeus Travers · Jasper Trout · Unidentified 19th-century Hogwarts student · Unidentified Ollivander's assistant · Unidentified shop assistant · Elphinstone Urquart · Waiter at the Three Broomsticks · Ethel Wigley · Albie Weekes · Wally Wimbles · Zonko · Zonko's shopkeeper
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