Travers

From Harry Potter Wiki

Travers was a Death Eater who participated in both the First Wizarding War and was imprisoned for murdering the Marlene McKinnon and her family. Travers escaped from Azkaban after Lord Voldemort's return, and fought in several battles of the Second Wizarding War, including the Battle over Little Whinging, the Ambush at the Lovegood House and the Battle of Hogwarts. After Voldemort's final defeat, Travers was presumably killed or imprisoned in Azkaban again.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 First Wizarding War 1.2 Second Wizarding War 1.2.1 Battle over Little Whinging 1.2.2 Ambush at the Lovegood House 1.2.3 Battle of Hogwarts 1.3 Post-War 2 Personality and Traits 3 Physical Appearance 4 Etymology 5 Behind the scenes 6 Appearances 7 Notes and references

[edit] Biography

[edit] First Wizarding War

During the First Wizarding War, Travers murdered the family of Marlene McKinnon, according to Igor Karkaroff. He was sentenced to Azkaban for this crime^[1], but escaped during the mass breakout in 1996. It is possible that he wouldn't have searched for Voldemort if he had managed to avoid Azkaban.

[edit] Second Wizarding War

Travers fought in several battles of the Second Wizarding War, including the Battle over Little Whinging, the Ambush at the Lovegood House and the Battle of Hogwarts.

[edit] Battle over Little Whinging

In the summer of 1997, Travers participated in the Battle over Little Whinging, pursuing Hermione Granger, who was disguised as Harry Potter, and Kingsley Shacklebolt, who cursed him^[2].

When Lord Voldemort gained control of the Ministry of Magic soon after, Travers may have begun to work there, as Dolores Umbridge believed that Mafalda Hopkirk — who was actually Hermione Granger in disguise by use of Polyjuice Potion — had been sent to record-keep for her by Travers^[3]. Thus, he may have been involved with the Muggle-Born Registration Commission.

[edit] Ambush at the Lovegood House

In early 1998, Travers and Selwyn came to Xenophilius Lovegood's home because he claimed, truthfully, that Harry Potter was there. After Harry and his friends escaped, Travers and Selwyn presumably arrested Xenophilius.^[4]

Later that year, Travers met Hermione Granger, disguised as Bellatrix Lestrange, and went into Gringotts with her, where he expressed disdain towards Muggle-born beggars as well as goblins. Harry placed him under the Imperius Curse to facilitate their breaking in to the Lestrange Vault, and sent Travers off to hide.^[5]

[edit] Battle of Hogwarts

During the Battle of Hogwarts, Travers was seen fighting Parvati Patil. He was distracted while battling and was stunned by Parvati.^[6]

[edit] Post-War

After Voldemort's final defeat, he was presumably killed or imprisoned in Azkaban once more.

[edit] Personality and Traits

Travers was a Death Eater, obsessed with blood purity. In 1998, he expressed his disdain towards Muggle-born beggars, whom he laughed at, and goblins, whom he didn't like to associate with. He was also some kind of a racist; when he was met with a foreign wizard, Dragomir Despard (in fact Ron Weasley), Travers didn't shake hands with him, probably because he thought he would be soiled. He was also a quite weak individual, as he didn't manage to resist to Harry Potter's Imperius Curse.

[edit] Physical Appearance

Travers is described as a tall, thin wizard with a crown of bushy grey hair and a cool voice.

[edit] Etymology

Travers is an English and French surname that described a man who lived near a bridge or ford, or occasionally as an occupational name for the collector of tolls at such a location. It is derived from the Old French verb traverser, meaning "to cross"^[7].

[edit] Behind the scenes

• Tav MacDougall was cast as "Death Eater Travers" in the film version of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.^[8]
• Tav MacDougall has black hair, instead of grey.
• Both times Travers encountered Hermione Granger, she was disguised as someone else by way of Polyjuice Potion — first as Harry Potter during the Battle over Little Whinging, and later as Bellatrix Lestrange when breaking into Gringotts. Also, Dolores Umbridge wanted him to send Mafalda Hopkirk to record-keep for her in 1997, when Hermione was disguised as Mafalda with Polyjuice.

[edit] Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

[edit] Notes and references