In Her Honour:
Remembering Bathilda Bagshot
The name Bathilda Bagshot (d. 1997) is known throughout the Wizarding world. The author of A History of Magic, Hogwarts students often associate the brilliant witch with droll Professor Binns--but those who’ve read any of her 10+ books know she was anything but.
What few remember is how instrumental in the war Bathilda really was.
Bathilda grew up in Godric’s Hollow, befriending the Dumbledore family and later introducing young Albus Dumbledore to her nephew, the notorious dark wizard Gellert Grindewald. She was there to comfort the family after the death of their daughter Ariana, and witnessed the first days of the rivalry that Dumbledore would eventually be called on to end.
Defeating Grindewald was no doubt instrumental in Dumbledore’s unflagging fight to stop The Dark Lord. Bathilda had mentioned to several acquaintances that Albus had been friends with Grindewald in his youth, and had taught Voldemort as a child at Hogwarts. As Dumbledore and Bathilda kept in contact throughout the years (piles of letters from the former Headmaster were found in her household after her death), one can only deduce that he relied on her intimate knowledge of history during the battle.
Bathilda also knew young James and Lily Potter, and their son Harry. Bathilda was a regular in the household, and doted on Harry, childless as she was.
Perhaps this is the reason she was murdered by Death Eaters. Shortly after Christmas in 1997, her body was found in her nearly destroyed household. Her injuries were too vast to count, but Potterwatch stated signs were left that she was murdered and her body used in rituals for dark magic none have spoken of to this day.
Though her fight was not seen in public halls or in the grand scheme, Bathilda Bagshot fought another kind of battle that may have made all the difference. Bathilda fought darkness and fear with knowledge, caring and friendship, and we will always remember her with pride.
By: Alina Windswillow
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