Tom

Tom (fl. 1938—1 May, 1998) was the landlord and barman of the Leaky Cauldron and was friendly with many wizards and witches that passed through the pub to get to Diagon Alley. He had run the Leaky Cauldron for a long time and had had the pleasure of meeting Harry Potter and former Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge on more than one occasion. It is likely he had met other celebrities and political figures in the wizarding world such as Albus Dumbledore since his pub leads directly into Diagon Alley. He was very old by the time Harry Potter knew him, as he was mentioned by Albus Dumbledore in the late 1930s to Tom Riddle.

Early life
Tom was likely a pupil at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and studied there at the age of eleven until he left and eventually became barman/landlord of the Leaky Cauldron some time before 1938. It is possible that Tom encountered Tom Marvolo Riddle (later to be known as Lord Voldemort) on his way to Diagon Alley for the first time, as Albus Dumbledore had told Tom Riddle to ask for him to get there.

1991
In 1991, Harry Potter and Rubeus Hagrid passed by the Leaky Cauldron on their way to Diagon Alley, where Tom greeted Hagrid there like an old friend before some other witches and wizards who were there at the time, (including Doris Crockford, Dedalus Diggle, and Quirinus Quirrell), began introducing themselves to Harry before Hagrid managed to get them away from all of them.

1993
In 1993, Cornelius Fudge (then Minister for Magic) asked Tom to keep an eye on Harry Potter while Sirius Black was on the loose until he was due to return to Hogwarts.

1997
In 1997, Tom attended the funeral of Albus Dumbledore and watched as his body was encased in the White Tomb.

1998
In 1998, Tom was greeted by Bellatrix Lestrange (who was really Hermione Granger using Polyjuice Potion) while on her way to Gringotts in Diagon Alley, and was surprised by how polite she was towards him.

Post-Second Wizarding War
Tom passed away or retired during the next 19 years since Hannah Abbott took over as land lady and lived at the inn with her husband, Neville Longbottom.

Physical appearance
Tom is described as being quite bald, toothless and is comparable to a "gummy walnut".

Magical abilities and skills

 * Wandless Magic: Tom was capable of performing simple wandless spells such as lighting a fireplace.
 * Non-Verbal Magic: On August 7, 1993, Tom was able to turn off a car alarm using non-verbal magic.

Etymology
Tom is diminutive of the name "Thomas" which means infidel or unfaithful. It was used as a formal male given name. It also means "twin."

Behind the scenes

 * Tom was played by Derek Deadman in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, while he was portrayed by Jim Tavaré in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
 * In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Tom appeared quite normal with balding brown hair and regular features and acted quite normal too. But in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, he looks like a hunchback, has gone completely bald and acts rather oddly.
 * In Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4, if one plays as Tom, and jumps while standing still, Tom will stumble upon landing and go forward several steps.
 * In the Lego videogame, Tom can be unlocked in the first level of Year 1. First, you have to have unlocked Reducto. Then, in Gringotts, after you unlock the doors in the mainroom, use Reducto on the chest on the right. The one on the left holds Mr. Ollivander.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
 * Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4

Notes and references
Tom