Bathilda Bagshot

Bathilda Bagshot was the author of A History of Magic. Her book is used in the Hogwarts class of the same name, taught by Professor Binns. She was close with the Dumbledore family as well as the Potter family. She lived in Godric's Hollow and died in 1997. The infamous dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was her nephew.

Bathilda was introduced in person for the first time in 1997. Hermione Granger and Harry Potter visited Godric's Hollow to investigate several issues. They met her on the street and she refused to speak to them. Instead she lured them into her home using gestures. Her home was in complete disarray and was filthy. Bathilda lured Harry further into her home, leaving Hermione behind in the sitting room. It was only when Harry was in the darkened upstairs bedroom of her home that Bathilda spoke to him, though she used Parseltongue. Harry discovered that, to his horror, Bathilda has been dead for some time, and her body has been animated by Voldemort using Nagini. After ensuring that the individual present is in fact Harry Potter, Nagini leapt out of Bathilda's body and attacked Harry.

Behind the Scenes

 * Bathilda's last name, Bagshot, is likely a refernce to The Lord of the Rings, in which the characters Bilbo and Frodo Baggins lived on Bagshot Row.