Augusta Longbottom

Augusta Longbottom was a pure-blood witch and member of the Longbottom family by marriage. She was the mother of famous Auror Frank Longbottom and grandmother to Neville Longbottom.

Early life
Little is known about Augusta's early life. In her school years, Augusta failed her Charms O.W.L., according to Professor McGonagall, causing her to later label it a "soft option." It is likely that Augusta went to school with Professor McGonagall.

In 1947, Neville Longbottom's grandfather, as a practical joke, put a fanged gerbil in Augusta's handbag, causing her to keep a mousetrap inside of it from that point onward.

Raising her grandson
"I really saw Mrs. Longbottom as a powerful witch."

- J. K. Rowling

During the First Wizarding War, Augusta's son Frank was both an Auror and a member of the Order of the Phoenix, as was his wife Alice. The highly respected couple survived the war, but shortly after Lord Voldemort's defeat in 1981, they were attacked by Death Eaters who tortured them into insanity with the Cruciatus Curse. The couple had to be institutionalized, and their infant son Neville was placed into Augusta's care. Augusta was, likely to be strongly affected by the death of her son, Frank, and daughter-in-law, Alice.

Augusta was clearly strict with her grandson, whom she initially feared was a Squib. Even after Neville proved to be a wizard, his grandmother was stern and demanding of him, sending him Howlers when his behaviour displeased her and pressuring him to uphold the "family honour." She often took Neville to visit his incapacitated parents at St. Mungo's, stating that he should be proud of their sacrifice.

Second Wizarding War
"Thing was they bit off a bit more than they can chew with Gran. Little old witch living alone, they probably thought they didn't need to send anyone particularly powerful. Anyway, Dawlish is still in St. Mungo's and Gran's on the run."

- Neville Longbottom on Augusta evading capture

In 1995, Augusta supported Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore when they claimed that Lord Voldemort had returned to power, as did Neville. Her support even led her to stop subscribing to the Daily Prophet, due to the newspaper's vicious smear campaign against Harry and Dumbledore. When she found out that Neville has not told anyone of his parents' condition, she became angry at him for thinking he was ashamed and told Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Ginny Weasley about it. Sternness soon turned to proudness, as she finally became proud of Neville after his involvement in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.

In 1997, after Death Eaters had taken control of the Ministry of Magic, Neville was one of the leaders of the student rebellion against Alecto and Amycus Carrow at Hogwarts. In an attempt to force Neville to be more cooperative, Auror John Dawlish was ordered to capture Augusta and take her hostage to ensure Neville's behaviour. Augusta, however, put up a fight, which Dawlish wasn't expecting - according to Neville, she put Dawlish in St. Mungo's. After this, Augusta went on the run.

She later re-emerged at the Battle of Hogwarts to assist Neville when he called everyone to arms against the Death Eater army. She expressed great pride in her grandson for following in his parents' footsteps. Augusta fought during the battle and survived.

She lived on to see Neville's marriage to Hannah Abbott, and, if Neville and Hannah had children, she would have become a Great-Grandmother.

Physical appearance
Augusta Longbottom was described as a formidable looking witch. She was tall, thin and bony. She commonly wore a hat with a stuffed vulture on it and carried a bright red handbag.

Personality and traits
Augusta Longbottom was a severe woman who frequently claimed that her grandson, Neville, lacked the talents that his parents had possessed. She was angry when she realised Neville had never told anyone about why he lived with her, thinking that he was ashamed of his parents. Nevertheless, Augusta grew proud of her grandson after discovering how dedicated he was to defeating Lord Voldemort. She was civil towards Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger when she met them in St Mungo's.

Magical abilities and skills
"Thing was, they bit off a bit more than they could chew with Gran. Little old witch living alone, they probably thought they didn’t need to send anyone particularly powerful. Anyway, Dawlish is still in St. Mungo’s and Gran’s on the run."

- Neville Longbottom about his Gran


 * Duelling: Despite her age, Augusta Longbottom was a skilled duellist and the Death Eaters underestimated her duelling abilities, thinking that they didn't have to send anyone particularly powerful to capture her. She caused enough injury to John Dawlish to result in him to be sent to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. She also participated in and survived the Battle of Hogwarts.

Neville Longbottom
"It's high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she's got, rather than the one she thinks she ought to have - particularly after what happened at the Ministry."

- Minerva McGonagall to Neville Longbottom in 1996.

During the early years of Neville's life, Augusta often thought that Neville was a Squib and was afraid he would not get into Hogwarts. She was extremely proud when he did but it was apparent that Neville and his grandmother were not very close as Augusta was seen reprimanding her grandson. Augusta also sent Neville a Howler and pushed Neville to be like his parents by doing well in school, especially in Transfiguration, a class Neville hated. In later years, she became proud of Neville as she realised how excellent a wizard and person he was. She was shown commenting in the Daily Prophet about his powers and during the Battle of Hogwarts, she was proud to fight alongside him.

Frank and Alice Longbottom
"Well your grandmother is used to losing family members to our cause.... Your death will not come as a great shock...."

- Lucius Malfoy to Neville Longbottom

It is unknown what her relationship with Frank and Alice was before they were tortured, but it must have been fairly close as Augusta was chosen to raise their infant son after they were no longer able to. After the attack, Mrs. Longbottom seemed to love her son and daughter-in-law, often taking Neville to visit them at St. Mungo's. However, at times, she seemed to tire of providing for them, as she sounded weary when speaking to Alice and advised Neville to throw away a gum wrapper Alice gave him. However, it is assumed that she still cared for them as she obviously respected them and says numerous times that she wants Neville to be more like them.

Griselda Marchbanks
Augusta and Madam Marchbanks were described as close friends by Neville Longbottom. Griselda had come for dinner at Mrs. Longbottom's many times.

Etymology
Augusta is a Latin name and the feminine form of Augustus, meaning "great" or "venerable," derived from the Latin verb augere, "to increase." Augustus was the name given to the first emperor of Rome, and subsequently Augusta was sometimes used as a title for empresses of the Roman and Byzantine empires.

Behind the scenes

 * The 2006 short film The Queen's Handbag includes a reference to Neville's grandfather, and describes a joke he played on Augusta in 1947 involving her handbag and a fanged gerbil, which led her to keep a mousetrap in her bag thereafter.
 * Augusta will be played by Ninette Finch in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film) 
 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
 * The Queen's Handbag

Notes and references
Augusta Longbottom Augusta Londubat Августа Долгопупс