Olympe Maxime

"I 'ave nevair been more insulted in my life! 'Alf-giant? Moi? I 'ave - I 'ave big bones!"

- Olympe Maxime to Rubeus Hagrid.

Madame Olympe Maxime was the Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Maxime's preferred mode of transportation when travelling with her students is a great powder-blue carriage drawn by twelve winged Abraxan horses, which are bred at the school.

Early life
Olympe Maxime was born to one magical parent and one giant, effectively making her a half-giantess. She kept this heritage hidden, in fear of the ensuring prejudice that would strike her were it to be revealed. She was likely educated at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in France, where she later became Headmistress.

1994-1995
Maxime and some of her students went to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in October of 1994 for the Triwizard Tournament. She made such an effect on Professor Rubeus Hagrid that he immediately started trying to impress her: he tried to tame his hair, wore his best ill-fitting clothes, and even showed her the Triwizard Tournament dragons while they were still meant to be a secret. Given his lack of social graces, however, this was not so successful. It is unclear whether she was impressed by this, but either way, Hagrid well and truly blew it at the Yule Ball. It was here that he put it to Olympe that she was a half-giant just like him - he was right of course, but she was not impressed that she had been rumbled.

During the summer of 1995 Rubeus Hagrid and Madame Maxime visited the giants to send envoys to them. Hagrid described her spellwork as "brilliant". She separated from Hagrid during the return journey, however, because he would not abandon his half-brother Grawp, who proved to be a highly taxing travelling companion; she returned to Beauxbatons alone.

1997
In 1997, Madame Maxime was among those paying respects at Dumbledore's funeral. She and Hagrid comforted each other during the occasion. It may have been inspired by the emotion of the moment. She also attended the wedding of Bill Weasley and former Beauxbatons student Fleur Delacour later on that same year.

Later life
It is unknown if she and Hagrid ever rekindled their relationship, although ultimately they never married.

Physical appearance
"I don't know who Maxime thinks she's kidding, If Hagrid's halfgiant, she definitely is. Big bones... the only thing that's got bigger bones than her is a dinosaur."

- Harry Potter on Madam Maxime

She was described as being elegant and wearing black satin robes.She is graceful despite her size (and reputedly an excellent dancer), with handsome olive-skinned features, huge black eyes, and sleek hair drawn back from her face. She dresses from top to toe in black satin, and is laden with opal jewellery.

It is revealed that Maxime's huge size is due to her half-giant background. She fiercely denies this claiming that she has "big bones", although she is around the same height as fellow half-giant Rubeus Hagrid.

Name etymology
Olympe is the French word for Olympus, the mountain home of the Greek gods. Maxime is French for "principle," a pun on "principal". It is derived from the Latin "maxima", the feminine form of "maximus," meaning "greatest" or "biggest."

Behind the scenes
Olympe Maxime was portrayed by Frances de la Tour in the film versions of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In the latter she will appear during the Wedding of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour, notable in that she was not present at the wedding in the novel.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

Notes and references
Olympe Maxime Олимпия Максим Olympe Maxime