Arabella Figg

Arabella Doreen Figg lived on Wisteria Walk in Little Whinging in a house that smelled strongly of cabbage. She was the neighbour of Harry Potter and the Dursleys. She was a Squib, and a member of the Order of the Phoenix. She used to babysit Harry in the 1980s and kept an eye on him for Albus Dumbledore. She had four cats which were part-kneazle, as Mrs. Figg bred them for a living.

Undercover Work for the Order
Arabella Figg lived in a Muggle community working undercover for the Order of the Phoenix. Most of her job involved watching Harry Potter and ensuring that no harm came to him from Lord Voldemort.

1995
In 1995, Harry and his cousin Dudley were attacked by Dementors in Little Whinging. Figg sensed the distinct presence of the Dementors, despite her being a Squib, she was still able to describe the Dementors in front of the Wizengamot during Harry's trial. Realizing that Mundungus Fletcher was not at his watch where he should have been, she herself tracked down Harry and Dudley and brought them to the safety of her house. At her home, she revealed to Harry for the first time that she was not a Muggle, as previously believed, but a Squib, and moreover, a member of the Order of the Phoenix. She had been placed in the area by Albus Dumbledore, and had been watching over Harry ever since he was brought there as an infant. Before returning Harry to Privet Drive, she apologized for the way she treated him while he was growing up: She once gave him ancient chocolate cake as a "treat" and bored him senseless in her sitting room. She commented that the Dursleys would not have sent him to her had they thought he would enjoy his time there.

Figg was also a witness at Harry's trial before the Wizengamot regarding unauthorized use of magic by a minor. She arrived in her bedroom slippers, but managed to impress Amelia Bones with her accurate description of a Dementor's presence.

1997
Figg attended Dumbledore's funeral in 1997 at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Behind the scenes

 * The tent that Mr. Weasley borrowed for the 1994 Quidditch World Cup reminded Harry of Mrs. Figg's house: crocheted covers on mismatched chairs and a strong smell of cats.
 * In the book, Mrs. Figg is depicted as bitter, such as making slightly insulting comments to Harry and Dudley, or even going as far as to physically attack Mundungus Fletcher with bags full of canned cat food. In the movie however, she shows no signs of bitterness.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince