Harry Potter Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
Harry Potter Wiki
Harry Potter Wiki
20,678
pages
in: Azkaban escapees, Battle of Hogwarts participants, Battle of the Department of Mysteries participants,
and 6 more
English

Changes: Augustus Rookwood

Back to page
Sign in to edit
m (link fix)
Tag: sourceedit
Tag: Visual edit
(42 intermediate revisions by 20 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Youmay|the [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]]|[[Augustus (disambiguation)|another person with the same name]]}}
  
{{Youmay|the [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]]|[[Augustus (disambiguation)|another person with the same name]]}}
−
{{Death Eater individual infobox
 +
{{Individual infobox
  ⚫
|image = DeathEaterHoldingRon.jpg
−
|name=Augustus Rookwood
 +
|name = Augustus Rookwood
⚫
|image=[[File:DeathEaterHoldingRon.jpg|250px]]
  
  ⚫
|born = pre [[1964]]<ref>In 1981, Rookwood had to be at least of age (17) to be working at the Ministry. As Ludo Bagman says that Rookwood was friends with his father we can assume that he was, most likely, older than 17 at the time that Igor Karkaroff revealed his Death Eater status to the Ministry as he was a well known worker at the Ministry.</ref>
−
|hideb=
  
  +
|blood = [[Pure-blood]] or [[half-blood]]<ref>The [[Death Eaters]] as an organisation were known to violently hate all [[Muggle-born]]s and [[Non-magic people|Muggles]] in general.</ref>
⚫
|born=Before [[1964]]<ref>In 1981, Rookwood had to be at least of age (17) to be working at the Ministry. As Ludo Bagman says that Rookwood was friends with his father we can assume that he was, most likely, older than 17 at the time that Igor Karkaroff revealed his Death Eater status to the Ministry as he was a well known worker at the Ministry.</ref>
  
  +
|nationality = [[Great Britain|British]]
−
|died=
  
  ⚫
|species = [[Human]]
−
|blood=[[Pure-blood]] or [[half-blood]] (most likely)
  
  ⚫
|gender = Male
⚫
|species=[[Human]]
  
  ⚫
|hair = Brown/greying
⚫
|gender=Male
  
  ⚫
|skin = Light
−
|eyes=
  
  ⚫
|patronus = None<ref>[http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2007/0730-bloomsbury-chat.html J.K. Rowling and the Live Chat, Bloomsbury.com, July 30, 2007]</ref>
⚫
|hair=Brown/greying
  
  ⚫
|job = [[Unspeakable]] (formerly)
⚫
|skin=Light
  
  ⚫
|loyalty = *[[Death Eaters]]
−
|hidef=y
  
  ⚫
**[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]
−
|family=
  
  ⚫
*[[British Ministry of Magic]] (formerly)
−
|hidem=y
  
  ⚫
**[[Department of Mysteries]] (formerly)
⚫
|patronus=None<ref>[http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2007/0730-bloomsbury-chat.html J.K. Rowling and the Live Chat, Bloomsbury.com, July 30, 2007]</ref>
  
  +
|theme = death-eater
−
|wand=
  
⚫
|job=[[Unspeakable]] (formerly)
  
−
|house=
  
⚫
|loyalty=*[[Death Eaters]]
  
⚫
*[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]
  
⚫
*[[British Ministry of Magic]]
  
⚫
*[[Department of Mysteries]] (formerly)
  
 
}}
  
}}
−
{{Quote|Rookwood: a spy. He gave valuable information through the Ministry to [[Tom Riddle|He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!]]|[[Igor Karkaroff]] during his interrogation before the [[Council of Magical Law]]|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire}}
 +
{{Quote|Rookwood: a spy. He gave valuable information through the Ministry to [[Tom Riddle|He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!]]|Rookwood's loyalty revealed|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire}}
−
'''Augustus Rookwood''' was a [[wizard]] and a [[Death Eater]] of [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]. He was a spy at the [[Department of Mysteries]] in the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] during the [[First Wizarding War]]. After he was named by his comrade [[Igor Karkaroff]], Rookwood was arrested and imprisoned in [[Azkaban]]. He escaped during the [[Azkaban escapes#1996|1996 mass break-out]] and served as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]] once more. He fought in several battles of the [[Second Wizarding War]], including the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]], after which he was imprisoned, but escaped in [[1997]]. During the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], Rookwood was defeated by [[Aberforth Dumbledore]]. His fate after Voldemort's final defeat is unknown.
 +
'''Augustus Rookwood''' was a [[Dark Wizard|Dark]] [[Wizardkind|wizard]] and a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]] loyal to [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]. During the [[First Wizarding War]] he was a spy who worked as an [[Unspeakable]] in the [[Department of Mysteries]]. After the height of the first war he was named by his comrade [[Igor Karkaroff]], Rookwood was arrested and imprisoned in [[Azkaban]].
  +
  +
Rookwood escaped during the [[Azkaban escapes#1996|1996 mass break-out]] and served as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]] once more. He fought in several battles of the [[Second Wizarding War]], including the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] after which he was imprisoned again, but escaped in [[1997]]. During the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], Rookwood was defeated by [[Aberforth Dumbledore]]. His fate after Voldemort's final defeat is unknown. It is possible that he was imprisoned in Azkaban once again for his various crimes.
   
 
==Biography==
  
==Biography==
 
===First Wizarding War===
  
===First Wizarding War===
−
Rookwood worked as an [[Unspeakable]] in the [[Department of Mysteries]], but became a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]] and spy for [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] during the [[First Wizarding War]]. He had an information network inside and outside of the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] with a number of well-connected wizards. Whether or not these wizards knew they were being used for information by Rookwood is unknown. What is known is that [[Ludovic Bagman|Ludo Bagman]] gave Rookwood information, likely ignorant of the fact of Rookwood's real affiliations, since Rookwood dangled the prospect of a Ministry position before Bagman. Bagman's testimony revealed that Augustus Rookwood was friends with his [[Ludovic Bagman's father|father]]. He also referred to Rookwood rather affectionately as "Old Rookwood", despite the man being a Death Eater, during his own court case.<ref name="GOF">{{GOF}}</ref>From that information, it can be deduced that Rookwood was outgoing and perhaps affable during his years as a spy, breaking the mould of so many other Death Eaters, if only to serve as a cover.
 +
Rookwood worked as an [[Unspeakable]] in the [[Department of Mysteries]], but became a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]] and spy for [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] during the [[First Wizarding War]]. He had an information network inside and outside of the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] with a number of well-connected wizards. Whether or not these wizards knew they were being used for information by Rookwood is unknown.
  +
  +
What is known is that [[Ludovic Bagman|Ludo Bagman]] gave Rookwood information. Bagman was likely ignorant of the fact of Rookwood's real affiliations, since Rookwood dangled the prospect of a Ministry position before him. Bagman's testimony revealed that Augustus Rookwood was friends with his [[Ludovic Bagman's father|father]]. He also referred to Rookwood rather affectionately as "Old Rookwood", despite the man being a Death Eater, during his own court case.<ref name="GOF">{{GOF}}</ref> From that information, it can be deduced that Rookwood was outgoing and perhaps affable during his years as a spy, breaking the mould of so many other Death Eaters to serve as a cover.
   
 
In [[1981]], Rookwood was captured and convicted on testimony from [[Igor Karkaroff]] as to his Death Eater activities and imprisoned in [[Azkaban]]. This was one of many names that Karkaroff surrendered in order to achieve his own freedom, and the first one to be viable, as the ones before were already caught or killed.<ref name="GOF" />
  
In [[1981]], Rookwood was captured and convicted on testimony from [[Igor Karkaroff]] as to his Death Eater activities and imprisoned in [[Azkaban]]. This was one of many names that Karkaroff surrendered in order to achieve his own freedom, and the first one to be viable, as the ones before were already caught or killed.<ref name="GOF" />
   
 
===Second Wizarding War===
  
===Second Wizarding War===
  +
[[File:Augustus Rookwood in Azkaban.png|240x240px|thumb|left|Augustus Rookwood during his imprisonment in [[Azkaban]]]]
⚫
During the [[Second Wizarding War]], Rookwood [[Azkaban escapes#1996|escaped]] Azkaban along with nine other Death Eaters in [[1996]], when the [[Dementor]]s defected to the recently returned [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]].<ref name="OTP">{{OOTP}}</ref>
  
  +
  ⚫
During the [[Second Wizarding War]], Rookwood [[Azkaban escapes#1996|escaped]] Azkaban along with nine other Death Eaters in [[1996]], when the [[Dementor]]s defected to the recently returned [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]].<ref name="OTP">{{OOTP}}</ref> This was Azkaban's largest and most notorious breakout and helped set the stage for the Second Wizarding War.
   
 
Rookwood was responsible for getting Voldemort on track with stealing the [[Sybill Trelawney's first prophecy|prophecy]] which concerned the Dark Lord and [[Harry Potter]], who saw Rookwood in one of his dreams. Obviously, his experience in the [[Department of Mysteries]] made him a valuable asset in this function.
  
Rookwood was responsible for getting Voldemort on track with stealing the [[Sybill Trelawney's first prophecy|prophecy]] which concerned the Dark Lord and [[Harry Potter]], who saw Rookwood in one of his dreams. Obviously, his experience in the [[Department of Mysteries]] made him a valuable asset in this function.
   
 
====Battle of the Department of Mysteries====
  
====Battle of the Department of Mysteries====
−
After numerous attempts at stealing the prophecy failed, Voldemort lured Harry to the Ministry by sending him visions of his [[Sirius Black|godfather]] being tortured there. Rookwood was one of twelve Death Eaters who participated in the ambush of Harry and his five friends, and in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries|battle]] which ensued when the teenagers resisted. He was the only one not assigned a partner as the Death Eaters pursued the six [[Dumbledore's Army|D.A.]] members. Rookwood's whereabouts for most of the battle were unknown.
 +
After numerous attempts at stealing the prophecy failed, Voldemort lured Harry to the Ministry by sending him visions of his godfather [[Sirius Black]] being tortured there. Rookwood was one of the Death Eaters who participated in the ambush of Harry and his five friends, and in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries|battle]] which ensued when the teenagers resisted. He was the only one not assigned a partner as the Death Eaters pursued the six [[Dumbledore's Army|D.A.]] members.
   
−
What is known is that Rookwood was apparently uninjured when he entered the Veil Room, and was seen casting the [[Killing Curse]] at [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]] without his mask on. It is presumed that Rookwood, along with all the other Death Eaters aside from [[Bellatrix Lestrange]], was captured and imprisoned in [[Azkaban]] after the battle.<ref name="OTP" />
 +
When Order of the Phoenix members arrived he was duelling with [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]] without his mask on. It is presumed that Rookwood, along with all the other Death Eaters aside from [[Bellatrix Lestrange]], was captured and imprisoned in [[Azkaban]] after the battle.<ref name="OTP" />
   
 
However, he was again at large the [[1997|following year]], after another [[Azkaban escapes#1997|Azkaban break-out]].<ref name="DH">{{DH}}</ref>
  
However, he was again at large the [[1997|following year]], after another [[Azkaban escapes#1997|Azkaban break-out]].<ref name="DH">{{DH}}</ref>
   
 
====Battle of Hogwarts====
  
====Battle of Hogwarts====
  ⚫
{{Quote|ROOKWOOD!|The Death Eater being chased|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}Rookwood fought during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] in [[1998]].<ref name="DHF2">{{DH|F2}} - {{see image|File:Death Eaters-Battle of Hogwarts-DHP2.jpg}} - fourth the right of Narcissa Malfoy</ref> After [[Fred Weasley]] was killed in an explosion, [[Percy Weasley]] chased after Rookwood as he was attacking some of the other students who had stayed to fight rather than evacuate the school. Later in the battle, he was [[Stunning Spell|stunned]] by [[Aberforth Dumbledore]].<ref name="DH" /> It is unknown what happened to him after Voldemort was defeated, but if he survived, it is likely that he was captured and again sent to Azkaban.
−
[[File:599px-HPDH2-04075r-900x600.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Rookwood among Voldemort's forces]]
  
−
{{Quote|ROOKWOOD!|Percy yells as he chases after this Death Eater.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
  
−  
⚫
During the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] in [[1998]], [[Fred Weasley]] was killed in an explosion cast by Rookwood, possibly [[Bombarda]] / [[Bombarda Maxima|Maxima]], [[Percy Weasley]] chased after Rookwood as he was attacking some of the other students who had stayed to fight rather than evacuate the school. Later in the battle, he was [[Stunning Spell|stunned]] by [[Aberforth Dumbledore]].<ref name="DH" /> It is unknown what happened to him after Voldemort was defeated, but if he survived, it is likely that he was captured and again sent to Azkaban.
  
   
 
==Physical appearance==
  
==Physical appearance==
−
Rookwood is described, judging by his mugshot seen in the ''[[Daily Prophet]]'', as a tall, pock-marked and grey greasy-haired man.<ref name="OTP" /> As a Death Eater, he bears the Dark Mark on his left inner forearm.
 +
Rookwood was described, judging by his mugshot seen in the ''[[Daily Prophet]]'', as a tall, pock-marked and grey greasy-haired [[Wizardkind|wizard]].<ref name="OTP" /> As Ludo Bagman described him as "''old'' Rookwood" and given his status as a friend of Bagman's father, he was likely an older man by the time the [[First Wizarding War]] ended.<ref name="GOF"/> As a Death Eater, he bore the [[Dark Mark]] on his left inner forearm.
   
 
==Personality and traits==
  
==Personality and traits==
−
Judging by his mugshot seen in the ''[[Daily Prophet]]'', Rookwood seemed bored, contrasting from the other [[Death Eaters]], who were sneering and glaring. He also appears being outgoing and perhaps affable, being a friend of [[Ludovic Bagman's father]]. This is further supported by everyone's surprise when [[Igor Karkaroff]] named him as a Death Eater. However, during the Battle of Hogwarts, Rookwood showed ruthlessness in combat, as he managed to kill Fred Weasley and attacked students who remained in the battlefield.
 +
Judging by his mugshot seen in the ''[[Daily Prophet]]'', Rookwood seemed bored, contrasting from the other [[Death Eaters]], who were sneering and glaring. He also appeared being outgoing and perhaps affable, being a friend of [[Ludovic Bagman's father]]. This is further supported by everyone's surprise when [[Igor Karkaroff]] sold him out as a Death Eater.<ref name="GOF"/> He was also shown to be rather fearful of Lord Voldemort when delivering bad news to him. However, during the Battle of Hogwarts, Rookwood showed his power in combat, as he did not hesitate to attack students who remained in the battlefield.<ref name="DH"/> Despite joining Voldemort out of fear Rookwood was highly loyal to his master.
  +
  +
As can be expected from a Death Eater Rookwood was: Ruthless, sly, cunning, cruel, loyal, hateful, arrogant, powerful, sadistic, brutal, spiteful, ambitious, menacing and witty.
   
 
==Magical abilities and skills==
  
==Magical abilities and skills==
−
*'''[[Dark Arts]]''': Rookwood was skilled with [[Dark Arts]], being a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]]. During the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]], he attempted to kill [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]] with a [[Killing Curse]]. However, he was caught by [[Albus Dumbledore]] and the members of the [[Order of the Phoenix]] and sent to [[Azkaban]]. He participated in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], invading the school and attacking students. During the final battle, he was stunned by [[Aberforth Dumbledore]].
 +
*'''[[Dark Arts]]''': Rookwood was highly accomplished with dark magic, being a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]]. During the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]], he attempted to kill Kingsley Shacklebolt with the [[Killing Curse]].<ref name="OTP"/> He was presumably skilled in casting the other [[Unforgivable Curses]], along with other [[dark charm]]s.
−
*'''[[Martial magic]]''': Rookwood was proficient at duelling as he fought Kingsley Shacklebolt head on in [[1996]]. He was however defeated during the final battle by Aberforth Dumbledore.
 +
*'''[[Martial magic]]''': Rookwood was proficient at [[duelling]] as he fought Kingsley Shacklebolt head on in [[1996]] during the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]]. It should be noted however that he was defeated by Kingsley during the same duel.<ref name="OTP"/> He participated in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], invading the school and attacking students. He was also shown chasing after a group of students, implying that even together they were unable to subdue Rookwood. He was however [[Stunning Spell|stunned]] defeated during the final battle by [[Aberforth Dumbledore]].<ref name="DH"/>
−
*'''Magical Knowledge''': Due to his past employment in the [[Department of Mysteries]], Rookwood came to amass certain important information from the various research there, such as the consequence of an unauthorised person trying to remove a [[prophecy]]. He relayed these valuable information to Voldemort. This also indicated good spying skills, as he was convicted only when one of his colleagues betrayed him.
 +
*'''[[Magic]]al Knowledge''': Due to his past employment in the [[Department of Mysteries]], Rookwood came to amass certain important information from the various research there, such as the consequence of an unauthorised person trying to remove a [[prophecy]]. He relayed these valuable information to Voldemort. This also indicated good spying skills, as he was convicted only when one of his fellow Death Eaters betrayed him.<ref name="GOF"/>
  +
*'''Indomitable Willpower''': Rookwood had an exceptionally strong willpower and mental fortitude, which allowed him to resist the [[Dementors]]' effect in [[Azkaban]] for approximately fourteen years.
   
 
==Etymology==
  
==Etymology==
 
*Rookwood was named as Algernon Rookwood in the first UK editions of {{OOTP}}, but his name reverted to Augustus again later on. This mistake was corrected in the U.S. edition of the text.
  
*Rookwood was named as Algernon Rookwood in the first UK editions of {{OOTP}}, but his name reverted to Augustus again later on. This mistake was corrected in the U.S. edition of the text.
 
*[[Wikipedia:Augustus (honorific)|Augustus]] is Latin for "majestic" or "venerable", derived from the Latin ''augere'', "to increase". It was the title given to the first emperor of Rome and subsequently to make other Roman emperors.
  
*[[Wikipedia:Augustus (honorific)|Augustus]] is Latin for "majestic" or "venerable", derived from the Latin ''augere'', "to increase". It was the title given to the first emperor of Rome and subsequently to make other Roman emperors.
−
*Rooks are known to be extremely sociable birds, and also have a kind of caw that sounds like a croak.<ref>[http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/r/rook/index.asp "Rook - The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds"] from [http://www.rspb.org.uk/ The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds]</ref> Rookwood is indicated to be a sociable wizard, and when he was seen speaking to [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]], he was hoarse and his tone was described as a croak.
 +
*Rooks are known to be extremely sociable birds, and also have a kind of caw that sounds like a croak.<ref>[http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/r/rook/index.asp "Rook - The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds"] from [http://www.rspb.org.uk/ The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds]</ref> Rookwood is indicated to be a sociable wizard, and when he was seen speaking to Voldemort, he was hoarse and his tone was described as a croak.
 
*The surname "Rookwood" may also come from [[Wikipedia:Ambrose Rokewood|Ambrose Rookwood]], one of the conspirators in the [[Wikipedia:Gunpowder Plot|Gunpowder Plot]] of 1605.
  
*The surname "Rookwood" may also come from [[Wikipedia:Ambrose Rokewood|Ambrose Rookwood]], one of the conspirators in the [[Wikipedia:Gunpowder Plot|Gunpowder Plot]] of 1605.
 
*Rookwood is also a family in the 1834 romance of the same name written by [[Wikipedia:William Ainsworth|William Harrison Ainsworth]]. In the novel, the Rookwood family are described quite negatively: ''No mate ever brook would a Rook of the Rookwood! A merry saying it is, and true. No woman ever stood in a Rookwood's way but she was speedily removed—that's certain.''
  
*Rookwood is also a family in the 1834 romance of the same name written by [[Wikipedia:William Ainsworth|William Harrison Ainsworth]]. In the novel, the Rookwood family are described quite negatively: ''No mate ever brook would a Rook of the Rookwood! A merry saying it is, and true. No woman ever stood in a Rookwood's way but she was speedily removed—that's certain.''
Line 71: Line 71:
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
−
*In both {{OOTP|F}} and {{DH|F2}} he is played by [[Richard Trinder]].<ref>[http://www.spotlight.com/interactive/cv/1/M20703.html Spotlight - CV]</ref>
 +
*In {{OOTP|F}} he was played by [[Richard Trinder]].<ref>[http://www.spotlight.com/interactive/cv/1/M20703.html Spotlight - CV]</ref>
  +
*Due to his baleful and ugly appearance Rookwood is commonly mistaken for [[Rodolphus Lestrange]].
   
 
==Appearances==
  
==Appearances==
  +
{{Imagecat|Images of Augustus Rookwood}}
 
*{{GOF}} {{1st Mention}}
  
*{{GOF}} {{1st Mention}}
 
*{{GOF|F}} {{Mention}}
  
*{{GOF|F}} {{Mention}}
−
*{{OOTP}}
 +
*{{OOTP}} {{1st}}
 
*{{OOTP|F}}
  
*{{OOTP|F}}
 
*{{DH}}
  
*{{DH}}
Line 83: Line 85:
 
==Notes and references==
  
==Notes and references==
 
{{Reflist}}
  
{{Reflist}}
−  
 
{{Ministry Level 9 employees}}
  
{{Ministry Level 9 employees}}
 
{{Death Eaters}}
  
{{Death Eaters}}
   
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rookwood, Augustus}}
  
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rookwood, Augustus}}
  +
[[de:Augustus Rookwood]]
−  
 
[[es:Augustus Rookwood]]
  
[[es:Augustus Rookwood]]
 
[[fr:Augustus Rookwood]]
  
[[fr:Augustus Rookwood]]
Line 94: Line 95:
 
[[fi:Augustus Rookwood]]
  
[[fi:Augustus Rookwood]]
 
[[pl:Augustus Rookwood]]
  
[[pl:Augustus Rookwood]]
−
[[Category:Azkaban convicts|Rookwood, Augustus]]
 +
[[pt-br:Augusto Rookwood]]
 
[[Category:Azkaban escapees|Rookwood, Augustus]]
  
[[Category:Azkaban escapees|Rookwood, Augustus]]
 
[[Category:Battle of Hogwarts participants|Rookwood, Augustus]]
  
[[Category:Battle of Hogwarts participants|Rookwood, Augustus]]
Line 104: Line 105:
 
[[Category:Unforgivable curse users|Rookwood, Augustus]]
  
[[Category:Unforgivable curse users|Rookwood, Augustus]]
 
[[Category:Unspeakables|Rookwood, Augustus]]
  
[[Category:Unspeakables|Rookwood, Augustus]]
−
[[Category:Wizards|Rookwood, Augustus]]
  

Revision as of 10:37, 14 March 2020

"Point me!"
This article is about the Death Eater. You may be looking for another person with the same name.

"Rookwood: a spy. He gave valuable information through the Ministry to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!"
— Rookwood's loyalty revealed[src]

Augustus Rookwood was a Dark wizard and a Death Eater loyal to Lord Voldemort. During the First Wizarding War he was a spy who worked as an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries. After the height of the first war he was named by his comrade Igor Karkaroff, Rookwood was arrested and imprisoned in Azkaban.

Rookwood escaped during the 1996 mass break-out and served as a Death Eater once more. He fought in several battles of the Second Wizarding War, including the Battle of the Department of Mysteries after which he was imprisoned again, but escaped in 1997. During the Battle of Hogwarts, Rookwood was defeated by Aberforth Dumbledore. His fate after Voldemort's final defeat is unknown. It is possible that he was imprisoned in Azkaban once again for his various crimes.

Biography

First Wizarding War

Rookwood worked as an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries, but became a Death Eater and spy for Lord Voldemort during the First Wizarding War. He had an information network inside and outside of the Ministry of Magic with a number of well-connected wizards. Whether or not these wizards knew they were being used for information by Rookwood is unknown.

What is known is that Ludo Bagman gave Rookwood information. Bagman was likely ignorant of the fact of Rookwood's real affiliations, since Rookwood dangled the prospect of a Ministry position before him. Bagman's testimony revealed that Augustus Rookwood was friends with his father. He also referred to Rookwood rather affectionately as "Old Rookwood", despite the man being a Death Eater, during his own court case.[4] From that information, it can be deduced that Rookwood was outgoing and perhaps affable during his years as a spy, breaking the mould of so many other Death Eaters to serve as a cover.

In 1981, Rookwood was captured and convicted on testimony from Igor Karkaroff as to his Death Eater activities and imprisoned in Azkaban. This was one of many names that Karkaroff surrendered in order to achieve his own freedom, and the first one to be viable, as the ones before were already caught or killed.[4]

Second Wizarding War

Augustus Rookwood in Azkaban

Augustus Rookwood during his imprisonment in Azkaban

During the Second Wizarding War, Rookwood escaped Azkaban along with nine other Death Eaters in 1996, when the Dementors defected to the recently returned Lord Voldemort.[5] This was Azkaban's largest and most notorious breakout and helped set the stage for the Second Wizarding War.

Rookwood was responsible for getting Voldemort on track with stealing the prophecy which concerned the Dark Lord and Harry Potter, who saw Rookwood in one of his dreams. Obviously, his experience in the Department of Mysteries made him a valuable asset in this function.

Battle of the Department of Mysteries

After numerous attempts at stealing the prophecy failed, Voldemort lured Harry to the Ministry by sending him visions of his godfather Sirius Black being tortured there. Rookwood was one of the Death Eaters who participated in the ambush of Harry and his five friends, and in the battle which ensued when the teenagers resisted. He was the only one not assigned a partner as the Death Eaters pursued the six D.A. members.

When Order of the Phoenix members arrived he was duelling with Kingsley Shacklebolt without his mask on. It is presumed that Rookwood, along with all the other Death Eaters aside from Bellatrix Lestrange, was captured and imprisoned in Azkaban after the battle.[5]

However, he was again at large the following year, after another Azkaban break-out.[6]

Battle of Hogwarts

"ROOKWOOD!"
— The Death Eater being chased[src]

Rookwood fought during the Battle of Hogwarts in 1998.[7] After Fred Weasley was killed in an explosion, Percy Weasley chased after Rookwood as he was attacking some of the other students who had stayed to fight rather than evacuate the school. Later in the battle, he was stunned by Aberforth Dumbledore.[6] It is unknown what happened to him after Voldemort was defeated, but if he survived, it is likely that he was captured and again sent to Azkaban.

Physical appearance

Rookwood was described, judging by his mugshot seen in the Daily Prophet, as a tall, pock-marked and grey greasy-haired wizard.[5] As Ludo Bagman described him as "old Rookwood" and given his status as a friend of Bagman's father, he was likely an older man by the time the First Wizarding War ended.[4] As a Death Eater, he bore the Dark Mark on his left inner forearm.

Personality and traits

Judging by his mugshot seen in the Daily Prophet, Rookwood seemed bored, contrasting from the other Death Eaters, who were sneering and glaring. He also appeared being outgoing and perhaps affable, being a friend of Ludovic Bagman's father. This is further supported by everyone's surprise when Igor Karkaroff sold him out as a Death Eater.[4] He was also shown to be rather fearful of Lord Voldemort when delivering bad news to him. However, during the Battle of Hogwarts, Rookwood showed his power in combat, as he did not hesitate to attack students who remained in the battlefield.[6] Despite joining Voldemort out of fear Rookwood was highly loyal to his master.

As can be expected from a Death Eater Rookwood was: Ruthless, sly, cunning, cruel, loyal, hateful, arrogant, powerful, sadistic, brutal, spiteful, ambitious, menacing and witty.

Magical abilities and skills

  • Dark Arts: Rookwood was highly accomplished with dark magic, being a Death Eater. During the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, he attempted to kill Kingsley Shacklebolt with the Killing Curse.[5] He was presumably skilled in casting the other Unforgivable Curses, along with other dark charms.
  • Martial magic: Rookwood was proficient at duelling as he fought Kingsley Shacklebolt head on in 1996 during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. It should be noted however that he was defeated by Kingsley during the same duel.[5] He participated in the Battle of Hogwarts, invading the school and attacking students. He was also shown chasing after a group of students, implying that even together they were unable to subdue Rookwood. He was however stunned defeated during the final battle by Aberforth Dumbledore.[6]
  • Magical Knowledge: Due to his past employment in the Department of Mysteries, Rookwood came to amass certain important information from the various research there, such as the consequence of an unauthorised person trying to remove a prophecy. He relayed these valuable information to Voldemort. This also indicated good spying skills, as he was convicted only when one of his fellow Death Eaters betrayed him.[4]
  • Indomitable Willpower: Rookwood had an exceptionally strong willpower and mental fortitude, which allowed him to resist the Dementors' effect in Azkaban for approximately fourteen years.

Etymology

  • Rookwood was named as Algernon Rookwood in the first UK editions of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but his name reverted to Augustus again later on. This mistake was corrected in the U.S. edition of the text.
  • Augustus is Latin for "majestic" or "venerable", derived from the Latin augere, "to increase". It was the title given to the first emperor of Rome and subsequently to make other Roman emperors.
  • Rooks are known to be extremely sociable birds, and also have a kind of caw that sounds like a croak.[8] Rookwood is indicated to be a sociable wizard, and when he was seen speaking to Voldemort, he was hoarse and his tone was described as a croak.
  • The surname "Rookwood" may also come from Ambrose Rookwood, one of the conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
  • Rookwood is also a family in the 1834 romance of the same name written by William Harrison Ainsworth. In the novel, the Rookwood family are described quite negatively: No mate ever brook would a Rook of the Rookwood! A merry saying it is, and true. No woman ever stood in a Rookwood's way but she was speedily removed—that's certain.
  • Other possible references from Rookwood are the surname Turpin (Lisa Turpin), from the famous highwayman, and the Hand of Glory that is the subject of a poem within the book.[9]

Behind the scenes

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 7 images related to Augustus Rookwood.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ In 1981, Rookwood had to be at least of age (17) to be working at the Ministry. As Ludo Bagman says that Rookwood was friends with his father we can assume that he was, most likely, older than 17 at the time that Igor Karkaroff revealed his Death Eater status to the Ministry as he was a well known worker at the Ministry.
  2. ↑ The Death Eaters as an organisation were known to violently hate all Muggle-borns and Muggles in general.
  3. ↑ J.K. Rowling and the Live Chat, Bloomsbury.com, July 30, 2007
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
  7. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 - (see this image) - fourth the right of Narcissa Malfoy
  8. ↑ "Rook - The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds" from The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
  9. ↑ "Rookwood by William Harrison Ainsworth" from The Project Gutenberg
  10. ↑ Spotlight - CV
Department of Mysteries employees
Unspeakables
Broderick Bode · Saul Croaker · Elton Elderberry · Grim Fawley · Dinah Hecat · Olivia Green · Gareth Greengrass · Eloise Mintumble · Levina Monkstanley · Augustus Rookwood · Regina Rowle · Albert Sallow
Other personnel
Keeper of the Hall of Prophecy · Unidentified intern
Death Eaters
Dark Mark Pottermore
Leader: Lord Voldemort
Death Eaters

Avery II · Alecto Carrow · Amycus Carrow · Crabbe · Bartemius Crouch Junior † · Antonin Dolohov · Gibbon † · Goyle · Gareth Greengrass's brother · Jugson · Barnaby Lee's father · Barnaby Lee's mother · Bellatrix Lestrange † · Rabastan Lestrange · Rodolphus Lestrange · Walden Macnair · Mulciber I · Mulciber II · Nott · Pyrites (possibly) · Augustus Rookwood · Rosier · Evan Rosier † · Thorfinn Rowle · Selwyn · Merula Snyde's father · Merula Snyde's mother · Travers · Wilkes † · Corban Yaxley · Unidentified Death Eaters

Death Eater defectors

Regulus Black † · Igor Karkaroff † · Draco Malfoy · Lucius Malfoy · Peter Pettigrew † · Severus Snape †

Death Eater allies

Borgin · Vincent Crabbe · John Dawlish · Delphini · Golgomath · Gregory Goyle · Fenrir Greyback · Mafalda Hopkirk · Narcissa Malfoy (defected) · Ismelda Murk (unofficially, supposedly) · Nagini · Mr Padgett · Mrs Padgett · Pansy Parkinson · Quirinus Quirrell · Albert Runcorn · Stanley Shunpike (Imperiused) · Scabior · Serpent of Slytherin · Pius Thicknesse (Imperiused) · Dolores Umbridge

Other affiliations

British Ministry of Magic (under Voldemort's control) · Daily Prophet (under Voldemort's control) · Dementors · Draco Malfoy's gang · Kreacher (formerly) · Tom Riddle's gang · Gang of Slytherins · Giants (Golgomath's control) · Inferi · Charmed skeletons · Muggle-Born Registration Commission · Theodore Nott (possibly) · Snatchers · Werewolf army · The Unforgivable

Death Eater establishments

Abandoned nuclear power plant · Borgin and Burkes · British Ministry of Magic Headquarters (under Voldemort's control) · The Cave · Chamber of Secrets · Forbidden Forest · Gaunt Shack · Lee family house · Lestrange Vault · Little Hangleton graveyard · Malfoy Manor · Misty Dell · Riddle House · Snatcher Camp · Spinner's End (Severus Snape's house) · The Abandoned Substation · The Ruins · The Quarry

Deutsch Español Suomi Français Polski Português do Brasil Русский
*Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, Fandom will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
More Fandoms