Ginger Witch

Ginger Witch
Biographical information
Nationality	American
Physical information
Species	Human
Gender	Female
Hair colour	Red
Affiliation
Occupation	Career criminal

The "Ginger Witch", known in France as "La Sorcière Rousse", was an American witch and serial criminal whose exploits made headlines in the wizarding world in the 20th century.

Biography

Early life

Little is known about the origins of the "Ginger Witch". She was born in the United States, presumably sometime in the late 19th century or early 20th century, and was living in The Bronx in New York by 1926.

Criminal exploits

1926 investigation

"Bronx Ginger Witch prosecuted for wig theft" headline in a 1926 issue of The New York Ghost

The "Ginger Witch" found herself under investigation by wizarding authorities in November 1926 after she committed an unknown crime. The Daily Prophet carried an exclusive report on the incident, calling the witch "mysterious" and a widely unknown figure. This was likely her first brush with the law.

Wig theft prosecution

In late 1926, an article by M. Ralphous in The New York Ghost reported that the "Ginger Witch" had been prosecuted for stealing a wig. This newspaper also was the first source to realise she lived in The Bronx.

1927

In 1927, she was seen in Lyon, France, as reported by French newspaper Le Cri de la Gargouille. It is unknown if she committed any crimes while there.

Same year, the No. 0227 edition of the magazine Spellbound claimed to unveil the witch's identity.

Bertie Botts recall

In August 1993, the "Ginger Witch" was implicated to have something to do with a product recall of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. The Daily Prophet reported that the witch was imprisoned and sent to the isolation wing.

Hooliganism arrest

In 1994, she had been released from the isolation wing, and the Daily Prophet reported that the "Ginger Witch" attended a Muggle football match, where she was arrested again, that time for hooliganism. It is unknown if she was actually imprisoned following the arrest.

Flying pigs incident

In late 1994 or early 1995, an article by M. Amerinus in the Daily Prophet reported that the "Ginger Witch" was implicated to be part of an incident involving two flying pigs, which interfered with the Muggle air traffic.

Henna explosion

"Ginger Witch Survives Henna Explosion" headline in a 1995 issue of the Daily Prophet

In August 1995, the "Ginger Witch" was caught in a henna explosion, but survived. The story made the front page of the Daily Prophet.

Fake henna scandal

In 1996, the Quibbler reported that the "Ginger Witch" was arrested in Caxambu, Brazil with fake henna. The magazine later reported that this scandal lead to her being sent to Azkaban for good. She was, however, eventually released from the prison on an unknown date.

Behind the scenes

• Eduardo Lima, a graphic artist who worked on every Harry Potter film from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban onward, revealed that this character was inspired by Debbie, a red-haired friend of his and Miraphora Mina who worked as a buyer for the set decoration department. The pair of graphic artists gave her the nickname "Ginger Witch" and inserted a series of funny headlines about "The Ginger Witch" into the wizarding publications they designed for the film, including the Daily Prophet.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) (First mentioned) (Mentioned in a newspaper)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Mentioned in a newspaper)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film) (Mentioned in a newspaper)
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film) (Mentioned in a newspaper)
• Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (Mentioned in a newspaper)