Mafalda Hopkirk

Mafalda Hopkirk
Biographical information
Born	19 February–20 March, in or before 1973
Blood status	Pure-blood or half-blood
Nationality	British
Title(s)	Madam
Signature
Physical information
Species	Human
Gender	Female
Height	5 feet, 4 inches
Hair colour	Grey
Eye colour	Hazel
Skin colour	Light
Magical characteristics
Patronus	Non-corporeal
Affiliation
Occupation	Assistant in the Improper Use of Magic Office
Loyalty	British Ministry of Magic Department of Magical Law Enforcement Improper Use of Magic Office Death Eaters (indirectly)

"Dear Mr Potter, We have received intelligence that a Hover Charm was used at your place of residence this evening at twelve minutes past nine. As you know, under age wizards are not permitted to perform spells outside school, and further spell work on your part may lead to expulsion from said school (Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, Paragraph C). We would also ask you to remember that any magical activity that risks notice by members of the non-magical community (Muggles) is a serious offence under section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks' Statute of Secrecy. Enjoy your Holidays! Yours sincerely, Mafalda Hopkirk"

— Hopkirk's warning to Harry Potter

Madam Mafalda Hopkirk (b. 19 February–20 March, in or before 1973) was a British witch and an assistant in the Improper Use of Magic Office at the Ministry of Magic. She issued notices to many of those who violated the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy or the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery. This included Harry Potter on two occasions.

Mafalda was still working in the Ministry on 2 September 1997. She was incapacitated and impersonated by Hermione Granger, by way of Polyjuice Potion during the trio's Infiltration of the Ministry of Magic.

Biography

Assistant at the Ministry

"Ah, Mafalda! Travers sent you, did he?"

— Dolores Umbridge to Hermione Granger disguised as Mafalda

Mafalda Hopkirk sends Harry Potter a message

By 1992, she was working in the Improper Use of Magic Office of the British Ministry of Magic. When Dobby the house-elf used a Hover Charm, it was Mafalda Hopkirk who sent a notice to Harry Potter regarding "his" illegal use of magic at 4 Privet Drive in the presence of Muggles. She was still working in the Improper Use of Magic Office, when on 2 August 1995, the Ministry received intelligence via The Trace that Harry Potter had once again used magic. Under the orders of Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge, she sent a notice to Harry expelling him from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his use of the Patronus Charm in front of his cousin Dudley, a Muggle. Later that same evening, when cooler heads had prevailed, she sent Harry a notice withdrawing his expulsion and ordering him to attend a hearing ten days later.

Hermione (far left) disguised as Mafalda with Harry and Ron (also disguised as Ministry workers)

On 1 August 1997 the Ministry of Magic, having been infiltrated by the Death Eaters, was taken over in a virtually silent coup d'etat. Hopkirk continued to work for the new regime, still as an assistant in the Improper Use of Magic Office. However, it was acceptable for her to be set aside for record-keeping. A month later, when Hopkirk Apparated to work, she was ambushed by Hermione Granger and subsequently stunned and locked away. Some of her hair was pulled to use in Polyjuice Potion. Hermione took the potion and assumed the appearance of Hopkirk in order to gain entry to the Ministry. The impostor Hopkirk was used as a stenographer for the Muggle-Born Registration Commission and helped free the innocent Muggle-borns.

Physical appearance

Mafalda was described as being a "wispy" witch with flyaway grey hair. She was also small in stature and wore spectacles.

Personality and traits

Hopkirk was very courteous and formal in her warning notices, and Hopkirk's Polyjuice Potion was described as having a "pleasant heliotrope colour". It is unknown if this was pleasant colouring was linked to her personality.

She was assumed to be sent by Travers, a Death Eater with pro-pure-blood supremacy ideals, to keep record for the Muggle-Born Registration Commission. Her personal attitude towards pure-blood supremacy were unknown.

Magical abilities and skills

• Apparition: Like most accomplished adult wizards and witches, Mafalda was capable of Apparating at will. She used Apparition to travel to work at the British Ministry of Magic.
• Charms: Mafalda was capable of conjuring a non-corporeal Patronus.

Possessions

• Spectacles: Hopkirk owned a pair of spectacles.
• Identity card: Hopkirk owned an identity card which was used during her employment in the British Ministry of Magic.
• Earrings: These earrings were shaped like drop pods, and were worn by Hopkirk and stolen following her impersonation.

Etymology

"Mafalda" is the Portuguese form of Matilda. It means "strength in battle" or "mighty sword", from the Germanic macht (might; strength) and hild (battle; sword). This was the name of the wife of William the Conqueror. In Argentina, "Mafalda" is better known as the name of a comic strip character created by famed cartoonist Quino.

Behind the scenes

Hermione disguised as Mafalda in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7

• Hopkirk was voiced by Jessica Hynes in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. She was recast for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, instead portrayed by Sophie Thompson.
• In a prop letter made for the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (that went unused in the final film), Mafalda Hopkirk is referred to as the "Commander-in-Chief" of the Improper Use of Magic Office — whereas Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows gives her position as "an assistant in the Improper Use of Magic Office".
  • It is possible, however, that Hopkirk was indeed head of the office in 1995, but that following the Fall of the Ministry of Magic, the Death Eaters recognised her as an effective employee, so rather than taking her life, Corban Yaxley used his newfound power invested in him to demote her in favour of putting Travers, a fellow Death Eater, in charge of the division upon his appointment to the office of Head of Magical Law Enforcement.
• In the book Mafalda's hair was grey, but in the film it was brown and greying.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First mentioned)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Voice only)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
• Pottermore (Mentioned only) (Polyjuiced body only)
• Harry Potter (website) (Mentioned only) (Polyjuiced body only)
• LEGO Harry Potter
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery (Mentioned only)
• The Art of Harry Potter: Mini Book of Graphic Design