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"I never saw a wizard quite the same
As Quintus Harcourt Ballyfumble Stranger
As famous for his most unusual name
As for the speed with which he fled from danger.
"
Miranda Goshawk, "The Miserable Ode of Quivering Quintus"[src]

Quintus Harcourt Ballyfumble Stranger was the primary character of Miranda Goshawk's poem "The Miserable Ode of Quivering Quintus". As with all of the characters in these poems, he was inspired by a real wizard, with his name changed to protect his identity. Quintus was noted for his most unusual name, but perhaps more for his cowardice, and for the speed with which he fled from any danger.[1]

According to Goshawk's "Afterword", the traits Quintus lacked were bravery and daring.[1]

Biography[]

The wizard Quintus Stranger was based off of was cowardly and timid, and people knew him for vanishing instantly with any bang, flash, or grunt.[1]

Soon he became a joke among his peers, and his father told him that, although such nervousness was a natural thing and a feature of every man, it could be overcome with perseverance. Quintus reiterated that he was proud to flee at every danger, for it was wiser to save his own neck than to give up his safety.[1]

It was for this reason that Quintus only used his wand to shield himself from harm and, eventually, the wand lost its power (Miranda Goshawk went on to speculate that "it died of shame") leaving him wandless.[1]

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

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