======Keitch======
=====Introduction=====
Mr. Keitch is a minor character mentioned in the series who works for the [[Ministry of Magic]]. His brief, indirect role highlights the interconnectedness of the wizarding world's bureaucracy and its consequences. His absence from his duties at a critical moment inadvertently contributed to the death of [[Broderick Bode]] at [[St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]].
=====Biography=====
Mr. Keitch's only mention occurs during the [[Second Wizarding War]]. On Christmas Day in 1995, a potted [[Devil's Snare]], disguised as a harmless flitterbloom, was sent to [[Broderick Bode]], who was recovering at [[St. Mungo's]] from [[spell]] damage sustained while guarding the [[Department of Mysteries]].
Healer [[Damocles]], who was attending to [[Arthur Weasley]], mentioned that the hospital was waiting for `Mr. Keitch` from the `Magical Lawns and Gardens` department to come and deal with the dangerous plant. However, Keitch was off work with a case of lumbago. This delay proved fatal; before Keitch could arrive to remove it, the [[Devil's Snare]] strangled and killed [[Broderick Bode]]. It is unknown if Keitch ever learned of the consequences of his absence due to illness.
=====Physical Appearance and Personality=====
There is no description of Mr. Keitch's physical appearance or personality in the novels.
=====Magical Abilities and Skills=====
As an employee of the `Magical Lawns and Gardens` department within the [[Ministry of Magic]], Mr. Keitch would presumably be highly skilled in [[Herbology]]. His specific job involved identifying and handling dangerous magical plants, a task that required specialized knowledge and practical magical ability.
=====Possessions=====
No possessions of Mr. Keitch are mentioned in the books. It is likely he owned a [[wand]], as is standard for most wizards.
=====Relationships=====
Mr. Keitch is a colleague of other [[Ministry of Magic]] employees. His services were known and expected by the staff at [[St. Mungo's]], as indicated by Healer [[Damocles]]'s comment, suggesting a professional relationship between the hospital and Keitch's department.
=====Etymology=====
The surname //Keitch// is an English surname, possibly a variant of "Keech." Historically, "keech" was a term for a lump of animal fat, and was sometimes used as a nickname for a butcher. There is no obvious connection between this origin and the character's role in the story.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
Mr. Keitch is a book-only character. The entire subplot involving [[Broderick Bode]]'s stay at [[St. Mungo's]] and his subsequent murder by [[Devil's Snare]] was omitted from the film adaptation, //Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix// (film).