======Lavender Brown======
=====Introduction=====
Lavender Brown was a [[Gryffindor]] student in [[Harry Potter]]'s year at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. She is best known for her close friendship with fellow [[Gryffindor]] [[Parvati Patil]], her brief but intense romantic relationship with [[Ron Weasley]], and her unwavering belief in [[Divination]]. Despite a sometimes frivolous demeanor, Lavender was a loyal member of [[Dumbledore's Army]] and bravely fought in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], where she ultimately lost her life.
=====Biography=====
====Hogwarts Years====
Lavender Brown began her education at [[Hogwarts]] in 1991 and was sorted into [[Gryffindor]] [[House]]. She quickly became best friends with [[Parvati Patil]], and the two were often seen together throughout their school years.
In their third year, Lavender developed a passion for [[Divination]], taught by [[Professor Trelawney]]. She was one of Trelawney's most ardent believers, often taking her professor's dramatic predictions with utmost seriousness. A notable instance was when [[Professor Trelawney]] predicted that something Lavender was dreading would happen on October sixteenth; Lavender later received news that her pet rabbit, Binky, had been killed by a fox, confirming her belief in the subject.
During her fourth year, Lavender attended the [[Yule Ball]] with [[Seamus Finnigan]]. In her fifth year, she was initially skeptical of [[Harry Potter]]'s claims regarding the return of [[Lord Voldemort]], siding with the [[Ministry of Magic]]'s official narrative. However, she was eventually convinced of the truth and joined [[Dumbledore's Army]] to learn practical defensive magic from Harry.
Lavender's role became most prominent in her sixth year. She developed a strong crush on [[Ron Weasley]] after he helped [[Gryffindor]] win a [[Quidditch]] match. They began a very public and demonstrative relationship, during which Lavender famously nicknamed him "Won-Won". The relationship was characterized by constant displays of affection, which often made their peers uncomfortable, particularly [[Hermione Granger]]. Their romance ended abruptly after several months when Ron, seeking to avoid her after a fight, was seen leaving the boys' dormitory with Hermione, causing Lavender to end things for good.
====Second Wizarding War and Death====
Despite the dangers posed by [[Lord Voldemort]]'s control over the [[Ministry of Magic]] and [[Hogwarts]], Lavender returned for her seventh year. She presumably joined the reformed [[Dumbledore's Army]] to resist the oppressive regime of the [[Carrows]].
Lavender answered the call to fight in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] on 2 May, 1998. During the battle, she was seen falling from a balcony and was subsequently attacked by the werewolf [[Fenrir Greyback]]. Though [[Hermione Granger]] blasted Greyback away from her, Lavender's injuries were severe. The text describes her as "feebly stirring," but it is understood that she succumbed to the attack.
=====Physical Appearance and Personality=====
The novels do not provide a detailed description of Lavender's physical appearance.
Her personality is portrayed as being somewhat giggly, dramatic, and prone to gossip, especially when with her best friend, [[Parvati Patil]]. She had a superstitious nature and was highly credulous, particularly concerning [[Divination]]. Her relationship with [[Ron Weasley]] revealed a possessive and emotionally intense side of her character. However, beneath this exterior, Lavender possessed considerable courage and loyalty. Her decision to join [[Dumbledore's Army]] and later to fight in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] demonstrates her bravery and commitment to her friends and her school.
=====Magical Abilities and Skills=====
  * **General Magical Proficiency:** Lavender was a competent witch, having successfully passed a number of her [[O.W.L.]] examinations and mastered the various spells taught in [[Dumbledore's Army]].
  * **[[Divination]]:** This was Lavender's favorite subject. While she showed great enthusiasm, her actual skill was more a reflection of her faith in [[Professor Trelawney]]'s predictions than any innate talent.
  * **[[Charms]]:** As a member of the [[D.A.]], she learned to cast a variety of charms, including the [[Patronus Charm]]. The form of her [[Patronus Charm|Patronus]] is not specified in the novels.
  * **[[Defence Against the Dark Arts]]:** Her participation in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] suggests she was a capable duellist, putting the practical skills learned in the [[D.A.]] to use against [[Death Eaters]].
=====Possessions=====
  * **[[Wand]]:** The specific details of Lavender's [[wand]], such as its wood, core, and length, are unknown.
  * **Binky:** Lavender owned a pet rabbit named Binky. She was devastated when he was killed by a fox in 1993, an event she believed was foretold by [[Professor Trelawney]].
=====Relationships=====
  * **[[Parvati Patil]]:** Her best friend throughout their time at [[Hogwarts]]. The two were inseparable, sharing a love for [[Divination]] and gossip.
  * **[[Ron Weasley]]:** Lavender's first serious boyfriend. Their relationship was a whirlwind romance that served as a major subplot in their sixth year. It was born from Ron's newfound popularity and jealousy, but their incompatibility ultimately led to a messy breakup.
  * **[[Hermione Granger]]:** Lavender and Hermione had a strained relationship. Hermione was openly disdainful of Lavender's love for [[Divination]], and the tension escalated dramatically when Lavender began dating Ron, for whom Hermione had unspoken feelings. Despite this rivalry, Hermione saved Lavender's life by attacking [[Fenrir Greyback]] during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
  * **[[Seamus Finnigan]]:** Lavender's date to the [[Yule Ball]] in their fourth year.
=====Etymology=====
  * **Lavender:** The name of a flowering plant with a strong, pleasant fragrance. In traditional floriography (the language of flowers), lavender can symbolize devotion, love, and purity, but also distrust, which could be seen as an allusion to the ups and downs of her relationship with Ron.
  * **Brown:** A very common English surname, derived from the color. Its commonality may have been intended to portray her as a more "everyday" witch within the wizarding world.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptations, Lavender Brown was portrayed by Kathleen Cauley ([[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|film]]) and Jennifer Smith ([[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|film]]), both of whom are black actresses. For her significantly expanded role in //Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince//, the part was recast and played by Jessie Cave, a white actress. This change sparked considerable debate among the fanbase.
  * J.K. Rowling confirmed in an interview that Lavender did indeed die from the injuries inflicted by [[Fenrir Greyback]] during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
  * In the //Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix// video game, Lavender's [[Patronus Charm|Patronus]] takes the form of an otter. This is not mentioned in the original novels.