======Arabella Doreen Figg======
=====Introduction=====
Arabella Doreen Figg was a [[Squib]] who lived in [[Little Whinging]], a member of the original and reconstituted [[Order of the Phoenix]], and a secret guardian to [[Harry Potter]]. Tasked by [[Albus Dumbledore]], she posed as an eccentric, cat-loving [[Muggle]] neighbour to watch over Harry during his childhood with the [[Dursleys]]. Mrs. Figg played a crucial role in Harry's fifth year, revealing her true identity to him after a [[Dementor]] attack and providing vital testimony at his subsequent disciplinary hearing at the [[Ministry of Magic]].
=====Biography=====
Mrs. Figg was born into a wizarding family but possessed no magical ability, making her a [[Squib]]. Despite this, she remained deeply connected to the wizarding world. For over a decade, she lived on [[Wisteria Walk]], two streets from [[Harry Potter]]'s home on [[Privet Drive]], as part of a mission from [[Albus Dumbledore]].
To maintain her cover and ensure the [[Dursleys]] would continue to use her as a babysitter, she made her home deliberately uninviting to Harry. He remembered his time there as being filled with the smell of cabbage and endless viewings of photographs of all the cats she had ever owned. Her primary role was surveillance, which she carried out with the help of her cats, some of whom were part-`[[Kneazle]]` and acted as her spies.
Her true allegiance was revealed in 1995 after Harry and [[Dudley Dursley]] were attacked by [[Dementors]]. Mrs. Figg arrived at the scene, furious with [[Mundungus Fletcher]] for abandoning his guard duty. She helped Harry get home and explained her connection to [[Dumbledore]] and the magical world.
Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Figg served as a key witness for the defence at Harry's hearing before the [[Wizengamot]]. Although [[Cornelius Fudge]] attempted to dismiss her testimony due to her status as a [[Squib]], her ability to accurately describe the profound chill and despair caused by [[Dementors]] provided crucial corroboration for Harry's story, contributing significantly to his acquittal.
=====Physical Appearance and Personality=====
To Harry and her [[Muggle]] neighbours, Mrs. Figg presented herself as a "batty old lady." She was often seen wearing tartan slippers, a hairnet over her grizzled grey hair, and tweed coats, and her house perpetually smelled of cabbage.
Beneath this eccentric facade, however, Mrs. Figg was a sharp, loyal, and courageous individual. She was fiercely dedicated to [[Dumbledore]] and the [[Order of the Phoenix]]. She possessed a stern and irritable side, which she directed at [[Mundungus Fletcher]] for his dereliction of duty. She later expressed regret to Harry for having to make his childhood visits so unpleasant, explaining it was a necessary part of her cover.
=====Magical Abilities and Skills=====
As a [[Squib]], Arabella Figg could not produce magic or wield a [[wand]]. However, she possessed several important skills:
  * **Knowledge of the Wizarding World:** She had an extensive understanding of the magical community, its creatures (like [[Dementors]] and [[Kneazles]]), and its institutions, such as the [[Ministry of Magic]].
  * **Espionage:** She was an accomplished spy, successfully monitoring [[Harry Potter]] for fourteen years without revealing her true nature to him or the [[Dursleys]].
  * **Animal Handling:** Mrs. Figg was a noted breeder and dealer of part-`[[Kneazle]]` cats, which she used effectively as an intelligence network. Her cats, including [[Tibbles]], [[Snowy]], [[Mr. Paws]], and [[Tufty]], patrolled the neighbourhood and reported back to her.
=====Possessions=====
  * **Cats:** Her most significant possessions were her cats, which served as both companions and agents for the [[Order of the Phoenix]]. She ran a "roaring trade" in cross-bred cats and [[Kneazles]].
  * **Residence:** A house on [[Wisteria Walk]] in [[Little Whinging]], [[Surrey]]. The interior was noted for its distinct smell of cabbage and an overwhelming amount of cat paraphernalia.
=====Relationships=====
  * **[[Albus Dumbledore]]:** Mrs. Figg was immensely loyal to [[Dumbledore]], who entrusted her with the critical task of watching over Harry. She was his long-standing contact in the [[Muggle]] world of [[Little Whinging]].
  * **[[Harry Potter]]:** For most of his childhood, Harry disliked visiting Mrs. Figg, viewing her as a boring and slightly mad old woman. This perception changed dramatically after the [[Dementor]] attack, evolving into a relationship of respect and alliance.
  * **[[Mundungus Fletcher]]:** She held [[Mundungus Fletcher]] in very low regard, viewing him as unreliable and cowardly. She was enraged when he abandoned his post guarding Harry to pursue a deal on stolen [[cauldrons]].
  * **The [[Dursleys]]:** The [[Dursleys]] viewed her as a convenient, if odd, neighbour and were happy to leave Harry with her, never suspecting her true identity.
=====Etymology=====
  * **//Arabella//:** A Latin name meaning "yielding to prayer." This could reflect her dutiful devotion to [[Dumbledore]]'s mission to protect Harry.
  * **//Doreen//:** An Irish name that can mean "sullen," possibly hinting at the gruff, serious personality she revealed after dropping her eccentric facade.
  * **//Figg//:** A "fig leaf" is used to cover something up, which aptly describes her role in concealing the wizarding world and her true purpose from Harry for many years. Additionally, the idiom "in full fig" means to be dressed in one's best, an ironic contrast to her typically dowdy appearance, but fitting for the moment she revealed her true, important self at the [[Ministry of Magic]].
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * Mrs. Figg's middle name, **Doreen**, and her membership in the original [[Order of the Phoenix]] were revealed on the Pottermore website (Pottermore).
  * In the film adaptation of //[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]//, she is portrayed by actress Kathryn Hunter.
  * In //[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]//, [[Dumbledore]] mentions that he tasked Arabella Figg with watching Harry, leading many readers to speculate that she was a witch before her [[Squib]] status was confirmed in the following book.