======Charity Burbage======
=====Introduction=====
Charity Burbage was a [[witch]] and the [[Professor]] of [[Muggle Studies]] at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. A staunch advocate for [[Muggle]] rights and the tolerance of [[Muggle-born]]s, she was a vocal opponent of [[Lord Voldemort]]'s pure-blood supremacist ideology. Her abduction and subsequent murder by [[Voldemort]] at the outset of the [[Second Wizarding War]] served as a brutal demonstration of the [[Death Eaters]]' power and cruelty after their takeover of the [[Ministry of Magic]].
=====Biography=====
Professor Burbage taught [[Muggle Studies]] at [[Hogwarts]] for an unknown number of years, working under Headmaster [[Albus Dumbledore]]. Her curriculum and personal beliefs emphasized the similarities between the magical and non-magical communities and promoted the idea of peaceful coexistence and integration.
Shortly before the beginning of the 1997-1998 school year, with [[Voldemort]]'s power growing, Professor Burbage wrote an impassioned editorial for the //[[Daily Prophet]]//. In her piece, she defended [[Muggle-born]] wizards and witches and argued that the concept of [[pure-blood]] supremacy was damaging to the wizarding world. She asserted that the intermarriage with [[Muggle]]s was essential for the survival and strength of the magical community.
This public stance made her a direct target of the [[Death Eaters]]. She was abducted from her home and taken to [[Malfoy Manor]], where a [[Death Eater]] meeting was being held. Suspended upside down and magically bound, she was used as an object lesson by [[Lord Voldemort]]. He mocked her beliefs before the assembled [[Death Eaters]], including [[Severus Snape]], to whom she pleaded for help. [[Snape]] did not intervene, and [[Voldemort]] struck her with the [[Killing Curse]]. He then fed her body to his snake, [[Nagini]].
The //[[Daily Prophet]]//, now under [[Voldemort]]'s control, later reported that Professor Burbage had "resigned" from her post at [[Hogwarts]]. Her position was filled by the [[Death Eater]] [[Alecto Carrow]], who twisted the subject into a tool for anti-Muggle propaganda.
=====Physical Appearance and Personality=====
Professor Burbage's physical appearance is not described in the novels.
Based on her writing and her final moments, she was a woman of immense courage and strong principles. She was willing to publicly voice her progressive and dangerous opinions in a time of great political turmoil. Her final act was to plead with her colleague, [[Severus Snape]], demonstrating a misplaced trust that highlighted the tragic isolation of his position as a double agent. She was clearly compassionate and dedicated to the ideal of a tolerant and integrated society.
=====Magical Abilities and Skills=====
As a [[Professor]] at [[Hogwarts]], Charity Burbage was undoubtedly a competent and knowledgeable [[witch]]. However, she was overpowered by [[Voldemort]] and his followers, and the books do not depict her performing any specific acts of [[magic]].
=====Relationships=====
  * **[[Severus Snape]]**: Professor Burbage considered [[Snape]] a colleague and, evidently, a friend she could appeal to for help. She addressed him by his first name in her final moments, begging, "//Severus... please... please...//". His impassive response was a necessary part of maintaining his cover within the [[Death Eaters]]' ranks, but it was a moment of profound betrayal from her perspective.
  * **[[Lord Voldemort]]**: As the ultimate symbol of the ideology she opposed, [[Voldemort]] held a particular hatred for Professor Burbage. He murdered her personally, not just to silence her, but to make a terrifying example of her for his followers and to horrify anyone who might share her views.
  * **[[Albus Dumbledore]]**: As her Headmaster, [[Dumbledore]] would have approved of Professor Burbage's hiring and her curriculum, as her views on [[Muggle]] equality aligned perfectly with his own.
=====Etymology=====
  * **Charity:** Her first name comes from the Latin //caritas//, meaning "benevolent goodwill and love towards humanity." It is one of the three theological virtues in Christian tradition. This name perfectly reflects her character's compassionate and accepting worldview regarding [[Muggle]]s.
  * **Burbage:** This surname may be a reference to Richard Burbage, a renowned actor in the company of William Shakespeare. It is also a common English surname derived from various place names in Great Britain.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
In the film adaptation of //[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1]]//, the character of Charity Burbage is portrayed by actress Carolyn Pickles. Her death serves as the film's chilling opening scene, mirroring its function in the novel. (film)