Arabella Doreen Figg is a Squib, a member of the original and reinstated Order of the Phoenix, and a covert guardian of Harry Potter. Tasked by Albus Dumbledore, she lived near the Dursley family in Little Whinging, posing as an eccentric Muggle neighbor to watch over Harry during his childhood. Her true identity and allegiance are revealed after Harry is attacked by Dementors, and she plays a crucial role by providing testimony at his subsequent disciplinary hearing. Mrs. Figg represents a vital, albeit hidden, link between Harry's Muggle upbringing and the wizarding world.
Mrs. Figg was placed on Wisteria Walk, near Number Four, Privet Drive, by Albus Dumbledore shortly after Harry was left on the Dursleys' doorstep. For over a decade, she maintained the cover of a “batty old lady” obsessed with her cats. The Dursleys would occasionally leave Harry in her care, an experience he dreaded due to the overwhelming smell of cabbage in her house and the tedious task of viewing photographs of all her cats, including Mr. Tibbles, Snowy, Mr. Paws, and Tufty. This unpleasant environment was a deliberate strategy to ensure the Dursleys continued to use her for babysitting, keeping Harry under her watch rather than sending him somewhere outside of Dumbledore's protection.
In August 1995, after Harry Potter and Dudley Dursley were attacked by two Dementors in an underpass, Mrs. Figg's true nature was revealed. She appeared at the scene, furious that the Order of the Phoenix member assigned to guard Harry, Mundungus Fletcher, had abandoned his post. She demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the wizarding world, identifying the creatures as Dementors and understanding the gravity of the situation. She helped a shaken Harry back to his home and chastised Mundungus Fletcher for his dereliction of duty. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Figg traveled to the Ministry of Magic to serve as a witness at Harry's disciplinary hearing. Although as a Squib she could not physically see the Dementors, she was able to accurately describe the chilling, soul-sucking feeling of their presence. Her testimony, combined with Dumbledore's powerful advocacy, was instrumental in clearing Harry of the charge of performing underage magic and saving him from expulsion from Hogwarts. She is mentioned as part of the “old crowd” of the Order, suggesting she was involved during the First Wizarding War as well.
Harry initially perceived Mrs. Figg as a frail, dotty old woman, frequently seen in a dressing gown and tartan slippers. She maintained an eccentric and slightly befuddled public persona to blend into the Muggle neighborhood. In truth, Arabella Figg is sharp, resourceful, and fiercely loyal to Albus Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. She possesses a strong sense of duty and can be quite formidable when angered, as demonstrated by her verbal assault on Mundungus Fletcher. Her willingness to live a solitary, undercover life for many years and to face the Wizengamot to defend Harry showcases her underlying bravery and commitment to the cause against Lord Voldemort.
Mrs. Figg is a Squib, meaning she was born into a wizarding family but possesses no personal magical powers. She is unable to perform spells or see certain magical creatures like Dementors. Despite her lack of magical ability, she is fully integrated into the wizarding world. Her primary skill lies in intelligence and surveillance, aided by her business of breeding cross-bred cats and Kneazles. These part-Kneazle cats, such as Mr. Tibbles, are intelligent and serve as her agents and lookouts, allowing her to monitor the neighborhood effectively and communicate with other wizards.