Katie Bell

Katie Bell was a witch and a Gryffindor student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, one year above Harry Potter. She is best known for her long-standing role as a Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Katie was a loyal member of Dumbledore's Army and fought in the Battle of Hogwarts. Her most significant role in the series occurs during her seventh year when she becomes an unfortunate victim of a cursed Opal Necklace intended for Albus Dumbledore, an event that highlights the growing danger within Hogwarts during the Second Wizarding War.

Katie Bell began her education at Hogwarts in 1989 and was sorted into Gryffindor House. Her time at Hogwarts is largely defined by her involvement with the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

• 1991–1992: As a second-year student, Katie successfully tried out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, joining Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet to form a highly effective trio of Chasers. She played in the first match of the season against Slytherin, where Harry Potter made his debut as Seeker.
• 1992–1993: The Quidditch Cup was cancelled due to the attacks on students after the opening of the Chamber of Secrets.
• 1993–1994: Katie was part of the team, captained by Oliver Wood, that finally won the Quidditch Cup for Gryffindor for the first time in nearly a decade.
• 1995–1996: During her sixth year, with Hogwarts under the control of High Inquisitor Dolores Umbridge, Katie joined Dumbledore's Army to learn practical defensive magic from Harry. She continued to play as a Chaser on the Quidditch team, which struggled after Harry, Fred Weasley, and George Weasley were banned by Umbridge.
• 1996–1997: In her seventh and final year, Katie was the last remaining member of the original Chaser lineup that Harry had joined in his first year. After a Quidditch tryout, she retained her position under Harry's captaincy. During a trip to Hogsmeade, Katie was placed under the Imperius Curse by Madam Rosmerta (who was herself controlled by Draco Malfoy). She was given a cursed Opal Necklace to deliver to Albus Dumbledore. However, the package tore, and her skin made contact with the necklace. She was immediately afflicted by a powerful Dark Magic curse and levitated into the air, screaming in agony. She was saved from death by the quick actions of her friends but was sent to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, where she remained for several months. She was replaced on the team by Dean Thomas. Katie eventually recovered and returned to Hogwarts in time to play in the final Quidditch match against Ravenclaw, helping Gryffindor secure the Quidditch Cup. She had no memory of her attacker, only that she had argued with someone in the ladies' bathroom at the Three Broomsticks.

After graduating from Hogwarts, Katie returned on 2 May 1998, along with other members of Dumbledore's Army, to fight against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters in the Battle of Hogwarts.

The novels describe Katie Bell as having long brown hair. She is portrayed as a loyal, brave, and good-natured individual. Her dedication is evident through her seven-year commitment to the Gryffindor Quidditch team. She showed immense courage by joining Dumbledore's Army in defiance of Dolores Umbridge and by returning to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts. She was a good sport and a supportive teammate, even after the terrifying experience of being cursed.

• Quidditch: Katie was a highly skilled and experienced Quidditch player. As a Chaser, she was known for her excellent coordination with Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet, and she was a key offensive player for the Gryffindor team throughout her seven years at school.
• Defensive Magic: As a member of Dumbledore's Army, Katie learned and became proficient in a range of defensive spells beyond the standard school curriculum, including the Stunning Spell and the Disarming Charm. She presumably learned to cast a Patronus Charm, though its form is unknown.
• Duelling: Her survival in the Battle of Hogwarts suggests she possessed competent duelling skills, able to hold her own against Death Eaters.

• Wand: The specifics of Katie's wand, such as its wood, core, and length, are unknown.
• Broomstick: As a long-serving member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, she owned at least one broomstick of good quality, though the model is never mentioned in the books.

Katie was close friends with her fellow Chasers, Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet, forming a strong bond both on and off the Quidditch pitch. She was also friends with Oliver Wood, Harry Potter, and other members of the Quidditch team. Her friend, Leanne, was with her during the incident with the cursed necklace and was deeply distressed by the event, showing their close relationship. As a member of Dumbledore's Army, she was a loyal supporter of Harry and Albus Dumbledore.

• Katie: A diminutive form of Katherine, derived from the Greek name Aikaterine, which is traditionally associated with the word katharos, meaning “pure.” This may reflect her generally innocent and good-natured character, making her a particularly tragic victim of Draco Malfoy's dark plot.
• Bell: An English surname. A bell is often used as a warning or an alarm. The attack on Katie served as a loud, clear “alarm bell” to the Hogwarts staff and the Order of the Phoenix that their security had been breached and an attempt had been made on Dumbledore's life.

In the film adaptations of the Harry Potter series, the role of Katie Bell was played by two different actresses.

• Emily Dale portrayed Katie in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, though her appearance in the second film was uncredited. (film)
• Georgina Leonidas took over the role for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Leonidas's portrayal is more prominent due to the significance of the cursed necklace plot in the sixth film. (film)