Angus Buchanan

Angus Buchanan was a 19th-century Squib born into the prominent, pure-blood Buchanan family of Scotland. He is celebrated in the wizarding world for his extraordinarily persistent, albeit unsuccessful, attempts to gain admission to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He later chronicled his experiences in a bestselling book, My Life as a Squib, which turned his story of rejection into one of inspiration and earned him his own Chocolate Frog Card. His life provides a notable and poignant example of the status and struggles of Squibs (Pottermore).

Born as the third of eleven children to the magical Buchanan family, Angus showed no sign of magical ability from a young age. While his ten siblings were all witches and wizards, Angus was a Squib. His father, ashamed and angered, tried to “force” magic out of the boy through various means, all of which failed. In contrast, his siblings were kind to him, often including him in their magical games and covering for his lack of ability (Pottermore). When Angus turned eleven, he did not receive an acceptance letter from Hogwarts. Enraged, his father banished him from the house. However, his sister Flora helped him escape, and a determined Angus made his way to Hogwarts on his own, intent on sneaking in. His first attempt involved disguising himself and joining the group of first-years. His ruse was discovered by the Sorting Hat, which, upon being brought near his head, announced loudly to the entire Great Hall that he was not a wizard and refused to sort him (Pottermore). Undeterred, Angus spent the next several years making numerous comical and brave attempts to enter the castle. These included trying to scale the magically protected walls and attempting to fly over the lake on a broomstick he had “improved” with feathers. He was repeatedly caught by the Hogwarts Caretaker of the time, Ebenezer Squawk. Eventually, Angus accepted his non-magical nature and gave up his quest (Pottermore). In his later life, Angus Buchanan wrote a book about his childhood and his relentless efforts to get into Hogwarts. Titled My Life as a Squib, the book was a tremendous success in the wizarding world, celebrated for its humour and pathos. It made Angus a minor celebrity and an inspirational figure for many. For his unique contribution to the wizarding community and his remarkable spirit, he was posthumously featured on a Chocolate Frog Card (Pottermore).

Angus Buchanan's physical appearance is not described in detail. His personality, however, is clearly defined by his incredible determination, resilience, and courage. He refused to accept his fate as an outcast and pursued his dream with a singular focus that bordered on obsession. Despite the cruelty he faced from his father and the repeated failures at Hogwarts, he maintained a sense of humour and spirit, which he later channeled into his successful writing career (Pottermore).

As a Squib, Angus Buchanan possessed no personal magical abilities. He was incapable of performing spells or brewing potions. His skills were entirely non-magical and included great perseverance and a notable talent for writing, which allowed him to become a bestselling author in the wizarding world (Pottermore).

• My Life as a Squib: The autobiography Angus wrote that became a wizarding bestseller.
• Fake Wand: During one of his attempts to blend in at Hogwarts, he carried a twig that he pretended was a wand (Pottermore).
• Chocolate Frog Card: A card featuring his image and accomplishments was created after his death to honour his legacy (Pottermore).

• The Buchanan family: Angus had a deeply painful relationship with his father, who was ashamed of him and ultimately disowned him. In stark contrast, he was loved by his ten magical siblings, especially his sister Flora, who supported him and helped him escape their father's cruelty (Pottermore).
• Ebenezer Squawk: The Hogwarts Caretaker during the 19th century, Ebenezer Squawk was Angus's recurring adversary, frequently catching and ejecting him from the school grounds (Pottermore).
• The Sorting Hat: The Sorting Hat was the first to officially expose Angus as a non-magical person at Hogwarts, refusing to be placed on his head and announcing his status to the school (Pottermore).

• Angus: A traditional Scottish and Irish name of Gaelic origin, meaning “one choice” or “unique strength.” This perfectly reflects his single-minded goal of attending Hogwarts and the immense strength of character he displayed.
• Buchanan: A well-known Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic Both-Chanain. The name firmly places his origins in Scotland, the location of Hogwarts.

• The story of Angus Buchanan was written by J.K. Rowling and published on the Pottermore website on August 10, 2015. He is not mentioned in the original seven Harry Potter novels.
• His story provides a more optimistic and celebrated perspective on the life of a Squib compared to the bitter resentment of Argus Filch or the tragic circumstances of Merope Gaunt's family. Angus found a way to be accepted and celebrated by the wizarding world on his own non-magical terms.