Apollyon Pringle

Apollyon Pringle was the caretaker at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during the time Arthur Weasley and Molly Weasley (then Molly Prewett) were students. He is mentioned only once in the original novels, serving as a predecessor to Argus Filch. Though his role in the narrative is minor, he represents a previous, harsher era of discipline at the school.

Apollyon Pringle's tenure as Hogwarts caretaker took place during the mid-20th century. He was on staff during the school years of Arthur Weasley (c. 1961-1968). He was known for being a strict authority figure. In an anecdote told by Fred Weasley, Pringle nearly caught Arthur Weasley and Molly Prewett returning from a late-night stroll on the school grounds, though they ultimately evaded him. According to supplementary materials, Pringle was eventually succeeded as caretaker by a man named Ogg, who in turn was succeeded by Argus Filch (Pottermore).

Pringle's physical appearance is not described in the Harry Potter novels. His personality is implied to be that of a severe and strict disciplinarian. This is consistent with the traditional role of the Hogwarts caretaker and the anecdote of him patrolling the grounds at night. He was a known advocate for using corporal punishment on students, a practice which was later forbidden by the time Harry Potter attended Hogwarts and which his successor, Argus Filch, frequently complained about not being able to use (Pottermore).

It is unknown whether Pringle was a wizard or a Squib. As the position of caretaker was later held by the Squib Argus Filch, magical ability is clearly not a prerequisite for the job.

No specific possessions of Apollyon Pringle are mentioned. As caretaker, he would have held the keys to many areas of Hogwarts Castle and had access to various maintenance and cleaning supplies.

• Arthur Weasley and Molly Weasley: Pringle was an authority figure during their student years. They viewed him as someone to be avoided, as evidenced by Arthur's close call when returning from a late-night walk with Molly.
• Argus Filch: While it is not known if they ever met, Pringle represents the “old ways” of discipline that Filch greatly admired. Filch's own desire to use physical punishment on students echoes the methods Pringle was known to support (Pottermore).

• Apollyon: The name is Greek (Ἀπολλύων) and means “The Destroyer.” In the New Testament of the Bible (Revelation 9:11), Apollyon is the king of the locusts and the angel of the abyss. The name suggests a fearsome, severe, and perhaps cruel nature, fitting for a caretaker who supported corporal punishment.
• Pringle: This is a common Scottish surname, derived from a place name in Midlothian. Its ordinary nature contrasts sharply with the formidable first name.

• Apollyon Pringle is mentioned only once in the entire seven-book series, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 10.
• Information regarding Pringle's support for corporal punishment and the name of his direct successor, Ogg, is sourced from the Pottermore website (now Wizarding World).
• A common fan misinterpretation of the text is that Pringle caught Arthur Weasley and gave him a “hiding” that left permanent marks. The novel explicitly states that Pringle never actually caught Arthur and Molly.