Augusta Longbottom

Augusta Longbottom is a formidable and respected Pure-blood witch, the paternal grandmother and legal guardian of her grandson, Neville Longbottom. A staunch supporter of Albus Dumbledore and the fight against Lord Voldemort, she raised Neville after her son, Frank Longbottom, and daughter-in-law, Alice Longbottom, were tortured into permanent insanity by Death Eaters. Though initially appearing stern and critical of Neville's abilities, she is fiercely protective and ultimately becomes immensely proud of his courage and crucial role in the Second Wizarding War.

During the First Wizarding War, Augusta's son Frank and his wife Alice were highly effective Aurors and members of the original Order of the Phoenix. Shortly after Lord Voldemort's first downfall, they were captured and tortured with the Cruciatus Curse by a group of Death Eaters led by Bellatrix Lestrange. The attack left them with irreparable brain damage, and they were subsequently confined to the Janus Thickey Ward at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Following this tragedy, Augusta took on the difficult task of raising her infant grandson, Neville Longbottom. For much of Neville's childhood, Augusta feared he was a Squib, as he showed little sign of magical ability. She often recounted stories to Neville of her family members, particularly Great-Uncle Algie, attempting to “force” magic out of him through dangerous methods, such as dropping him out of a window. She was immensely relieved when Neville's accidental magic saved him from a fall, and he subsequently received his Hogwarts letter.

Augusta's relationship with Neville during his early Hogwarts years was characterized by her high expectations and frequent disappointment. She sent him his father's old wand and a Remembrall in his first year. In his third year, after Neville lost the list of passwords to Gryffindor Tower, she sent him a Howler expressing her shame and accusing him of dishonoring the family name. A significant moment occurred during Neville's fifth year when Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger encountered Augusta visiting her son and daughter-in-law at St. Mungo's. She firmly told the trio that Neville had nothing to be ashamed of and that his parents were heroes who had made a noble sacrifice. This event revealed the deep pride she held for her family's legacy. After Neville fought bravely in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, during which his father's wand was broken, Augusta's opinion of him began to shift. She acknowledged his courage by buying him a new wand of cherry and unicorn hair, one chosen for him rather than inherited.

Augusta's own bravery and power were showcased during the height of the Second Wizarding War. When Death Eaters controlled the Ministry of Magic, the Auror John Dawlish was sent to her home to arrest her. Expecting to capture a solitary old witch, Dawlish was instead overpowered by Augusta, who put him in St. Mungo's and went on the run. She returned to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts, where she was seen assisting students and battling Death Eaters. Her pride in her grandson came to a triumphant peak when she witnessed Neville openly defy Lord Voldemort and destroy the final Horcrux, Nagini, with the Sword of Gryffindor.

Augusta is described as a “fierce-looking” old witch. Her typical attire is highly distinctive and includes a long green dress, a fox-fur scarf, and a tall, pointed hat topped with a moth-eaten stuffed vulture. She is also known to carry a large, red handbag. Her personality is stern, proud, and uncompromising. She has a deep-seated respect for bravery and the honor of the Longbottom name. Initially, she is critical of Neville, comparing him unfavorably to his heroic father. However, beneath her harsh exterior lies a deep love for her grandson and an unyielding sense of justice. Over the course of the series, her perspective evolves as she learns to appreciate Neville for his own unique strengths—loyalty, perseverance, and quiet courage—rather than for how well he fits the mold of his father. She is formidably brave, defiant in the face of tyranny, and a powerful witch in her own right.

Augusta was a highly competent and powerful witch, even in her old age.

• Dueling and Defensive Magic: Her greatest feat was single-handedly defeating and hospitalizing the skilled Auror John Dawlish when he came to arrest her. She also participated actively in the Battle of Hogwarts, demonstrating her considerable combat abilities.
• General Magical Knowledge: As the matriarch of an old Pure-blood family, she possessed a solid understanding of the wizarding world and its traditions.

• Vulture Hat: Her most famous possession is a pointed hat adorned with a stuffed vulture. This became the form Neville's Boggart of Professor Snape took after he imagined the professor in his grandmother's clothes.
• Handbag: She is often seen with a large, red handbag.
• Fox-fur Scarf: A distinctive part of her usual ensemble.

• Neville Longbottom: Her relationship with her grandson is central to her character. It transforms from one of demanding expectation and disappointment to one of immense pride and mutual respect as Neville grows into a brave and capable wizard.
• Frank Longbottom and Alice Longbottom: Augusta is fiercely proud of her son and daughter-in-law. She venerates their memory and sacrifice, holding them up as the standard of what a Longbottom should be.
• Albus Dumbledore: She was a firm supporter of Albus Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix, entrusting Neville to his care at Hogwarts and aligning herself with his cause against Lord Voldemort.

The name Augusta is of Latin origin, the feminine form of “Augustus.” It means “majestic,” “venerable,” or “the exalted one.” This name perfectly suits her character as the proud, formidable, and respected matriarch of the noble and ancient Longbottom family.

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, a letter from Augusta is briefly shown when Neville receives his Remembrall.
• The pivotal scene at St. Mungo's where she meets Harry, Ron, and Hermione is omitted from the films.
• Her defeat of John Dawlish is mentioned by Aberforth Dumbledore in the film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (film).
• The Longbottom family is listed as one of the “Sacred Twenty-Eight,” a list of supposedly pure-blood families published in the 1930s. This adds context to Augusta's deep pride in her family's heritage and blood status (Pottermore).