Augustus Rookwood

Augustus Rookwood was a Death Eater who served Lord Voldemort during both the First Wizarding War and Second Wizarding War. He worked as a spy within the Ministry of Magic, operating as an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries. This position allowed him to pass vital information to Voldemort. Rookwood was involved in several key conflicts, including the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and the Battle of Hogwarts, during which he was responsible for the death of Fred Weasley.

During the First Wizarding War, Rookwood secured a position as an Unspeakable, an employee within the highly secretive Department of Mysteries. Using this post as cover, he acted as a spy for Lord Voldemort, feeding him information from inside the Ministry of Magic. He was known to have connections with other Death Eaters, such as Ludo Bagman's father. Following Voldemort's first downfall, Rookwood was betrayed by Igor Karkaroff. During his own trial before the Wizengamot, Karkaroff named Rookwood as a Death Eater in exchange for his own freedom. Harry Potter witnessed a memory of this trial in Albus Dumbledore's Pensieve. Rookwood, described as a pockmarked man, appeared bored by the proceedings until Karkaroff identified him. Based on this testimony, Rookwood was convicted and sentenced to life in Azkaban.

In January of 1996, Rookwood was one of ten high-security Death Eaters who escaped from Azkaban in a mass breakout. He rejoined Lord Voldemort and later participated in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries in June of that year. His inside knowledge proved crucial; he informed Lucius Malfoy that the protective enchantments surrounding the prophecy meant that only Harry Potter could retrieve it from the shelf. During the ensuing duel, Rookwood was stunned by Kingsley Shacklebolt and was one of the many Death Eaters captured by the Order of the Phoenix and returned to Azkaban. Rookwood escaped Azkaban for a second time following the fall of the Ministry of Magic in 1997. He took part in the Battle of Hogwarts on 2 May 1998. During the fighting, he was engaged in a duel near Percy Weasley and Fred Weasley. Rookwood caused a powerful explosion that killed Fred. Enraged, Percy gave chase to Rookwood. Later in the battle, Rookwood was seen being stunned by Aberforth Dumbledore. His ultimate fate following Voldemort's defeat is not explicitly stated in the books, though he was likely either killed in the battle or recaptured and sent back to Azkaban.

Augustus Rookwood is described as a man with a pockmarked face and greasy hair. During his trial, he appeared unimpressed and bored, suggesting a degree of arrogance and confidence in his position. As a loyal Death Eater, he was ruthless and committed to Voldemort's cause, demonstrating his dangerous nature in battle and his deceitfulness through his work as a spy.

• Dark Arts: As a Death Eater, Rookwood was proficient in the Dark Arts and was a capable duelist.
• Duelling: He participated in two major wizarding battles. He was skilled enough to cast a curse that resulted in a fatal explosion, killing Fred Weasley. However, he was defeated in duels by powerful wizards like Kingsley Shacklebolt and Aberforth Dumbledore.
• Spycraft: His most significant skill was his ability to act as a spy. His role as an Unspeakable implies a high level of intelligence and magical competence, as the Department of Mysteries was known to recruit only highly qualified wizards.

• Wand: Rookwood owned a wand, but its core, wood, and length are unknown. It would have been confiscated upon his first imprisonment and he would have acquired a new one after his escape.

• Lord Voldemort: Rookwood was a loyal and valuable servant to Lord Voldemort, providing him with crucial intelligence from within the Ministry of Magic.
• Igor Karkaroff: A fellow Death Eater who betrayed Rookwood to the Wizengamot to secure his own release from Azkaban.
• Lucius Malfoy: Rookwood fought alongside Lucius Malfoy at the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, where he provided key tactical information regarding the prophecy.
• Fred Weasley: Rookwood murdered Fred during the Battle of Hogwarts, making him a direct enemy of the Weasley family.
• Percy Weasley: After witnessing Rookwood kill his brother, Percy flew into a rage and pursued him through the battle.

• Augustus: A Latin name meaning “great,” “magnificent,” or “venerable.” It was a title adopted by Roman emperors, implying power and importance.
• Rookwood: The name contains “rook,” a type of black crow often associated with cunning, darkness, and ill omens, befitting a spy and Death Eater. A rook is also a strategic piece in chess, which could allude to his role in Voldemort's larger plans.

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Augustus Rookwood was portrayed by actor Richard Trinder during the Pensieve scene. He was played by an uncredited actor in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
• The video game Hogwarts Legacy features a primary antagonist named Victor Rookwood. While they share a surname, any direct familial connection is unconfirmed by J.K. Rowling. (video game)