Colin Creevey

Colin Creevey was a brave and enthusiastic Muggle-born wizard who began his education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1992. Sorted into Gryffindor house, he was best known for his immense admiration for Harry Potter and his ever-present Muggle camera. Despite his sometimes overwhelming hero-worship, Colin proved to be exceptionally loyal and courageous. He was an eager member of Dumbledore's Army and, though underage, he snuck back into the castle to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts, where he was tragically killed during the Second Wizarding War.

Colin's introduction to the Wizarding world was one of pure wonder and excitement. His father was a Milkman, and the family was amazed when Colin received his Hogwarts letter. Upon arriving at school, he was sorted into Gryffindor and immediately became Harry Potter's most devoted fan. He followed Harry around, constantly trying to take his photograph with an old-fashioned film camera, hoping to send pictures home to his father. Colin's incessant questions and requests for photos often flustered Harry. His enthusiasm made him a target for anti-Muggle-born prejudice, particularly from Draco Malfoy. During the opening of the Chamber of Secrets, Colin was attacked by the Basilisk. He was saved from a fatal gaze because he saw the creature's reflection through his camera's viewfinder, which resulted in his Petrification. The film inside his camera was melted by the encounter. He was later restored to health by Professor Sprout's Mandrake Restorative Draught.

By his fourth year, Colin was joined at Hogwarts by his younger brother, Dennis Creevey, who was also sorted into Gryffindor and shared Colin's admiration for Harry. The two brothers were staunch supporters of Harry during the Triwizard Tournament. They were seen trying to magically alter a “Support Cedric Diggory” badge to read “Support Harry Potter,” though their attempts were comically unsuccessful.

Colin eagerly joined Dumbledore's Army when it was formed by Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. He attended the meetings in the Room of Requirement with his brother Dennis, learning defensive magic alongside his fellow students. His participation demonstrated his unwavering loyalty to Harry and his commitment to resisting Dolores Umbridge and Lord Voldemort.

During the Battle of Hogwarts in May 1998, Colin was initially evacuated from the castle along with other underage students. However, driven by loyalty and bravery, he snuck back into the school to join the fight against the Death Eaters. His death was discovered during a lull in the fighting; Neville Longbottom and Oliver Wood carried his body into the Great Hall. His small body served as a stark and tragic reminder of the high cost of the war.

Colin was described as a very small boy with mousey-brown hair. His defining personality traits were his boundless energy and overwhelming enthusiasm. He was perpetually cheerful, curious, and in awe of the magical world. Though his star-struck behaviour could be seen as annoying, it stemmed from a place of genuine admiration and good nature. Underneath his excitable exterior, Colin was deeply courageous, loyal, and brave, willing to stand up for his friends and fight for what was right, ultimately sacrificing his life for it.

As a member of Dumbledore's Army, Colin received training in practical defensive magic directly from Harry Potter. While his specific magical prowess is not detailed, his membership indicates he learned and practiced spells such as the Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus), the Stunning Spell (Stupefy), and the Shield Charm (Protego). His greatest skill was arguably his immense courage, a core Gryffindor trait, which led him to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts despite being underage.

• Camera: Colin's most notable possession was his Muggle camera, which he used to document his experiences at Hogwarts. It was an old-fashioned model that used photographic film. This camera inadvertently saved his life when its lens provided an indirect view of the Basilisk.

• Harry Potter: Colin idolized Harry, viewing him as a hero. While Harry was often embarrassed or irritated by the constant attention, he recognized Colin's good intentions. Colin's loyalty to Harry never wavered.
• Dennis Creevey: Colin had a close relationship with his younger brother, Dennis. They shared a similar sense of wonder and excitement about Hogwarts and both joined Dumbledore's Army together.
• Dumbledore's Army: Colin was a proud and active member of the D.A., forming bonds with other students who were committed to defending Hogwarts and opposing Lord Voldemort.

• Colin: A common name of Scottish and Irish origin, derived from Cailean or Coileán, meaning “whelp” or “young cub.” This fits his small stature, youth, and puppy-like eagerness.
• Creevey: An Irish surname, possibly an anglicization of the Gaelic Ó Craoibhe, which means “descendant of the branch.” This could be a subtle nod to his status as a Muggle-born wizard, representing a new branch on the magical world's family tree.

• In the film adaptations, Colin Creevey was portrayed by actor Hugh Mitchell.
• In the film version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Colin's body is shown among the fallen in the Great Hall, confirming his death on-screen as it occurred in the novel.
• J.K. Rowling has expressed that she originally planned for another character to be the “fan” character but that Colin's personality “marched into the book and demanded a place.” She also decided to kill Colin in the final battle to show that war affects everyone, not just the central characters. (J.K. Rowling interview)