Mary Macdonald

Mary Macdonald was a witch and a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during the 1970s, making her a contemporary of Lily Evans, Severus Snape, and the Marauders. A friend of Lily's, Mary is known for being the victim of an attack involving Dark Magic at the hands of Mulciber, a fellow student and future Death Eater. This incident is significant as it highlights the growing darkness and prejudice within Hogwarts during the prelude to the First Wizarding War and served as a critical point of contention in the deteriorating relationship between Lily Evans and Severus Snape.

Almost all that is known about Mary Macdonald comes from a single memory of Severus Snape's, viewed by Harry Potter in the Pensieve after Snape's death. The memory is of a conversation between a teenage Lily Evans and Snape. During their Hogwarts years, sometime before their fifth year O.W.L. exams, Lily confronted Snape about his association with students like Avery and Mulciber, who were known for their interest in Dark Magic. Lily revealed that Mulciber had recently targeted Mary Macdonald with a dark curse. She was furious that Snape dismissed the incident as “just a laugh,” retorting that it was Dark Magic and that Mary had been terrified. This disagreement underscored the deep ideological divide that had grown between Lily and Snape, contributing to the eventual end of their friendship. Mary's House at Hogwarts, her life after the incident, and her activities during and after the First Wizarding War remain unknown.

Mary's physical appearance is never described in the novels. From Lily's account, Mary was clearly frightened by Mulciber's attack, suggesting a non-confrontational nature. Her friendship with Lily Evans indicates she was likely a kind person who did not involve herself with the darker elements of the school. Lily's fierce protectiveness of her demonstrates that she was a valued friend.

As a student at Hogwarts, Mary Macdonald possessed magical ability, but her specific skills, proficiencies, or preferred subjects are unknown. It is not known how or if she defended herself during Mulciber's attack.

Mary's only known possession would have been her wand, though no details about its core, wood, or length are known.

• Lily Evans: Mary was a good friend of Lily's. Lily was deeply upset by the attack on Mary and defended her honor in a heated argument with Severus Snape, showcasing their close bond.
• Severus Snape: Mary was not a friend of Snape's and was on the opposite side of his social circle. Snape's callous dismissal of the Dark Magic used against Mary was a significant factor in Lily Evans pulling away from him.
• Mulciber: Mulciber was Mary's attacker. He used a dark curse on her, an act that Lily described as terrifying for Mary and indicative of Mulciber's cruel nature.

• Mary: A traditional and very common English name of Hebrew origin (from Miriam). Its commonality may suggest that she is meant to represent the ordinary, innocent students who were victimized by the rise of Lord Voldemort's ideology.
• Macdonald: A prominent Scottish surname meaning “son of Donald.” It is one of the most common surnames in Scotland, possibly indicating a Scottish heritage.

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, the scene from “The Prince's Tale” where Lily Evans and Severus Snape argue is included, but the specific dialogue mentioning Mary Macdonald and Mulciber is omitted. Therefore, she is not mentioned by name in the film series.
• An unnamed Gryffindor girl, portrayed by actress Jessica Ashworth in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, is sometimes identified by fans as Mary Macdonald, but this is unconfirmed speculation and is not supported by on-screen credits or canonical material (film).