Xenophilius Lovegood

Xenophilius Lovegood is a wizard, the editor of the eccentric wizarding periodical The Quibbler, and the father of Luna Lovegood. A staunch, if unconventional, supporter of Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore, Xenophilius is best known for his belief in esoteric creatures and conspiracies. His most significant role in the series occurs when he introduces Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger to the legend of the Deathly Hallows. His unwavering love for his daughter ultimately forces him into a desperate act of betrayal against Harry under duress from Lord Voldemort's regime.

Xenophilius married a witch named Pandora Lovegood, and together they had one daughter, Luna Lovegood. His wife was a witch who, according to Luna, “liked to experiment,” and she died when one of her spells went horribly wrong in front of a nine-year-old Luna. After her death, Xenophilius raised Luna on his own in their unique, rook-like home near the village of Ottery St Catchpole. During the Second Wizarding War, Xenophilius used his position as editor of The Quibbler to publicly support Harry Potter's account of Lord Voldemort's return, a stance that contrasted sharply with the Ministry of Magic-endorsed skepticism of the Daily Prophet. In 1996, he published Harry's exclusive interview, conducted by Rita Skeeter, which turned the tide of public opinion in Harry's favor. In the summer of 1997, Xenophilius and Luna attended the wedding of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour. He attracted attention by wearing a necklace bearing a strange triangular symbol, which Viktor Krum angrily identified as the mark of the Dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald. Months later, seeking answers about the symbol, the trio visited Mr. Lovegood's home. There, he explained the symbol represented the three Deathly Hallows: the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Invisibility Cloak. During their visit, the trio realized that Luna was not at home. Xenophilius confessed that his daughter had been kidnapped by Death Eaters in retaliation for his pro-Potter publications. Desperate to secure her release, he had summoned the Death Eaters, intending to trade Harry for Luna's freedom. He attempted to stun the trio, but his spell missed and struck a nearby Erumpent horn, causing a massive explosion that heavily damaged the house. The trio managed to escape just as the Death Eaters Travers and Selwyn arrived. Xenophilius was subsequently arrested and imprisoned in Azkaban. He was presumably released from Azkaban following the defeat of Lord Voldemort. He eventually became a grandfather to twin boys, Lorcan and Lysander, after Luna married the magizoologist Rolf Scamander (J.K. Rowling interview).

Xenophilius is described as being slightly cross-eyed, with shoulder-length white hair the texture of candyfloss. He has a “vaguely dotty” air about him and dresses in eccentric, often brightly colored, clothing. At Bill and Fleur's wedding, he wore robes of a striking egg-yolk yellow. His personality is as eccentric as his appearance. He is an open-minded and credulous individual who firmly believes in the existence of creatures like the Crumple-Horned Snorkack and conspiracies such as the Rotfang Conspiracy. Despite his oddities, he is a man of principle and courage, one of the few publishers willing to risk supporting Harry Potter. Above all, he is a deeply loving and devoted father, whose love for Luna is so profound that it becomes a vulnerability the Death Eaters exploit to force his hand. His betrayal of Harry is not born of malice, but of desperate fear for his daughter's life.

While not depicted as a powerful duelist, Xenophilius is a competent wizard. His magical skills are evident in his ability to run his home and operate his magical printing press.

• Magical Lore: He possesses a significant and deep knowledge of obscure magical history and legends, most notably the lore surrounding the Deathly Hallows, which was considered a fringe theory by most wizards.
• Journalism and Publishing: As the editor and publisher of The Quibbler, he demonstrates the skills necessary to write, edit, and produce a periodical, even if its content is widely regarded as nonsense.
• Charms: He attempted to cast a Stunning Spell (Stupefy) on Harry, though in his panicked state, he missed his target.

• The Quibbler: His self-published magazine, which he used as a platform for his unique beliefs and to support Harry Potter.
• Deathly Hallows Necklace: A silver chain bearing the triangular symbol of the Hallows. He wore it to the wedding to identify himself to other believers in the Hallows' existence.
• Erumpent Horn: A highly dangerous, explosive horn that Xenophilius mistook for the horn of a Crumple-Horned Snorkack. Its detonation led to the destruction of his home. It was classified as a Class B Tradeable Material.
• Printing Press: A magical, clanking printing press located in his home, used to print copies of The Quibbler.

• Luna Lovegood (daughter): Xenophilius shares an exceptionally close and loving bond with his daughter. They share the same eccentric worldview and deeply care for one another. His actions in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows are entirely motivated by his desperate need to ensure her safety.
• Pandora Lovegood (wife): He was married to Pandora until her death from a magical experiment gone awry. He clearly loved her very much and raised their daughter alone after her passing.
• Harry Potter: Xenophilius was a public and important ally to Harry during a time when few were willing to support him. This relationship was severely strained when Xenophilius betrayed him to the Death Eaters, but Harry understood his motivation was paternal love and desperation, not loyalty to Voldemort.
• The Weasleys: As neighbors in Ottery St Catchpole, the Lovegoods and the Weasleys were acquainted, though the Weasleys generally viewed them as very odd.

• Xenophilius: The name is of Greek origin. Xeno- (ξένος) means “strange” or “foreign,” and -philus (φίλος) means “lover” or “friend of.” Combined, the name means “lover of the strange,” a perfect description of his character and interests.
• Lovegood: A simple English surname that reflects the genuine goodness and powerful love that defines his family, especially the bond between him and his daughter Luna.

• Portrayal: In the film adaptation Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Xenophilius Lovegood is portrayed by Welsh actor Rhys Ifans.
• Film Differences: In the film, the Death Eaters Travers and Selwyn arrive and attack while the trio is still at the Lovegood home. The house is destroyed in the ensuing battle as the trio Disapparates, and Xenophilius is hit by a Stunning Spell. The film visually emphasizes his disheveled and grief-stricken state more so than the book (film).