Professor Silvanus Kettleburn

Professor Silvanus Kettleburn was the Care of Magical Creatures professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for many years before his retirement in 1993. A famously enthusiastic but reckless Magizoologist, Kettleburn was known for his numerous on-the-job injuries, which ultimately led to his retirement “to enjoy his remaining limbs.” Despite his often dangerous teaching methods, he was a long-serving and valued staff member under Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and was succeeded by Rubeus Hagrid. His first name is not mentioned in the novels (Pottermore).

Professor Kettleburn had a long and eventful career at Hogwarts. He was sorted into Hufflepuff House during his time as a student (Pottermore). His tenure as the Care of Magical Creatures professor was marked by both his deep passion for the subject and his considerable lack of concern for personal safety. This combination resulted in him being placed on probation a remarkable sixty-two times. One such incident involved him providing a worm for a Hogwarts production of The Fountain of Fair Fortune, which he had bewitched with an Engorgement Charm. The creature subsequently transformed into a giant Ashwinder and set fire to the Great Hall. During his many probations and injuries, his duties were often covered by Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank. According to Albus Dumbledore, Kettleburn retired at the conclusion of the 1992-1993 school year. By the time of his retirement, he had lost an arm and half of a leg. He was succeeded by Rubeus Hagrid, to whom Kettleburn offered helpful advice on navigating the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures during the inquiry into Buckbeak the Hippogriff. He moved to Hogsmeade following his retirement (Pottermore).

The novels describe Professor Kettleburn primarily through his injuries, stating that at the time of his retirement, he had only one arm and half a leg remaining. Kettleburn's personality was defined by his adventurous and reckless nature. His enthusiasm for dangerous magical creatures often overshadowed any sense of caution, leading to his frequent injuries and probations. Despite this, he was fundamentally brave and good-natured. He showed no resentment towards his successor, Rubeus Hagrid, and willingly provided him with guidance. His long employment under Dumbledore suggests that, despite his chaotic teaching style, his expertise and character were highly valued.

• Magizoology: Kettleburn possessed an expert, if hazardous, understanding of a wide range of magical creatures. His curriculum included creatures like Flobberworms but also implicitly involved more dangerous beasts that led to his injuries.
• Charms: He was proficient enough with Charms to cast an Engorgement Charm on a creature, though the results proved disastrous.

While not specified in the novels, supplementary materials depict him with prosthetics to replace his lost limbs.

• Prosthetic Leg and Arm: In the Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery video game, he is shown with a wooden leg and a metal hook for a hand (video game).

• Albus Dumbledore: The Headmaster showed immense patience and loyalty toward Kettleburn, retaining him as a professor for decades despite his 62 probations. Dumbledore once appointed Kettleburn as Head of Hufflepuff House simply to encourage him to stay within the castle and avoid dangerous expeditions (Pottermore).
• Rubeus Hagrid: As his predecessor, Kettleburn was supportive of Hagrid. They shared a passion for magical beasts, and Kettleburn's advice was a source of comfort to Hagrid during a difficult time.
• Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank: She served as Kettleburn's regular substitute teacher, stepping in whenever he was injured or serving one of his many probations.
• Newt Scamander: Kettleburn was an acquaintance of the famed Magizoologist and at times joined him on his travels (Pottermore).

• Silvanus: This name is of Latin origin, derived from silva, meaning “wood” or “forest.” Silvanus was the Roman god of the countryside and forests, a fitting name for a professor who deals with wild magical creatures.
• Kettleburn: This surname combines “kettle,” a vessel for boiling liquids, and “burn,” meaning to be damaged by fire. The name evokes a sense of volatile, heated energy and injury, perfectly reflecting the professor's personality and his infamous incident with the Ashwinder.

• The character's first name, Silvanus, is not mentioned in the original seven novels and was revealed on the Pottermore website (now Wizarding World).
• In the extended edition of the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, a character presumed to be Kettleburn makes a brief, non-speaking appearance in the Three Broomsticks. He is shown with a bandaged head and prosthetic limbs (film).
• Professor Kettleburn is a prominent character in the mobile game Hogwarts Mystery, where his appearance, prosthetic limbs, and reckless teaching style are depicted in detail (video game).