Ignatia Wildsmith

Ignatia Wildsmith (1227 – 1320) was a celebrated witch from the 13th century, renowned for her groundbreaking invention of Floo Powder, a glittering substance that allows witches and wizards to travel through the magical Floo Network. While her creation is a fundamental mode of transportation used extensively in the wizarding world and mentioned frequently in the novels, Ignatia Wildsmith herself is not named in the original seven-book series. Her character and history are established through supplementary materials, most notably the Famous Witches and Wizards Card series and the *Hogwarts Legacy* video game.

According to her Famous Witches and Wizards Card, Ignatia Wildsmith lived from 1227 to 1320 (Pottermore). Her most significant contribution to the wizarding world was the invention of Floo Powder. The development of this substance revolutionized magical travel, providing a faster and more discreet alternative to travelling by broomstick. The exact composition of Floo Powder remains a closely guarded secret that Wildsmith is said to have never revealed (Pottermore). The Ministry of Magic heavily regulates the Floo Network, which connects the fireplaces of nearly every wizarding home and building. Ignatia Wildsmith's invention remains the sole method for accessing this network. In the 1890s, enchanted portraits of Ignatia Wildsmith were used to guide witches and wizards using the Floo Flame travel system within and around Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and its surrounding hamlets. These portraits were interactive, offering witty and sometimes sharp commentary to travellers (Hogwarts Legacy).

As Ignatia Wildsmith does not appear in the primary novels, her appearance and personality are derived entirely from her depiction in the *Hogwarts Legacy* video game. In her enchanted portraits, she appears as a middle-aged witch with sharp, intelligent features and dark hair tucked under a traditional pointed hat. Her expression is often one of wry amusement. Her personality, as conveyed through her portraits, is clever, witty, and immensely proud of her invention. She can be quite talkative and occasionally acerbic, often making pointed remarks about a traveller's frequent use of her network or their destinations. She demonstrates a sharp intellect and a no-nonsense attitude (Hogwarts Legacy).

• Magical Substance Invention: Wildsmith's primary talent was in the creation of magical substances, culminating in the invention of Floo Powder. This displays a masterful understanding of magical ingredients and their properties, akin to high-level Potions work.
• Advanced Charms: The creation of highly interactive, sentient portraits that can communicate across vast distances demonstrates exceptional skill in complex Charms (Hogwarts Legacy).

• Floo Powder Formula: Ignatia Wildsmith was the sole possessor of the secret formula for creating Floo Powder. It is unknown if she ever passed this knowledge on or how the Ministry of Magic secures its supply.
• Enchanted Portraits: A series of self-portraits enchanted to guide users of the Floo Network (Hogwarts Legacy).

No details regarding Ignatia Wildsmith's family, friends, or other personal relationships are known from any official source.

• Ignatia: This first name is the feminine form of Ignatius, which is derived from the Latin word ignis, meaning “fire.” This is a direct and fitting reference to her invention, which is used in fireplaces.
• Wildsmith: A compound surname. “Smith” is a common occupational name for a crafter or artisan (e.g., blacksmith, goldsmith). In this context, Wildsmith is a “smith” of a magical, perhaps “wild” or untamed, substance.

Ignatia Wildsmith is a notable character who does not appear and is not mentioned by name in the seven original Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling. Her invention, Floo Powder, is a key part of the wizarding world, but she as its inventor was created for supplementary materials.

• Her existence was first established as part of the Famous Witches and Wizards Card series, which were collectable items in the real world and featured in early video games.
• She is mentioned as the inventor of Floo Powder on the Pottermore (now Wizarding World) website.
• She gained significant characterisation in the video game *Hogwarts Legacy*, where her enchanted portraits serve as the in-game fast-travel points, speaking to the player character throughout the game.