James Steward

James Steward was a No-Maj (the American term for a non-magical person) who became a co-founder of the Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry alongside his witch wife, Isolt Sayre. Though possessing no magical abilities himself, James was instrumental in the physical construction of the school and in raising his magical adopted sons and biological daughters. His marriage to Isolt represents one of the most significant and successful unions between the magical and non-magical worlds, forming the foundation of North America's premier magical institution. Note: All information regarding James Steward comes from supplementary writings by J.K. Rowling published on Pottermore and is not found in the original seven Harry Potter novels.

(Pottermore) James Steward was born in England into a family of stonemasons. He immigrated to the Americas with his family, who settled in the English colony of Plymouth. An adventurous and good-natured young man, he one day ventured into the woods around Mount Greylock after hearing strange noises. There, he encountered two terrified magical boys, Chadwick Boot and Webster Boot, and their magical rescuer, Isolt Sayre, who had just defeated a malevolent Hidebehind that had killed the boys' parents. James had been drawn to the area by the sounds of the battle. Isolt, bound by the laws of secrecy, initially planned to Obliviate James after he recovered from a minor injury. However, over the course of his recovery in the crude shack she had built, they fell in love. James, far from being frightened by magic, was fascinated by it and by Isolt. He asked her to marry him, and she accepted. James's practical skills as a stonemason and carpenter proved invaluable. He designed and built a sturdy stone house atop Mount Greylock, which would become the first building of Ilvermorny. He and Isolt adopted Chadwick and Webster, and James helped Isolt craft their first wands. The family grew when Isolt gave birth to twin girls: Martha, who was a Squib, and Rionach, who was a witch. As Ilvermorny grew from a family home into a school, James served as a co-founder alongside Isolt. He was beloved by the students, teaching them non-magical pursuits like farming and woodworking. He and Isolt served as joint Headmaster and Headmistress for many years, living to be over one hundred years old.

(Pottermore) While no specific physical description of James is provided, his personality is portrayed as kind, practical, and brave. He was unafraid of the unknown, demonstrated by his willingness to investigate strange forest noises and his ready acceptance of the magical world. He was a loving husband and father who embraced a life entirely alien to his upbringing. His strong bond with his non-magical daughter, Martha, highlights his compassionate nature.

James Steward was a No-Maj and possessed no magical abilities. His skills were entirely mundane but essential to the founding of Ilvermorny.

• Stonemasonry and Carpentry: As a trained stonemason, James designed and single-handedly built the granite cottage that became the original Ilvermorny castle.
• Wand-Carving: While Isolt provided the magical components and knowledge, James physically carved the yew and ash wood for the first wands used by his adopted sons.

As a No-Maj, James did not own any significant magical objects. His most important contributions were his tools and his skill in using them to build the foundations of Ilvermorny.

• Isolt Sayre: James was the loving husband of Isolt Sayre. Their relationship, built on mutual respect and love, transcended the typical boundaries between the magical and No-Maj worlds and was the cornerstone of Ilvermorny's founding ethos of acceptance.
• Chadwick and Webster Boot: James was a devoted adoptive father to the Boot brothers, raising them as his own and helping to create a safe and nurturing home for them after the trauma of their parents' deaths.
• Martha Steward: James had a particularly close relationship with his non-magical daughter, Martha, who was a Squib.
• Rionach Steward: Rionach was James's magical biological daughter.
• William the Pukwudgie: James initially had a wary relationship with the family's resident Pukwudgie, who was distrustful of the No-Maj. Over time, they developed a mutual, if grudging, respect.

• James: A traditional English name of Hebrew origin, meaning “supplanter.” It is a common, solid name that reflects his dependable and steadfast character.
• Steward: An English occupational surname for a person who manages a household or estate. This is highly appropriate, as James was a co-founder and manager of the Ilvermorny “estate,” ensuring its physical structure and helping to run the school.

The character of James Steward and his entire backstory were created by J.K. Rowling for the Pottermore website (now Wizarding World). His story was published in 2016 as part of a collection of writings on North American magic, titled “Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,” to expand the magical world in conjunction with the release of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film. He does not appear, nor is he mentioned, in the seven original Harry Potter novels.