Justin Finch-Fletchley

Justin Finch-Fletchley was a Muggle-born wizard and a student in Hufflepuff House at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in the same year as Harry Potter. Initially friendly, he grew fearful of Harry during their second year after witnessing him speak Parseltongue. Justin was one of the victims Petrified by Slytherin's Basilisk but was later cured. He eventually reconciled with Harry and joined Dumbledore's Army in their fifth year, demonstrating his loyalty in the fight against Lord Voldemort.

Justin first interacted with Harry Potter during a Herbology lesson in his second year, where he enthusiastically introduced himself. He revealed that he was Muggle-born and was originally set to attend Eton College before he received his Hogwarts letter. He expressed amazement at the Wizarding world and at having a celebrity like Harry in his class. His opinion of Harry changed drastically following a disastrous Duelling Club meeting. When Draco Malfoy conjured a snake, Harry spoke Parseltongue to stop it from attacking Justin. Unaware of Harry's intentions and knowing that Parseltongue was the mark of a Dark Wizard, Justin fled in terror, believing Harry had set the snake on him. His friend, Ernie Macmillan, later voiced the Hufflepuff theory that Harry was the Heir of Slytherin. Shortly after this incident, Justin was found Petrified in a corridor by Harry and Peeves. He had been attacked by the Basilisk, which he had seen through the transparent body of the Gryffindor house ghost, Nearly Headless Nick, who was Petrified alongside him. This fortuitous circumstance saved his life. Justin remained in the Hospital Wing for the remainder of the school year until he was revived by Professor Sprout's Mandrake Restorative Draught. In his fourth year, Justin was a staunch supporter of the Hogwarts Champion, Cedric Diggory, during the Triwizard Tournament. Like many Hufflepuffs, he was initially hostile towards Harry's controversial entry, wearing a “Support CEDRIC DIGGORY” badge that could be enchanted to read “POTTER STINKS.” By his fifth year, Justin's attitude had changed again. Convinced by Hermione Granger's arguments about the return of Lord Voldemort, he joined Dumbledore's Army to learn practical defensive magic from Harry. He attended meetings and trained alongside other members, showing his commitment to opposing Dolores Umbridge and the Ministry of Magic's suppressive regime. As a Muggle-born student, it is almost certain that Justin did not return to Hogwarts for his seventh year, as the Voldemort-controlled Ministry of Magic was actively persecuting and imprisoning Muggle-borns. His whereabouts during the Battle of Hogwarts are unknown.

Justin Finch-Fletchley is described in the books as having curly hair. His personality is initially cheerful, talkative, and perhaps slightly pompous, as evidenced by his casual mention of being on the list for Eton College. He can be easily influenced by public opinion and rumour, as seen in his fear of Harry and his support for Cedric Diggory. However, his decision to join Dumbledore's Army shows that he is ultimately brave and capable of forming his own judgments, aligning himself with what is right.

As a member of Dumbledore's Army, Justin received training in defensive magic from Harry Potter. He would have learned and practised a range of spells, including:

• Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus)
• Stunning Spell (Stupefy)
• Shield Charm (Protego)
• Impediment Jinx (Impedimenta)
• Reductor Curse (Reducto)
• The Patronus Charm (Expecto Patronum), though his ability to produce a corporeal Patronus is unknown.

• Wand: Justin owned a wand, though its wood, core, and length are unknown. It was with this wand that he practised magic in Dumbledore's Army.

• Ernie Macmillan: Ernie was one of Justin's closest friends in Hufflepuff. They were often seen together, and it was Ernie who first vocalised the fear among Hufflepuffs that Harry might be the Heir of Slytherin after Justin's panicked account of the Duelling Club incident.
• Harry Potter: Justin's relationship with Harry was complicated. It began with friendly admiration, shifted to intense fear, developed into tournament rivalry, and finally settled into a respectful alliance within Dumbledore's Army.
• Hannah Abbott: Another fellow Hufflepuff in his year, Hannah was part of his circle of friends along with Ernie.
• Nearly Headless Nick: Justin shares the unfortunate distinction of being Petrified by the Basilisk at the same time as the Gryffindor ghost. It was by looking through Nick's semi-transparent form that Justin avoided a direct, fatal gaze from the beast.

• Justin: The name Justin is derived from the Latin Iustinus, meaning “just, fair, or righteous.” This could allude to his eventual decision to join the just cause by becoming a member of Dumbledore's Army.
• Finch: A finch is a common type of small songbird.
• Fletchley: This is an English surname likely derived from “fletcher,” the occupation of an arrow-maker. The double-barrelled name “Finch-Fletchley” gives an impression of an upper-class English background, which aligns with his statement about being registered for Eton College.

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Justin Finch-Fletchley was portrayed by actor Edward Randell.
• The circumstances of his Petrification are altered in the film. Instead of being found alongside a Petrified Nearly Headless Nick, Justin is found alone in a corridor, having seen the Basilisk's reflection in a puddle of water on the floor. Nearly Headless Nick is Petrified in a separate incident in the film.
• In the movie, Justin is seen telling Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott that Harry is the Heir of Slytherin, whereas in the book, it is Ernie who spreads this theory after hearing about the duel from a frightened Justin.