Madam Pince

Madam Irma Pince is the stern and formidable librarian at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She is fiercely protective of the books under her care in the Hogwarts Library and enforces the library's rules with an iron will. Characterized by her vulture-like appearance and perpetually irritable demeanour, she serves as a minor antagonist to students seeking to bend the rules, yet remains a dedicated member of the Hogwarts staff who participates in the school's defence during the Second Wizarding War.

Madam Pince's history prior to her employment at Hogwarts is not detailed in the novels. She is the librarian for the entirety of Harry Potter's time at the school. Her presence is first notably felt during Harry's second year, when Hermione Granger requires a signed permission slip from Gilderoy Lockhart to access a book on Polyjuice Potion from the Restricted Section. Madam Pince is described as a “thin, irritable woman who looked like an underfed vulture” who reluctantly hands over Moste Potente Potions after scrutinizing the note. During the Triwizard Tournament in Harry's fourth year, she ejects Fred and George Weasley from the library for eating chocolate and grows suspicious of Harry and Hermione, believing they are defacing library property. A rare glimpse into her personal life occurs at the Yule Ball, where Harry is surprised to see her in a fond conversation with Argus Filch, the school caretaker, suggesting a potential romance between the two famously strict staff members. In Harry's sixth year, Madam Pince expresses outrage when Harry brings his copy of Advanced Potion-Making, heavily annotated by the Half-Blood Prince, into the library. Viewing the scribbles as a defilement of a book, she attempts to magically scrub the ink away with a Scourgify-like charm. When her spell fails, she banishes Harry and the book from her domain. She is later seen attending the funeral of Albus Dumbledore. During the Battle of Hogwarts, Madam Pince participates in the defence of the school, seen herding students to safety in the chaos.

Madam Pince is consistently described in a physically unflattering manner, resembling an “underfed vulture.” She is thin with a sinewy neck and sharp, suspicious features. Her personality is intrinsically linked to her role as librarian.

• Strict and Authoritarian: She maintains absolute silence and order within the Hogwarts Library. Rules against talking, eating, or any form of disruptive behaviour are enforced without exception.
• Overprotective of Books: Her primary characteristic is an almost fanatical devotion to the preservation of the books. She views any mark, crease, or morsel of food as a personal offence against the collection. She has enchanted books, particularly those in the Restricted Section, to shriek or enact other defensive measures if handled improperly.
• Suspicious and Irritable: She is quick to suspect students of misconduct and rarely displays any warmth or patience. Her default disposition is one of annoyance and disapproval.
• Private: Despite her constant presence in the school, very little is known about her life. Her brief, warm interaction with Argus Filch is the only moment that hints at a softer side beneath her harsh exterior.

• Librarianship and Knowledge of Magical Texts: As the curator of one of the finest magical libraries in the wizarding world, Madam Pince possesses an extensive knowledge of magical books, their contents, and their proper care.
• Charms: She is skilled in various charms related to book maintenance and security. She uses a cleaning charm on Harry's Potions textbook, though it proves ineffective against the Half-Blood Prince's ink. She is also responsible for the enchantments on library books, such as the screaming curse placed on a book in the Restricted Section.

• Wand: The details of Madam Pince's wand are unknown. She uses it to enforce library rules and attempt to clean books.
• Keys to the Restricted Section: She holds the keys and the authority to grant or deny access to the library's most dangerous and powerful books.

• Argus Filch: Madam Pince appears to share a close, possibly romantic, relationship with the Hogwarts caretaker. They share a similar disciplinary zeal and disdain for student antics. Their tender moment at the Yule Ball is a source of shock and amusement for Harry Potter.
• Hogwarts Students: Her relationship with the student body is largely adversarial. She is a figure of authority to be avoided or carefully navigated. She frequently scolds Harry, Ron Weasley, and the Weasley twins. While she likely has more tolerance for a book-lover like Hermione Granger, she does not exempt her from the library's strict rules.
• Albus Dumbledore: As her employer, Dumbledore was her superior. Her attendance at his funeral indicates her loyalty to him and to Hogwarts.

• Irma: The first name Irma is of German origin, meaning “universal” or “whole.” This could be an allusion to her role as the guardian of the comprehensive and universal knowledge contained within the Hogwarts Library.
• Pince: The surname Pince is French for “to pinch.” This aptly reflects both her “pinched” physical features and her sharp, severe personality. It may also evoke the pince-nez, a type of spectacles that clips onto the nose, reinforcing the stereotype of a stern librarian or scholar.

• Madam Pince's first name, Irma, is not mentioned in the seven novels but was revealed by J.K. Rowling in her notes and later confirmed on the Pottermore website (Pottermore).
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Madam Pince is portrayed by actress Sally Mortemore in a non-speaking role.