Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ======Madam Pince====== =====Introduction===== 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]]. =====Biography===== 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 Weasley|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. =====Physical Appearance and Personality===== 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. =====Magical Abilities and Skills===== * **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]]. =====Possessions===== * **[[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. =====Relationships===== * **[[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]]. =====Etymology===== * **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. =====Behind the Scenes===== * 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.
