Padma Patil

Padma Patil was a witch of Indian descent, the identical twin sister of Parvati Patil, and a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the same year as Harry Potter. Sorted into Ravenclaw House, Padma was known for her intelligence and poise. She became a Prefect for her house in her fifth year and was also a dedicated member of Dumbledore's Army. Though often seen with her more outgoing Gryffindor twin, Padma established her own identity as a brave and capable student who fought in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Padma began her education at Hogwarts in 1991. During the Sorting Ceremony, she was sorted into Ravenclaw House, separating her from her identical twin, Parvati Patil, who was placed in Gryffindor. In her fourth year, Padma attended the Yule Ball as the date of Ron Weasley. The evening was a disappointment for her, as Ron was sullen and jealous over Hermione Granger's attendance with Viktor Krum and refused to dance. Unimpressed by his behaviour, Padma eventually left him to dance with a boy from the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. During her fifth year, Padma's academic diligence and responsible nature were recognised when she was made a Ravenclaw Prefect alongside Anthony Goldstein. That same year, she and her sister joined Dumbledore's Army, an organisation led by Harry Potter to teach practical Defence Against the Dark Arts. She actively participated in the training sessions in the Room of Requirement. Following the death of Albus Dumbledore at the end of her sixth year, Padma's parents grew concerned for their daughters' safety and considered withdrawing them from Hogwarts. However, the Patil sisters remained and were present at Dumbledore's funeral. Padma returned to Hogwarts for her seventh year, enduring the oppressive regime of Headmaster Severus Snape and the Carrows. She answered the call to defend the school during the Battle of Hogwarts on 2 May 1998, fighting bravely alongside her fellow students and the Order of the Phoenix.

Padma was described as a “very pretty girl” and was identical in appearance to her twin sister, Parvati. As a member of Ravenclaw House, Padma embodied its core traits of intelligence, wisdom, and a studious nature. She was generally portrayed as more serious and less prone to giggling than her sister. Her decision to abandon Ron Weasley at the Yule Ball suggests a degree of self-respect and a refusal to tolerate poor treatment. Her commitment to Dumbledore's Army and her participation in the Battle of Hogwarts prove her underlying courage and loyalty.

• General Magical Proficiency: Padma was a competent and skilled witch. Her appointment as a Prefect indicates she was above average academically and possessed strong leadership qualities.
• Defence Against the Dark Arts: As a member of Dumbledore's Army, Padma learned a variety of practical defensive and offensive spells from Harry Potter, including the Disarming Charm (`Expelliarmus`), the Stunning Spell (`Stupefy`), and the Shield Charm (`Protego`). Her willingness to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts shows she was confident in these abilities.

• Wand: Padma owned a wand, though its length, wood, and core material are unknown.
• Prefect's Badge: She wore a Prefect's badge during her fifth and sixth years, signifying her position of authority within Ravenclaw House.
• Yule Ball Robes: For the Yule Ball, Padma wore robes of bright turquoise.

• Parvati Patil: Padma was extremely close to her identical twin sister, Parvati. Despite being in different Houses, they were frequently seen together and shared a strong bond. They joined Dumbledore's Army together and their parents' decision to potentially pull them from school was for both of them, highlighting their inseparable nature.
• Ron Weasley: Padma's relationship with Ron was limited to their single, unsuccessful date at the Yule Ball. Ron's immaturity and preoccupation with Hermione Granger soured the evening, and Padma showed no further romantic interest in him.
• Harry Potter: Padma held Harry in high regard, respecting him enough to join his secret defensive group and later fighting alongside him to defend the school.

• Padma: This is a Sanskrit name (पद्म) meaning “lotus flower”. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the lotus is a powerful symbol of purity, beauty, prosperity, and spiritual enlightenment.
• Patil: Patil (पाटील) is a common Indian surname, particularly in the state of Maharashtra, which historically denoted a village headman or leader.

• In the film adaptations, a significant change was made to Padma's character. From Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire onward, she is depicted as a member of Gryffindor House along with her sister, rather than Ravenclaw. This was likely done to simplify the social dynamics for the film's narrative, particularly for the Yule Ball sequence. (film)
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Padma was briefly played by Sharon Sandhu. (film)
• From Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire through the end of the series, Padma was portrayed by actress Afshan Azad. (film)