Romilda Vane

Romilda Vane was a witch and a student in Gryffindor house at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, two years below Harry Potter. She is most notable for her intense infatuation with Harry during their sixth year, driven by his fame as “the Chosen One.” Her primary role in the story is her attempt to trick Harry into falling in love with her using a Love Potion, an act which inadvertently leads to Ron Weasley's accidental poisoning.

Romilda Vane's background prior to Hogwarts is unknown. She began her magical education two years after Harry, placing her in the same year as Ginny Weasley. Her first significant appearance is at the beginning of Harry's sixth year aboard the Hogwarts Express. Exhibiting a new and powerful interest in Harry due to his public recognition as the wizard destined to defeat Lord Voldemort, Romilda approached the compartment where Harry was sitting with Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. She dismissively referred to Luna as “Loony” and suggested Harry join her and her friends in their compartment, implying they were a more suitable crowd for someone of his status. Harry, offended by her insult to his friends, coldly refused her invitation. Throughout the school year, Romilda's obsession grew. She and her friends would often giggle and stare at Harry in the corridors. At one point, she asked Hermione Granger if it was true that Harry had a Hippogriff tattooed on his chest; Hermione mischievously told her it was a Hungarian Horntail, a lie Romilda appeared to believe. Determined to win Harry's affection, Romilda purchased Love Potion-laced Chocolate Cauldrons from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and gave them to Harry as a gift before the Christmas holidays. Wary of any unsolicited gifts, Harry left the chocolates untouched in his dormitory trunk. Months later, on his birthday in March, Ron Weasley mistook the box for a birthday present and consumed several of the spiked chocolates. He was immediately overcome with a powerful, obsessive infatuation for Romilda. Harry was forced to take Ron to Professor Horace Slughorn to obtain an antidote. This event indirectly led to a more serious incident when Professor Slughorn, after curing Ron, offered him poisoned mead intended for Albus Dumbledore. Harry saved Ron's life using a Bezoar. Romilda was later seen attending Albus Dumbledore's funeral at the end of the school year. While her direct involvement is not mentioned, as a Gryffindor student who would have been in her fifth year at the time, it is likely she remained at Hogwarts to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts, along with other members of Dumbledore's Army.

Romilda Vane is described as having bold, dark eyes, long black hair, and a prominent chin. Her personality is characterized by her forwardness and superficiality. Her interest in Harry Potter was not based on his character but solely on his fame and status. She displayed a condescending attitude towards those she considered unimportant, such as Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom. Most notably, Romilda proved to be unscrupulous and manipulative, as she was perfectly willing to use a powerful Love Potion to magically coerce Harry into a relationship, showing a clear disregard for his free will.

As a Hogwarts student, Romilda possessed standard magical abilities for her age. She was knowledgeable enough to procure and attempt to use a Love Potion. However, no specific magical talents, spell specialities, or the composition of her wand are ever mentioned in the novels.

• Wand: The materials and length of her wand are unknown.
• Chocolate Cauldrons: A box of chocolates she laced with a potent Love Potion in an attempt to ensnare Harry Potter.

• Harry Potter: Romilda was the subject of Harry's unwanted attention. He was aware of her shallow motives and found her attempts to attract him both annoying and unnerving. He was particularly angered by her disrespect towards his friends.
• Ron Weasley: Ron became the accidental victim of Romilda's scheme. Under the influence of her Love Potion, he experienced a brief but intense obsession with her, constantly repeating her name and demanding to see her. He had no genuine feelings for her otherwise.
• Hermione Granger: Hermione disapproved strongly of Romilda's pursuit of Harry and her methods. She viewed Romilda and her friends with disdain, referring to them as “a bunch of silly girls,” and deliberately misled Romilda about Harry's non-existent tattoo.
• Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom: Romilda held them in low regard, seeing them as undesirable company for “the Chosen One.” Her use of the derogatory nickname “Loony” for Luna deeply offended Harry.

• Romilda: A name of Germanic origin, potentially derived from the elements hrom (“fame”) and hild (“battle”). This could be interpreted as “fame-battle,” aptly describing her efforts to win the affection of the very famous Harry Potter.
• Vane: This name is likely a play on the word “vain,” reflecting her shallow and status-obsessed personality. A “weather vane” is also an object that turns with the wind, which could symbolize how her interest in Harry only appeared after public opinion turned him into a celebrated hero.

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Romilda Vane is portrayed by actress Anna Shaffer. (film)
• Her role in the film is largely the same, though the scene where she gives Harry the Love Potion-laced chocolates occurs at Horace Slughorn's Christmas party, rather than as a general gift before the holidays. (film)