Magical professors are amazing.
In fact, we wouldn’t have the powerful Harry Potter if it weren’t for the teachers’ lessons.
However, there’s an educator who met a very tragic end.
A witch who died fighting for what she believed in…
And it’s about time we talk about Professor Charity Burbage.
Continue reading to discover:
- 23 facts you didn’t know about Professor Charity Burbage.
- What happened to Professor Charity during the 2nd Wizarding War.
- Why Charity Burbage’s such a meaningful character in the wizarding world.
- And so much more…
About Charity Burbage
Born | Before 1980 |
Purity | Half-blood (Likely, but unproven) |
House | Hufflepuff (Likely, but unproven) |
Character Traits | Kind-hearted, Passionate |
Patronus | Non-corporeal |
Wand | Unknown |
Zodiac Sign | Cancer (Likely, but unproven) |
Charity Burbage background
Charity’s born sometime in 1980.
(Or before that, since her official age’s unknown.)
And she became part of the Burbage household.
Sadly, we don’t know much about her past.
The books never talked about it. And it’s never explored in the movies.
But many fans guess the young witch’s a half-blood. Or someone born from at least 1 non-magical parent.
It’s because Charity’s very honest with her pro-muggle views in her later years.
She believes that wizards and witches shouldn’t look down upon people who can’t use magic.
Charity Burbage occupation
Charity worked as a teacher.
A very good one who loved her lessons.
But was she any ordinary professor?
No, Charity Burbage taught at Hogwarts. Britain’s magical school of witchcraft and wizardry.
Plus, a study proves that high-quality teaching’s important. Because it can help students achieve more.
And her class would’ve learned a lot from her. Especially since Charity loved her subject, Muggle Studies. It’s the study of muggle history and the daily lives of those who can’t use magic.
On top of that, the lessons also included technology and science.
It showed how non-magical people achieved so much…
Without the aid of spells or mythical beasts.
What’s more, Charity Burbage believed in equality.
She thought wizarding traditions were bad. And that wizards and witches alike should accept muggles.
But how’d she spread the good word, you ask?
Well, apart from sharing her views with students…
Charity even wrote for the Daily Prophet. The most popular newspaper in the wizarding world.
And she shared her views for the public to read.
A tragic ending
Sadly, despite Charity’s push for a good change…
Not everyone would take too kindly to her words.
And can you guess what happened to Charity Burbage in July 1997?
Dark Lord Voldemort captured her. And even brought her to the Death Eaters’ meeting.
But the worst part?
Professor Charity was suspended in the air. Just for all the evil followers of Voldemort to watch.
You see, Ms. Burbage couldn’t do anything.
And even if she escaped by a miracle…
She’s surrounded by wizards and witches that disagree with her.
As a result, Voldemort slowly tormented the poor teacher until the very end.
Charity even pleaded with Severus Snape, a fellow professor at Hogwarts.
She mustered the strength to say:
“Severus … please … please …”
Unfortunately, there was nothing Snape could do to help.
And Voldemort cast a killing curse on Charity.
The Dark Lord even fed her corpse to his pet snake.
In fact, it’s 1 of the most spine-chilling moments from Harry Potter.
And it’s a movie clip I definitely recommend watching again:
3 facts about Charity Burbage
#1: An intelligent witch
Fans remember Charity Burbage for 1 thing:
Being a caring professor.
And since research shows that kindness makes people happier…
She must’ve been very cheerful too because she spent a lot of her time helping others.
Applying her pro-muggle views to her daily life.
However, Charity’s not just kind.
She’s actually an intelligent witch.
“Wait, doesn’t she just teach Muggle studies? I don’t think it’s that amazing.”
Well, let’s not forget she worked at Hogwarts.
And that’s not something you achieve in a blink of an eye.
It takes a lot of hard work to be a professor there.
So she must’ve gotten outstanding marks during her education.
Plus, Charity can cast a non-corporeal Patronus. 1 of the strongest defense spells in the wizarding world.
And very difficult to master.
(Not to mention, only very few can manage the spell too).
#2: An unsung heroine
Fans know that Voldemort’s evil.
Well, he’s the Dark Lord. A being considered to be the most dangerous of all time.
And the same wizard that murdered Harry’s parents.
So what did he think about killing Charity Burbage?
It was nothing but child’s play for Voldemort.
But far too many fans only remember the creepy scene because of him.
However, have you stopped and looked at Charity?
You see, she’s actually an unsung heroine.
When everyone was scared for their lives…
Did Charity Burbage hide in the corner?
No, she stood her ground.
Charity kept fighting for what she believed in.
She even published her pro-muggle article.
And this was at the height of the 2nd Wizarding War.
She didn’t let the rise of Voldemort frighten her.
Charity remained strong.
Sure, it did cause her death.
But she’s really a badass witch.
A character more fans should recognize!
#3: Professor Snape’s friend
“Snape? Isn’t he practically emotionless?”
I know it sounds crazy.
Severus isn’t much for talking.
Unless it’s with the great wizard Dumbledore.
Or if he’s thinking about his long-lost love, Lily Evans.
So how could Snape and Charity be friends, you ask?
Well, there’s actually a hint during Ms. Burbage’s death scene.
She called Snape by his first name, Severus.
“That’s it? Lots of people do that!”
Well, for most situations, that’s true.
But Snape’s different.
Only very few people call him by that name. Like Dumbledore and Voldemort.
And if Charity called him Severus…
There’s a good chance they were more than acquaintances.
Sure, we never saw them together.
Plus, any hint of a friendship’s not even mentioned in the books.
But it’s a nice little detail.
It’s also kind of poetic that Voldemort killed Snape.
Because he also died at the hands of Charity’s murderer.
A fellow professor Snape couldn’t save.