Madam Pomfrey

Biodata

Abilities & Skills

Diagnosis and treatment

• Examines injuries and determines whether patients need observation or further care. She diagnoses Jon Hart’s fractured hand and keeps him overnight as a precaution 41.
• Treats Astoria Greengrass after an unusually severe reaction to a Boggart, giving her a pale-blue potion and keeping her for the night 55.
• Sets Jon’s arm in plaster after the Triwizard Tournament’s First Task and treats his other injuries before discharging him the next morning 147 148.
• Uses several instruments to examine Astoria after her Blood Curse is lifted. Finding her physically healthy but extremely weak, she estimates that full recovery will take at least several months 429.

Hospital Wing supervision

• Restricts visits when patients need rest, including ordering visitors away from Jon after his dragon encounter 147.
• Insists that Jon remain in bed for at least a week after a serious injury, despite his request to leave 403.
• Arranges for further treatment when the Hospital Wing is insufficient: after Harry Potter is badly injured, she plans to send him to St Mungo’s 475.

Story Role

• During the Chamber of Secrets crisis, Pomfrey treats Jon’s fractured hand and Harry Potter’s battle injury. She also brings Ginny Weasley to the Hospital Wing after Dumbledore learns of her ordeal 41 43 47.
• At the start of the following school year, she cares for students affected by Dementors. She recommends chocolate and bed rest for Astoria after Snape has already given her a Cheering Charm potion 79.
• After Jon survives an encounter with Voldemort, Pomfrey agrees to keep his survival secret as part of Dumbledore’s plan, but refuses to let him leave the ward while he is still weak 403.
• She oversees Astoria’s long recovery in the Hospital Wing and later reports that Astoria is nearly ready for discharge 429 448.
• After the attack on Hogwarts, she objects when Dumbledore’s questioning keeps the injured Horace Slughorn from resting 470.

Relationships

• Jon Hart — A recurring patient whom she treats after injuries and episodes of distress; she also protects his need for rest and agrees to keep his survival secret 41 61 147 403.
• Astoria Greengrass — A recurring patient whom Pomfrey treats after a Boggart encounter, a Dementor encounter, and the removal of her Blood Curse 55 79 429.
• Albus Dumbledore — Addresses her as “Poppy” and consults her about patients; she challenges him when visitors interfere with their rest 55 105 429 470.
• Daphne Greengrass — Allows her to stay with Astoria and later recommends regular visits to help with Astoria’s recovery 55 429.

Notable Quotes

“For God’s sake, they need rest! Is this or is this not the Hospital Wing?” 105

“Hogwarts is a school, not a shelter for dangerous Magical Creatures!” 79