Euphemia Potter

Euphemia Hesper Potter (née Burke) (b. 24th February 1906) is an English/Irish Pure-Blood witch and the matriarch of the Potter Family. Born to Herbert and Belvina Burke (née Black), Euphemia is the older sister of Caractacus and Nigellus. She was Sorted into Hufflepuff House at Hogwarts, where she met and fell in love with Fleamont Potter in their Sixth Year. The two married soon after graduation but, for many years, they were childless. It caused Euphemia great sadness, so she instead threw herself into her work as a Healer during the Global Wizarding War. She eventually gave birth to their only son James in 1960 and doted on him to the point of spoiling him. She has been something of an adoptive mother to Sirius Black and gave him sanctuary in 1976 when he ran away from home.

Pre-Hogwarts
Euphemia was born on 24th February 1906 to Herbert Burke and Belvina Black. Her father was the co-owner of Borgin and Burke's and Euphemia spent much of her time surrounding by Dark and often cursed magical objects, instilling in her a lifelong hatred of the Dark Arts.

Euphemia had two brothers -- Caractacus and Nigellus. Her relationship with Caractacus was strained: Caractacus was a cruel man who delighted in Muggle-baiting, which Euphemia was revolted by; in turn, Caractacus resented the fact that Euphemia was their mother's favourite.

Nigellus, on the other hand, was a Squib who, when his Hogwarts letter never arrived, was taken out of the family home by their furious father and never seen again. Euphemia hoped for many years that Nigellus had vanished into the Muggle world, so was devastated when she discovered that Herbert had actually drowned him in the pond in their grounds.

Hogwarts Life
Euphemia attended Hogwarts in 1917. Her maternal grandfather, Phineas Nigellus Black, was reigning Headmaster at the time and, thus, disappointed when she was Sorted into Hufflepuff House. It was there that she met Melania Macmillan, two years her senior, and the two witches enjoyed an excellent friendship back then and in later life, when Melania married her cousin Arcturus.

Euphemia was a talented and exceptional witch, proficient in many branches of magic, but particularly enjoyed Charms, where she finished first in the year both for her O.W.L's and N.E.W.T's.

When Euphemia was in her Sixth Year, she met Fleamont Potter, an eccentric Gryffindor who was often in trouble for duelling in the corridors when people teased him for his unusual name. Euphemia had stumbled upon him and Ignatius Nott in a heated duel and, when Damocles Carrow tried to curse Fleamont in the back, Euphemia hit him full in the face with a Stinging Jinx. Twenty minutes later, after a furious tongue-lashing from Headmaster Black and detention for two months, Euphemia and Fleamont were found snogging in a broom closet after hours and received another two months detention.

Marriage and career
Euphemia and Fleamont married in 1924 in a small ceremony with just close friends and family. Melania was her maid-of-honour whilst Fleamont asked his best-friend Florean Fortescue to be best-man. As a wedding present, Fleamont's parents Henry and Martha Potter gifted the couple a lovely country manor on the outskirts of Godric's Hollow, with enough room for Fleamont to practise his potions and experiments.

It was during this time that Euphemia discovered her passion for healing and, under the guidance of Lancelot Prewett, qualified to be a professional mediwitch and later fully-fledged Healer at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Euphemia thrived taking care of sick witches and wizards and was one of the most accomplished Healers in the industry.

The Front Lines
Like many witches and wizards during the 1930s/40s, Fleamont and Euphemia Potter were drafted in to help in the war-effort against Gellert Grindelwald. Whereas Fleamont, already a well-respected potioneer following his invention of Sleakeazy's Hair Potion, helped out by brewing experimental potions for the Aurors, Euphemia was out on the front lines using her healing spells to help the wounded and dying. The horrors Euphemia witnessed on the battlefield would mark her for the rest of her life.

Motherhood
In 1960, after many years trying and three miscarriages, Euphemia gave birth to her and Fleamont's only son James. Considered their miracle child, James was doted on by his parents, who knew they would never have another child. To be more present at home, Euphemia semi-retired from St. Mungo's. The family was happy at Godric's Hollow and, when James went off to Hogwarts in 1971, Euphemia was torn between pride and sadness at his loss.

When James returned home after his first year with her late friend Melania's grandson Sirius Black smuggled in his trunk, Euphemia recognised immediately that he was an abused and neglected child. So, when he arrived battered and bruised on her doorstep in the summer of 1976, Euphemia took him in, healed him and informally adopted him. Pure-blood high society was abuzz with gossip, particularly with the news that Euphemia Potter had injured Walburga Black so badly she needed a cane to walk.

Euphemia first met Lily Evans at a New Year's Eve party in 1977 and was instantly smitten. Lily, whose parents had sadly died in a car-crash when she was sixteen, took to Euphemia just as strongly and the two developed a strong bond. She went with Lily to her wedding dress fitting and gave James her mother's wedding ring. Yet, much of this happiness was overshadowed by the conflict emerging around them and the declining health of Fleamont. Euphemia was permanently on edge, made worse by James, Lily and Sirius' association with Albus Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix.

Widowhood
In 1978, Fleamont Potter fell ill with Dragon's Pox. Euphemia knew his time was short and singlehandedly nursed him during his final days. When he died, Euphemia was a pillar of strength to her family and planned the funeral herself, James too grief-stricken. She stayed in their home alone but dedicated Sunday afternoons to family lunch.

Not long after Fleamont's death, James and Lily were offered membership of the Death Eaters by Lord Voldemort himself. When they refused and openly displayed their affiliation to the Order, Euphemia was targeted by Death Eaters to send them a message. Voldemort sent Amycus and Alecto Carrow to capture and torture Euphemia but underestimated her ability with a wand. She duelled and singlehandedly forced them from her house with a barrage of powerful curses and hexes, further antagonising Voldemort.

It was some time later that James and Lily were forced into hiding when their unborn child became the product of a prophecy and targeted by Lord Voldemort. Euphemia too went into hiding at Potter Manor, surrounded by some of the most powerful blood wards known to wizardkind, doting on baby Harry as his only-remaining grandparent.

Physical Appearance
Euphemia is a short, petite woman with greying brown hair and hazel eyes. She likes to dress in soft, warm colours and her wide-brimmed hats are often decorated with arrangements of flowers. She needs glasses to read.

Personality and traits
Euphemia possesses typical Hufflepuff traits: she is hardworking, loyal, friendly and honest. She is also sharp as a knife, highly opinionated and fiercely maternal - a doting parent and grandparent.