======Augustus Rookwood======
=====Introduction=====
Augustus Rookwood was a loyal and high-ranking [[Death Eater]] in the service of [[Lord Voldemort]]. During the [[First Wizarding War]], he served as a crucial spy, using his position as an [[Unspeakable]] within the [[Department of Mysteries]] to pass vital information to his master. After being imprisoned following a betrayal by [[Igor Karkaroff]], Rookwood escaped and fought in major battles of the [[Second Wizarding War]]. He is most infamous for his role in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], where a [[curse]] he cast caused the explosion that killed [[Fred Weasley]].
=====Biography=====
====First Wizarding War====
During the first rise of [[Lord Voldemort]], Rookwood secured a position as an [[Unspeakable]] at the [[Ministry of Magic]], working deep within the [[Department of Mysteries]]. From this post, he acted as a spy, funnelling secrets and intelligence directly to [[Voldemort]]. He was acquainted with the father of [[Ludo Bagman]], and he used this connection to get information from Ludo himself, who later claimed he was unaware of Rookwood's true allegiance.
Following [[Voldemort]]'s initial defeat in 1981, many [[Death Eater]]s were rounded up. During his trial before the [[Wizengamot]], a captured [[Igor Karkaroff]] offered information in exchange for a lighter sentence, naming Rookwood as a [[Death Eater]] and spy. Based on this testimony, Rookwood was captured and sentenced to life imprisonment in [[Azkaban]].
====Second Wizarding War====
===Escape and Battle of the Department of Mysteries===
In January 1996, Rookwood was part of a mass breakout from [[Azkaban]], escaping alongside [[Bellatrix Lestrange]] and eight other high-security [[Death Eater]]s. He immediately rejoined [[Lord Voldemort]].
In June of that year, he participated in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]], where he and a group of [[Death Eater]]s ambushed [[Harry Potter]] and members of [[Dumbledore's Army]] in an attempt to retrieve a [[prophecy]]. [[Harry]] recognised Rookwood from having viewed Karkaroff's trial in [[Albus Dumbledore]]'s [[Pensieve]]. During the fight, Rookwood, a tall figure, was seen advising [[Lucius Malfoy]] that the Stunning Spells cast by the students would not have a lasting effect. He was recaptured by members of the [[Order of the Phoenix]] at the conclusion of the battle and sent back to [[Azkaban]].
===Battle of Hogwarts===
Rookwood escaped [[Azkaban]] for a second time after the [[Ministry of Magic]] fell to [[Voldemort]]'s control in the summer of 1997. He remained a free and active [[Death Eater]] until the final confrontation of the war.
On 2 May 1998, Rookwood fought in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]. He was last seen duelling [[Percy Weasley]], who was fighting alongside his brother, [[Fred Weasley]]. Rookwood cast a powerful [[curse]] that missed its target and struck the corridor wall, causing a massive explosion. The blast killed [[Fred]] instantly and threw [[Harry]], [[Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]] to the ground. Rookwood was later defeated in the battle when he was stunned by [[Aberforth Dumbledore]]. His ultimate fate is not explicitly stated, but it is presumed he was sent to [[Azkaban]] for life following [[Voldemort]]'s final defeat.
=====Physical Appearance and Personality=====
Rookwood was described as a tall man with a pockmarked face and greasy hair. He was a cunning, ruthless, and loyal follower of [[Lord Voldemort]]. His ability to work undetected as an [[Unspeakable]] for a prolonged period demonstrates his capacity for duplicity and secrecy. He was a competent and dangerous wizard, showing no hesitation in using lethal force, as evidenced by his actions during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
=====Magical Abilities and Skills=====
  * **Dark Arts:** As a [[Death Eater]], Rookwood was highly proficient in the [[Dark Arts]]. The [[curse]] he used that resulted in [[Fred Weasley]]'s death was powerful enough to cause a structural explosion.
  * **Duelling:** Rookwood was a skilled duellist who participated in two of the most significant battles of the [[Second Wizarding War]]. He was able to hold his own against capable opponents like [[Percy Weasley]] and was part of the elite group sent to the [[Department of Mysteries]].
  * **Espionage:** Rookwood's greatest asset to [[Voldemort]] was his skill as a spy. He successfully infiltrated the most secret division of the [[Ministry of Magic]] and relayed information for a considerable time before his exposure.
  * **Specialised Magical Knowledge:** His employment as an [[Unspeakable]] implies that Rookwood possessed a deep and advanced understanding of esoteric branches of magic, such as those concerning [[love]], [[space]], [[thought]], [[time]], and [[death]].
=====Possessions=====
  * **[[Wand]]:** Rookwood owned a [[wand]], the specifications of which are unknown. He used this [[wand]] to cast the fatal [[curse]] during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
=====Relationships=====
  * **[[Lord Voldemort]]:** Rookwood was a loyal and valued servant to [[Lord Voldemort]], who depended on the intelligence he supplied from within the [[Ministry of Magic]].
  * **[[Death Eaters]]:** He operated alongside other prominent [[Death Eater]]s like [[Lucius Malfoy]] and [[Bellatrix Lestrange]]. His first imprisonment was a direct result of being betrayed by his former comrade, [[Igor Karkaroff]].
  * **[[Ludo Bagman]]:** Bagman unknowingly passed information to Rookwood, whom he considered a friend of his father's. This nearly led to Bagman's own imprisonment in [[Azkaban]].
  * **[[Weasley family]]:** By killing [[Fred Weasley]], Rookwood became a figure of intense hatred for the [[Weasley family]], particularly for [[Percy Weasley]], who witnessed his brother's death firsthand while duelling Rookwood.
=====Etymology=====
  * **Augustus:** A Latin name meaning "majestic" or "venerable." It was a title used by Roman emperors, lending an air of importance that ironically contrasts with his dark and treacherous nature.
  * **Rookwood:** 'Rook' is a type of black bird from the crow family, often seen as an omen of death in folklore, which is fitting for a [[Death Eater]]. The 'rook' is also a powerful piece in chess that moves in straight lines, which could be symbolic of his role as a direct operative for [[Voldemort]].
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptation of //[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]//, Augustus Rookwood is portrayed by actor Richard Trinder in the [[Pensieve]] scene (film).
  * In the film adaptation of //[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]//, an uncredited actor portrays Rookwood during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] (film).
  * The specific [[incantation]] for the [[curse]] that killed [[Fred Weasley]] is not mentioned in the books; its effect is simply described as an explosion.