Wilkie Twycross

Wilkie Twycross is a wizard and an employee of the Ministry of Magic, serving as an official Apparition Instructor. His primary role in the series is to teach the difficult and dangerous art of Apparition to sixth-year students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*. He is best known for his instructional mantra, the “three D's”: Destination, Determination, and Deliberation.

Mr. Twycross's background prior to his appearance at Hogwarts is unknown. In the 1996-1997 school year, he was sent by the Ministry of Magic to conduct a twelve-week Apparition course for students who were, or would be, seventeen years old. The lessons were held in the Great Hall, where the house tables were removed to create a large open space. Twycross began his instruction by outlining the three core principles of successful Apparition. He instructed students to focus on their desired destination, to move with unwavering determination, and to do so without haste or panic. During the lessons, students initially practiced by attempting to Apparate over very short distances within hoops he provided. The course proved challenging for many students, leading to numerous instances of Splinching. A notable incident involved Susan Bones, who left her leg behind during an attempt. Twycross calmly and professionally handled the situation, disapparating with her via Side-Along Apparition to have her injury mended by the school's healers. Later in the year, Twycross administered the official Apparition test in Hogsmeade for the eligible students. Harry Potter and Hermione Granger both passed their tests under his supervision, while Ron Weasley failed after Splinching half an eyebrow.

Wilkie Twycross is described as being “oddly colourless,” with wispy hair, transparent-looking eyelashes, and a scrawny build. His robes are noted as having a “faintly threadbare look,” giving him an overall unremarkable and unassuming appearance. His personality is methodical, formal, and somewhat dry. He is a creature of routine, repeating his “three D's” mantra at every opportunity. While he can seem bland, he is a competent instructor who remains composed and professional even when faced with dangerous situations like Splinching.

• Apparition: As a licensed Ministry of Magic instructor, Twycross is an expert in Apparition. He can Apparate effortlessly and is also proficient in the more advanced Side-Along Apparition, which he uses to transport the injured Susan Bones.
• Teaching: He is an accredited instructor for one of the most difficult forms of magical transportation, responsible for teaching it to a new generation of witches and wizards.

• Wand: As a qualified wizard, he owns a wand. Its wood, core, and length are unknown.
• Wooden Hoops: He brought a number of these to Hogwarts to serve as practice targets for the students during their initial Apparition lessons.

Wilkie Twycross's relationships appear to be entirely professional. He works under the authority of the Department of Magical Transportation at the Ministry of Magic. At Hogwarts, he coordinates with the Head of Gryffindor, Minerva McGonagall, who oversees the lessons. His interactions with students such as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Ernie Macmillan are limited to his role as their instructor.

• Wilkie: A diminutive form of the name William, a traditional English name with Germanic origins meaning “desire protection.”
• Twycross: This surname likely combines “twy,” an archaic word for 'two' or 'twice,' with “cross,” as in to travel across a space. This aptly describes the nature of Apparition, which involves moving between two distinct points. Twycross is also the name of a real village in Leicestershire, England.

In the film adaptation of *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*, Wilkie Twycross is portrayed by Arben Bajraktaraj, the same actor who played the Death Eater Antonin Dolohov. His appearance in the film is significantly different from the book's description; he appears more severe and imposing rather than “colourless” and “threadbare.” (film) His teaching style in the film is also depicted as being more aggressive and intimidating. (film)