Harry Potter · Character

Fat Lady

Minor
First seen · Book 3 · Ch. 7

Fat Lady is a minor character in Harry Potter (Book 3).

Gender: female
Age: adult
First appears: Book 3 · Ch. 7
Books: 2

The Fat Lady is the portrait guardian of Gryffindor Tower, whose canvas swings open only for those who speak the correct password. In Prisoner of Azkaban she becomes an unwitting casualty of Sirius Black's attempted break-in, fleeing her slashed frame in terror and returning, once expertly restored, as a jittery, vigilant sentinel flanked by security trolls. By Goblet of Fire she has recovered her good humour, sharing her frame and her social life with her friend Violet, dozing at her post or toasting with chocolate liqueur. Her arc mirrors Hogwarts itself, shaken by intrusion but resilient and warmly convivial once more.

Description

Large fat woman depicted in a portrait, dressed in a flowing pink gown. Her round face shows extreme nervousness, with expertly restored canvas bearing faint traces of past damage. She often appears distressed or fleeing within her frame, a theatrical figure amid painted surroundings. The Fat Lady is a large, full-figured woman shown in a portrait, with a substantial, rounded silhouette. She wears a pink silk dress and a tinsel hair band, which gives her a bright, slightly flamboyant look. Her painted face is not described in detail, but she can appear keenly observant or comfortably drowsy. She sits within her frame with the composed familiarity of someone who considers it her own lively little room.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Sirius BlackAttacker
Black slashes her canvas when she refuses him entry, a traumatic attack that leaves her fearful and hyper-vigilant for the rest of the year.
V
VioletFriend
A fellow portrait who shares the Fat Lady's frame and social life, joining her in convivial evenings that reflect her recovery from the previous year's ordeal.

Story so far

BOOK 3Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Sirius Black slashes her portrait when she refuses him entry to Gryffindor Tower without the password
- She flees her frame in tears and hides in another painting elsewhere in the castle
- Her portrait is expertly mended and she returns to guard the entrance
- She resumes duty with heightened nervousness, demanding passwords with extra vigilance while security trolls stand guard
BOOK 4Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Continues guarding the Gryffindor common room entrance, watching students come and go
- Shares her portrait space and social life with her friend Violet
- Is found snoozing in her frame or enjoying chocolate liqueur, showing her restored good spirits