Hannah Abbott

Born c. 1980.
Hufflepuff, 1991; Prefect 1995.

A pink-faced blonde girl who wears her hair in pigtails (PS7), Hannah is a close friend of Ernie Macmillan (CS11, CS15), who shares her hobby of collecting chocolate frog cards (GF19). Both Hannah and Ernie became prefects in August of 1995 (OP10) and joined Dumbledore's Army that October (OP16).

Hannah had the unhappy distinction of being the first of Harry's year to crack under the strain of O.W.L. study, requiring a Calming Draught from Madam Pomfrey after she broke down crying in Herbology, saying she was too stupid to take her exams (OP27). Accidentally multiplied a ferret into a flock of flamingos during the Transfiguration practical (OP31) but acquitted herself well in the confrontation with Malfoy on the Hogwarts Express (OP38).

Hannah was prominent among the Hufflepuffs who initially believed Harry to be the Heir of Slytherin in their second year (CS11). At one point in their third year, Hannah was convinced that Sirius Black could turn into a flowering shrub (PA9), which in hindsight is less silly than it might sound at first. House loyalty had her wearing a Support Cedric Diggory! badge early in the Triwizard Tournament (GF19). Despite occasional incidents like this, she and Ernie are on friendly terms with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Sadly, Hannah's mother was killed by Death Eaters (HBP11) during her sixth year at Hogwarts and Hannah left school. She returned in May of 1998 to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts (DH36).

Hannah eventually became the landlady at The Leaky Cauldron and married Neville Longbottom (OBT/CH).

Ancestry: In a 2001 BBC interview, Rowling flashed a notebook that showed her notes on the students in Harry Potter's year and Hannah is noted as being a Muggleborn in Hufflepuff House. However, in 2007, Rowling said that she had always thought Hannah was pureblood and decided to compromise, stating for the record that Hannah was Half-blood (PC/JKR1).

Hannah in the films: Hannah Abbott appeared in the film versions of Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire played by Charlotte Skeoch.

In CS/f, she had a particularly large part in one of the deleted scenes found on the DVD, where she talks with Ernie Macmillan about Harry opening the Chamber of Secrets. Hannah says that she always thought Harry seemed so nice. (CS/f)