Broderick Bode
- "... and that's Bode andCroaker ... they'reUnspeakables.... From theDepartment of Mysteries, top secret, no idea what they get up to..."
- —Arthur Weasley[src]
Broderick Bode (1946/1947[1] –January1996[2]) was aBritishwizard andUnspeakable working in theBritish Ministry of Magic'sDepartment of Mysteries, partnered withProfessorSaul Croaker and a friend ofArthur Weasley. Bode was described as being "a sallow-skinned wizard with a very mournful face", and due to his strange nature spoke in a "sepulchral" type of voice and had an unfaltering gaze that made anyone he looked at uncomfortable.[3]
Biography[]
Summers of 1994 and 1995[]
In1994, Bode attended the1994 Quidditch World Cup with fellow UnspeakableSaul Croaker.[4] Thefollowing summer, he ran into colleagueArthur Weasley, who was in a rush to reachCourtroom Ten withHarry Potter, who had ahearing with theWizengamot.[3]
That same year, Bode became a target of theDeath Eaters, asLord Voldemort was seeking aprophecy pertaining to himself and Harry, a record of which was stored in theHall of Prophecies in theDepartment of Mysteries. Death EaterAvery informed the Dark Lord that anUnspeakable would be able to fetch the prophecy for him, after an attempt to forceSturgis Podmore to steal it while under theImperius Curse failed.[5]
Attempt at theft and injury[]
Lucius Malfoy, one of Voldemort's spies at theMinistry, placed Bode under the Imperius Curse to force him to attempt the same theft. Lucius noted that Bode showed unusualresistance to the Imperius curse, whichAugustus Rookwood suggested may have been because Bode, being an Unspeakable, knew what would happen if he tried to remove one of the Prophecies. The moment he touched the orb, the defensive spells around it were triggered, as prophecies can only be obtained by those about whom they are made. Bode sufferedspell damage that affected his mind, causing him to believe he was a teapot. However, the shock of it lifted the Imperius Curse.[6]
Believing Bode had simply been injured in a workplace accident, he was taken toSt Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for treatment, but his injuries seemed irreparable, and as such he was moved to the Spell Damage ward, left lying in his hospital bed, comatose most of the time, and during the times he was awake, kept mumbling and staring at the ceiling.[7]
St Mungo's and murder[]
Broderick Bode in convalescence at St Mungo's, on Christmas 1995 (Note the "rather ugly plant with long, swaying tentacles" on his bedside table)
Eventually, Bode's condition took an upturn, and his health began to steadily improve. Upon learning of this, theDeath Eaters, unable to risk the no-longer-Imperiused Bode getting better and exposing their plan, sent him an anonymous "Christmas present" — a potted plant and a calendar.
TheHealer in charge of the ward at the time,Miriam Strout, was busy over the Christmas period, delivering other presents, looking after patients, seeing to visitations from family and friends etc. and as such overlooked the plant's potential dangers.
In direct contradiction of St Mungo's strict guidelines on decorations permitted in wards, she left it on Bode's bedside cabinet table, believing it to be a harmlessFlitterbloom. Over the next few weeks during the Christmas holidays, Strout, noticing Bode's improving speech and mobility, encouraged him to look after the plant himself, unaware that the "rather ugly plant with long, swaying tentacles" was instead a disguised cutting ofDevil's Snare. One night, Bode touched the plant and it reacted, instantly throttling him and causing him to asphyxiate.[7][8]
Legacy[]
Broderick Bode was discovered dead in his bed the next morning, andHealers were immediately called to the scene, though were unable to revive Bode. St Mungo's, as a result, promised a full inquiry, though they were unable to account for the presence of the plant on the ward, and Healer Strout herself was suspended on full pay.[8]
Voldemort also severely punishedAvery for his bad advice, especially after hearing a true account of what would have happened from formerUnspeakable and spyAugustus Rookwood.[5]
The death of Bode was ruled as a "tragic accident" and theDaily Prophet reported it as "Tragic Demise of Ministry of Magic Worker," though Harry realised the truth during theBattle of the Department of Mysteries.[6] Aside from Harry and his friends, there seemed to be nobody inHogwarts who knew or cared about Bode's death, partly due to the main focus on everyone's mind being themass breakout fromAzkaban.[8]
Etymology[]
The meaning of the word "bode" is to be an omen. Also, a stop or delay.
Behind the scenes[]
A wizard bearing a resemblance to Broderick Bode's description
- On the lift scene at the Ministry of Magic, as seen in thefilm adaptation ofHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, there is a wizard who, given his resemblance with Bode's description in the novel, may be him. However, this is as of yet unconfirmed.
- Bode's attempt on the prophecy, admittance to St Mungo's and assassination were omitted from the film.
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire(First mentioned)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix(First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)(Possible appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)(Mentioned only)
- Pottermore
- HarryPotter.com
Notes and references[]
- ↑1.01.1Bode was forty-nine years old in January, 1996 when he died. He was born in 1946 or 1947 (if his birthday was in very early January and he was killed on or shortly after his 49th birthday.)
- ↑2.02.1Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 25 (The Beetle at Bay) states that Broderick died the same day the new term started at Hogwarts. The new term started on a Monday in early January, the same day Harry Potter started Occlumency lessons (seeHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 24 (Occlumency) - "Six o’clock Monday evening, Potter."). It is stated in theDaily Prophet the next day on a Tuesday, that he died the night before.
- ↑3.03.1Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 7 (The Ministry of Magic)
- ↑Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 7 (Bagman and Crouch)
- ↑5.05.1Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 26 (Seen and Unforeseen)
- ↑6.06.1Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 35 (Beyond the Veil)
- ↑7.07.1Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 23 (Christmas on the Closed Ward)
- ↑8.08.18.2Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 25 (The Beetle at Bay)
