 | Warning! At least some content in this article is derived from information featured inHarry Potter: Magic Awakened. As such, spoilers will be present within the article. |
Ringkull
Physical information
Gender
Eye colour
Skin colour
Affiliation
Occupation
Loyalty
- "Ringkull doesn't need friends. It is simply easier when students do not resist. But no matter. Students will fulfil master's wish with Ringkull, whether in friendship...or servitude."
- — Ringkull to students[src]
Ringkull was a malehouse-elf who, followinghis original master's death during theBattle of Hogwarts, worked at theHogwarts kitchens in the21st century.[2]
Biography[]
Serving a Death Eater[]
Ringkull was fiercely faithful and loyal toward hismaster, aDeath Eater. He even held the subtle belief that there were no other bonds in the world from that of a servant and a master. He constantly stated that he was just as loyal to his master asDobby the late elf was toHarry Potter, although it was argued later that the relationship between Dobby and Harry was one of friendship, not servant and master.[5]
Ringkull's belief and deep loyalty were influenced by house-elf indoctrination, which led him to view his bond with his Death Eater master as one of unique trust and closeness. He consistently justified abuse and cruelty, rationalising his master's violence, such as regular use ofcurses andhexes against neighbours, as protection for him and a necessity to "set things right". Ringkull constantly worried when his master was away and worked hard to ease his burdens. Acts of cruelty were misinterpreted as signs of affection: Ringkull's bruises that followed his master's temper were seen as "tokens of closeness"; when the master disregarded or sent prepared food clattering to the floor, Ringkull saw it as a "thoughtful gesture" to make it easier for him to eat, believing they were literally "dining together"; and when the master vanished for extended periods, Ringkull maintained the household spotlessly, preparing meals no one would eat, certain that his master missed him just as dearly and relied on him more than ever.[1]
During theBattle of Hogwarts inMay1998, Ringkull was called by his master to fight alongside him forLord Voldemort's side. During the battle, curses were aimed at his master. Ringkull believed this was due to the opponent wizards' dissatisfaction that his master treated Ringkull like more than a mere property — a belief that was entirely Ringkull's own wrong perception — and he jumped at the curses to protect his master.It was too late; the curses reached his master first. His master was killed during the Battle of Hogwarts, and for the first time, Ringkull screamed in grief.[1]
Working at Hogwarts[]
After theSecond Wizarding War was over,Aurors inspected his master's house and found Ringkull cowering in the corner, severely beaten by his late master, to whom he was deeply and blindly loyal, and reportedly with no unmarked skin. Ringkull was taken to theBritish Ministry of Magic where he was questioned about his time serving the Death Eater. Ringkull disregarded the truth discussed by the Aurors about his master — his cruelty and association with the dark side — believing these details were lies and slanders from bad wizards who didn't know his master as he did.[1]
WhenHogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry announced that they would accept masterless elves following the war, Ringkull was sent to work in theHogwarts kitchens.[1] Despite this, he and his loyalty had not moved on from his previous master and he still upheld a specific wish that he told himself was a secret between the two.[5]
- Ringkull: "The Dark Lord could have lived... if not for Harry Potter. Master has no such hindrance. Master will return to Ringkull."
- Student: "The Dark Lord? Your master... He was a Death Eater, wasn't he?"
- Ringkull: "Desperate student need not waste breath on such questions. Ringkull was told the truth. Ringkull was told Master would return...so long as Ringkull obeyed. The one who told Ringkull... would not lie."
- — Ringkull regarding his master[src]
While anunidentified student was atHogwarts, Ringkull talked to them about his work.[2] Eventually, Ringkull concocted a plan to fulfil his former master's wish. He enlisted aDementor and went as far as usingDark Arts to hurt the student and their friends,Daniel Page andAbigail Grey, in an attempt to force the student to helpresurrect his late master. The student argued that not evenLord Voldemort himself could conquer death. In response, Ringkull blamed the downfall of the Dark Lord on Harry Potter and claimed that his master had no such hindrance, revealing that his master was a Death Eater. Ringkull then proceeded to tie the student upside down in midair. During the conflict,Winkle, another kitchen elf, showed up from behind, attacked Ringkull, rendering him unconscious, and ended the fight.[5]
Personality and traits[]
Ringkull's personality was defined by total, blind loyalty to his master, rooted in the house-elf belief that servitude was happiness. This loyalty made him tirelessly diligent and unquestioningly obedient in his duties. At the same time, he was profoundly self-deceiving: he actively rationalised all abuse and cruelty as signs of unique affection, honour, and trust. He viewed bruises as "tokens of closeness" and his master's destructive behaviour as "thoughtful gestures".
Behind the scenes[]
Ringkull's original appearance
- Ringkull's appearance was changed inHarry Potter: Magic Awakened. Before having a crucial part in the story, Ringkull had a knobby, rather round nose and light brown eyes. After his role was changed from a mere NPC character to a crucial part as the antagonist of a season, his model was updated to appear more gaunt, with green eyes, a pointed sharp nose, and a long face.
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter: Magic Awakened(First appearance)
Notes and references[]
- ↑1.01.11.21.31.4Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, The Adventurer's Anthology, The Servant Who Loved His Chains (seethis image)
- ↑2.02.12.22.32.42.5Harry Potter: Magic Awakened (seethis image)
- ↑Harry Potter: Magic Awakened (seethis image)
- ↑Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Season 16: Night in the Castle, Chapter I: A Night of Shadows
- ↑5.05.15.2Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Season 16: Night in the Castle, Chapter III: A Promise Broken
