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The Hekatean Society for Ethical Magic Ceremony

Alexandra Goulet
Gryffindor
Madam Poppy Pomfrey

Madam Pomfrey is a model of Aristotle’s definition of virtue by habitually using her healing
magic for the good, using that magic solely in the service of others and remaining loyal to
Hogwarts, the students and staff.
Madam Poppy Pomfrey is no newbie to the potential adverse affects of magic; in fact it’s
her job to care for those who suffer from such outcomes, as matron of Hogwarts. For over 40
years Madam Pomfrey has been serving the students and staff of Hogwarts with her exemplary
skills in healing magic. Though she may not be a prominent figure in our history without her aid
many of our most revered witches and wizards may not have made it through their formative
years at Hogwarts alive. Her dedication, continuos practice of her craft and loyalty make her an
ideal candidate for the Hekatean Society of Ethical Magic.
During her career at Hogwarts, Madam Pomfrey faced countless unusual challenges,
especially during Mr. Potter’s years of attendance. Time and time again she has risen to the
occasion to successfully care for and heal those who have been injured or afflicted by a magical
mishap. The renowned philosopher Aristotle claims, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence,
then, is not an act, but a habit,” in light of this, Madam Pomfrey is healing. She excels with her
habitual use of healing magic due to a high injury rate between Quidditch, magical accidents,
pranks and potentially dangerous creatures at Hogwarts, it would be hard to find an ailment she
hasn’t dealt with.
When we look throughout history renowned magical historian, J.K. Rowling, points out
multiple cases in which Madam Pomfrey’s healing prowess was required, and without it
situations may have turned out much worse. For example, the notorious petrification incident
during the 1992-1993 school year, that left four students, Filch’s cat, and nearly-headless Nick
petrified. Madam Pomfrey cared for all who were petrified throughout the year until a Mandrake
potion could be concocted to revive them. When Dementors were present on campus in 1993-
1994 she tended to Harry after being attacked by the Azkaban guards during a Quidditch match.
The 1994 Triwizard Tournament was held at Hogwarts, that year Madam Pomfrey had to remove
the beards from students who attempted to cross Dumbledore’s Age Line and was the sole
attendant to any injuries the four champions sustained. The list goes on, but these are all
evidence of the habitual nature in which Madam Pomfrey uses her magic.
During Harry Potter’s second year at Hogwarts he broke his arm during a Quidditch
game. Gilderoy Lockhart attempted to mend it but eliminated all the bones instead. Furious
Madame Pomfrey exclaimed, “You should have come straight to me…I can mend bones in a
second, but growing them back…I will be able to, certainly, but it will be painful…You’ll have
to stay the night,” this showcases her dedication to afflicting the least amount of pain on her
charges. For this, Aristotle would consider her wise in her use of magic since, “the aim of the
wise is not to secure pleasure, but to avoid pain,” and Madam Pomfrey takes lengthy precautions
to ensure unwell students avoid further pain throughout the healing process, by making sure they
aren’t overexerted by visitors, even Headmaster Dumbledore, so they can heal quickly in peace
and quiet.
Aristotle states that, “the greatest virtues are those which are most useful to other
people,” and Madame Pomfrey is an exemplary example of just that. It should come as no
surprise that she uses her magical skills purely to help others. This is proven by previous
examples all of which she is helping heal others so they can continue their magical education at
Hogwarts. A time where this usefulness of her magic was most evident was during the 1997-
1998 school year and the Battle of Hogwarts. That year the Carrow siblings regularly doled out
harsh physical punishments on students which sent them to the Hospital Wing and Madam
Pomfrey’s care. During the Battle of Hogwarts Madame Pomfrey tended to all the injured and
deceased throughout the fighting.
While it’s plain to see how impeccable Madam Pomfrey’s use of healing magic is; she is
also fiercely loyal to the students and staff that she looked after for little less than half a century.
In her time as Matron of Hogwarts not once did she question students on how they came to her
nor did she ever question the outlandish stories some of them gave. Instead, she focused on her
loyalty to aid anyone who entered her Hospital Wing and would immediately begin fixing
students up. In 1996 Hogwarts found itself under the control of Dolores Umbridge. Professor
Minerva McGonagall took four Stunning Spells to the chest when The Ministry tried to remove
Hagrid from Hogwarts. Disgusted by this misuse of power Madam Pomfrey considered
resigning, but stayed. Mr. Potter recalls her saying, “I don't wonder you're shocked, Potter, as if
one of them could have stunned Minerva McGonagall face-on by daylight! Cowardice, that's
what it was... despicable cowardice... if I wasn't worried what would happen to you students
without me, I'd resign in protest!” Even though she is crestfallen with the way The Ministry is
running Hogwarts she remains loyal to the students, worried what will happen to them with both
Dumbledore and Minerva absent.
Magic is beautiful, wonderful and capable of amazing things but it can also result in
unfavorable outcomes, and something that should be kept in mind for the ethical use of magic.
This is a side of magic that Madam Poppy Pomfrey is no stranger too. She is a witch who has
habitually practiced her healing magic in countless situations, has only used her powers in the
service of others, lessened the pain experienced by those around her, and remained loyal to
Hogwarts, the students and staff through even the most difficult and turbulent times for over 40
years. These qualities make Madam Pomfrey a model of ethical magic use and virtue. Once
again in the great words of philosopher Aristotle,“where your talents and the needs of the world
cross; there lies your vocation,” this is a statement Madam Pomfrey embodies, in her talent for
healing magic and using it at a time when our magical world was inflicted with darkness and
despair.

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