Antonia Creaseworthy

Chapter 5

Image credit: here Antonia Creaseworthy was a former headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during the early 1600s. Her family came from a long line of Muggle knights that served the English monarchy. As her magical powers became more prevalent while growing up, her parents feared for her safety instead of shunning her since witch hunts were becoming more and more frequent. Creaseworthy’s powers were a secret discussed only behind closed doors and she was given combat training by a close family friend. When her Hogwarts letter arrived, Creaseworthy was more than eager to go even though it took her parents quite a bit of persuading. During her years as a student, Creaseworthy was a known to be a fantastic duelist for her age and excelled in Defense Against the Dark Arts. After graduation, Creaseworthy worked as an investigator to stop Dark wizards, somewhat a precursor to an auror since the Ministry of Magic wasn’t founded until much later. Her most famous case was investigating a Dark wizard who was rumored to have been heavily involved in a conspiracy against King James I. This was eventually known to be the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, led by Richard Catesby. The Ministry of Magic sent Creaseworthy to the monarchy due to her familial connections. She blended in with the Muggles and made great leaps in helping them uncover the treasonous plot, such as helping decipher the Monteagle letter. Furthermore, she was present in the final search party that ultimately arrested Guy Fawkes, however, the rest of the conspirators had fled. Acting of her own accord, she found the Dark wizard that she had been after, Fox Langston, fleeing with the other conspirators along Watling Street. Creaseworthy managed to separate and subdue Langston, apparating away before the Muggles noticed. After the entire incident, the king summoned Creaseworthy to his court and granted her the title of Dame. Creaseworthy continued her work for another twelve years before she was approached with an offer to fill the vacant Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts. She took the job as she felt she needed a change in her life. After teaching for a few years, she was appointed as the headmistress. As headmistress, Creaseworthy put the safety of the students before anything else and would personally handle conflicts between both the students and staff. She had two portraits painted in 1624. The portrait that hangs in the Headmistress’s office depicts her in orange robes and leaning on a chair, while the other was a portrait miniature of her dressed in a dainty blue dress, a green shawl, and a feathered headdress that hangs in the Grand Staircase. Creaseworthy is very humble in conversation and will remind students that there is no need for formalities if they refer to her as Dame Creaseworthy. She talks fondly of her days of chasing Dark wizards and that even though she was more than proficient in dueling with a wand, she prefers a nice sword fight.