Barnabas the Barmy

Chapter 8

Image credit: here Next to nothing is known about Barnabas the Barmy’s personal life. He attended Hogwarts School when he was a young boy and was sorted into Ravenclaw. He was a very clownish and flamboyant character who enjoyed theatrics and putting on a good show. It was his dream to put on a show like no one had ever seen and that no one would ever forget. When he left Hogwarts, he became a professional actor and director, putting on many shows that dazzled and struck his audience through innovative but outlandish ideas. However, none of these shows fulfilled his true dream or desired fame. Oddly enough, Barnabas never attended the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts before starting his career. Although the artwork above isn’t a portrait like the other entries in this text, but rather a tapestry, it is included to it being a product of the magical art period Humorism. It was woven by Montgomery K. Marston in 1951. Barnabas is shown in a tapestry attempting to train eight trolls to dance ballet, a feat which caused many to call him foolish. Regardless, he decided to try anyway, but in the end it failed horrendously. Even though Barnabas could not fulfill his dream one hundred percent, he still considered it a success. The tapestry hangs on the seventh floor at Hogwarts, and over-embellishes the original tale by depicting trolls poised gracefully with gargantuan tutus and ballet shoes. Barnabas typically spends his time looking frightened at the trolls and dodging swings from their clubs. If engaging in a conversation with him, he will attempt to mask his scared state by optimistically telling you about his dreams and how this idea of teaching ballet to trolls is going to shock the wizarding world.