Ernest Macmillan

Ernest Macmillan
Biographical information
Born	Between 22 April 1980 and 31 August 1980
Blood status	Pure-blood
Nationality	British or Irish
Also known as	Ernie (by friends)
Title(s)	Prefect
Signature
Physical information
Species	Human
Gender	Male
Hair colour	Blond
Skin colour	White
Relationship information
Family members	Melania Black (née Macmillan) (possible relative) Pippa Macmillan (possible relative) Macmillan family
Magical characteristics
Boggart	Lord Voldemort
Wand	Unknown length, wood and core
Patronus	Boar
Affiliation
House	Hufflepuff
Loyalty	Macmillan family Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Hufflepuff Dumbledore's Army

"Personally I think this is really important, possibly more important than anything else we'll do this year, even with our O.W.L.s coming up. I, personally, am at a loss to see why the Ministry has foisted such a useless teacher on us at this critical period. Obviously, they are in denial about the return of You-Know-Who."

— Ernie Macmillan's high opinion of Dumbledore's Army

Ernest "Ernie" Macmillan (b. 1980) was a pure-blood wizard who attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from 1991 to 1998. He was in the same year as the famous Harry Potter and was Sorted into Hufflepuff House. He was also born into the Macmillan family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight.

Ernie was an academically strong student and good friends with Hannah Abbott and Justin Finch-Fletchley. In 1992, Ernie initially suspected that Harry Potter was the Heir of Slytherin during the opening of the Chamber of Secrets in his second year. However after Hermione Granger was petrified, he told Harry that he knew Harry would never do that to her. After he apologised to Harry for his suspicions and accusations, the two became good friends.

In Ernie's fourth year, their friendship temporarily wavered after Harry's name came out of the Goblet of Fire after Hufflepuff's Cedric Diggory. He thought Harry cheated and proceeded to wear Potter Stinks badges, courtesy of Draco Malfoy. When Harry proclaimed that Voldemort had returned at the end of the year, Ernie was one of the few who believed him.

In his fifth year, Ernie became a member of Dumbledore's Army, an organisation taught and led by Harry for the purposes of learning practical defensive magic. He joined the D.A. again when it was reinstated during his seventh year, opposing Death Eater control of Hogwarts and fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts on 2 May 1998.

It remains unknown what happened to Ernie after the Second Wizarding War, but he likely survived as his name wasn't listed among the casualties. What Ernie did after the war, if he survived, is unknown.

Biography

Early life (1980–1991)

"In case you're getting ideas, I might tell you that you can trace my family back through nine generations of witches and warlocks and my blood's as pure as anyone's."

— Ernie believing Harry Potter to be the Heir of Slytherin

Ernie was born into a pure-blood family that could trace its lineage back nine generations; he may have been related to Melania Black (née Macmillan), Sirius Black's paternal grandmother, a pure-blood family, which references to both his surname and blood heritage. Although he was proud of his blood status, Ernie was not prejudiced against those of other blood statuses, befriending and looking out for Justin Finch-Fletchley, a Muggle-born.

Hogwarts years (1991–1998)

First year

The 1991 sorting

Ernie began attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on 1 September 1991. He was in the same year as the famous Harry Potter. He was also Sorted into Hufflepuff House, which valued characteristics such as loyalty, friendship, and hard work.

During the Start-of-Term Feast, he soon became friends with fellow Hufflepuff students Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, and Justin Finch-Fletchley and stayed friends with them through out the entire school year.

At some point during or after his first-year, he once borrowed Quidditch Through the Ages from the Hogwarts Library, and was due to return the book on 12 August.

Second year

"Hannah, he's a Parselmouth. Everyone knows that's the mark of a Dark wizard. Have you ever heard of a decent one who could talk to snakes? They called Slytherin himself Serpent-tongue. Remember what was written on the wall? Enemies of the Heir, Beware. Potter had some sort of run-in with Filch. Next thing we know, Filch's cat's attacked. That first year, Creevey, was annoying Potter at the Quidditch match, taking pictures of him while he was lying in the mud. Next thing we know — Creevey's been attacked."

— Ernie's suspicions about Harry Potter

Ernie reading the message regarding the opening of the Chamber of Secrets

During his second year, Ernie came to believe that Harry Potter was the Heir of Slytherin, after he spoke Parseltongue in front of the entire Duelling Club. In actuality Harry was trying to stop the snake conjured by Draco Malfoy from attacking Justin Finch-Fletchley. However, Ernie perceived it differently. He believed that Harry was in fact urging the snake to attack instead. He showed bravery when he stepped in to protect his friend, suggesting that he should hide in their common room and stay there until the coast was clear.

Ernie studying with other Hufflepuffs, while gossiping about Harry Potter

Ernie went into discussion with the other Hufflepuffs regarding if Harry was the heir of Slytherin, considering the coincidences with the victims. He voiced that being a Parselmouth was the very symbol of a Dark wizard and was probably the reason why Voldemort wanted to kill Harry, Voldemort did not want another Dark Lord competing against him. Harry, who was attempting to explain to Justin what really happened, was eavesdropping on their conversation and attempted to convince Ernie that the altercation at the Duelling Club was not what it seemed. Ernie stated that Harry should not try anything, as he himself was pure-blood and also brought up the fact that Harry hated his Muggle relatives. When it seemed that their argument was going nowhere, Harry eventually gave up.

Ernie sitting next to Hannah Abbott during a Transfiguration class

Soon enough, Ernie's fears worsened when Justin was petrified. He discussed the matter with their mutual friend Hannah, who was initially sceptical because she thought Harry was nice, but was eventually persuaded to Ernie's point of view.

However, Hermione Granger, one of Harry's best friends, was later petrified as well. This made Ernie realise that Harry could not be the Heir of Slytherin, as he knew Harry would never harm Hermione, and he gave Harry a public apology. He believed that Malfoy could be the culprit, but Harry gave an emotionless no, making Ernie and Hannah stare.

Third year

In his third year, Ernie took many subjects similar to Hermione. He once told Ron Weasley that she had never missed a Muggle Studies lesson, despite having another class at exactly the same time that she also attended. This was due to Hermione's use of a Time-Turner to attend all her lessons.

Fourth year

"Only a week away! I wonder if Cedric knows? Think I’ll go and tell him...."

— Ernie's excitement over the Triwizard Tournament

Ernie sitting next to Cedric Diggory as the latter becomes Hogwarts's champion

In the summer of 1994, Ernie and his family attended the Quidditch World Cup final between Ireland and Bulgaria. Whilst there a Death Eater raid ensued, resulting in chaos amongst those attending.

Ernie's fourth year held place to the Triwizard Tournament, which was hosted at Hogwarts that year. He supported fellow Hufflepuff Cedric Diggory when he qualified and again stopped speaking to Harry Potter, who also qualified, but underage, as he was one of many students who initially believed that Harry had entered himself into the tournament in a bid for further glory. He tried to convince his friends in Hufflepuff to agree with him, but they needed not much convincing.

Ernie and Hannah Abbott harassing Harry Potter with their badges

He also wore a Potter Stinks badge. Ernie and other Hufflepuffs frequently harassed Harry with their badges, even though Cedric asked them not to. However, he likely wore off wearing this badge after Cedric requested his housemates to stop wearing them after the first task.

Ernie attended the memorial of Cedric Diggory

After the tournament came to a close, Cedric was murdered by Lord Voldemort, coming as a shock to all students and staff members. Ernie attended Diggory's memorial feast, as did his friends. Cedric was a member of Hufflepuff and since Harry was with him when he died, Ernie appeared to have forgotten any ill wishes he thought of Harry and believed his claims to Voldemort returning whilst the Ministry did not. Ernie was among the very few students that did believe Harry's account of Voldemort's return.

Fifth year

"I'm doing eight. Eight or nine. I'm getting an hour in before breakfast everyday. Eight's my average. I can do ten on a good weekend day. I did nine and a half on Monday. Not so good on Tuesday — only seven and a quarter. Then on Wednesday —"

— Ernie's time spent studying for his O.W.L.s

In 1995, Ernie became a Hufflepuff prefect, alongside Hannah Abbott. Unlike previous years, during which he had thought ill of Harry for certain acts he believed him to have committed, Ernie was one of the few Hogwarts students who believed Harry's story that Lord Voldemort had returned. He even went as far as to make an openly public declaration of support on Harry's behalf.

Ernie practising the Patronus Charm with the rest of Dumbledore's Army

Shortly after the beginning of term, Ernie joined Dumbledore's Army because of his belief in Harry and because of his dismay with Dolores Umbridge, a Ministry of Magic employee who became Defence Against the Dark Arts professor but refused to teach students any practical defence. Ernie believed Dumbledore's Army to be one of the most important things they would be doing that year — apart from O.W.L.s.

In the run-up to his examinations, he would study between eight and ten hours a day. He developed the irritating habit of boasting about this fact, then inquiring about other students' study habits.

When Headmaster Albus Dumbledore was forced to flee the school after the D.A. was discovered, Umbridge took his place as Head of the school. However, Hogwarts itself refused to recognise her authority and sealed the Headmaster's Tower against her, prompting her to throw what was referred to as a "right little tantrum". This act was witnessed by the Fat Friar, Hufflepuff's house ghost, who told Ernie about it and who in turn relayed it to Harry, Ron and Hermione. Unfortunately, this happened to be overheard by Draco Malfoy and several other Slytherins who had joined Umbridge's newly-formed Inquisitorial Squad.

Ernie and other fifth-years taking their Charms O.W.L.

When Malfoy stated that he would have to dock points from Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, Ernie immediately contradicted him by stating that fellow Prefects had no authority to do so. However he was overridden by the Squad's new powers and his contradiction was used as an excuse to dock five points from Hufflepuff, much to Ernie's mingled shock and fury. When Fred and George Weasley implied that they were going to cause some trouble in the school, Ernie looked uncomfortable and made an excuse about some unfinished Transfiguration homework so he wouldn't be associated. In June, Ernie and the other fifth years took their Ordinary Wizarding Levels. Ernie was most likely present when Harry had a vision during their History of Magic O.W.L.

After term had ended, Ernie was one of the members of the D.A. who helped foil an ambush on Harry by Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle on the Hogwarts Express, cursing them so vociferously that they were reduced to three gigantic slugs in Hogwarts robes. Ernie and Justin then helped hoist them into the luggage rack to ooze out the journey, taking particular pleasure in doing so as revenge for the points Malfoy had unfairly docked from Hufflepuff.

Sixth year

Ernie: "Harry! We heard a noise and someone said something about the Dark Mark —"

Harry Potter: "Out of the way!"

— Ernie witnessing Harry chase Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy

Ernie and twelve others in N.E.W.T.-level Potions

Ernie's hard work and determination from the previous year paid off. He was the only Hufflepuff student in his year who reached the required level to advance to N.E.W.T Potions. Ernie earned at least an 'Exceeds Expectations' on his O.W.L. exam, something Severus Snape claimed was very hard to achieve. Ernie had also qualified for N.E.W.T-level Defence Against the Dark Arts, most likely because of Harry Potter's teaching the previous year.

Ernie attending Apparition class with the other sixth years

Ernie also attended Apparition lessons with his fellow students and during the first lesson he did a leap into his hoop. An action that had both Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan roaring with laughter at his expense.

Later in the year, Death Eaters invaded Hogwarts, Dumbledore's Army was called to battle and the Battle of the Astronomy Tower broke out. It was likely Ernie never received his D.A. signal, as he had left the Hufflepuff Common Room to investigate a disturbance he had heard when he saw Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape, and Harry Potter running down a corridor. He asked Harry what was going on, but got no response save for two of his housemates getting knocked aside.

He would later discover that Albus Dumbledore had been killed that night by Snape, and then presumably attended his funeral several days later to pay his respects.

Seventh year

Professor McGonagall: "Prefects, when I give the word, you will organise your House and take your charges in an orderly fashion to the evacuation point."

Ernie: "And what if we want to stay and fight?"

— Ernie's willingness to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts

Ernie, behind Parvati and Dean Thomas, listening to Harry about Horcruxes.

As a pure-blood, Ernie was able to return to Hogwarts for the 1997–1998 school year after the Ministry of Magic fell under Lord Voldemort's control; indeed, Hogwarts attendance became mandatory. Presumably, Ernie's Muggle-born friend Justin Finch-Fletchley was not able to come back to school, though Hannah Abbott returned.

Ernie and Hannah joined the revived Dumbledore's Army, which was led by Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasley, and Luna Lovegood in the absence of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, who were off hunting down Voldemort's Horcruxes.

The D.A. members opposed the anti-Muggle propaganda and Dark Arts taught by Death Eater professors Alecto and Amycus Carrow. They painted rebellious phrases on the walls and freed students from detention, where they faced beatings and even the Cruciatus Curse.

Battle of Hogwarts

"And then a silver hare, a boar, and fox soared past Harry, Ron, and Hermione's heads: the dementors fell back before the creatures' approach. Three more people had arrived out of the darkness to stand beside them, their wands outstretched, continuing to cast Patronuses: Luna, Ernie, and Seamus."

— Ernie, Luna, and Seamus saving the trio from Dementors during the battle

Ernie witnessing Harry Potter's final defeat of Lord Voldemort

On 2 May 1998, Harry, Ron and Hermione returned to Hogwarts as Voldemort approached with his army. A meeting was held in the Great Hall, and when Professor McGonagall laid out the plans to evacuate the younger students from the school, Ernie indicated his willingness to fight against the Death Eaters. He did this by directly asking McGonagall about those who wished to remain behind. His question was applauded by a number of students who held similar feelings.

During the subsequent battle, Ernie, along with Luna Lovegood and Seamus Finnigan, came to the aid of Harry, Hermione, and Ron by using their Patronuses to drive off a group of Dementors. Ernie's took the form of a boar.

Later life (1998–?)

Ernie's later life is unknown. It can be assumed that he survived the final battle of the Second Wizarding War as his name wasn't mentioned amongst the casualties.

Physical description

Ernie Macmillan was described to be a stout-looking boy with blondish hair. When concentrating, such as during Apparition lessons, his face would go a deep shade of pink. Being stout implied that he was on the chubbier side, or was, at least, heavier than the average student.

Personality and traits

"I must say, I'm looking forward to seeing Malfoy's mother's face when he gets off the train."

— Ernie shortly after helping Harry Potter hex Draco Malfoy

Despite being somewhat pompous, Ernie was loyal to his friends and always honest, traits of a true Hufflepuff. He would usually shake Harry Potter's hand portentously and often spoke in a somewhat ostentatious and presumptuous manner. He was never afraid to speak his mind, and could readily admit when he was wrong. As a student, he was hard-working and strived to get good marks, which was particularly evident in his fifth year, when he claimed to be revising for his O.W.Ls around nine hours a day. He also displayed great bravery and loyalty in his participation in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Ernie did however seem to have a habit of jumping to conclusions regarding Harry Potter; in his second year, he believed and ultimately spread a rumour that Harry was the Heir of Slytherin. During his fourth year, Ernie made his disapproval of Harry's participation in the Triwizard Tournament as an illegal fourth champion clear, claiming Harry had done it to steal the spotlight from Hufflepuff.

Despite being a pure-blood and proud of it, Ernie never displayed any prejudice towards those of different blood status, as many other pure-bloods did. In fact, his two closest friends at Hogwarts were a Muggle-born, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and a half-blood, Hannah Abbott, and he looked out for both of them throughout his studies. His friendship with both of them technically made him a blood traitor by association, which may contradict on how proud he was of his wizarding lineage, or he simply did not care who he associated with. Ernie was also one of the first to openly express his support of Harry and Albus Dumbledore during the Ministry's smear campaign against them.

Magical abilities and skills

Ernie's corporeal Patronus was a boar, which he was able to conjure at age fifteen

"Good lesson, I thought, but Shield Charms are old hat, of course, for us old D.A. lags..."

— Ernie's skill with the Shield Charm

• Potions: Ernie was proficient in the magical art of potion-making. He achieved either an 'Outstanding' or an 'Exceeds Expectations' on his O.W.L. exam. In 1996, he was only one of twelve students who were able to advance to N.E.W.T.-level. He was also the only Hufflepuff who advanced.
• Charms: Ernie was shown to be proficient with charms. He was experienced with the casting of the Shield Charm. During the Battle of Hogwarts he was able to conjure a corporeal Patronus (in the form of a boar), which is a very advanced piece of magic. This was proof that he possessed superior magical ability, given the immense difficulty of the powerful protective charm.
• Defence Against the Dark Arts: Ernie earned an O.W.L. in this subject, because of his association with Dumbledore's Army. He advanced to N.E.W.T.-level in this subject. He was able to cast the Shield Charm during the DADA during his sixth year. This proficiently was due to his experience in the D.A.
• Duelling: Ernie demonstrated himself to have been a highly capable duellist. He was educated in Martial magic while in Dumbledore's Army. He and several others were able to hex Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, and Vincent Crabbe into slugs at the end of their fifth year. In his seventh year, he bravely fought in the Battle of Hogwarts against the Death Eaters. Ernie most likely survived the battle, as he was not mentioned as a casualty.

Possessions

• Wand: Ernie owned a wand, which was of an unknown length, wood and core material. Being a British wizard, he likely purchased it from Ollivanders in Diagon Alley, London, prior to starting his first year at Hogwarts in 1991. Ernie wielded his wand throughout his school life, and was able to perform powerful magic with it, and used to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts in 1998.
• Prefect badge: Becoming a Hufflepuff Prefect at the start of the 1995–1996 school year, Ernie would have owned and wore a Hufflepuff Prefect badge.
• Potter Stinks badge: Ernie owned and wore one of these derogatory enchanted Badges in 1994, to show his disdain towards Harry Potter for supposedly stealing Cedric Diggory's limelight during the Triwizard Tournament that year. He stopped wearing his badge once he became a strong supporter of Harry during the Tournament.

Relationships

Hannah Abbott

Hannah Abbott, his good friend

Ernie and Hannah Abbott were close friends during their time at Hogwarts, having both been Sorted into the house of Hufflepuff. They discussed the possibility of Harry being the Heir of Slytherin together during their second year, and Hannah appeared easily influenced by Ernie's opinion.

Both Hannah and Ernie shared the hobby of collecting Chocolate Frog Cards, like most of the students at Hogwarts. They both also strongly supported Cedric Diggory as the School Champion during the Triwizard Tournament, and in 1995 they both became the Hufflepuff prefects in their fifth year.

Later, in the 1995-1996 year, both Ernest and Hannah Abbott joined Dumbledore's Army and were active members of the organisation. They also fought together in the Battle of Hogwarts, it can be assumed that they remained friends after the Second Wizarding War. Ernie might have even attended Hannah's and Neville Longbottom's wedding.

Justin Finch-Fletchley

Justin Finch-Fletchley, his good friend

Ernie's other closest friend was Justin Finch-Fletchley. During the Duelling Club in 1992, he moved to protect his friend when it seemed that Harry Potter was encouraging a snake to attack him. Believing Harry to be the Heir of Slytherin, and that Justin was his next target, he told Justin to hide in the dormitories. When Justin later turned up petrified, Ernie was very upset and angry with Harry until convinced that he was not the culprit behind the attack on his friend.

Later, in the 1995-1996 year, both Ernest and Justin Finch-Fletchley joined Dumbledore's Army and were active members of the organisation.

Harry Potter

"I want you to know, Potter... that it's not only weirdos who support you. I personally believe you one hundred percent. "

— Ernie's belief in Voldemort's return

Harry Potter, his friend

During the Chamber of Secrets affair, Ernie held the suspicion that Harry Potter was the Heir of Slytherin when he saw him speak Parseltongue to a snake during the Duelling Club, and believed he was encouraging it to attack Justin Finch-Fletchley. His suspicions were raised when Justin became the next victim of "Slytherin's Monster". However, when Hermione Granger suffered the same fate, Ernie realised that it could not be Harry since he would never harm one of his best friends. To make amends, Ernie gave Harry a public apology.

Despite generally getting along well, Ernie did follow the lead of his fellow Hufflepuff housemates and give Harry the cold shoulder when he was selected as the fourth Triwizard Champion in 1994. Since Cedric Diggory had been the chosen Hogwarts Champion, he felt, like many others in the school, that Harry was taking away Hufflepuff's chance for honour and glory.

However, with the tragic events surrounding the Third Task, Ernie believed Harry's story that Lord Voldemort had returned and publicly proclaimed his support despite the Ministry of Magic and the Daily Prophet calling him a liar. Ernie's support of Harry was so strong that he was a staunch supporter of Dumbledore's Army, and led the call to arms during the meeting of students in the Great Hall prior to the Battle of Hogwarts.

Behind the scenes

Ernie Macmillan as depicted in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4

• Ernie was born between April 21st and September 1st, as like Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, he was unable to take the Apparition test with the rest of his sixth year class due to not yet being of-age.
• Ernie was played by Louis Doyle in the 2002's film adaption of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and returned three years later for 2005's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Louis Doyle also provided the voice for the character in the video game adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, he is portrayed by Jamie Marks.
• Ernie's last name was misspelt in the closing credits for Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets as "MacMillan", but was corrected for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
• In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Ernie's last name is misspelt as "McMillan".
• In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Ernie's role is diminished to a non-speaking part. The part where he and Hannah Abbott talk in the library about their theory of Harry wanting to attack Justin Finch-Fletchley was cut, but appears on the deleted scenes.
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Ernie is omitted. However, one of his lines is spoken instead by Katie Bell.
• Ernie is likely full or part Scottish, as his surname of Macmillan is a fairly common Scottish surname.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game) (Appears on the collectable card)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Name appears on parchment)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
• Quidditch Through the Ages (Mentioned only)
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
• Pottermore
• Harry Potter (website) (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery (Mentioned only) (Hufflepuff House only)