Kingsley Shacklebolt

Kingsley Shacklebolt
Biographical information
Born	In or before 1960s
Blood status	Pure-blood
Nationality	British or Irish
Also known as	Royal (Potterwatch)
Title(s)	Minister
Physical information
Species	Human
Gender	Male
Height	6'2.5"
Weight	183 lbs
Hair colour	Bald
Eye colour	Black
Skin colour	Dark brown
Relationship information
Family members	Shacklebolt family
Magical characteristics
Wand	Unknown length, wood and core
Patronus	Lynx
Affiliation
Occupation	Auror (formerly) Personal guard/"secretary" for the Prime Minister (formerly) Minister for Magic (1998-2019)
Loyalty	Shacklebolt family Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry British Ministry of Magic Department of Magical Law Enforcement (formerly) British Auror Office Order of the Phoenix Advance Guard Potterwatch

"I'm not getting rid of Kingsley Shacklebolt, if that's what you're suggesting! He's highly efficient, gets through twice the work of the rest of them —"

— The British Prime Minister in 1996 regarding Kingsley

Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt was a British pure-blood wizard in the employment of the Ministry of Magic. He worked for the Ministry as an Auror, but joined the reconstituted Order of the Phoenix in 1995 after being convinced of the return of Lord Voldemort. Working undercover within the Ministry, he fed the Order with information, and misdirected the Ministry's efforts to locate Sirius Black by saying he was spotted in Tibet.

In 1996, he fought in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, and was later assigned to guard the Muggle Prime Minister, posing as his secretary. Forced into running away following the fall of the Ministry to Lord Voldemort in 1997, Kingsley continued to oppose the new regime. In 1998, he fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, and was named Acting Minister for Magic in the aftermath.

When he was eventually officially confirmed in the position of the thirty-fifth Minister for Magic, he, along with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, worked hard to change the Ministry. They eventually succeeded in greatly reducing the corruption and pure-blood bias within the organisation. By 2019, Kingsley was succeeded as Minister for Magic by Hermione.

Biography

Early life (pre 1970s–1995)

Not much has been revealed about Kingsley's life before becoming an Auror. All that is known is that he was born into a pure-blood wizarding family at a point in 1973 or earlier and that he attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in his youth, although it is unknown which House he was sorted into. He also apparently met James Potter, as he saw the physical similarities between him and his son Harry.

Work as an Auror

During 1991, he was assigned to stake out Knockturn Alley alongside Nymphadora Tonks in the hopes of capturing a Dark wizard who had stolen a wand formerly belonging to Gellert Grindelwald. At the request of Alastor Moody, Jacob's sibling from the Rare, Obscure, and Confounding Case Division was brought in due to the Auror Office being short-handed. After the Dark wizard was arrested and the wand was sent to a secure vault, he met up with Jacob's sibling in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, where he offered them some advice on working as an Auror before giving them a badge depicting Grindelwald's wand on behalf of Moody to remind them of their great accomplishments and all those that were still to come.

Second Wizarding War (1995–1998)

"We've managed to convince a couple of people, though. Tonks here, for one — she's too young to have been in the Order of the Phoenix last time, and having Aurors on our side is a huge advantage — Kingsley Shacklebolt's been a real asset, too; he's in charge of the hunt for Sirius, so he's been feeding the Ministry information that Sirius is in Tibet."

— Discussion of the oncoming second war

Kingsley as a member of the Advance Guard

In 1995, he was assigned to lead the task force for the recapture of the Azkaban-escapee Sirius Black. When rumour of Lord Voldemort's return was denied by the Ministry, Kingsley was convinced of his return, and subsequently joined the Order of the Phoenix. Along with Nymphadora Tonks, he worked as a covert operative, keeping the Order supplied with information.

In addition, since joining the reactivated Order, Kingsley was informed of Black's innocence as a fellow member of the Order, and so he sidetracked the investigation by feeding the Ministry disinformation that indicated Black was hiding in Tibet. In the August of 1995, after Harry Potter was attacked by two dementors Kingsley volunteered to be a member of the Advance Guard. The Advance Guard were to escort Harry to the Order's Headquarters at 12 Grimmauld Place in London.

Kingsley at headquarters with other Order members

Kingsley was also present at many dinners that took place at Grimmauld place. He was also at the Ministry on the day of Harry's hearing to answer the charge of using a Patronus Charm in front of his Muggle cousin, on 12 August, and staged an argument with fellow Order member Arthur Weasley to protect their covers as Rufus Scrimgeour was asking questions. During the argument, he slipped Arthur a copy of The Quibbler containing an article that he thought Sirius would find amusing — an article that claimed Sirius was actually Stubby Boardman. He later attended the party at Grimmauld Place to celebrate Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger's appointment as Prefects.

Kingsley in Albus Dumbledore's office with John Dawlish, Dolores Umbridge, and Cornelius Fudge

In April of 1996, Kingsley accompanied Cornelius Fudge, Auror John Dawlish, and Fudge's assistant Percy Weasley to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to confront Albus Dumbledore over Dolores Umbridge's discovery of Dumbledore's Army. Despite his loyalty to the Order, Kingsley was forced to play along with the Minister, although he was able to place a Memory Charm on Marietta Edgecombe to stop her divulging any more secrets regarding Dumbledore's Army, and to agree with Dumbledore's version of events; upon Umbridge attacking Marietta for her sudden change in testimony, Kingsley stood forward to warn Dolores. During Dumbledore's escape, Kingsley was incapacitated along with the Minister, Dawlish and Umbridge to maintain his cover, an action that Albus regretted but deemed necessary.

Battle of the Department of Mysteries

"Then, high above them, two more doors burst open and five more people sprinted into the room: Sirius, Lupin, Moody, Tonks, and Kingsley."

— The Order arriving in the Death Chamber

Kingsley and "Mad-Eye" Moody Apparating into the Department of Mysteries

On 18 June 1996, Harry was duped into going to the Department of Mysteries on the pretence that Sirius Black was being held captive. Kingsley, along with Nymphadora Tonks, Alastor Moody, Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black, travelled to the Ministry to rescue Harry and several of his friends after being informed about this by Severus Snape.

Battle in the Death Chamber

In the ensuing battle in the Death Chamber, Kingsley began duelling two Death Eaters at once, then faced Augustus Rookwood. Late in the battle, Kingsley duelled with Bellatrix Lestrange just after she had sent Sirius through the Veil. Kingsley was injured in the duel, falling to the ground with a scream, but recovered from his injuries.

Guarding the Prime Minister

"An extraordinary assortment of people had already settled into half of the chairs: shabby and smart, old and young. Most Harry did not recognise, but there were a few that he did, including members of the Order of the Phoenix: Kingsley Shacklebolt, Mad-Eye Moody, Tonks...."

— Kingsley and others attending Dumbledore's funeral

With the return of Lord Voldemort now publicly acknowledged, Rufus Scrimgeour replaced Cornelius Fudge as Minister for Magic. Fudge was overthrown by the outraged wizarding public after they learned the truth. Following the unsuccessful attempt to place the Imperius Curse on Muggle Junior Minister Herbert Chorley, it was decided that the Muggle Prime Minister needed protection.

Kingsley attending the funeral of Albus Dumbledore

In 1996 Kingsley was assigned to the Prime Minister as a bodyguard, posing as his new secretary. Kingsley's portrayal of a Muggle convinced the Prime Minister, who was shocked to learn the truth from Scrimgeour several days later. The Prime Minister considered him an excellent secretary, capable of doing twice the work of his predecessor. Despite his assignment to the Muggle Prime Minister, Kingsley did attend the funeral of Albus Dumbledore in July 1997.

Battle of the Seven Potters

Harry Potter: "Kingsley, I thought you were looking after the Muggle Prime Minister?"

Kingsley: "He can get along without me for one night, you're more important."

— Kingsley and Harry before the sky battle

Kingsley and other Order members transporting Harry to safety

With Dumbledore's death, and the Second Wizarding War in full swing, the Order's attention turned to protecting Harry Potter. With the protection he had at the 4 Privet Drive due to expire on his seventeenth birthday, a plan was formed to break the protection early and escort him to safety at the Burrow. Although still assigned to protect the Muggle Prime Minister, Kingsley was chosen to speak with the Dursleys, as his ability to act and dress like a Muggle would offend them less, and he informed them that they too would have to go into hiding for their protection.

Kingsley and Hermione during the sky battle

On 27 July, Kingsley was part of the Order task force sent to escort Harry to safety. Acting as a protector, he rode a Thestral with Hermione Granger disguised as Harry by way of the Polyjuice Potion. During the subsequent battle, Kingsley and Hermione were chased by five Death Eaters, injuring two and possibly killing one. They were also briefly chased by Lord Voldemort himself after he murdered Alastor Moody, but he broke off the pursuit once the real Harry was located. His house was one of a dozen safe houses used to confuse the Death Eaters, so that they would be less likely to figure out the real destination to which Harry was being spirited away.

Kingsley safely at The Burrow after participating in the sky battle earlier that night

Kingsley and Hermione finally made it back to the Burrow, and Kingsley believed that their plan had been betrayed, challenging Remus Lupin with a personal question to ensure his identity. Satisfied, he relayed his news — including the fact that Lord Voldemort could fly unaided — to the rest of the Order that had returned, and waited anxiously for the others. Eventually, though, Kingsley was forced to leave the Burrow and return to his duty guarding the Prime Minister. He was unable to help Remus and Bill search for Mad-Eye's body, as he needed to report back to the Ministry straight away.

The fall of the Ministry of Magic

"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."

— Kingsley's Patronus warning

Kingsley's Patronus warning of the Ministry's downfall

On 1 August, 1997, the Ministry of Magic fell to Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Where Kingsley was on that day, either at the Ministry or still guarding the Prime Minister, is unknown. However, he was aware of the events, and sent his lynx Patronus to the Burrow to warn the guests at Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's wedding of what had occurred. His warning allowed Harry, Hermione, and Ron Weasley to escape the reception without notice.

Shortly after the death of Rufus Scrimgeour, the Aurors were also decommissioned, and many of Kingsley's colleagues were stripped of their wands and jobs. Kingsley himself, however, who was a known member of the Order of the Phoenix, was allowed to continue to work for the Ministry in some capacity. However, he was forced on the run after he broke the Taboo about saying Lord Voldemort's name, and had to fight off several Death Eaters. He went into hiding, but remained active in the resistance effort, contributing to the Potterwatch radio broadcast under the alias of Royal, urging Wizards to help protect Muggle neighbours and to keep faith during dark times.

Battle of Hogwarts

Kingsley Shacklebolt: "We've only got half an hour until midnight, so we need to act fast! A battle plan has been agreed between the teachers of Hogwarts and the Order of the Phoenix. Professors Flitwick, Sprout and McGonagall are going to take groups of fighters up to the three highest Towers – Ravenclaw, Astronomy and Gryffindor – where they'll have a good overview, excellent positions from which to work spells. Meanwhile, Remus, Arthur, and I will take groups into the grounds. We'll need somebody to organise defence of the entrances of the passageways into the school –"

Fred Weasley: "– sounds like a job for us."

Kingsley Shacklebolt: "All right, leaders up here and we'll divide up the troops!"

— Kingsley and Fred Weasley before the start of the Battle of Hogwarts

Kingsley and the Order arriving just before the start of the Battle of Hogwarts

In May of 1998, Kingsley was alerted to the coming battle at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Apparated to the Hog's Head, and travelled to the school through the secret tunnel joining it to the Room of Requirement. Arriving in the Great Hall, he consulted with Minerva McGonagall and took charge of the situation, dividing the available fighters into groups and assigning them to defend certain areas of the school.

Kingsley blasting off a Death Eater during the Battle of Hogwarts

He, along with Arthur Weasley and Remus Lupin, led groups of fighters into the school grounds to intercept the enemy. Shortly before the Acromantula entered Hogwarts, Kingsley duelled a masked Death Eater while Flitwick duelled Yaxley beside him. Remus was last seen battling Dolohov. Kingsley also fended off Dementors after they entered the battle having allied with Lord Voldemort and his army.

Kingsley and the other defenders of Hogwarts witnessing Harry Potter's final defeat of Voldemort

Towards the end of the battle, after Lord Voldemort displayed an apparently dead Harry to the defenders of the castle and Neville Longbottom had slayed Nagini, Kingsley, along with Minerva McGonagall and Horace Slughorn, duelled Voldemort in the Great Hall. After Molly Weasley killed Bellatrix Lestrange, Voldemort screamed in rage and blasted all three of them backwards. When Voldemort attempted to kill Molly, Harry cast a Shield Charm then revealed himself, took up the battle, and killed Voldemort for good. In the aftermath of the battle, Kingsley was named as acting Minister for Magic.

As Minister for Magic (1998–2019)

Kingsley was eventually made permanent Minister for Magic, and set about ridding the Ministry of corruption and discrimination. He banned the use of Dementors to guard Azkaban, and made sure they would not be used to torment the opponents of the Ministry. He appointed Harry Potter as the head of the Auror Department, and made Percy Weasley a high-ranking official, reshuffling the Ministry thoroughly and becoming instrumental in the repairs of the wizarding world following Voldemort's reign of terror. He managed to revolutionise the way that the Ministry worked, and with the assistance of Hermione Granger, eradicated the pro-pureblood laws.

Kingsley was still Minister in 2018, as Mathilda Grimblehawk wrote a letter to him.

When a sudden outbreak of a piece of chaotic magic cut through all of time, space and memory in June 2019 and began whisking away artefacts, creatures, people, and even memories to mysteriously appear in the Muggle world, Kingsley, who was still Minister for Magic at the time, entered a partnership with the International Confederation of Wizards and worked with said organisation to establish an International Task Force tasked with counteracting the surges of magical activity.

He also set up a new office in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, whom he charged with the task of monitoring the Calamity and report any new surges to the Statute of Secrecy Task Force. Kingsley was also credited with modifying Dark Detectors to help the Calamity Investigators in tracking traces of the Calamity. He also helped instruct members of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force who pursued an Auror career on focusing their mind, to help improve their skills in addressing said event.

Kingsley was replaced as Minister for Magic by 2019 by Hermione Granger.

Later life

In the 2010–2011 school year, he purchased a Bloom For You plant from Bewildering Blooms, causing him to be affected by the Mysterious Malady. He was later awoken from the malady after the Bewildering Blooms owner Yubert Thorne was imprisoned in Azkaban.

During a Calamity surge focused on the Statute of Secrecy Task Force in June 2020, Kingsley became a Foundable, with Calamity Investigators working for the task force helping to return him to his proper time. When his Foundable was returned, Kingsley suddenly developed a memory of Grim Fawley telling him that he had gained the ability to manipulate the Calamity and to "guide" the Foundables it stole. Kingsley informed Constance Pickering of this memory when the two ran into each other at the Ministry, with Constance bringing his information to the task force.

Physical description

A middle-aged Kingsley

Kingsley was a tall black wizard and was described as broad shouldered. He was bald, and wore a single gold hoop earring. He had a slow, deep voice that was said to be reassuring. In contrast with many other wizards, he was capable of dressing properly as a Muggle, to the point that the Muggle Prime Minister could not tell the difference.

Personality and traits

Lee Jordan: "And what would you say, Royal, to those listeners who reply that in these dangerous times, it should be 'Wizards first'?"

Kingsley Shacklebolt: "I'd say that it's one short step from 'Wizards first' to 'pure-bloods first,' and then to 'Death Eaters'. We're all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving."

— Kingsley Shacklebolt's belief in the equality of humanity

Kingsley was calm and controlled, with a deep reassuring voice and commanding stature. Unlike many wizards, Kingsley mastered the knack of dressing and acting like a Muggle, leading to his assignment to guard the Muggle Prime Minister during the Second Wizarding War. Kingsley was known to be level-headed, though his calm demeanour belied his incredible power and quiet fury, as seen after the Battle of the Seven Potters, when he displayed his rarely witnessed temper when interrogating Remus Lupin in order to make sure it was him. This impressive example of his control over his very justifiable suspicions and anger were likely exacerbated by Mad Eye Moody's death at Voldemort's hands. This also showed Kingsley's respect of the legendary Auror.

Kingsley was also a good judge of character, and trusted individuals regardless of age, on the basis of his knowledge of their character and abilities. He trusted Fred and George Weasley with the defence of the secret passages during the Battle of Hogwarts, and allowed Harry Potter into the Auror Department at the age of seventeen. When the corrupt Ministry was deeming Harry and Dumbledore as crackpots for claiming Voldemort's return, Kingsley instead sided with the Order of the Phoenix as he could see the sincerity in Harry's and Dumbledore's statements, and even believed that Sirius was innocent, to the point of misleading the hunting squad to a faraway location.

The opposite of the pure-blood advocates, Kingsley believed in equality and fairness for all wizards and Muggles. He was also brave enough to call Voldemort by his name, though this resulted in him getting discovered by a group of Death Eaters.

Although a faithful and devoted individual, Kingsley was not a blindly loyal man, as he acted on his own judgement instead of waiting for orders (contrary to his colleague John Dawlish), and was not afraid to speak his mind. He joined the Order of the Phoenix despite the Ministry's oppression, swiftly acting to modify Marietta Edgecombe's memories in secret simply by looking at the situation at hand, and stood forward to warn Dolores Umbridge not to manhandle students. At the same time, he was skilled in maintaining a facade to the corrupt Ministry to hide his own agenda from them, such as giving the appearance of devoting himself to hunt down Sirius, or speaking rather condescendingly with Arthur Weasley to appear as if they had no dubious allegations, an act that Arthur returned (though the two would quietly exchange friendly comments in between).

Magical abilities and skills

Kingsley's corporeal lynx Patronus

"Harry did not know where to begin, but it did not matter, at that moment, something large and silver came falling through the canopy over the dance floor. Graceful and gleaming, the lynx landed lightly in the middle of the astonished dancers."

— Description of Kingsley's corporeal Patronus

As a high ranking Auror and eventual leader of the Order of the Phoenix, Kingsley was a very powerful wizard with a well balanced set of abilities. His exceptional skills were looked highly upon by his fellow Order members, including fellow Auror Nymphadora Tonks. Even Lord Voldemort himself seemed to regard Kingsley as a powerful wizard. He was also able to produce a corporeal lynx Patronus, a mark of superior magical ability.

• Magical mastery: Kingsley Shacklebolt was an exceptionally powerful and formidable wizard, and, as a Hogwarts student, he excelled in his studies enough to meet the qualifications for Auror training at the British Ministry of Magic, becoming an illustrious Auror, trusted with some of the most important missions. Kingsley was skilled enough to temporarily engage Bellatrix Lestrange and survive, despite being defeated, and later even showed himself to be powerful enough to aid Minerva McGonagall and Horace Slughorn in duelling against Lord Voldemort himself, surviving the duel. It must be noted, however, that Kingsley and his two allies were swiftly defeated when Voldemort's rage had amplified the Dark Lord's magic.
• Auror skills: Kingsley Shacklebolt was an exceptionally skilled Auror, more than likely completing the Concealment and Disguise, as well as the Stealth and Tracking portions of Auror training with excellence. Indeed, Nymphadora Tonks stated that Kingsley was a high-ranking Auror, and her claim was fully backed up by Kingsley's natural cunning, outstanding duelling ability, and unique talent in defensive magic. Kingsley was well-respected by his colleagues and superiors, since he was trusted by the British Ministry of Magic and the Order of the Phoenix with many important missions, such as acting as the Muggle Prime Minister's undercover bodyguard (without said Prime Minister ever suspecting Kingsley being a wizard), leading the wizardhunt for Sirius Black (secretly diverting the Ministry's efforts from capturing Sirius), assisting Minister for Magic Fudge in the attempt to arrest Albus Dumbledore (while secretly on Dumbledore's side), escorting Harry Potter with the Advance Guard, protecting a disguised Hermione Granger during the Battle of the Seven Potters, and leading the Order members during the Battle of Hogwarts. Kingsley also successfully pretended to be loyal to the corrupt administration of Cornelius Fudge during the Campaign to discredit Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter. Finally, Kingsley deduced the Fall of the Ministry of Magic quickly enough to warn all of the attendees of Bill and Fleur's wedding, giving Harry, Ron, and Hermione enough time to escape.
• Duelling: Kingsley was an outstandingly skilled duellist, being able to defeat two Death Eaters at once, and to duel against the highly skilled Augustus Rookwood. During the Battle of the Seven Potters, Kingsley was chased by five Death Eaters, and even though he was on a Thestral and had to protect Hermione Granger at the same time, he stunned two of them (one of them being Travers), and possibly killed another. He was also able to hold off Lord Voldemort himself during the same battle, though Voldemort quickly lost interest in Kingsley and Hermione when the real Harry was found. Later, when cornered by several Death Eaters after triggering the Taboo, Kingsley single-handedly fought them off. While Kingsley was unable to defeat Bellatrix Lestrange during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, he did hold his ground for a time and survived, albeit injured. During the Battle of Hogwarts, he was seen engaging a masked Death Eater in a fierce duel in which he most likely won due to his unscathed appearance later. During the second part of the same battle Kingsley engaged Lord Voldemort a second time in a prolonged duel, alongside two other masterful duellists: Minerva McGonagall and Horace Slughorn, and survived. Indeed, Kingsley and his two allies were only defeated when Voldemort's magic was briefly amplified by the rage he felt over Belatrix's death.
• Defence Against the Dark Arts: As an Auror, Kingsley received at least an Exceeds Expectations in his O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. for this subject, making him highly accomplished in defending against the Dark Arts. He demonstrated his exceptional defensive abilities as both an Auror and a member of the Order of the Phoenix, with him being very accomplished in fighting the Dark Arts and Dark wizards.

"At that moment, something large and silver came falling through the canopy over the dance floor. Graceful and gleaming, the lynx landed lightly in the middle of the astonished dancers. Heads turned, as those nearest it froze, absurdly, in mid-dance. Then the Patronus’s mouth opened wide and it spoke in the loud, deep, slow voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt."

— Kingsley's corporeal lynx Patronus

• Charms: Kinglsey was highly capable in charms, since as an Auror, he received at least an Exceeds Expectations in his O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. for this subject, given that he cast a powerful spell on a Death Eater, causing the latter fly backwards out of a window that had just been broken, but resealed itself. Kingsley was also very proficient with the Memory Charm, shown when he altered Marietta Edgecombe's memory to prevent her from telling Cornelius Fudge, John Dawlish and Dolores Umbridge that Dumbledore's Army had been meeting in secret for several months. Moreover, Kingsley was able to conjure the extremely complex talking corporeal Patronus Charm - a method of communication invented by Albus Dumbledore, which took the form of a lynx. He was also the one who came up with the idea of re-purposing Dark Detectors to assist the Statute of Secrecy Task Force by modifying and attuning them to find hidden Traces created by the Calamity; a feat he pulled off in only a couple of hours.
• Transfiguration: As an Auror, Kingsley was skilled in Transfiguration, as he had to have received at least an Exceeds Expectations in his O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. for this subject.
• Potions: As an Auror, Kingsley was skilled in Potions, as he had to have received at least an Exceeds Expectations in his O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. for this subject.
• Herbology: As an Auror, Kingsley was skilled in Herbology, as he had to have received at least an Exceeds Expectations in his O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. for this subject.
• Knowledge of the Muggle world: Kingsley appeared to have a high amount of knowledge of the Muggle world, which was evident from his expertise in flawlessly blending in with Muggles. He was very accomplished with dealing with Muggles and communicating successfully with them, as the Dursley family regarded Kingsley better than most wizards, and even the Muggle Prime Minister being unaware of Kingsley being a wizard until Cornelius Fudge revealed it.
• Apparition: Kingsley, like most accomplished adult wizards, was capable of Apparating at will.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt swooped around him, bald pate and earring gleaming slightly in the moonlight...."

— Kingsley's masterful flying in 1995

• Flying: Kingsley was a highly accomplished broomstick flyer, successfully escorting Harry Potter to 12 Grimmauld Place on a broom alongside his other Order of the Phoenix comrades.
• Nonverbal magic: Kingsley was highly proficient in nonverbal spells, since in the battles of the Department of Mysteries and Hogwarts, Kingsley duelled many opponents, including Bellatrix Lestrange and Lord Voldemort himself, without saying a word. Given the high level of difficulty required in the casting of spells non-verbally, this is further testament to his formidable magical skills as a wizard.
• Leadership skills: Kingsley was a highly effective leader, evident from his status as a very prominent Auror in the British Ministry of Magic, leading the Ministry wizard hunt for Sirius Black astray (convincingly claiming that Sirius was hiding in Tibet), being the one to lead the Order of the Phoenix following the deaths of Albus Dumbledore and Alastor Moody, and being an effective Minister for Magic following the Second Wizarding War, helping purge the Ministry of corruption, thereby making the British wizarding community a better, more tolerant and happier place for all wizards and witches.

Possessions

Kingsley's wand

• Wand: Kingsley's wand was of unknown length, wood, and core. It can be assumed that the wand was manufactured by Garrick Ollivander.
• House: Kingsley's house was located somewhere in England and was his residence during the Second Wizarding War.

Relationships

Order of the Phoenix

Alastor Moody: "I’m just telling the boy the plan. Our job’s to deliver him safely to headquarters and if we die in the attempt —"

Kingsley Shacklebolt: "No one’s going to die."

— Kingsley reassuring Alastor Moody as part of the Advance Guard

The original Order of the Phoenix

Kingsley had a good relationship with all the members of the Order of the Phoenix and their allies, including Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, the Weasley family, Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, and Albus Dumbledore. Because of his beliefs, Kingsley was highly regarded by most members.

He also seemed to be a friend of Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. After Sirius was killed by Bellatrix Lestrange, Kingsley fought against Bellatrix, although he was defeated. He also appeared to be on good terms with Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle, Emmeline Vance, and Sturgis Podmore, as they were all members of the Advance Guard in 1995. He also supposedly knew James Potter personally, as he mentioned that his son (Harry) looked like James.

Several members of the Order were killed during battles. It is unknown how Kingsley reacted when he learned about their deaths. After the Second Wizarding War, Kingsley and the remaining members of the Order likely remained in contact.

As with the other members of the Order, he originally trusted Severus Snape, who was a Death Eater turned to a double-agent on the Order's behalf. When Snape killed Dumbledore, under Dumbledore's secret request to die peacefully and not let Draco Malfoy damage his soul by being the murderer, Kingsley lost his respect and trust in Snape. After Snape's true allegiance was revealed, this was most likely restored.

Media

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Albus Dumbledore's big escape (HD)

Dumbledore Escapes

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 - Kingsley and Remus preparing for battle (HD)

Preparing for Battle

Etymology

Both "shackle" and "bolt" refer to means of imprisonment. Specifically, a shacklebolt is the threaded pin of a shackle allowing the linking of multiple chains and metal cables. Bolt might also suggest speed which hints Kingsley's capability of working fast during his tenure as an aide for the prime minister of Great Britain.

His first name, "Kingsley" suggests royalty, note the "King" in it. This may be the reason that in Potterwatch he was known as "Royal".

Behind the scenes

Kingsley Shacklebolt in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7

Kingsley Shacklebolt as a LEGO mini-figure

• Kingsley was portrayed by George Harris in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
• It is never mentioned if Kingsley was a member of the first Order of the Phoenix or not, as he is not in the original Order photograph. However, in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, he calls James Potter by his first name and compares Harry to him, indicating he knew him personally. This may indicate he was a member of the first Order, but this has never been officially stated. Since his age has not been declared officially, another possibility is that he may have also attended Hogwarts at the same time as James and his friends.
• Kingsley also shows a good sense of humour in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. He is given Phineas Nigellus Black's line concerning Dumbledore and how he has got style shortly after the Headmaster's escape from the Minister for Magic and several Aurors.
• It is unknown which House Kingsley was Sorted into during his time at Hogwarts, even to Ministry records.
• While not explicitly mentioned, it's possible that after Dolores Umbridge was imprisoned in Azkaban, Kingsley repealed her anti-werewolf legislation, given his friendship with the late Remus Lupin.
• Kingsley is the inspiration for the New York-based Wizard Rock band, Kingsley and the Shacklebolts.
• Kingsley's role of becoming the next Minister for Magic is omitted from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, but it can be assumed that he did become the next Minister for Magic.
• From all the members of the Order of the Phoenix who aided Dumbledore's Army in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Kingsley is the only one to survive the Second Wizarding War.
• Kingsley may have been of Nigerian descent, as he wore Nigerian robes in the films, described in Harry Potter: The Character Vault.
• Due to George Harris' bald head, he found the set to be too cold, and asked if he could have a hat included as part of his costume to rectify this. Harris was required to come up with a reason for Kingsley wearing a hat. He then decided that "Kingsley's magic was so strong, he needs the hat to act as a lid." which was accepted. During The Battle Of Hogwarts, Kingsley is seen with no hat, thus implying he has removed the hat and unleashed his strong magic.

Appearances

Kingsley Shacklebolt as he appears in Harry Potter: Wizards Unite

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (Appears briefly in cutscene only)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game) (Voice only)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
• LEGO Harry Potter
• Pottermore
• Harry Potter (website)
• Harry Potter: The Character Vault
• Harry Potter: The Creature Vault
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened (Picture only)
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Notes and references

Minister for Magic of Great Britain
Ministers for Magic
Ulick Gamp (1707–1718) Damocles Rowle (1718–1726) Perseus Parkinson (1726–1733) Eldritch Diggory (1733–1747) Albert Boot (1747–1752) Basil Flack (1752–1752) Hesphaestus Gore (1752–1770) Maximilian Crowdy (1770–1781) Porteus Knatchbull (1781–1789) Unctuous Osbert (1789–1798) Artemisia Lufkin (1798–1811) Grogan Stump (1811–1819) Josephina Flint (1819–1827) Ottaline Gambol (1827–1835) Radolphus Lestrange (1835–1841) Hortensia Milliphutt (1841–1849) Evangeline Orpington (1849–1855) Priscilla Dupont (1855–1858) Dugald McPhail (1858–1865) Faris Spavin (1865–1903) Venusia Crickerly (1903–1912) Archer Evermonde (1912–1923) Lorcan McLaird (1923–1925) Hector Fawley (1925–1939) Leonard Spencer-Moon (1939–1948) Wilhelmina Tuft (1948–1959) Ignatius Tuft (1959–1962) Nobby Leach (1962–1968) Eugenia Jenkins (1968–1975) Harold Minchum (1975–1980) Millicent Bagnold (1980–1990) Cornelius Fudge (1990–1996) Rufus Scrimgeour (1996–1997) Pius Thicknesse (1997–1998) Kingsley Shacklebolt (1998–c. 2019) Hermione Granger (c. 2019–?)