Dorcas Meadowes

Dorcas Meadowes was a British witch and an essential member of the Order of the Phoenix during the First Wizarding War. She helped the order fight Lord Voldemort during his initial rise to power.

Mohandas Alva

Article written by Mohandas Alva

M.A. Degree in English Literature from Manipal University, India.

Dorcas Meadowes was born into the magical Meadowes family in England, Great Britain. At the age of eleven, she most likely joined Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where she studied for seven years and completed her education. It is not known if she was recruited directly from school into the order or if she worked in the Ministry of Magic or somewhere else before being recruited into the original Order of the Phoenix.

It is very likely that Dorcas was an Auror for the Ministry as there was a significant need for highly skilled Aurors in the Order to fight the Death Eaters who were proficient in Dark Magic. It is likely that she was in Gryffindor house, but even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff could be a possibility.

Etymology

The name Dorcas is derived from the Ancient Greek word δορκας (dorkas), which translates to “gazelle.” There is also a reference to the name Dorcas in the Bible. Dorcas was an essential disciple in Joppa who was known as Tabitha in Latin. She was one of the most loved and an important disciple in all of Joppa as she sacrificed her money, time, and abilities for the services of the ones in need. When she died, it is believed that the disciples present in Joppa called Peter, and he prayed for her enough to rise her from the dead.

The surname Meadowes is an English Topographical Surname that is meant to indicate that the people with that surname lived near meadows or the grassland. This surname was of medieval origin.

Physical Appearance

Dorcas Meadowes was a British Witch with a well-built physique. She had dark skin, black hair, and brown eyes. Dorcas’s biography claims that she was highly skilled in several different fields of magic, which probably helped her a lot if she eventually did end up working as an Auror.

Dorcas at Hogwarts

Dorcas Meadowes went to Hogwarts around the same time as Lily Evans, James Potter, and Severus Snape. While Dorcas could be a member of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, it is highly likely that she was a Gryffindor because Mary MacDonald, a friend of both Lily and Dorcas was most likely a Gryffindor and Dorcas shared her dorm room with Mary MacDonald, Johanna Shacklebolt, Mia Crestfield, and Ashley Mendler. It is possible that Dorcas Meadowes was best friends with both Lily and Mary. Furthermore, both Lily and Dorcas went on to become members of the order. 

Dorcas and the Order of the Phoenix

Dorcas Meadowes was a member of the original Order of the Phoenix which was established by Albus Dumbledore during the First Wizarding War. There were several members of the Order of the Phoenix, including Mad-Eye Moody, James and Lily Potter, Marlene McKinnon, Frank and Alice Longbottom, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Arthur and Molly Weasley, Elphias Doge, Aberforth Dumbledore, Mundungus Fletcher and many more. 

It is possible that Dorcas Meadowes was one of the most important and irreplaceable members of the order recruited by Dumbledore. It is also very highly likely that Dorcas Meadowes was an Auror with great skill responsible for several victories against the Death Eaters and Voldemort.

In the year 1995, Mad-Eye Moody showed Harry a picture of the original Order of the Phoenix, which contained the photos of Harry’s parents. Among the others was also Dorcas Meadowes. 

The Death of Dorcas Meadowes

Dorcas Meadowes was an active member of the Order of the Phoenix and had constant assignments to undertake for the Order. She was among the top operatives for the Order and was constantly causing trouble to Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Therefore, somewhere around the second half of the year 1981, Lord Voldemort himself took initiative and brutally murdered Dorcas Meadowes along with several other members of the Order. Just a few months before this, in July 1981, one of Dorcas’s closest friends and fellow Order member Marlene McKinnon was also murdered. A photograph of Marlene and Dorcas existed which was taken two weeks before the murder of Marlene. 

Dorcas’s death was very sad for the Order to bear. However, in a few months’ time, another one of her friends, Lily Potter, and her husband, James Potter would be killed by Lord Voldemort. This also marked the end of the killings by Voldemort until the year 1995 as Harry Potter would cause Voldemort to disappear.

Dying A Hero – Assasinations Amidst War

Dorcas Meadowes was one of the members of the Order of the Phoenix who was killed amidst the war but not necessarily during battle. Other members of the Order of the Phoenix who died similarly include Marlene McKinnon, James Potter, Lily Potter, Fabian Prewett, and Gideon Prewett. All these wizards and witches were killed either by Lord Voldemort or his Death Eaters during the period that was considered wartime, but not during any large battle like the Battle of Hogwarts.

This is similar to many assassinations in the Muggle world during the wars like the first and second world wars. There are instances of several political assassinations during these wars outside the realm of a physical battle, which were usually intended to weaken the opposition or to stop them from influencing powerful decisions. 

However, it is still true that Dorcas Meadowes died a hero as she died believing and fighting for what was right without any fear of undesirable consequences, including death.

FAQs

Who was Dorcas Meadowes’ best friend?

It is believed that Marlene McKinnon was Dorcas Meadowes’ best friend. They were both members of the Order of the Phoenix and were also roommates in their dormitory at Hogwarts. It is also likely that Lily Evans was a close friend of Dorcas as she, too, shared the dorm room with Dorcas. Other possible friends of Dorcas Meadowes include Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and James Potter.

Is Dorcas Meadowes mentioned in the books?

Yes, Dorcas Meadowes is mentioned in the Harry Potter books. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Alastor Moody explains to Harry that Dorcas was a member of the Order of the Phoenix. He also shows a photo of the members of the Order of the Phoenix to Harry, which consists of Harry’s parents, James and Lily Potter.

What Hogwarts house was Dorcas Meadowes in?

It is highly likely that Dorcas Meadowes was in the Gryffindor house. This is because several sources claim that Dorcas was the roommate of her friends Marlene McKinnon and Lily Evans, who were both in Gryffindor house. However, if not Gryffindor, Dorcas may have been in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff house. It is highly unlikely that Dorcas was in Slytherin house.

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Harry Potter Quiz

Summon your wit and wisdom—our Harry Potter Trivia Quiz awaits you! Do you have the knowledge to claim the title of Master Witch or Wizard? Take the challenge now!

1) What form does Hermione Granger's Patronus take?

2) Who originally owned the Elder Wand before Dumbledore won it?

3) Who teaches Herbology at Hogwarts?

4) In the "Order of the Phoenix," who is NOT a member of the original Order of the Phoenix shown in the old photograph that Moody shows Harry?

5) What potion is known as "Liquid Luck"?

6) Who is the Half-Blood Prince?

7) Which object is NOT one of the Deathly Hallows?

8) What is the name of the goblin-made object that is supposed to bring its owner prosperity, but also brings them into conflict with goblins?

9) Which creature can transform into a person's worst fear?

10) Which spell is used to open the Marauder's Map?

11) What is the effect of the Cheering Charm?

12) Who was the Peverell brother that owned the invisibility cloak?

13) What is Dumbledore's full name?

14) What does the incantation "Obliviate" do?

15) What is the name of the train that takes students to Hogwarts?

16) What specific type of dragon does Harry face during the Triwizard Tournament?

17) What is the name of the book Hermione gives to Harry before his first ever Quidditch match?

18) What is the name of the goblin who helps Harry, Ron, and Hermione break into Gringotts?

19) What is the name of Harry Potter's pet owl?

20) What was the last Horcrux to be destroyed?

21) Which potion did Hermione brew in her second year that allowed her, Ron, and Harry to assume the identities of Slytherins?

22) Which character is killed by Bellatrix Lestrange in the Battle of Hogwarts?

23) What does the Mirror of Erised show?

24) What is the core ingredient of the wand owned by Harry Potter?

25) What are the dying words of Severus Snape in both the book and the film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"?

26) What creature is Aragog?

27) What animal represents Hufflepuff house?

28) In which Harry Potter book does Harry first speak Parseltongue?

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Mohandas Alva

About Mohandas Alva

M.A. Degree in English Literature from Manipal University, India.

Mohandas is very passionate about deciphering the nature of language and its role as a sole medium of storytelling in literature. His interests sometimes digress from literature to philosophy and the sciences but eventually, the art and craft of narrating a significant story never fail to thrill him.

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