Susan was born into the prestigious Bones family with strong ties with the Ministry of Magic. Susan was a half-blood witch as one of her parents was Muggle-born. She joined Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in September 1991, along with the famous Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and many others. She was on the Hogwarts Express on the day Harry and Ron met and became friends, and she was the third student to be called by Minerva McGonagall on stage for the Sorting Ceremony. She was sorted into Hufflepuff house along with several of her classmates like Hannah Abbott, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Megan Jones, Wayne Hopkins, and Ernie MacMillan.
Hannah was an active member of the Dumbledore’s Army headed by Harry and was also a part of the group that fought Lord Voldemort in the Battle of Hogwarts. Since Hannah belonged to a prominent wizarding family that stood opposed to Lord Voldemort, he killed several of her relatives during the First Wizarding War, including her aunt, uncle, grandparents, and cousins. He also killed her aunt Amelia Bones, who was an important member of the Wizengamot during the Second Wizarding War.
Family
Susan had a largely magical family background. She was a member of the Bones family. Her father had two siblings, her aunt Amelia Bones and her uncle Edgar Bones. Edgar was killed by Lord Voldemort along with his wife and children. Their parents, that is, Susan’s grandparents too were killed during this incident. Susan was brought up in the Bones household with great care and was frequently visited by her aunt Amelia Bones. Her name Susan is also believed to be the middle name of her aunt.
Susan’s aunt Madame Bones (Amelia), was an important member of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in the Ministry of Magic and was presiding over the trial of Harry Potter for using underage magic in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. She was an important member of the Wizengamot court and voted in favour of Harry Potter in the trial. On one occasion, Vincent Crabbe’s father Crabbe convinced the Death Eaters that her aunt was a troublemaker and that she should be killed. This resulted in the murder of her aunt Amelia by Lord Voldemort. Amelia Bones was considered one of the greatest witches of her time.
Early Life
Very less data is available on Susan’s early life. She was born into the reputed Bones family in the year 1980 and was probably given her aunt Amelia’s middle name. A major part of her family was killed by Lord Voldemort during the First Wizarding War. She was very close to her aunt Amelia Bones as the latter would visit Susan quite often despite having a very busy schedule. Susan was most likely eleven years old when she got her acceptance letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She joined Hogwarts and started her first year there in September 1991.
Traits
Susan is believed to wear her hair in a long plait in the books, but in the movies, she leaves her hair down. She had ginger-coloured hair.
Susan’s name is derived from Susanna, which means Lily or Rose, and is a symbol of purity. Susan portrays this characteristic several times as she is very innocent and kind in her approach when her friends dismiss Harry. She also helps Harry during distress and several other Gryffindor students like Hermione and Ron.
Hogwarts
Susan boarded the Hogwarts Express on 1 September 1991 and later shared a boat with Hermione Granger and Seamus Finnigan to reach Hogwarts castle. She was sorted into Hufflepuff house, and it is believed that most of her family may also have been sorted into Hufflepuff. Susan’s friend Justin Finch-Fletchley and her other best friends Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan were also in Hufflepuff. She most likely shared rooms with Hannah Abbott in her dormitory.
During her second year, in the movie adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Susan Bones is believed to have developed a strong liking for their new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Gilderoy Lockhart. Susan Bones was played by Eleanor Columbus, the daughter of director Chris Columbus, in the first two movies. In the Harry Potter video games, her character is voiced by Alex Tregear.
She was seen admiring Professor Lockhart along with one of her good friends Hermione Granger. The Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Gilderoy Lockhart had gained ample fame for his heroic deeds and was considered a great wizard. However, at the end of the school year, it was revealed that Lockhart was a fraud, after which Susan must have lost interest in the Professor.
Several Hogwarts students were petrified during her second year due to the Basilisk attacks (serpent), including poor Susan’s friends Justin Finch-Fletchley and Hermione Granger. This is believed to have made her grieve more than during the murders of her family members, as she was an infant back then. Susan however, spoke in support of Harry Potter when he was accused of being the Heir of Slytherin for being able to speak to snakes.
In her third year, Susan, along with other students, had to be aware of the Azkaban escapee Sirius Black. In her fourth year, she was an avid spectator of the Triwizard Tournament. She most likely supported Cedric Diggory over Harry Potter, as the former was from Hufflepuff. Susan’s fourth year Hogwarts events were mostly non-existent except for Cedric’s death at Little Hangleton graveyard at the end of the year, the return of Voldemort, and several death eaters’ escape from Azkaban. Since Susan was a Hufflepuff student, she is believed to have had a close relationship with Hufflepuff’s Cedric Diggory. However, the true extent of the relationship of Susan with Cedric is not known.
In her fifth year, Hogwarts came under the watchful eye of the Minister, and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Dolores Umbridge made it impossible for students to prepare themselves for duels. In protest, the trio of Harry, Hermione, and Ron started Dumbledore’s Army to master practical defensive spells. Susan was also a member of Dumbledore’s Army. Other students who were members of the army include Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasley, Dean Thomas, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Lavender Brown, Luna Lovegood, Parvati Patil, Padma Patil, Terry Boot, Hannah Abbott, Dennis Creevey, Colin Creevey, and many others.
During their first meeting, Susan asked Harry if it was true that he could produce a corporeal Patronus. She had heard of this from her aunt Madame Bones. They conducted their sessions in the Room of Requirement, and they were all given coins by Hermione to communicate with each other as a precaution. However, a large majority of the members were caught by the Inquisitorial Squad, which consisted of Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, and a few others. Susan helped Harry when Draco and his cronies tried to duel with him on the Hogwarts Express, taking them back for the summer holidays. A few months ago, Harry, Hermione, and Ron had helped Susan when Draco and his cronies attacked her and took her wand forcibly. This proves that the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor students were an alliance when it came to facing bullies from Slytherin.
In her sixth year, Susan had to face the news of the death of her aunt. Her family’s position was in grave danger as Voldemort murdered Amelia Bones at her house. During Apparition lessons, Susan accidentally splinched herself and left behind her leg. It was later reattached.
In her seventh year, Hogwarts was under the control of the new Headmaster, Severus Snape. However, under the orders of Harry Potter, the members of Dumbledore’s Army started searching for the last Horcrux, and Snape was chased away from the Great Hall by Professor McGonagall in the movie adaptation.
Susan Bones and Harry’s Trial
It is highly likely that Harry Potter’s trial was purely won by stating the facts for the Wizengamot and by way of justice. However, it is also possible that Susan put in a good word for Harry with her aunt Amelia. Similar to the time when Harry was accused of being the Heir of Slytherin, but it turned out to be false, Susan must have believed Harry’s claim that Voldemort had returned and Cedric was killed under his orders. Therefore, Susan must have told her aunt that Harry was a trustworthy wizard, and his words were not to be taken lightly.
FAQs
Who did Susan Bones marry?
Susan Bones is believed to have married Ernie MacMillan, her Hogwarts, and Hufflepuff classmate. Although there are no official or canonical views on this, some fan theories have speculated that the two ended up together. It is not very surprising either, as the two spent a significant amount of time together.
Did Susan Bones survive the Battle of Hogwarts?
Yes, it is believed that Susan Bones survived the Battle of Hogwarts. Since Susan’s name was not mentioned in the list of martyrs who died in the battle, it is most likely that Susan survived the battle and went on to live her life. However, many other students, including Lavender Brown, died during the Battle of Hogwarts.
Are Amelia and Susan Bones related?
Amelia Bones is the aunt of Susan Bones, so yes, they are related to each other. Amelia Bones is believed to be the sister of Susan’s father. They both had another brother named Edgar Bones, who was killed by Voldemort during the First Wizarding War. Susan Bones mentions her aunt Amelia when she asks Harry Potter about his ability to conjure a corporeal Patronus.