Chances are, you’ve heard of her.
She’s a vocal powerhouse. She’s the magical Mariah. She’s the charming Cher. She’s the bewitching Beyonce.
Or the magical variant, anyways!
Celestina Warbeck, also known as the “Singing Sorceress”, is an oft-mentioned, off-screen character in the Harry Potter franchise, and a favourite songbird of the mother of Ron Weasley, Molly Weasley (nee Prewett). She also happens to be J.K. Rowling’s favourite off-screen character, as told in her own words:
“Celestina Warbeck is one of my favourite ‘off-stage’ characters in the Harry Potter series, and has been part of the Potter world ever since its inception, making an early appearance in the short-lived ‘Daily Prophet’ series I produced for members of the equally short-lived fan club run by my British publisher, Bloomsbury. Although we never lay eyes on Celestina during the whole seven volumes of the Potter books, I always imagined her to resemble Shirley Bassey in both looks and style. I stole her first name from a friend with whom I worked, years ago, at Amnesty International’s Headquarters in London; ‘Celestina’ was simply begging to be scooped up and attached to a glamorous witch.”
Rowling crafted a biography to commemorate Celestina Warbeck’s 97th birthday (August 18th), revealing the new info on her Pottermore website. You can read the biography in full at Pottermore, but I’ll include snippets here as well.
Celestina Warbeck
Birthday: August 18
Wand: Larch and phoenix feather, 10 1/2 inches long, flexible
Hogwarts House: Gryffindor
Special abilities: Ability to drown out a chorus of banshees, tap-dancing, fancy baking
Parentage: Wizard father, Muggle mother
Family: Has married three times; one son
Hobbies: Travelling in fabulous style, breeding rough-coated Crups, relaxing in any of her eight homes
Notable songs: “You Charmed the Heart Right Out of Me”, “A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love”, “You Stole My Cauldron but You Can’t Have my Heart” (Album)
I leave you with Celestina Warbeck’s performance of her hit songs in Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando, backed by a chorus of banshees. Enjoy!
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