Antonin Dolohov

> There was Antonin Dolohov. I — I saw him torture countless Muggles and — and non-supporters of the Dark Lord.
>
> Igor Karkaroff regarding Dolohov's sadistic nature

**Antonin Dolohov** was a Dark Wizard and one of the Death Eaters of Lord Voldemort. Dolohov was a powerful wizard, and among all the Death Eaters, only Bellatrix Lestrange and Severus Snape could equal him in magical ability. He fought in the First Wizarding War, during which he tortured many Muggles, and wizards and witches who were not supporters of the Dark Lord. Along with four other Death Eaters, he participated in the murders of Fabian and Gideon Prewett, Molly Weasley (née Prewett)'s brothers. Dolohov was caught, convicted of these crimes, and sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban.

He escaped from prison after Voldemort's return during the mass break-out of 1996, and participated in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, where he was re-captured and incarcerated. By the summer of 1997, Dolohov was at large again. He and Thorfinn Rowle attacked Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley at Tottenham Court Road, but they were defeated and his memory was wiped. In 1998, Dolohov fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, during which he murdered Sebastian Cavalier and some others. At the climax of the battle, he engaged Filius Flitwick, in a duel, and was defeated.

## Biography

### First Wizarding War (1970s-1981)

In 1970, Dolohov's master began open hostilities against the rest of the wizarding world, beginning the First Wizarding War.

According to Igor Karkaroff, Dolohov was among the most important Death Eaters and tortured many Muggles and non-supporters of Lord Voldemort during the First Wizarding War. He murdered Fabian and Gideon Prewett, the brothers of Molly Weasley (née Prewett). He was not the only participant in the act, though, since "Mad-Eye" Moody informed Harry Potter years later that it took five Death Eaters to kill the two wizards, whose murders were described as "brutal."

### Between the wars (1981-1995)

#### Imprisonment

In the year before the fall of Voldemort on 31 October 1981, Dolohov was captured and sent to Azkaban prison for his crimes. His name was the first one that Igor Karkaroff revealed to the Council of Magical Law in an attempt to get himself freed from Azkaban, only to be informed that Dolohov had been captured around the same time as him. Dolohov then spent the next 14 years in his maximum security cell surrounded by Dementors. His cell was close to that of Bellatrix Lestrange's.

### Second Wizarding War (1995-1998)

Early in 1996, Dolohov, along with the Lestranges and several other Death Eater convicts, escaped Azkaban and rejoined Voldemort.

#### Battle of the Department of Mysteries

Main article: Battle of the Department of Mysteries

> ...the Death Eater had ripped off his mask and was pointing his wand directly at Harry, who recognised the long, pale, twisted face from the Daily Prophet: Antonin Dolohov, the wizard who had murdered the Prewetts.
>
> Description of Dolohov's confrontation with Harry Potter

On 18 June 1996 Lord Voldemort lured Harry Potter to the Ministry of Magic precipitating the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. During the battle, Dolohov was paired with Arden Jugson as the Death Eaters searched for the five students who had come to the Ministry with Harry Potter. They tracked Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom to a room off the Time Room, hitting the three of them with Impediment Jinxes. When Dolohov began to alert the other Death Eaters as to their location, Hermione used a Silencing Charm on him to prevent it. He retaliated with an unnamed curse which, despite being weaker than normal, because it was cast non-verbally, severely injured Hermione. With a kick, Dolohov broke Neville's wand and nose and then cornered Harry, wordlessly threatening him. However, he was momentarily distracted, giving Harry the chance to Body-Bind him.

Before several Order of the Phoenix members arrived, Dolohov recovered, and he was able to defeat Alastor Moody in a duel. He placed Neville Longbottom under the Dancing Feet Spell and attacked Harry with the same spell he used on Hermione, but most of the harm was blocked by Harry's Shield Charm. Then he tried using the Summoning Charm on the prophecy in Harry's hand, but he was pushed by Sirius Black. He duelled Black where he seemed to get the upper hand but was again incapacitated by Harry with Body-Bind before he could hit Sirius with his signature spell.

Dolohov was captured in the aftermath of the battle by Aurors and returned to Azkaban.

#### Death Eater plans

In July of 1997, Dolohov was again at large following another Azkaban break-out. He attended the Death Eater meeting at Malfoy Manor that summer and was seated between Corban Yaxley and Severus Snape. He was also impressed when Yaxley announced that he had placed Pius Thicknesse, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, under the Imperius Curse. He along with other Death Eaters, laughed when Voldemort insulted Bellatrix Lestrange and the Malfoy family, regarding Nymphadora Tonks marrying werewolf Remus Lupin.

#### Luchino Caffe Duel

Main article: Luchino Caffe Duel

> More, Rowle, or shall we end it and feed you to Nagini? Lord Voldemort is not sure that he will forgive this time... You called me back for this, to tell me that Harry Potter has escaped again? Draco, give Rowle another taste of our displeasure... Do it, or feel my wrath yourself!
>
> Lord Voldemort punishing Rowle after he failed to capture Harry Potter

Shortly after the Death Eaters took over the British Ministry of Magic and placed the Taboo curse on Voldemort's name, Dolohov and Thorfinn Rowle tracked the trio to a café on Tottenham Court Road. Harry noticed their presence right away, including them reaching for their wands and mirrored the movement. The duel that followed was short but fierce. During the skirmish that ensued, Dolohov nonverbally bound Ron Weasley with conjured ropes and slammed an invisible Harry Potter into a wall with *Expulso*, but just before Harry dropped his wand, Hermione Granger hit Dolohov with a Full Body-Bind Curse. Dolohov's and Rowle's memories were then modified by Hermione shortly after.

This spell seemed to work well enough at the time, but it actually had not been very effective, as the three friends found out later when Harry had a vision of Voldemort forcing Draco Malfoy to torture Rowle; it is implied that Dolohov was subjected to the same punishment for their failure (and possibly also for summoning Voldemort unnecessarily when he was occupied with his search for the Elder Wand) by being subjected to the Cruciatus Curse. Dolohov may have been among the Death Eaters assigned to keep an eye out for 12 Grimmauld Place, former headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix and temporary hide-out for Harry, Ron and Hermione, as one of the Death Eaters mentioned watching the gap between houses 11 and 13 on the first of September was "the man with the twisted face", a characteristic often used to identify Dolohov. The Death Eaters were able to find out Harry, Ron and Hermione's location because Lord Voldemort's name was Tabooed.

#### Battle of Hogwarts

> She always said he was sadistic, but she never mentioned him to be a killer.
>
> Rhiannon Cavalier regarding her husband's death at Dolohov's hands

During the Battle of Hogwarts on 2 May 1998, Dolohov was seen fighting against Dean Thomas and Parvati Patil; Parvati shot a Full Body-Bind Curse at him in defence of Dean. Dolohov murdered Sebastian Cavalier in a duel. The nature of Sebastian's death was not revealed, but his body was peaceful-looking, suggesting that Dolohov used the Killing Curse or his own curse, as neither left visible marks. After Voldemort called a retreat and gave Harry Potter one hour to turn himself over, Dolohov and Yaxley stood guard in the Forbidden Forest. Harry followed them to the Death Eater camp to confront Voldemort. When the battle later resumed, Dolohov was defeated by Filius Flitwick, a former duelling champion.

Following the battle, Dolohov was recaptured and sent back to Azkaban.

## Physical description

Dolohov was described as having a "*long, pale, twisted face*" and as "burly," although not as large as the "huge" Thorfinn Rowle. He had also dark hair. As a Death Eater, he bore the Dark Mark on his left inner forearm.

## Personality and traits

Dolohov was extremely loyal to Lord Voldemort and was a merciless Death Eater willing to commit various atrocities without hesitation or regret. He showed no remorse about wounding sixteen-year-old Hermione Granger; in fact, he was grinning about it as he tried to persuade Harry Potter to hand over the prophecy they were fighting over. Dolohov was very proud when he defeated Alastor Moody in a duel, as Moody was a highly skilled wizard. Dolohov also displayed a highly arrogant and self-confident attitude and had developed a habit of engaging more than one opponent at a time or challenging powerful wizards such as the Prewett brothers, Moody, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Filius Flitwick.

Dolohov was on friendly terms with his fellow Death Eaters, as he seemed to consider Corban Yaxley and Thorfinn Rowle as close friends. He also seemed to get along with Yaxley's son, Coriander Yaxley. When Voldemort spoke of how Charity Burbage supported Muggle rights and would permit breeding with them, Dolohov smiled in a confused fashion as if he literally thought that the idea of doing such a thing was disgusting, showing that he, like other Death Eaters, hated Muggles, Muggle-borns and most likely people who were half-bloods and blood traitors. Ironically, however, his master was in fact half-blood. Dolohov like other Death Eaters found out about Voldemort's true blood status when Reign Black confirmed that Voldemort was a distant family member of hers, in the process revealing Voldemort's father was a Muggle. Dolohov along with other Death Eaters were disgusted by this. He remained by Voldemort's side, as did most of the Death Eaters as they shared the same views as he did, while few others abandoned his cause and fled.

## Magical abilities and skills

> But the Death Eater Hermione had just struck dumb made a sudden slashing movement with his wand from which flew a streak of what looked like purple flame. It passed right across Hermione’s chest; she gave a tiny “oh!” as though of surprise and then crumpled onto the floor where she lay motionless.
>
> Dolohov cursing Hermione Granger during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries

Dolohov was a highly powerful and dangerous Death Eater. His immense magical skills allowed him to go up against and defeat many powerful wizards and witches, including many Aurors and Order of the Phoenix members. It is likely that he was one of the most powerful Death Eaters.

* **Duelling**: Antonin Dolohov was an extremely skilful duellist, highly proficient in martial magic and was one of the most dangerous and feared Death Eaters. He participated in the murders of Gideon and Fabian Prewett, both highly accomplished wizards, during the First Wizarding War. During the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, he duelled Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom single-handedly, despite a Silencing Charm forcing him to use all nonverbal magic to do so. He incapacitated Hermione and broke Neville's nose, and Harry only managed to defeat him because he was momentarily distracted. Shortly afterwards, he defeated and injured Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, widely considered to be one of the best Aurors in recent times (and still highly respected even though he had retired), in a duel, although Moody had grown rusty due to his retirement. He then went on to duel Sirius Black, with Sirius being unable to defeat Dolohov until Harry knocked him out from behind. When he and fellow Death Eater Thorfinn Rowle ambushed Harry, Ron and Hermione in 1997, Dolohov lasted longer than his partner, defeating Harry and Ron in the process, and was only defeated by Hermione Granger due to a sneak attack. In the Battle of Hogwarts, Dolohov duelled Remus Lupin and Sebastian Cavalier, killing Sebastian in the process. Both Lupin and Cavalier were powerful wizards who were experts in Defence Against the Dark Arts and capable of wandless magic, although it must be noted that Remus was not at the height of his duelling skills as he had spent two months not duelling due to having to constantly watch over his pregnant wife and thus his reflexes had been dulled, and Sebastian had gone into hiding at the height of the war, which contributed to Dolohov's ability to defeat them and kill Sebastian. However, although he put up a good fight, Dolohov proved to be unable to defeat the former duelling champion Filius Flitwick and was defeated and even possibly killed by the superior duellist.
* **Dark Arts**: Being a sadistic Death Eater, Dolohov was highly proficient and talented in dark magic and the casting of dark charms, making him a formidable Dark Wizard. Dolohov could cast the Unforgivable Curses (which require ability and genuine malice to perform) as he attempted to cast the Killing Curse on Hermione before he was stopped by Harry Potter. He was arrested for torturing Muggles and other enemies so it can be assumed that he was very competent with the Cruciatus Curse. He was also highly skilful with other dark charms, most notably the purple curse that he favoured on multiple occasions, as well as the Expulso Curse and Impediment Jinx.
* **Transfiguration**: Dolohov was able to conjure ropes from his wand, which implied he was highly proficient in this notably complicated branch of magic, as conjuration is an advanced form of transfiguration.

* **Non-verbal magic**: Dolohov was highly skilled at nonverbal magic as shown during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries when he was hit with a Silencing Charm cast by Hermione Granger. Despite being unable to speak, he fought Hermione, Harry, and Neville all at once, incapacitating Hermione with his signature spell (although its effects were not as powerful). He was also able to cast the Incarcerous Spell non-verbally. Furthermore, he attempted to kill Hermione with a non-verbal Killing Curse which is said to be highly difficult.
* **Charms**: Dolohov appeared to be skilled with charms, as he was able to cast the Summoning Charm in a failed attempt to get the prophecy from Harry Potter in 1996, as well as the Dancing Feet Spell, which he successfully used on Neville Longbottom during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.
* **Spell creation** **(possibly)**: Dolohov's signature spell involved using a slashing movement with his wand which would shoot purple fire at his victim. He used this spell several times during the battle of the Department of Mysteries (Hermione was the only one to be struck). Dolohov was the only known practitioner of this unidentified spell and may have even invented it himself.

## Etymology

* Dolohov is a surname of Russian origin. It is the name of a character in *War and Peace*, by Leo Tolstoy. This Dolohov is brave, but cruel and vindictive, though he is caring towards his mother and sister. J. K. Rowling has indirectly stated that she got the surname from this book.
* Antonin is the French or Czech version of the name "Anthony". The name is derived from the Latin *Antonius* and *Antoninus*. Antonius was the name of a prominent Roman family whose members included soldier and politician Marcus Antonius, more commonly known as Mark Antony. Antoninus was the name of another prominent Roman family whose members included Emperors Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

## Credits

All rights to this character belong to JK Rowling (or whomever you give credit to for the Harry Potter Universe). However, I (MidgardianofAsgard) created much of the information in this page myself, as not a lot is known about this character.