Pius Thicknesse

**Pius Thicknesse**, Order of Merlin (First Class), is a member of the Auror Department.

## Biography

### Early Life

Pius Thicknesse was born in either 1956 or 1957. His mother was most likely a witch, as he was related through her to his cousin and fellow wizard Thomas Edgecombe, who he befriended at Hogwarts. When he was around five he owned a turtle named Shelly, which he has fond memories of.

Thicknesse began attending Hogwarts in 1968 ,where he was sorted into Gryffindor, three years ahead of the Marauders (James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew). When the Marauders were sorted into Gryffindor their relationship with Thicknesse quickly became antagonistic, as they quickly learned to exploit his last name for what they saw as "witty nicknames". In Thicknesse's Sixth Year the Marauders played a particularly cruel prank on him that humiliated him in front of half the school, leading an enraged Thicknesse to hex them, which landed James in the infirmary for two days. Due to James's status as heir to an Ancient and Noble House Thicknesse was heavily reprimanded, losing his Prefect's badge (and thus his chance to become Head Boy) and spending the last month of the year in detention.

After graduation Thicknesse joined the hit wizards, and was promoted to the Auror Department after retaking his NEWTs. When Thicknesse's cousin Thomas married Violetta Edgecombe and had a daughter named Marietta Edgecombe, Thicknesse was made the girl's godfather.

Thicknesse eventually mastered the Patronus Charm, which he used a memory of Shelly to power, causing it to take the form of a turtle, who he named after his beloved childhood pet.

### Post-War

Despite Thicknesse's seniority to James Potter he was passed over in favor of Potter for a promotion to Senior Auror somewhere around 1986 after the promotion of Amelia Bones to Head of the DMLE.

### Book 2 - The Secret Enemy

After Rufus Scrimgeour retires as Chief Auror due to a crippling injury to his leg, James Potter is promoted to replace him, opening the way for Thicknesse to be promoted to Senior Auror.

### Book 3 - The Death Eater Menace

Thicknesse is introduced to Harry Potter by Minister Cornelius Fudge at the Potter twins' birthday gala. Harry congratulates Thicknesse on his recent promotion to Senior Auror. Thicknesse gives off an outwardly positive opinion of James, much to Harry's disappointment. He and Kingsley Shacklebolt are present when the Weasley's report the theft of George Weasley's research papers on Runes by an unknown person disguised as Junior Auror Michael Proudfoot to James Potter.

As part of the Azkaban Conspiracy's plot to lure Peter Pettigrew into a trap, Rufus Scrimgeour visits Thicknesse's office and convinces him to lead a raid on Dunny-on-the-Wold based on an anonymous source without notifying James. During this meeting Thicknesse reveals that he still carries some resentment over his and James's rivalry at Hogwarts. The next day, Thicknesse and a team of Aurors and Hit Wizards, including John Dawlish and Victoria Savage, travel to the town of Dunny-on-the-Wold in Suffolk. After a brief battle with Fenrir Greyback's pack, where no Aurors are killed, but a Dark Mark is raised and Peter Pettigrew escapes, the Aurors enter the farmhouse to find an unconscious Augustus Rookwood, Rodolphus Lestrange, and Rabastan Lestrange, a dead Bellatrix Lestrange, and the memories of Marcellus Frump's children. Thicknesse is given full credit for the recapture of the Azkaban escapees, as well as the capture of Fenrir Greyback, Stavros Skorzeny, and two other werewolves. His raid also leads to the exonoration of Sirius Black through the memories that were discovered in Dunny-on-the-Wold. The Daily Prophet praises Thicknesse for his role in ending the Death Eater Menace, and publishes a glowing interview with him by Rita Skeeter. After Peter Pettigrew is arrested by Harry, Thicknesse sends a Patronus to James to inform him.

Thicknesse is personally congratulated by Minister Fudge during his speech in Hogsmeade, where he appears bashful and nervously waves to the assembled crowd, seemingly oblivious to the look of pure disdain sent his way by James Potter. During the Wizengamot's Special Session held to mark the end of the Death Eater Menace, Thicknesse is nominated for an Order of Merlin, First Class, by Rufus Scrimgeour. Minister Fudge immediately seconds the motion, and a quick vote passes with no opposition.

After the Session a congratulatory fete is held in the Conference Room on level 3, attended by Pius's cousin Thomas Edgecombe, his wife Violetta Edgecombe, Junior Aurors John Dawlish and Victoria Savage, Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge, Professor (and retired Chief Auror) Rufus Scrimgeour, Auror Williamson, and several old acquaintances from among the hit wizards, including Jensen and Eagleton. Scrimgeuor briefly departs to deliver some cake, made by Molly's Magical Morsels, to Gawain Robards and the trainees in the Auror Department. While the party is winding down it is suddenly attacked by a swarm of rats under the command of Peter Pettigrew, who is currently escaping from the Ministry. The attendants briefly hold the rats at bay after Dolores Umbridge discovers her cat Patronus frightens them, giving the Aurors enough time to set up a Protego. Thicknesse quickly sends a Patronus to Auror HQ, informing Gawain Robards and trainees Annabelle Penrose and Tristan Brown of the developing situation. After immobilising the rats by transfiguring the floor into glue Robards sends a Patronus message to Thicknesse. Umbridge quickly figures out a plan to freeze the rats in place with water from the sprinklers, earning her a compliment from Thicknesse. After the rats have been neutralized Thicknesse sends Umbridge and the other civilians to Auror HQ to leave via the Floo, while he and the other Aurors search for survivors, inadvertently leading them straight to Pettigrew and Rookwood. Rookwood uses an unknown curse on Umbridge and Pettigrew kidnaps the Edgecombes. Thicknesse is present during the final confrontation with Pettigrew, where James Potter is revealed to be an illegal Animagus, and the Edgecombes are killed. With the deaths of Kingsley Shacklebolt and Gawain Robards in Pettigrew's attack, Thicknesse is left as the only Senior Auror in the corps. Amelia Bones admits that, though Thicknesse is a fine Auror, he show little administrative skill, and would not make a good replacement for James Potter as Chief Auror, so Minister Fudge offers the position to her instead.

After the attack, Thicknesse visits Dolores Umbridge in her office, where he reveals to her that, as her godfather, he is the most likely candidate for the recently orphaned Marrietta Edgecombe's new legal guardian. He tells her he is reluctant to take her in, as he feels his lack of experience and dangerous job would make him an ill-fitting father figure. After a brief discussion of their respective Patronuses, Thicknesse asks Umbridge out to dinner with him, and she agrees.

### Book 4 - The Resurrection Game

Thicknesse is present for the swearing-in-ceremony of Junior Auror Emily Rossum, alongside recently promoted Senior Aurors Dawlish and Savage. He accompanies Umbridge to the Quidditch World Cup, where they are introduces to Alexander McAvity. Umbridge blushes when McAvity kisses her hand, causing Thicknesse to scowl with jealousy.

## Magical Abilities & Skills

Thicknesse is capable of casting a corporeal Patronus.

## Behind the Scenes

Pius Thicknesse is portrayed by Guy Henry, as he is in the Harry Potter movies, but without the wig and facial hair.

TSM dislikes the common characterization Pius Thicknesse receives in fanfic, where he is often portrayed as a willing Death Eater, despite canon stating that he was placed under the Imperius by Corban Yaxley, who admits that said Imperius took a great deal of effort.

## Canon Divergence

In Canon Pius Thicknesse is a minor character, whose only physical appearances happen while he has been placed under the Imperius Curse, making his true character hard to decipher. All that is known of Pius pre-Imperius is that he was promoted to head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement by Rufus Scrimgeour after the murder of Amelia Bones, and that Corban Yaxley considered him to be difficult to place under the Imperius.

In POS, Thicknesse appears far earlier in the story, and is given an expanded backstory, as well as a strained relationship with James Potter. He is also given a career as an Auror, which he was not mentioned to have in canon. In canon, Pius Thicknesse's only connection to Dolores Umbridge is their mutual appearance in the Ministry plotline of Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, but in Prince of Slytherin they begin a romantic relationship.

## References

Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 137 - The Future All Around Us, Waiting to Be Born (Pt 1),

Pius Thicknesse visits Umbridge in her office.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 127 - Redux (Pt 1),

Scrimgeour visits Pius Thicknesse with a tip from an anonymous source.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 128 - Redux (Pt 2),

Ministry officials view the Frump memories.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 134 - The Kings of Rats,

Thicknesse's party is interrupted by Peter Pettigrew's escape from the Ministry.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 135 - The Fall of the House of Potter (Pt 1),

Peter and Rookwood escape from the Ministry.
Book 2 - HP&TSE - Ch. 82 - Goodbyes,

"JAMES POTTER SWORN IN AS NEW CHIEF AUROR".
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 88 - Prelude (Harry),

Fudge introduces Harry to Thicknesse.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 93 - Reactions & Overreactions (Pt 4),

The Weasley's report the taking of George's research notes to James.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 127 - Redux (Pt 1),

The Aurors lead a raid on Dunny-on-the-Wold.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 129 - Redux (Pt 3),

Pius Thicknesse sends a Patronus to James.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 131 - Moving Forward,

Fudge's speech in Hogsmeade.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 132 - Lords of the Wizengamot,

Pius Thicknesse is awarded an Order of Merlin, First Class.
Book 4 - HP&TRG - Ch. 146 - The Quidditch World Cup (Pt 1),

Emily Rossum is promoted to Junior Auror.
Book 4 - HP&TRG - Ch. 148 - The Quidditch World Cup (Pt 3),

Barty Crouch introduces McAvity to Dolores Umbridge.