Warning! At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery & Harry Potter: Magic Awakened. As such, spoilers will be present within the article.

Professor Tofty was a wizard who worked for the Wizarding Examinations Authority in the capacity of an examiner. In his Ministry career, he made an annual trip to Hogwarts Castle to supervise the Ordinary Wizarding Level exams.^[2]

Biography

1988–1989 school year

Professor Tofty arrived at Hogwarts for the 1988–1989 school year O.W.L.s burdened by a reluctant Ministry assignment. High-ranking officials, wary of a particular fifth-year whose brother Jacob had been expelled for his dangerous pursuit of the Cursed Vaults, feared the student was allied with a group of Dark wizards that also sought the vaults. Tofty was consequently tasked with discreetly monitoring the student to uncover any knowledge regarding and potential links to the cabal.^[3]

Anticipating Ministry interference, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore directed the caretaker, Argus Filch, to keep an eye on the examiner. Tofty inadvertently exposed his own cover during the examinations when his genuine admiration for the student's prowess led to uncharacteristic transparency and direct inquiries regarding the vaults, alerting Dumbledore to his ulterior motives. A guilt-stricken Tofty confessed the truth — unaware the student was eavesdropping in Dumbledore's study — and admitted he had only accepted the Ministry's assignment under protest. Before departing the castle, he offered a sincere apology to the student, affirming his belief in their potential and promising to personally vouch for their integrity against any future Ministry suspicions.^[3]

1995–1996 school year

During the Ordinary Wizarding Level exams of the 1995–1996 school year, Professor Tofty examined Harry Potter in his O.W.L. practical examination on Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, and Astronomy, as well as his History of Magic theory essay. At the close of the Defence Against the Dark Arts examination, Professor Tofty asked Harry Potter to cast a Patronus for an extra point. He was good friends with Tiberius Ogden, who told him that Harry was able to conjure a corporeal Patronus.^[2]

When Dolores Umbridge attempted a sneak attack on Rubeus Hagrid during the Astronomy exam, Professor Tofty tried to persuade the observing students to focus on their examination instead of the attack. However, when the Aurors launched four Stunning Spells at Professor McGonagall, causing her to collapse, Tofty also forgot the examination and shouted in anger and shock at such a disgraceful assault.^[2]

After Harry's vision of Sirius Black being tortured by Voldemort in the Department of Mysteries (actually a fake vision planted there by Voldemort to lure Harry there to retrieve a prophecy) during the History of Magic exam, Tofty escorted Harry out of the hall and told him to either return to finish what he could of the examination or visit Madam Pomfrey to get a glass of water.^[2]

2010s

In the early 2010s, Tofty had a complaint from a student who said their poor grade in their Herbology O.W.L. was because the Fanged Geranium they got was of poor quality, so he made a request for high quality Fanged Geraniums from Bewildering Blooms for the next year's O.W.L.s.^[4]

Physical description

Tofty was an old, balding wizard with a quavery old voice and pince-nez glasses.^[2]

Personality and traits

He had a kindly manner that could put a nervous student at ease, smiling at Harry, telling him there was no need to be nervous and expressing pleasure at Harry's excellent performance of Defence Against the Dark Arts. He may have also had a bit of a rebellious streak, as he delighted in asking Harry to cast a Patronus during an examination that was being held under the watchful eye of Hogwarts High Inquisitor Professor Umbridge. When students became distracted by the commotion during the Astronomy exam, he initially attempted to keep them on task, though his protestations had little effect as events escalated. Tofty showed great shock and concern when Professor McGonagall was attacked and later showed concern for Harry following his collapse during the History of Magic exam.^[2] By his own admission, he was a "history buff".^[3]

Magical abilities and skills

• Magical knowledge: As an examiner, Tofty was knowledgeable on all common fields of magic, and was also familiar with magical equipment that could be used to cheat.^[2][3]
• History of Magic: Tofty informed students that he was a "history buff", meaning he was highly knowledgeable of magical history.^[3]

Behind the scenes

• Professor Tofty featured in an early draft of the script for the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, where he is incorrectly referred to as female.^[5]
• In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Professor Tofty is noted to wear pince-nez glasses; in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery he instead wears half-rim glasses, temples clearly visible.

Appearances

The Harry Potter Wiki has 7 images related to Tofty.

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Cut from final edit)
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened (Mentioned only)

Notes and references