Description
Argus Filch is the caretaker of Hogwarts, a bitter and perpetually irritable Squib — born to magical parents but possessing no magical ability of his own. Thin, stooped, and perpetually accompanied by his cat Mrs. Norris, Filch patrols the corridors of the castle with obsessive vigilance, searching for students breaking rules and longing for the days when corporal punishment was permitted.
Background
Filch’s lack of magical ability is the source of much of his resentment. Surrounded by witches and wizards who can accomplish with a flick of a wand what takes him hours of manual labor, he channels his frustration into an almost fanatical dedication to maintaining order at Hogwarts. He has an ongoing and seemingly eternal feud with Peeves the poltergeist, who delights in undoing Filch’s work at every opportunity. Despite his sour disposition, Filch has served Hogwarts faithfully for decades, and his knowledge of the castle’s every corridor, shortcut, and hidden passage is unmatched.
History
After the Battle of Hogwarts, Filch threw himself into the monumental task of rebuilding and repairing the castle, which had suffered devastating damage during the fighting. Though he grumbled constantly throughout the process, his dedication to Hogwarts was evident. He continued as caretaker in the post-war years, still waging his futile war against Peeves and still confiscating joke products from students with grim satisfaction — though he has never once managed to catch the poltergeist in any meaningful way.