Florean Fortescue

Florean Fortescue (d. 1996) was the owner of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley. He was an expert on the subject of medieval witch-burnings. In the summer of 1996 he was kidnapped and later killed by Death Eaters.

1993
During the summer of 1993, when Harry Potter stayed at the Leaky Cauldron for a couple of weeks, Florean gave Harry free ice cream sundaes every half hour and helped him complete his History of Magic homework on the medieval witch-burnings which may mean that he did well in his History of Magic classes.

Kidnapping and murder
In 1996, Florean was forcibly dragged away by Death Eaters, leaving his ice cream parlour a mess. He was later murdered. Although the reason he was targeted remains unknown, Bill Weasley speculated that he might have done something to provoke the anger of the Death Eaters.

Behind the scenes

 * It is possible that Florean was related to former Hogwarts Headmaster Dexter Fortescue.
 * J. K. Rowling has revealed that she originally intended to include in the books a subplot involving the Elder Wand that would explain the circumstances of Florean's disappearance, but that she decided to cut it, as she felt it was "not really leading anywhere."
 * She promised to include more information on Florean's death in the Encyclopedia she plans to write in the future. Additionally, she stated that she did not want Florean to die, as she became rather attached to his character after her closest friend married a man with the same first name.
 * Florean was killed regarding information about ancient magic.

Etymology

 * Fortescue's name may have been inspired by Sir Adrian Fortescue, a courtier at the court of King Henry VIII, who was condemned for treason without a trial for hostility to Henry VIII's church policies. He was beheaded at the Tower of London in 1539.
 * His name also may have been inspired by Hugh Fortescue, 2nd Earl Fortescue, a statue of whom resides outside Exeter castle. As Rowling went to university in this city she might have likely come across it. The castle is the sight of the last three trials and executions of suspected witchcraft in England, potentially explaining Florean's expert knowledge of such issues.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book
 * LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
 * Pottermore