Frank Longbottom

"My son and his wife were tortured into insanity by You-Know-Who's followers. They were Aurors, you know, and very well respected within the wizarding community. Highly gifted, the pair of them."

- Augusta Longbottom in 1995.

Frank Longbottom was a pure-blood wizard, an Auror for the Ministry of Magic during Lord Voldemort's first rise to power, son of Augusta Longbottom, and husband of auror Alice Longbottom. He and his wife, Alice were also members of the Order of the Phoenix and fought against Death Eaters during the First Wizarding War. At the end of the war, when their son Neville was only an infant, he and his wife were tortured into insanity by four Death Eaters, and subsequently placed in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.

First Wizarding War
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...Born to those to have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies...and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not...and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies."

- Sybill Trelawney's Prophecy

Little is known about Frank's early life. After graduating from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Frank became a well-respected Auror, as did his wife, Alice. At the time Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters were growing increasingly powerful, Alice and Frank joined the Order of the Phoenix to oppose them.

As Aurors and Order members, Frank and Alice defied Voldemort three times. This made their son, Neville, one of the two young infants who was the possible subject of a prophecy made by Sybill Trelawney about the person who could defeat the Dark Lord. The other infant was Harry Potter, son of Order members James and Lily Potter. Trelawney's prediction was overheard by Death Eater Severus Snape, who informed Voldemort. The Dark Lord targeted Harry, because he was also a half-blood, and was defeated for the first time on 31 October, 1981. It is not known if the Longbottoms were told about the prophecy, as it is not known they disappeared into hiding, nor undertake any action to prevent the Death Eaters to harm the family after Voldemort's fall.

Permanent incapacitation
However, after Voldemort's fall, they were captured and tortured to the point of insanity with the Cruciatus Curse by Death Eaters; Barty Crouch, Jr., Bellatrix, Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange. Their torture is remembered by the Order as one of the worst crimes ever committed by Voldemort's followers, the Death Eaters.

Frank Longbottom currently resides at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries with his wife Alice Longbottom in the incurable wing. Neville Longbottom lives with his grandmother, Augusta Longbottom, (Frank's mother) and visits them for Christmas and other holidays. Although they do not recognise him as their son, Alice recognises Neville as someone she is fond of.

Personality and traits
Frank was a well-respected Auror and member of the Order of the Phoenix. It is said that he and his wife were very beloved among the wizarding world. After they were tortured into insanity, he couldn't recognise his son, but Neville still loved them.

Magical abilities and skills

 * Auror skills: Frank was a highly respected Auror, along with his wife and Alastor Moody. Frank and his wife were able to defy Lord Voldemort on three seperate occassions. They were eventually tortured to insanity by Death Eaters, including Bellatrix Lestrange and Barty Crouch Jr., seeking information about their master's downfall.

Family
Frank and his wife were Aurors and members of the Order of the Phoenix. They together had a son named Neville. A year after Neville's birth, Frank and Alice were tortured into insanity by four Death Eaters seeking information on their masters downfall. The Death Eaters were life-imprisoned in Azkaban, but Frank and Alice were permanently sent to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Neville was very sad about his parents, visiting them at the hospital, although they couldn't recognize him. Frank's mother, Augusta, was also very sad; she had a high opinion of Frank and Alice, and was very proud when her grandson fought in several battles, like his parents.

Order of the Phoenix members
Other members of the Order of the Phoenix appeared to have had a good relationship with Frank and Alice during the First Wizarding War. Some of them, such as Alastor Moody, were very sad that the Longbottoms were tortured into insanity. Moody also stated that the Longbottoms would have preferred to die than live in insanity.

Etymology

 * Frank is an English word meaning free or truthful.
 * His name could also be from Frank Sidebottom.
 * The Franks were a Germanic tribe that settled in France and the Netherlands. The name is derived from a word meaning "spear."

Behind the scenes

 * Frank Longbottom was briefly portrayed by James Payton in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
 * In the American sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Phoebe Buffay's brother is called Frank and Frank's wife is called Alice just as Frank and Alice Longbottom.
 * In Rick Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series, one of the main characters is named Frank Zhang, and can be compared to Longbottom's son, Neville.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
 * LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7