Lavender Brown
Born: c. 1980
Hogwarts first year: 1991 (PS7)
House: Gryffindor
The best friend of Parvati Patil, Lavender tends to squeal and giggle a lot, and generally gives the impression of being silly; she's keen on Divination, for instance, having been convinced of Trelawney's powers after a vague prediction on the first day of class turned out (from one point of view) to have predicted the death of her pet rabbit, Binky (PA8).
In their fifth year, Lavender initially believed the Daily Prophet's insinuations about Harry, but Hermione shut her up (OP12).
Lavender attended the Yule Ball with Seamus Finnigan (GF22, OP11). Later during her sixth year, she managed to attract Ron and they had a hot and heavy relationship.
Lavender's saving grace is that she had the courage to be chosen for Gryffindor; during Hagrid's disastrous experiment to determine whether Blast-Ended Skrewts hibernated (they do not), Lavender, far from fleeing with the Slytherins, stayed to help and got burned (GF22). Unlike Seamus, Lavender joined Dumbledore's Army when it first formed (OP16).
Name derivation by MLW
"lavender" = from Latin "lavare" to wash (because the plant lavender is used to perfume things by being washed with them).
In flower symbolism lavender symbolizes affection; cleansing; or concealment (something packed away can be said to be 'in lavender'). Lavender's herbal properties include the promotion of sleep and sound rest, another reason why sheets and linens were scented with it.
It is also the color associated with clothing made for elderly ladies.
In the movies
In the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the role of Lavender Brown was played by Jennifer Smith. But now, as we know, she is played by Jessie.
Thanks HP Lexicon!
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