- "Distinguished potions expert and legal adviser receives Wizengamot seat in new list of appointments"
- — Daily Prophet, April 2025.
Alistair William Roderick Colquhoun O.M. (Second Class) (b. 9th Nov. 1972) is a pure-blood Scottish Wizard who currently serves as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. Prior to his appointment to the Wizengamot, Colquhoun developed a distinguished career as an experimental potioneer before transferring his expertise to law in 2024. Colquhoun served as Magistrate to the Wizengamot before ascending to the position of Chief Warlock upon the retirement of Bugulartis Warble. Throughout both careers, he has also established himself as a respected scholar with numerous books and academic articles published on the subjects of potions development, court procedure, and wizarding legal theory, most notably his major treatise Magical Institutes.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Colquhoun was born on 9th November 1972 to an established magical family in rural West Dumbartsonshire. The Colquhoun family line is conventionally accepted as pure-blood with an unbroken blood line going back to at least the early 19th century, although no research has been undertake to establish it earlier than this period. The family moved to the New Town district of Edinburgh in 1979, occupying an extensive Georgian townhouse property at 3 Queen Charlotte Gardens.
Like his entire family, he was enrolled in Slytherin House upon entry in Hogwarts and quickly showed the high level of ambition and intellect required of the members of this house. His academic career was particularly distinguished in potions. He graduated from Hogwarts School in 1990.
Marriage & Family[]
During his sixth year of studies at Hogwarts, Colquhoun courted Fiona Greer, a beautiful and intelligent muggle-born Ravenclaw who was born into an ambitious family of solicitors and engineers from Inverness. The differences in their backgrounds and blood-status caused family tensions when the couple first came together. Despite the inevitable conflict their match caused, they were drawn to each other by their intelligence, determination, and ambition, and married in 1993 without taking any interest in their families' opinions.
After the birth of their daughter Siobhan in 2002, Alistair and Fiona withdrew to a remote country house, formerly a Presbyterian manse, near Auchterarder to raise their family. Six years later, in 2008, Fiona gave birth to their second child, Archibald. Following their children's graduation from Hogwarts, the couple continue to live at the same Perthshire residence as the location well serves Fiona's profession as a herbologist.
Potions Career[]
Colquhoun began his early career as an experimental potioneer. His training was completed under the the controversial Adalbert K. Crackenthorpe. Although he did not totally approve of his methods, Alistair learned a considerable amount from the ostracized genius and later began to experiment with potion making on his own accord. It was during this period that Alistair was caught in a ferocious accident which always caused him to loose his left-eye. He has thereafter been scarred for life by the magical potency of the potion which had caused the damage. He subsequently corrected his vision with a uniquely constructed eye-glass of his own creation.
Legal Career[]
In October 2024, Colquhoun was appointed to serve as a special advisor to the Wizengamot on issues surrounding the use of potions in criminal cases. One speciality of his was investigation of the use of the wolfsbane potion in werewolf attack incidents. In recognition of his contribution to the subject, he was awarded the Order of Merlin (2nd class) by Minister Hannah Fischer. In virtue of this position, he was further appointed as a Seated Member of the Wizengamot in 2025. The increasing burden of court cases conducted as a result of ongoing werewolf attacks and political concerns led Colquhoun to shift his career further in the direction of Magical Law. In May 2026, he was appointed Magistrate to the Wizengamot, a position which replaced the former Vice-Chancellorship as Chief Legal Officer & Public Prosecutor to the court.
In February 2027, Colquhoun succeeded Bugulartis Warble as the Chief Warlock. Although he has sought to maintain Warble's strict management of the court, his appointment has led to a slight change in the court's culture. Colquhoun has promoted a more cautious and academic approach to law, and exerts his authority through an unnerving severity of character. His first year in office has already seen a number of controversial cases and decisions. In April 2027, Colquhoun presided over the trial of former Head Auror Zenith DePalo for the murder of his colleague Eugene Longnecker. His sentence, for DePalo to spend his life's imprisonment as a code breaker at Gringott's Bank, was considered highly unusual. Unknown to the public, the decision was influenced the Minister Alyssa Merriweather's political considerations in response to the ongoing Goblin War.
In August of the same year, Colquhoun presided over a so-called 'referendum' vote between the Wizarding and Goblin communities concerning whether the Goblins should break away from wizardkind to run their own affairs separately. The vote resulted in a win for 'Gretreat' but with opposing results between the two groups. The decision caused a massive increase in the price of goods as confidence in Gringott's bank plummeted. The political and economic effects of the decision are still ongoing.
Bibliography[]
Books[]
- Themes in Experimental Potioneering. (2004). London: Obscurus Books.
- A Concise Introduction to Magical Law. (2025). Hogsmeade: Merge Books.
- Eternal Defense: A Treatise on Magical Government. (2026). London: Flourish & Blotts Press.
- Magical Institutes. (2026). London: Flourish & Blotts Press.
- A Criminal Code for the Wizengamot. (2026). London: Ministry of Magic Publications.
Legal articles[]
- Colquhoun, A. (2024). The Wolfsbane Potion, Evidential Reliability, and Reasonable Defense. Magical Law Review. Vol. 246 (42-45).
- Colquhoun, A. (2024). Best Efforts and Uncontrollable Circumstances: The Limitation of Access as Defense in Crimes involving Lycanthropy. Magical Law Review. Vol. 247 (12-32).
- Colquhoun, A. (2025). Legal Sovereignty and The Statute of Secrecy: An Examination of the Foundations of Magical Government. Journal of Magical Government. Vol. 12 (1-10).
- Colquhoun, A. (2025). Whose Sovereignty? Whose Law? The Ministerial System as a Unique Model of Government. Journal of Magical Government. Vol. 14 (31-40).
- Colquhoun, A. (2025). A Defense of the Ministerial System. Magical Law Review. Vol. 249 (40-56).
- Colqhuoun, A. (2025). Wicked Recklessness and the Unforgivable Curses. Magical Law Review. Vol. 249. (140-169).
- Colquhoun, A. (2026). When Intent Rarely Matters: Wicked Recklessness as an Essential Concept in Wizarding Law. The Wizarding Advocate. Vol. 1 (1-18).
- Colqhuoun, A. (2026). Subjective Motives versus Objective Action: Why Recklessness is a Basis of Guilt in Responsibility for Magical Actions. Magical Law Review. Vol. 250 (12-26).
- Colquhoun, A. (2026). Ministerial Ordinances and the Balance of Powers. Journal of Magical Government. Vol. 15 (1-20).
- Colquhoun, A. (2026). The Statute of Secrecy and Ministerial Authority. Journal of Magical Government. Vol. 15 (86-99).
- Colquhoun, A. (2027). Legilimency and the Problem of Evidence. The Wizarding Advocate. Vol. 2 (54-85).
- Colquhoun, A. (2027). Veritaserum and the Corroborative Principle. Magical Law Review. Vol. 251. (341-355)
Skills & Abilities[]
- Legal Knowledge: Colquhoun is recognised as one of the foremost scholars of magical law. His work has intricately investigated a number of legal principles including comparison to their equivalent application across Muggle and Wizarding law. He has published several articles on the theory of wizarding law, the principles of which can be seen in his own practice as Chief Warlock. He does not shy away from his writing and encourages others to appreciate its application to his own work.
- Potions: His knowledge and experience of potions is outstanding. Despite no longer working as a potioneer, he maintains a small laboratory at his home where he continues to maintain his knowledge of the intricacies of experimental investigation. He has the ability to create a some of the most complex brews known to wizardkind, including several experimental concoctions of his own making.
- Defensive Abilities: As with all senior Ministry officials, Colquhoun recognises the need to maintain excellent defensive abilities. His corporeal patronus takes the form of a Kestral, something he now finds to be rather ironic given the alterations of his eyesight caused by a previous accident.
- Debating: Colquhoun is known for his formidable debating ability, owing to his no-nonsense manner and sharp academic mind. He is generally considered to be a ruthless intellectual opponent in Ministry debates with an ability to pull apart the often ignored subtleties of any argument. He is an excellent public speaker and frequently delivers guest lectures to Ministry departments, student societies, and private dinners.
- Invention: Something of an ability for creative construction has helped him to overcome many professional and personal challenges. In addition to developing his own private set of potions equipment, he designed his own bespoke eyeglass to correct his vision after a serious potions accident.
Possessions[]
- Bespoke Eyeglass: His own creation, this artifact is custom design to correct his eyesight which has become permanently affected by the magical potency of a failed brew which exploded in his face during his career as an experimental potioneer. The eyeglass is constructed from a complex series of inter-layered lenses which automatically adjust themselves to the situation and thus bring his vision into focus.
- Wand: Cedar, Phoenix Feather, 14.25 inches. A wand of cedar suggests an owner who is strong in character, loyal in beliefs, highly perspicacious, and unlikely to be fooled. Combined with the wide ranging power and independence of the phoenix feather core, this suggests a wizard which nobody would easily wish to cross or undermine.
- Glentissan Manse: The Chief Warlock and his wife Fiona reside within a remote old manse near the village of Glentissan, Perthshire. The property sits on the edge of a small loch with extensive gardens. He considers the rough romance of the property to be his heavenly escape from the bustling Ministry.
- Library: Colqohoun possesses perhaps the largest known collection of volumes on magical law and government in Great Britain. An avid collector of rare and useful volumes, his private library extends to some 10,000 volumes covering a wide range of subjects. Most of his legal collection is kept at his former home of 3 Queen Charlotte Gardens, Edinburgh despite having transferred this property to his son.
- Whisky Cabinet: Despite his slightly puritanical personality, the Chief Warlock is known for the quality of the fire-whisky collection held within his office, offered freely in hospitality to any guest regardless of status of circumstance. He considers the reward of a modest tipple to be his "secret public vice."
Relationships[]
Family[]
• Fiona (née Greer) Colquhoun (wife): The Colquhoun couple has enjoyed an intense if occasionally slightly rocky relationship. They are drawn together by their strong academic interests and fierce personalities which cuts through some of their differences in background and personal interests. Following a brief risk of separation in 2024, the couple has rediscovered their love and mutual support and now enjoy a very healthy and stable relationship. Fiona has provided Alistair with immense intellectual and personal support through the challenges of occupying his high office.
• Archibald Colquhoun (Son): Alistair enjoys a close relationship with his son who is currently employed within the Department for International Magical Cooperation. Despite some keen similarity in their personalities, however, Alistair has attempted to maintain professional distance in working life so as not to prejudice his son's interests by the weight of his office. Alistair transferred his former townhouse property to Archie in 2026 in anticipation of his engagement to Aisling Jones.
• Siobhan Colquhoun (daughter): Alistair has had a much more distant relationship with his elder daughter following her move to Nova Scotia in 2024. Arguments briefly flared between them over her previous choice of romantic partner, although these matters have now been settled and Alistair makes an effort to visit her in Canada at least once a year.
• Aisling Rose Opal Colquhoun (daughter-in-law): Despite the notable difference in their personalities, Alistair is highly supportive and welcoming of his daughter-in-law, encouraging her professional interests in the arts and appreciating the commitment and love of her relationship with his son. Alistair secretly sees their relationship as a nostalgic representation of the relationship he had with Fiona during his school days and feels glad the young pair do not have to push against the prejudice and difficulties that he himself once faced.
Colleagues[]
• Bugulartis Warble (Former Chief Warlock): Colquhoun enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the former Chief Warlock. The differences in their approach to court proceedure created a productive dynamic during trials whilst the two enjoyed similar interests in private. Upon taking office, Alistair has tried to maintain Warble's firm-handed management of the Wizengamot, although his more restrained and academic focus on law has marked a discernible change in the court's culture.
• Jackson Phoenix (Former Head of DMLE): The Chief Warlock has immense respect for the incumbent head of the DMLE and feels aggrieved at the difficulties his own department seems to cause him. Colquhoun and Phoenix frequently meet private to discussion ongoing situations. He also faced the difficulty of presiding over trials involving Jackson's daughter on two occasions, matters which he worried would risk either his independence as Magistrate or his relationship with his colleague. Colquhoun was disappointed to see Phoenix leave office, but appreciated that it was the best decision for his colleague personally.
• Zenith DePalo (Former Head Auror): Colqohoun has been somewhat suspicious of the Head Auror since the man's reactions during the trial of Anya Peyroux, an auror convicted of criminal assault upon two minors. Upon discreetly raising his concerns with the head of the DMLE, Alistair was assured of DePalo's good character. In April 2027, DePalo was detained on suspicion of the murder of a fellow auror which has disabused these reassurances. DePalo was tried and found guilty by the Wizengamot. Whilst sentencing him to life imprisonment, Colquhoun made the unusual judgement of requiring him to spend this at Gringotts Wizarding Bank, where DePalo spends his imprisonment working alone as a code breaker.
• Michel St. Jours (Senior Assistant to the Minister for Magic): As Senior Assistant to the Minister, Alistair believes that it is important to keep some personal distance with St. Jours. However, he has private admiration for Michel's political and legal skill after his success in amending a controversial Wand Registration Act to ensure the Wizengamot's cooperation. In January 2027, the Wizengamot was asked to investigate allegations from the Daily Prophet that St. Jours had made threatening comments to an editor. Although pursuing the matter professionally, Alistair has thus far seen no evidence to take the matter further and it has had no impact on his respect for the young official.
Behind the scenes[]
- Alistair Colquhoun is a character portrayed by alistaircolquhoun Resident in the virtual world Second Life® @ Mischief Managed, a devotional sim created by Anya Ohmai and voluntarily maintained by various creative Administrators and players. You can find out more information at http://mischiefmanagedsl.net.
- Colquhoun (pronounced 'cul-hoon') is a lowland Scottish Clan originating in Dumbartonshire. This name comes from the Gaelic place name "cuil cumhann" meaning "narrow corner". It is currently unknown when in history the pure-blood magical line became connected to the family name.
- The character was originally established as an NPC in the backstory to Archie Colquhoun. His father was later established as a permanent in-world character after the creation of the Ministry of Magic set.
- The discussions of legal theory reflect the IC opinions and research of the character. Although many are derived directly from canon research, they cannot be taken as authoritative. Wizengamot trials, for instance, can occasionally be unpredictable as reflects the unique RP of each character involved.
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