Oreyn Fox January 27, 1959 – June 29, 2026
As the anniversary of Oreyn Fox’s departure from the world approaches, his memory continues to permeate the halls of Hogwarts, be it a laugh, or when someone casts ebublio, or if you get in trouble and end up in O’Keeffe’s office just to see his smile from the portrait behind her desk.
Some have said The Owl Post is insensitive to not discuss the facts of what happened the fateful day that Professor Fox left us but it takes time to compile the memories needed to honour this great man. Despite this time, none have said it better than Professor Aoife O’Keeffe, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry;
“Oreyn Fox loved this school. Born in 1959 he attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1970 and was sorted into Slytherin. After graduating he traveled, expanding his knowledge, and earned himself a place on the International Confederation of Wizards. He was a notable member of the Dark Force Defence League and earned an Order of Merlin, First Class. But his true love was teaching and he returned to Hogwarts internationally renowned, though most proud of winning the soft-shoe championships three times.
“Oreyn excelled at everything he put himself to, from Potions professor, to Transfigurations, and then on to Defence Against the Dark Arts. Despite teaching, he continued to teach beyond the walls of the castle, penning several books. Oreyn’s love for Hogwarts knew no bounds and despite extreme risks he placed himself in danger’s way to protect it on innumerable occasions; the curse of the golden frog, in clearing the name of the Hag of Crowscreep, the Heart of Four, aiding Hannah Fischer following her curse, and his final act of protecting this castle.
“As many of you know, a great danger befell Hogwarts […last…] June. Despite the risk, and despite the warrant for his arrest, Oreyn returned to Hogwarts to fight and to protect the castle he loved. There are many things the enemies of good are ignorant in.
“Love.
“Love is the strongest form of magic known to wizarding-kind and least understood. In death Oreyn remains with us, every day that we are in this castle. His death created a shield impenetrable to evil that will last the ages.
“Many of us here have learned from Professor Fox. Learning beyond books and spells and potions. And if Oreyn can teach us one last thing, one thing that we can take with us for the rest of our lives it is this; we must all love.”
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Professor Fox faced an unimaginable evil, returning to Hogwarts to protect it from a dragon that threatened the foundations, and a force that threatened the people that make Hogwarts their home. He gave up his life to create a barrier around the school, protecting us all.
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Memories and Messages:
“When I remember Oreyn Fox, I see not only a Headmaster and colleague but a friend. A man who stayed young despite his advancing years. A model wizard for many that should aspire to be more like him. A loyal soul who puts the safety of others before his own. An adventurous spirit not shying away from the unknown but relishing in the experience.
That twinkle in his eyes was contagious and could brighten any day. Oreyn Fox will be missed, but always and forever will he not only remain -quite literally- a part of Hogwarts, but also stay alive in our memory and hearts.”
-Melisande Flutterby
“I wish I could remember the words Professor Fox spoke to me as I stepped onto the boats, leaving Hogwarts at the end of my seventh year. But the very essence of Professor Fox was honesty, kindness, humility, and humour. His loss will forever be mourned by the wizarding world.”
-Saffron (and George) Macauley
“”Days are coloured bubbles that float upon the surface of fathomless nights.” Headmaster Fox was one of the kindest and most interesting wizards I have ever met. His dedication to his school and his students were leaps and bounds above all. I will always remember seeing him the first time as a timid little first year, walking up to the sorting hat to see his bubble pipe bubbling away as sat and watched. It was the first time I smiled in those castle walls, and it wouldn’t be the last, but he started it. He was the beginning of my happiness. My home. He will surely be missed.”
-Maddy Hemlock
“He was a good and funny Headmaster, and wanted the best for us. We will always remember.”
-Abigail Grace Bluetooth
“In my first three years at Hogwarts, Headmaster Fox was a constant in my life; he was firm but kind with gentle twinkling eyes, forever dignified and a perfect gentleman. He also had a great sense of humour and is sorely missed.”
-Quinn Lowry
“I will never forget the last words Professor Fox spoke to those of us who graduated in June 2024; they are forever etched in my heart and my mind:
‘In a moment, all of you will board the boats and leave Hogwarts very much the same way you arrived those seven years ago at the start of your first year. Oh, do not worry, I won’t keep you too terribly long, but I would like to get a few things off me chest. For many years I’ve watched as each of you grew from wee snappers, to the magnificent wizards and witches I see standing before me today. You leave here very much the way you came, seven years ago, by boat. It is symbolic and a Hogwarts tradition. Use this time to reflect back on your time here as you sail forth. I dare say it has been an honour to be your teacher. The pleasure was all mine. So in regards to that…Thank you. Thank you for being my students and to have the privilege to get know you, each of you. And, know that you will always have a home here at Hogwarts. Off you trot then. Life’s grand adventure awaits if I do say so maself. Miss Foxclaw, Mister Elman. Do be splendid and lead the boats. It is your final duty as Head Girl and Head Boy I dare say. rOH HO!’”
-Jesse Elman
“The few times that I ran into him, he always took the time to listen. I remember what I think was the final time he took us to Hogsmeade and the side stops he took to get there and how he paid respect to a great headmaster before him.”
-Aiden Mellow
“He gave me a job when no one else would. In fact he was the only employer kind enough to speak with me. Great chap.”
-Professor Bellingham
“I have written, and rewritten this so many times. There are many who know how much Fox meant to me. They’ve heard me snap at their insensitive comments or were at the funeral to hear my speech. We all look at Hogwarts as our home, think of our friends as our family… But what about our Headmasters? As the literal Head of the school, at they not the head of our family too? An adoptive Da or perhaps in Fox’s case, Grandfather, to look after and over us? Fox…. was a hero for me, when I didn’t know I needed one. He stood up for me when I needed someone the most. He gave his life for us, to protect us all, and he did it selflessly. Not to be a hero, but because it was what needed to be done. He will ALWAYS be a hero for me. But he was more than that. He was family. Fox was the silly Grandda who would tell us stories over food. He was the Grandda who showed up to every game, quietly watching in comforting support with his emerald bubble pipe to discretely show just who he was cheering for. When we lost Fox, we didn’t just lose a Headmaster doing his job. We lost a family member, sacrificing everything to keep us safe. And now, some of us go into the world, without him there to lead us on the boats, never to know what speech he might have given us. Never to hear that final ‘rOH HO!’ as a student. I’d like to think he’d be proud of us… Of how we came together when Hogsmeade needed us… And of me. Pleased to know what became of the potion he gave me and proud to have heard about the brew off. It breaks my heart to leave without him, but I know he lives on in each of us and everything he taught us. rOH HO, Fox!”
-Persephone Vitrac
“I will always remember how he sacrificed himself to protect the school. It makes me want to always do my part to assure that his sacrifice was not in vain. I want to bring honor to his memory and to the school.”
-Jayden Lukas
“I will never forget Professor Fox. He started the annual snowball fight between students and professors. He always had the pipe and if we saw his bubbles in the midst of danger it was just understood that everything would be okay.
To be honest, this has been the weirdest year with all of the situations that have happened, the spider and the ‘dark artifact’, I kept on looking over my shoulder expecting him to arrive and make things right again. It’s been hard. I miss him. Though, you know sometimes when the castle is still, I can hear Rohoh on the wind and then I just know it’s okay.”
-Essa Nazari
“Fox was always there to stand up for the students and the school, He loved it and us so much he gave his life for us. It’s something we should never forget.”
-Marigold Feathersweet
“I knew Fox as a professor, a Head of House, a Deputy Headmaster, a Headmaster, but mainly a true Slytherin.
In the last moments before we took the boats back to Hogsmeade on our last day as Hogwarts students, Fox spoke to us about the world we were to inhabit now and the life we could lead. I couldn’t focus so much on exactly what he said, but I will never forget the feeling he brought in me. He helped me realise I wasn’t defined by my past but by what I chose to do with all those experiences.
I think a part of him lives on through all of us. His body might have perished, but he remains immortal so long as we remember him.”
-Adam Fletcher, professional Beater
“I didn’t have many personal experiences with him but I do remember when he disguised himself as a student to sneak into the school and speak with us when Dorchester had taken over. He was a comforting presence.
Also that one time when he caught me bubbling myself in the great hall. He was a good sport about it.”
-Marzia Sterling
“You loved Hogwarts more then anyone ever and it showed in your every action at the school during my 7 years there. And most importantly, in your last actions for it. I will never forget you and all you have taught me. It was an honor to be Head girl while you were Headmaster.”
-Aisling Colquhoun
“One year later and you are still missed by all. Thank you for your sacrifice for us and we shall always remember, always!”
-Lynessa O’Connor
