To "filch" is to steal something.
The name "Argus" comes from Greek mythology. Argus is a giant with a hundred eyes who was supposed to watch over Io for Hera.
"Mrs. Norris" is a busy-body character in the Jane Austen novel Mansfield Park. Jane Austen is one of JKR's favorite authors.
Argus Filch
"I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh? Oh yes...hard work and pain are the best teachers, if you ask me..."
-- Argus Filch
Filch
is the Hogwarts caretaker. He's a cantankerous, nasty man who hates students
with a passion. Filch has a pet cat called Mrs. Norris with whom he has
an almost psychic connection. She wanders the corridors of the castle,
just like he does, and if she spots anyone putting a toe out of line, Filch
is there within minutes. He knows the secret passageways and hidden doors
of Hogwarts better than anyone except Fred and George
Weasley (and now Harry, thanks to the Marauders'
Map).
Filch is a squib, which means that he was born of a wizarding family but cannot do magic. The frustration this causes is partly to blame for his horrible and vindictive attitude. Hanging from the ceiling of his office are chains and manacles which he keeps polished up in case he's ever given permission to use them on students, something he would dearly love.
Filch's office is a small room with a single oil lamping hanging from the ceiling. It smells of fried fish. In it are filing cabinets with details of the misdeeds of students. Fred and George have an entire drawer to themselves. There is also a drawer marked "Confiscated and Highly Dangerous."
references: Argus Filch
Kwik-Spell
(CS)
manacles
(SS
Ron's
detention: polishing in the Trophy Room without magic (CS
filing
cabinets (CS
speech
as he takes Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Draco down to Hagrid's (SS15)
list
of forbidden items read at Start of Term feast (GF
see also Detentions
Argus Filch
hair:
eyes: lamp-like, like his
cat's
voice:
distinguishing features:
age: older
field: Caretaker
interests: torturing students
for infractions, polishing the manacles hanging in his office
Mrs. Norris
fur: dust-colored
eyes: lamp-like, yellow
build: skeletal
unique characteristics: can
possibly see through invisibility cloaks
