How did Argus Filch keep order at Hogwarts in Harry Potter?

A look at how Argus Filch, a man with no magical abilities, managed to keep Witches and Wizards in check at Hogwarts in Harry Potter?

While the obvious answer might be ‘badly!’. It is a question that must occur to readers and viewers of the series. Filch, a squib, was unable to use magic and so could not attend Hogwarts. Although he was very antagonistic towards Harry, Hermione, and Ron throughout the Harry Potter series, this might be in part why. Yet there were a few strategies Filch employed against the students to even the playing field, or rather Quidditch field!

Of course, none of the below strategies worked against Peeves the Poltergeist who, given he was immortal, was an opponent far out of Filch’s league!

Mrs. Norris

Mrs. Norris is Filch’s closest companion and secret weapon. Norris, like Filch, is not magical and just a “very unpleasant cat” according to JK Rowling. However, Mrs. Norris more than makes up for this as a spy with her keen hearing and ability to catch students unguarded.

Several times throughout the Harry Potter series, and in particular, during the Philosophers Stone. Mrs. Norris nearly catches the illustrious trio out. Mrs. Norris also provides much emotional support to Filch (even being his dance partner at the Yule Ball!) and he is understandably distraught when Norris is petrified.

Hogwarts Teachers

Filch himself cannot use magic, but he can summon the aid of those who can. Filch it seems was mostly held in contempt by the Hogwarts teachers, particularly so by Professor McGonagall who calls him a ‘blithering idiot at times’.

Watch your favorite shows on fuboTV: Watch over 67 live sports and entertainment channels with a 7-day FREE trial!

Although Dumbledore indulged Filch and seemed to have a lot of sympathy for his situation, it was the arrival of Dolores Umbridge that really changed this. Filch was a key informer for Umbridge and although her reign over Hogwarts was to be short-lived, it was perhaps the first, and only time, Filch wielded true power with Umbridge’s sadism backing up the caretaker’s malice.

The Dungeons

This is a strategy, much to his displeasure, that Filch is no longer able to use. Yet he reflects fondly on it, stating with much satisfaction that detention used to mean students hanging from their thumbs in the dungeon.

Yet in times of war, Filch is able to deploy his much-loved strategy, by taking the Slytherin students, to the dungeons for their treachery. It doesn’t last long as explosions caused by spells promptly free the students. For a brief moment however, Filch must have got some satisfaction from locking up students who, given their house pure blood supremacism, had no doubt tormented Filch over the years.

Filch is not a likeable character, however, he was a product of his environment, almost surrounded by magic and not being able to utilise it himself. When the time came during the Battle of Hogwarts, he did do his duty and his bit to defend Hogwarts, Filch was also at the forefront of the repair effort, even if it was just with a broom alone!