Madame Olympe Maxime
"I 'ave nevair been more insulted in my life! 'Alf-giant? Moi? I 'ave - I 'ave big bones!"
-- Madame Maxime (GF23)
Headmistress
of Beauxbatons Academy in France, respected both for her work at her job (GF29) and for her wizarding power (OP20). Though she’s a half-giant with the height to prove it, she publicly denies her ancestry (GF23) and runs counter to all stereotypes of giants, as she dresses elegantly in silk and jewels, and is an excellent dancer (GF29). She breeds Abraxan horses
(OP20).
During her year at Hogwarts for the Triwizard Tournament, Madam Maxime became good friends with Rubeus Hagrid, and may have even shared his romantic interest in her, though whether her interest was genuine or a simple desire to get inside information on the Tournament was open to interpretation. Most likely, the truth fell somewhere in between (GF19, GF23, GF28).
Despite her hesitations to admit her giant heritage, Maxime agreed to go with Hagrid as an envoy to the giants in the summer of 1995. Though it was a rough journey, she managed it well (OP20). Madam Maxime also returned to Hogwarts in 1997 to attend Dumbledore’s funeral, where she and Hagrid greeted each other warmly (HBP30).
Possible name origins
Olympe = French word for Mt. Olympus, the home of the Greek Gods and Titans.
Maxime = Latin "maxima" meaning greatest or largest, which is appropriate
for a woman who is half-giant.
Mme. Maxime in the Movies
In "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," the role of Madame Maxime
was played by Frances de la Tour (IMDb).
Ian Whyte had an uncredited role as stuntman for Maxime (IMDb).
