Xander Lofthouse was a Slytherin student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the 1990s. When Harry Potter and Katie Bell were on their way to the Training Ground for the Gryffindor Quidditch tryouts in 1996, he and three other Slytherins intercepted them at the Sundial Garden, threatening to steal the broomstick that Harry had borrowed from Lina Tande. Harry had to duel him in order to prevent the theft and drive off all three Slytherins.