In the Harry Potter franchise, the Wizarding World is full of fascinating characters. However, the books and the movie series alike delve into the origins of only a few of the many characters named and described. With the popularity of the multimedia franchise as strong as ever, perhaps it's time to learn more about the wizards fans have known only a little bit about for so long.
With the release of the latest Fantastic Beasts installment, fans get to see a snippet of Dumbledore’s past. Several more characters are deserving of an origin story, and Reddit users are vocal about who they’d love to see more of.
Rubeus Hagrid
Hagrid is the first wizard Harry meets. He’s half-giant and was raised by his human father. During his third year at Hogwarts, he was expelled after Tom Riddle framed him for opening the Chamber of Secrets which led to a student’s death. Fortunately, Dumbledore pulled some strings and Hagrid continued to live on the premises.
Many Reddit users want a Hagrid origin story. An0n_Cyph3r_ says “give me a Hagrid prequel series anytime.” Fortunecookieinsult says they’d like to know “more about his life after expulsion and his relationship with Dumbledore and getting his umbrella.” On the contrary, GhostPenguin_18 wants “a show that follows Hagrid on his worldly encounters for magical creatures.”
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Kingsley Shacklebolt is an Auror, and one of the most prominent members of the Order of the Phoenix. He becomes the Minister of Magic in the aftermath of Voldemort’s demise, yet he remains one of the most underrated characters in the Harry Potter franchise. Not much else is known about him.
CumpilationBGH wants to learn “about [Kingsley’s] early days as an Auror when Voldemort was first in power.” The Reddit user also sings his praises. “If you never took the time to notice, Kingsley is a badass. He shows more dueling prowess than anyone else in the Order next to Dumbledore, and he’s one of about 5 people ever to have dueled Voldemort and lived.” What could make him more deserving of an origin story?
Minerva McGonagall
Minerva McGonagall is one of the best teachers at Hogwarts. She attended Hogwarts herself, earning good grades and a spot on the Quidditch team. After graduating, she fell in love with a muggle but turned him down because she had to keep her magic a secret.
Redditor Not_a_cat_I_promise states “There would be so much to know about [McGonagall] and her perspective of Hogwarts as a young teacher, and then later during the first war. [It would] be interesting.” As fluffers_the_unicorn says, Minerva “had always been portrayed as an absolute badass” and it would be great to get a look at her younger years and what made her who she is.
Remus Lupin
Remus Lupin is one of the four Marauders, best friends with Harry’s dad, a member of the Order, and a father figure for Harry at school. His background as a werewolf is explored minimally despite the interest of fans to know more about it. Lupin is a fan-favorite character, and audiences believe his past deserves to be explored further.
Reddit user Mighty_Krastavac says “I want to know about [Lupin’s] early life dealing with being a werewolf.” Leseleff wants to see even more about Lupin’s life, sharing their desire to know “how he lives with his disease, cannot find a job because of it, tries to convince other werewolves [of the Order’s cause,] makes the relationship with Tonks work.” Leseleff believes this “would make an amazing story” and several others agree.
Regulus Black
Regulus Black is Sirius’ younger brother. He became a death eater very young, however, he wasn’t all that bad. Regulus defected from Voldemort when his House Elf was left for dead, and he died trying to destroy one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes. Many audiences wish to explore Regulus’ past and the complexities of the character.
Bloomie22 says, “[Regulus is] such an underrated character. Would be so interesting to see his change of character and the stuff he had to do under Voldemort’s service, apparently, it was horrible enough to make him reconsider.” Reddit user keira901 adds, “I love Regulus. I think he’s a great opportunity to write a good redemption arc.”
Voldemort
Being the main and most evil villain of the franchise, much is known about the Dark Lord. Born Tom Riddle, he abused magic from a young age. He killed his family and created 7 Horcruxes to ensure he would never die. Though audiences know what Tom Riddle did, they don’t know why, raising questions about his background and character development.
Beerad3235 exclaims “From the time he finished school until the first wizarding war begins, we don’t know much about what Voldemort was doing.” MediocrePotato8518 wants to explore Voldemort’s life “from birth to the first Wizard World War… how did he [choose Horcruxes,] how did he convince other people to be death eaters, how did he [bewitch] those kids in the orphanage?”
Sirius Black
Sirius is one of the most beloved characters in the whole franchise. He rejects his ancestors’ pure-blood values and becomes an important member of the Order. He is framed and sent to Azkaban for selling out his friend and having a hand in his death. Fans were distraught by his death, and want more from Harry’s godfather.
Willowtrace wonders “how Sirius was before starting at Hogwarts and how indoctrinated into pure blood sentiments he was at 11. If he changes world views after making friends outside his family.” Haukur006 doubles down saying “I want a story told from Sirius’ POV while he is at Hogwarts and ending when Harry defeated Voldemort the first time.” Several audiences are adamant that it would be worth exploring the origins of the whole Black family. C_ha_i says “I think there’s enough drama and branches in the tree for a whole 8 seasons of a show.”
The Original Order
The Order of the Phoenix is a secret society with the mission to protect the world from Voldemort. The original Order was made up of many strong members, including Dumbledore, Moody, the Longbottoms, the Potters, Sirius, Hagrid, Lupin, and more. An origin story would bring together these characters and explore the dynamics between them, something so many fans want to see.
Redditor senslessnugget gives their opinion on the idea, saying “I think it would add a lot more depth, meaning, and emotion to the franchise as a whole. Allow the audience to get attached to Lily and James and understand the friendships they had with Remus and Sirius and the rest of the Order.” Huskerj12 adds that they “would be extremely stoked to see something like this done WELL.”
Severus Snape
A Deatheater and a part of the Order, Severus Snape is a very complex character. As a young man, Snape endures bullying from the Marauders and falls in love with Harry’s mother. These experiences guide much of his decision-making throughout the series. While it's debated whether Snape should get his own origin story, fans of the character vocalize their desires above all criticism.
Much of the desire for an origin story lies in the Half-Blood Prince title Snape gives himself. The book explores his past a bit, but the movie “missed so much critical information,” according to _addicted_life. Skeetwaterboy says, “I want to see his entire journey. His motivations, his interactions with death eaters. His suffering and loss and how he created spells and potions.” While readers know some of the meaning behind the title, delving deeper into Snape’s past would answer some necessary questions.
The Founders
Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin built and established Hogwarts. The four houses created are based on the values each founder holds dear. Other than some lore, not much is known about them and fans are eager to change that.
Some-Entertainment83 is just one of the Reddit users who thinks “it would be interesting.” Melexandils would like to see a story “about the events leading to the creation of the Chamber of Secrets.” Purple_Math_8875 goes a step further, saying “If we do get a founders era story I think it would be a pleasant surprise if Rowena Ravenclaw were to be the main protagonist. I think it would be cool to see more of her story, especially on how she met and befriended Helga Hufflepuff.”