Since Hogwarts Legacy takes place over 100 years prior to the 1990s storyline, it's entirely possible some of the player's actions could bring about events established by the time Harry Potter receives his letter for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A likely example of this could be the enactment of The Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery.

This decree is an ordinance that was established by the Ministry of Magic in 1875. Enforced by the Improper Use of Magic Office, it bans the use of underage magic outside of school. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the house-elf Dobby uses a Hover Charm on Aunt Petunia's dessert, smashing it onto the floor. Harry is blamed, and receives a message from the Ministry warning him that another breach would result in his expulsion from Hogwarts. His most serious violation was the summer before his fifth year in The Order of the Phoenix, when he casts a Patronus Charm against Dementors attacking him and his cousin Dudley. This results in another notice telling him he is to be expelled. Thankfully, Dumbledore and other Order of the Phoenix members mediate for Harry, which clears his name during his disciplinary hearing.

Related: How Hogwarts Legacy Breaks Harry Potter Canon

The trailer for Hogwarts Legacy states that the game takes place in the late 1800s, and the Warner Bros. FAQ page confirms that the game is firmly rooted in the Harry Potter universe. That being said, it's within the realm of possibility that the banning of underage magic could be passed during the timeline of the game, especially considering the open-world RPG's premise: The playable character possesses the unusual ability to recognize and master an Ancient Magic, thus holding the key to an archaic secret that threatens the fate of the wizarding world. Players can hone their magical abilities, face off against lethal enemies, and encounter scenarios that will determine where their morality lies. Although a decent amount of gameplay will take place within Hogwarts castle, players can also explore areas beyond the school such as the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade Village, and "new and unexpected locations."

Harry Potter Might Get In Trouble Because Of The Player's Actions

A close-up shot of a player holding a glowing wand in Hogwarts Legacy.

Since the developers have already made it clear that a lot of the game will take place both in and outside of Hogwarts, it's hard to imagine the player's adventures away from school being devoid of magical use. The trailer portrays a student fighting off a masked villain in a dark woods — likely the Forbidden Forest — along with encountering trolls and dragons in unidentifiable settings. One shot shows a student attacking a charging Graphorn with his wand, before dodging out of harm's way. Whether or not this takes place on school grounds is uncertain. Still, using magic outside of school seems like a must in this game, considering a good chunk of time is spent away from Hogwarts.

Additionally, there is a lot of evidence suggesting that the exact timeline of Hogwarts Legacy can be narrowed down to somewhere around the 1870s, and the decree banning underage magic was passed in 1875. As the playable character is expected to harness an Ancient Magic, there is no telling what kind of mischievous and dangerous adventures will unfold as a result. The lore and history of the wizarding world never states the reason why the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery was created, so it seems totally plausible the events in Hogwarts Legacy could bring it about.

It's a smart move for the developers to have the setting of Hogwarts Legacy take place during a time not thoroughly explored in other media of the franchise. This gives them a lot to freedom in regards to what could happen in the game, allowing a brand new wizarding experience for fans of the Harry Potter universe. It'll be interesting to see what novelties will be revealed, and how they'll play into the series as its known today.

Next: Hogwarts Legacy: The 1800s Harry Potter Lore That Could Happen

Hogwarts Legacy is set to release on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X in 2021.

Source: WB Games

Editor’s Note: Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling has been accused of transphobia by those in the LGBTQ+ community. Although not directly involved in the development of Hogwarts Legacy, Rowling does stand to earn royalties from the game. We would like to reiterate our support for trans rights and that trans identities are valid. Support services are listed below for trans people impacted by discussions of transphobia.

In the USA:

In Canada:

In the UK: