It wouldn't truly be Hogwarts without some lovable ghosts roaming about, and luckily Hogwarts Legacy won't shy away from featuring a few specters in-game. The magical RPG will slowly arrive on more platforms over the next few months, but there's already a sizable list of ghosts that players can look forward to seeing when they finally step foot in the wizarding world for themselves (although some may be friendlier than others).
Thanks to their immortal nature, most of the ghosts listed below also appeared in the main Harry Potter series, which takes place approximately one hundred years after the events of the game. The same can't be said for the conversely human characters, many of which will be several generations ahead of those seen in the books and films - but some connections can still be drawn. For example, the Headmaster in Hogwarts Legacy, Phineas Black, is related to Sirius Black. If not the students and staff, those well versed with Harry Potter lore will recognize many of the ghosts, but they may not be familiar with how they each died.
Hogwarts Legacy Will Feature Nearly Headless Nick
Perhaps the most recognizable ghost in Harry Potter is Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor House Ghost. In the 1400s, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington was a well-known royal court wizard. One fateful day, he met a certain Lady Grieve, who asked Nick to straighten her crooked teeth. Nick complied, but the spell unfortunately backfired, giving her tusks instead. Predictably, Lady Grieve did not take kindly to this - so before long, Nick was locked up and stripped of his wand. He was executed shortly thereafter in 1492 by way of an extremely blunt axe, which took forty-five hits to decapitate him (still somewhat unsuccessfully, leaving him nearly headless).
Peeves Will Annoy Hogwarts Legacy Students
Although he's a poltergeist in Harry Potter, Peeves can still fix the movies' ghost mistake in Hogwarts Legacy by being more present in the story - and from what's been shown in gameplay previews and trailers, it looks as though his full potential will finally be realized in-game. Unlike most other characters on this list, Peeves' status as a poltergeist means that he was never a human. He was never technically born, nor did he ever die. In fact, he's been haunting Hogwarts since the building was constructed in 993, wreaking havoc on staff and students chosen by Hogwarts' founders themselves. Hogwarts Legacy's characters won't be excluded from his mischief, either.
Hogwarts Legacy's Professor Binns Will Teach Classes
Another familiar face from Harry Potter is that of Professor Binns, the History of Magic professor in Hogwarts Legacy. When he was still a human, Cuthbert Binns taught the same excruciatingly boring class, putting his students to sleep with his monotonous voice and uninteresting learning material.
Hogwarts Legacy's Professor Binns died earlier than expected, having become a ghost before the 1890s. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, curled up in front of the fireplace in Hogwarts' staffroom, but virtually nothing changed after his death. He got up to teach History of Magic, not realizing that he was a ghost until he discovered he could float through his blackboard. Students will have the pleasure (or displeasure) of taking his class in Hogwarts Legacy.
The Bloody Baron Will Be In Hogwarts Legacy
As the Slytherin House Ghost, students will assuredly spot the Bloody Baron floating his way about the school. Although he hasn't made an appearance in gameplay showcases or trailers, his death took place in the 11th century, meaning he will have already assumed his position as Slytherin's vindictive spirit during the game's events. In life, the Bloody Baron was madly in love with Helena Ravenclaw: the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw, who founded one of the four Houses players can choose in Hogwarts Legacy. When Helena refused his advances, he stabbed her to death, then later dying by suicide via the same blade.
Hogwarts Legacy Will Include The Grey Lady
The Bloody Baron's victim, Helena Ravenclaw, also became a ghost and was henceforth known as the Grey Lady. During her lifetime, Helena was one of Hogwarts' first ever students, but she never finished her magical education. Jealous of her mother's unmatched intelligence, she stole Rowena's diadem and ran away to Albania at a young age, hoping the artifact would bring her ultimate wisdom. Rowena was on her deathbed at the time, so she sent the Bloody Baron to seek her out (albeit unsuccessfully). After her death, Helena returned to the school as Ravenclaw's House Ghost, meaning players will encounter this shy and melancholy ghost in Hogwarts Legacy.
The Fat Friar Will Appear In Hogwarts Legacy
The Fat Friar will also make an appearance to represent Hufflepuff, an enticing house for Hogwarts Legacy players. Unlike the other House Ghosts, the date of the Fat Friar's death is unknown, but considering he studied magic alongside Helga Hufflepuff herself, it's safe to assume he moved on from the realm of the living long before in-game events. Fitting of his House placement, the cause of the Fat Friar's death was actually his own kindness. As a clergyman, he often took pity on those with pox and used magic to cure them instantly. Other members of the church quickly became suspicious and had the Fat Friar executed.
Hogwarts Legacy's Fastidio Is A Mysterious Ghost
Unlike the familiar faces from Harry Potter listed above, one new poltergeist has been confirmed for the game so far. Not much is known about Fastidio yet, as he barely makes a cameo in a trailer for PlayStation's exclusive Haunted Hogsmeade quest in Hogwarts Legacy, posted to YouTube by PlayStation. His name is revealed through the video's subtitles, and he can be heard speaking to the player character in an ominous voice, warning them of the dangers that lie within the shop. An image of an upcoming book,The Art and Making of Hogwarts Legacy(which was posted by Ironyak1 on the Harry Potter Wiki), confirms Fastidio's poltergeist nature.
Hogwarts Legacy is already teeming with life - and seemingly with the dead, too. Players will encounter these seven ghosts when they finally step foot in the wizarding world (save for Fastidio, who may be PlayStation-exclusive). With a healthy mix of both helpful and mischievous faces, they'll definitely cause some chaos around the school, but they'll likely lift the spirits of Hogwarts Legacy players nonetheless.
Sources: Hogwarts Legacy/YouTube, PlayStation/YouTube, Ironyak1/Harry Potter Wiki
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:
- Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
- The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
In Canada:
- Trans Lifeline: (877) 330-6366
- Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688
In the UK:
- Switchboard: 01273 204050
- Mermaids: 0808 801 0400