Even though Hogwarts Legacy takes place in the 1800s, it's possible that Albus Dumbledore could appear in the game as a student. The Wizarding World franchise has continued to center on the famed Hogwarts headmaster, especially with the Fantastic Beasts films, so it wouldn't be surprising to see one of the more beloved characters appear in Hogwarts Legacy. Wizarding folk can live for a long time, even without the Philosopher's Stone, and the open world action RPG from Avalanche Software is set at just the right time for a possible Dumbledore introduction.
In the recent Hogwarts Legacy gameplay preview, a newspaper was shown that places the beginning of the game in 1890. Players will begin their magical education as a fifth-year student; the reason why has yet to be divulged by the developers. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was born in 1881, most likely in August, and would live to the age of 115 when he was killed by Severus Snape in June 1997. This timeframe means that when the player character is beginning their seventh year at Hogwarts in 1892, Dumbledore will be entering the school as a first-year.
Although the gameplay reveal for Hogwarts Legacy was quite extensive, there is still a lot that remains unknown about the game. Its length is part of what remains a mystery, so it's unclear if Hogwarts Legacy will be Bully for Harry Potter fans and similarly span just a single school year. If so, Dumbledore will remain nine years old and likely won't make an appearance at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, unless the plot jumps through hoops to make it happen.
Although there's so far been nothing to indicate Dumbledore will have any involvement in Hogwarts Legacy, its setting is too convenient to ignore the possibility of even a cameo appearance. Dumbledore will grow up to be one of the most powerful wizards to ever live, but Harry Potter proves that even 11-year-olds can be significant characters in the Wizarding World. The history of magical folk is just as long as that of Muggles, and choosing a time for the game when Dumbledore is just about to enter school doesn't seem like a coincidence.
Hogwarts Legacy already has returning Harry Potter characters, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that Avalanche Software could be angling for a Dumbledore appearance. A goblin rebellion is the backdrop conflict for Hogwarts Legacy, but the developers chose to create a new one rather than co-opt a historical example that was already mentioned in the books (all of which take place before the 19th century). There may be other reasons for setting the game's beginning in 1890, but it suspiciously sets the game up for an appearance of perhaps the franchise's most famous character aside from Harry Potter himself. If the game does only span a single school year, then this is also a smart strategy to set up Hogwarts Legacy sequels, letting fans speculate on how Dumbledore may become involved.
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.
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