As Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them is set earlier in the 20th century, the odds of seeing many of our favorite Harry Potter characters cross over into this area of the shared universe. But the timeline is not so far outside of Harry Potter’s vast magical universe that drop-ins from some beloved witches and wizards wouldn’t be possible. In fact, Fantastic Beasts star Dan Fogler recently hinted that "as the stories go along," we might hear about or see some younger versions of Harry Potter characters.
By "stories," we’re assuming he means Fantastic Beast and Where To Find Them and whatever films may follow. Fantastic Beasts is set to begin in 1926. We don’t know the actual timeline of the planned stories beyond that, so most of our speculation as to which Harry Potter characters could appear will be limited to characters who were known to be alive during the mid-1920s (and who seem like logical options to cross over into this story for one reason or another). While the first film is expected to take place in New York City, it’s entirely possible that the story will head back across the pond in a later film. And we wouldn’t necessarily rule out the option of one of these characters heading over to the U.S..
Albus Dumbledore
Let’s just get this one out in the open right away, because Dumbledore’s probably the most anticipated character among Harry Potter fans hoping to see some familiar faces in Fantastic Beasts. Born in 1881, Dumbledore would’ve been about 45 in 1926. However, he’s in The U.K., and presumably still (barring any career gaps during his tenure at the school) teaching Transfiguration at Hogwarts. Still, the trailer recently revealed that Dumbledore is very fond of Newt, and that, when Newt was kicked out of Hogwarts for "endangering human life with a beast," Albus Dumbledore tried to defend him. A previous connection has already been established, so we’re hoping this means that if we don’t see Albus Dumbledore in the first Fantastic Beasts movie, perhaps we’ll see him in one of the expected films to follow.
Fawkes
Whether or not Dumbledore’s Pheonix, Fawkes, was in the wizard’s possession in 1926 seems to be unverified, however, given his ability to resurrect upon death, it seems likely that Fawkes has been around a long time. While some might argue against Fawkes being a "character" in the Harry Potter books — I’d disagree — there’s no doubt that he qualifies as a beast (Ministry of Magic classified XXXX, in fact). And there’s even less doubt that Fawkes qualifies as Fantastic. If ever there were a story that might shed further light, or at the very least, allow Fawkes more time to shine, it would be the Fantastic Beasts series. So hopefully he turns up at some point.
Gellert Grindelwald
As Dumbledore’s closest friend and greatest pre-Voldemort rival, Gellert Grindelwald is a drastically underdeveloped character, brimming with potential for a fleshed out story. He would’ve been on the rise to dark greatness during the 1920s, headed toward eventual defeat at the hands of Dumbledore in the 1940s. That might make him a prime villain — or at the very least, provide some conflict — if Newt Scamander were to cross his path at some point in the films. Beyond that, it would give us the opportunity to get to know Grindelwald, apart from what was revealed about him in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Bathilda Bagshot
Bathilda "Batty" Bagshot may seem like kind of a random entry to this list. Her presence in the books is mainly centered around the information she provides (through Rita Skeeter) about Dumbledore’s background, and what tragically becomes of her, as revealed later in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. But Batty may be the most appropriate character on this list to grace the Fantastic Beasts movies with an appearance, if we take into account that — like Newt Scamander — she also contributed to Hogwarts’ curriculum by penning one of the textbooks studied by the students. Batilda is the author of A History of Magic. Not only does that give her one major thing in common with Newt Scamander, but it also offers virtually limitless potential for her use in this or any other story connected to the Harry Potter universe. With her wealth of magical history knowledge, Ms. Bagshot would be an exposition scene’s dream. And we’d kind of love to see what she was like in her (relatively) younger years.
Aberforth Dumbledore
Less obvious than a Dumbledore appearance would be a drop-in by Albus's brother Aberforth, as it would certainly be an opportunity for us to get to know Dumbledore’s goat-loving brother a bit better. His background is limited to a couple of key events, one of which involves "practicing inappropriate charms on a goat." Goats aren’t exactly fantastic beasts, but the magical element of the situation could bring Newt Scamander his way at some point. Or, perhaps Newt might encounter Aberforth at the Hog’s Head, while visiting Hogwarts. Whether it’s a cameo or a fleshed-out role, it would be great to get to know the second Dumbledore brother better.
Henry Potter
We have to include one of Harry’s relatives in this list, and Harry's great-grandfather Henry — Harry, to his friends — Potter seems like a fitting choice, as he was born in the late 1800s, and therefore would’ve been in his adult years by the time the 1920s rolled around. From what J.K. Rowling has revealed about Henry Potter, he was openly pro-muggle, particularly during the First World War, when the Minister for Magic at the time was forbidding wizards from getting involved. What was Henry Potter up to after WWI ended? We wouldn’t mind finding out, especially if he happened to show up in Fantastic Beasts with a familiar invisibility cloak.
Tom Riddle
Last, but certainly not least, is Tom Riddle. Ok, He Who Must Not Be Named likely would’ve been en utero during the events of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, but if the later movies were to jump a few years into the future (and made their way across the pond), perhaps Newt might cross paths with young Tom. Assuming this happened before Tom Riddle went to Hogwarts, we imagine this as more of a cameo appearance than a crucial role, as Tom Riddle wasn’t introduced to the magical world until Dumbledore found him at the orphanage. So, if he were to pop up in a Fantastic Beasts movie as a kid, it’s hard to picture him being actively involved in the plot. Still, wouldn't that be a great nod to the original series?
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