Bah, Humbook - Week 3 - But Who Would They Be?

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

I was thinking about A Christmas Carol and of Scrooge being visited by the three ghosts ... Christmas Past, Christmas Future and Christmas Present.

Suddenly, I wondered -- but who would those ghosts be if they were Harry Potter characters? For our Week 3 discussion, who would you nominate to be the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future? (For the purposes of this discussion, you may use anyone of Harry Potter, whether it be Muggle or witch or even an animal, whether or not they survived through Book 7.)

How would they act? Would they talk? What would they think to show Scrooge ....

Please post your answers below in at least 100 words for 10 beans. If you answer someone else, you may earn 5 beans for each reply. Deadline is January 10, 2026 at 23:59 HOL-Time.

Have fun!

[River Fenwick]

For the ghost of Christmas Past, I think Dumbledore would make a great choice. As we know, Dumbledore had quite a lot going on for him when he was young, especially with his family and connection to Gellert Grindelwald. So, I think he would make an excellent person to show that the past doesn’t have to define you, and would offer Scrooge some wise reflection as to how things turned out the way they did for him.

For the ghost of Christmas Present, I’ll reluctantly nominate Fred Weasley. While I’m not quite sure he’d mesh well with Scrooge, I do think he’d be able to capture the joy in what Scrooge could still have, and maybe show him that fun should be encouraged every so often. Plus, Fred probably knows what it’s like to not be able to interact with family and friends anymore, so he could highlight the importance.

And for the ghost of Christmas Future, there’s no doubt in my mind that it has to be Severus Snape. To me, Snape is the embodiment of calm and calculated moves, which is why I’d choose him. He would be able to strategically and bluntly show Scrooge his fate without sugarcoating it, which I believe would be the more effective method. He’d be the least chatty of the three, only offering tidbits to deliver the message with more intent.

[Emily Spencer]

For the Ghost of Christmas Past, I believe that I would nominate Hermione Granger. I know this may seem a rather odd choice, but I have my reasons. Hermione is no-nonsense, which I believe could be helpful in such a situation where it is easy to get bogged down with sentiment. Hermione would keep things on course, as it were. And yet, for all of her abruptness, she can be very sympathetic and supportive, which I think Scrooge would need at this moment, whether he believes so or not. For the most part, I see them getting on fairly well, actually. She would not be bullied by his superior manner (and could match it with her own), and I believe he would appreciate her no-nonsense approach.

For the Ghost of Christmas Present, I would nominate Harry Potter himself. Who better than Harry to understand the importance of family and the lack of it at holidays? I think Scrooge needs a reality check, and Harry would be the one to do that. Not only has he missed his mum and dad all those years, but he was left with the Dursleys, which was worse than being alone. I think Harry would be quick to express that to Scrooge. Now, I do see this as being a rather continuous pairing. Scrooge is not one who would take easily to being taken to task, and Harry would undoubtedly (and understandably) be quite upset by Scrooge's disregard for a family, something he was denied.

For the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, I agree wholeheartedly with River. There is no one more suited to playing the role than Severus Snape. He is, without a shadow of a doubt, suitably scary and formidable, and would brook no nonsense from Scrooge at all. I could see Snape almost getting a sort of macabre delight at showing Scrooge glimpses of his dire future. Also, I think they would inherently understand each other. Both are bitter, jaded, dour, and a lot deeper under the surface than they let on to anyone, even themselves.

[Prof. Sindor Aloyarc]

Lily Potter as the Ghost of Christmas Past would personify love before loss. She would show Scrooge moments from his youth when he chose warmth, friendship, or hope before fear and ambition took over. Lily would speak gently, if at all, allowing memories to play their role. Hers is not to shame, but to remind. She would make Scrooge grieve both what he lost and what he abandoned.

Nymphadora Tonks as the Ghost of Christmas Present would be animated, sincere, and emotionally open, shifting moods as easily as her hair. She’d show Scrooge the courage of showing up now, imperfections and all, and emphasize that happiness doesn’t require perfection. Just participation.

Kreacher as the Ghost of Christmas Future would embody the inherited pain and long shadow of cruelty. He would be quiet, resentful, and painfully honest, showing Scrooge how his treatment of others echoes long after he’s gone. The future, through Kreacher, is shaped by how power is used.