Christmas is just around the corner, and we are feeling festive over at Harry Potter HQ! While we know that none of the characters are actually Father Christmas, we’ve had a lot of fun thinking about who might share his energy. Do you agree with our choices?
Is Albus Dumbledore’s beard a clue?
Beloved by many and with a beard like freshly fallen snow – are we talking about Albus Dumbledore or Father Christmas? Who knows! It could be either! Both have jobs that focus on looking out for a large number of children. They each have an air of mystery – did we really know where Dumbledore went on his mysterious trips away from Hogwarts? And we really can’t stress this one enough… just look at their beards! Identical!
In our hunt for Father Christmas, the wise Hogwarts headmaster is a strong contender. However, that’s not to say we don’t have any doubts. Even though he is excellent at keeping secrets, as one of the most recognisable wizards in the entire world, we think it would be hard to keep a double life under wraps. Also, between fighting Dark magic, running a school and eating sherbet lemons – where would he find the time?
Could grumpy Aberforth Dumbledore be jolly St. Nick?
We don’t just have one Dumbledore on our Christmas radar, we have two! As the brother who had an equally excellent beard but kept a lower profile, it would be foolish not consider Aberforth. Yes, he was grumpy. Yes, he was a trifle odd. Nevertheless, beneath that gruff surface lay a heart of gold. Aberforth truly cared about the students at Hogwarts and helped when it mattered most.
One slight problem, Father Christmas flies around on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. If Aberforth was handing out presents, we all know he would choose to be pulled along by his favourite animals… goats. Perhaps he’s not our hidden holiday hero.
Hagrid’s care for magical creatures makes a compelling case
Father Christmas must be someone who has an affinity with animals. Between checking that all carrots are evenly distributed, finding time to help build the confidence of the only reindeer with a red nose and making sure every present around the world is delivered, it would be chaos if they weren’t. It also sounds like a perfect job for Hagrid.
Hagrid instantly being best friends with his flying crew is not our only reason. Caring, jolly and thoughtful, his entire personality gives off Father Christmas vibes.
There is just one detail that throws everything into doubt… his beard. It might be bushy but it’s the wrong colour and that has us questioning everything.
Does Arthur Weasley have a festive secret?
With his ability to find magic in the mundane, Arthur Weasley might not have had a beard, but he did have Father Christmas energy. With seven of his own – and a few honorary extras too – there’s no doubt he adored children.
Then there’s his beloved shed. It might have been the bane of his wife’s existence, but it was his haven. One where he liked to work on his secret projects… or could that be secret Christmas present projects? Have we discovered the toy making hub?
However, to be Father Christmas you have to be totally committed to your role as bringer-of-festive-joy. Arthur was committed to his job… but in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. It would be impossible to do both at once.
Have you considered the gift-expert, Horace Slughorn?
We all know that a crucial part of Father Christmas’ job is making a list, then checking it twice, to try and find out who’s naughty or nice. You know who else like lists? Slughorn. His Slug Club was filled with all the people on his! Can this be a coincidence? Add to that his merry demeanour, and excellent taste when it came to cultivating presents, and we think we have a case.
Having said that, not only does Slughorn lack the Father Christmas beard but he also lacks his selfless nature. We’re not saying that he was a bad person, but he was snobby – and far more interested in getting presents than giving them.
Hear us out… what about Vernon Dursley?
We promise we haven’t been Confunded, we know that the mean-spirited Vernon Dursley seems nothing like jolly ol’ St. Nick… but could it all be the perfect cover? Nobody would ever believe it could be true – he was the director of a drill making firm! Extremely boring! Yet, what if Grunnings was actually a toy making firm… one where elves made presents for children? Food for thought.
Plus, thanks to his extremely well-maintained moustache, we know Vernon could grow a triumphant Father Christmas beard. His choice to forego the famous facial hair could be part of his plan to keep his identity hidden.
Yet, we highly doubt that someone as wonderful as Father Christmas would be able to maintain such a horrible façade. Vernon was rotten to the core. He wouldn’t care about bringing joy to children around the world. In fact, he’d take all their presents and give them to Dudley instead.
