Summary
While there are several characters from theHarry Potterseries that have been omitted from the movies, Ludovic ‘Ludo’ Bagman’s storyline could have been interesting to adapt on screen. There are rumors that the Australian actor Martin Landham would have been cast for the role, but Bagman’s part ended up being absorbed by Barty Crouch Sr.
Featuring prominently inHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Bagman is a rather flamboyant wizard. With round blue eyes, blonde hair and a rosy complexion, he seems like an “overgrown schoolboy”. However, even though he is not considered to be an antagonist inHarry Potter, a lot more lies beneath his jovial and charismatic exterior.
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Who Is Ludo Bagman?
When Bagman is first introduced, he is described as being “easily the most noticeable person” Harry has seen so far at the 1994 Quidditch World Cup. A former Quidditch star (“the best Beater the Wimbourne Wasps ever had”), who also played for the English National Quidditch team at one point, he now has the look of a “powerfully built man gone slightly to seed”. As the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, one would not expect him to be incompetent while planning what is the biggest event that his department will ever oversee. However, he simply assumes that there is “not much [for him] to do”, and instead wanders around the campground in a “wild state of excitement” while talking up a storm. He is even lax about security measures, as he continues to wear his wizarding robes and talk loudly about Quidditch while Muggles are around. His carelessness and disregard for his responsibilities is further demonstrated when he delays sending out a search party for his missing employee, Bertha Jorkins (who has actuallybeen killed by Voldemort).
Later that year, he is also responsible for organizing the Triwizard Tournament atHogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and is one of the five judges (and commentator) for all three tasks. When Harry is chosen as the fourth champion, Bagman repeatedly tries to give him “a prod in the right direction” before each task, but he refuses to take any help as that would be unfair for the other participants. Bagman still tries to sway the result in his favor by awarding him relatively higher points, and also beratesIgor Karkaroff (the headmaster of Durmstrang)openly for being biased against Harry.
It is eventually revealed that Bagman is a compulsive gambler. He bets heavily on the World Cup final, and even borrows gold from goblins for this purpose. When he loses, the goblins corner him after the match and take everything he has — but even that is not enough to cover his debts. They follow him all the way to Hogwarts, and he attempts to pay them back by placing a bet on Harry in the tournament. Even though Harry does win, the goblins argue thatCedric Diggory is also technically a winnerand, hence, Bagman has lost the bet. He also goes as far as to trick his creditors (includingFred and George Weasley) by paying them back with leprechaun gold (which vanishes after a few hours). Even though the twins keep badgering him for their money throughout the year (especially since he owes them a substantial amount), he constantly evades them and turns “pretty nasty” towards the end, refusing to return their stake as they are “too young to gamble” anyway.
Little is known about Bagman from here onwards, apart from the fact that he runs away right after the third task. The consequences of his actions are mentioned later on, whenthe Order of the Phoenixfaces difficulties in gaining the trust and support of goblins for their cause. However, according to Pottermore, Bagman writes an article forThe Daily Prophetabout the 2014 Quidditch World Cup, titled “Place Your Bets With Ludo Bagman”, in which he analyzes the prospects of the four teams in the semi-finals. He also writes a blurb forQuidditch Through the Ages: “Bet you anything it’ll be a bestseller. Go on, I bet you.”
Is Ludo Bagman a Death Eater?
Unreliable as she may be, Rita Skeeter is speaking the truth when she says to Hermione that “I know things about Ludo Bagman that would make your hair curl”. As Harry discovers while looking into Dumbledore’s Pensieve later on, this is a reference to the past accusations against him for being a Death Eater. After the First Wizarding War, Bagman was put on trial before the Council of Magical Law for passing on sensitive information tothe Death Eater Augustus Rookwood. He claimed that he had collected information “for our side”, and trusted Rookwood with it since he was his father’s friend. Moreover, Rookwood (who was working as an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries) had promised him a job atthe Ministry of Magicin exchange for his help.
Bagman, who was at the height of his Quidditch career at that time, managed to avoid being sentenced to Azkaban due to his charm and popularity. A few members of the jury even congratulated him for his recent win and cheered for him. Bagman was never suspected of being a Death Eater again after that.
