J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world is a large, comprehensive universe, written with love for detail and a lot of care put into (if we ignore a few loopholes here and there caused by the Fantastic Beast series). It leaves room for side characters whose stories are hidden gems yet to be discovered by Potterheads, but who are not any less significant. One such person is Rolf Scamander, who, while not as seemingly prominent in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, is still part of a greater storyline.
Even if you never heard of him before, specifically, you’ll surely recognize the name “Scamander”. And for good reason! Rolf was grandson to the esteemed magizoologist Newt Scamander and famous auror Porpentina Scamander (née Goldstein). Rolf’s parents, however, are yet to be named. Not much is known about his early life. He was born to the Scamander family in the British Isles in the late Twentieth century some time between 1949 and 1993. His relationship to Newt and Tina were seemingly good, seeing that they both were a great influence to his career as Magizoologist and passed their love for magical creatures down to him.
Born into the Scamander family, renowned for their dedication to study and preserve magical creatures, Rolf likely grew up in an environment filled with curiosity and love for nature. Since both of his grandparents lived in England later on, and due to being born in the British Isles, it is very likely that Rolf attended the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry when he grew up. However, there are also the possibilities that he was homeschooled, or travelled through the world with his family to discover and save magical creatures. These options would explain Rolf Scamander’s absence in the Harry Potter series, however, he could also simply have attended the school in a different time than our beloved trio. There is a possibility that Rolf was Jewish, as Porpentina is assumed to be of Jewish descent, an assumption backed up by distant relative Anthony Goldstein, a Jewish Ravenclaw student that fought in the Battle of Hogwarts in 1998.
Newt (Eddie Redmayne) and Tina (Katherine Waterston) in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
Newt’s influence on Rolf’s career is undeniable. His keen interest in Magizoology lead him to follow his grandfather’s footsteps, continuing his family’s legacy. He grew to a well-respected Magizoologist, who later in life joined the Daily Prophet and became the Chief Consulting Magizoologist around 2010. During his career, he attended and wrote about several Quidditch World Cup openings and could draw attention to the lack of organization regarding the treatment of mascots. Furthermore, Rolf assisted members of the Secrecy Task Force in 2019. His vast knowledge was passed down to their members and many others, all while spreading awareness about lesser-known creatures such as Erumpents or Occamies. Not only did he help the creatures themselves, but supported aspiring Magizoologists, continuing his grandfather’s legacy.
Many fans were disappointed when they found out that Luna Lovegood chose to marry a character they never heard of before. They followed her journey of self-discovery and resilience, her being unapologetically herself, no matter the circumstances or pain she endured. While being declared as “weird” by most Potterheads when she first made an appearance, she grew on us fast - it is difficult not to adore her after all. So why would she not marry someone else we already know of, someone whose story we followed as well?
Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) as we know her.
Luna’s heart and mind were always open, and her choosing someone she met after Hogwarts, is the perfect representation for this. Their shared love for magical creatures and their jobs as (quite successful and famous) Magizoologists formed the perfect ground for their close and lasting relationship. It was said that they married later than the rest of her classmates, which could be explained by them spending their life travelling, exploring the flora and fauna of the world, and discovering many new creatures before settling down between 2008 and 2014 and having their twin sons, Lorcan and Lysander Scamander.
J.K. Rowling: “Luna became a very famous wizarding naturalist who discovered and classified many new species of animals (though, alas, she never did find a Crumple-Horned Snorkack and had, finally, to accept that her father might have made that one up). She ended up marrying (rather later than Harry & co) a fellow naturalist and grandson of the great Newt Scamander (Rolf)!”
In an interview with Evanna Lynch at the Oz Comic Con in Sydney, Rowling brought to light that she originally planned to include Rolf Scamander in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. The author had kept Evanna, who plays Luna Lovegood in the movies, up to date whether or not Rolf would make an appearance. He was meant to tell The Tale of the Three Brothers. However, she had a change of heart and let Xenophilius Lovegood tell the story in his place. According to Evanna, Rowling changed her mind a few times before settling on this decision. It is not known why she chose to leave him out.
Evanna Lynch: “Jo had told me that uh Rolf Scamander was originally in the book and I think he was supposed to have delivered the information that Xenophilius ended up giving in the book so I was just fascinated because she had been saying "oh he's out now, he's in again, he's out, he's in" and um it turned out that he was out, he never made it into the book.”
It is almost poetic. Rolf Scamander is a man who followed his dreams and tried to unveil the mysteries of the world, yet, he himself remains a mystery with little bits uncovered here and there. His story stretches throughout the whole storyline known to us, from his grandparent’s achievements in the Fantastic Beasts movies, over the course of the Harry Potter movies, to the upbringing of a new generation. His journey is a testament to the legacy of the Scamander name, and the adventures and love they experienced.
So, what do you think? Should he have been added to the books?
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