Sometimes it seems like the wizards in Harry Potter never age — or age by magical rules. But if you dig a little deeper, you might be surprised: at the start of the saga, some are only 11 years old, while others have already crossed the century mark. Here’s who’s older, who’s younger, and why Minerva McGonagall in Fantastic Beasts lives in a parallel timeline.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: Students Are 11, but Snape Is Already 31
Harry, Ron, and Hermione are about 11–12 years old in the first movie, like most of their classmates. But Professor Snape is already 31. He’s one of Hogwarts’ youngest teachers — and also the head of Slytherin! His peers include Lupin and Sirius Black. Meanwhile, Hagrid is 62.
Fantastic Beasts: Why Minerva McGonagall Ages Illogically
According to the books, Minerva was born in 1935. But in the Fantastic Beasts film, set in the 1920s, she is already teaching at Hogwarts. So either she’s a time traveler, or Hogwarts students can see the future. This is a major canon break, and fans still debate whether the movie should be considered part of the official universe.
Goblet of Fire: Voldemort Is 64, But That’s Just Formal
Strictly counting, Tom Riddle is 64 years old. But the Lord — has no organs from birth. His mother died when he was less than a year old, and his father abandoned the family. Voldemort went through transformations, resurrections, and loss of his body. So his formal age doesn’t really matter: he has long since become someone beyond the human scale of age.
Dumbledore in Deathly Hallows: 110 Years Old, but in Great Shape
Next to 110-year-old Dumbledore stands Elphias Doge, who is the same age but looks two hundred. Dumbledore is not only vigorous but calm, elegant, and sharp-minded. He is one of those figures whose age ceases to surprise because he exists outside of time.
Looking at these numbers, Rowling’s universe becomes even more fascinating: some grew up too early, some lived for centuries, and some remained teenagers forever.
